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Lviv (Ukraine) is an Eastern European city with a history dating back to the 13th century. It could be imagined as a palimpsest-like place of different architectural, social, and cultural heritages. However, the majority of current Lviv’s population lives within an urban environment designed and constructed during the second half of 20th century. Based on sociological data (in-depth semi-structured interviews, survey, and unobtrusive observation) article reviews the specifics of places for community in the largest mass housing estate – Sykhiv. Author shows what areas are perceived by inhabitants as the locations for social life and what types of social cohesion could contribute to the urban transformations.
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The most difficult subject that many politicians evade, as well as the people at large, are the problems of young people today. The problem of drug consumption presents the greatest danger of all. My personal belief as regards this is simple and clear. I’m not like the “others” who “don’t know” or “don’t see” what is going on with young people. I don’t take it as a taboo subject and don’t run away from it. In the following, I want to explain that the use of narcotics by young people brings about their ruin, as well as that of the society as a whole and, finally, of the state in which drug addiction is of a mass scale.
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After the dissolution of the USSR, Russian cities are popular destinations of labor migrants from the former Soviet republics, especially Central Asia and the Caucasus. One can observe a monopolization of particular sectors in the labor market and entire branches of petty trade by different ethnic and national communities. At some open-air markets, it is now the Russians who comprise the minority. Markets constitute a borderland which appears in the middle of a city – they serve as an important meeting place of people and cultures. The appearance of so-called ethnic entrepreneurship, ethnic economy and trade minorities, ethnic or otherwise, has been widely investigated in various parts of the world and in different times. It was, however, questioned whether one can speak about their existence in post-Soviet Russia. In this paper, I argue that trade minorities do indeed operate at Russian open-air markets. However, they do so in a specific manner that stems from the historical and cultural conditioning of petty trade in the former USSR. This study shows the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and appearance of different stereotypes that are tied to it. What is more, it analyzes some ways in which different minorities coexist. In general, the study deals with the extremely complex issue of interethnic relationships in post-Soviet Russia.
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The adoption of new normative documents in the field of education in Bulgaria determines the inclusion of children with special educational needs in general education schools. The significant and integral role which physical education plays in the educational process poses the question of the inclusion of children with impairments in motor activity training as well. Teachers implementing it contribute greatly to its positive effects. The main features of physical education include active motor activity and the related physical workload. In order for them to be adapted successfully to the specific needs of children with different disabilities, more specialized training is required. The analysis of the curricula of the faculties of education in Bulgaria shows that future pre-school and primary school teachers who will be responsible for the physical education of children in kindergartens and primary schools respectively do not receive appropriate training in adaptive physical education. The aim of this article is to present a concept for introducing a training programme on “Motor Activity Training and Inclusive Physical Education”, intended for students of the specialty Preschool and Primary School Education at the Faculty of Education, Trakia University, Bulgaria.
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The consequence of the military aggression of the Russian Federation is the loss of control over part of the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The events are accompanied by the objective processes of migration of persons who were forced to leave their permanent residence and move to other regions of Ukraine or abroad. As a result, a new category of citizens who are the internally displaced persons (IDPs) has arrived in the country counting for millions of people. In such circumstances, the study of the interdependence between gross regional product (GRP) and the IDP migration is topical and reflects the ongoing social and economic processes in a big European country. As a result of the study, a two-layer neural network with an error back-propagation model that simulates the nonlinear impact of the number of internally displaced persons on the dynamics of gross regional product has been constructed. According to the number of IDPs, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv, including Kyiv city, are among the first ten regions of Ukraine. Based on the data from the abovementioned regions, we have formed a statistical sampling in order to formulate and test the prospective economic and mathematical model. The study of mutual correlation function graphs by regions has allowed justifying the value of the time lag, which shifts an array of explanatory variables along the time axis, on average, into nine periods (three quarters). According to the results, only for Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv regions, there is a significant correlation between the studied indicators. This conclusion is substantiated in view of the fact that the number of IDPs, in the structure of which only about 23% represents the working age population, impacts the size of the gross product growth in the regions. The abovementioned regions account for 75% of the total number of internally displaced persons. The estimation of the forecast reliability, based on the 2017 data for Dnipropetrovsk region, points to the high accuracy of the developed model. The author of the article has identified specific features that accompany the processes of internal migration of the able-bodied population. In particular, based on the correlation function, the value of the time lag, which is shifted by the effect of IDP movement into a separate region, has been substantiated. The author has developed a neural network which establishes nonlinear regression dependence between the number if IDPs and the dynamics of GRP with high reliability.
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This research takes the form of an essay with two-folded goals: to bring further clarifications on the concept of brand equity, as it was discussed in the branding literature, while at the same time presenting the frameworks that could help both practitioners and researchers to measure the power of a brand. For this purpose, the authors have reviewed the existing literature, and discussed the most important perspectives on the topic: the financial-based and consumer-based brand equity, while at the same time debating the limitations of each one. The findings have implications for future research into a holistic approach to brand equity, that should see an increase of the customer’s perceived brand equity.
