Abstract: The introduction of innovative practices compatible with the objectives of the circular economy is one of the main enablers for transforming current production patterns towards more sustainable and competitive systems. Understanding whether and to what extent firms are introducing circular-oriented innovations allows monitoring where we stand in the circular transition and thus which further efforts are needed to achieve a resource-efficient economy. This study is based on data from two surveys on Small and Medium Enterprises: the first one reaches 4565 companies located throughout Italy (in the two-year period 207-2018) and the second one focuses on 1603 companies operating in the Emilia-Romagna region (in the three-year period 2017-2019). The analysis is aimed at offering a broad picture of the level of involvement of national and regional firms in the implementation of circular innovation. Despite the overall positive performance, there appears to be a fragmented adoption of circular innovation in terms of firms’ size, technological intensity of the sectors and in accordance with the geography and the productive specialization of the territory. In general, circular innovation mainly involves firms operating in low-technology-intensity sectors in Southern Italy and more technological intensive sectors in Northern Italy and it is more widespread among large firms. On the contrary, in Emilia-Romagna, the distribution of circular innovation mainly concerns medium-sized firms, especially those belonging to low and medium technology-intensive sectors, moreover companies in the provinces of Modena and Parma show higher adoption rates. PubDate: 2022-03-13T00:00:00+00:00
Abstract: Along with the modern phenomenon of population aging, economists are also concerned about a shift in the composition of the workforce from relatively young to relatively old workers. This study is aimed to empirically prove the hypothesis that in the modern world the economic usefulness of older workers in terms of productivity is determined, in addition to the characteristics of the elderly workforce, by factors characterizing the level of territory development. The theoretical background and methodology of this study is formed on the basis of the concept of “specific human capital” by G. Becker and the conception of endogenous growth. The author uses the latest statistics for 63 countries of the world and several methods of quantitative data analysis: correlation analysis, regression analysis and cluster analysis – in order to detect not only correlational parallelism, but also causal relationships between the variables included in the proof of the research hypothesis. The results of the empirical analysis show that technological readiness, along with a high level of lifelong learning in the country, are the catalysts that ensure the economic usefulness of older workers in terms of productivity in the countries of the modern world. The author also concludes that a baseless raising the retirement age in the country, without considering the above factors that characterize the level of development of this country in technological and learning aspects, does not allow the effective use of the economic potential of older workers. PubDate: 2022-03-10T00:00:00+00:00
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of near-zone measurements and a comparison of near-zone and far-zone measurements. The paper is intended for specialists who will solve quite different problems - programs for numerical calculation of the far-zone field, including probe correction, back projection and gain, software for displaying the calculated values, programs for controlling the sensing equipment and measuring instruments, hardware equipment and instruments for measurements, including the design of the sensing equipment. The paper gives an overall overview as far as possible in a way that is understandable to experts in different fields, as it is necessary for them to be able to interact with each other and use a common language. The paper gives an analysis of the tolerance requirements for the X-Y positioning mechanism (planar sensing). For any measurement technique, one of the basic requirements is a reliable estimation of the measurement errors, and this is especially true for methods that use a high level of mathematical analysis, such as near-zone antenna measurements. Determining error margins for any measurement system for a given antenna/probe/near-zone combination can be a difficult and time-consuming task, and mathematical complexity is a major reason for the difficulty. PubDate: 2022-03-08T00:00:00+00:00
Abstract: Small states all over the globe have peculiar challenges foisted on them by their meagre population which may make some unviable and inconsequential in the comity of nations. While this can be said to be normatively politically correct, the realities have proven otherwise. Countries like Singapore, Qatar, Oman, Switzerland, etc., have crafted enviable statecraft that positioned them in strategic socio-economic and political vantage positions. For the Caribbean country of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the quest to succeed as a strong and virile small state has remained daunting due to a lot of intervening internal and external dynamics. This study is therefore poised to evaluate the Guyanese national trajectory towards a sustainable and stable Caribbean nation in the face of precarious post-colonial history, political alliance and nuances of intra and inter-regional influences on a country with great economic and geo-strategic potentials and the contradictions of a small population. In achieving this, the study relied on historical research design which is qualitative and explorative in nature. Study therefore relied extensively on secondary source of data via literature survey of books, reports from dailies and periodicals, government official publications, conference papers, journal publications and internet sources. Study also proffers policy options that can ameliorate the Guyanese post-colonial political challenges occasioned by the precarious colonial experiences, internal and external security challenges. PubDate: 2022-03-03T00:00:00+00:00
Abstract: The purpose of the article is to outline the relationship between the green management aspects in the financial sector that lead to the green competitiveness from the external stakeholders’ perspective. The methodology used in this study is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SCR) approach seeking to develop a greater understanding of relevant terminology, core concepts, and key factors affecting the transition process towards the green financial sector. The main outcome of this research is constructing a model of transition towards the green financial sector for gaining green competitiveness in which the external stakeholders’ perspective hass been emphasized. This study creates a research tool that can be used for weighting green managerial aspects from the external stakeholders' point of view. While performing this study, the authors were focusing on the Middle East area which constitutes the main limitation of this research. Therefore, more attention and focus on other geographical areas might be necessary for more accuracy. PubDate: 2022-02-20T00:00:00+00:00
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