Informal learning at workplace : Real case study from the private companies in Bulgaria

In an era of ongoing change, workplace learning has taken on an increasingly popular role as a vehicle through which organizations can achieve their long-term goals and strategic visions. Informal learning at work has become an extremely important issue and Managers and HRD practitioners have attempted to deploy informal learning in the design of corporate cultures. Empirical Research on Informal Learning The term informal learning was first introduced in 1950 by Malcolm Knowles, in his pioneer work “Informal Adult Education”. Since that time, many authors have written about informal learning, offering their unique perspective on the meaning of the term. Nevertheless the broad spectrum of leading theoretical models and used methods in terms of case study, ethnographic, interview and survey approaches, no single theoretical model or methodological approach has yet established dominance. What is now needed is some typology or organizing tool for understanding the different types of informal learning and how these events might be connected to the more formal training undertaken by the worker. Objectives of the study This report presents the findings from a study carried out by the NBU, SM between October 2008 and September 2009. (This study is the first of its kind for the Bulgarian environment). The aims of the study were to illustrate the range of practice of informal learning at work, to provide an analysis of these practices in some private companies in Bulgaria in order to propose ways to target case study material at a business audience. More specifically, the research examined: the types of informal learning activities people engage in at work and perceived factors that affect informal learning engagement. The idea was to document the incidental or tacit knowledge and skills that are acquired outside of the formal training program and how these pieces fit together as a strategy for lifelong learning and work. Design/methodology/approach Through various data collection methods, the investigation was run. Twenty four (24) private small, medium and large companies were selected for the study and 145 managers, HR practitioners and specialists took part in it. Participants were generally full-time employees, and approximately 60% were female. Data sources have included structured and in depth employee questionnaire, and manager and specialists interviews. The research is asking about what happens to the employees that may be related to their learning experiences at work and the extent to which they are engaged in these activities. Findings and Future Research As evidenced by the findings of the study, there were certain types of informal learning activities in which the specialists from the companies were most likely to engage and in this sense the advantages of informal learning cannot be denied. But, informal learning is merely one intervention that could resolve all organizational problems. So, consideration must be given and future research are needed to organizational context and culture, assessment of informal learning activities in relation to other activities of everyday life, examination of different categories of employees, etc. in order to find the combination of the right environment and mix of strategies as a foundation for an organization's workplace learning efforts

Portfolio building assessment of adult tutors for distance learning

In the emerging Knowledge‐based Economy, it is becoming more and more important for adult tutors to be clear about what they know and can do what they provide as niche “producer,” what they need to be able to do in the future. Traditional academic credentials do not capture these notions as a competence and learning can be recorded through e‐portfolio building assessment. SM, NBU project The paper describes the efforts of the School of Management, New Bulgarian University, applying the competence route through e‐portfolio building assessment. The purpose of assessment is to find out whether adult tutor/ trainer can do a task to the required standard or not. Applying this to the situation at hand, assessment is about gathering evidence to prove they have met the specified performance criteria of the Standard for flexible distance learning. In doing so, it enables the tutors to receive an accreditation of prior experience & learning. Portfolio Building Assessment The main objectives are: • To utilize the existing competencies and knowledge • To stimulate the continuous professional development (CPD) • To structure the activities of tutor/trainer • To increase transparency of the assessment process • To increase the rigor of quality assurance procedures • To give more opportunities for presenting different type of valid evidences in order to prove competence

The Effects of Board Interlocks With an Allegedly Fraudulent Company on Audit Fees

Drawing on prior literature on audit fees, client reputation, and corporate governance, we posit that a material adverse event at a firm, such as a financial fraud allegation, leads to an increase in the audit fees of firms connected to the former by a board interlock. We propose two possible mechanisms to explain the upward pressure on audit fees: a client-side effect, where the client demands additional audit services, and an auditor-side effect, where the auditor raises its audit fees due to a perceived increase in audit engagement risk. The results indicate an average marginal increase of 12.86% in audit fees in the year following the public revelation of financial fraud. Additional analyses suggest that an auditor-side effect is in place, while we cannot find clear evidence supporting the client-side effect. Furthermore, we document that the positive effect on audit fees persists for up to at least 2 years after public disclosure of the event when the interlocked director serves as a member of the audit committee. JEL Descriptors: G34, M40, M4

Kaukasus und Orient: Die Entstehung des „Maikop-Phänomens“ im 4. Jahrtausend v.Chr.

