Theoretical approaches to defining the shadow economy

Subject. This article explores the forms of the shadow economy. Objectives. The article aims to identify conceptual differences between approaches to defining the shadow economy notion. Methods. For the study, we used logical, comparative, and content analyses. Results. The article finds that the concept of the shadow economy includes both illegal activities, which contradict the spirit and letter of the law, and legal activities, through using illegal tools and methods to maximize profits or minimize costs. Conclusions. Social, legal, and economic factors determine the development of the shadow economy. Whether money comes back to the legal economy sector or not, it depends on the form of the shadow economy. To define the essence of the shadow economy, a comprehensive approach is required.

Development of a Novel Design Strategy for Moving Mechanisms Used in Multi-Material Plastic Injection Molds

Plastics injection molding is a sector that is becoming increasingly competitive due to the environmental issues it entails, pressuring consumers to reduce its use. Thus, plastics processing companies attempt to minimize costs, with the aim of increasing competitiveness. This pressure is transmitted to the mold manufacturers, as the mold conditions the equipment that it is used for, which may have significantly different amortization costs. The present work aimed to design a novel mechanism able to deal with the necessary movements in 2K injection molding in a more compact way. A novel hybrid mechanical and hydraulic movement was developed. More compact movements lead to smaller molds, which can be used on smaller injection machines, leading to reduced costs. This methodology consists of multiplying a disproportionate movement to the mold through several movements, which results in a slightly more complex, but much more compact, system for molds devoted to multi-material injected parts.

Auditing Ethics: A Cost–Benefit Framework for Audit Studies

The audit study design offers researchers a powerful tool to measure discrimination. Yet ethical concerns surround the use of this design. In this article, we introduce a cost–benefit framework that researchers should consider when conducting audit studies. One key insight of this framework is that when researchers evaluate audit studies due to ethical concerns, they must also evaluate the relative benefits of studying discrimination through other means. Building on this framework, we provide a set of practical recommendations that researchers can adopt to (1) minimize costs (i.e. ethical harm) and (2) maximize benefits (i.e. quality of their research). We hope that our suggestions contribute to the ongoing, important discussion about ethical issues involving audit studies and generate better work on discrimination.

Optimized scheduling techniques focused on powerful heuristics leveraging cloud services soft computing

Purpose Determining the roles of multiple CSPs is important because it affects job costs and time off. The primary objective of this work is to ensure an efficient and complex distribution of resources in cloud-based computing. Workflow study of various algorithms such as ant colony optimization (ACO), differential evolution algorithm, genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization (PSO), hybridization of the above algorithms (ADGP). For research, CSP’s tools are put all over the world. Design/methodology/approach The main objective of this study is to effectively introduce cloud-based computing in CSPs. The algorithm minimizes resource response time and overall workflow tasks. It seeks to improve load balancing by modifying the algorithm to support load balancing. In the proposed multipurpose scheduling methods, the ADGP algorithm performs better than any other proposed algorithm during the resource response. This algorithm was found to be superior to the selected 200 sources and thousands of tasks. It reduces resource response time by copying service nodes through several sites. As this algorithm moves faster to the best solution, the response time of the resource is reduced compared to other algorithms. Findings Hybrid ACOs perform best when it comes to resource management when workloads are uniformly spread across multiple virtual machines. However, hybrids PSOs are better suited to choosing the best options to minimize costs. Overall, an optimal cloud-based scheduling solution can be successfully simulated using CloudSim in CSP to share resources between end-users to support consumers and users effectively. Originality/value Hybrid ACOs perform best when it comes to resource management when workloads are uniformly spread across multiple virtual machines. However, hybrids PSOs are better suited to choosing the best options to minimize costs. Overall, an optimal cloud-based scheduling solution can be successfully simulated using CloudSim in CSP to share resources between end-users to support consumers and users effectively.

A Multi-Party Contract Signing Solution Based on Blockchain

Fair digital signature of contracts and agreements is an essential process in any electronic commerce scenario, and therefore also in data marketplaces, where the relationships and agreements among the different parties (consumers and providers) are more dynamic. In multi-party contract signing, N parties wish to sign a contract in a such a way that either all signatories obtain evidence of the signing or none obtains conflicting evidence regarding the honest signatories; the exchange must be fair. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based multi-party contract signing protocol. This solution does not require the existence or potential intervention of a trusted third party (TTP), thus avoiding the difficulty of N signatories agreeing upon a TTP. In addition, this proposal meets the necessary requirements: fairness, timeliness, non-repudiation of origin, and non-repudiation of receipt. Furthermore, confidentiality can be easily achieved. To minimize costs associated with the use of blockchain, it should be invoked in the case of exception (analogous to optimistic solutions with a TTP) and by only one of the N signatories. However, when the use of blockchain is required, we show that its cost is within perfectly manageable margins.

Effect of transport vehicles on the grain harvester idle time during harvesting

The article studied the effect of transport vehicles on the grain harvester idle time during wheat, barley and rapeseed harvesting in 6 agricultural farms. In each of the farms one grain harvester and the established harvesting organization were studied without changing the unloading mode and the specific activities performed by the harvester operators and transportation vehicles. By multifactor regression analysis the effect of time for moving the transport vehicle on the grain harvester idle time was established. In addition, the value of the determination coefficient R2=0.54 reveals that 54% of the harvester idle time for unloading the grain hopper (Т1) change is due to the change of significant times and 46% to the effect of unmanageable factors. It has been established that the change in the time from opening the unloading auger to its activation depends on the position of transport vehicles on the field (t1) and the time for their movement to the harvester auger (t2). The results obtained can be used to minimize costs in the technological process of crop harvesting.

Strategic Choice of Presentation Format: The Case of ETR Reconciliations

To minimize costs related to unfavorable perceptions of their tax-related activities, firms with low effective tax rates (ETR) could avoid, where possible, explicit mentions of their effective tax rates. Using this reputational cost perspective we study an item of required disclosure in the income tax footnote of the 10-K, the ETR reconciliation table, where firms can choose a presentation format that reveals the tax rate (the percentage format) or one that avoids explicit mention of the effective tax rate (the dollar format). We find that firms with low ETRs are 24 percent more likely to use the dollar format, and are also less likely to mention their tax rates elsewhere in their disclosures, consistent with the choice of dollar format reflecting a firm's overall tax disclosure strategy. Analysts' tax expense forecasts are less accurate for dollar format firms, suggesting higher processing costs associated with tax-related disclosures for these firms.

How to Organize a Photocatalysis Conference Online (on a Budget)

Originally planned as an on-site meeting, the inaugural CataLight Young Scientist Symposium (CYSS) took place as a fully online conference in November 2020. Dedicated to various aspects of photocatalysis, namely synthesis, theory, characterization, and application, CYSS aimed to provide a stage for early-career scientists to connect to each other and present their research to peers in the field. While still keeping a traditional on-site conference format including both plenary and poster sessions, several minor and major changes had to be applied to the format to deliver a full experience. In this report, we highlight key steps in the organization of such an online conference, laying a focus on using mostly open source software to minimize costs, and discuss differences to both on-site and other online conference formats.<br>