bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does working capital management affect the profitability of commercial banks: the case of Kosovo
Authors: Mazreku Ibish , Morina Fisnik , Zeqaj Florentina
Published: February 2020

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze working capital and its impact on the profitability of commercial banks. The other objectives of this study are to analyze the factors that influence the profitability of commercial banks, to find out the relationship between profitability and working capital management. To achieve these research objectives, several research questions have been posited: How much does working capital affect the profitability of commercial banks? What are the relationships between bank profitability and bank size, debt ratio and current ratio? What are the other factors affecting the profitability of commercial banks?

Methodology: The empirical data to be used in this research are secondary data and will be based on annual reports of commercial banks and reports of the Central Bank of Kosovo. From these data, some indicators such as return on assets, current ratio, debt ratio and banks’ size will be calculated. This research covers a period of 5 years and the data will be analyzed and interpreted through econometric models. In addition, to analyze the impact of working capital on the profitability of commercial banks in Kosovo, trend analysis will also be applied through the comparative method.

Findings: Based on the empirical results, we can conclude that bank size and the current ratio have positively affected the performance of commercial banks in Kosovo, whereas the debt ratio has had a negative effect. All the independent variables in relation to the dependent variable (ROA) are at the standard level of significance P-value = 0.05.

Practical implications: Through this study we can recommend all commercial banks in Kosovo to invest much more in working capital, since financial investments in working capital affect the bank's profitability. This means that a high investment in the elements of working capital can lead to increased bank profitability, whereas its profitability decreases when investment in working capital is low.

Originality: This paper presents real and sustainable results with respect to the conclusions. The period analyzed (2013-2017) is a persuasive period for drawing competent conclusions and recommendations.

 Keywords: working capital, debt ratio, current ratio, bank size, return on assets

JEL Classification: G2, G20, G21, G3, G32, D24
Introduction of Alternative Sources of Energy as a Tool for Provision of Environmental Human Rights
Authors: Shulga Ievgenii , Kalayanov Dmytro , Shynkaruk Oleksandra , Shytyi Stanislav , Ivanov Filip
Published: February 2020

The importance of introducing and developing of alternative energy in the context of ensuring environmental human rights were analyzed in the article. The role of international governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations in ensuring environmental human rights was identified. The main international legal treaties governing the reduction of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the introduction of renewable energy were analyzed. Attention was drawn to the need to strengthen the role of international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the framework of oversight and monitoring functions regarding the possibility of influencing specific states that do not comply with the provisions of signed and ratified international conventions. It was concluded about the necessary adjustment of the vector of development of environmental rights protection instruments in the direction of its world globalization. To date, the process of world globalization must be shifted from a purely economic to a social and environmental one. The current global concept of supporting the development of alternative energy sources needs to undergo some changes. Considering that the environmental problem is universal and, although to varying degrees, it still applies to every individual, regardless of country or nationality of a person, the obligation to protect the environment should be universal and not only provided by government bodies of sovereign states, but also by international governmental organizations. The position of the necessity of establishing of international financing funds which would be implemented by their Member States on a permanent basis as a percentage of their budget is being maintained. Expanding the power of controlling entities of international organizations in respect of environmental human rights of citizens of different countries and of the whole society is considered necessary.

 Keywords: alternative energy, environmental human rights, international protection of environmental human rights, international governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations
Evaluation of the Financial Performance of Pension Funds. Empirical Evidence: Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia
Authors: Mazreku Ibish , Morina Fisnik , Curraj Elvis
Published: February 2020

Purpose: This research paper aims to analyze the evaluation of the financial performance of pension funds, to find the relationship between contributions, return on investment and net asset value with pension fund performance. The following research questions have been asked in order to realize the purpose of the research: What are the factors affecting the performance of the pension fund? What is the relationship between pension fund performance and contributions, return on investment, and net asset value?

Methodology: For the specification of the econometric model of this study, we rely on secondary data published in official World Bank reports and reports of pension funds in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. To measure the empirical results, these statistical tests are used: standard multiple regression, fixed effects model, random effect model, and Hausman Taylor Regression.

Findings: Based on the empirical results, we can conclude that the increase in gross domestic product, return on investment, contributions and net assets have positively influenced the performance of pension funds for the countries included in the study. The other independent variable, the exchange rate, on the basis of econometric estimations, has turned out to be non-significant.

Practical implications: The empirical results of this study may recommend that relevant institutions in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia undertake reforms towards the creation of efficient pension systems, and these reforms are of crucial importance for pension systems, which have an economic and social character in their function as fund accumulators and benefit distributors for the categories in need.

