1,721,196 research outputs found
OWL-OLM : interactive ontology-based elicitation of user models
No full textUser-adaptive systems for the SemanticWeb need approaches for user modeling that work, unlike traditional approaches, under the open-world assumption. A novel framework for eliciting a user’s conceptualization based on an ontology-driven dialog is presented here. It has been integrated in an RDF/OWL-based adaptive semantic-web software architecture for learning content management. We illustrate the implemented framework with an application scenario to deal with the cold start problem and to enable tailoring the system’s behavior to the needs of each individual user
Towards a competitive environmental policy: the case study of the Bulgarian wine industry
No full textThe article aims to study whether the Bulgarian wine-manufacturing
industry considers the ecological issues as an important prerequisite for
breaking into both the European Union and the worldwide markets. A survey
has been carried out in 17 companies producing wines in Bulgaria. A
questionnaire has been designed with the intention to understand whether the
managers have an interest in implementing environmental management system.
The article points out that the integration of environmental policy and its
benchmarking indicators is dependent only on a number of managerial and
business factors. Some environmental issues are not considered in the process
of making competitive decisions, while others are still under evaluation
Material flow analysis for managing large-size companies
No full textGlobalization results in improving environmental performance of the transnational corporations (TNCs). In this paper we introduce the method of material flow analysis (MFA) for integrated approaches to environmental management such as production processes and supply chain management. To complete this investigation we use the example of one of the most important chemical manufacturing plants in Europe, Solvay Group and its affiliate in Bulgaria Solvay Sodi. We summarize that the MFA tool gives different suggestions of the company in order to realize an ecologically advantageous material cycle, which could contribute not only for development of different eco-design modes, but also for ecological sustainability of the region and for the global supply chain partnership of Solvay
Environmental approach to implement sustainable management: partnership between Transnational Corporation and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
No full textAbstract: The aim of this research is to show, in a country, catching-up like
Bulgaria, how crucial the extension of environmental approach from the
Transnational Corporations (TNCs) towards their suppliers is, when they are
mainly Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The authors propose the
approach of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) for extending sustainable
management from TNCs to SMEs. For showing the advantage of MFA, we use
the example of one of the most important chemical manufacturing plants in
Europe, Solvay Group and its affiliate in Bulgaria Solvay Sodi. We propose
concrete suggestions for creating a favourable collaboration between TNCs,
SMEs and an external auditing company, for each one of them to benefit from
Managerial factors for evaluating eco-clustering approach
No full textPurpose – The paper aims to study the main managerial factors for evaluating the eco-cluster
approach and to promote their implementation within the environmental industry management.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper includes the authors’ observations about the
advantages of eco-clustering, and their practical consideration. The empirical research shows the
tendencies for developing an eco-cluster policy in one of the most economically dynamic regions in
Bulgaria: Varna-Devnya. The study framework was discussed with managers on the basis of the
environmental practices of Solvay Sodi, Devnya Cement, and Agropolihim JSC. The authors outline
the possible cycle of waste management and emission exchanges in that industrial zone.
Findings – The findings show that the eco-cluster concept in Bulgaria could be provided on microand
macro-managerial levels, discussing firm relationships and governmental policy. The principal
limitation for generating the findings is the lack of concordance between the governmental interest and
the business interests of the TNCs. Three negative factors are important in the implementation of the
eco-clustering concept: lack of information; financial constraints; lack of trust.
Practical implications – Common strategic agreements between TNCs and local authorities
provide useful managerial and public implications for eco-clustering. Second, the analysis outlines
essential steps for the managerial behavior for creating eco-clusters.
Originality/value – The perspectives of the eco-cluster are studied for the first time in Bulgaria. The
investigation gives motivation for a further study of the eco-clustering approach with the support of
the local authorities. The practical steps for managerial and public implications of the eco-cluster
concept as an innovative tool for Bulgarian managers are revealed
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR CULTURAL EVENTS: CASE STUDY FROM APULIA REGION, ITALY
No full textThis research study represents one of the first attempts to measure the environmental impact of the cultural events (theatrical and festival) in order to evaluate the risks for
formulating better policy. It is important to underline that this sector, which is not considered responsible in having a direct influence on the environment, has on the contrary a substantial ecological impact as other sectors, like services and commodity’s manufacturing. In this paper the impact both of theatrical and festivals events in Apulia region, through the tool of the I-O (input/output) Ecological Footprint Analysis (EFA), has been carried out
Towards sustainable competitiveness in biofuel using in Bulgaria
No full textThe introduction of the EU biofuels directive- Directive 2003/30 EC had the ambitious
challenge both to reduce greenhouse gas emission (GHG) and to create new jobs in rural
areas. The challenge lays in the premise to convert biomass in energy, which depends on the
availability of land. This opportunity has creating an EU market for biofuels and has offered
to each Member State which has more agricultural land to benefit from environmental and
economic points of view. In this paper the authors investigates whether is profitable for SMEs
operating in the agricultural sector in Bulgaria to shift into such a “green business” and
whether it can contribute to diversify the role of the agriculture by stimulating the
development of new income sources and by ensuring long-term competitiveness
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