This paper investigates and compares development of the Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector and different obstacles for development of this sector in the Western Balkan countries (WBCs). Many evidence from the countries of central Europe show that the development of SMEs and entrepreneurship is a key factor for a successful transformation from command to market based economy in WBCs. SMEs create new jobs, products and services, help in restructuring former state enterprises, which is very important for transition countries, and generate government revenues. Also, SMEs stimulate private ownership and entrepreneurial skills and innovations. A special accent in this paper is put on many international reports and datasets relevant to the assessment of business environment in this region. In this paper, the author uses only some such as: The Global Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum, World Bank's Doing Business Index, Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom, European Charter for Small Enterprises and Small Business Act of OECD and European Commission (EC) and Indicators of Business, Corruption and Crime in WBCs of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The author has come to the conclusion that, in respect of SMEs, WBCs lag behind the countries in the European Union. This article aims to analyze the system of regulation and administrative facilitation aspects of doing business in the above-mentioned countries and, whether or not this system stimulates, the development of private SMEs and entrepreneurship.
Theoretical and practical aspects of the measurement of export competitiveness are analyzed in this article. The relevance and timeliness of analysis of the concept of export competitiveness proves the fact that competition is a very important precondition, which affects the effectiveness of development of national economy under the conditions of globalization. The research of the concept of export competitiveness and the ways of improving competitiveness of national economy are especially relevant for the countries in the period of recovering from the outcomes of economic crisis of 2008 -2009. In the European Union, the worst influence of economics recession was brought on Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia economies. One of the most important factors, which could stimulate the development of national economy, is export. Its development is especially essential for small countries, which are too small to consume all the production made by these countries. Higher export competitiveness could help the country to overcome after-effects of economic recession and stimulate the development of the total national economy. Export is often associated with competitiveness of the country at the international level. While the academic understanding of international competitiveness of the country is still forming, the factors of international competitiveness are still being identified in scientific literature, export competitiveness can be measured in different ways: by analyzing one or several factors of the country's export, creating composite indices, analyzing factors and conditions which stimulate the international trade
Theoretical and practical aspects of the measurement of export competitiveness are analyzed in this article. The relevance and timeliness of analysis of the concept of export competitiveness proves the fact that competition is a very important precondition, which affects the effectiveness of development of national economy under the conditions of globalization. The research of the concept of export competitiveness and the ways of improving competitiveness of national economy are especially relevant for the countries in the period of recovering from the outcomes of economic crisis of 2008 -2009. In the European Union, the worst influence of economics recession was brought on Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia economies. One of the most important factors, which could stimulate the development of national economy, is export. Its development is especially essential for small countries, which are too small to consume all the production made by these countries. Higher export competitiveness could help the country to overcome after-effects of economic recession and stimulate the development of the total national economy. Export is often associated with competitiveness of the country at the international level. While the academic understanding of international competitiveness of the country is still forming, the factors of international competitiveness are still being identified in scientific literature, export competitiveness can be measured in different ways: by analyzing one or several factors of the country's export, creating composite indices, analyzing factors and conditions which stimulate the international trade
Theoretical and practical aspects of the measurement of export competitiveness are analyzed in this article. The relevance and timeliness of analysis of the concept of export competitiveness proves the fact that competition is a very important precondition, which affects the effectiveness of development of national economy under the conditions of globalization. The research of the concept of export competitiveness and the ways of improving competitiveness of national economy are especially relevant for the countries in the period of recovering from the outcomes of economic crisis of 2008 -2009. In the European Union, the worst influence of economics recession was brought on Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia economies. One of the most important factors, which could stimulate the development of national economy, is export. Its development is especially essential for small countries, which are too small to consume all the production made by these countries. Higher export competitiveness could help the country to overcome after-effects of economic recession and stimulate the development of the total national economy. Export is often associated with competitiveness of the country at the international level. While the academic understanding of international competitiveness of the country is still forming, the factors of international competitiveness are still being identified in scientific literature, export competitiveness can be measured in different ways: by analyzing one or several factors of the country's export, creating composite indices, analyzing factors and conditions which stimulate the international trade
