GROSS WORKER FLOWS ESTIMATION AT EUROPEAN LEVEL

Dr. Cristina LINKARU

National Scientific Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection – INCSMPS, Bucharest, Povernei 6-8, Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania, 010643 Romania, Telephone(s) +40-21-3124069/3172431, Fax(es) +40-21-3127595, cristina.lincaru@yahoo.de

Dr. Vasilica Ciucă

silviaciuca@incsmps.ro

Mat. Draga ATANASIU

incsmps1@incsmps.ro

Dr. Cătălin GHINARARU

ghinararu@incsmps.ro

Dr. Gabriela TUDOSE

gabriela_tudose@yahoo.com

Liliana GRECU

grecu_liliana@yahoo.com

Abstract

The European single market makes progress in view to become a single economic area. This process induces some tendencies regarding the crystallizing of the European single labour market. Following the first stage of our model (presented in detail in a previous article), based on OECD Employment Outlook 2009 and 2010 methodology consistent with Davis and Haltiwanger (1999) we use the “employment by time since job started” using EUROSTAT indicators provided in quarterly data as proxy for “employment by job tenure” indicator in view to calculate the annual hiring flows (number of hiring into an year). This method could be applied under some characteristics like: age groups (15-64 years, 15-24 years, 25-49 years, 50-64 years), gender (total, masculine, feminine), citizenship (citizen, non citizen based on lfsa_etpga Eurostat indicator). Our analysis is focused on the quantitative estimation of the labour force circulation at UE27 level, measured through the quantification of the individual labour contracts; contracts closed between noncitizen workers with an employer located in the European  host state (different state from the worker state origin), regardless the negotiation process, employment process, the level of negotiated salaries. We assume that the working contract closing/initiating is equivalent with the “hiring” event and its ending is equivalent with “separation”. Our main result is represented by the total non citizen worker flows estimation at European aggregate level as a measure of European single market development.

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PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH IN THE CASE OF MODERNISATION OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN GREECE

Eleni PAPADOPOULOU

Assistant Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Engineering, Department of Spatial Planning and Development

Tel.: 0030 2310 991431

E-mail address: epapa@auth.gr

Christos PAPALEXIOU

PhD Candidate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics

Tel.: 0030 6944778414

E-mail address: chpapale@agro.auth.gr

Nikolaos HASANAGAS

University Forest Administration, District Forester of Pertouli

Tel.: 00306977381637

E-mail address: n.hasanagas@gmail.com

Abstract

The assessment of Rural Development Policy results and impacts is a very difficult and complicated process owing to the compound and multisectoral nature of the countryside. It is assumed that the assessment of Rural Development Programme impacts, in the way it is applied nowadays, is not able to satisfy the need for a deep and useful evaluation. The outcomes of evaluation should be a major tool for policy design. The Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF), which was introduced by the EU for the evaluation of Rural Development Programmes is criticized as a very “economic indicator” oriented system. Many data are required for the calculation of CMEF indicators, which are not available in a lot of EU member states. This research aims to identify problems and shortcomings occurred during the phases of rural development policy design, implementation and evaluation, which influence the success of such policy programmes. Based on a previous research, where network analysis was applied, the researchers made an attempt to examine the problems with the use of in-depth interviews and focus group. Measure for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in Greece was used as a case study. Complexity in processes, bureaucracy, delays, lack of data at regional and national level, lack “evaluation culture” seem to be the most crucial factors of failure.

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THRESHOLDS IN THE PROCESS OF FINANCIAL INTEGRATION OF ALBANIA – HOW FAR AWAY IS ALBANIA FROM GREECE?

Msc. Dorjana NANO

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences,

University “Eqrem Cabej” Gjirokaster, Albania

Email: doriananano@yahoo.com

and

Msc. Teuta LLUKANI

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences,

University “Eqrem Cabej” Gjirokaster, Albania

Email: t.llukani@gmail.com

Abstract

Recent global financial crises have caused immense debate about costs and benefits of financial integration. Overall, evidences show that industrial economies utilize benefits of financial openness and export their problems to the emerging and less developed countries. There is a substantial and empirical literature that define certain thresholds levels of financial and institutional characteristics beyond which the trade – off improves and makes opening of the capital account beneficial and less risky, especially for a developing country like Albania.

The main aim of this study is to analyse institutional quality, financial sector development, macroeconomic policies and trade openness as thresholds that must be satisfied in order to foster further financial integration and making it work for good, in particular for Albania and Greece. In addition, the comparison of economic characteristics and institutional development between these countries and the minimum standard will be also estimated, in order to reveal their discrepancy and deficiencies and as well to develop several policy proposals.

The main objectives of this study are:

  • To analyse the importance of institutional quality, financial sector development, macroeconomic policies and trade openness in the process of financial integration.
  • To estimate the above mentioned economic and institutional indicators for Albania and Greece and to use the standards level of this indicators (Prasad 2009) as a benchmark in order to reveal deficiencies, the most problematic aspects, and as well future challenges for each country.
  • To draw and assess policy implications and recommendations for improving economic characteristics in Albania and Greece, in order to fully utilise the benefits of financial integration.

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