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This article aims to briefly analyze the research efforts on measuring welfare indices in terms of cultural relativism. It presents the limitations of GDP and some of the proposed alternatives over time, to understand the wideness and interest in this topic, but also the consequences of imposing a certain type of indicators to reflect the progress and welfare of a country. To provide a coherent overview on the proposed subject, the approach starts with the presentation of general acceptation of the welfare concept. Further, the literature review reveals many concerns about the welfare and progress, but also the difficulties associated with this effort. Critical comments generally reflect the need to consider the culture factor in the debate on welfare.
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This article advances the idea that post-conflict societies encounter a twofold challenge in the transitional context; the first challenge is the past – how to heal the wounds, whilst the second challenge is to look forward and provide solutions for a sustainable future, where human rights are promoted and respected. I argue that the complex legal, political, economic and social situation in northern Uganda requires the reconciliation between past, present and future, by merging transitional justice (pastoriented) with economic and social justice (future-oriented), so as to meet the victims‘ needs and in the same time secure a stable transitional regime. The first section of the article will deal with the interplay between conflict and poverty in Uganda and the governmental measures taken in this regard. The following two sections will briefly examine the various transitional justice mechanisms employed here as well as the unfortunate situation relating to socio-economic rights. Based on the arguments advanced in the previous sections, the final part outlines some measures to accommodate economic and social rights within transitional justice mechanisms, suggesting that the later must be part of a broader set of policies for socioeconomic development and reconciliation.
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In the last decades we are witnessing to a turn in the interaction between the citizen, as clients, and the public administration, mainly in the level of citizens’ increased expectations about the quality delivered by public service organisations. The citizen is asking for quality service with accountability of the professional factors in public organizations. This article will discuss two main phenomena in public service today: accountability and service quality.
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The article discusses the model of application of Action Research methodology in the context of the applied project ‘Training for Ecopreneurship at Three Bulgarian Universities’ (2015–2016). The project is conducted by the Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Heidelberg, with the financial support of the German Federal Environmental Foundation, DBU. Beneficiaries and associate partners in Bulgaria are the University of Ruse, the Academy of Economics, Svishtov, the University of Food Technologies, Plovdiv, and Technology Centre, Sofia – organization for technology transfer and advocacy of German businesses in Bulgaria. The project’s main objective is to introduce educational modules for so-called ecopreneurship (sustainable entrepreneurship) in these three universities. Our approach is closer to the so-called Participative Action Research, trying to involve different stakeholders in the different stages of the project. Thus, we want not only to reflect the process, but to induce ‘social change’ with the active participation of the actors. At the core of our intervention is the educational design and implementation of innovative ecopreneurship training for students, based on a competency model (or a model of linked competencies that would lead to building accomplishments) co-developed by the students and previously engaged experts. These competencies are sought, applied, and developed in the learning process through the so-called Backward Design Approach, comprising five phases, each with a different focus: 1) group cohesion development, initial assessment and joint goal-setting; 2) phase of enhancing a deeper understanding of basic concepts through experience, and raising essential no-single-answer questions; 3) immersion in the actual field, active learning of the content based on researching authentic problems; 4) learning by doing a desired type of real-world project/learning product; and 5) students’ showcase in which they present themselves through these projects, which serve as a record for their learning achievement.
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The family is nowadays confronted with many difficulties and problems, in order to maintain and fulfill presumed functions and the expected role. The changes that take place at high speed in all aspects of contemporary society has significant consequences on the situation, the development, the role and place of the family in society. Certainly, the most important phenomena of our time is globalization. It leads to major changes in society and the way of life of every man. The reason this study educational function of the family, keeping in mind a few important moments. One of them is all the more pronounced role as the basis of scientific, technical, technological and civilization development in general. Increasingly there is a need of education and learning, raising the educational level of the people, developing their professional and spiritual abilities and training, and only the only way that it can successfully respond to the daily changes that occur during this period.
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This article analyzes the Human development in modern society, it also analyzes the social development and quality of life relationship. Human Social Development regards human as a value not only because he/she is a producer of material goods. Human is considered both as an objective and a tool of development. In fact, the development where a human is a centre of attention means a human progress, a progress in a human and a progress under the authority of a human. A growth of choices is everyone’s opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. Development gives human freedom to choose, but he/she must decide what to choose. Human social development has two sides: on the one hand, physical, psychological, mental and professional capabilities of a human are developed, on the other hand, acquired capabilities allow human to efficiently use them in cultural, economic or political activity. Provision of choices makes sense only when ability to ensure well-being both to present and future generations is maintained.
