scholarly journals Consequences of the Totalitarian past on the Albanian Post- Communist Society

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Matilda Pajo
Keyword(s):  
Annual Reports ◽  
Communist Regime ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Democratic State ◽  
Qualitative Nature ◽  
Communist Past ◽  
Totalitarian Regimes ◽  
Hybrid Regime ◽  
Freedom House

Enver Hoxha's communist regime lasted 45 years, leaving unstudied long-term consequences in the Albanian society. Still today, after 26 years of transition, the path of democratization of Albania remains unclear. Albania has been for more than four decades under one of the most isolated communist regimes in Europe. The transition from a communist totalitarian state to a democratic state is still incomplete even after 26 years since the fall of communism. Annual reports carried out by Freedom House noted a delay in the processes of democratic governance in Albania. In these reports, since 2007, based on the democratic indicators, Albania is defined as e hybrid regime. The aim of this paper is to argue that one of the reasons delaying democratization is the missing detachment, or the non-separation from the mentality of communist past. The methodology of this paper is qualitative nature, based on the international philosophical and political science literature. Also the author has studied countries, who have had similar experiences of totalitarian regimes and who later embraced democracy. This paper attempts to explain, that the bad governance is linked to the anti-democratic character of governance in Albania. Throughout Eastern Europe, Albania was the most radical, on the adaptation of Stalinist totalitarianism type, and nevertheless still today, is not seeking punishment of crimes of communism and has not implemented a law on lustration. The past can become an obstacle to the future when is not studied, recognized and confronted with.

European Integration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann P. Arnason
Keyword(s):  
European Integration ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Historical Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Eastern European Countries ◽  
Totalitarian Regimes ◽  
The Eu

Different understandings of European integration, its background and present problems are represented in this book, but they share an emphasis on historical processes, geopolitical dynamics and regional diversity. The introduction surveys approaches to the question of European continuities and discontinuities, before going on to an overview of chapters. The following three contributions deal with long-term perspectives, including the question of Europe as a civilisational entity, the civilisational crisis of the twentieth century, marked by wars and totalitarian regimes, and a comparison of the European Union with the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on similar crisis symptoms. The next three chapters discuss various aspects and contexts of the present crisis. Reflections on the Brexit controversy throw light on a longer history of intra-Union rivalry, enduring disputes and changing external conditions. An analysis of efforts to strengthen the EU’s legal and constitutional framework, and of resistances to them, highlights the unfinished agenda of integration. A closer look at the much-disputed Islamic presence in Europe suggests that an interdependent radicalization of Islamism and the European extreme right is a major factor in current political developments. Three concluding chapters adopt specific regional perspectives. Central and Eastern European countries, especially Poland, are following a path that leads to conflicts with dominant orientations of the EU, but this also raises questions about Europe’s future. The record of Scandinavian policies in relation to Europe exemplifies more general problems faced by peripheral regions. Finally, growing dissonances and divergences within the EU may strengthen the case for Eurasian perspectives.

On the dynamics of distribution of the American White Butterfly, Hyphantria cunea Drury, 1973 (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae), in Ukraine regarding the annual minimal air temperatures

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
S. N. Shumov
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Complete Elimination ◽  
Hyphantria Cunea ◽  
White American ◽  
Gis Technologies ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Negative Temperatures

The spatial analysis of distribution and quantity of Hyphantria cunea Drury, 1973 across Ukraine since 1952 till 2016 regarding the values of annual absolute temperatures of ground air is performed using the Gis-technologies. The long-term pest dissemination data (Annual reports…, 1951–1985; Surveys of the distribution of quarantine pests ..., 1986–2017) and meteorological information (Meteorological Yearbooks of air temperature the surface layer of the atmosphere in Ukraine for the period 1951-2016; Branch State of the Hydrometeorological Service at the Central Geophysical Observatory of the Ministry for Emergencies) were used in the present research. The values of boundary negative temperatures of winter diapause of Hyphantria cunea, that unable the development of species’ subsequent generation, are received. Data analyses suggests almost complete elimination of winter diapausing individuals of White American Butterfly (especially pupae) under the air temperature of −32°С. Because of arising questions on the time of action of absolute minimal air temperatures, it is necessary to ascertain the boundary negative temperatures of winter diapause for White American Butterfly. It is also necessary to perform the more detailed research of a corresponding biological material with application to the freezing technics, giving temperature up to −50°С, with the subsequent analysis of the received results by the punched-analysis.

