Intellectual Economics最新文献

With the globalization, intense competition and technological advances, the inadequacy of the traditional management and cost accounting methods that meet the needs of firms and achieve their goals has led to the development of new methods, such as theory of constraints. Theory of constraints, developed by Goldratt in 1980s, is defined as effectively managing the constraints that prevent firms from achieving their goals. In the theory of constraints, it is focused on increased restricted contribution margin, reducing inventories and operating expenses. Thus, profitability can be improved by directed enterprise resources efficiently.

The purpose of the study is to provide effectively managed constraints by defining constraints that prevent their targets and thus to increase the profitability of firms. For this purpose, theory of constraints practice was carried out in a furniture firm which operates in the Mediterranean Region. As a result, it is found that, there are capacity constraints in the firm and the profitability will increase 42% after the elimination of this constraint.

This study analyze some specific aspects of the implementation of the Rural Development Program between the Apulia Region (in Southern Italy) and Lithuania for the period 2007–2013 and highlight the limitations characterizing the possibility of building an analysis framework aimed at understanding how it actually affects the regional and country agricultural system. More specifically, by referring to a specific measure of the rural development program (Measure 121 of Axes I), the aim is to analyze whether there are difference of investment activity implemented. To this purpose, we have worked at collection all the information available at the Managing Authority of Apulia Region and Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics. The observation of the gathered data, in fact, makes us observe the existence some difference between two country, in particular in Lithuania there is preference for a larger number of small projects that provides more homogeneous development of rural areas and promotes entrepreneurship, in Italy (Apulia Region) mostly large projects were financed. The aim to this study is to make an early attempt to conceptualize a framework through the analysis of the Rural Development Program 2007–2013 between Italy (Apulia Region) and Lithuania, the measure 121 it is implemented. The results of this study evidence a large number of small projects in Lithuania aimed at provide a more homogeneous development of rural area.

High unemployment and poverty rate is one of the sorest social and economical problems those interfere relevant application of advantages provided for women by economics. After having analyzed the change trends of women unemployment and poverty rate, under the article it is sought to define their inter-correlation. Scientists’ approach towards the links of unemployment and poverty differs even though it is most frequently highlighted that unemployment is one of the main reasons of poverty. However, the link assessment of the women unemployment rate and women at risk of poverty rate disclosed that there exists strong direct interrelationship not in all 28 countries of the European Union. It is also defined that currently, women unemployment rate in 28 countries of the EU, is lower than men; however, their risk of poverty rate outweighs the indicator of men.

The issues regarding measuring and managing bank performance are always on the agenda due to the critically important role of banks in the national economies of new member states of the European Union. The goal of the given study is to explore drivers of bank profitability in Latvia and Lithuania. Research period covers 2008–2014. Performance of the banking sector is proxied by profitability ratios. The set of explanatory factors involves financial and non-financial measures. The core research method is a multiple regression analysis. Data processing is performed in SPSS environment. The paper contributes to the scope of knowledge regarding bank performance drivers and the research results provide the basis for the future studies in the related field.

The successful development of a company's expansion strategy, which determines the best corporate performance, is mainly affected by its environment which is defined by multidimensional assessment criteria acting in different directions. The incorporation of all such criteria into one generalizing and complex dimension is enabled by multi-criteria assessment methods. The article focuses on theoretical justification for the application of multi-criteria evaluation methods and their practical application in identifying the actual and forecast environmental situation of the company, and provides a solution for the formation of an effective expansion strategy using the complex evaluation results of the company environment. Through the examination of a specific company by employing the possibilities of the proposed analytical solution the expansion strategy is formed for an effective development.

Increasing volumes of e-trade contribute to motivation of consumers to obtain commodities and services in electronic space. At the same time, upsurge of e-trade determines rising scopes of shadow economy in respect of favourable conditions for traders and service providers to operate in e-space evading tax paying. The purpose of the article is to identify the factors of digital shadow consumption. In order to fulfil the defined purpose, the empirical research – survey of consumers (e-trade participants) – was performed. The research of the scientific literature has revealed that thus far the problem of consumers’ participation in digital shadow economy has been basically analysed focusing on the impact of e-payment systems on shadow economy. Nevertheless, the rapid spread of e-services determines the changes in the concept of shadow economy itself. It remains indistinct which features indicate whether economic activities performed in e-space should be accounted or not. Widely exploited e-spaces such as social network platforms, alternative future currencies, e-trade systems, cyber computer games or online gambling terminals generate turnover of real money (or its electronic equivalent), which is not officially accounted.

