Suchergebnisse

This resource book for students introduces the main concepts of multilingualism and provides a wide range of definitions revealing the complex nature of the phenomenon. It also provides knowledge on historical developments, linguistic and cultural changes and emphasizes the historical relevance to the present situation in Europe. The documentation on the EU policy on multilingualism is critically evaluated while placing policy issues in the context of national and institutional perspectives. The resource book for students explores the economic value of languages and the impact of global English as well as the role of other "big" languages in Europe and the world. The case studies of different European countries/ cities provide deeper knowledge and develop understanding of political, educational, economic and socio-cultural aspects of multilingualism. These aspects are highlighted by examining cultural and socio-political factors that may influence or even determine minority/ migrant language loss, their development or maintenance. Finally, it provides an analysis of challenges for the educational sector and the schooling of multilingual children.

This resource book for students introduces the main concepts of multilingualism and provides a wide range of definitions revealing the complex nature of the phenomenon. It also provides knowledge on historical developments, linguistic and cultural changes and emphasizes the historical relevance to the present situation in Europe. The documentation on the EU policy on multilingualism is critically evaluated while placing policy issues in the context of national and institutional perspectives. The resource book for students explores the economic value of languages and the impact of global English as well as the role of other "big" languages in Europe and the world. The case studies of different European countries/ cities provide deeper knowledge and develop understanding of political, educational, economic and socio-cultural aspects of multilingualism. These aspects are highlighted by examining cultural and socio-political factors that may influence or even determine minority/ migrant language loss, their development or maintenance. Finally, it provides an analysis of challenges for the educational sector and the schooling of multilingual children.

This resource book for students introduces the main concepts of multilingualism and provides a wide range of definitions revealing the complex nature of the phenomenon. It also provides knowledge on historical developments, linguistic and cultural changes and emphasizes the historical relevance to the present situation in Europe. The documentation on the EU policy on multilingualism is critically evaluated while placing policy issues in the context of national and institutional perspectives. The resource book for students explores the economic value of languages and the impact of global English as well as the role of other "big" languages in Europe and the world. The case studies of different European countries/ cities provide deeper knowledge and develop understanding of political, educational, economic and socio-cultural aspects of multilingualism. These aspects are highlighted by examining cultural and socio-political factors that may influence or even determine minority/ migrant language loss, their development or maintenance. Finally, it provides an analysis of challenges for the educational sector and the schooling of multilingual children.

With the enlargement of the European Union, Europe is experiencing profound changes. All European nation states are going to face growing cultural and linguistic diversity. Therefore, considerable efforts to understand, respect, and sustain the very contrasts that make Europe so rich and complex will be required from all EU citizens. A specific feature of European cultural life is the ability to engage effectively with diversity. This engagement is linked to its basis in tradition and new developments.

With the enlargement of the European Union, Europe is experiencing profound changes. All European nation states are going to face growing cultural and linguistic diversity. Therefore, considerable efforts to understand, respect, and sustain the very contrasts that make Europe so rich and complex will be required from all EU citizens. A specific feature of European cultural life is the ability to engage effectively with diversity. This engagement is linked to its basis in tradition and new developments.

With the enlargement of the European Union, Europe is experiencing profound changes. All European nation states are going to face growing cultural and linguistic diversity. Therefore, considerable efforts to understand, respect, and sustain the very contrasts that make Europe so rich and complex will be required from all EU citizens. A specific feature of European cultural life is the ability to engage effectively with diversity. This engagement is linked to its basis in tradition and new developments.

This thesis analyses determinants that have influence on Venture Capital (VC) activity in Europe. Majority of previous researches used Jeng and Wells (2000) model, where VC demand (Investments) and supply (Raised Fund) side were tested, this model was applied to this research as well. The panel data analysis with fixed and random effects of 22 European countries period 2008 - 2018 was used for this paper and model was improved by introducing 18 new factors together with 9 selected from previous studies. Results revealed that fixed effects model were more appropriate to use in this research. Investment model revealed 9 significant factors: positive impact with GDP, Export, Starting Business, Scientific legislation and negative with 10Y Government bonds, FDI, Internet use, Patents and Protectionism. While Fund Raised model observed 5 significant determinants: positive connection with FDI and Corruption, while negative with Science employees, Patents and Corporate Tax. In previous studies variables were categorized in three sectors: macroeconomic, entrepreneurial and technological (Prohorovs & Pavlyuk, 2013). This model was improved by combining factors into the four sectors including also institutional sector. As a result 4 hypotheses were tested. 3 hypotheses find supported: Macroeconomic, Technological and Institutional variables had an effect on VC activity in European countries. Though, 1 hypothesis was rejected: Entrepreneurial variables did not have effect on European VC activity. These results highlight the importance of Macroeconomic, Technological and Institutional variables in Europe, while selected Entrepreneurial factors did not revealed significant impact (22 486 words).