scholarly journals Cropland Abandonment in Slovakia: Analysis and Comparison of Different Data Sources

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Juraj Lieskovský ◽  
Dana Lieskovská
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Communist Regime ◽  
Corine Land Cover ◽  
Cropland Area ◽  
Cropland Abandonment ◽  
Multi Temporal

This study compares different nationwide multi-temporal spatial data sources and analyzes the cropland area, cropland abandonment rates and transformation of cropland to other land cover/land use categories in Slovakia. Four multi-temporal land cover/land use data sources were used: The Historic Land Dynamics Assessment (HILDA), the Carpathian Historical Land Use Dataset (CHLUD), CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data and Landsat images classification. We hypothesized that because of the different spatial, temporal and thematic resolution of the datasets, there would be differences in the resulting cropland abandonment rates. We validated the datasets, compared the differences, interpreted the results and combined the information from the different datasets to form an overall picture of long-term cropland abandonment in Slovakia. The cropland area increased until the Second World War, but then decreased after transition to the communist regime and sharply declined following the 1989 transition to an open market economy. A total of 49% of cropland area has been transformed to grassland, 34% to forest and 15% to urban areas. The Historical Carpathian dataset is the more reliable long-term dataset, and it records 19.65 km2/year average cropland abandonment for 1836–1937, 154.44 km2/year for 1938–1955 and 140.21 km2/year for 1956–2012. In comparison, the Landsat, as a recent data source, records 142.02 km2/year abandonment for 1985–2000 and 89.42 km2/year for 2000–2010. These rates, however, would be higher if the dataset contained urbanisation data and more precise information on afforestation. The CORINE Land Cover reflects changes larger than 5 ha, and therefore the reported cropland abandonment rates are lower.

Enterprise risk management and sustainability of banks performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babajide Oyewo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Enterprise Risk Management ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Banking Reform ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study investigates firm attributes (namely level of capitalisation, scope of operation, organisational structure, organisational lifecycle, systemic importance and size) affecting the robustness of enterprise risk management (ERM) practice, the extent to which ERM affects the performance of banks and the impact of ERM on the long-term sustainability of banks in Nigeria. This was against the backdrop that the 2012 banking reform was a major regulatory intervention that mainstreamed ERM in the Nigerian banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a mixed methodology of content, trend and quantitative analyses. Ex post facto research design was deployed to analyse performance differential of banks, with respect to the implementation of ERM, over a 10-year period (2008–2017). A disclosure checklist developed from the COSO ERM integrated framework was used to assess the robustness of ERM by content-analysing divulgence on risk management in published annual reports. The banking reform periods were dichotomised into pre- (2008–2012) and post- (2013–2017) reform periods. Jonckheere–Terpstra test, independent sample t-test and Mann–Whitney test were applied to analyse a total of 1,036 firm-year observations over the period 2008–2017.FindingsResult shows that bank attributes significantly affecting the robustness of risk management practice are level of capitalisation, scope of operation, systemic importance and size. Performance of banks improved slightly during the post-2012 banking reform period. This suggests that as banks consolidate on the gains of ERM, benefits of the regulatory policy on risk management may be realised in the long run. Result also shows that ERM enhances long-term performance, connoting that effective risk management could serve as a competitive strategy for surviving turbulence that typically characterises the banking sector.Practical implicationsThe emergence of level of capitalisation, scope of operation, systemic importance and size as determinants of ERM provides empirical evidence to support the practice of reviewing the capital requirements for banking business from time to time by regulatory authorities (i.e. recapitalisation policy) as a strategy for managing systemic risk. Top management of banks may consider instituting mechanisms that will ensure risk management is given prominence. A proactive approach must be taken to convert risks to opportunities by banks and other financial institutions, going forward, to cope with the vicissitudes of financial intermediation.Originality/valueThe originality of the study stems from the consideration that it provides some new insights into the impact of ERM on banks long-term sustainability in a developing country. The study also contributes to knowledge by exposing the factors determining the robustness of risk management practice. The study developed a checklist for assessing ERM practice from annual reports and other risk management disclosure documents. The paper also adds to the scarce literature on risk governance and risk management.