Aus Gräbern und Siedlungen des 5. Jahrtausends v. Chr. im Nordkaukasus ist eine materielle Kultur bekannt, die mit gleichzeitigen archäologischen Komplexen im nördlichen und westlichen Schwarzmeergebiet verwandt war. Scheinbar unvermittelt wurde sie um die Mitte des 4. Jahrtausend v. Chr. jedoch durch eine „Hochkultur“ ersetzt, deren Entstehung noch mit vielen Unklarheiten behaftet ist. In allen Bereichen zeigt diese nach dem großen Kurgan von Maikop genannte archäologische Kultur Innovationen ohne lokale Vorbilder, die auch nicht aus der Tradition der balkanisch-anatolischen Kupferzeit abgeleitet werden können. Das in der russischsprachigen Forschung bevorzugte Erklärungsmodell beinhaltet eine Migration aus dem Süden, mit Ursprung im syro-anatolischen Raum, die oft mit der sog. „Uruk-Expansion“ in Verbindung gebracht wird. Allerdings sind ernsthafte Zweifel an einem Zusammenhang zwischen Maikop und dem syro-anatolischen Raum angebracht. So zeigen die Fremdobjekte im Nordkaukasus keine Verbindung zum Oberlauf des Euphrat und Tigris und den Schwemmebenen Mesopotamiens, sondern vielmehr zum Iranischen Plateau und dem südlichen Zentralasien. Dabei ermöglichen jüngste Forschungen im Südwesten des Kaspischen Meeres eine neue Perspektive über die Wechselwirkungen zwischen dem „Orient“ und dem kontinentalen Europa. Zum einen wird allmählich erkennbar, dass bereits im frühen 4. Jahrtausend v. Chr. ein riesiger Interaktionsraum entstand, der sich weit jenseits von Mesopotamien erstreckte; zum anderen wird die traditionell betonte Bedeutung Mesopotamiens relativiert, da die Ausbreitung von im Iran und Zentralasien entwickelten Innovationen offensichtlich auch ohne Vermittlung über dem syro-anatolischen Raum stattgefunden hat

Corporate Bankruptcy and Directors' Reputation: An Empirical Analysis of the Effects on Public Debt Contracts:

This article investigates the link between board members' past professional experiences and the terms and conditions of the debt contracts of their current firms. In particular, we examine whether directors' past bankruptcy experience affects the pricing and nonpricing terms of public debt contracts. Using a sample of 8,142 bond issues in the United States in the period 1995 to 2015, we document higher credit spreads and smaller bond sizes for firms with such directors, suggesting that bondholders are concerned about past bankruptcy experience. Our results remain robust to different model specifications. This effect is moderated for bankruptcies that are likely driven by macroeconomic shocks such as the dotcom bubble and the global financial crisis. We also show that our findings are not explained by bond issuers with an elevated risk of default and seem instead to be driven by directors serving on key monitoring committees, indicating that prior bankruptcy experience raises concerns about the company's corporate governance. Finally, mediation analysis offers some evidence of a limited negative indirect effect of prior bankruptcy experience on the terms of debt contracts through the firm's financial and investment policies. Overall, our findings suggest that lenders incorporate information about past professional experiences of directors into public debt contracting

Pharmacists’ attitudes and preparedness prior to introducing the system of electronic prescriptions in Bulgaria