Originality: The study is conducted with secondary data and all the empirical analysis are original based on the authors' calculations through econometric models. Through the results of this study we aim to provide additional empirical evidence on the performance of pension funds in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia, recommending that relevant institutions improve the functioning of the pension system, as it is a very important part of a financial system of a country which has an impact on economic growth.

 Keywords: financial performance, pension fund, contributions, net assets, return on investment
The Problems in will Expression in Civil Law Transactions and Healthcare in Case of Capacity of Individuals
Authors: Kudeikina Inga , Palkova Karina
Published: February 2020

The expression of each individual’s will is one of the important rights. This freedom is protected by human rights. In legal systems the expression of the central positions of the will of individuals is protected. In civil law transactions as well as in health care individuals have specific and complicated rights to express their will. And the problematics of it comes from that capacity issue. The rights to expression, rights to liberty ect. are recognized as the basic rights of each individual, of each member of the society. The protection of the expression of the individual’s will is significant moment from the international as well as national point of view. A significant aspect and more sensitive is the protection of incapable person’s rights, for instance, in civil law transactions and healthcare matters in legal framework. The key challenge for the protection of those rights is to find the balance between capable and incapable persons’ rights protection in the case of will expression in particular matters.

Keywords: legal capacity, decision, treatment, willpower, civil law
Complex Modernization of Public Infrastructure and Hospitality as a Factor in the Sustainable Development of the City in Ukraine
Authors: Melnykova Maryna , Gradoboіeva Yеlyzaveta , Mirzodaieva Tetiana , Ragulina Nadiia
Published: February 2020

The sustainable development of the city involves the solving of economic, environmental and social problems through the modernization of various spheres of the urban economy. The modernization of related and interrelated spheres of the city’s economy should be based on an integrated approach. The hospitality and public infrastructure are such spheres. Their relationship is due to both technical and technological features and the possibilities of achieving the goals of sustainable development of the city (the hospitality sector contributes to the growth of openness of the city and the life support and environmental sustainability of the city directly depends on the state and development of public infrastructure). The priorities of the modernization of public infrastructure and hospitality for sustainable development of the city have been determined. The condition of the public infrastructure and hospitality in cities of Ukraine was analyzed from the point of view of modernization for sustainable development. The experience of modernization of public infrastructure and hospitality in sustainable European cities (including improving energy efficiency, strengthening environmental safety, creating a barrier-free environment) has been studied. The technical, technological, financial and institutional features that determine the feasibility of modernizing the public infrastructure and hospitality based on the principles of an integrated approach have been determined. The recommendations of the mechanism of public-private partnership using in the implementation of projects for the modernization of public utilities infrastructure and hospitality of the city have been developed. The decision-making tools for managing resources have been proposed for the justification and implementation of a project to modernize public infrastructure and hospitality based on a comprehensive approach.

 Key Words: city, sustainable development, public infrastructure, hospitality, modernization, integrated approach.
Environmental Legal Culture as a Factor in Ensuring Sustainable Development of Society
Authors: Kurylo Liudmyla , Kurylo Inna , Shulga Ievgenii , Horodetska Iryna
Published: February 2020

The purpose of the article is to clarify the role and importance of environmental legal culture in ensuring the sustainable development of society. Methodological basis of the research includes general theoretical principles of scientific knowledge (comprehensiveness, validity, complexity), which allowed to provide various aspects in the study of ecological legal culture. It is based on a complex combination of research approaches, the leading among which is integrative, as well as general scientific methods (formal-logical, structural and functional). Scientific novelty is to identify the essence and importance of environmental legal culture as one of the main factor for ensuring the sustainable development of society. Based on the analysis of scientific-theoretical approaches of the understanding of environmental culture, legal culture, environmental legal culture, as well as the current legislation and sources devoted to diagnostics of the effectiveness of the implementation of national environmental policy, it is substantiated that environmental  legal culture is a complex integral category that includes a complex of interconnected cognitive, value and activity components, characterized by a certain level of environmental and legal knowledge and active activity in their practical reality ted; is a factor in the effectiveness of legal regulation of public relations in the field of environmental protection and an effective instrument of environmental policy in the country, and therefore a factor in ensuring the sustainable development of society.

