Ecoforum Journal (University of Suceava, Romania)
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THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA UPON GENERATION Z IN THE TOURISM ACTIVITY
No full textImpactul turismului de vlogging asupra Generației Z poate fi semnificativ. Vlogging-ul le permite tinerilor să exploreze diferite culturi, destinații și experiențe din confortul ecranelor lor. Poate inspira pofta de călătorie, poate promova schimbul cultural și poate încuraja sentimentul de aventură. Cu toate acestea, este important să echilibrăm explorarea virtuală cu experiențele din viața reală și să ne asigurăm că portretizarea călătoriilor este autentică și responsabilă. Turismul de vlogging este un adevărat schimbător de joc pentru Generația Z. Le-a oferit oportunitatea de a explora lumi noi și de a se conecta cu diferite culturi prin conținut video captivant. În plus, a stimulat creativitatea și spiritul aventuros al tinerilor, încurajându-i să-și împărtășească propriile experiențe și să inspire alți tineri să iasă în lume și să descopere frumusețea călătoriei
TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY THROUGH CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND POLICIES
No full textThe transition to a circular economy is an imperative that addresses the growing environmental challenges and irrational use of resources confronting modern society. The proposed article highlights the importance of this transition, elucidating its multifaceted impact with a close connection to the economic, social and environmental domains. Highlighting the need for sustainable and circular supply chains, the research outlines key features of the circular economy, including the use of innovative technologies such as AI and blockchain, redesigning products to be recyclable and promoting collaborative partnerships between sectors. Drawing on information from the European Union\u27s Circular Economy Action Plan, the article highlights the critical need for global adoption to mitigate biodiversity loss and the crucial impact on climate change. The research describes both notable progress in the European Union and the United States, as well as some gaps in awareness, fragmented regulation and inadequate incentives. Solutions discussed in the paper include comprehensive policy frameworks, targeted investments, consumer education and stakeholder collaboration. By aligning efforts with the principles of the circular economy, developed and developing countries around the world can unlock economic growth, create new jobs and ensure environmental sustainability. Ultimately, the key elements of the circular economy offer a transformational path to a sustainable, equitable and resilient future for all stakeholders
PERCEPTIONS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND OF THE CITY HALL STAFF ON LOCAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM
No full textThis micro-research aims to analyze the state of reform at the level of local public administration by evaluating the perceptions of both the members of the local community and the human resources of the City Hall institution, with a particular focus on the Moara commune in Suceava county. The scientific approach carried out showed the fact that the perceptions expressed by the responding residents and those of the human resources of the City Hall regarding the process of public administration reform in the commune do not seem to differ considerably, although we would have expected larger gaps. Thus, it can be concluded that at the level of the Moara commune in Suceava county, the progress recorded regarding the reform of the public administration is satisfactory for both categories of respondents
INCLUSIVE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY IN HIGH-RISK MUNICIPALITIES
No full textHigh-risk municipalities in South Africa are identified by their inability to render public goods and services owing to their almost dysfunctional operating systems and structures. Such municipalities are in financial distress and struggle to ensure inclusivity in implementing Local Economic Development (LED) projects that target poverty alleviation in impoverished communities. To understand how high-risk municipalities, expose citizens to dire poverty and inequalities, the study draws from an interpretive paradigm that allows for the use of a qualitative approach. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) was adopted to examine the implementation of various LED programmes in South African high-risk municipalities to alleviate poverty and promote socio-economic development. Peer-reviewed journal articles were used to validate the discussions emanating from the extensive document review. Findings derived from the study have shown that LED strategies as poverty alleviation techniques in high-risk municipalities have been met with several challenges. These include coalition politics, skills shortage, poor financial accountability, lack of compliance with legislation, weak oversight structures, poor strategic planning and budgeting skills including lack of monitoring and evaluation of the LED programmes. Derived from this study is that in high-risk municipalities, dedicated budgets are required to support municipal officials\u27 training and development, which is critical for driving inclusive LED and poverty reduction programmes. Inclusive citizen participation in LED projects is fundamental for creating the citizen\u27s sense of gain while triggering innovative capacities that lead to employment regeneration. Conclusions drawn for this paper indicate that regular monitoring and evaluation are key to ensuring that systems and structures of high-risk municipalities become responsive to the needs of citizens while accelerating developmental local government in South Africa. The study recommends co-production in the form of active stakeholder networking of public officials since fostering close ties with the mutually beneficial private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can help enhance public service delivery in high-risk municipalities
The Impact of Remittances on Eastern European Economies: A Comparative Case Study of Romanian Regions