Theoretical and practical aspects of the measurement of export competitiveness are analyzed in this article. The relevance and timeliness of analysis of the concept of export competitiveness proves the fact that competition is a very important precondition, which affects the effectiveness of development of national economy under the conditions of globalization. The research of the concept of export competitiveness and the ways of improving competitiveness of national economy are especially relevant for the countries in the period of recovering from the outcomes of economic crisis of 2008 -2009. In the European Union, the worst influence of economics recession was brought on Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia economies. One of the most important factors, which could stimulate the development of national economy, is export. Its development is especially essential for small countries, which are too small to consume all the production made by these countries. Higher export competitiveness could help the country to overcome after-effects of economic recession and stimulate the development of the total national economy. Export is often associated with competitiveness of the country at the international level. While the academic understanding of international competitiveness of the country is still forming, the factors of international competitiveness are still being identified in scientific literature, export competitiveness can be measured in different ways: by analyzing one or several factors of the country's export, creating composite indices, analyzing factors and conditions which stimulate the international trade
Neo-classical and neo-Marxist theories oppose each other in terms of explaining motivation for migration and its development impact. Neo-classical theories posit that migration occurs because of economic considerations: higher incomes and economic gain. Neo-Marxist theories emphasize that migration occurs because of unequal and structural levels of development between developed and developing countries, regions or areas. In sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is relatively economically developed compared to other countries in the region and, according to neo-Marxist philosophy, exploits the labour from other poorer countries. In this case study, the focus is on migrant teachers from Zimbabwe. According to neo-Marxist- theories, migrants exist in an exploitative relationship with their host regions and/or countries. Apart from neo-classical and neo-Marxist theories, pluralist theories have evolved from these distinctive schools of thought that emphasize that migration is the result of a conscious family decision aimed at diversifying their resource base when faced with crises and/or scarcity, asserting that migration does indeed bring about development. This paper contends that neo-classical theories do apply to the case of Zimbabwean migrant teachers because they satisfactorily explain why these teachers came to South Africa, whereas neo-Marxist theories have limited relevance. Pluralist theories, however, through their emphasis on remittances, add meaning to people's motivations for, and the consequent impact of development related to this particular aspect of migration.
This paper examines some critical issues and opportunities for democracy and public policy posed by the growth of the global progress measurement movement. From the democratic perspective, these include: citizen progress measurement as a form of democratic re‐engagement; the re‐examination of democracy and the development of new indicators to define and measure a 'healthy' democracy; and the demonstration of clear linkages between healthy regimes, and broader individual and societal wellbeing. In public policy, the global movement challenges two long dominant assumptions: the primacy of continuous economic growth as the key driver of wellbeing; and the 'inevitability of progress'. In their place, it offers a more holistic, integrated and nuanced model that recognises the interdependence of economic, social, cultural, environmental and democratic dimensions for genuine wellbeing, progress and sustainability. The paper reviews work in Australia over the past decade at both local community and national levels as examples of these trends, including the development of citizen‐engaged community planning and neighbourhood renewal schemes in which progress and wellbeing indicators play a central role; the development of state‐wide local progress measurement frameworks as part of a commitment to devolved planning and stronger local democracy; and the evolution of national progress measurement systems. The paper concludes with a proposal for a broad community engaged National Development Index (NDI) for Australia.
This paper explores the prospects for future pro-poor reforms to welfare regimes in the 'South' through an analysis of the development of Southern welfare regimes in the past. Esping-Andersen's approach to the analysis of distribution is inadequate in Southern conditions primarily due to its neglect of the ways in which states influence distribution through shaping the development or economic growth path. Even if we narrow our analysis to the provision of income security, EspingAndersen's 'three worlds' typology is less useful in the South than an alternative typology that distinguishes between 'agrarian', 'inegalitarian corporatist' and 'redistributive' welfare regimes. The 'redistributive' regimes are those that entail significant social assistance, i.e. provision for a minimum cash income, at least for specified categories of 'deserving' poor, that is not dependent on past contributions. These (rare) regimes have their origins in both reform from above (pre-emptive action by elites concerned with the social, economic and political problems posed by poverty) or below, following democratisation. In most cases, the prerequisites for reform are deagrarianisation (and the collapse of kin-based poverty alleviation) and the limited development of formal contributory welfare systems in the formal sector of the economy. Well-developed insurance systems can easily impede the development of social assistance. The electoral strength of poor citizens not covered by social insurance is a crucial factor in most cases, especially recent ones.
What are the relationships between and among small businesses, conflict, and peaceful development in contexts of urban violence? Here, the complex formal and informal divisions of economic, political and social power, authority, and legitimacy – and the many grey areas between legality and illegality, necessity and opportunism – create challenging conditions for business operations and for peacebuilding. A grounded understanding is required if peace- and development-positive interventions are to be successful. Yet both the peacebuilding and development potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the specific dynamics of business and conflict in urban spaces, are underdeveloped in the literature assessing and promoting business potential to catalyse positive change. We therefore extract from a broad range of literature a typology representing the weight of the extant frameworks for understanding MSMEs in contexts of urban violence. We then use primary research to construct inductively a framework that captures how those living with urban violence themselves perceive businesses, their relationships to violence, and their impacts on in/security and under/development. Drawing out key areas of synthesis and tension, we propose directions for future study and practice related to small businesses in violent cities, emphasising the need to eschew simple understandings of actors, agency, and objectives in favour of a more nuanced and humane inquiry into the pain and potential inherent in the local context.
В статье представлены материалы анализа современного положения и наблюдаемых тенденций в мировой и российской черной металлургии. На их основе сделаны выводы о том, что в настоящее время в мире сокращается рост потребления стали, но существует ее значительное перепроизводство. На основе полученных выводов описывается долгосрочный прогноз возможных сценариев развития российской стальной индустрии, который является основой рекомендаций по совершенствованию стратегии развития отрасли в Российской Федерации до 2030 г. В частности, предлагается подготовить трансформационный сценарий, особенностью которого является управление устойчивым развитием черной металлургии в условиях возможного сокращения спроса на продукцию не только на внешнем, но и на внутреннем рынках. Для этого рекомендовано в государственные программные документы, регулирующие развитие черной металлургии, включать индикаторы, характеризующие экономические, социальные и экологические параметры деятельности. А в качестве важнейшего инновационного инструмента управления системной эффективностью деятельности российских металлургических предприятий и групп рассматривать интегральную стратегическую эффективность и ее производные. ; The article presents the analysis of the current situation and observed trends in the global and Russian iron and steel industry. Based on those, several conclusions are made, specifically, that currently the growth in consumption of steel in the world is declining, but there is considerable overproduction of it. Based on the described findings the author describes the long-term prognosis of possible scenarios of development of the Russian steel industry, which is the basis of recommendations to improve the sector's development strategy in the Russian Federation until 2030. In particular, it is proposed to prepare a transformation scenario, which is a feature of the management of sustainable development of ferrous metallurgy in the conditions of a possible reduction in demand for products, not only in the foreign, but also domestic markets. To do this, it is recommended to include indicators characterizing the economic, social and environmental performance activities into the government policy documents, governing the development of the steel industry. Also, it is recommended to consider the effectiveness of an integrated strategic and its derivatives as the most important innovation of system performance management tool for the activity of Russian metallurgical enterprises and groups.
Исследуются ключевые принципы концепции глобальной устойчивости и возможность их распространения на территориально-экономические системы другого пространственного уровня, а также различия в подходах и определениях понятий «промышленность» и «промышленный комплекс» и связанных с этим проблемах, включая механизм и факторы обеспечения устойчивости для объектов с разным содержанием. Основная идея исследования расширение концепции устойчивого развития посредством изменения факторов устойчивости для систем неглобального уровня: регионов, их промышленных комплексов, отдельных компаний. Для таких систем фактор экологической эффективности рассматривается как менее значимый и нецелевой в плане обеспечения их устойчивого развития. Основными будут являться такие факторы, как сохранение целостности системы, поддержание ее конкурентоспособности, обеспечение доступа к рынкам сбыта и ресурсов, снижение рисков. Утверждается, что задача сохранения устойчивого развития промышленного комплекса региона будет связана с созданием более широких возможностей ресурсного обеспечения производства, формированием сети производственной кооперации предприятий регионального промышленного комплекса, расширением регионального экспорта и инновационными решениями. ; The article aims to explore the sustainable development concept applied to a regional manufacturing industry. The concept of sustainable development derived from environmental concerns, and rapidly growing production consumption that must ensure the maintenance of high quality living conditions, including their economic, social, and environment parts or dimensions. The limited resources and human activity that cause environmental degradation are considered as the most important reasons for changing the model of growth and development of national economies, and the world economy. Although the concept is applied to others no global socio-economic systems as regions, industries, industrial complexes, and even companies, its main constituted goal is eco-efficiency. The idea of the research is to broad the initial concept of sustainability, and not to focus on the natural resources and eco-efficiency, but on the ability of an economic system to create its own sources of growth and development according to the priority of the goals such as system's integrity, market power, and lowered risks. The object of the research is industries of regional economy which is considered as an integrated industrial complex. There was also studied the situation with the different definitions of industry and production, and their sustainability in Russian and English that might cause some problems for researchers and politicians. The paper proposes the model for sustainable development for regional industrial complex based on the following characteristics and principals: 1) аny dynamic system has its own development goals and priorities; 2) region as a dynamic system has the priority of its goals and economic interests which may conflict with the goals of other systems such as the national and world economies; 3) the industries and production units located in the region, and connected with links of supply chain cooperation must be considered as a complex integrity a system; 4) sustainable development of an industrial complex depends on the approaches to the definition of its structure and borders (business units included into the complex), the required state of sustainability and its indicators; 5) sustainable development of regional industrial complex requires sustainable supply of resources, but they are not the limiting factor for the long-term development of manufacturing industry due to the mobility of its resources and big potential supply on the global market; 6) innovations cause instability in economical systems as much as they cause new opportunities for sustainable development, and they are the core element for the competitiveness; 7) expanding sales and industrial cooperation net outside the region, the complex increases its sustainability.
