The european passive plant (EPP) design: compliance with the european utilities requirements (EUR)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Noviello, L.; Oyarzabal, M.

1996-01-01

Back 1986, most of the European firms have participated to the American program called the Advanced Light Water Reactors (ALWR) including the development of the Utilities Requirements as well as four projects as for instance AP600. Later, in the year 1990, seven European firms have begun to develop the European Utilities Requirements. This development is justified by the fact that the lessons learned by the nuclear power plants designs programs of the years 1980 can be incorporated and the European specific conditions can be taken into consideration. Thus, in 1994, eight European firms - Westinghouse and their industrial partners - have decided to launch a multiphase program in order to check the AP600 compliance with the European Utilities Requirements (EUR) and to develop the required alterations. Today, the phase I of the EPP (European Passive Plant) program has been completed. In this phase, the main important objectives have been reached. (O.M.)

Capacity Utilization in European Railways

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Khadem Sameni, Melody; Landex, Alex

2013-01-01

and unprecedented approach for this aim. Relative operational efficiency of 24 European railways in capacity utilization is studied for the first time by data envelopment analysis (DEA). It deviates from previous applications of DEA in the railway industry that are conducted to analyze cost efficiency of railways....... Six DEA models quantify various aspects of micro, macro and quality of railway capacity utilization in these countries. New inputs like gross domestic product, population and area of the country help to provide a better picture of the status of railways. Passenger satisfaction data about different...... aspects of railway services in European countries has recently been quantified by European commission and are used for the first time in the literature. Invaluable insights can be inferred from the results which can provide a ground basis for railway practitioners and policy makers....

European Union Funds as a Source of Financing the Companies Investments

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Katarzyna Kornet

2008-12-01

Full Text Available Entrepreneurs are main beneficiaries of the funds from European Union. The process of financial support from EU for entrepreneurs conducting business activities in Poland is an important issue, which should be taken up by entrepreneurs, government and other offices and institutions, which participate in the process of absorption of the financial support. Introduction of the possibilities of financing and realization of the investment originating from various EU programs in new the 2007–2013 programming perspective, understanding of the stages of preparation of the project and application form, knowled - ge about financing principles of the investments from granted support are essential. Co-financing of project realized from EU financial resources is connected with a lot of advantages. First of all, the donations present an additional source of financial sup - port for enterprises which allow to accomplish the investment bear considerably with lo - wer costs than by using other sources (for example credit. Secondly, the donation allows accomplishing the investment faster, to create new additional job positions and utilize modern technology, which company couldn’t afford to by using its own funds. Moreover, the resources from various European Funds have a favorable effect (impact on enterprise develop ment and on improvement its competitiveness in the market. The company and all technologies, which could be implemented, can become more innovative. If the firm has an access to such sources of financing, it would have an opportunity for considera - bly faster development in comparison with other forms of financing its activity. Thirdly, the range of support for enterprises is very wide. Company can request for funding of project from various areas, from purchasing fixed as sets and buying land or from purcha - sing intangible as sets to take advantage of an advisory service.

Why do European companies have Innovation Hubs in Silicon Valley

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Berger, Andreas; Brem, Alexander

2017-01-01

Innovation hubs are gaining high attention in recent years, especially from European companies. Silicon Valley has been deemed as one of the most attractive and successful environments for establishing innovation hubs. This article highlights examples of companies from Europe that made the step...... to California—namely, Volkswagen, Swisscom, BMW, Axel Springer, Munich Re, and Innogy SE (RWE Group). Based on these companies’ experiences, recommendations are given on how companies might approach a setup in Silicon Valley for long-term success....

European utilities requirements for future reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roch, M.

1996-01-01

The prospect for future nuclear power plants has led the utilities of seven European countries to launch an effort to define the requirements that should be common to all utilities for the next reactors to be built in Europe. These requirements will ultimately be part of a four-volume document and will cover all aspects of a plant: performance, grid connection, codes and standards, materials, quality assurance, cost, and, of course, safety. The seven European countries - France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium - issued revision A of Vols 1 and 2 in Nov. 1994, which deal with all the general requirements, not specific to any design, originally issued in March 1994. Comments were requested from most of the nuclear utilities as well as from reactor vendors worldwide. This gave rise to an enormous number of comments, which were duly considered by the European Union. The relevant ones were incorporated into revision B of Vols. 1 and 2, which was issued in Nov 1995, the objective of this revision B being essentially to gain approval from the safety authorities. A particular aspect of the European approach resides in the fact that these European requirements will have to be discussed and agreed on by at least nine safety authorities, i.e., the authorities of the seven counties that launched revision B, plus the authorities of two newcomers, Finland and Sweden, which have just applied for European Union membership

Project of law modified by the Senate relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the electric and gas companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2004-07-01

This project of law aims to adapt the electricity and gas sector to the new economical context of opening of the energy markets to competition. It gives to energy companies the internal organization base necessary to warrant a high level of service and a transparent and non-discriminatory access of third parties to transport and distribution networks. These evolutions will allow Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) companies to compete on equal terms with their European competitors. It confirms first the prime role of public utility of both companies and then transposes the dispositions of the European directives relative to the organization of EdF and GdF integrated companies. It foresees the creation of two daughter companies for the management of energy transport activities. The project of law foresees also the change of the status of EdF and GdF companies and the reform of the retirement pensions of the personnel. This report presents the modifications added by the Senate to the text of law adopted at first reading by the House of Commons. (J.S.)

Variation in Approaches to European Works Councils in Multinational Companies

OpenAIRE

Paul Marginson; Jonathan Lavelle; Javier Quintanilla; Duncan Adam; Roc'o S?nchez-Mangas

2013-01-01

Drawing on a unique international data set of multinational companies' employment practices, the authors use logistic regression analysis to address variation in the existence of and management practice toward transnational social dialogue through European Works Councils (EWCs). Adopting a contingency perspective, they find that the degree of internationalization of companies' operations and management organization, international HR structure, and the presence of workforce organization exerci...

European Trading Companies and Economic Development in the ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

The paper focuses on the gradual planting of European colonial presence in the interior of the Basin through the agency of their trading companies and the activities of the African middlemen. With time, the result was the establishment of pioneer oil mills and a gradual but peaceful interaction with the rural dwellers of the ...