Illiberal deliberation: Communist regime travel controls as state capacity in everyday world politics

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-233
Author(s):  
Astrid Hedin
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
State Capacity ◽  
World Politics ◽  
Communist Regime ◽  
Soviet Bloc ◽  
The West ◽  
Democratic Reform ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
Totalitarian Regimes

Much social theory takes for granted that transnational people-to-people dialogue is inherently liberal in process and content – a haven of everyday authenticity that shelters ideas of human rights and democratic reform. In contrast, this contribution shows how communist regimes built and institutionalised an encompassing administrative state capacity to control and shape micro-level professional contacts with the West. This extensive but secret system of coercion, which was brought to light only with the opening of former communist regime archives, set a markedly illiberal framework for everyday East–West deliberations during the Cold War. Effectively, the travel cadre system may not only have delayed the demise of Soviet bloc communism, by isolating the population from Western influences. It was also intended to serve as a vehicle for the discursive influence of Soviet type regimes on the West. The article provides one of the first and most detailed English language maps of the administrative routines of a communist regime travel cadre system, based on the East German example. Furthermore, drawing on social mechanisms methodology, the article sets up a micro-level ‘how it could work’ scheme over how travel cadre systems can be understood as a state capacity, unique to totalitarian regimes, to help sway political discourse in open societies.

scholarly journals Accountability reporting objectives of Māori organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Craig ◽  
Rawiri Taonui ◽  
Susan Wild ◽  
Lũcia Lima Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Activities ◽  
The Core ◽  
Regional Associations

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the accountability reporting objectives of four Māori-controlled organizations. The examples cited reflect the core values of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand (Aotearoa) and help demonstrate how these values are manifest in the accountability reporting of Māori-controlled organizations. Design/methodology/approach Narrative sections of ten annual reports of two small and two large Maori organizations, drawn variously from their financial years ending in the calendar years 2009 to 2014, are read closely. These organizations represent diverse tribal and regional associations in terms of size, scope and structure; and in terms of the business, social and cultural activities they pursue. Findings Three core Māori values are identified: spirituality (wairuatanga); intergenerationalism and restoration (whakapapa); and governance, leadership and respect (mana and rangatiratanga). The commitment to these values and the way this commitment is reflected in accountability reports of Maori organizations, is presented. Originality/value The examples provided, and the associated discussion, should help inform reporting initiatives of organizations that are seeking better accountability in terms of their long-term engagement with indigenous communities, the environment and broader society.

scholarly journals How Does Debt Financing Affect Financial Performance? A Study of Transport Companies Listed in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulfat Abbas ◽  
Sohail Aziz ◽  
Samina Khan
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Debt Financing ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Earnings Per Share ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Retained Earnings

