Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2019

Editors: Diana Tirca, Xose Picatoste and Isabel Novo-Corti
Editor-in-chief: Prof. Johannes Platje

Youth Employment and Sustainability: public policies for a balanced development

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Vol. 3, No. 2, 7- 20, June 2019

Austerity policies in the Eurozone: How they affect youth unemployment?

Authors: Carmen DIAZ-ROLDÁN
Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
José Luis PARADA-RODRIGUEZ, Nieves CARMONA-GONZÁLEZ
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Spain

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Aim: Analyse the effects of stabilization policies on youth unemployment, using government deficit besides the use of fiscal policy by the supply side; aimed to characterize the economic framework conditions under which fiscal policy could reduce youth unemployment.

Design/Research methods: We consider an economic framework featuring the use of monetary and fiscal rules within a monetary union. In this scenario, that should be representative of the Eurozone, we will analyse the effects of stabilization policies when dealing with a financial crisis which produces contractive effects on output and on employment. We will pay special attention to the conservativeness of the central bank, the degree of austerity of the fiscal authorities and the initial level of government debt. Those characteristics prove to be crucial for the sustainability of economic policies packages based on fiscal consolidation and the use of fiscal policy instruments by the supply side, when trying to deal with unemployment. And given that in the financial crisis effects have been hit Eurozone countries in a different manner, we will also differentiate monetary union’s member countries according with their government debt and their unemployment path.

Conclusions/findings: Fiscal authorities should be no austere for fighting youth unemployment, when using fiscal policy by the supply side. In other words, when optimizing their loss function, they should give more weight to the output stabilization goal that to the government deficit reduction.

Originality/value of the article: Allowing for the use of both monetary and fiscal policy rules, in the scenario of a monetary union, our results could help us to stablish the conditions under which fiscal policy could help to alleviate youth unemployment.

Key words: Monetary unions, fiscal consolidation, sustainable policies, youth unemployment.

JEL: E62, E63, H6

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.753


Vol. 3, No. 2, 21- 32, June 2019

Individual social capital as an asset of personal marketing in the job search process

Authors: Matias MEMBIELA-POLLÁN, Valentín-Alejandro MARTINEZ-FERNANDEZ, Óscar JUANATEY-BOGA
University of A Coruña, Spain

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Aim: The aim of this study is to highlight the role of individual social capital as a personal marketing asset with specific weight in the job search process. The marketing mix instruments are transferred to the analysis of the individual. In this approach, the social network and the attributes of the subject play a specific role in his characteristics as a “product”, in his “promotion” and “distribution”, and in his “price”, which in this case is the salary.

Design/Research methods: The methodology used to elaborate this work is based on an exploratory analysis, and seeks to establish a state of the art from the literature on “individual social capital” and “personal marketing”. For this, firstly, both concepts are considered, and secondly, the individual social capital as an asset of personal marketing in the job search process is studied, using the tools of the marketing mix (4 P’s).
Conclusions/findings: Based on the analysis carried out, we conclude that individual social capital is decisive in the development of personal marketing, whose ultimate goal is to find a job and get a higher income.

Originality/value of the article: The originality of this article lies in applying the tools of the marketing mix to the individual, and considering it as a “product” that wants to be demanded in the labor market; highlighting also the role that individual social capital plays in this process.

Key words: Personal marketing; individual social capital; social network; promotion; employment; income.

JEL: A14, J2, M31.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.752


Vol. 3, No. 2, 33 – 48, June 2019

The implications of social responsibility in reducing youth unemployment in Romania

Authors: Sorina-Geanina STANESCU, Ana-Maria COMANDARU
Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania

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Aim: Lately, there is more and more discussion about sustainable development and social responsibility within organizations, thus increasing the pressure on organizations and managers to act ethically and responsibly. The main purpose of this study is to present how Romanian businesses have integrated aspects of social responsibility into the decision-making and management systems of organizations. The study focuses on identifying the main factors behind the development of the concept of social responsibility and presenting the link between economic activity and sustainable development. A major focus of this research is the study on the implications of corporate social responsibility in reducing the number of youth unemployment at national level.

Design/Research methods: As far as the methodology of research is concerned, we will start from the theoretical documentation and we will continue with empirical research, using descriptive analysis and statistical interpretation of data as the main research methods.

Conclusions/findings: Empirical research conducted in this paper allowed us to observe the involvement of organizations in adopting support measures for the social problems of young people unemployed.

Originality/value of the article: Social responsibility is a vast concept that is growing in Romania and the implication of this concept in solving unemployment has led us to realize the present research that we want to add value to both the business environment in Romania and young researchers interested in this field.

Keywords: management, social responasability, youth unemployment.

JEL: Q56

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.749


Vol.3, No. 2, 49 – 62, June 2019

Consumption and youth employment – impact on production of Bulgarian organic products

Authors: Georgi ALEKSIEV, Dora DONCHEVA, Konstantin STOYANOV, Konstantin STANKOV
Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

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During the current planning period of the Common Agricultural policy of the European Union, a newly formed Bulgarian organic production sector has rapidly developed. In the span of just three years – from 2014 to 2017 Bulgaria has risen to the top of the EU organic production charts for several products (mainly aromatic oils and honey). This was in part a result of a significant institutional support from CAP and the local government. The production has grown rapidly but the same cannot be said about the local organic food market. Consumers have severe reservations towards organic products, their higher prices and lack of confidence towards their quality and certification.

Aim: To analyze the dynamics of production of Bulgarian organic products and the local organic food market in order to assess its sustainability.

Design/Research methods: The methods used to solve the tasks are: analysis and synthesis, systematic and structural approach, statistical calculations. This study analyzes data from centralized sources as well as from own research.

Conclusions/findings: There is still not enough bio-food processing plants in the country and with the necessary capacity to meet the local market needs. This has led to a clear export orientation of local bio products. Over the last two years, the construction and certification of processing facilities in the sector have begun and they are most often the result of foreign investment. Adding value to Bulgarian bio products is important for their recognition and trust by local consumers as well as those on international markets.

Originality/value of the article: The underlined correlation between production and consumption of organic products in Bulgaria has never been fully researched.

Keywords: bio-products, market, support, competitiveness

JEL: Q01, Q10, Q13

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.746


Vol. 3, No. 2, 63 – 87, June 2019

Human movements: immigrants and asylum seekers. Two sides of the same coin
Authors:  Iuliana MIHAI, Isabel NOVO-CORTI
University of A Coruña, Spain

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Aim: Millions of people are displaced globally, as refugees, asylum seekers or migrants. Although, at a first glance, crisis and conflicts are considered the main trigger for these movements, the migration challenge may have different roots: demographic trends, poverty, the globalization of communication, etc. The present article is an introduction to the main concepts and terminology regarding migration and it links the migration with actual labor problems within the EU.

Design: The article shows how migration terminology is reflected in the EU migration policy and how migration policy affects labor policy and vice versa. The article is to be considered a state of the art or methanalysis and explains the concepts: in-migration, out-migration, refugees, asylum-seekers. In addition, it draws attention to controversies regarding the use of concepts: illegal migration, irregular migration and return migration.

Conclusions: The article presents eight main economic theories of migration. Five of them have as subject of analysis the determinants of migration and the other three have the subject of analysis the perpetuation of migration. Some of the main theories analyzed here are the neoclassical theory of migration, the human capital theory of migration, the new economics theory of migration, world system theory, network theory, migration systems theory.

Originality: The article demonstrates the fact that neither of these economic theories/models explain adequately the actual determinants of migration and it proposes a new model focused more on the transdisciplinary effects of human movements.

Keywords: migration, crisis, development, asylum seekers, labor market policies
JEL: J015, J61, J15

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.755


Vol. 3, No. 2, 89 – 97, June 2019

Sustainable development of organic farming in Bulgaria – state and opportunities

Authors: Roumen OTOUZBIROV, Todorka ATANASOVA, Iskra NENCHEVA
Trakia University, Bulgaria

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Aim: In recent years, Bulgarian organic agriculture is one of the sectors that is developing rapidly despite of the overall stagnation in Bulgarian agriculture and is continuously growing in farming areas as well as in number of farmers. This development is related to the suitable conditions for its adoption in our country – ecologically preserved areas; awareness and willingness of consumers to eat healthy; the realization of the benefits to the environment and rural areas; institutional support for organic farming and the good perception of organic products on international markets. The aim is to examine the condition and opportunities for development of sustainable organic farming in Bulgaria.

