Capacity of Phare and structural funds absorption: pre-accession versus post-accession

The capacity of structural funds absorption is a priority for the member states of the European Union which accessed the EU in 2004 and 2007, but slowing rates of the absorption capacity of these funds were noticed in comparison to the absorption rates of pre-accession funds. Within the context of “pre-accession versus post-accession” analysis, we present the gradual flexibilization of the process of EU funds absorption, the transfer of responsibilities for funds management towards the member states, as well as the differences between the two financing instruments used by the European Union function of different coordinates. The accession of the new member states from Central and Eastern Europe testimonies for the efficient ways of conditioning the aid for modernization offered to these countries, creating a reference framework whose coordination by proactive measures should continue during the post-accession period too. The success of the positive conditionality during the pre-accession period should be preserved by focusing on endogenous aspects specific to the assumption of responsibility for structural funds absorption by every new member state.Absorption capacity, positive conditionality, structural funds, European funds, new member states

Absorption of the structural funds in Romania

The European structural policy was directed towards consolidating the specific objectives of narrowing the regional disparities, an ample process of negotiation for the allocation of the structural funds to the new member states, Romania included. In Romania there is a need to disseminate the positive practices of EU member states in implementing the structural policies, and an urge to evaluate the progress in absorbing the structural funds and to identify the adequate measures to remedy the deficiencies noticed in the operational programs. This study gives an overall image of the allocation of structural funds for the new EU member states, Romania included, describes the absorption of the structural funds in Romania in 2009 and reviews the blockages and the solutions proposed for the absorption of these funds. The standard pattern of analysis which we used is a radiography of the actual situation, but further investigations are needed in order to identify the optimal solutions to accomplishing better results in the absorption of structural funds in Romania.European Union, absorption capacity, structural funds, administrative capacity, Romania

Abordări teoretice a conceptului de stakeholder

NICOLAESCU, Victor. Theoretical approaches to the stakeholder concept = Abordări teoretice a conceptului de stakeholder. In: Strategii şi politici de management în economia contemporană [Resursă electronică]: conf. şt. intern., ed. a 6-a, 26-27 mar. 2021. Scientific committee: Ala Cotelnic [et al.]; organizing committee: Ion Negru [et al.]. Chişinău: ASEM, 2021, pp. 139-147. ISBN 978-9975-155-20-5 (PDF).The current economic and managerial trends condition the realization of complex studies on the factors that have a significant impact on the economic agents. At the same time, it is certain that each factor has an influence on the development and functioning of other factors, which in turn influence this factor. Or, from a philosophical point of view, it is a complex, complicated process and that is why we consider it is important to study the impact of stakeholders on an economy or a separate economic agent. There are several theories and models that are oriented towards the study of stakeholders. JEL:M1 Business Administratio

MANAGING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COMPANY “APĂ-CANAL CHIȘINĂU” JSC AND STAKEHOLDERS

The process of implementation and certification of management systems, such as ISO standards, brings many benefits to “Apă-Canal Chişinău” JSC, through which the company’s marketing intensifies the confidence offered to customers regarding the fact that business activity is carried out at high international standards. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the management of stakeholders within the “Apă-Canal Chişinău” JSC. The objectives of this paper include the identification of the benefits brought to companies by the standards of the ISO series in which it is certified, as well as the analysis of a series of internal documents that regulate the stakeholder management process. In addition, in order to optimize the stakeholder management, the author developed and submitted for implementation the “Stakeholder management procedure” within the “Apă-Canal Chişinău” JSC. The given procedure will allow easier identification of stakeholders’ expectations, as well as better management of development projects

Comparative analysis of stakeholders in international standards

NICOLAESCU, Victor, TURCANU, Gheorghe. Analiza comparativa a părţilor interesate în standardele internaționale = Comparative analysis of stakeholders in international standards. In: Sustenabilitatea: îmbunătățirea produselor destinate consumatorilor și planetei [online]: simp. șt.-practic dedicat Zilei mondiale a calităţii, ed. a 7-a, 11 noiembrie 2021. Chişinău: ASEM, 2021, pp. 103-112. e-ISBN 978-9975-155-58-8.Current approaches in managerial theories and practices require a broader analysis of stakeholder relationship management. Some companies with a reactive and proactive vision have gone before the current trends and are already carrying out these studies, allocating resources and establishing strategies in this field. International institutions, from our point of view, have transferred these practices and implemented them as requirements for documentation developed in different forms: good practice guides, standards, regulations, etc. The vast experience of companies in the field of stakeholder relations management has been largely systematized, but it is at the discretion of each company whether to comply, as some stakeholders do not impose mandatory requirements. At the same time, in order to carry out a complex study of stakeholder requirements, it is necessary to make an introduction to the current regulations.This article contains an analysis of the main regulations containing guidelines & requirements for stakeholder management. JEL: M1 Business Administration

The European Social Fund within the context of the economic crisis from Romania

The paper shows the positive traits of the European Social Fund proved by the history of this mechanism which has been applied in the European Community for almost half a century, as well as the measures adopted in order to improve the measures in the field of employment during the period of the economic crisis. The European Social Fund (ESF) helps increasing the adaptability of the workforce and of the enterprises; it helps increasing the access to the labour market; it prevents unemployment and prolongs the active life; it increases the participation of women and of the immigrants to the labour market; it increases the social inclusion of the disadvantaged people and fights discrimination. In Romania, workforce employment is a priority goal, and POSDRU1 contributes to the implementation of the measures set by the European Strategy for Employment. The paper shows the need to identify solutions to the crisis of employment in Romania using the funds allocated to the Operational Program, Human Resources Development, which produce measurable effects with regard to the unemployment rate in Romania

The European Social Fund within the context of the economic crisis from Romania

The paper shows the positive traits of the European Social Fund proved by the history of this mechanism which has been applied in the European Community for almost half a century, as well as the measures adopted in order to improve the measures in the field of employment during the period of the economic crisis. The European Social Fund (ESF) helps increasing the adaptability of the workforce and of the enterprises; it helps increasing the access to the labour market; it prevents unemployment and prolongs the active life; it increases the participation of women and of the immigrants to the labour market; it increases the social inclusion of the disadvantaged people and fights discrimination. In Romania, workforce employment is a priority goal, and POSDRU1 contributes to the implementation of the measures set by the European Strategy for Employment. The paper shows the need to identify solutions to the crisis of employment in Romania using the funds allocated to the Operational Program, Human Resources Development, which produce measurable effects with regard to the unemployment rate in Romania

Absorption capacity of the structural funds. Integrating perspectives

Structural funds absorption by the member states can be seen within a wider context of the absorption capacity as it is described and analyzed both worldwide and in Europe. This study reveals the different approaches of the absorption capacity by presenting the architecture of funds administration from the perspective of the international aid and from the perspective of the European policy of convergence. Within the context in which most European Union member states experienced difficulties in EU structural funds absorption during their early years after accession, the paper shows the essential operational coordinates of the capacity of absorption, the hierarchical levels of operation (European and national), as well as the factors and mechanisms for the specific implementation of the funds that have been granted. The identified elements were integrated and the EU model of structural funds implementation was generated, showing a diversified pattern of action within the administrative systems of the member states. The perspectives of the structural funds absorption capacity focus on two fundamental aspects of the convergence policy: to identify the modalities by which the allotted funds are absorbed to the long-term general interest of the Europeans and to avoid associating them within to constraining vision of absorption specific to the international aid. The conclusions of the paper discuss the future research approaches into the stage of structural funds absorption by the new EU member states and into the possible existence of a “saturation point” in the absorption of these funds, phenomenon already observed in other states benefiting of international aid

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI