pag. 38	Growth and Issues of Small and Medium Enterprises in Post conflict Jaffna Sri Lanka Author: Sinnathurai VIJAYAKUMAR
	Abstract The growth and development of SMEs in Jaffna is vulnerable due to the three decades of internal war. Even having finished the war, there is no remarkable progress in the development of SMEs in Jaffna. Thus, main objective of study is to scrutinize the severity and degree of issues of small and medium enterprises in post conflict Jaffna. The second objective is to identify the growth status of SMEs in Jaffna. Self administered Likert scale questionnaire has been employed for the analysis of study. The results bring to light the fact that mean value of assets , value of turnover and mean value of number of employees as well as growth stages of SMEs clearly show that there is very poor growth of small enterprises in Jaffna. Another finding is that the mean values of all issues of SMEs are closer to one or two indicating that small enterprises of Jaffna have been undergoing several severe problems in the growth of business in post war. Government should give more priority in policy making to the development of SMEs of North and East where as political and economic climate should be conducive to flow foreign and local investment into North and East region. This is a first empirical study in regard to SMEs after 30 years civil War in the region. This study will be giving new insights to the policy makers and government. In addition, those who are interested in developing their business in the same region can acquire valuable information and knowledge about SMEs. JEL Classification: L20, L25, L26, O17 Keywords: growth, Northern Province, political climate, post civil war, small and medium enterprises.

 

pag. 54	Framework for Traffic Congestion Management Authors: Mahmud Hassan TALUKDAR
	Abstract Traffic Congestion is one of many serious global problems in all great cities resulted from rapid urbanization which always exert negative externalities upon society. The solution of traffic congestion is highly geocentric and due to its heterogeneous nature, curbing congestion is one of the hard tasks for transport planners. It is not possible to suggest unique traffic congestion management framework which could be absolutely applied for every great cities. Conversely, it is quite feasible to develop a framework which could be used with or without minor adjustment to deal with congestion problem. So, the main aim of this paper is to prepare a traffic congestion mitigation framework which will be useful for urban planners, transport planners, civil engineers, transport policy makers, congestion management researchers who are directly or indirectly involved or willing to involve in the task of traffic congestion management. Literature review is the main source of information of this study. In this paper, firstly, traffic congestion is defined on the theoretical point of view and then the causes of traffic congestion are briefly described. After describing the causes, common management measures, using world- wide, are described and framework for supply side and demand side congestion management measures are prepared. JEL Classification: O18, R41 Keywords: Framework, traffic congestion, causes, management measures

 

pag. 65	Actual Multimodal Transport Management, Support for Sustainable Development of the National Economy Author: Alexandra Mihaela POPESCU, Daniel Frantz FISTUNG, Teodor POPESCU
	Abstract The importance of transport is no longer needed to be underlined. Despite all statistical numbers and whichever other analysis, it is obvious that a well developed transport system with certain leads to economic growth. The last decades lead to an unprecedented development of global foreign trade. Benefic from economic point of view, transport development determined a worrisome increase of environmental pollution degree. Minimizing negative effects produced by transport became a global priority. Multimodal transport is a sustainable alternative for transport development. Achieving an upgraded multimodal transport is a priority for all European Union countries, including Romania. In this paper, the authors make an ''x-ray'' of national multimodal transport, trying, at the same time, to find solutions to develop them. JEL Classification: R4 Keywords: multimodal transport, management, national, policy, sustainable

 

pag. 84	Does the Environment Responsibility Affect the Management Control System? Author: Hichem DKHILI
	Abstract The literature suggests a problem emerging between management controls systems with the new responsibilities that companies must take into consideration. This study examines a system design management control tool orientation as behaviors that can overcome the uncertainties related to the environment and register the company in a voluntary approach which takes into account the environmental dimensions. A questionnaire survey sent to 306 Tunisian industrial companies was conducted. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory analysis are required. The results of the principal component factor analysis evidenced by Cronbach's alpha and KMO test, helped to cleanse the items selected from the literature. Similarly, the results of structural equations with indices of structural adjustment and parcimonies have devoted a good quality adjustment. Overall, findings suggest that most of the firm's environment is uncertain, more tools to include in its environmental dimensions. On the other hand, the voluntary integration of an environmental approach is part of a strategy of cost leadership in the Tunisian industrial companies. JEL Classification:  M41, M14, F64, F69 Keywords: Management control system, Environmental responsibility, Environmental uncertainty, Strategy