INTRODUCTION: By introducing electronic prescribing in December 2020, Bulgaria took a major step towards the digitalization of healthcare in the country. The regulatory framework was swiftly changed which resulted in little time for testing and implementing the e-prescription system.AIM: This study aims to explore the awareness, preparedness and attitudes of pharmacists towards the innovation prior to its mandatory launch.МATERIALS AND METHODS: A sociological method was used: a face-to-face anonymous survey among pharmacists in the region of Varna, utilizing paper questionnaires.RESULTS: The results showed the respondents’ positive attitudes and well equipped pharmacies. However, a number of challenges were also identified, such as insufficient information and trainings, a short trial period leading to concerns and lack of confidence in community pharmacists.CONCLUSION: The functioning e-healthcare system is a priority goal of healthcare development in Bulgaria. The introduction of the electronic prescription is an important step for the future digital transition in our country. Despite pharmacists’ positive attitudes towards the innovations and the expectations that it would enhance medical care, we should note that at the start of the project the focus was more on technological performance and not on staff training.  Trainings, time and experience are needed to build an effective functioning system in support of professionals and society

Specialized Electronic Tracking and Analysis System for the medicinal products (SETASMP) - challenges and attitudes for community pharmacists

The specialized electronic system for tracking and analyzing medicines / SETASMP/, included in The Positive Drug List / PDL/, is used to collect information for delivered/ sold medicines in the country. The main purpose is to provide people’s access to medicines and to prevent their shortage and lack.Aim: To track the awareness, attitudes, and the need of additional training to work with SETASMP among pharmacists in community pharmacy, in the process of introduction to practice.Materials and methods: An anonymous survey was conducted on the territory of Varna, among pharmacists in community pharmacy. Descriptive statistics, graphical analysis of results and non-parametric methods for hypothesis check are applied.Results: There is uncertainty between the respondents, connected with the technical performance in the daily work with the system. At the time of the survey, there is a lack of positive attitude of the pharmacists towards the benefit of SETASMP and the set goals. There is a desire for additional courses or training for pharmacists, related to practical application. No statistical significance was found between the experience of the pharmacist and the need for clarification and training for working with SETASMP

Corporate bankruptcy and directors’ reputation: an empirical analysis of the effects on public debt contracts

This paper investigates the link between board members’ past professional experiences and the terms and conditions of the debt contracts of their current firms. In particular, we examine whether directors' past bankruptcy experience affects the pricing and non-pricing terms of public debt contracts. Using a sample of 8,142 bond issues in the U.S. in the period 1995-2015, we document higher credit spreads and smaller bond sizes for firms with such directors, suggesting that bondholders are concerned about past bankruptcy experience. Our results remain robust to different model specifications. This effect is moderated for bankruptcies that are likely driven by macroeconomic shocks such as the dotcom bubble and the global financial crisis. We also show that our findings are not explained by bond issuers with an elevated risk of default and seem instead to be driven by directors serving on key monitoring committees, indicating that prior bankruptcy experience raises concerns about the company’s corporate governance. Finally, mediation analysis offers some evidence of a limited negative indirect effect of prior bankruptcy experience on the terms of debt contracts through the firm’s financial and investment policies. Overall, our findings suggest that lenders incorporate information about past professional experiences of directors into public debt contracting

Active learning approach in Moodle for the organization of student’s self-study practice-based learning activities

Nowadays e-learning tools and delivery methods have been constantly expanding. Employs use e-learning to train their employees more often and often. New and experienced employees have the opportunity to improve upon their knowledge base and expand their skill sets. At home, individuals are granted the access to the programs that provided them with the ability to earn online degrees and enrich their lives through the expanded knowledge. The paper focuses on the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of e- learning. The ways of applying on-line training used by employers are demonstrated. The experience of implementing active methods of e-learning is described as well as the conclusion about the possibility of their application is made. The paper also presents the results of the survey conducted among TPU teacher and students concerning the advisability of e-learning usage