The problem raised in this article is highly topical for Lithuania, where online networks as well as mobile connection systems are comparatively advanced (with reference to the data of Lithuanian Department of Statistics, the number of households possessing a computer and the Internet access made over 65% in 2013). Intense exploitation of advanced IT technologies and online networks is considered as a breeding ground for generation of digital economy, a part of which is presumed to be digital shadow. The results of the research have revealed that the most significant factors of digital shadow consumption include lower prices of products and services in digital black markets, unfavourable economic situation in the country, technological advancement, IT advantages, time saving obtaining a product/service in the local market and lack of opportunities to obtain a desired product in the local market. The majority of the consumers neither verify the status of a trader nor request (or not always request) purchase confirmation documents, which highly contributes to motivation of an illegal trader to maintain e-activities unregistered, this way escaping revenue taxation.

This paper deals with quality of life in terms of the environment and develops a system of indicators to assess this. An improvement in quality of life is the main aim of sustainable development and is evaluated by applying various factors and indicators. The environmental dimension is one of the major influences on quality of life, and this can be assessed by applying the following groups of indicators: environmental quality, environmentally responsible behaviour and consumption of environmental services. These groups are related because responsible behaviour has a positive impact on environmental quality and leads to greater consumption of services provided by the environment. This paper presents the concept of assessing the environmental dimension in quality-of-life measurements and the main associated indicators. These dynamics were investigated and compared in Lithuania and other EU member states, with policy recommendations developed.

The maritime industry in Lithuania is based on the public, state, and private sectors, and on the interests, activities and partnership of business companies operating in the aforementioned sectors. Despite the management of the public sector in Lithuania being criticized for showing performance shortcomings, the state of Klaipeda's seaport management and performance results refutes this criticism. The overall result of partnerships and co-operation is obtained – it reflects the port's competitiveness level in the region. According to a report conducted by the International Monetary Fund, the potential output growth in 2014–2015 has declined since the global financial crisis. Policy actions are required to boost the productivity levels, and to foster capital growth. In order to achieve these objectives, it is essential to know the company's financial situation better, because the better the financial state of the company, the more new port service users, cargo owners, shipping lines, and investors it attracts. The standard analysis of financial indicators is insufficient. Hence the method of integrated analysis is applied. The results of it might be considered as guidelines for both the state seaport authorities in order to improve the port's competitive position in the region, and for the private companies for their business development.

This work focuses on the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the environment. More specifically, it investigates the impact FDI inflowing the “agriculture and fishing” sector of OECD countries exerts on Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions level deriving from sectoral fuel combustion. To this end, a purpose-built dataset containing statistics for 30 OECD countries over 25 years (from 1981 to 2005) is analyzed through the econometric technique of panel data. Apart from other evidence, the result of the analysis shows the existence of negative relationships characterizing the technique (–0.0848), scale (−0.0036) and cumulative (–0.0044) effects of FDI on CO₂. From an environmental-economic point of view, this outcome would mean that an increase of the considered type of FDI reduces the CO₂ level. It might be concluded, therefore, that FDI plays a beneficial role in the environment. However, a more in-depth look at the quantitative aspect of the coefficients achieved and just mentioned would help us to highlight more appropriately the neutral role FDI has on the considered environmental feature. In terms of policy considerations, this evidence does not allow us to argue against those strategies aimed at enforcing the flow of FDI into the sector under our consideration.

Despite the growth of human-resource outsourcing in both the manufacturing and service sectors, it has been very complicated to measure this until now. Among scholars, outsourcing began to be analysed in the manufacturing sector when certain functions were transferred to subcontractors. In practice, outsourcing is related to tactical, strategic and restructuring issues. This article highlights the advantages of outsourcing human resources and examines outsourcing models, based on that there is derived human resource outsourcing management model and tested among service companies.