Junior Scientific Researcher

Number 1, 2015

1-9
THE EU TAX TREATMENT COMPETITION FOR KNOWLEDGE BASED CAPITAL – THE SPECIAL CASE OF R&D

Authors: Cozmei Cătălina

Abstract

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Number of views: 365

Abstract Globalization spurs the diffusion of knowledge and encourages firms to incorporate investments in innovation in their portfolios because knowledge based capital (research & development, intellectual property, organisational capital, skills etc.) is a key d river for competitiveness on all levels. This article aims to emphasize the differences in the R&D tax policy mix as a proxy for the knowledge based capital and analyse some R&D indicators for a number of 20 EU member states in order to sort and classify those countries in terms of R&D tax policy effectiveness. The results show that a higher corporate tax level even if is offset by a high tax subsidy does not lead to a high level business enterprise expenditure on R&D as a percentage of value added in industry. Moreover this paper highlights the need for designing a tax policy that promotesinnovation and gauges the loopholes of the tax system that activate profit shifting strategies.

10-26
DETERMINANTS OF BUSINESS LOAN DEFAULT IN GHANA

Authors: Akwaa-Sekyi, Ellis Kofi; Bosompra, Portia

Abstract

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Number of views: 355

The initiation, funding, servicing and monitoring of loans by financial intermediaries has been done without regard to some critical factors which could have averted the likelihood of default. The study aimed at measuring the extent that owner-specific, borrower-specific, loan and lender-specific characteristics could determine the probability of loan default. The study used logistic regression for 224 business customers of a bank in Ghana from its nation-wide branches. The study found that owner’s extra income (ownership characteristics), multiple borrowing, diversion of loan purpose (borrower characteristics), loan price, loan purpose, loan age, repayment plan (loan characteristics) and underfunding (lender characteristics) significantly determined the probability of business loan default. The overall model predicted up to 78.5% of variations in the likelihood of default. The hierarchy of strong determinants given by their odd ratios were loan purpose (47.9 times), underfunding (19.2 times), diversion of loan purpose (11.7 times) multiple borrowing (9.4 times) and owner’s extra income (8.2 times). The study can conclude that financial intermediaries should be wary of the credit granting process taking cognisance of ownership, borrower, loan and lender characteristics especially the significant predictors. Combining quantitative and qualitative variables as determinants of default could be considered in future

27-32
CHANGE WITHIN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Authors: Tănase Ion Alexandru

Abstract

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Number of views: 405

The paper aims to underline the importance of organizational culture. Although most of the time the culture of a company has an invisible presence, it remains one of the most important parts that forms a company. The paper reflects on how organizational culture can be changed, what are some of the most important facts regarding this process, why is this process so important and how the company’s activity can be modified and improved. It is important to underline the fact that, at the present moment, organizational culture is a very important issue in the activity of worldwide companies, if we take into consideration the fast changing business environment and the globalization process that is taking place.

33-41
INNOVATIVE METHODS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM IN ROMANIA

Authors: Avram Daniel; Bălan Alina Mihaela

Abstract

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Number of views: 367

Innovations are considered the engine of economic growth, because they serve a s basis for obtaining the competitive advantage. Tourism is one of the most profitable and dynamic sectors of economy, occupying the second position in the international trade after oil. Rural tourism also has major implications in the economic, social and cultural development of villages. This study presents an analysis of the fluctuation of the number of employees and of the number of accommodation units specific to rural tourism in Romania, between 2007-2014. To this end statistical data from the National Statistics Institute has been used. Volunteer tourism, the development of national portals for presentation of vacant jobs in the tourism sector and the development of human resources by absorption of European funds, are the three suggestions presented in this study, which have the purpose ofreinvigorating rural tourism in Romania.

42-50
UNIVERSITY STUDENT PERCEPTION REGARDING THE TOURISM POTENTIAL IN THE CITY OF LLEIDA

Authors: Aluculesei Alina-Cerasela

Abstract

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Number of views: 383

This study analyses the opinion of students enrolled at the Lleida University in regards to the tourism potential of the city where they study. The survey was conducted on a total of 202 students, with the average age of 21.47 years. In order to participate in this study, the respondents had to meet a certain criteria – to be passionate about tourism and to travel at least once a year. The sample population is made up of both Spanish (78.3%) and foreign students who came to study through the Erasmus mobility program (21.7%). The research was carried out in the city of Lleida, Spain between January and April 2015 and the data were processed using the SPSS statistical software. The analysis of the tourist profile showed that the students are familiar with the city's main tourist attractions and most of them have visited at least one of these sites. Even though financially they are highly dependent on their families, they do value the comfort level of the housing and transportation services while travelling. The students ‘opinion is that the city of Lleida has a low tourism potential and they would not recommend it to their friends as a tourist destination. The local transportation infrastructure level and very few leisure opportunities bring a large contribution to this negative image.