Keywords: environmental culture, legal culture, environmental legal culture, environmental policy, sustainable development.
Legal regulation of Natural Resources as a Category of Environmental Resources for Providing Economic Activity on the Example of Ukraine
Authors: Piddubna Daria , Karakash Illia
Published: February 2020

Every citizen has the right to safe natural resources. In Ukraine, this right is fixed at the level of the Constitution of Ukraine and special legal acts. The right to natural resources determines the citizen's right to: land resources; water resources; forest resources; flora and fauna; mushrooms; berries; atmospheric air. Ecological nature of natural resources is associated with the provision of various types of safety: environmental, energy, water, food, biological, genetic, and in aggregate - national. To implement the above, it is necessary to amend the regulatory framework in Ukraine  on the following positions: responsibility (both from the side of officials and from the side of economic entities); system verification of the state of natural resources; ban on burning stubble, forest strips; strengthening of responsibility for the destruction of water facilities, cutting of plant resources, for the introduction of pesticides, for the implementation of atmospheric emissions and discharges into water objects; introduction of organic farming. The main thing – the issue of environmental friendliness of natural resources is characteristic not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole world. From their status depends on the suitability of life for every inhabitant of the planet, as well as the state of the planet itself.

 Keywords: natural resources, an ecological resource, the constitutional rights of citizens, land resources; water resources; forest resources; flora and fauna; mushrooms; berries; atmospheric air.
Ukraine Dairy Market: State and Prospects of Development
Authors: Pronko Lyudmila , Kolesnik Tatyana , Samborska Oksana
Published: February 2020

The article discusses topical issues regarding the prospects for the development of the milk and dairy market. It is investigated that the largest breakthrough has been achieved by the dairy industry with milk, since DSTU 3662: 2018 "Cow's milk" came into force on January 1, 2019, the inflow of milk processing plants is not lower than the first grade, and it is known that private households provide largely only milk of the second grade. As a result, the quality and safety of milk purchased from industrial farms has increased significantly. The authors emphasize that an important factor in the development of production activity for producers is the selling price of milk, which in 2018 in Ukraine amounted to 7602,4 UAH /t, which is 368,4 UAH /t more than in 2014.It is substantiated that there are a number of problems in the dairy industry of Ukraine that hinder its further development, the main ones being: increased competition from illegally operating enterprises, the shadow market, counterfeit products, lack of confidence and lack of cooperation between producers and processors of products, etc. The author has proved that these problems can be solved by combining milk producers and processors in cooperatives and providing them with effective state support.

 Keywords: milk, dairy industry, quality, livestock, dairy cattle, selling price, market.
Uneven Demographic Changes as a Challenge to Provide Access to Education in the Rural Areas in Poland
Authors: Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska Agnieszka , Stawicki Maciej
Published: February 2020

Dynamic changes in the number of inhabitants of rural areas in Poland entail necessity to adjust the market of public services and determine the way they are provided. In practice the intensity of this process varies both interregional and intra-regional. The objective of the study was to present how the uneven demographic changes including number of children affect organization of primary education by rural municipalities in selected Polish region. Research tasks were to present spatial diversity of demographic changes and number of pupils and schools and to identify and classify the ways of organization of education by rural municipalities depending on demographic processes. Research used data provided by Central Statistical Office for period 1998-2017. Moreover, data collected in own research (interviews conducted in 2018 and 2019) allowed to recognize public education services perception by local governments and rural society.

 Keywords: demographic changes; public services; schools; rural society; Poland
Efficiency of Managing Liabilities of Enterprises of Different Types of Economic Activities
Authors: Sakhno Andrii , Salkova Iryna , Polishchuk Nataliia , Kucher Lesia , Stashko Inna
Published: February 2020

The article substantiates approaches to making decisions of obligations management in the conditions of increasing the assets by types of economic activity in Ukraine. The possibility of using correlation-regression analysis to determine the most favorable variations (in relation of density) between the effective indicator (types of assets) and production factors (types of liabilities) has been proved. A method of analyzing the operating environment is applied to identify the shortest possible reduction in current and long-term liabilities and maximize the volume of current assets. It was found that (i) the most efficient type of economic activity due to the increase in current assets in Ukraine was administrative and support service activities (0.90), the least efficient – agriculture, forestry and fisheries (0.47); (ii) education and training activities (0.93) are the most effective types of economic activity due to reduce liabilities, and health and social assistance (0.44) are the least effective. The results of the study can be used in planning the sustainable development of different types of economic activity.

Keywords: liabilities, assets, types of economic activities, entities, profit, efficiency, Ukraine
The Role of Legal Culture in Maintaining Social Stability and Countering Separatist Movements: Case of Ukraine
Authors: Kachur Vira , Protosavitska Liudmyla , Zasukha Liudmyla , Golovko Liudmyla
Published: February 2020

This article develops hypotheses that raising the level of legal culture can serve as an effective instrument in maintaining sustainable development, social stability and territorial integrity. Legal culture should be considered as a regulator and stabilizer of social relations, both in individual countries and at the international level. It is necessary to consider legal culture in conjunction with morality, ethical, economic and political values and priorities. The study has concluded that creation of the democratic state of law and civil society is impossible without raising the level of legal culture. Creation of a strategy for raising the level of legal culture of the population is becoming a priority task, since it will allow forming the functions of the legal culture in the implementation of the national security policy in the socio-economic, political and regional spheres, preserving historical heritage and territorial integrity of Ukraine, overcoming internal and external threats to its stable state and legal development.

Keywords: Legal culture, legal awareness, social stability, sustainable development
Waste Management at the Local Level in the EU and Ukraine
Authors: Ladychenko Viktor , Melnychuk Olha , Golovko Liudmyla , Burmak Oksana
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of theoretical and practical issues related to the implementation of the responsibilities of bodies of local self-government for the management of solid municipal waste according to the Waste Framework Directive. Experience of EU Member States in this sphere was studied. The state of adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the requirements of the European Union in the field of waste management has been investigated and proposals for implementation of experience of EU member states were made.

Keywords: EU waste policy, EU law, waste management, municipal waste, adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law
Strategy of Internationalization by Ukrainian Meat Producers’ Implementation
Authors: Tanasiichuk Alona , Hromova Olha , Abdullaieva Anastasiia , Holovchuk Yulia , Sokoliuk Kateryna
Published: February 2020

Scientific and methodical approaches to the definition of international markets for implementation of the strategy of internationalization by Ukrainian meat producers' have been developed, choosing strategy of internationalization by Ukrainian meat producers procedure has been determined, a system of indicators has been developed to assess the marketing appeal of new international markets for Ukrainian meat producers. According to the analysis of practical aspects results of the agrarian enterprise and its associations functioning, a scientific and methodical approach to the integrated assessment of the business environment of international markets attractiveness’ for Ukrainian meat producers by the product group "0207 Poultry Meat" was developed. The proposed approach is based on applying summing up the ranks to rank foreign markets according to the system of dynamic indicators method, which allowed determining the marketing attractiveness of the new international markets for the activity of Ukrainian meat producers in these markets. As a result of the proposed approach application, foreign markets have been identified that demonstrate favorable conditions for doing business with Ukrainian meat producers. It has been proved that the markets of Denmark and Finland have demonstrated favorable conditions for doing business with them, which testifies that internationalization of Ukrainian meat producers’ strategy should be aimed at the formation of future outlines of new markets in the direction which is beneficial to them.

Keywords: international business activities, internationalization strategies, attractiveness of international markets marketing, a system of indicators for assessing the marketing attractiveness of new international markets.
Formation of a State Support Program for Agricultural Producers in Ukraine Considering World Experience
Authors: Pronko Lyudmila , Furman Irina , Kucher Anatolii , Gontaruk Yaroslav
Published: February 2020

In our paper we researched the state regulation in agriculture of Ukraine, as well as world experience in this field. The distribution of state financing for support of agricultural production is analyzed. We singled out the direction of state support to the agrarian sector of Ukraine. The directions of organizational reforming of households in the market conditions are investigated. The variants of integration of households of the population into more consolidated economic forms are offered. The priority of the development of cooperatives in agriculture has been argued. The positive experience of state support of servicing cooperation is considered on the example of «The Benefits of the Development of Personal Peasant, Farmers, Cooperative Movement in the Village and Advice Service for 2016-2020» of the Vinnytsia Region. The prospects of creation of cooperatives for the provision of oilseeds processing services for the energy needs of agribusinesses and provision of livestock feed with forages are argued. The prospects for realization of the program of development of agricultural servicing cooperatives within the boundaries of Ukraine are outlined.

 Keywords: agrarian policy, agribusiness development program, agricultural servicing cooperative agriculture, cooperation, food safety, energy security, enterprise-agro producer, integration of farms, state support of agrarian sector
Efficiency of managing liabilities of enterprises of different types of economic activities
Authors: Sakhno Andrii , Salkova Iryna , Polishchuk Nataliia , Kucher Lesia , Stashko Inna
Published: February 2020

The article substantiates approaches to making decisions of obligations management in the conditions of increasing the assets by types of economic activity in Ukraine. The possibility of using correlation-regression analysis to determine the most favorable variations (in relation of density) between the effective indicator (types of assets) and production factors (types of liabilities) has been proved. A method of analyzing the operating environment is applied to identify the shortest possible reduction in current and long-term liabilities and maximize the volume of current assets. It was found that (i) the most efficient type of economic activity due to the increase in current assets in Ukraine was administrative and support service activities (0.90), the least efficient – agriculture, forestry and fisheries (0.47); (ii) education and training activities (0.93) are the most effective types of economic activity due to reduce liabilities, and health and social assistance (0.44) are the least effective. The results of the study can be used in planning the sustainable development of different types of economic activity.