 

pag. 93	Economic Possibilities and Management of Solar Energy Use in Tourism Author: Marinela KRSTINIC NIZIC, Elena RUDAN
	Abstract Due to its geographical position and its climate conditions, Croatia as a tourism destination has numerous and completely untapped potentials in solar energy application. Every tourism coastal and island settlement could resolve their key issues in hotels, private accommodation, and other tourism bearers by applying the district heating/cooling systems. Specific condition along the Adriatic Coast should be indicated, with increase in energy security representing an important tourism factor. Authors' research, undertaken among the management of the Kvarner tourism destination, shows only 36% of hotels apply mostly one form of renewable energy source - solar energy, converting it into thermal energy for domestic hot water and heating systems, and seldom use photovoltaic systems for conversion into electric energy. Analysis of survey results of hotel management shows 64% of hotels use no forms of renewable energy sources, nor plan to apply them. The analysis results clearly indicate Croatian numerous benefits and opportunities for significant increase in use of renewable sources, particularly in camping tourism. Its efficacy depends on overcoming both the perceived and well-known barriers, and particularly on weak but in the future indispensable connection of all relevant policies - energy, industrial, agricultural, tourism, environmental protection, construction and areal planning - in order to ensure conditions for sustainable development, with renewable energy sources forming its essential part. JEL Classification: L83, O10, O13, M10 Keywords: energy independence, green camps, management, solar energy, support mechanism, tourism.

 

pag. 106	The Strategic Plan for Tourism Development in Italy Authors: Silvia ANGELONI
	Abstract Conceptual works on tourism destination competitiveness affirm the central importance of planning the process of value creation within destination. Italy is an emblematic case of why and how a leading tourism destination may lose competitiveness along the years. Up to the 1980s Italy was in fact the top international tourism destination, but then such ranking gradually decreased, because of more complexity of sector and, over all, because of marginality of tourism in the government agenda and more in general of the country. After years of strategic myopia, Italy finally has a tool that formalizes its vision and indicates the key factors that can be leveraged in order to regain ground. In 2013, Italy adopted a National Strategic Plan. Therefore, this paper aims to describe an important turning point in tourism policies for the economic and cultural development of Italy. The research highlights the problematic areas of Italy's tourism industry and explains how a new approach should make the Italian destination able to successfully compete on the international tourism market. JEL Classification: M16, M38, O21, L83 Keywords: international tourism competitiveness, Italian destination, Strategic Plan

 

pag. 121	A Perspective on the Applicability of the Quadripartite Model of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Organizations of the Western Development Region, Romania Author:  Cristina GĂNESCU, Andreea GANGONE
	Abstract This paper addresses the issues of social obligations that organizations have to society, starting from an analysis of the quadripartite model of corporate social responsibility described by Archie B. Carroll in 1979 and known by 1991 as the "pyramid of corporate social responsibility". The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that social responsibility dimensions do not exclude each other, but can in practice be approached by companies at the same time, but in different weights. A sociological survey conducted in the industrial organizations operating in the Western Development Region of Romania supports this hypothesis and, by creating a set of key factors, illustrates the reason why organizations tend to rely mainly on one or more of the specific dimensions of social responsibility. This research is, in our opinion, the first attempt to highlight the applicability of the model of social responsibility in businesses in Romania. JEL Classification: M14, M21 Keywords: corporate social responsibility, pyramid of corporate social responsibility, quadripartite model of social responsibility, social responsibility dimensions.

 

pag. 135	Models of Success for the Romanian Economic Organizations: New Characteristics of the National Competitive Advantage Mix Authors: Adrian-Gelu LUPU
	Abstract In the current period of uncertainty and economic stagnation, the national economies are trying to redefine and identify again the sources of the competitive advantage. The neo-Keynesian models are once more facing the liberal models, the austerity strategies are facing the investment strategies, the partisans of each of these opinions appreciating the opportunity of their own proposal. The results of the study come to align many of the specialists' efforts, to contribute to identifying the optimum way of combining the resources, the mix of measures that can provide the lasting competitive advantage of the national economy, and, finally, to identify the component elements of the ''Romanian diamond'' of generating success and increasing external attractiveness. JEL Classification: F63, M21, O11 Keywords: competitive advantage, national economy, private management, direct foreign investments

  

pag. 146	Integration Processes in the Dairy Industry: Ukrainian Experience Author: Anatoliy G. GONCHARUK, Tetyana GAMMA
	Abstract The purpose of this paper is to determine the main directions of integration processes in the dairy industry of Ukraine. Since Ukraine's independence, situation in the dairy processing deteriorated substantially, that adversely impact on an activity result of dairy enterprises and agriculture's milk producers. The paper presents a theoretical hypothesis about the need to create a vertically integrated agricultural formation to improve the competitiveness of dairy production and ensuring sustainable development of the industry. JEL Classification: O11, O13 Keywords: Dairy industry, Vertical integration, Sustainable development, Ukraine.

