bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution à l'étude palynologique et paléoenvironnementale du Campanien et du Maastrichtien du bassin offshore de Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Digbehi Bruno Zeliche , Yao K.R. , Téa Y.J. , Boblaï G.
Published: September 2018

L'étude palynologique de l'intervalle 1240-1720 m d'un puits pétrolier situé dans la partie "offshore" du bassin sédimentaire de Côte d'Ivoire, a révélé une palynoflore riche en dinokystes fortement représentés par les genres Palaeocystodinium, Senegalitiium, Dinogymnium, Cerodinium, Andalusiella, Xenascus, Hystrichodinium et Trichodinium.

Les spores et grains de pollen de cet intervalle sont peu nombreux et proviennent essentiellement de Ptéridophytes (Cyathéacées, Polypodiacées et Ophiglossacées) et d'Angiospermes (monocotylé-dones et dicotylédones) ; ces taxons botaniques suggèrent un paléoclimat tropical chaud et humide.

La répartition verticale de cette palynoflore a mis en évidence quatre associations caractéristiques allant du Campanien inférieur au Maastrichtien supérieur. L'analyse du palynofaciès et de l'environnement de dépôt le long de l'intervalle a montré des fluctuations du niveau marin sur le plateau continental interne.
Analogue models of alluvial doline development
Authors: Soriano M.A , Simón José Luis
Published: September 2018

Quaternary terraces of the Ebro river near Zaragoza show many alluvial dolines developed owing to dissolution of Miocene gypsum. Five main factors control the doline distribution at a 1 : 50 000 scale :

1. low sulphate content in water,

2. high annual variations of the water table,

3. "palaeovalleys" in the Tertiary/Quaternary boundary,

4. thickness of the Quaternary cover and

5. low lutite percentage.

Ten small-scale experiments, which were carried out using a salt substratum below a sand or silt cover, corroborate the importance of the last three variables. Experimental dolines first appear over trenches of the soluble substratum, in thin cover areas or where the grain size of the cover was coarse. The two main types of surface morphology (basin, well) appear in good correlation with two types of internal structure (funnel, vault) and two basic mechanisms of evacuation and sinking (dragging + slow subsidence, solution voids + sudden collapse).
Le bassin viséen de Mechraâ Ben Abbou (Meseta occidentale, Maroc) : une structure sur décrochement N80° associée à un magmatisme tholéïtique d'intraplaque
Authors: Remmal Taoufik , Kamel Fouad El , Mohsine A.
Published: September 2018

La sédimentation d'âge viséen supérieur de Mechraâ Ben Abbou d'abord détritique et carbonatée de plate-forme puis pélagique, s'installe dans un bassin en effondrement associée à un magmatisme tholéïtique intraplaque. Celui-ci est lié aux failles N60°E qui s'associent à d'autres subméridiennes dans un réseau extensif dessinant un pull apart ouvert sur décrochement transverse N80°E senestre.
Stratigraphy of the Kuwait Group in Umm -Gudair and Surrounding areas, Kuwait
Authors: Al-Rawdan Z. , Al-Ruwaih F.M. , Ozkaya S.I.
Published: September 2018

Stratigraphy of the Miocene-Pleistocene Kuwait Group is studied on the basis of core samples and bore-hole logs from Umm-Gudair, NW Al-Shagaya, Al-Salmi, Al-Wafra water wells, exposures at Jal Az-Zor escarpment and Ahmadi quarry. The over all stratigraphie sequence of the Kuwait Group bear clues for a gradual regional regression and accompanying increase in clastic material influx. The Kuwait Group starts with marine clays and continues upward as fluvial, river channel sands, and ends with alluvial fan conglomerates. Deposition of the Kuwait group was interpreted frequently by brief periods of quiescence and non-deposition. Pauses in sedimentation are marked by surfaces of carbonate and gypsum cementation in the pore spaces of sands by evaporation of capillary water, and alteration of clays. The lower parts of the Kuwait Group consist mostly of loose sands without cementation. The degree of cementation and frequency of cemented layers increase towards the top of the group.

The Kuwait Group is subdivided into three formations in the pre¬ sent study from bottom to top. These are Ghar, Jal Az-Zor and Dibdibba Formations. The fossiliferous sandy limestone layer at the lower part of the group was selected as the boundary between Ghar and the overlying Jal Az-Zor Formations. The boundary between the Jal Az-Zor and Dibdibba Formations is hard to locate. The carbonate-cemented sand layers are included in the Jal Az-Zor, and overlying poorly-bedded and weakly cemented gravels are included in the Dibdibba Formation. Subsurface correlation suggests that the thickness of Ghar and Jal Az-Zor Formations are uniform, but Dibdibba Formation varies in thickness from north to south.
Sédimentologie du stratotype historique de l' Aptien inférieur dans la région de Cassis-La Bédoule (SE France)
Authors: Masse Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2018