ARGE DFC - A European approach to MCFC commercialization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kraus, P.; Huppmann, G. [MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, Muenchen (Germany); Heiming, A. [Ruhgras AG, Dorsten (Germany)] [and others

1996-12-31

The largest European program for the commercialization of the molten carbonate fuel cell technology is carried out by the European Direct Fuel Cell Consortium (ARGE DFC). The consortium consists of the following companies: (1) MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH (Germany), within the DaimlerBenz Group responsible for off-road propulsion and decentralized energy systems. (2) Haldor Topsoe A/S (Denmark), a plant engineering company and specialist for catalytic processes (3) Elkraft A.m.b.A. (Denmark), one of the countries two utility companies (4) Ruhrgas AG (Germany), the largest German gas company (5) RWE AG (Germany), the largest German electrical utility company MTU acts as a consortium leader. The company shares a license and technology exchange agreement with Energy Research Corporation of Danbury, Connecticut.

77 FR 10501 - Northeast Utilities Service Company; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order

Science.gov (United States)

2012-02-22

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL12-25-000] Northeast Utilities Service Company; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order Take notice that on February 8, 2012, Northeast Utilities Service Company (NUSCO), on behalf of the Connecticut Light and Power Company, Public...

Uranium purchasing and stockpiling policies of European utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Messer, K.P.

1984-01-01

When preparing my little presentation I was wondering whether a title like 'Policies of European utilities to minimise the inflow of uranium not needed and to reduce excessive stockpiles' would not be more appropriate. But I hop that I shall be able to convince you that we European utilities are not that short-sighted and that we do have a more far-sighted policy regarding uranium supplies

The development strategies of the european electric power companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heddebaud, D.

2005-01-01

This study takes stock on the european market of the electric power and of its development perspectives. It details the strategy and the place of the main operators and shows their forces and weaknesses. It provides a comparison of the financial performances of 28 companies (growth, margins, profitability, debt and war chest). (A.L.B.)

Accession to the European Union: Advantage or Disadvantage for Czech Companies?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dušan Litva

2016-12-01

Full Text Available In this paper has been studied effects of accession to the EU on Czech companies which were selected and grouped according to 5 parameters: region, legal form, operation area, business sector and size of the company defined by number of employees. Questionnaire containing 14 questions have replied in total 146 respondents. It is possible to conclude that accession to the EU brought more advantages to big global joint- stock companies than to small regional companies which were mostly negative and claimed worsening of business results due to European integration. Most of the 146 respondents asked via questionnaire containing 14 questions did not agree with acceptance of Euro, while those who agreed had been estimated 2020 as ideal year to access Eurozone. Companies in quaternary sector were mostly positive on the opposite to the companies in tertiary sector which were negative. Companies in Prague and Central Bohemia were much more positive towards EU benefits than in rest of the Czech Republic regions.

How companies utilize mascots in their digital marketing

OpenAIRE

Terning, Maja

2013-01-01

The commissioner for this thesis was Spinfy, a children’s mobile applications developer. From August 2012 to December 2012, the author conducted her internship at Spinfy and during this time initiated a marketing stunt/project utilizing the company mascot as an online marketing tool. The main goal of this thesis was to provide the commissioner with a comprehensive digital mar-keting communications plan for their mascot, Spinky. A company mascot can take on various marketing roles, depending o...

18 CFR 366.7 - Procedures for obtaining exempt wholesale generator and foreign utility company status.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... definition of exempt wholesale generator or foreign utility company (including stating the location of its... obtaining exempt wholesale generator and foreign utility company status. 366.7 Section 366.7 Conservation of... THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 2005, FEDERAL POWER ACT AND NATURAL GAS ACT BOOKS AND...

Communications architecture for an electric company, European utility communications architecture, EURUCA

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uuspaeae, P [VTT Energy, Espoo (Finland)

1998-08-01

The scope of this research is integration and interoperability of various information systems and data communications for electric utilities. Utility Communication Architecture refers to an overall view of the communications needs and communication systems in an electric utility. The objective is to define and specify suitable and compatible communications procedures within the Utility and also to outside parties

European Health Claims for Small and Medium-Sized Companies – Utopian Dream or Future Reality?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sonja Brandenburger

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Background: In December 2007, the European Regulation (EC 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims came into force. The European Union wanted to regulate the use of health claims on products. An online survey was carried out to evaluate the situation, particularly of small and medium-sized companies, dealing with the new regulation. Methods: The online survey on health claims was conducted with 16 enterprises. To underline the findings a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats analysis was made of the nutrition and health claims regulation regarding small and medium-sized companies in the European food and drink market. Results: The findings of this study indicated that the European Union did a step in the right direction. Most companies defined the decent competition, the simplified trade within the inner-European market, and the consumer protection as positive aspects. The biggest threat is seen in false investment conditioned by the limited research and development budgets, especially of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the cost intensive scientific evaluation to reach an authorized health claim. Conclusions: Overall, there are several strengths and opportunities speaking for SMEs and health claims in the near future. The most promising ones are the publishing of the new European Union Register of Nutrition and Health Claims and the learning effects that will occur. The biggest threat is, and will remain to be, false investment and the possible loss of a lot of money. Nevertheless, health claims for small and medium-sized enterprises will inevitably be the future to keep the European food and drink market competitive.

Uranium purchasing and stockpiling policies of European utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Messer, K.P.

1984-01-01

Most European utilities almost entirely depend on uranium imports. Around 1970 there was a worldwide oversupply of uranium, and utilities concluded short and medium term supply contracts for initial power plant programs. A few years later the situation had changed, with uranium becoming scarce and expensive. Many European utilities decided to participate, directly or indirectly, in the exploration and development of uranium resources. In 1984 most utilities believed that long term contracts from each of the big producer regions should supply 20-25% of their demand. Some remaining demand was reserved for the spot market and reprocessed fuel. This buying policy has t be supplemented by uranium stockpiles corresponding to the demand for the coming two years. However, with the declining worldwide economy power demand has not grown as predicted, and supply contracts have obliged utilities to take delivery of more uranium than needed. Stockpiles have grown larger than planned. (L.L.) (7 figs.)

The way ahead through European collaboration

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaughan, R.D.

1987-01-01

The paper on the ''Way ahead through European Collaboration'' was presented to the seminar on ''European commercial fast reactor programme'', London, 1987. A description is given of the world energy consumption, world nuclear energy consumption, and uranium resources. It is suggested that the fast reactor is likely to be developed first in Western Europe, and more particularly in the European Economic Community. Collaboration in Europe has taken a positive step forward with the decision of the European Fast Reactor Utilities Group to open a dialogue with the design and construction companies, working together. The companies are invited to prepare jointly a new design for a demonstration fast reactor to be ordered in the early 1990's. (U.K.)

Towards a benchmarking paradigm in European water utilities

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Marques, R.C.; de Witte, K.

2010-01-01

This article explains the benefits of using benchmarking tools in the public sector to drive up performance. The authors examine the case of European water utilities, focusing on four countries: Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK. They argue for the creation of a European ‘observatory’ to

The main challenges for manufacturing companies in implementing and utilizing configurators

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kristjansdottir, Katrin; Shafiee, Sara; Hvam, Lars

2018-01-01

Companies providing customized products increasingly apply configurators in supporting sales and design activities, thus improving lead-times, quality, cost, benefits perceived by customers, and customer satisfaction. While configurator advantages have been substantially investigated....... Finally, it is investigated whether the importance of the main categories of challenges varies according to a number of potential context variables. The results of the survey, which studies manufacturing companies that use configurators in providing customized products, offer new insights......, the challenges of implementing and utilizing configurators have less often been considered. By reviewing relevant literature, the present study first categorizes the main challenges faced by manufacturing companies when implementing and utilizing configurators. Six main categories of challenges are identified...

Multi utility - a successful conception for energy supply companies?; Multi-Utility - Erfolgskonzept fuer Energieversorger? Zusammenwachsen der Maerkte

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schmidt, C. [LBD-Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Berlin (Germany)

2003-06-02

Multi-utility is seen as the most promising marketing strategy for energy companies. In the future, experts say, only the combined supply of electricity, natural gas, water, waste management and services will allow companies to grow. But are today's multi-utility-products answering the needs of the customers? The author goes further into this question and finds the answer: Multi-utility needs to be further developed. Only products from growth and competition markets can generate additional margins. (orig.) [German] Multi-Utility gilt als die Marketingstrategie fuer Energieversorger. Nur wer zukuenftig Strom, Gas, Wasser, Entsorgung und Service aus einer Hand anbietet, heisst es in der Branche, kann im Markt wachsen. Doch inwieweit entspricht das heutige Multi-Utility-Angebot wirklich dem Kundenbeduerfnis? Die Verfasserin geht dieser Frage nach und kommt zu dem Schluss: Die Multi-Utility-Palette muss weiterentwickelt werden. Nur mit Produkten aus Wachstums- und Wettbewerbsmaerkten kann zusaetzliche Marge generiert werden. (orig.)

Profit maximization algorithms for utility companies in an oligopolistic energy market with dynamic prices and intelligent users

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tiansong Cui

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Dynamic energy pricing provides a promising solution for the utility companies to incentivize energy users to perform demand side management in order to minimize their electric bills. Moreover, the emerging decentralized smart grid, which is a likely infrastructure scenario for future electrical power networks, allows energy consumers to select their energy provider from among multiple utility companies in any billing period. This paper thus starts by considering an oligopolistic energy market with multiple non-cooperative (competitive utility companies, and addresses the problem of determining dynamic energy prices for every utility company in this market based on a modified Bertrand Competition Model of user behaviors. Two methods of dynamic energy pricing are proposed for a utility company to maximize its total profit. The first method finds the greatest lower bound on the total profit that can be achieved by the utility company, whereas the second method finds the best response of a utility company to dynamic pricing policies that the other companies have adopted in previous billing periods. To exploit the advantages of each method while compensating their shortcomings, an adaptive dynamic pricing policy is proposed based on a machine learning technique, which finds a good balance between invocations of the two aforesaid methods. Experimental results show that the adaptive policy results in consistently high profit for the utility company no matter what policies are employed by the other companies.

17 CFR 250.27 - Classification of accounts prescribed for utility companies not already subject thereto.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... any company whose public utility activities are so limited that the application to it of such system of accounts is clearly inappropriate. A company claiming that its activities are thus limited, shall... thereof, which is a public utility company and which is not required by either the Federal Energy...

The EU's major electricity and gas utilities since market liberalization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schuelke, Christian

2011-06-01

A major change has taken place in the company structure of the European electricity and gas markets. Twenty years ago, national or regional monopolies dominated the markets and there was strictly no competition between utilities. But since the liberalization of EU energy markets began in the 1990's, companies like E.ON, GDF Suez, EDF, Enel, and RWE have become European giants with activities in a large number of Member States. The advocates of market liberalization did not expect, or even intend, the emergence of a small number of large utilities that control an increasing part of the EU market. Some observers already claim that liberalization has led to an oligopoly with detrimental consequences for competition. Based on extensive background research, this book presents a fact-based analysis of the changes in the European utility sector since the 1990's. Case studies of the seven largest utilities illustrate how companies adapted their strategies to the changing market environment. The author underlines diverging choices and common trends like geographic expansion into new markets via mergers and acquisitions or diversification of business activities with the aim of using synergies between electricity and gas. Contents: Executive Summary. Introduction. Seven Case Studies of Changing Strategies of Major European Energy Utilities since Market Liberalization (E.ON, GDF Suez, EDF, Enel, RWE, Iberdrola, Vattenfall, Other European Utilities). Overview of Major National and Regional Electricity and Gas Market in the EU (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Nordic, Belgium and the Netherlands, Central and Eastern Europe). Conclusions. Annex. Bibliography

Intellectual Capital and Profitability: A Firm Value Approach in the European Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maria Manuela Martins

2016-09-01

Full Text Available Intangibles are, at a knowledge-based economy, the most important resources, driving companies towards systematic and sometimes unexpected returns. This paper follows a positivist approach and aims to investigate the association between the degree of intangibility, value of firms and their profitability. Based on the 500 largest European companies, rated by Financial Times, the most relevant insights emerge from the association between firms’ knowledge intensity level and its degree of profitability. These insights consolidate the evidences that immaterial resources act as drivers of future benefits and are embodied on firms’ profitability ratios.

17 CFR 210.3A-05 - Special requirements as to public utility holding companies.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements § 210.3A-05 Special requirements as to public utility holding companies. There shall be shown in the consolidated balance sheet of a public utility holding company the... SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FORM AND CONTENT OF AND REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SECURITIES...

The EU's Major Electricity and Gas Utilities since Market Liberalization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schulke, Ch.

2010-01-01

A major change has taken place in the company structure of the European electricity and gas markets. Twenty years ago, national or regional monopolies dominated the markets and there was strictly no competition between utilities. But since the liberalization of EU energy markets began in the 1990's, companies like E.ON, GDF Suez, EDF, Enel, and RWE have become European giants with activities in a large number of Member States. The advocates of market liberalization did not expect, or even intend, the emergence of a small number of large utilities that control an increasing part of the EU market. Some observers already claim that liberalization has led to an oligopoly with detrimental consequences for competition. Based on extensive background research, this book presents a fact-based analysis of the changes in the European utility sector since the 1990's. Case studies of the seven largest utilities illustrate how companies adapted their strategies to the changing market environment. The author underlines diverging choices and common trends like geographic expansion into new markets via mergers and acquisitions or diversification of business activities with the aim of using synergies between electricity and gas. (author)

The strategy of European energy utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blakey, S.; Kramer, M.; Sauquet, P.; Sire, D.; Venet, D.; Lenoir, J.

2007-01-01

After a relatively quiet period, the concentration movement in the energy sector is growing up again. What will be the limit of this dynamics? What will be tomorrow's European energy actors? Will it be a mix of big groups, medium-size and small companies with a specialized activity like today, or only big groups with multi-energy supply and production activities which will directly supply the end-users? What is the provisions foreseen by such groups to ensure the security of supplies? What are the synergies in terms of size and/or multi-energy offers? Five participants and a journalist have debated these questions at this round table. (J.S.)

Are EMS environmentally effective? The link between environmental management systems and environmental performance in European companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Hertin, J.; Berkhout, F.G.H.; Wagner, M.; Tyteca, D.

2008-01-01

Based on the analysis of a large dataset on the environmental performance of European companies in five industrial sectors, this paper examines the question of whether the presence of an environmental management system (EMS) has a positive impact on the eco-efficiency of companies. It begins with a

Climate change and energy - 2004. European carbon factor. Comparison of CO2 emissions of the main European electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2004-01-01

This joint PWC/Enerpresse brochure publishes the 2003 results of a study about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the 23 main European electric power producers. The study shows an increase by 5% of the cumulated emissions of power companies with respect to 2002. These 23 companies represent 55% of the emissions of the power/heat sector in Europe (25 countries). The first 10 companies are responsible of 43% of the GHG emissions of this sector in Europe. Among those, 2 show stable emissions while 3 have reduced their emissions. (J.S.)

Climate change and electricity - 2008. European carbon factor. Comparison of CO2 emissions of the main European electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2008-01-01

This joint PWC/Enerpresse brochure publishes the 2007 results of a study about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the 22 main European electric power producers. The study shows an increase by 3% of the cumulated emissions of power companies with respect to 2006. These 22 companies represent 59% of the emissions of the power/heat sector in Europe (27 countries). The first 10 companies are responsible of 50% of the GHG emissions of this sector in Europe. Among those, 7 show stable emissions while the others have increased their emissions. (J.S.)

Climate change and electricity - 2006. European carbon factor. Comparison of CO2 emissions of the main European electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2006-01-01

This joint PWC/Enerpresse brochure publishes the 2005 results of a study about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the 23 main European electric power producers. The study shows an increase by 1.7% of the cumulated emissions of power companies with respect to 2001. These 23 companies represent 55% of the emissions of the power/heat sector in Europe (25 countries). The first 10 companies are responsible of 45% of the GHG emissions of this sector in Europe. Among those, 7 show stable emissions while 3 have reduced their emissions. (J.S.)

Climate change and electricity - 2003. European carbon factor. Comparison of CO2 emissions of the main European electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2003-01-01

This joint PWC/Enerpresse brochure publishes the 2002 results of a study about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the 21 main European electric power producers. The study shows an increase by 0.8% of the cumulated emissions of power companies with respect to 2001. These 21 companies represent 75% of the emissions of the power/heat sector in Europe (25 countries). The first 10 companies are responsible of 60% of the GHG emissions of this sector in Europe. Among those, 7 have increased their emissions while 3 have reduced them. (J.S.)

Setting Up a Limited Liability Company with Sole Shareholder in the European Union Countries

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Simona Petrina GAVRILA

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Given the importance of legal rules as closely as possible to the legal systems of the European Union Member States in respect of the companies, several directives have been adopted, of which twelve present the essence of the operational mechanisms harmonization . The consecration of single-member company in positive law is determined by multiple motivations, and the relevance of its objectives is complex, for the reason of the diverse role it plays in the economic and social life, from which the existence of different single-member business derives:limited liability company, joint stock company, simplified joint stock company, dedicated assets, subjected to a personal legal system, difficult to compare, each of them to be therefore studied in the legal, economic, social and tax context of each country.

Independents in European Gas Markets after liberalisation - downstream integration of upstream oil and gas companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eikeland, Per Ove

2005-01-01

A central objective of gas market liberalisation in Europe in the 1990s was to increase competition by opening end-use markets for independent suppliers. Upstream oil and gas companies in Europe reacted to this opportunity by announcing strategies to integrate forward in European gas markets. By late 2004, however, upstream companies still recorded generally weak downstream strategy implementation in Europe. The article concludes that this general implementation gap should be explained by political failure in EU member states to abolish gas market barriers to entry for independents. Variation between companies in degree of implementation should be explained by variation in conditions in the companies' home markets / wider business spheres and internal company factors. (Author)

Transformation strategies for multi-utility companies; Transformationsstrategien fuer Multi Utility-Unternehmen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Apking, W.; Bosse, F.; Kroepelin, C.; Schaudinn, D.; Uhlmann, K. [PriceWaterhouseCoopers Unternehmensberatung GmbH, Hamburg (Germany)

2000-05-01

Energy supply companies (resellers) and electric utilities as traders in the liberalized markets increasingly focus their activities on their core businesses and offer their capabilites also in other branches of industry, thus achieving synergistic effects. The evolution of e-commerce in the energy supply sector in Germany is described in this article, and recommendations are given to companies as to suitable change management strategies for successful marketing and procurement via the world wide web, using IP technologies as a basis for transactions. (CB) [German] Energieversorgungsunternehmen (EVU) besinnen sich auf ihre Kernkompetenzen, bieten diese auch in anderen Branchen an und erzielen damit Synergieeffekte. Ein weiterer Aspekt ist die zunehmende Vernetzung der europaeischen Stromnetze. Die Konvergenz der Maerkte wird ferner durch den Einsatz von IP(Internet-Protokoll)-Technologien vorangetrieben, da das Internet eine Informations- und Transaktionsplattform fuer saemtliche Marktteilnehmer schafft. Welche diesbezueglichen Transformationsstrategien von den EVU bereits heute zu ergreifen sind, wird anschaulich aus einem hierzu entwickelten Modell abgeleitet. (orig./CB)

Study on analysis of potential competition and discrimination issues relating to a pilot project for an EU tax consolidation scheme for the European Company statute (Societas Europaea)

OpenAIRE

Deloitte

2004-01-01

Would a specific tax regime that i) grants to companies formed under the European Company Statute the possibility to or ii) requires companies formed under the European Company Statute to establish the consolidated tax base for their EU wide activities according to one set of rules(either European or that of their ?home state?) and does not provide this possibility for companies which are run under a different legal form discriminate against these latter companies and/or provide state aid to ...