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For decades now, experts have studied and documented the severe environmental and land degradation across Africa. However, the nature of the problem has now been ratcheted up by mounting and undisputed scientific evidence demonstrating a clear causal link between tropical deforestation and global climate change. The external observers of the deteriorating African landscape continue to watch in alarm, sometimes heralding a concerted global response. The African environmental “crisis” that once was framed solely in the context of the direct effects of desertification, deforestation and land degradation on African ecosystems, economies and societies, is now in fact unhinged from the location of rapidly advancing desertification and deforestation to a much broader, world-wide crisis. There is now a rapid need for an effective environment ethic hinged on socio-cultural substance which recognize indigenous people, further shape their association with natural habitat. The thrust of this paper is to have a look at African environmental ethics.
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In the Czech Republic, 45 - 65 years old people comprise over a quarter of the entire population and their employment plays a key role in the country’s economy. The data presented here is based on the official national statistics, which are typically classified by age. Unfortunately, the age categories are not consistent across all types of data. In comparison to the EU, the employment intensity in the Czech Republic is slightly higher than average. The employment rate of the working age cohort 15 - 64 years was 65.2 % (as of 2009). The employment rate of 20-64 years old was 70.7% (while the average rate in the EU was 68.8 %). [...]
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Additive manufacturing like 3D printing is frequently used to create unique three-dimensional objects of any shape and geometry. Technologies like 3D printing significantly increase the flexibility of running a business especially in the early phases of new product development and testing, but also democratize the production market. 3D printing uses hardware controlled by computer applications to create single, quite complex 3D objects at relatively low cost. Creating these objects with well-known technologies such as casting can be in many cases economically unmanageable. 3D printing technology has many areas of usage. It can be used in architecture, art, commerce, education, engineering, manufacturing, medicine and military. It can also be a very useful tool in marketing and commerce e.g. market research, product design and product development and shipment. Therefore 3D printing can meet new needs of customers and generate incomes for businesses. The aim of the article is to present recent trends in 3D printing and the possibilities of its usage. The paper contains characteristics of technology, recently developed 3D printing projects, advantages and disadvantages of using 3D printing technology. The authors analyze 1259 3D printing-related projects found on the world’s most popular crowdfunding platform – Kickstarter and presents the impact of 3D printing technology on markets and business processes.
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The decision to have children nowadays is largely a matter of choice; this has led researchers to model fertility in economic terms. This paper links the demographic effects to the labor market characteristics and consequently to the national economy. It shows that the situation in the Romanian economy is characterized by a steadily declining share of the working age population, a rising share of the elderly and a decreasing share of the young. Therefore if the downward demographic trend should continue, there will only be 15.6 million people left in Romania in 2060 with only 2 million labor force participants. The burden of financing 8 dependents will fall on one labor force participant, thus, the rising old-age dependency ratios will translate into growing tax burdens. The generous pension and health care benefits will crowd out public investment in infrastructure or education, with negative effects on capital accumulation and productivity growth.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate how sports team performance influences attendance numbers. Knowing this can be important for sports managers in planning their club marketing strategies. The research observes attendance figures and team performance data from the Romanian Men’s Basketball League (LNBM) over five years (2012-2017). The results of the bivariate regression analysis indicate that although the Null Hypothesis can be invalidated and a certain connection between the variables can be accepted, the relationship is only weak and of low significance (R=0.45; R2=0.20). Attendance numbers cannot be predicted based on team performance, mainly because performance can variate strongly over longer periods of time, or even from one game to another. Instead, the study suggests that sports managers should (also) look at other market variables (ticket prices, scheduleing, transportation and opportunity costs, advertising campaigns etc.) in their attempt to create strategies able to bring more fans to the arena.
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This paper discusses the relationship between the quality of family environment and the socio-economic status of families with regard to the impact of the impoverished family environment and educational level of parents on the early development of children. In particular it stresses the results of national surveys which indicate that Roma children are one of the most vulnerable groups of children. The paper also presents some practical guidelines for the inclusion of illiterate parents and highlights a number of programs for children of preschool and early school age and their parents from lower SES aimed at encouraging the development of literacy and other cognitive skills in children and empower parents to meet the requirements of their parental role. As one of the initial steps in the process of enhancing the cooperation and empowerment of Roma children’s parents, the paper presents research conducted by teachers and Roma assistants at Tomaš Goričanac Elementary School in Mala Subotica in the Roma settlement of Piškorovec. The main objective of the study was to determine the educational structure and the level of literacy of the adult population in Piškorovec in order to use the results for planning an intervention program which will be based on the assessed needs.
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Purpose of the article is to demonstrate the manner, in which the concept of social integration of the disabled, where crucial place is occupied by sports activity, is realized on the background of social and institutional conditions. There are qualitative data used in the research, collected through a technique of an in-depth free interview and observations, conducted among the disabled who play sports. Analysis and interpretation of the empirical material and existing data is performed in accordance with principles of the grounded theory. The performed studies proved that sport practiced by the disabled may support the inclusion process of the disabled into broader social circles. Sport not only an opportunity to maintain fitness and health, but also for social integration of the disabled.
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