GLOBAL SOURCING OF SERVICES: HOW WELL ARE THE NEW EU MEMBER STATES COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES? (PART I)

increasingly drawn the attention of economists and politicians, as well as the public. Particularly in the light of the recent waves of EU enlargement these countries have been considered as highly attractive locations for offshored services both from a European and global perspective. While a fairly large amount of anecdotal evidence documents the NMS high potentialities in terms of service offshoring, academic research on this topic is limited. This paper aims to contribute to this discussion. Drawing on recent literature on the complex issue of service globalisation, the paper investigates NMS trade and FDI flows in services over the period 1995-2007 to find evidence of enhanced offshoring-related activities in these countries. The focus is on NMS-10, i.e. NMS-12 excluding Cyprus and Malta. Given the shortcomings of available statistical data and instruments for gauging the scale and impact of services offshoring, the paper adopts a three-tier approach based on BoP trade and FDI statistics, complemented by alternative sources of information. Notwithstanding the caveats associated with this kind of empirical exercise, the paper documents an accelerated pace of offshoring-related activities in the selected NMS, under both forms: international outsourcing and captive offshoring. Its findings show that the fast growing exports in some individual service categories in recent years, coupled with the favourable ongoing changes in the structure and performance of NMS services trade are largely driven by enhanced offshoring activities hosted by their economies. Further, the paper highlights the NMS capabilities to cope with the challenges raised by the increasingly competitive global offshoring landscape, as measured by competitiveness indicators. Finally, the findings of the paper confirm that current anecdotal information and consulting companies-based projections on NMS growing attractiveness as targets of offshoring decisions by TNC originating both inside and outside EU-15 are widely backed up by available statistical data. The paper is organised in two parts under the same title.globalisation, services, international trade, FDI, New EU Member States

Global Sourcing of Services: How Well Are the New EU Member States Coping with the Challenges? (Part II)

In the current debate on services offshoring, the New EU member states (NMS) have focused increasingly the attention of economists and politicians, as well as the public at large. Particularly in the light of the recent waves of EU enlargement these countries have been considered as highly attractive locations for offshored services both from a European and global perspective. While a fairly large amount of anecdotal evidence documents the NMS high potentialities in terms of services offshoring, academic research on this topic is limited. This paper aims to contribute to this discussion. Drawing on recent literature on the complex issue of services globalisation, the paper investigates NMS trade and FDI flows in services over the 1995-2007 period to find evidence of enhanced offshoring-related activities in these countries. The focus is on NMS-10, i.e. NMS-12 excluding Cyprus and Malta. Given the shortcomings of available statistical data and instruments for gauging the scale and impact of services offshoring, the paper adopts a three-tier approach based on BoP trade and FDI statistics, complemented by alternative sources of information. Notwithstanding the caveats associated with this kind of empirical exercise, the paper documents an accelerated pace of offshoring-related activities in the selected NMS, under both forms: international outsourcing and captive offshoring. Its findings show that the fastly growing exports in some individual services categories over recent years, coupled with the ongoing favourable changes in the structure and performance of NMS services trade are largely driven by enhanced offshoring activities hosted by their economies. Further, the paper highlights the NMS capabilities to cope with the challenges raised by the increasingly competitive global offshoring landscape, as measured by competitiveness indicators. Finally, the findings of the paper confirm that current anecdotal information and consulting companies-based projections on NMS growing attractiveness as targets of offshoring decisions by TNC originating both inside and outside EU-15 are widely backed up by available statistical data. The paper is organised in two parts under the same title. See for Part I Romanian Journal of Economic Forecasting, Volume X, No.1, pp. 123-135.globalisation, services, international trade, FDI, New EU Member States

Religious Dramatics in America Since the World War

In recent years, a new conception of religious drama has been initiated into the church. Its aim is to provide a strong channel for the development of high character and stalwart personality, and most of all to depict life situations which have a definite Christian message for the world, today. Some churches have responded quite readily, others have been slow in their acceptance of the new method of dramatics in the church. However, recent progress indicates a hopeful future. The survey was made to study this growing field, as the author believes dramatization to be one of the strongest factors which can be used in the churches. In fact, the writer believes that the acting of religious plays will sup- lement sermons in the near future, in conveying the message of Christ and in inspiring nobler living. Therefore, Part One is devoted to a survey of the development, since the World War, in order to understand what has been accomplished in the last few years. What has been done in the paint is very often a challenge as to what can be done in the future. The writer feels quite optimistic for the cause of religious dramtics

Gorlin syndrome in a patient with skin type VI

Gorlin syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas developing at a young age, keratocystic odontogenic tumors of the jaw, palmar or plantar pits, calcification of the falx cerebri, and skeletal abnormalities. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is caused by mutations in the PTCH1 or SUFU genes. Our patient with Fitzpatrick skin type VI was diagnosed with Gorlin syndrome based on the presentation of multiple major diagnostic characteristics. Although he is 33 years old, he has not developed any multiple basal cell carcinomas to date

SWEDEN AND TURKEY: TWO MODELS OF WELFARE STATE IN EUROPE

Our paper analyzes two models of economic development: Sweden and Turkey. The main objective of this analysis is to highlight in which way two countries with different development strategies, economic geography, mentality and culture have managed to maintain growth before and during the global economic crisis, becoming gradually genuine models of welfare state. The analysis undertaken in this paper is, consequently, divided into two parts. The first shows the Swedish model of welfare state, that was an inspirational one in the ’70 and ’80, and its specific strengths and vulnerabilities. The second part summarizes Turkey's economic development over the past decade,emphasizing comparative advantages that have made it the 16th largest economy of the world and its strategy in terms of managing the international economic crisis. The final part of our comparative approach aims to respond to the following question: may those two economic models be considered proper economic lessons for the other states that are confronted with economic vulnerabilities

The Flying Diamond: A joined aircraft configuration design project, volume 1

The results of the analysis conducted on the Joined Wing Configuration study are presented. The joined wing configuration employs a conventional fuselage and incorporates two wings joined together near their tips to form a diamond shape in both plan view and front view. The arrangement of the lifting surfaces uses the rear wing as a horizontal tail and as a forward wing strut. The rear wing has its root at the tip of the vertical stabilizer and is structurally attached to the trailing edge of the forward wing. This arrangement of the two wings forms a truss structure which is inherently resistant to the aerodynamic bending loads generated during flight. This allows for a considerable reduction in the weight of the lifting surfaces. With smaller internal wing structures needed, the Joined Wing may employ thinner wings which are more suitable for supersonic and hypersonic flight, having less induced drag than conventional cantilever winged aircraft. Inherent in the Joined Wing is the capability of the generation of direct lift and side force which enhance the performance parameters