Design/Research methods: The methods used to complete the tasks are systematic and comparative analysis, an estimated constructive method; method of statistical groupings, inductive and deductive methods of forming generalizations.

Conclusions/findings: Organic farming combines the best environmental practices, biodiversity heightening, nature conservation and high production standards. At the same time, it provides public goods in terms of rural development and responds to specific consumer demand for clean and healthy products.

Originality/value of the article: Organic production is an international, European and national priority. Organic farming plays an important part in the Common agricultural policy of EU for the 2014-2020 period, as well as for Bulgarian agricultural policy as a tool in regards to the sustainable management of natural resources, the preservation of food quality and safety and the humane farming means.

Keywords: agriculture, organic farming, agricultural policy
JEL: Q13, Q18, Q57

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.747


Vol. 3, No. 2, 99 – 108, June 2019

Improving students’ performance by means of motivation: the role of ICTs

Authors: Javier NOVO-HERNANZ
Universidade da Coruña – Spain
Xose PICATOSTE
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – Spain

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Aim: The main objective of this paper is to analyze the effects of educational innovation on student implication on the study as a way for getting a job in the future, as well as the role of motivation at the secondary school to help for achieving this goal.

Design / Research methods: By means of the elaboration of a questionnaire, the opinion of the students in relation to educative innovation, and, later by means of descriptive statistical analysis and a regression analysis, to search the relation between the concerns for getting a job and the motivational education among the students in secondary educative level is undertaken.

Conclusions / findings: The results point towards a positive assessment by the students, who consider that educational innovation, stimulates their interest; boost the participation and collaboration between peers and with the teaching staff, at the same time there is a statistical significant relation between the students’ concern about their future working life and the motivations at school. The motivation is strongly relate to incorporation of ICTs at classroom, particularly computers and tablets.

Originality / value of the article: The main value of this research is on stablishing a link between three key features: the concerns of youth about their future labor life, the motivation at school and the role of ICTs on this motivation.

Limitations: The main limitations of this research are related to the sample, nevertheless the preliminary generalization of this results can be acceptable, according the literature.

Keywords: educative innovation, students, motivation

JEL: I21, I28, O38

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.754


Vol. 3, No. 2, 109 – 138, June 2019

Saving lives with fewer discussions – coordination between military and non-military organisations during disaster relief operations

Authors: Johan STEVENS, Janjaap SEMEIJN, Cees J. GELDERMAN
Open University of The Netherlands, The Netherlands

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Purpose: This study focusses on the coordination required between military and non-military organisations during humanitarian disasters.

Design / Research methods: An in-depth case study was conducted of the disaster relief operation after hurricane Matthew on Haiti in October 2016. We investigated the support of the Dutch military organization and its coordination with the non-military relief organizations. We examined coordination issues at operational, tactical, and strategic levels.

Findings: The study shows that no coordination problems occurred at operational level. At the tactical level, cultural differences between military and non-military organizations resulted in coordination problems and deviant perspectives on urgency. At the strategic level, there was a disagreement between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Ministry of Defence regarding the Oslo Guidelines. A minority agreed that the guidelines actually apply to military organizations during disaster relief operations.

Practical implications: The coordination between the military organization and the non-military relief organization during disaster relief operations can be improved by promoting common and mutual respect and defining a clear tasks and role fulfilments. A first step to improve the coordination is to get familiarity and clarity on the Oslo Guidelines. Another step for improvement is for the military organization to accept that it has no leading but an assistance role during disaster relief operations.

Research limitations/implications: A single case study limits the external validity of the results, although useful insights were gained. Future research could address the role of the Oslo Guidelines during disaster relief operations. Are these guidelines still valid, should they be updated, and are the sufficiently known by all relief organizations, including the military?

Originality/value of the article: The world is faced with an increasing occurrence of disasters affecting human lives. More lives could be saved when military and non-military organizations would work together more effectively. This is one of the first studies to explore the terms of engagement at the start of relief operations.

Keywords: humanitarian disasters, disaster relief operations, military and non-military coordination, humanitarian logistics

JEL: M4

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29015/cerem.738