Globalization and multinational companies in numbers

At the core of economic globalization is the increased movement of capital and labor, of finance, goods and services between countries. In this study, we examine the nature of contemporary globalization, with respect to multinational companies (MNCs). We look at the role of MNCs as key players in globalization, because their actions are related to particular features of national economies. This involves paying attention to the globalization, seeing MNCs as ‘actors` in the way they operate. The article ends with a conceptual framework for analyzing globalization in respect of MNCs, which can act as a guide to measure the contemporary globalization, based on the key indicators

Statistical significance, power of the test, and effect size measures in two- independent-samples t-test case

Quantitative research is focused on determining the occurrence of certain population phenomena by analyzing data from a sample. Statistics is a tool that is used to check hypotheses and make decisions to reject or fail to reject such hypotheses. In this paper, the various statistical tools are reviewed: the limitations of null hypothesis significance testing and the advantages of using effect size as two measurements, which can provide important information about the results of a study. These measurements also can help interpretation of data results and easily detect trivial effects. Further, it is recommended to establish an appropriate sample size by using the optimum statistical power of the test that the research is designed. We discuss statistical significance, sample size, power of the test, and effect size, all of which have an enormous impact on how we interpret the results

Statistics for data analysis using Microsoft Excel

Today business research is based on the manipulation of large amounts of data from the Internet, company sources, public sources, and others. Business analytics must extract useful information from a big data set and to make a decision. Whether you are analyzing a client’s data or company’s data to make decisions, your tools have to be able to handle the tasks you perform with that information. The goal of this paper is to illustrate the use of Excel’s Analysis ToolPak for developing complex statistical analysis. MS Excel is widespread, user-friendly, easy to learn, and powerful. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to show how free Analysis ToolPak add-in works and what it can do. In one hand Analysis ToolPak is powerful, but in the other hand it has some weaknesses that we should be aware of

STUDY ON LABOR INTEGRATION OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE, FACING SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE LABOR MARKET OF BULGARIA

The survey aims to identify the factors influencing the different levels of unemployment in Bulgaria through the use of statistical methods and official statistical information regarding the labor market for the period 2015-2019. To achieve the research goals, a regression model was developed, disclosing the relationship between a dependent variable (total unemployment rate) and a system of independent variables reflecting the influence of factors for the analyzed period. The nature of the dependencies is established, statistically significant factors are selected and ranked, the degree of influence for each of them is determined, the adequacy of the model is checked and the results obtained are fully analyzed. Based on the findings achieved, conclusions are formulated and measures are proposed aimed at a general reduction of the unemployment rate in the country, as well as to increase the opportunities for employment of various categories of unemployed persons with disabilities

Unemployment and job vacancies. Theoretical model and empirical analysis for Bulgaria.

The unemployment and the issues relating to it refer to the entire population of a given country and that's why they are always relevant. The present article examines the main factors exerting a powerful effect on the unemployment level – the active labour market policy, the labour mobility, the labour productivity and the labor force level. Developed is a theoretical model on the basis of which an empirical analysis is made of the data reflecting the unemployment level in the country over the 2013-2018 period. A special attention is paid to the mutual relation between the unemployment level and the number of the job vacancies, and it is precisely this interdependence that  is examined and analysed in the paper using the Beveridge curve

Risk Analysis of the external and internal environment according to ISO 9001:2015

Many biscuit manufacturers face the issue of updating quality management systems based on a risk analysis imposed by recent changes to ISO 9001:2015. It has been found that the main innovation in the standard is the determination of the analysis of the risk related to the influence of external and internal factors of the environment. The purpose of this study is to apply in practice a methodology for risk analysis of the external and internal environment of the organization using the example or the case of biscuit production. The model is based on an expert evaluation and includes the simultaneous application of FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental) analyses. The application of the two methods has allowed the identification of risk priorities in the internal and external environment, and their ranging has allowed the identification of activities necessary to reduce or eliminate risks. The paper is expected to be particularly useful for those organizations that are about to update their quality management systems according to ISO 9001: 2015

How mortgage interest rates and salaries affect the mortgage debt

This paper explores the relationship between household mortgage debt and mortgage interest rate and salary in Bulgaria. The monthly data in this research paper is from January 2007 to June 2020, from existing official sources - NSI (National Statistical Institute) and BNB (Bulgarian National Bank). The chosen initial period is related to the beginning of the Monetary Board and the macroeconomic stability of the country after the Board. The research methodology includes correlation, regression analysis and related tests of statistical hypotheses. Based on the results, we derive the estimated regression equation that can be used to explain the impact of changes in independent variables on the dependent variable and to make predictions. We found that mortgage debt is positively associated with salary and negatively associated with mortgage interest rate

Structural and value dimensions of household indebtedness in Bulgaria

The assertion that household indebtedness is directly related to financial macrostability is considered an axiomatic rule in economic theory. The presence of a high level of indebtedness and sharp increases in its values are considered by experts as an indicator of an impending financial crisis and recession. The study of the dynamics and trends in household debt liabilities changes could answer many questions related to households’ financial stability and the measures that regulators should take. This research issue is particularly relevant in the current economic crisis caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis of the structural and value dimensions of household indebtedness provides the necessary basis for studying the financial sustainability of households, with which they enter this challenging period

Digital advantages for the construction industry

Currently, the digital transformation is recognized as a source of many potential effects for the business organization from all sectors of the economy. The purpose of this study is to identify and highlight the possible advantages of the application of digital technologies in the construction sector. A scientometric analysis of the existing literature is performed. The scope of the study is given from three perspectives through three search criteria - digitalization, big data, and forecasting. A total of 2371 articles are abstracted. Then, the extracted data is visualized through Vosviewer software tool. The growth of publications increases significantly over the last decade. The results illustrate that the digitalization in the construction sector affect all aspects of construction projects, with the strongest impact on the architecture design and building information modelling. Big data in construction is associated with the data storage, data analytics and information management, during the whole life of the buildings. The third search criterion shows that construction companies most often forecast the total costs using regression analysis, machine learning algorithms, artificial neural networks, etc The research findings could support decision makers and practitioners with-depth understanding for the possible advantages of digital technologies in the construction industry. The current study is part of a larger project called "Digitalization of Economy in a Big Data Environment" BG05M2OP001-1.002-0002-C02

Устойчивост на селското стопанство в България

This paper gives answer to topical and debated research and practical questions at the current stage of development of Bulgarian agriculture - „what is sustainability of agriculture", „how to assess sustainability of agricultural in the conditions of EU CAP implementation in the country“, and „which are critical factors for improvement of socio-economic and environmental sustainability in the sector“. Evolution of the „concept“ of agrarian sustainability and the major approached for its assessment are discussed More precise definition of sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture is suggested and the requirements for the system of its assessment are characterised. For the first time a new „governance“ pillar of agrarian sustainability is included along with the universally accepted economic, social and environmental pillars (aspects). Practically applicable for the specific conditions of Bulgarian agriculture holistic framework for assessing sustainability level of agrarian systems of different types (sector, sub-sector, region, ecosystem, agricultural farm) is suggested. The later included 25 principles, 66 criteria, and 163 indicators and reference values for assessing integral, governance, economic, social and environmental sustainability as well as approach for their calculation, integration and interpretation. Approbation of the elaborated framework in assessment of agrarian sustainability at various levels (national, sub-sector, region, (agro)ecosystem, and farm) is made on the base of official statistical, etc, information and original farm surveys. Critical factors for improving sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture are identified, and recommendation made for amelioration of research and assessment practices, public policies and farming strategies for sustainable development. Website of the project: https://zem.alle.b