Key words: liabilities, assets, types of economic activities, entities, profit, efficiency, Ukraine.
Maintenance of Labor Resources as Fundamentals of Sustainable Manufacturing Development
Authors: Danova Karyna , Malysheva Viktoriia , Rosokha Volodymyr , Glushenkova Irina , Popovych Nataliia
Published: February 2020

It is impossible to ensure sustainable business development without solving the maintenance of labor resources issues that are included in the manufacturing process, as well as involving new employees to increase labor potential. The company can effectively confront the new challenges by attracting highly qualified employees for whom a high level of safety is important. Therefore, an important direction of sustainable business development is to increase the level of safety and create a comfortable working environment and optimize working processes to increase the efficiency of production activities, as well as prepare for the challenges that may arise in the process of company development. The article analyzes the statistics and structure of the socio-economic damage to business due to unsatisfactory working conditions and a high level of injuries on the example of the machine-building sector, and also considers aspects of maintenance of labor resources and ways to involve additional labor resources to ensure sustainable manufacturing development. Based on conducted analysis, an algorithm of implementation of managerial decisions was developed, aimed at ensuring the safety of personnel who carry out the work activities at the workplace, taking into account the modern concept of the “green workplace”. Involvement in the working process of additional labor reserves is carried out by creating favorable working conditions, assessing the special needs and level of ability of workers for optimization of working processes and increasing their efficiency.

Keywords: Labor Resources, Sustainable Development, Safety, Disability.
Sustainable Product Portfolio Evaluation Methodology for Sustainability Reporting in the Cement and Concrete Industry
Authors: Artelt Christian , Lukas Peter
Published: February 2020

The sustainability performance of companies, and in particular of construction material producers, is attracting more and more attention by a broad range of stakeholders. Many companies have consequently started to implement sustainability practices into practical action and to report on their efforts. This research aims to develop a methodology to assess the sustainability performance of cement and concrete products. This requires overcoming the main shortage of life cycle assessment, namely focusing on environmental parameters only, by considering a number of social and economic sustainability indicators and ensuring operational ease, without compromising the informative value of the assessment results. A status on sustainable product evaluation is provided as the starting point for the development of the new sustainable product evaluation methodology. The status on product evaluation includes Life Cycle Assessments, the development of indicators addressing environmental, social, and economic parameters, and recent methodology developments in industry. The results obtained with the tool developed in this work confirm the need for considering social and economic parameters along a product’s life cycle when evaluating the sustainability performance of cement and concrete. They also indicate that the new methodology is suitable for R&D orientation, portfolio management and sustainability reporting. 

Keywords: Sustainable products, sustainability indicators, lifecycle, UN Sustainable Development Goals, financial data
Prevalence of Overconsumption of Salt and its Determinants – The Case of Southwestern Rural China
Authors: YUNG Tony Ka chun , MOK Rainbow Hiu yan
Published: February 2020

Aim
Overconsumption of salt contributes to hypertension and increases the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Most studies that investigated salt intake by applying the Health belief model (HBM) have focused on urban settings. This study aims to identify the prevalence of salt overconsumption (>6 g per day) in a rural village in Southwestern China and to determine the association between knowledge regarding salt consumption/HBM constructs and salt overconsumption behavior among village residents.

Methods
Inthis cross-sectional study, 79 adults aged 18 years and above were interviewed using household-based and face-to-face questionnaires. Salt intake was measured using an electronic balance in accordance with a previous protocol.

Results
Our finding showed that the average daily salt intake is 11.19±11.14 (mean±SD) g. Moreover, 64.6% of the participants overconsumed salt. None of the participants was aware of the national recommendation for salt intake. Univariate logistic regression showed that i) knowledge about hypertension causing cardiovascular diseases (odds ratio [ORu]=3.02), ii) perceived severity of hypertension as a serious disease (ORu=4.92), and iii) perceived benefit of reducing salt intake to prevent hypertension (ORu=3.52) were unexpectedly positively associated with salt overconsumption behavior. All the studied sociodemographic factors were not associated with salt overconsumption behavior.