Dans la série stratotypique de la Gare de Cassis, suite à la séquence basale de drowning, les faciès carbonatés sont assez monotones et représentés par des lutites micritiques, microbioclastiques, à nanno-fossiles calcaires, petits foraminifères benthiques (hyalins dominants) et planctoniques. L'opposition marnes/calcaires reconnue sur le terrain n'est qu'imparfaitement vérifiée par les teneurs en CaCO3 qui, dans l'ensemble, sont assez élevées. La dominance relative de la smectite, de la kaolinite et de l'illite permet de définir quatre associations de minéraux argileux, bien délimitées sur le plan stratigraphique. Les critères faciologiques et les discontinuités ne recoupent que partiellement les hypothèses de stratigraphie séquentielle. L'accent est mis sur l'importance de la discontinuité sédimentaire et biostratigraphique séparant le Bédoulien inférieur du Bédoulien supérieur.
Carbon isotope stratigraphy of the lower Aptian historical stratotype at Cassis-La Bédoule (SE France)
Authors: Kuhnt Wolfgang , Moullade Michel , Masse Jean-Pierre , Erlenkeuser Helmut
Published: September 2018

Stratigraphie isotopique (δ°C) de l'Aptien inférieur (Bédoulien) du stratotype historique de Cassis-La Bédoule (SE France). Une stratigraphie isotopique (δ°C en %c PDB) à haute résolution a été établie sur roche totale à partir des carbonates du Barrémien terminal et de l'Aptien inférieur des coupes de la Gare de Cassis et des Sardons à La Bédoule (SE France), stratotype historique de l'Aptien inférieur (Bédoulien). Dans ce secteur, la période correspondant à ce sous-étage est marquée par un fort taux de sédimentation, avec une centaine de mètres de dépôts à dominante carbonatée et à faciès hémipéiagique. Cette dilatation exceptionnelle de la série a permis de mettre nettement en évidence deux déflections positives de la courbe du 513C. La première débute immédiatement après la limite Barrémien/Aptien et atteint des valeurs maximales du δ°C de 3,5 %o dans le Bédoulien inférieur, au sein de la zone de foraminifères planctoniques à Praehedbergella kuznetsovae. Une seconde déflec-tion, plus significative, située dans la partie moyenne du Bédoulien supérieur, commence au sommet de la zone à Blowiella blowi et atteint son maximum, avec des valeurs du δ°C supérieures à 4,5 %o, au Bédoulien terminal (partie supérieure de la zone à Schackoina cabri).

La seconde déflection a déjà été reconnue en d'autres sites de la Tethys, comme Gorgo a Cerbara (Italie), le Domaine Vocontien (S.E. France), ou Cismon dans les Alpes Méridionales, ainsi qu'en Oman. En revanche la première semble uniquement enregistrée dans les localités à fort taux d'accumulation des carbonates, comme La Bédoule, et pourrait être masquée par suite d'une forte condensation ou d'un hiatus à ce niveau dans les localités étudiées jusqu'à présent.
Les Foraminifères benthiques et planctoniques du stratotype historique de l'Aptien inférieur dans la région de Cassis-La Bédoule (SE France)
Authors: Moullade Michel , Tronchetti Guy , Kuhnt Wolfgang , Masse Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2018

Benthic and planktonic Foraminifers from the lower Aptian historical stratotype in the Cassis-La Bédoule area (SE France).

A taxonomic update and detailed study of foraminiferal vertical distribution in the Bedoulian type section allowed us to define local assemblages, which characterize individual lithological units. Based on the occurrence of several planktonic foraminiferal datums, we confirm the zonation already established for SE France, which includes the Praehedbergella kuznetsovae Zone ("latest Barremian-early Bedoulian), the Blowiella blowi Zone (early late Bedoulian) and the Schackoina (Leupoldina ) cabri Zone (latest Bedoulian and earliest Gargasian). Changes in the composition of the foraminiferal assemblages provide also some information on the evolution of the paleoenvironment. Our data suggest a moderate and more or less continuous increase of the water depth, from few meters overlying the Urgonian platform during the late Barremian to one or more likely two hundred meters during the Bedoulian-Gargasian transition. Productivity and temperature seem also to globally increase during the Bedoulian, but with jerks and flash-back suggesting some second-order cyclicity. The foraminiferal compositional changes permit also to show that a momentaneous oxygenation crisis occurred during the late Bedoulian, without any obvious lithological expression. This brief dysoxic period might evoke the Goguel (Vocontian domain) or Selli (N. Italy) levels, corresponding to the global OAE 1a event.
Contribution des Ostracodes à la biostratigraphie et à la paléobiogéographie de l'Oligocène de Haute-Provence (S.E. France)
Authors: Apostolescu Vespasian , Dellenbach Jean
Published: September 2018

Oligocene ostracods from Haute-Provence (S.E. France) : biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography. The study of the Ostracods from the main Oligocene basins and grabens of Haute-Provence strikingly modifies the traditional Upper Eocene-Oligocene boundary and demonstrates the existence of bios trati graphical and paleobiogeographical relatively close relationships with the molassic basins and grabens of the Rhenan domain (Alsace, Bavaria). The significant new acquisitions concern : the Rupelian age of sedimentary series attributed as yet to Upper-Eocene or Ludian, the confirmation of the belonging to Oligocene (Chattian) of Sables bleutés of the northern Var area, the discovery along the western flank of the Barrême syncline of marine Bartonian sediments with Ostracods originating from North European domain, the timing and the directional trend of the brackishwaters ingression and their eastern limit (Bauduen graben) beyond wich the sediments were exclusively forming in the limnical environment. Finally, seven new Ostracod species are systematically described.
L'Anti-Atlas occidental du Maroc : remplissage sédimentaire d'un bassin de type rift intracontinental au Cambrien inférieur
Authors: Benssaou M. , Hamoumi Naïma
Published: September 2018

Dans l'Anti-Atlas occidental, la caractérisation stratigraphique et sur¬ tout sédimentologique, (identification des faciès et reconstitution des paléo-environnements) des formations attribuées au Cambrien inférieur, permet de mettre en évidence deux phases de remplissage d'un bassin de type rift intracontinental avorté : une phase synrift et une phase post-rift. Chaque phase est représentée par une série sédimentaire.

La série qui représente la phase synrift constitue le comblement partiel d'un bassin de type rift continental. Le développement de ce bassin, initié durant l'événement distensif du Paléozoïque inférieur, peut être ramené à deux événements tectoniques essentiels : la première étape d'individualisation, représentée par le groupe d'Anzi, est limitée à l'axe Anzi-Ait Abdallah et la deuxième, représentée par le groupe d'Asghrkyis, est marquée par l'extension de la distension qui atteint le Nord de la boutonnière de Kerdous.

Durant la phase postrift, l'étude sédimentologique et lithostratigraphique des formations sédimentaires de la série représentative a permis d'élaborer un découpage lithostratigraphique en séquences composites et en séquences élémentaires. Les deux groupes sédimentaires reconnus dans la région traduisent une phase de stabilité tectonique relative associée à une remontée eustatique de grande ampleur (groupe de Madaw) et une phase, représentée par le groupe d'Ait Abdallah, marquée par le contrôle tectonique et eustatique de la sédimentation et de son organisation séquentielle.
Effect of Acupuncture Therapy on Plasma Antidiuretic Hormone, Melatonin and Total Antioxidant Capacity Levels in Patients with Nocturia
Authors: Geçioğlu Ersel , Severcan Çınar , Mit Ş. Setenay , Çevik Cemal , Çaycı Sivri Ayşe Banu
Published: September 2018

Nocturia is a common symptom which causes sleeping disorders in the elderly. A number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may modulate a wide range of neuro endocrinological factors following stimulation of acupoints. We aim to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment and
plasma levels of ADH, melatonin hormone and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on nocturia patients. 28 healthy women subjects (Group I) and 27 women nocturia patients (Group II) have been joined to our study. Following a total of 10 acupuncture sessions has been applied with two sessions per
week, we took blood samples from the nocturia patients (Group III). Plasma antidiuretic hormone, melatonin and TAC levels were studied by Elisa method. As a result, all of the patients responded to acupuncture treatment positively. In our study, patients with nocturnal polyuria (Group II)
showed significantly low plasma antidiuretic hormone and melatonin levels in comparison to the Group I(p<0.001). Although plasma melatonin levels showed an increase by 12.35% in Group III in comparison to Group II, plasma ADH levels did not change between the two groups. Thus, it was concluded
that melatonin could be beneficial for nocturia via central nervous system effect. Patients with nocturnal polyuria (Group II) plasma TAC level showed a decrease when compared with the control group (Group I). However, the plasma TAC level decreased by 9.83% following the 10th session in Group
III in comparison to Group II (p=0,044). Based on our results we concluded that acupuncture treatment has a regulatory effect on plasma melatonin levels in patients with nocturia and can be used in the treatment of nocturia patients.
MAIN STANDARDS FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA
Authors: Stukalina Yulia
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the official documents that regulate quality as-surance activities in a modern univertsity. The principal objectives of the paper are to discuss the main standards for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area, and examine the basic criteria applied for international institutional accreditation. The research method used in the paper in-cludes the review of official EU and OECD documents on quality assurance in higher education. The analysis conducted in the paper has allowed the author to identify and summarize key internal and external standards for quality assurance, which education managers should consider in the agenda of the all-inclusive management of an academia.
MACROECONOMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL DRIVERS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY. A CROSS-COUNTRY EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT
Authors: Roman Angela , Rusu Valentina-Diana
Published: September 2018

Our paper aims to investigate how the changes in macroeconomic conditions and the quality of insti-tutions affect the level of entrepreneurial activity in 18 European Union countries, over the period 2002–2016. Using panel-data estimation techniques, we alternatively analyzed the effects of some macroeconomic and institutional framework related factors (in particular, the quality of institutions) on entrepreneurial activity level, proxied by the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity rate, nascent entrepreneurship rate, and new business ownership rate. The results of our empirical analysis show that the economic situation of EU countries and the quality of institutions (reflected in our study through competitiveness, economic freedom, and governance quality) have a significant effect on early-stage entrepreneurs and for some variables the sign of the relationship depends on the age of the business. Our findings may be of interest to policy makers in developing effective policies contributing to enhancing the entrepreneurial capacity in different countries.
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT MECHANISM OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF UKRAINIAN COMPANIES
Authors: Hrybinenko Olha
Published: September 2018

This research paper aims at providing a scientific substantiation of the mechanism of integrated evaluation of the potential of sustainable development of Ukrainian companies in the modern conditions. The research methodology is based on a systematic approach and generalization of factors that influence the implementation of the potential of companies sustainable development. It is shown that a structured, integrated evaluation of the potential of sustainable development within a certain system, algorithm of actions embodied in the form of evaluation mechanism, contributes greatly to the success of the practical application of the management tools for the companies’s sustainable development, enabling the adequate response to changeability of market environment and create the preconditions for long-term development.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL ON EMAIL USAGE AMONG ACADEMICIAN IN MALAYSIAN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
Authors: Mahomed Anuar Shah Bali , McGrath Michael G. , Yuh Bong Zhi , Sidek Shafie , Ibrahim Saadiatul , Othman Zulbasri
Published: September 2018

This study examines the levels and factors contributing to email usage among academician in Malay-sian universities. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was tested to investigate the relationship of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) on email usage (U). By using survey questionnaires, data was collected from 274 academician in Malaysian public and private universi-ties. Path analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 2.0 to examine the research model. This research found that email usage among academician in Malaysian private universities is significantly higher than Malaysian public universities, albeit the usage were high for both types of universities.
TEAMWORK IN MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISE PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENT
Authors: Lusena-Ezera Inese , Liduma Diana
Published: September 2018

Even though various work organization forms and instruments exist for efficient manufacturing pro-cess and economic efficiency achievement in manufacturing enterprises, the issue is still topical which of the factors in production management – human resources or technologies is the main impellent in performance achievement in manufacturing enterprises. Research aim is to find out whether ap-proach based on teamwork is applied in performance achievement. Different level managers of eight manufacturing enterprises (total 21 managers) from Liepaja City (Latvia) and suburban area were questioned. Research results prove that in manufacturing enterprise performance characteristics of teamwork can be noticed in general. However, size of manufacturing enterprise (number of employ-ees) is the determinant factor to whether employees’ strive for a common goal and believe in team-work in
ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOR CHANGES CAUSED BY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Al Majzoub Khaled , Davidavičienė Vida
Published: September 2018

The development and use of Information and communication technology(ICT) is growing at a rapid speed across the world. The number of internet (as well as other technologies) users increased by 27,750% from 1993 (14 million) until 2017 (3,885,567,619) users according to internetworldstats. ICT is becoming essentials in all organization, and organizations cannot survive or compete without using these technologies. Although some researches were done on the effects of these technologies on organizations behaviours, they still in initial stages. The following article examine the effect of ICT on organizational behaviours, especially on Organizational Design how ICT changes the organizational structure and what are the organizations formed, Intelligence in what way knowledge is created and strategically used, and Decision Making how it will affect the speed and accuracy of decision making. Methods used in the article are scientific literature analysis, synthesis and comparison.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CYCLE: A SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Kordab Mirna , Raudeliūnienė Jurgita
Published: September 2018

Recently the knowledge management processes are analysed as the main source of uniqueness for the organisations, while they are facing the challenge of implementing the most efficient processes that affect their performance (Chang, Hsu, & Yen, 2012; Kianto, Vanhala, & Heilmann, 2016; Raudeliūnienė & Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė, 2016; Raudeliūnienė, Davidavičienė, & Jakubavičius, 2018; Känsäkoski, 2017). The scientists distinguish different combinations of knowledge manage-ment processes in approaching the knowledge management process and analysis has shown that knowledge management processes, studied by most scientists, do not have a clear knowledge man-agement structure (García-Fernández, 2015; Raudeliūnienė et al., 2018). The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge management concept and knowledge management cycle considering the different interpretations of scientists. The study is grounded on scientific literature review.
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION OF INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES
Authors: Simberova Iveta , Krmela Ales , Kita Peter
Published: September 2018

The objective of the paper is to dynamically capture the changes and trends in the innovation of business models of industrial enterprises, which owing to the incorporation of any other potential stakeholders in value creation, addresses the issue of limited resources for product innovation. The methodological objectives of the paper are based on the theory of systems approach and the Re-source Base View (RBV). A primary literary source review on papers and studies published in peer-reviewed journals has been conducted. Our view, which has received increasing attention in the scien-tific literature, is associated with opportunities, but also barriers arising from the changes and trends in the environment as a challenge for sustainable innovation of the business model by means of finding a new space for innovation in areas where competition is not active. The main output show, that business models should be viewed from a dynamic perspective. The basis for this is the prospect of developing or innovating of the business model as a result of internal and external changes over time.
ECO-INNOVATIONS: DIFFERENCES IN THE TURNOVER OF ENGINEERING AND THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY FIRMS
Authors: Bockova Nina , Meluzin Tomas
Published: September 2018

This paper aims to examine the similarities between innovative companies in the Engineering and the Electrotechnical industry in the Czech Republic. The main question is whether R & D spending in companies with eco-innovation leads to a rise in turnover even in a short period of time. The paper uses the Burea Van Dijk database – Amadeus as a data source. This data source includes 186 large enterprises with information on employee’s numbers, turnover, sector affiliation and R & D expenditure. A binomial test of statistical significance was used for the comparison of the two groups of companies. The authors find that approximately one-third of enterprises record revenue slump. There was no statistically significant difference at the level of significance α = 0,05 between the shares of enterprises with eco-innovations that showed a decrease in turnover.
TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A PERSPECTIVE WITH CYCLIC CONDITIONS
Authors: Pretorius Leon , Davidavičienė Vida
Published: September 2018

In this paper aspects of technology and entrepreneurship interaction are considered. Firstly some dy-namic aspects of technology are presented from a brief literature perspective. This is then contrasted to and integrated with some elements of entrepreneurship where cyclic aspects are influenced by un-employment in the business and possibly technology environment. This work is built on some views presented by previous authors such as Faria and others. Their work is extended to a conceptual sys-tems thinking model representing cyclic factors in entrepreneurship using a causal loop diagram (CLD) approach. Some business statistics from databases are gathered and analysed for entrepre-neurship to show and support some arguments of Faria and others about cyclic nature of entrepre-neurship. A conceptual system dynamics approach for the entrepreneurship dynamics is presented based on previous research.
CORPORATE SOCIAL REPORTING AS A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT TOOL
Authors: Bagieńska Anna
Published: September 2018

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provides the contribution of business to the implementation of sustainable development enabling to achieve a balance between business effectiveness, as well as the social interests and environmental protection. The CSR report presents the results of economic and social activities of enterprise. The CSR report creates the possibility of evaluation of the enterprise achievements in the context of financial and non-financial expectations of stakeholders different from financial capital providers. The aim of the paper is to present the role and importance of CSR reporting based on international standards and guidelines as well as to identify the main evaluation criteria. The analysis of the contents of the CSR reports submitted to the Competition CSR Report in the years of 2011–2016 shows what tools and key performance indicators are used. On the basis of the research results, the method of assessment of the CSR activities were proposed.
DIRECTIVENESS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Authors: Czerniawska Mirosława
Published: September 2018

The main aim of this research is to investigate attitudes towards entrepreneurship. It was assumed that these attitudes depend on personality traits, like directiveness. The study group consisted of 368 students. The Ray Directiveness Scale was used. Attitudes has been assessed using a set of views – five pairs of statements from publication of Morawski and a publication edited by Reykowski. Re-sults of the research show that persons with a higher directiveness index opted for free economic competition of enterprises, reduction of the state interventionism and meritocratic emolument rules. This group also presents more positive attitudes towards business people.
SPECIALISATION IN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD EXPORTS OF LITHUANIA
Authors: Droždz Jolanta
Published: September 2018

The analysed research problem answer the question of how the changing trade conditions affect Lithuanian agricultural and food exports. The paper aims to assess the level of specialization in the agricultural and food sector exports of Lithuania. Assessment of the level of specialization was based on calculation of the trade coverage, revealed comparative advantage and intra-industry trade indi-ces and their aggregation. Empirical research covers the period of 1999–2014. The export of agricul-tural and food products of Lithuania has been positively affected by trade liberalisation and achieved the effect of synergy due to regional integration processes (membership in the EU). It is characterised by high level of specialisation; nevertheless, this does not contribute to increasing of added value in agriculture.
TOWARDS SMARTER SPECIALISATION – KEY DRIVERS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN PODLASKIE REGION
Authors: Nazarko Lukasz
Published: September 2018

The paper focuses on the issue of the approaches and methods used in the identification of regional smart specialisation areas. It is argued that foresight is a critical element in the formulation of a smart specialisation strategy. More extensive use of tools from the field of foresight and future studies may lead to smarter specialisations – the ones that anticipate the emergence of high-growth technologies and sectors. At the same time it is observed that foresight approach is insufficiently ap-preciated in Poland in this context. The case of Podlaskie voivodship is described. The results of a technological foresight project on nanotechnology development in Podlaskie voivodship is presented together with a proposal of a methodology for updating its results.
THE CONCEPT OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL IN LEGISLATION: THE CASE OF LATVIA
Authors: Lentjušenkova Oksana , Stankeviča Inese , Lapiņa Inga
Published: September 2018

Nowdays intellectual capital has become one of most important resources which provide sustainable competitive advantage for a company. Despite it, intellectual capital in companies in Latvia is lim-ited. Previous studies, conducted by the authors, showed that one of the factors that influence intel-lectual capital in companies is legal protection of intellectual capital. The purpose of the study is to analyse the concept of intellectual capital in legislation in order to clarify the understanding of the concept of intellectual capital. The following qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used: logical and comparative analysis, the deductive method, the statistical method, the empir-ical method and the induction method. The current study results show that an additional factor, which influences the intellectual capital development in companies in Latvia, is lack of uniform ap-proach to the concept of intellectual capital in legislation.
IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR OF SPANISH FTSE4GOOD IBEX COMPANIES BASED ON NGO REPORTS
Authors: Espinós Vañó María Dolores , García Fernando
Published: September 2018

Recently, social responsible investment has experienced exceptional growth. For that reason, many listed companies pretend to have adopted guidelines and values proclaimed by prestigious internac-ional organizations as the UNO or the OECD. In fact, to adhere such guidelines is a requisite to be in-cluded in most socially responsible stock indices. In this paper we search for irresponsible behaviour by Spanish companies included in some of the world most preminent sustainable stock indices. The main result is that most of the companies have been actually critized by prestigious NGOs, so their identification as socially responsible should be questioned.
THE CONCEPT OF MANAGER: CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Authors: Ņikitina Tatjana , Lapiņa Inga
Published: September 2018

The aim of the research is to analyse manager’s competence groups, a manager role in modern enter-prise and clarify what competences are required for managers in knowledge intensive business service (KIBS) organizations. Authors assumed that natural changes in the external environment lead to ap-pearance and development of new managerial activities and competences or manifestation of a cer-tain set of competencies. Previous researchers reveal that new context of teams that are diversified in terms of locations, disciplines and social groups require managers to act differently. Other researchers emphasize acceleration of technological novelties and presence of new organizational forms such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also creates new operational processes and managerial activi-ties. Business society and labor market expect a professional who acts in different roles of entrepre-neur, leader, and manager simultaneously. The authors conducted literature overview and identified ten leading competencies that are necessary for a manager in KIBS.
DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Authors: Bednarikova Marie , Kostalova Jana , Vavra Jan , Halamova Denisa
Published: September 2018

During last years there are many new modern attitudes and trends in the field of human resources management. The article is focused to one of these trends – diversity management. The aim of the authors is to evaluate single components of diversity management namely in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In addition different possibilities of application of diversity management in practice as instruments of CSR are submitted to analysis. The end of this article shows the results of research oriented to experience with diversity management put into practice in the selected companies in the Czech Republic.
POTENTIAL OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A REGIONAL CITY
Authors: Oborenko Zaiga , Rivza Baiba , Zivitere Marga
Published: September 2018

Employment of people with disabilities is very important in reducing the risk of poverty, social inte-gration and participation in society. As it is difficult for people with disabilities to integrate into the la-bour market, social enterprises can be considered as a new opportunity for employment and social in-clusion. This study investigates opportunities for social entrepreneurship development based on non-governmental organisations from the perspective of a regional city in Latvia. The paper applies ana-lytical study of secondary sources and in-depth interviews with representatives of non-governmental organisations. The results indicate that non-governmental organisations offer diverse potential for so-cial entrepreneurship development, and various forms of cooperation with local authorities might be possible.
CONCERN FOR ECONOMIC RESULTS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LITHUANIA AND SLOVENIA
Authors: Potocan Vojko , Nedelko Zlatko , Peleckienė Valentina , Peleckis Kęstutis , Lapinskienė Giedrė , Peleckis Kęstutis
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this draft paper is to empirically examine the role of concern for economic results for shaping corporate social responsibility in Lithuania and Slovenia. Results are based on 80 answers of students from Lithuania and 101 answers of students from Slovenia. Results reveal that Slovenian students on average show significantly higher concern for corporate social responsibility, as well as for economic results, than their Lithuanian counterparts. Similarly in both countries, students perceive or-ganizations concern to pay the full financial cost of using energy and natural resources as most signif-icant factor shaping corporate social responsibility. Findings are important for practitioners and for academia, which get insight into the perception of corporate social responsibility of their future em-ployees.
RELATIONSHIP MARKETING ON THE INTERNET: BUILDING A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH CUSTOMERS
Authors: Radionova-Girsa Elina
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the study is to find out the main approaches to the relationship marketing on the in-ternet that could help companies to build a long-term relationship with their customers. Principal ob-jectives are to find and analyse scientific literature on the topic; with statistical and empirical analysis to find out the main differences between relationship marketing in the traditional and internet dimen-sion. The research methods of the paper are scientific literature theoretical analysis, statistical and empirical data analysis. The results of the research are both theoretical and practical. Using results companies will be able to share their customers seeing at what stage they are located and what further steps should be taken to achieve the desired result.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODS AND TOOLS BY CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COMPANIES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Authors: Kostalova Jana , Tetrevova Libena
Published: September 2018

The article deals with the application of project management methods and tools by chemical industry companies in the Czech Republic. There are identifiedsignificant project management methods and tools and classifies them with respect to their primary applicability within individual project lifecycle stages. In results, there is presented the level of project management in the Czech Republic. Subse-quently, there are presented outcomes of a qualitative research focussed on the application of project management methods and tools in chemical industry companies in the Czech Republic. The authors also present proposals of methodical measures for the area of project management to improve the success of implemented projects.
MOTIVATION OF YOUNG IT PROFESSIONALS
Authors: Gribanova Svetlana , Abeltina Anna
Published: September 2018

The research answers the following question: what actions do organizations undertake to attract and retain young IT professionals and how do they correspond with expectations of young IT specialists? In order to get information about life values of young professionals, their expectations and apprehen-sions, in this research qualitative methodology and semi-structured interview method were used. All the respondents were conditionally divided in accordance to the companies they are employed with into international companies, big Latvian companies and modern IT companies. The research showed that different types of companies use different strategies to attract, retain and motivate young IT specialists. International companies try to satisfy the needs of young professionals for self-expression, freedom and self-realization. Big Latvian companies try to create environment where employees feel their dependence from the organization and are afraid to lose their jobs. Modern IT companies shape attachment to the company and create desire to make this company more compet-itive.
COLLABORATION IN SMART SERVICES – THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?
Authors: Kanovska Lucie
Published: September 2018

Many current manufacturers provide not only tangible products to their customers, but also services which are accompanying their products. Moreover, manufacturers add smart services to their service offerings. Applying the change toward smart services is not easy, especially in SMEs where many of businesses struggle with lack of money, insufficient digital technologies or unskilled employees. The aim of the study mentioned in this paper explores current situation in SMEs and their attitudes related to collaboration with other subjects on their markets. To address the research objective, a qualitative multi-case study was conducted among seven Czech electrotechnical SMEs, which have already started with smart service development. The findings can indicate two approaches of collaboration based mostly on the owners’ enthusiasm for smart services, management’s age and the length of running their business. The study is unique in highlighting the problems of smart services in SMEs in the Czech Republic, where the industrial sector is still dominant in comparison to other European countries.
DISRUPTION MANAGEMENT AND THE ORCHESTRATION OF DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES: SEEKING DYNAMIC SMART DISRUPTOR PROFILE
Authors: Kaivo-oja Jari , Lauraéus Theresa
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the study is to investigate and elaborate the dynamic capabilities needed to manage disruptive busi-ness. This paper is a conceptual paper. Firstly, authors present key concept of technological disruption, which is highly relevant for modern corporate foresight. Nowadays, in the market conditions of corporate foresight, VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) approach has a significant role. Secondly, the rigor of this pa-per is to combine scientific discussion of technological disruption with the VUCA approach and dynamic capabili-ties of smart disruptor. The special focus of this article is the challenges of orchestration of dynamic capabilities in the special conditions of VUCA business environment and disruptive competition. The method/design of this study is a conceptual paper. The results: We evaluate the role of competence gaps identification inside a firm: The technol-ogy gaps, market gaps and business model gaps in modern business leadership. Our principal conclusion is to pre-sent tools to manage the dynamic capabilities in the VUCA and in the disruptive business environment. Further, we will present the pleminary definition of the smart disruptor.
CUSTOMER SERVICE QUALITY IN B2B MARKET FROM THE BUYER’S PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Vlckova Vladimira , Podskubkova Lucie
Published: September 2018

The importance of services for companies is significant and still increasing. Customers expect fulfil-ment of their requirements concerning not only the product, but also the quality of services relating to this product. The core of competitiveness is thus moving from the product itself to the supplier abili-ties created by the entire supply system with a dynamic structure. Therefore, it is necessary to under-stand the specific needs of each single customer concerning services within the entire supply system. On the basis of a comparison of the outcomes of a targeted literature review and an analysis of eval-uation of the service quality by the customers purchasing products of a selected company, the paper identifies the deciding parameters and methods of customer service quality assessment in the B2B market from the buyer’s perspective.
EMPLOYER BRANDING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA: THE CASE OF LARGEST POLISH COMPANIES
Authors: Grzesiuk Kalina , Wawer Monika
Published: September 2018

The main purpose of this article is to evaluate the current state of network communication channels in an organization and to propose recommendations for their development as a part of external em-ployer’s brand-building strategy by an example of selected Polish enterprises. This paper reviews the social network tools used thus far by the 100 Largest Polish Private Companies listed in 2017 Forbes Magazine report. The analysis involves not only their Internet presence and the way these enterprises are presented but also the level of interactivity of their activities in selected social media (e.g. Face-book, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter). The results show that most of the companies examined have not adopted a systematic approach to the employer branding practices they use. Therefore, a conclusion might be drawn that, although these enterprises are present in the social media networks, and they use various external communication channels in order to reach their stakeholders, they still fail to adopt a strategic orientation in developing their activities.
DUAL TRAINING SCHEMES PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS TRANSFERS – EXPERIENCES FROM LITHUANIA
Authors: Hogeforster Max , Alexander Mira
Published: September 2018

While many political strategies focus on the promotion of start-ups, the existing companies are often neglected. Recent studies confirm, that more jobs are lost due to failed business transfers, then new ones are created. In fact, the generation change has reached the European SMEs and they suffer from a lack of successor to take over the business. Suitable successors are entrepreneurs and this arti-cle sets out to investigate a feasible way to educate and attract them to the SME sector. Based on sol-id literature research the paper argues, that a dual training, where students receive training in school and at the same time on the job can provide this needed expertise for entrepreneurship education. In 2016 such a dual training was initiated in Lithuania, this papers highlights results of the first compre-hensive evaluation and provides an outlook on whether the graduates can become suitable successors in the long run.
USE OF GAMIFICATION IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: IMPACT ON ENGAGEMENT AND SATISFACTION
Authors: Ērgle Daiga , Ludviga Iveta
Published: September 2018

The use of games, also called gamification, is innovative an approach in contemporary human re-source management. The aim of this research is to assess whether gamification, if used in HR pro-cesses, can increase engagement and job satisfaction among employees, as well as to identify which HR processes respond better to gamification. Using data from CAWI interviews (n = 620) and Struc-tural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method with smartPLS software, the researchers found a signifi-cant positive impact of gamification on employee job satisfaction, however, no impact on engage-ment. Teambuilding and internal communication were identified as HR processes which better re-spond to gamification and recommendations for HR managers provided.
PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN SPAIN
Authors: González-de Julián Silvia , Polo-Garrido Fernando , Barrachina-Martinez Isabel , Vivas-Consuelo David
Published: September 2018

In the Valencian Community (Spain) there are 5 health districts managed by public-private partnerships. They are the so-called Alzira model, where the concessionaire builds and maintains the hospital facilities and provides health care services. The purpose of this paper is to address problems raised in the calculation of the limiting clause of profitability and to develop a financial statement analysis in order to assess profitability, solvency and liquidity. Results indicate that all concessionaires show very high debt-to-assets ratio, low liquidity, ROA fluctuates between 2.45% and 12.42%, and the IRR varies between 3.47% and 13.15%. Despite this, four of five concessionaries exceed the limiting clause using an “ad hoc” method as proxy of “cash flows”.
COMPUTATION INTELLIGENCE BASED DAILY ALGORITHMIC STRATEGIES FOR TRADING IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET
Authors: Maknickienė Nijolė , Kekytė Ieva , Maknickas Algirdas
Published: September 2018

Successful trading in financial markets is not possible without a support system that manages the preparation of the data, prediction system, and risk management and evaluates the trading efficien-cy. Selected orthogonal data was used to predict exchange rates by applying recurrent neural network (RNN) software based on the open source framework Keras and the graphical processing unit (GPU) NVIDIA GTX1070 to accelerate RNN learning. The newly developed software on the GPU predicted ten high-low distributions in approximately 90 minutes. This paper compares different daily algorith-mic trading strategies based on four methods of portfolio creation: split equally, optimisation, orthogonality, and maximal expectations. Each investigated portfolio has opportunities and limita-tions dependent on market state and behaviour of investors, and the efficiencies of the trading sup-port systems for investors in foreign exchange market were tested in a demo FOREX market in real time and compared with similar results obtained for risk-free rates.
Beyond the Coronal Graveyard
Authors: Ayres Thomas R.
Published: September 2018

New Chandra High Resolution Camera pointings on the “non-coronal” red giant Arcturus (HD 124897; α Boo: K1.5 III) corroborate a tentative soft X-ray detection in a shorter exploratory exposure 16 years earlier. The apparent source followed the (large) proper motion of the nearby bright star over the intervening years, and there were null detections at the previous location in the current epoch, as well as at the future location in the earlier epoch, reducing the possibility of chance coincidences with unrelated high-energy objects. The apparent X-ray brightness at Earth, averaged over the 98 ks of total exposure and accounting for absorption in the red giant’s wind, is ∼2 × 10−15 erg cm−2 s−1 (0.2–2 keV). Systematic errors in the energy conversion factor, devolving from the unknown spectrum, amount to only about 10%, smaller than the ∼30% statistical uncertainties in the count rates. The X-ray luminosity is only 3 × 1025 erg s−1, confirming Arcturus as one of Chandra’s darkest bright stars.