The impact of production capacity utilization on metallurgical companies financing

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

J. Kutáč

2013-01-01

Full Text Available The most important and the most problematic in-house sources of financing of metallurgical companies are profit and depreciations. In the event that the aggregate value of the economic result and depreciations goes over to negative values, then this kind of in-house financing ceases to increase Cash Flow of the company but, on the contrary, it will cause its reduction. It means that this type of financing is to some extent uncertain, particularly in times of crisis, when there are noticeable fluctuations in sales volumes, leading to a significant influence of the volume of production on the amount of profit. The article discusses the impact of production capacity utilization on metallurgical companies financing.

Intercultural aspects and success factors of European companies entering the Indian market

OpenAIRE

Pilný, Ondřej

2015-01-01

This bachelor thesis focuses on the Intercultural aspects and success factors of European companies entering the Indian market. Its main objective is to evaluate Intercultural aspects and success factors. Partial aims are to evaluate attractive-ness of chosen emerging segments in Indian market. Analyse external business environment in India. Recommend market entry strategy, business communica-tion and Intercultural management.

Aircraft-crash-protected roof design for the European SBWR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Posta, B.A.; Kadar, I.; Rao, A.S.

1995-01-01

The European utility requirement document (EURD) places significant emphasis on aircraft crash protection of the reactor building - Alternative concepts were evaluated for protecting the dry-well head and the fuel pool from the effect of the spalling concrete for the General Electric Company's European simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR) designs

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935: 1935--1992

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1993-01-15

This report provides an economic and legislative history and analysis of the Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA) of 1935. This Act was substantially amended for the first time in 1992 by passage of the Energy Policy Act (EPACT). The report also includes a discussion of the issues which led to the amendment of PUHCA and projections of the impact of these changes on the electric industry. The report should be of use to Federal and State regulators, trade associations, electric utilities, independent power producers, as well as decision-makers in Congress and the Administration.

The EU's Major Electricity and Gas Utilities since Market Liberalization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schulke, Ch.

2010-07-01

A major change has taken place in the company structure of the European electricity and gas markets. Twenty years ago, national or regional monopolies dominated the markets and there was strictly no competition between utilities. But since the liberalization of EU energy markets began in the 1990's, companies like E.ON, GDF Suez, EDF, Enel, and RWE have become European giants with activities in a large number of Member States. The advocates of market liberalization did not expect, or even intend, the emergence of a small number of large utilities that control an increasing part of the EU market. Some observers already claim that liberalization has led to an oligopoly with detrimental consequences for competition. Based on extensive background research, this book presents a fact-based analysis of the changes in the European utility sector since the 1990's. Case studies of the seven largest utilities illustrate how companies adapted their strategies to the changing market environment. The author underlines diverging choices and common trends like geographic expansion into new markets via mergers and acquisitions or diversification of business activities with the aim of using synergies between electricity and gas. (author)

How the largest electric and gas utility companies administer public relations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bogart, J.D.

1979-04-12

This article describes the findings of a survey conducted by the author in the second half of 1978 to determine the sizes of the public relations staffs of the nation's largest operating electric and gas utilities, their budgets, organizational differences, and specific functions. Common public relations issues and major public relations problems of the utilities are identified, as well as recent trends or changes in budgeting and organization. Some functional variations of public relations departments among utility companies were detected and described.

RISK AND FIRM VALUE IN EUROPEAN COMPANIES: A DYNAMIC PANEL DATA APPROACH

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Claudiu Botoc

2015-07-01

Full Text Available Recent uncertainties in financial markets and several company bankruptcies reinforce the relationship between risk and return as a cornerstone in corporate finance. Enterprise risk management theories offer unambiguous predictions about the relation between firm value and risk. The main aim of the paper is to provide new empirical evidence on the risk as a driver for company value creation process for European developed countries over the period 2001-2011. Using dynamic panel data model with two-step GMM-SYS method and enterprise multiple as a new approach to measure for firm value the results suggest that firm value is negatively related with risk, which is consistent with Bowman’s risk and return paradox. The negative relation between firm value and risk is robust through alternative measures, but it does not hold for companies from civil law countries. Additional control variables included in the model are significant and suggest that both growth and capital structure are negatively related with firm value.

Design description of the European pressurized water reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leverenz, R.

1999-01-01

The EPR (the European Pressurized Water Reactor) is an evolutionary PWR developed by Nuclear Power International and its parent companies, Framatome and Siemens, in co-operation with Electricite de France and German Utilities. NPI can rely on the huge experience gained by its parent companies; they have constructed more than 100 nuclear power plants throughout the world. The total installed capacity exceeds 100,000 MW - about 25% of the total world-wide figure. Following the conceptual design phase of the so-called Common Product conducted by NPI, Framatome and Siemens, from 1989 through 1991, Electricite de France (EDF) and several major German utilities decided to merge their own development programmes, - the N4 Plus and REP 2000 projects on the French side and the further development of the KONVOI technology on the German side, - with the NPI project. From that time on, the NPI project became one single common development line for both countries. In parallel, EDF and the German utilities decided to establish, together with other European utilities, specifications that would represent common utility views on the design and performance of future nuclear power plants. These are documented in the European Utility Requirements (EURs). The basic design has been completed in 1997, and in 1998 a design optimization is being carried out with the goal to even increase the economic competitiveness of nuclear power. This paper provides a brief design description of the EPR. (author)

Disclosure of weather risks of European Utilities : Assessment of the current situation of listed utilities domiciled in Germany, France, Austria, United Kingdom and Switzerland

OpenAIRE

Leibfried, Peter; Schuchter, Alexander

2010-01-01

With regards to the scientific fact about climate change, weather risk is of increased importance to companies in weather dependent industries. Increasing volatility in temperatures and precipitation as well as unseasonal weather result in increased financial risk to weather dependent companies. This white paper assesses the current situation disclosure of weather dependency and weather risks of European exchange listed companies with the aim to promote transparency in risk reporting to ...

Climate Change - A New Risk Reality for Utility Companies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nelson, William R.; Cramer, Espen; Torstad, Elisabeth; Rosnes, Olafr

2010-09-15

Climate change introduces new and complex risk factors affecting the power sector. In DNV's experience, the companies that manage to control risk and take advantage of the opportunities in a changing business environment are more likely to succeed. This paper gives an overview of the main risks and opportunities of climate change facing the sector. Through a survey of the European and North American power sector, DNV has mapped the industry's views on the risk picture. The survey identifies what the industry players consider to be viable strategies for the sector in tackling the new risk reality of climate change.

National companies : performance, ventures, utility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Didier, F.

1994-01-01

The author shows how a performing National Company can efficiently contribute, in line with the producing State, to the negotiation with International Companies and the success of large oil ventures contemplated by reserves-short countries. Fully entrepreneurial, the National Company will usefully ''explore'' touchy matters, and bring closer national rationale and petroleum rationale. (Author)

GRS current activities in East-European countries overview

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Teske, H.; Janke, R.