Conclusions
A high prevalence of salt overconsumption was found among residents of rural villages in Southwestern China. HBM was unable to explain the causal relationship between its constructs and salt overconsumption behavior. The extremely low awareness of the national salt recommendation highlighted the urgent need to provide relevant health education in rural China.
Gertrude Stanton (1863-1931)
Authors: Davis Viktoria , Vogl Lilien
Published: February 2020

Dr. Ella Gertrude Smith Ayer Stanton Jones (1863-1931), better known as Gertrude Stanton, was the first woman licensed to practice optometry in the United States. A native of Iowa, Stanton began her career as a teacher, but eventually moved to Minnesota where she received training and began to work as an itinerant refracting optician or optometrist, building her professional reputation through clever marketing. In 1901, shortly after the passage of the first optometry licensure law in Minnesota, Stanton applied for and received a license by exemption. Stanton went on to become an in-store optometrist at Dayton’s Department Store and eventually set up her own storefront where she employed her daughter and ran an optical business run entirely by women. During her career, she participated in optometry and professional associations and public service projects and was active in her community. Thrice married with three children, Stanton’s abiding popularity with her patients and the public as well as her financial success despite leading an unconventional life for a woman at the turn of the twentieth century is a testament to her fierce independence, indomitable spirit and impressive business acumen. This article, constructed from meticulous research in archival records, paints a detailed portrait of Stanton’s life and career as an optometric pioneer.
Minerva H. Weinstein (1893-1982)
Authors: Hebert Kirsten
Published: February 2020

Dr. Minerva H. Weinstein (1893-1982), was the first woman licensed by examination to practice optometry in New York City and the fourth woman licensed in the State of New York. In 1915, Dr. Weinstein graduated from the American Institute of Optometry, becoming the third generation in her family to forge a career in applied optics. She began her practice at one of three family-owned optical shops in the Bronx, where she remained for more than 40 years, diligently serving the needs of her community’s most vulnerable members and tirelessly researching new techniques to improve care for the most difficult vision problems. During her career, she founded the Bronx County Optometric Society and organized the local Woman’s Auxiliary for the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as the New York state affiliate of the national organization. She was a founding member of the Bronx County Optometric Service, the first free optometry clinic in New York, and went on to expand the service to two additional locations. She also participated in professional women’s organizations, charitable foundations and civic clubs, and represented optometry at community events. Dr. Weinstein’s narrative is unique, but in many ways her family’s story was typical of many immigrants arriving in the U.S. during the late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who were successful in improving their lot and passing on a professional legacy to the younger generation−and it is a story that is particularly common among optometry’s founders, and one that resonates in the first two decades of the twenty first century. The story of her career, and the personal details that serve as its backdrop, are also representative of the many challenges faced by the generation of professional women who helped establish the profession of optometry during the inter-war years. This biographical sketch, made possible through research in Minerva Weinstein Papers (MSS 501.4.11) held at the Archives & Museum of Optometry, sheds light on the tremendous debt optometry owes to its founding mothers and highlights the work that remains to complete the narrative of optometry history through new scholarship in hidden collections.
News
Authors: Hebert Kirsten
Published: February 2020

Highlights recent activities of the Optometric Historical Society and related events, including the the OHS' nomination of Dr. Robert Koetting to the National Optometry Hall of Fame, information about the selection of The Archives & Museum of Optometry to exhibit artifacts at the Lamber International Airport in St. Louis, MO, and a summary of the work completed by the OHS Committee in 2019.
Guest Editorial
Authors: Casser Linda
Published: February 2020

Dr. Linda Casser explores the evolution of perspectives on the impact of women on the profession of optometry during the last four decades.
Letter to the Editor
Authors: Sharpton Bill
Published: February 2020

Letter to the Editor from Dr. Bill Sharpton. Comments on July 2019 issue, Volume 50, Number 3.
Two Visionary Ohio Women
Authors: Newcomb Robert D.
Published: February 2020

This article profiles the careers of the Ohio State University College of Optometry’s most prominent mid-century women graduates: Dr. Lois Black Bing (1909-2009) and Dr. Ruth P. Morris (1920-2011). The author highlights Drs. Morris’ and Bing’s contributions to the profession, including Dr. Bing’s leadership role in bringing together the fields of education, psychology and optometry to advance children’s vision., and Dr. Morris’ business model as a family practice serving the vision care needs of patients in all stages of their lives, and her role as a mentor for optometry students at the OSU.
In Her Own Words
Authors: Sukoff Libby I. , Thau Andrea P.
Published: February 2020

This memoir, written by Libby I. Sukoff, O.D. and edited by Andrea P. Thau, O.D., both of New York, chronicles Dr. Sukoff’s life and more than six-decade career in optometry. Dr. Thau has included an introduction describing the personal and professional relationship she has with the author. This article has been annotated by Kirsten Hébert, contributing editor.
Notes from the Editors, February 2020
Authors: The Editors -
Published: February 2020

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy is experiencing an unemployment rate that is at a fifty-year low. Yet, wage growth continues to be weak, with continuing wage stagnation even at the peak of the business cycle. A major and largely undertheorized reason for the sluggish wages in a period of seeming full employment is to be found in the fact that the new jobs being created by the economy do not measure up to those of the past in terms of weekly wages and hours, or in the degree to which they support households or even individuals.
Messianic Zionism
Authors: Machover Moshé
Published: February 2020

The relation between Zionism and Judaism (the Jewish religion) is paradoxical and complex. In its early days, Zionism was apparently a thoroughly secular political movement. In reality, while its ego was secular, its id has always been religious. And in recent times, the latter has emerged from its hidden recess and is parading in full view.
The Case for Labor-Led Development
Authors: Suwandi Intan
Published: February 2020

As Benjamin Selwyn points out in his sharp and thoughtful The Struggle for Development, capital-centered development deepens exploitation. Selwyn powerfully challenges the capitalist road to further immiseration for the majority of the world's population, opening up an important discussion regarding what is to be done in the twenty-first century. An alternative form of development, led by the laboring classes, is not only necessary but possible. Above all, "labouring-class movements and struggles against capitalist exploitation can be, and are, developmental in and of themselves."
DÜNYA’DA TEKNOLOJİ SEKTÖRÜNÜN GELİŞİMİ ve TÜRKİYE’DEKİ TEKNOLOJİ SEKTÖRÜ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ: FİNANSAL BİR YAKLAŞIM
Authors: MÜSLÜMOV Alövsat , ARAS Güler
Published: February 2020

This paper examines the development and reorganization process in the high-technology industries all over the world and its effects on Turkey. We show that economic growth is dependent of the technological development level of the countries. Technological expenditures has grown substantially and technology exports constitute growing share of total exports in the world in recent years. However, the case study of Turkey shows that the country still is a technology importer country and its technology exports and expenditures are much lower than benchmark country category values. The restructuring process in the world high technology industry is appearing in the form of privatizations in Turkey. We argue that it is possible to establish a competitive telecommunications industry by privatization policy which rests on enhanced competition and more effective regulations. The examination of the high-technology companies in the stock markets show that these firms constitute a smaller part of the total market capitalization. In the other hand, high-technology companies do not have much access to the venture capital which prevents their development. We conclude that high-technology companies should be promoted by government-supported development policies which focus on better infrastructure, enhanced competition and efficient regulations.
BAŞARILI ŞİRKET KÜÇÜLMELERİ
Authors: İSLAMOĞLU Güler
Published: February 2020

Recently, many organizations are downsizing due to globalization, increased competition and technological developments. It is important that organizations plan all the steps before they implement the downsizing. The communication between the top management and employees should be open. Management should not overlook the needs of employees staying in the organization during downsizing because these people would make up the workforce that would pay an important role in the success of the organization in the future.
ŞİRKET BİRLEŞME, ELE GEÇİRME ve DEVRALMA İŞLEMLERİNİN MAKRO EKONOMİK ETKİLERİ
Authors: YILGÖR Ayşe Gül
Published: February 2020

Mergers and acquisitions affect the firms in terms of efficiency, profitability, firm value and shareholder value. Besides, mergers and acquisitions also affect industry concentration, market structure, competition degree, productivity and effectiveness, hence the overall economy. This paper studies the effects of mergers and acquisitions on macroeconomics. Mergers and acquisitions are specifically important for Turkey, which is at the first stage of the mergers and acquisitions process.
PARA POLİTİKASI STRATEJİSİ OLARAK ENFLASYON HEDEFLEMESİNİN ETKİNLİĞİNİN ARTIRILMASI İÇİN ALINMASI GEREKEN ÖNLEMLER
Authors: DEMİRHAN Erdal
Published: February 2020

