Russia's Role in the Unification Process of Ukraine to EU

Ukraine's efforts to unite the EU since it gained independence caused some splits in the heterogeneous Ukrainian society. They induced discontent within the Russian Federation as well; because Russia considers itself the inheritor of the former United Soviet Socialist Republic. When Ukrainian President Yanukovych announced that the partnership treaty with the EU was suspended just before the due date for signing, a crisis broke out in Ukraine. Consequently, Yanukovych left the country. Russia reacted to the situation by invading Crimea. Moreover, the EU's Ukraine policy was not clear enough. The main objective of this study is to reveal if Russia was hindering Ukraine's integration to the EU or it was the motive for the process. There are different points of view on that matter. In this chapter, those points will be analyzed under the following subtitles: “Russian Politics of Ukraine”, “EU-Ukraine Relations”, and “EU-Russia Relations.”

European Union and China Relations in the Light of Changing Global Order

The European Union (EU), United States (US), and China are the main global drivers of the international trade system. However, trade wars between them create tensions in the world. As the world is facing increasing neo-protectionist trade applications of the Trump administration, this chapter analyses whether a greater convergence between China and the EU is possible for protecting multilateralism through two case studies, namely (1) market conditions and discrimination, (2) cybersecurity. In this context, the chapter argues that although the US pressure has led the EU to rapprochement with China, this situation creates a dilemma for the EU in terms of the fears about the problems of alignment with the normative identity of the EU. Whereas the EU aims at regulating the global trade on a normative basis originating from its acquis, China has a more strategic perspective based upon specific relationship context. It is difficult to take a side for the EU due to its different standpoint compared to China in defending the multilateral trading system.

Managerial Decision-Making Process in the Modern Business Conditions in the EU

This chapter analyzes the differences of decision-making process in the EU member countries, caused by differences in main dimensions of national culture of each of them. The influence of different cultural dimensions on decision-making process is explained. Thanks to the application of qualitative research method and deductive approach, there are conclusions about specificities of decision-making process, in particular EU countries. Using the inductive approach, content analysis method and method of synthesis, the EU countries were grouped regarding to the decision-making styles that are the most appropriate in each of them, based on the characteristics of the cultural framework that exist within them. Obtained results may help managers to better understand their decision-maker role in different cultural environment and it would enable them to apply the appropriate decision-making style, which would increase the quality of business decisions that are being made.

The Relationship Between Stock Market Indices of the Biggest Six Economies of the European Union and BIST 100

This chapter examines the relationship between stock market indices of the biggest six economies of the European Union and BIST 100. In this context, this study used the daily time series regarding indices of DAX for Germany, CAC 40 for France, FTSE MIB for Italy, IBEX 35 for Spain, AEX for Holland, FTSE 100 for United Kingdom, and BIST 100 for Turkey from 2014 to 2018. To test whether there is a co-integration relationship among indices, Johansen co-integration test was used. Since a co-integration relationship was not found between series, causality relationship between the European stock market indices and Turkey was tested with Granger causality test by establishing standard VAR model. As a result, a unidirectional Granger causality relationship was found from DAX, FTSE 100, CAC 40, IBEX 35, and AEX to BIST 100 according to lag length 1 and 2. However, a unidirectional Granger causality relationship was only found from FTSE MIB to BIST 100 for lag length 1. For lag length 1 and 2, no causality relationship was found from BIST 100 to the selected European stock market indices.

A Socioeconomic Comparison of Turkey vs. Participating Countries in the Fifth and Sixth Waves of European Union Enlargement

Many social and economic variables are used as indicators of the level of development of countries. To determine the level of social and economic development, many criteria were studied in the fields of education, culture, health, and economy. This chapter analyzes 13 European Union countries that participated in the fifth and sixth enlargement process and Turkey, whose ongoing process of accession to the European Union is determined by using socio-economic indicators. Reference Ideal Method (RIM) is a new Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method. This method differentiates itself from other methods frequently used in literature by using the ideal points or ideal ranges. The chapter shows Turkey must improve socio-economic indicators to be close to the countries in the fifth and sixth waves of enlargement process of European Union.

Theory of Persistent Income Inequality

Psychology stipulates justice is one of the most powerful feelings of human beings. Societies strengthen as overall justice increases. People are seeking justice in many areas. A more fair income distribution has always been desired in almost every society since the beginning of civilizations. In recent times, European countries are known to be the most fair societies, at least within their boundaries. So, taking into account these facts, what can be said about income inequality levels for EU-15? This chapter tries to find an empirical answer for this question. There is also a solution for income inequality.

Comparison of Public Relations Education at Undergraduate and Graduate Levels in Turkey and EU Member States

Public relations education in Bulgaria, England, Germany, Spain, and Italy, is considered together with a university that provides public relations education in Turkey. The conditions of undergraduate or graduate admission, objectives, and curricula of Public Relations Education in universities are discussed. Anadolu University in Turkey, St. Sofia in Bulgaria, Kliment Ohridski University, Birmingham City University in the England, Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany, Sevilla University in Spain, and Iulm Milan University in Italy are the subjects of Public Relations training. Finally, the universities were compared and evaluated with an interpretive perspective of their similarities and differences.

Importance of Azerbaijan snd Central Asia in EU Energy Security

Providing the energy security of European Union has become one of the most significant issues for European politicians and academics, especially after the Ukrainian crisis with Russia. The most critical point is the fact that there is not a common policy of EU countries concerning energy security. Individual choices of member states have more influence on the energy supply. EU's failure of developing a common policy for the security of energy supply has led to disagreement about other foreign policy issues. Different reactions among EU member states about sanctions against Russia after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 has been the most recent example. Common policy of energy security is the diversification of resources and suppliers. Accordingly, with their hydrocarbon resources, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states have become alternatives for EU.

Financial Supports Provided to SMEs Within the Context of the European Union's Budget

Along with their flexible production structures and rapid adaptation to technological innovations in the world economic race, SMEs are among the prominent wheels of both the EU economy and the whole world economy. In this chapter, the importance and the size of SMEs which contribute to production capacity, productive investments, economic growth, and national income, as well as employment and many other areas, are explicated using the current data; hence, the EU financial support programmes organized regarding the financial problems of SMEs are introduced. In this respect, the shares of the funding programmes offered to SMEs within the EU budget over the period from 2014 to 2020 in the Union's budget are assessed, and recommendations are made for the years 2021-2027.

Historical Development and Restructuring of CAP Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

This chapter addresses the changes through the years in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), one of the oldest and most established policies of the European Union, within the framework of the sustainability and environment, and evaluates the impacts of this change within the Turkish agricultural policies. The chapter has three sections. The introduction offers a background knowledge about CAP. In the second section, the reform progress of the CAP is examined through the years. The third section compares economic data on agriculture in Turkey and the EU. Results of the chapter highlight restructuring of CAP towards policies towards sustainability.