2001-01-01

This report presents the following items: agreement between the Federal Government and Utility Companies about the future utilization of the existing nuclear power plants in Germany, June 2001; GRS current activities in the Eastern European countries; science-technical co-operation with Russia; assessment of safety significance of the events for German NPP; Leningrad in-depth safety assessment, co-operation SEC NRS and GRS

Modelling the role of transmission companies in the downstream European gas market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boots, M.A.; Rijkers, F.A.M.

2000-07-01

This paper describes the empirical model GASTALE and shows several analyses of the European gas market using this model. These analyses are mainly focused on the role of the downstream transmission companies. Producers of natural gas are assumed to form an oligopoly throughout the paper. Considering an oligopolistic transmission structure our model results show that the level of transmitters' profits strongly depends on the possibilities of discrimination on the border prices. If price discrimination by producers is allowed, these producers collect the main part of the margins on end-use prices. Without price discrimination the transmission companies collect most of the margins. Assuming an oligopolistic downstream structure, end-use prices converge to prices corresponding to perfect competition when the number of transmitters increases. Given the oligopolistic structure of the upstream industry, it is of importance to prevent (or abolish) monopolistic structures in the downstream gas market. In the case where oligopolistic competition between downstream gas companies cannot be prevented, vertical integration should be supported (or at least not be discouraged). 14 refs

Allocating service parts in two-echelon networks at a utility company

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van den Berg, D.; van der Heijden, Matthijs C.; Schuur, Peter

2014-01-01

We study a multi-item, two-echelon, continuous-review inventory problem at a Dutch utility company, Liander. We develop a model that optimizes the quantities of service parts and their allocation in the two-echelon network under an aggregate waiting time restriction. Specific aspects that we address

Accounting conservatism in Europe : Insights in the degree of balance sheet conservatism and earnings conservatism in financial statements of European companies during the period 1991-2005

NARCIS (Netherlands)

R. Brouwer (Remco)

2009-01-01

textabstractThis study investigates how the degree of accounting conservatism in the financial statements of European companies evolves over time during period 1996-2005. This study concludes that the financial statement information of European companies shows a certain degree of balance sheet

Managing Media Supply Chains in European Publishing Companies : Strategic issues, values and partnerships

OpenAIRE

Kabiraj, Sajal

2007-01-01

European publishing companies are quickly digitizing their businesses to achieve cost savings, and increased market reach and penetration. IT is increasingly affecting the ways in which the whole value chain operates. Interaction and collaboration costs have been slashed. Physical assets are no longer the cornerstone of competitive success and value propositions. This situation became more critical mainly due to continuous increase in consumer expectations, longer demand chain, conventional m...

The European Utility Requirements (EUR). Status and near term activities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berbey, Pierre; Hedin, Francois

2010-01-01

In 1991 5 major European Utilities participating in the US ALWR program decided to develop together a common specification that would contribute to keep the nuclear option open. The European Utility Requirements (EUR) are addressed to the designers and suppliers of LWR plants in order to allow the development of standards designs that can be build and licensed in several European countries with only minor variations. The EUR organization has kept enlarging; today 16 utilities are members of the EUR organization. Seven compliance analyses dedicated respectively to the BWR90, EPR, EPP, ABWR, SWR1000, AP1000 and to the AES92 projects have been already published. The revised version of the EPR subset of the EUR volume 3 was finalized in mid 2009. New LWR projects of potential interest for the EUR utilities are being contemplated. For instance a preliminary assessment of compliance of MHI's APWR project has been worked out in the first months of 2008. Recently EUR organization has decided to launch coordinated actions with other industry groups and other stakeholders. In particular EUR and ENISS organizations have decided to join their efforts in their relations with the IAEA and WENRA organizations with respect to the LWR Gen3 designs. In addition EUR and CORDEL (Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing), which is a WNA (World Nuclear Association) working group decided also to coordinate their efforts for the industry benefit, in relation with the MDEP (Multinational Design Evaluation Program) initiative of safety nuclear regulators. Contacts have been also initiated with ENEN and the WNU in order to develop new courses for young professionals. (orig.)

The Influence of Intellectual Capital on Corporate Performance: Evidence from European Companies over the Period 2004–2014

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molodchik, M.

2016-01-01

Full text: The paper overviews the findings of 5-year research project of International Laboratory of Intangible driven Economy (ID LAB). The main research question of project concerns the strategic decision making with regard to intangibles and consequences of these decisions; in other words, the impact of intangibles on corporate performance. The unique dataset collected by ID LAB includes financial and non-financial indicators of more than 1700 public European companies over the period 2004–2014. The methodology uses indicators for six types of intellectual resources: human resources, management capability, innovation capability, business processes capability, clients’ loyalty and networking capability. For hypotheses estimations different econometric tools such as structural equation modelling, panel data analysis and dummy variable regression are applied. The most important and insightful findings are as follows. Firstly, intellectual resources have simultaneous impact on company outperforming (measured by Economic Value Added) and investor expectations (measured by Market Value Added), meanwhile managers tend to accumulate intellectual resources that are positively recognized by investors. Secondly, two knowledge-intensive profiles of European companies were found. Thirdly, accumulation of intangibles during economic crisis have positive influence on future performance, as well as better endowment of intangibles allows acceleration effect when recovering after the crisis. Fourthly, SMEs gain more from intellectual resources than large companies do. (author

Spent fuel transportation - lessons drawn and ways forward: European utilities perspective

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Debes, M.; Schimmele, J.G.; Sannen, H.; Patak, H.

2001-01-01

Surface contamination that was found on surfaces of spent fuel shipping containers (flasks) in 1998 was treated differently by authorities in different European countries. In two countries, Germany and Switzerland, spent fuel shipments were stopped for an indefinite period by Government authorities. This paper, co-authored by representatives of utilities from four European countries, explains the rationale for surface contamination limits in transport regulations and attempts to place the observed contamination in proper perspective. (author)

Do acquisitions by electric utility companies create value? Evidence from deregulated markets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kishimoto, Jo; Goto, Mika; Inoue, Kotaro

2017-01-01

In the early 1990s, the United Kingdom (the UK) initiated widespread reforms in the electricity industry through a series of market liberalization policies. Several other countries have subsequently followed the lead and restructured their electricity industry. A major outcome of the deregulation effort is the spate of takeovers, both domestic and global, by electric utility companies. With the entry of new players and increasing competition, the business environment of the electricity industry has changed dramatically. This study analyzes the economic impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the electric utility industry after deregulation. We have examined acquisitions that took place between 1998 and 2013 in the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, and France. Although previous studies showed no evidence of a positive effect on acquiring firms through M&As, we find that acquisitions by electric utility companies increased the acquiring firms’ share value and improved their operating performance, primarily through efficiency gains after the deregulation. These results are consistent with the empirical evidence and implications presented by Andrade et al. (2001) that M&A created value for the shareholders of the acquiring and target combined firms. - Highlights: • This study examined mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in electric utility industry. • The sample covered M&A between 1998 and 2013 in North America and Europe. • We found M&A significantly increased acquiring firms’ share value and operating performance. • Deregulation policy realized gains for shareholders without incurring costs for consumers.

