scholarly journals Resilience of Critical Infrastructures: A Risk Assessment Methodology for Energy Corridors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Carpignano ◽  
Daniele Grosso ◽  
Raffaella Gerboni ◽  
Andrea Bologna
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Dimension ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Critical Infrastructures ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Criticality Index ◽  
Risk Assessment Methodology ◽  
Critical Sections

The need for scientific methodologies to assess quantitatively the resilience of critical infrastructures against natural hazards (like earthquakes, floods, storms, landslides and wildfires) during the last decade has become a relevant aspect for several countries and for the European Union. In fact, this quantification could allow setting and implementing effective measures to prevent or mitigate the negative socio-economic effects that a possible disruption of these infrastructures, caused by extreme natural events, could cause. This paper focuses, in particular, on energy corridors and proposes a new approach for evaluating their resilience, based on the definition of a criticality index able to estimate the economic damage associated to all the hazards by taking into account the spatial dimension of the infrastructure and by combining different interdependent parameters that could affect the criticality level. The procedure was tested by means of an application to a simplified case study. The obtained results highlighted the main advantages of the defined method, especially in ranking the critical sections of the infrastructure and prioritising the investments for reinforcing and protecting it or in identifying the further tests to be performed, especially in the case of a reassessment of the acceptable risk limit.

E pluribus unum? Language diversity and the harmonization of company law in the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 669-690
Author(s):  
Federico M Mucciarelli
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Company Law ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Freedom Of Establishment ◽  
First Case ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

This work addresses the impact of language diversity and nation-specific doctrinal structures on harmonized company law in the EU. With this aim, two emblematic case studies will be analysed. The first case study is related to the definition of ‘merger’ adopted in the Company Law Directive 2017/1132 (originally in the Third Company Law Directive and the Cross-Border Merger Directive); by relying on the example of the SEVIC case decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), it will be shown that scholars’ and courts’ conception of the definition of ‘merger’ varies according to own domestic doctrinal structures. The second case study is related to the notion of ‘registered office’, which is key for establishing the scope of several harmonizing provisions and the freedom of establishment; this paper analyses terminological fluctuations across language versions of EU legislation and the impact of domestic taxonomies and legal debates upon the interpretation of these notions. These case studies show that company law concepts, despite their highly technical nature, are influenced by discourse constructions conducted within national interpretative communities, and by the language used to draft statutory instruments and discuss legal issues. The task of the CJEU is to counterbalance these local tendencies, and yet it is unlikely that doctrinal structures, rooted in national languages and legal cultures, will disappear.

scholarly journals Tackling distribution-related shortages of medicines: An Italian case study evaluated in the European Union framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 239920261985685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Di Giorgio ◽  
Giuseppe Scrofina ◽  
Barbara Scognamiglio ◽  
Nadia Di Carluccio ◽  
Romina Tulimiero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Short Term ◽  
European Regulation ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Definition Of

Availability of human medicines is affected by problems associated with both manufacturing and distribution-related issues. The lack of definition of “shortages” or “unavailability” of medicines in European regulation represents an obstacle to the set up of proper preventive and counteracting measures. In this review, we describe how, within this framework, Italy started a program of shared activities, involving central and local authorities, police forces, and private stakeholders’ associations through an “ ad hoc technical forum,” that reduced the extent of the problem, at least in the short term, as demonstrated through some indicators defined by considering the key medicines affected by unavailability due to distribution-related issues. These measures should be strengthened and complemented with others so as to ensure their effectiveness in the long term.

scholarly journals The Importance of Globalization in the Economic Integration of the Countries in the Region: The Case of Kosovo

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Sc. Bekë Kuqi ◽  
Dr. Sc. Petrit Hasanaj
Keyword(s):  
Economic Integration ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Us ◽  
Harmonization Process ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Eu

Globalization represents an unavoidable phenomenon in the history of mankind, which is making the world smaller and smaller by increasing the exchange of goods, services, information, knowledge and cultures between different countries. Globalization is a process that has changed a lot in our everyday lives. This multidimensional and contradictory process brings to life the hopes and achievements that life can bring to it. The rush for greater competition is one of the main objectives of globalization. Such a thing can only be reached with market liberalization, economic integration and technology development. It is important for us to benefit from globalization. Therefore, during this paper we will discuss the importance of globalization for the integration and development of countries in the US and as a case study for Kosovo. Globalization is an unstoppable process for Kosovo, and a hope for integration and development that will impact on economic development and integration into the European Union. Following the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo on 17 February 2008 and the entry into force of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo on 15 June 2008, the same objectives, more than before, were introduced in Kosovo. Like other transition countries, Kosovo also declared membership in the EU not only objective of foreign policy, but also a strategic social and state goal. The definition of this decision puts Kosovo at the forefront of the transition, reform and harmonization process with EU criteria.

