The Automation of Standard People Operations in the Energy Transport

The automation of business processes and operations is a global trend. Automation is software or mechanical self-fulfilling process without or with a minimal human intervention and control. In specific processes and parts of the energy transport the automation is already happening. It can replace significant part of human labour or just to take and reduce the routine physical or repeating mental efforts of the jobs. Automation tools and systems in the energy transport are strongly dominated by open-source software automation tools. Therefore, a part of professional skills required before automation will not be useful in the future, but to handle automation trend, many new skills and knowledge will be needed by the human jobs of the future.

Theoretical Foundations of the First Purchase in Marketing

Consumer decision making as an important process in marketing sphere has been discussed in detail, but so far researchers as a rule have not focused the attention on how the purchase happens for the very first time. The current text is an attempt to develop the foundations and to make a conceptual framework of the first purchase in marketing and to outline its significance for current or future consumption, especially for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Together with a review of the extent to which the first purchase is considered and interpreted in the academic tradition in the field (and in practice), an attempt has been made to outline it as a phenomenon, since it can have significant benefits for better understanding consumer behavior and the further improvement of marketing communications. With this regard, it can be assumed that the first purchase is the initial step of acquiring consumer experience, which determines whether the product will continue to be purchased or not. Of course, all this is largely valid for the b2c (business to consumer) markets, for the products for individual and household consumption, and for the b2b (business to business) ones the particularities may differ significantly and need to be a subject of additional research efforts.

Legal Regime of the Protected Natural Areas Under Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC of the European Union

Basic aim of this study is analysis of the protection of biological diversity in protected natural territories under Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC. These legal acts of the European Union are related to the protection of species of wild flora and fauna and natural habitats. The basic task of the study consists in consideration of the legal measures in this field under these directives in the context of their introduction in the Bulgarian legislation. The comparative law and formal-logical methods of scientific research are used. The result of study is related to formulation of general conclusions from considered legal regulation and suggestions for its improvement.

Charter-Parties and Bills of Lading in the International Carriage of Goods by Sea Contracts

In the scientific research here presented two fundamental documents dealing with formation and execution of the international carriage of goods contracts – charter-parties and bills of lading – have been analyzed. A comparative study of their legal characteristics has been realized in the aim to distinguish them. This is the way to achieve the main goal of this paper – to define these two terms. Thus, they could be completely used in theory and practice. The analyze of legal nature of charter-parties and bills of lading helps to make conclusions on the ground of which some suggestions de lege ferenda to change and improve the legislation have been made. The method used is one of most effective in law – a comparative method.

Models of Research and Development Financing in the European Union: A Cluster Analysis

The paper aims to identify the different models of financing the expenditure on research and development in the European Union and define their characteristics through the application of the method of cluster analysis. The study shows the existence of four models within the EU, which are characterised by different ratios of R&D funding sources and have a specific geographical profile. Despite the differences, the private or public sector is defined as the funding source with the largest relative share in all models. The analysis shows that the model with the highest share of private sector funding provides the highest R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP.

Comparison Between Bulgaria and Croatia in their Road Towards ERM II and The Banking Union of the EU

The last ERM II accession before July 2020 was in 2005. After the establishment of the Banking Union of the EU, starting from 2014, there was no enlargement of ERM II by EU Member State that is outside the Euro area. Therefore, the accession on 10 July 2020 of Bulgaria and Croatia to the ERM II on one hand and to the Banking Union on the other hand through the mechanism of the so-called close cooperation with the ECB represents a particular interest. The participation in these two mechanisms is a precondition for the accession to the Euro area and the adoption of the single currency. The comparison between the two countries shows that their path to the ERM II and the Banking Union is quite similar. However, there are also few peculiarities.

Carbon Taxes Implementation Policies: Global and European Dimensions

The objective of the research is to analyze the present framework of available carbon taxes worldwide as one of the contemporary methods for cost engineering of carbon dioxide emission. For the achievement of this objective two basic research tasks have been fulfilled: 1) the essence and framework of and the effects stemming from the application of the basic carbon dioxide pricing approaches (the Emissions Trading Systems, Carbon Taxes, Offset Mechanisms, Results Based Climate Finance and Internal Pricing of the carbon emissions) have been presented; and 2) the European Union dimension of the application of a new carbon tax has been discussed within the context of the Carbon border adjustment mechanism (the carbon border tax) of the European union. The research methods that have been used are comparative analysis, content analysis, elements of the retrospective analysis and generalizations of the ideas of main analytical documents in this field. The results of the research are generalizations and analyses providing solid ground for taking evidence-based decisions regarding future carbon taxes introduction at national and EU level as well as for addressing motivated recommendations towards the application of this type of taxes.

The ‘Dutch Case’ and Its Civilizational Dimensions: Situating the Transition Debate to Capitalism

The Netherlands is considered to be an exemplary case of study of the transition to capitalism. Most studies, however, lack a comprehensive interpretation synthesizing the different aspects and providing a summarized idea of this complex situation. The perception and pursuit of the civilization perspective outlined by M. Weber and F. Braudel, enables the identification of the basic dimensions of early capitalism in the Netherlands. The debate on the transition to capitalism is used as a methodology and interpretative forum for approximation of the views of both scientists and their further development through the prism of contemporary views. The general picture of the epoch of the 17th century outlines the idea that the country has not been completely transformed into capitalist but the process had already started. Certain cultural, economic and political preconditions and factors had contributed to its development whilst it was dependent on their combination both in internal and European and global context. It was found that to a lesser degree the role of the socio-cultural dimensions of capitalism is outlined, which may be based on the factual situation as well as on its incomplete interpretation in the different studies. The pluralistic explanation of the transition to capitalism renders it possible to clarify this assumption and use it in subsequent studies.

The Relationship Between the European Union Law and the Double Tax Treaties

The European Union law (EU law) and the international law are two different but complementary systems. The variety of cases, the dynamic matter, as well as the many legislative changes both from international and national perspective in the field of direct taxes, gives rise to the necessity to delineate the boundaries between the EU law and the international law. This would help to ensure the proper law enforcement and to limit the possible conflicts between them. In the present paper, through a comparative legal analysis of the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the scope of the EU law is derived, as well as its interaction with international law. This helps to draw conclusions about their relationship, and in particular in the observance of their hierarchy in practical cases.