  Purpose: The purpose of this paper investigates the impact of debt financing on airline’s (transport) sector performance of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: We gathered the data from secondary sources. In this study, we used a data sample of 11 years from 2008-2018 by using companies annual reports. Due to unavailability of data, only 3 transport companies have been taken for analysis. The software which we used in analysis is SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science). Findings: The findings of the study suggests that there is opposite relationship between debt financing and financial performance of airlines. Debt is measured from three ratios, short term debt to total assets, long term debt to total assets and total debt to total assets ratio. For the measurement of performance, we used return on assets and earnings per share. We concluded on the basis of findings that the companies should focus on retained earnings which is cheaper source of finance and use less level of debt. As the more level of debt use by the companies, the performance of companies’ decrease. Implications/Originality/Value: There is only one study is available in Pakistan which used transport sector in Pakistan in debt financing context                                                          

scholarly journals Capital Structure and the Value of Quoted Firms in Nigeria: A Test of Miller and Modigliani Irrelevant Hypothesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Uzokwe Grace Onyinyechi
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Beta Coefficient ◽  
Equity Ratio ◽  
Retained Earnings

This study tested an insignificant hypothesis of the capital structure of Miller and Modiglian in Nigeria. The aim was to investigate the validity of the irrelevant hypothesis. The Tobins Q market value measure was modeled as a function of debt-to-equity ratio, long-term debt to equity ratio, and retained earnings ratio. Twenty companies were selected on the basis of the information needed to conduct the survey and the availability of annual financial reports for the ten-year period 2008-2017. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the annual accounts and annual reports of the companies. Random effects were used in the analysis of fixed and random effects. The study showed that 77% volatility in market value can be predicted by the variation of independent variables in the regression model. The beta coefficient of the variables found that the debt-to-equity ratio, the long-term debt-to-equity ratio, the capital-to-earnings ratio is positively and significantly related to the market value of the selected listed companies. The study concludes that capital structure is relevant, unlike Miller's and Modiglian's irrelevant hypothesis. Therefore, it is recommended that managers ensure an adequate combination of capital and debt.

scholarly journals Short- and long-term outcomes of very low birth weight infants in Korea: Korean Neonatal Network update in 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 284-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang Hoon Lee ◽  
YoungAh Youn ◽  
Yun Sil Chang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Korean Society

Korea currently has the world’s lowest birth rate but a rapidly inreasing number of preterm infants. The Korean Neonatal Network (KNN), launched by the Korean Society of Neonatology under the support of Korea Centers for Disease Control, has collected population-based data for very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) born in Korea since 2013. In terms of the short-term outcomes of VLBWIs born from 2013 to 2016 registered in the KNN, the survival rate of all VLBWIs was 86%. Respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were observed in 78% and 30% of all VLBWIs, respectively. Necrotizing enterocolitis occurred in 7%, while 8% of the VLBWIs needed therapy for retinopathy of prematurity in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Sepsis occurred in 21% during their NICU stay. Intraventricular hemorrhage (grade ≥III) was diagnosed in 10%. In terms of the long-term outcomes for VLBWIs born from 2013 to 2014 registered in the KNN, the post-discharge mortality rate was approximately 1.2%–1.5%, mainly owing to their underlying illness. Nearly half of the VLBWIs were readmitted to the hospital at least once in their first 1–2 years of life, mostly as a result of respiratory diseases. The overall prevalence of cerebral palsy was 6.2%–6.6% in Korea. Bilateral blindness was reported in 0.2%–0.3% of VLBWIs, while bilateral hearing loss was found in 0.8%–1.9%. Since its establishment, the KNN has published annual reports and papers that facilitate the improvement of VLBWI outcome and the formulation of essential healthcare policies in Korea.

Dealing with the communist past: Its role in the disintegration of the Czech Civic Forum and in the emergence of the Civic Democratic Party

2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubomír Kopeček
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Communist Regime ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Communist Past ◽  
Civic Forum ◽  
Do So

The end of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia in 1989 has opened the thorny question of how to deal with the communist legacy. This paper focuses on important aspects of decommunization at the beginning of the 1990s and analyzes the role they played in the disintegration of the Civic Forum and in the emergence of the Civic Democratic Party. The paper shows that the decommunization agenda gradually became a significant divisive factor within the Civic Forum and served as one of the key issues through which the Civic Democratic Party defined itself. It also provided an opportunity for politicians skilled enough to grasp this issue to do so and to incorporate it into their wider political agendas.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document