There has been a consensus on the importance of price stability as the overriding long term objective for monetary policy in literature. Within this context, many industrial and developing economies have recently adopted explicit inflation targeting as their monetary policy regime. Several issues must be taken into consideration if the inflation targeting regime is to be efficient. In particular, they include selecting a relevant price index; specification of the numerical value and horizon for the inflation target; definition of the range of the target variable; providing the central bank with instrument independency; ensuring the transparency and accountability of monetary policy; developing a reliable economic model of inflation.
GLOBALLEŞME'NİN KISA TARİHİ ve MALİ OLAYLAR
Authors: IŞIK A. Kadir
Published: February 2020

Generally it is accepted that the II World War is the beginning of the globalisation movements. In this paper, it is argued that globalisation movement should be examined in such a time horizon covering the East-West trade during the emperior era. The purpose of this study is to examine the historical development of globalisation as well as to form a better foundation for evaluating globalisation in terms of fiscal developments.
HAYAT VE HAYAT DIŞI SİGORTA ŞİRKETLERİNİN ÇOK DEĞİŞKENLİ İSTATİSTİKSEL YÖNTEMLERLE KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: ALTAŞ Dilek
Published: February 2020

The Aim of this paper is to decide on which factors are effective on insurance companies for the life branch and nonlife branch. To find out this factor, discriminant and logistic regression analysis are used in this paper. Starting with thirty variables, some of the irrelevant variable are removed and factor analysis is applied to the remained thirteen variables. Using factor analysis on thirteen variables, two factors called profit factor and the reserve factor are obtained. Then, discriminant and logistic regression analysis are applied to new variables and results are compared. As a result, most critical factor for discriminating the life branch and nonlife branch insurance company is found to be the factor of reserves.
Sustainable management, balanced scorecard and small business: a systematic review and state of the art
Authors: Barbosa Marileide , Castañeda-Ayarza Juan Arturo , Ferreira Denise Helena Lombardo
Published: February 2020

The Balanced Scorecard - BSC is a widely used tool in business management that allows implementing and controlling strategies. Today, in a context that demands efforts from all organizations for sustainable development, the BSC has become an excellent alternative to include sustainability in business management. However, when it comes to small business organizations, management tools like BSC and business sustainability face the greatest difficulties, barriers and limitations. Therefore, the objective is to map the frontier of knowledge that brings together sustainable management and BSC to small companies, allowing visualization of the paths covered and the ones to be taken through science. A systematic bibliographical research was developed identifying and analyzing the main scientific publications that intersect the themes mentioned above. The results show the need to increase research towards understanding and monitoring the transformation of small business management in terms of sustainable development. The importance of the use of management tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole process has been confirmed, as well as that the BSC can play a relevant role. Thus, with this, researchers are expected to be more interested in the subject and more studies applied in small companies will come to be.
Supplier selection under strategic decision environment
Authors: Jana Prithwiraj
Published: February 2020

The world is becoming more and more a global marketplace and the global environment is forcing companies to take almost everything into consideration at the same time. Increase flexibility is needed to remain competitive and respond to rapidly changing markets. an effective supplier selection process is very important to the success of any organization. Supplier selection represents one of the most important decisions in a company to remain competitive,  In this context, supplier selection represents one of the most important functions to be performed by the purchasing department. The supplier selection is a multi-criterion problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors (criteria). In order to select the best supplier it is necessary to make a tradeoff between these tangible and intangible factors some of which may conflict. This report deals with the supplier selection where a state of the art is presented. The supplier selection process deploys a tremendous amount of a ﬁrm’s ﬁnancial resources. In return, ﬁrms expect signiﬁcant beneﬁts from contracting with suppliers offering high value.
A hybrid approach to apply dematel in a multi-criteria setting
Authors: Sallum Frederico Silva Valentim , Gomes Luiz Flavio Autran Monteiro , Machado Maria Augusta Soares , Sallum Leonardo Silva Valentim
Published: February 2020

The DEMATEL method has been applied in the Decision Sciences in several studies. However, one has not been able to apply DEMATEL directly to a multi-criteria matrix formed by a set of alternatives and a set of criteria yet. In order to approach this, we propose a novel way to apply DEMATEL to a multi-criteria matrix for ranking a set of alternatives according to their performances in a set of criteria. For accomplishing this, we consider the set of alternatives in a classical multi-criteria problem as the set of components used in a usual DEMATEL application. To set up the influence degree among studied components, we used the preference index of PROMÉTHÉE II. Such preference index takes into consideration the performances of alternatives on all criteria to establish each influence degree. Thereby, we denote the influence degree by preference degree. This new approach is applied to a case study and results are compared against those of three multi-criteria methods. It is then possible to note small, understandable differences among the rankings. This hybrid approach has therefore shown to be theoretically sound and feasible to be used in the practice of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis.