Measuring Spatial Distribution in the Banking System in Hungary

Over the past decade, due in part to the global economic crisis, a significant part of the bank branches have been closed in the European banking system, but in Hungary this proportion has been significantly higher than the European average. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore what aspects of commercial banks are taken into account when deciding where to be present within bank branches. This will also reveal the spatial dimension of public access to financial services. The present study seeks to answer the question of which socio-economic factors and in what form they affect the spatial structure of bank branches. The settlement-level examination can also provide additional indication of which settlements may be affected by further bank branch closures. Linear regression based on Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) parameter estimation was used to explore the factors influencing the location of bank branches. In addition, the possible clustering of bank branches was observed, i.e., whether spatial autocorrelation was present at certain stages of the analysis. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) was also estimated in the present study. Based on the results of the research, the resident population, the proportion of enterprises per capita, the average income, the number of neighbouring bank branches and the type of settlement all proved to be significant factors that may encourage decision-makers to establish a bank branch.

Modern Geográfia: múlt, jelen és jövő – egy szakmai folyóirat elmúlt 15 évének tükre

The scholarly journal Modern Geográfia has been providing a publication platform for researchers of geography and, more broadly, the natural and social sciences for 15 years now. Effective dissemination of scientific results is of paramount importance in broadening the horizons of both basic and applied research. The aim of the present study is to explore the role of Modern Geográfia in the above process, thus to outline its profile and possible directions for its further development. The applied method can be an effective help in formulating the portfolio and the strategic goals of other scholarly journals. The methodological basis of the research is provided by the statistical analysis of the journal based on a primary database containing several indicators. The results cover the number of articles published in the journal, in addition to the dynamics of the publications, its profiling, the presentation of the affected topics, and the evaluation of the trends of recent years. In addition to all this, the study reviews the team of professionals that has given content to the journal with the results of its scientific research.

Csapadékszélsőségek változása Európa déli alföldi régióiban az 1951–2019 időszakban

The aim of our study is to analyse the spatial patterns and temporal trends of average and extreme precipitation events in a few selected plain regions between 1951 and 2019. Besides the Great Hungarian Plain we chose two plain regions located in the southern part of the continent (i.e. the Po Valley and the Romanian Plain) with the purpose of comparing similar geographical regions, and creating a scientific basis to comprehensively analyse the effects of climate change on economy, society, and nature. For choosing the plains, objective criteria were used, namely, (i) the elevation remains under 200 m throughout the defined area, and (ii) the difference between the neighbouring grid points within the plain region does not exceed 50 m. The analysis of extreme precipitation events was performed for annual periods by calculating 17 climate indices. Based on our research of the past, there is a clear increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events, in the length of dry periods as well as in the occurrence of extreme weather events.

Vendégelégedettségi vizsgálatok eredményei a Bakony–Balaton Geopark területén

A well-known national park in Hungary, the Balaton Uplands National Park and the Bakony-Balaton Geopark, offers a diverse range of ecotouristic and geotouristic products. The presentation of the geological and topographical treasures of the land, the local representatives of the flora and fauna and the culture inherited from the history is carried out by the representatives of the surrounding settlements. From a research point of view, the geological demonstration sites and nature trails provide the most useful information. Our goal is to evaluate the opinions and demographic characteristics of the visitors, and to examine touristic behaviour. With the help of the questionnaire research, we are looking for answers to questions about how well the remarks of the hikers meet the preliminary expectations? Where are there territorial differences or similarities in relation to each external or substantive feature of each site? All this is important, because the value qualifying role of the tourist is highlighted through the evaluation of visitor opinions. This allows the guest to highlight the positives and shortcomings of each route and the comments will greatly help the work of the national park and geopark.

A zajterhelés és a társadalmi konfliktusok összefüggéseinek megjelenése mentális térképeken Szeged példáján

Noise nuisance is a complex problem of modern cities, which has objective, measurable parameters as well, but there is an “experienced”, subjectively perceived phenomenon for the individuals and society for the disturbing effect of noise. We seek to answer the question: how is noise experienced by the population of Szeged, what social conflicts can be identified and what spatial differences can be observed across the city. It can be concluded that the experienced noise nuisance is concentrated within the city centre, but its effects are felt in more remote areas. Recreational noises are the most disturbing for respondents. Broader contextual social discourse is formed after the perception of sound effects (as noise), which becomes a source of stereotypes and prejudices, against groups of different social status and age. The research highlights that the approach to noise nuisance can be interpreted in conjunction with other social problems, and in most cases pre-existing conflicts are expressed in noise-related conflicts.