No full textDespite concerted efforts to promote economic development, governance improvements, and enhanced social welfare across the European Union, significant disparities persist between regions. In Eastern Europe, each country and region face its distinct challenges and opportunities, necessitating tailored approaches to address the specific needs and conditions of each area. These disparities manifest as variations in GDP growth rates, income levels, and employment opportunities. While some countries have successfully integrated into the EU, benefiting from access to broader markets and investment, others struggle with corruption, weak governance, and innovation deficits. Additionally, economic disparities exist not only between countries but also within them, with urban areas, especially capital cities, often outperforming rural regions that may still be struggling with underemployment and infrastructural deficiencies. A crucial element of these economic disparities is the role of remittances—funds sent home by migrants working abroad, which significantly impact the economies of many Eastern European countries. For instance, in Romania, remittances constitute a notable percentage of the GDP and notably exceed the 2023 GDP allocation for the country\u27s education system. These funds are vital for alleviating poverty, enhancing living standards, and stimulating economic growth. However, reliance on remittances can also introduce vulnerabilities, especially with economic downturns in host countries or shifts in migration policies. This paper aims to analyse the impact of remittances on regional development within Romanian regions, in context with the EU and neighbouring countries, using existing statistical data. It seeks to identify correlations between remittances and regional development to inform more effective policy-making at the decision-making level
THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN THE EU. EVOLUTION IN THE LAST DECADE
No full textThe problem of EU social-disparities is a complex one, being analysed from different points of view. The article aims at highlighting how the EU socio-economic disparities evolved in the latest years. We can see that progess was registered in some regions, also due to the EU Cohesion Policy. Most of the underdevelopped regions are and still continue to be in the Eastern part of the EU. As for the number of regions with GDP (PPS/capita) under 75% of the EU average, this haven’t decreased, remaining a challenge for the future. Only the number of regions with GDP (PPS/capita) under 50% of the EU average decreased. Also, we noticed increases, especially at GDP/capita (PPS) of these regions. The persistence of development gaps requires the adaptation of EU policies in order to achieve an equilibrated development
Comparison of Employment Support 2021-2027 under Cohesion Polic in the Czech Republic and Austria
No full textIn the 2021-2027 programming period, the Cohesion Policy remains the main source of financial support in the area of employment and the labour market. On the cases of Austria and the Czech Republic, problem areas are analysed and their projection into the setting of goals financed from the ESF+ and the JTF in the field of employment. Based on established and comparable parameters, a number of similarities in strategic approach were identified, despite the fact that each of the analysed countries is in a different category as a developed region and have completely different funding from Cohesion Policy. Both countries face similar difficulties in the labour market, which are reflected in the setting of specific objectives, with an emphasis on disadvantaged groups, which differ slightly between the two countries. Both of the countries focus on improving access to the labour market for young people, people over 55, balancing work and personal life, healthy aging etc. On top of that AT places emphasis on the issue of women’s employment and long-term unemployment, while CZ addresses the issue of low participation of certain groups of people in the labour market and modernization of the employment services
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION MODELS AS A RESPONSE TO AN INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT
No full textIn a reality where the "exit " phenomenon had its triggering exercise, the study of integration models through cooperation contributes to the examination of the obstacles that torpedo this process, especially the dynamics of changes have not yet reached their extreme. In this situation, the investigation of the causes that produced the retention of expectations related to these encouraging models, but which suffered final formatting blockages, acquires increasing gravity. We consider the case of the MERCOSUR bloc to be relevant to establish the importance of the integration process (bi -regional: EU-MERCOSUR), especially since the chances of benefiting economically as a result of a relational cluster between the regions are obvious
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY, EARNINGS, AND DEBT IN TOURISM COMPANIES FROM ASIA AND EUROPE
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to provide better understanding of drivers of financial performance in different challenging frameworks, with a key focus on financial position, liquidity, earnings, and debt. This study examines the financial performance of Hotels, Resorts, and Cruise Lines companies in Asia and Europe, using data from 2019 and 2023, with the scope of exploring clusters and longitudinal patterns. Based on two samples of tourism companies from these two regions and 13 financial factors, this research applies factor analysis and a two-step cluster analysis to explore patterns of financial performance. Considering the longitudinal perspective of this research, the study provides novel insights into companies’ financial performance, considering the region of their headquarters and their ability to sustain growth and profitability
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF CLIMATE UNIVERSITY LITERATURE
No full textThis paper provides a critical review of the climate university literature. Higher education institutions have increased their climate initiatives among students and society. Climate changes is becoming more and more present in daily activities. Whether it is about carbon dioxide emissions or deforestation, the social and economic consequences of climate change are challenging for each country in the world. Of all the institutions, universities play the most important role in educating people regarding the negative effects of climate change. While some universities use their own resources for this cause, others write plans and attract European projects to fund climate change objectives. The aim of this paper is to review the latest insights on Climate University. For this purpose, the paper analysed a database of scientific papers extracted from the Web of Science. The results underline the decisive role that higher education institutions play in promoting the fight against the causes of climate change. Society must understand the challenges of climate change and further develop solutions to address them. The new insights offered by this paper may be worthwhile for different stakeholders interested in climate change issues