Natural gas opportunities, utilization and trades (in a European context)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Corke, M.J.

1996-01-01

The historical development of natural gas consumption in Europe has relied heavily on requirements for space heating energy in the residential/commercial sector and for process energy and feedstock in the industrial sector. This paper reviews historical gas utilization trends and considers how these are likely to develop in the future. In addition to the above somewhat negative factors, the bright outlook for gas utilization in both large scale and small scale power and cogeneration facilities is reviewed and the implications of power industry restructuring for natural gas utilization are discussed. Finally, the outlook for overall European natural gas demand and trade is briefly considered. (author)

Adapting United States training practices to European utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Walsh, T.E.

1983-01-01

The factors which must be considered in the process of adapting United States nuclear utility training programs to the needs of a European utility are discussed. Following a review of the present situation and drawing up of a new training program, the management commitments in terms of personnel and finance must be considered. Short term, medium and long term programs are outlined. The long term objectives should include the establishment of a total training centre. This facility should be capable of providing all the training necessary to operate a power plant safely. This would include specific simulator training, classroom training for operators, technician training, staff training, management training etc. In addition to a simulator, it should include an emergency response facility to train personnel. (U.K.)

Project of law modified by the Senate relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the electric and gas companies; Projet de loi modifie par le Senat relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2004-07-01

This project of law aims to adapt the electricity and gas sector to the new economical context of opening of the energy markets to competition. It gives to energy companies the internal organization base necessary to warrant a high level of service and a transparent and non-discriminatory access of third parties to transport and distribution networks. These evolutions will allow Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) companies to compete on equal terms with their European competitors. It confirms first the prime role of public utility of both companies and then transposes the dispositions of the European directives relative to the organization of EdF and GdF integrated companies. It foresees the creation of two daughter companies for the management of energy transport activities. The project of law foresees also the change of the status of EdF and GdF companies and the reform of the retirement pensions of the personnel. This report presents the modifications added by the Senate to the text of law adopted at first reading by the House of Commons. (J.S.)

Financial Structure Analysis of Publicly Held Lodging Companies: An International Comparison

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Erdinç KARADENİZ

2015-12-01

Full Text Available The aim of this study is to analyze financial structure and preference of lodging companies that issues traded in European and Turkish stock markets by using ratio analysis technique. In this context, statements of financial positions of 51 lodging companies from European stock markets and 12 lodging companies from Borsa Istanbul used and calculated 10 financial structure ratios for each company between 2011-2012-2013 years. In the results of ratio analysis, it is determined that Turkish lodging companies use mainly equity while European lodging companies prefer liabilities and debt to finance their activities. In respect to maturity of liabilities it is determined that European lodging companies prefer long term debt while Turkish lodging companies use short term liabilities. Finally, it is determined that European lodging companies use leasing but no Turkish lodging companies to choose leasing.

Westinghouse Electric Company experiences in chemistry on-line monitoring in Eastern European nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balavage, J.

2001-01-01

Westinghouse Electric Company has provided a number of Chemistry On-Line Monitoring (OLM) Systems to Nuclear Power Plants in Eastern Europe. Eleven systems were provided to the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant in the south of the Czech Republic. Four systems were provided to the Russian NPP at Novovoronezh. In addition, a system design was developed for primary side chemistry monitoring for units 5 and 6 of another eastern European VVER. The status of the Temelin OLM systems is discussed including updates to the Temelin designs, and the other Eastern European installations and designs are also described briefly. Some of the problems encountered and lessons learned from these projects are also discussed. (R.P.)

European works councils

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Knudsen, Herman Lyhne

2004-01-01

The theme addressed by this artcle is the opportunities for European Works Councils of gaining influence on corporate decisions in multinational companies.......The theme addressed by this artcle is the opportunities for European Works Councils of gaining influence on corporate decisions in multinational companies....

Successful diversification strategies of electricity companies: An explorative empirical study on the success of different diversification strategies of German electricity companies in the wake of the European market liberalization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mueller, Ralf; Steinert, Martin; Teufel, Stephanie

2008-01-01

Based on the EC directive 96/92, the liberalization of electricity markets is forcing electricity companies, to rethink their product and market strategy. However, neither the level of the initiated diversification efforts of former monopolies, nor their direction or their success are known or have been analyzed before. Therefore, Mueller [2006. Diversifikationsstrategien von Stromversorgungsunternehmen: Handlungsempfehlungen fuer schweizerische Stromversorgungsunternehmen auf der Basis einer empirischen Analyse des liberalisierten deutschen Strommarktes. IIMT University Press, Fribourg] has quantitatively determined the extent and direction of the diversification efforts in the electricity sector. Additionally, based on an exploratory case study research, successful diversification strategies have been identified and incorporated into 73 observations which form the basis of a set of normative recommendations for diversifying electricity companies. Since the analyses are based on the German electricity market, which fully liberalized earlier than most of its continental European counterparts, the results may especially guide other European electricity companies in their strategic diversification decisions. This paper publishes both the quantitative analysis on the degree and extents of diversification (sample time frame 1995-2000) as well as the qualitative analysis on the success of diversification strategies (sample time frame 1995-2003). Additionally, based on the obtained explorative observations, the diversification strategy of an idealized-electricity company is firstly presented for practitioners as normative recommendation, and secondly for academics, as starting point for future quantitative analysis framework. (author)

Accounting conservatism in Europe: Insights in the degree of balance sheet conservatism and earnings conservatism in financial statements of European companies during the period 1991-2005

OpenAIRE

Brouwer, Remco

2009-01-01

textabstractThis study investigates how the degree of accounting conservatism in the financial statements of European companies evolves over time during period 1996-2005. This study concludes that the financial statement information of European companies shows a certain degree of balance sheet conservatism and earnings conservatism during period 1991-2005; this degree of balance sheet conservatism and earnings conservatism evolves over time. The research findings do not indicate that the intr...

The liberalization of the European energy market from the perspective of the Austrian regional power company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sander, H.