 

pag. 161	Enterprise Policies for Tackling the Digital Skills Shortage Author: Daniela BORISOV, Adrian TANŢĂU
	Abstract Nowadays as results of the turbulent crisis, economies are confronted with the effects of the financial crisis, consequently many European states members are faced with strategic challenges in decisions about personnel development. Some of industries have faced shortages in the digital skill attainment of the currently employed personnel, or short supply of IT-related personnel due to the inadequacy of new entrants on the labor market. These problems are encountered in several traditional industries affected too rapidly by the technological advance. Along to these aspects, there are other difficulties for employers and employees as well, such as structural changes in job offering in various sectors or disparity in the employees; age categories - because of high unemployment rates in youth for instance. These are complemented by fewer job opportunities for young individuals (eventually, graduates for the tertiary sector of formal education) that fit according to their specializations or even new type of skills' demand - much oriented on the digitalization. The paper intends to presents some empirical aspects raised from the statistical evidence useful to point out critical aspects in the domestic and eventually, European approach to entreprice policy, in developing proper curricula to empower the academic institutions to provide knowledge, to foster skills for current enrolled students. On short term already, the future workforce needs to be prepared for the digitalization of the professional activity, regardless the specific domain of work and, in this view; companies should be in the position to manage this potential crisis of the labour market. JEL Classification:  O30 Keywords: digital divide, digital literacy, digital shortage/gaps, personnel policy

 

pag. 177	Investment Indicators and the Business Firms Dynamics Authors:  Virginia CUCU
	Abstract The paper regards the link between the population of enterprises carrying out economic activity and pursuing investment projects of all sorts. The business demography statistics focusing on real enterprises population's events (such as births and deaths) is analyzed in terms of its descriptive statistical appearance in Romania to point out the divergent patterns as compared to some aggregates at the European Union level. Starting from the evidence that business dynamics revealed by the business demography statistics is a key source of information for analyzing the prospects of business and entrepreneurial activity, the paper suggests using a well known statistical measure - the z score to address the subject of the specific historical pattern in the companies' demography in Romania. The usage of enterprise birth rates, death rates and the two-year survival rates is chosen for statistical analysis as they are part of the structural indicators used to monitor the progress of the Europe 2020 agenda. The investment rate which is one of the key indicators for economic sector is provided for the euro area and some EU state members. JEL Classification: D01, D22 Keywords: business demography indicators, investment rate.

 

pag. 191	Estimating Companies and Sectoral Sustainability in Resource Consumption Authors: Ramona CRUCERU, Cristina PARTAL
	Abstract The economic growth during the last decades has been associated with a continuously increasing intensive use of material resources, in spite of the technological progress. The historical data over a century reveals that the current economic system supports to a certain degree the inefficient use of resources by allowing large waste, low conversions factors, pricing below true costs. The paper intends to address some interesting points based on observations derived from statistical evidence on resource indicators. The resource efficiency indicators relate to the following broad categories - overall (national) resource consumption/ efficiency and industry resource consumption/efficiency. In the paper, the first category is addressed by involving the resource productivity - measured as the volume of Gross Domestic Product in market prices (GDP) over Domestic Material Consumption (DMC), it is studied for the period 2000-2009 based on the Eurostat database. The indicator has increased by 16 %, with a slightly larger rhythm as compared to the growth in GDP (around 12 %) over the same period, indicating that in the EU27 there was placed in a separate and decoupled growth pattern from that one of domestic resource consumption. Yet the evolution was very specific at the member states' level depending on domestic context - the economic structure, the competitiveness level, the impact of financial crisis etc. Even if the most frequently used to estimate the efficiency of the resource consumption is resource productivity, the link with other time series or structure indicators bring to light new perspectives in revealing the patterns of consumption and policy actions to improve the resource efficient use. JEL Classification: Q01 Keywords: domestic material consumption, efficiency, productivity, resource consumption