This thesis analyses determinants that have influence on Venture Capital (VC) activity in Europe. Majority of previous researches used Jeng and Wells (2000) model, where VC demand (Investments) and supply (Raised Fund) side were tested, this model was applied to this research as well. The panel data analysis with fixed and random effects of 22 European countries period 2008 - 2018 was used for this paper and model was improved by introducing 18 new factors together with 9 selected from previous studies. Results revealed that fixed effects model were more appropriate to use in this research. Investment model revealed 9 significant factors: positive impact with GDP, Export, Starting Business, Scientific legislation and negative with 10Y Government bonds, FDI, Internet use, Patents and Protectionism. While Fund Raised model observed 5 significant determinants: positive connection with FDI and Corruption, while negative with Science employees, Patents and Corporate Tax. In previous studies variables were categorized in three sectors: macroeconomic, entrepreneurial and technological (Prohorovs & Pavlyuk, 2013). This model was improved by combining factors into the four sectors including also institutional sector. As a result 4 hypotheses were tested. 3 hypotheses find supported: Macroeconomic, Technological and Institutional variables had an effect on VC activity in European countries. Though, 1 hypothesis was rejected: Entrepreneurial variables did not have effect on European VC activity. These results highlight the importance of Macroeconomic, Technological and Institutional variables in Europe, while selected Entrepreneurial factors did not revealed significant impact (22 486 words).

In the context of European integration all the time Eastern and Central Europe was recognised like something between East and West, something unknown, mystical and not European. Nowadays, when ten new countries entered the EU Eastern and Central Europe was accepted as a real Europe for the first time and it is important and relevant to analyse the identity of the new EU countries. The objective of the theses is the identity of Eastern and Central Europe, the perception of how society conceptualizes itself and how it is recognised in the eyes of Western Europeans. The aim of the theses is to explore transformations of Eastern and Central Europe identity from the times when the region was not even treated as a part of Europe till nowadays when it became an important participant of EU policy. The main goals are: •To ascertain what the exact region the Eastern and Central Europe is, •To explore how this region was transforming in the development of European integration, •To discover the specifics of the identity; •To explore the transformation from the post-communistic to the European identity; •To analyse the Lithuanian identity' transformation case. Using the historical-descriptive, analytical-descriptive, comparative and case research methods such conclusions were attained: •Eastern and Central Europe has a specific location and therefore a transitional position between East and West. •The Cold war was the most important event influenced the common identity in the region. •Although the West considered Eastern and Central Europe as one region – East, the different historical experiences, religion and cultures distinguished the region as a bunch of many different countries. •During the independence period some of the countries integrated in the EU structures, some of them were solving inner problems, and some of them were identifying themselves with Russia. At the moment almost all countries are demonstrating their euro-integrational objectives. •Lithuanian support to the new EU candidate countries shows that Lithuania is striving to hold its position in the foreign EU policy playing on the historical experience and understanding Eastern and Central Europe nations.

In the context of European integration all the time Eastern and Central Europe was recognised like something between East and West, something unknown, mystical and not European. Nowadays, when ten new countries entered the EU Eastern and Central Europe was accepted as a real Europe for the first time and it is important and relevant to analyse the identity of the new EU countries. The objective of the theses is the identity of Eastern and Central Europe, the perception of how society conceptualizes itself and how it is recognised in the eyes of Western Europeans. The aim of the theses is to explore transformations of Eastern and Central Europe identity from the times when the region was not even treated as a part of Europe till nowadays when it became an important participant of EU policy. The main goals are: •To ascertain what the exact region the Eastern and Central Europe is, •To explore how this region was transforming in the development of European integration, •To discover the specifics of the identity; •To explore the transformation from the post-communistic to the European identity; •To analyse the Lithuanian identity' transformation case. Using the historical-descriptive, analytical-descriptive, comparative and case research methods such conclusions were attained: •Eastern and Central Europe has a specific location and therefore a transitional position between East and West. •The Cold war was the most important event influenced the common identity in the region. •Although the West considered Eastern and Central Europe as one region – East, the different historical experiences, religion and cultures distinguished the region as a bunch of many different countries. •During the independence period some of the countries integrated in the EU structures, some of them were solving inner problems, and some of them were identifying themselves with Russia. At the moment almost all countries are demonstrating their euro-integrational objectives. •Lithuanian support to the new EU candidate countries shows that Lithuania is striving to hold its position in the foreign EU policy playing on the historical experience and understanding Eastern and Central Europe nations.

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Northern Europe has increasingly aligned its national defence arrangements with the United States and NATO. This contrasts with the Cold War period, when Sweden and Finland were neutral, and Norway and Denmark put self-imposed restraints on their NATO memberships. Providing Northern Europe with a stable "buffer" between East and West, this so-called Nordic balance kept the United States and Soviet Union at an arm's length. Since 2014 however, Northern Europe has de facto slid from "buffer" to "springboard" for US forces. This slide may counter Russian assertiveness, but there is also reason to argue that it may increase regional tension and unpredictability. If so, this may leave the entire region with less rather than more security. Using the case of Norway, it is argued that too close an alignment with NATO may have accelerated Norway's role as a "springboard" for US forces. This is because cost-intensive reforms needed to accommodate US expectations abroad have also exacerbated critical vulnerabilities at home. Increased dependency on US forces thereby makes difficult the balance between deterrence and restraint vis-à-vis Russia.