The Causal Role of Ideas in Taiwan’s Protectionist Agricultural Trade Policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (03) ◽  
pp. 1750007
Author(s):  
FERNANDO MARIANO SCHMIDT HERNANDEZ
Keyword(s):  
Trade Policy ◽  
Causal Power ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Agricultural Trade ◽  
Trade Policies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Domestic Support

While embracing trade policies that foster trade liberalization, Taiwan has clear protectionist policies covering its agricultural trade, which combine border measures with domestic support, and are closely modeled on the policies created by the European Union. The idea of multifunctionality of agriculture — and its link to trade policy — has created a normative framework whereby the agricultural markets have to be shielded in order for them to provide non-commodity attributes or public goods. This paper aims to explore the causal power of ideas (liberalization and multifunctionality) in the definition of Taiwan’s agricultural trade policy, by analyzing them from the perspective of historical institutionalism, and taking Taiwan as a case study. It is the institutionalization of the idea of multifunctionality that gives it an explanatory power toward understanding the ideational source of protectionism in agricultural trade.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Building Smart Readiness Indicator Calculation: A Comparative Case-Study with Two Panels of Experts

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Vigna ◽  
Roberta Pernetti ◽  
Giovanni Pernigotto ◽  
Andrea Gasparella
Keyword(s):  
Energy Performance ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Subjective Evaluations ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
The Impact

The last release of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2018/844/EU stated that smart buildings will play a crucial role in the future energy systems. Consequently, the Directive introduced the Smart Readiness Indicator in order to provide a common framework to highlight the value of building smartness across Europe. The methodology for the calculation of the Smart Readiness Indicator is currently under development and therefore not yet officially adopted at the European Union level. In this context, the current research analyzed the second public release of the proposed methodology, discussing the feasibility of its implementation and the obtained results through a practical application. Specifically, the methodology was applied to a nearly zero-energy office building located in Italy, and the evaluation was carried out in parallel by two different expert groups composed by researchers and technical building systems specialists. With the aim of analyzing the impact of subjective evaluations on the calculated indicator, a two-step assessment was adopted: in a first phase the two groups worked separately, and only in a second phase they were allowed to compare results, discuss discrepancies and identify the difficulties in applying the methodology. As the main outcome of this research, a set of recommendations are presented for an effective broad implementation of the Smart Readiness Indicator, able to increase the relevance of its evaluation and effectiveness, as well as to enhance the comparability of smart readiness of buildings through the definition of benchmarks and to integrate with other measurable key indicators, especially concerning energy flexibility.

Challenges in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive: case study of the alpine River Drau, Austria

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. De Toffol ◽  
S. Achleitner ◽  
C. Engelhard ◽  
W. Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Water Quality Indicators ◽  
Emission Regulations ◽  
Ecological Water Quality ◽  
Alpine River ◽  
Definition Of

The paper explores a methodology for the definition of ecological water quality indicators on the basis of a case study on an alpine river in Austria. Further, it discusses a particular interpretation of the combined approach introduced in the European Union Water Framework Directive that allows violating emission regulations if cost-effective.

scholarly journals Definition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise under the Guidelines of the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-190
Author(s):  
Monika Raczyńska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Medium Enterprises

AbstractResearch problem: It should be remembered that projects co-financed from European Union funds are a special type of projects to which additional guidelines apply. Awareness of the regulation may help enterprises avoid erroneous categorization or loss of SME status resulting in non-awarding or reimbursement of subsidies with tax interest. The problem is still valid, because EU projects are and will be implemented and must preserve the so-called durability. The validity of the topic can be confirmed by the fact that definitional problems appear all the time, which are even dealt with in court.Thesis: The definition of micro, small and medium enterprises under the European Union guidelines requires special attention when applying for EU funding.The aim of the article is to present the issues related to the qualification of an entity to the category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of using EU funds.The research methods were applied in the article: in the theoretical part – literature studies, comparative analysis, in the empirical part – case study, causal and effect analysis, descriptive analysis.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

E-health developments in the system of health services in Hungary and the European Union

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (21) ◽  
pp. 822-827
Author(s):  
Ágnes Váradi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
European Union ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Contemporary Issue ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Basic Features

The question of electronic solutions in public health care has become a contemporary issue at the European Union level since the action plan of the Commission on the e-health developments of the period between 2012 and 2020 has been published. In Hungary this issue has been placed into the centre of attention after a draft on modifications of regulations in health-care has been released for public discourse, which – if accepted – would lay down the basics of an electronic heath-service system. The aim of this paper is to review the basic features of e-health solutions in Hungary and the European Union with the help of the most important pieces of legislation, documents of the European Union institutions and sources from secondary literature. When examining the definition of the basic goals and instruments of the development, differences between the European Union and national approaches can be detected. Examination of recent developmental programs and existing models seem to reveal difficulties in creating interoperability and financing such projects. Finally, the review is completed by the aspects of jurisdiction and fundamental rights. It is concluded that these issues are mandatory to delineate the legislative, economic and technological framework for the development of the e-health systems. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(21), 822–827.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document