A Magyarországra érkező külföldi működőtőke gazdasági kapcsolatrendszer-vizsgálatának elméleti alapjai

The aim of the study is to systematize the Hungarian literature (1960–2004) on working capital coming into Hungary. A special role is given to the identification of the trends and topics, as well as the separation of the criteria systems shaping the paradigms. In the content analysis, we focused on not only quantitative but mainly qualitative aspects related to working capital. We interpreted the trends in two periods: the era between the 1960s and 1990, as well as the period between the 1990 and Hungary’s accession to the EU, by evaluating articles mainly on macroeconomics, industrial economics and economic geography. Before 1990, the emphasis was placed on the economic effects related to foreign direct investment. From the 1990s, first the quantitative aspects, then from the middle of the decade again the qualitative elements – specifically the economic and regional integration of working capital and the additional effects arising from it – came to the focus of scientific inquiry.

Taking power seriously – A holistic approach to assessing the international distribution of power

The literature of international relations and political geography agrees that world order is in transition. Some claim that power is shifting east, others argue that American leadership is renewing, still others think that a post-polar world is emerging. Despite the debate, no principled approach to assessing the distribution of power has been proposed. Arguments regarding the evolution of world order have come up against the usual stumbling blocks of measuring power. Relying on the meta-analysis of the general definitions of power, a theoretical framework is derived, identifying factors that turn passive strengths into dynamic power. Putting theory to test, the practical notion of power is provided based on the content analysis of the national security strategies of the US issued in the post-Cold War period. The factors identified in the two analyses overlap significantly. A holistic approach is proposed using the systemic qualities that distinguish power from strengths and resources.

„Minél magasabbra!” Az Alpok megmászása a XIX. századtól napjainkig [Recenzió P. Clastres, D. Debons, J-F. Pitteloud, & G. Quin (szerk.) Gravir les Alpes du XIXe siècle à nos jours. Pratiques, émotions, imaginaires. című könyvéről]

The recently published book of studies aims to tell the story of the mountaineers of the past, showing their relationship with the Alpine landscape through their writings, drawings and photographs. It takes us from the early expeditions to the speed climbers of the present day, while answering many questions: among others what attracted the lovers of rocks, what did they hope for and fear on their journeys through the high mountains. The book is multidisciplinary, the authors are mostly historians and archivists, but there are also sociologists, geographers, economists, ethnologists and philosophers of art among them. The history of mountaineering shows the impact of alpinism on the development of the lagging regions, the relationship between town and country, the imprint of social changes, as well as the explanation of the orientation towards new, untrodden paths and unknown landscapes. Given the above, alpine tourism developments should not only consider climate change, but also the social and psychological processes that attract people to the mountains.

The impact of the local conservative climate on generalised trust in Sweden

The rise of the radical right parties, with their anti-immigrant rhetoric, may amplify the generally observed negative impact of diversity on generalised trust. The impact of the conservative climate created by these parties is apparent at the national level, but the little research carried out in the field has yet to examine the role of their local political power. In Sweden, the literature suggests that the radical right Sweden Democrats party has a stronger anti-immigration and ethnonationalist rhetoric at the local level, which may reduce the generalised trust of residents by triggering conflict theory. Calculating the conservative climate based on the percentage of party representatives on local councils using multi-level modelling, we observe that the contextual effect of the conservative climate is present and reduces generalised trust. However, the underlying cause of this effect is not fully known. It can be traced back to the party’s local politics, the residents and the local media.

A nyelvi tájkép és a társadalmi folyamatok összefüggései Észak-Macedóniában

A country in the Western Balkans, with which all its neighbours have some problems, whose society is extremely divided ethnically and politically, suffered by intensive emigration now and a civil war a few years ago and which signs agreements on its internal affairs and even changes its name – is called North Macedonia. The tension between Macedonians, who make up barely two-thirds of the population and the rapidly growing Albanian minority will lead to the emergence of parallel societies. Otherwise, the expansion of Albanians is spectacular in all areas of everyday life. The Macedonian community experiences that everyone else (the Albanian minority, neighbouring countries, the European Union or NATO) has more impact on the affairs of the Macedonian State than he has. In this study, I am going to present the recent transformation of the Macedonian political and economic situation with an effective method, the survey of the linguistic landscape.