1999-01-01

This dissertation addresses the liberalization of the European energy sector from an Austrian perspective, emphasizing its effect on a regional power company (KELAG). The energy market's changing conditions are creating new opportunities for consumers that allow them to optimize their ability to fulfill their power requirements. Decentralized solutions are now just as viable for large industrial customers as the ability to have all energy supplied through the utility network. In addition, partnerships with independent power producers (IPP's) or cooperation between the large customers in energy production can be considered. From a regional perspective, the central management concept of KELAG is the answer to an altered market situation, since this concept created tremendous potential for streamlining the management of energy production and operation of the network. The liberalization of the energy market for large industrial customers in Carinthia's electricity sector was preceded by a series of important decisions. The Verbundgesellschaft combine their generating facilities. In the future the power plants of Draukraft in Carinthia will be supervised and controlled remotely from KELAG's central control unit in Klagenfurt, as a result of which the central control unit becomes the primary energy control for Carinthia. (author)

The Specifics of Tax Arbitrage in The Reorganization of The European Companies Through Acquisitions, Mergers, Spin-Offs and Disinvestments

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anda Simona Rădulescu (Dîrvă

2016-03-01

Full Text Available Focusing on fiscal issues, in this paper we analyzed the trend of European companies to streamline their activity through legal reorganization (i.e. takeovers, mergers, spin-offs, divestments starting from tax benefits which may result from such operations.

INVESTIGATING FINANCIAL INNOVATION AND EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS. THE CASE OF CATASTROPHE BONDS AND LISTED REINSURANCE COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

CONSTANTIN LAURA-GABRIELA

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Focusing on the financial innovation – stock market interconnections, the present research studies the association between the insurance-linked market activity of European (reinsurance companies and their evolution on the capital markets. With the aim of emphasizing the connections from the perspective of the stock performance and their risk, the empirical analysis is based on vector autoregression (VAR and Granger causality analyses. The proposed examination is further developed by considering both impulse response functions and variance decomposition insights. The proxies of the catastrophe bond market, as financial innovation, there are employed both the size and the number of catastrophe bonds transactions, while the stock returns and their standard deviation stand for representatives of the evolution of the reinsurance companies on the capital markets in terms of financial performance and risk. The main results confirm other studies, suggesting that the effects of issuing cat bonds on the ceding companies is reflected rather in terms of stocks’ risk diminishing

INVESTIGATING FINANCIAL INNOVATION AND EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS. THE CASE OF CATASTROPHE BONDS AND LISTED REINSURANCE COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

CONSTANTIN LAURA-GABRIELA

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Focusing on the financial innovation – stock market interconnections, the present research studies the association between the insurance-linked market activity of European (reinsurance companies and their evolution on the capital markets. With the aim of emphasizing the connections from the perspective of the stock performance and their risk, the empirical analysis is based on vector autoregression (VAR and Granger causality analyses. The proposed examination is further developed by considering both impulse response functions and variance decomposition insights. The proxies of the catastrophe bond market, as financial innovation, there are employed both the size and the number of catastrophe bonds transactions, while the stock returns and their standard deviation stand for representatives of the evolution of the reinsurance companies on the capital markets in terms of financial performance and risk. The main results confirm other studies, suggesting that the effects of issuing cat bonds on the ceding companies is reflected rather in terms of stocks’ risk diminishing.

European Utility Requirements: leveling the European electricity producers' playing ground for new NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bernard Roche

2006-01-01

Full text of publication follows: Since 1992, the European Utility Requirement (EUR) document has been developed by the major European electricity producers. The main driver to this work has been the construction of a unified European market. The electricity producers have set out design requirements adapted to this new European environment, while keeping in mind experience feedback from operating NPPs worldwide. The EUR document is now fully operational and its set of generic requirements have been recently used as bid specification in Finland and in China. The EUR document keeps developing in two directions: 1- completing the assessment of the projects that could be proposed by the vendors for the European market. Five projects have been assessed between 1999 and 2002: BWR90, EPR, EP1000, ABWR and SWR1000. Two new projects are being assessed, the Westinghouse AP1000 and the Russian VVER AES92. It is currently planned to publish these two new assessments in the first half of 2006. Others may be undertaken meanwhile. 2- revision of the generic requirements. A revision C of the volume 4 dedicated to power generation plant is being completed. It includes responses to vendors comments and feedback from the TVO call for bid for Finland 5. A revision D of the volumes 1 and 2 dedicated to nuclear islands is foreseen. The main contributions to this revision are the harmonization actions going on in Europe about nuclear safety (WENRA study on reactor safety harmonization, EC works, evolution of the IAEA guides and requirements), the harmonization works on the conditions of connection to the European HV grid as well as harmonization works on other matters, like codes and standards. This has given a unified frame in which the future nuclear plants can be designed and built. In this frame development of standards designs usable throughout Europe without major design change is possible, thus helping to increase competition, and ultimately to save investment and operating costs

Renewable energy utilization in 3 european cities. Part 1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-07-01

Energy production based on fossil fuels produces CO2, SO2 and NOx, which are harmful to the environment. It is agreed, both nationally and internationally, that it is necessary to considerably reduce the energy consumption. The difference between different European countries politically, financially, culturally, and socially needs to be acknowledged when energy initiatives are considered for implementation on a local as well as an international scale. This was the basis for the initiation of the project `Renewable Energy Utilization in 3 European Cities`. Three very different cities with different problems and thus different interests got together and joined efforts to develop action plans to increase renewable energy use to reduce the burden on the environment from energy consumption in the urban and regional areas. The work has been undertaken by the working group presented in appendix 3. (EG) ALTENER. 25 refs.

Negotiated forms of worker involvement in the European Company (SE): First empirical evidence and conclusions

OpenAIRE

Keller, Berndt; Werner, Frank

2008-01-01

This article analyses the negotiations on worker involvement in the first almost four years of the European Company SE and their outcomes. First, some basic institutional aspects of the SE itself and its current empirical situation are described and explained. Then, the focus is on questions of employee involvement in this new legal form. Again some main institutional provisions on employee involvement are assessed, before a detailed empirical analysis on specific issues is presented. A final...

INVESTIGATING FINANCIAL INNOVATION AND EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS. THE CASE OF CATASTROPHE BONDS AND LISTED REINSURANCE COMPANIES

OpenAIRE

CONSTANTIN LAURA-GABRIELA; CERNAT-GRUICI BOGDAN; IAMANDI IRINA-EUGENIA

2014-01-01

Focusing on the financial innovation – stock market interconnections, the present research studies the association between the insurance-linked market activity of European (re)insurance companies and their evolution on the capital markets. With the aim of emphasizing the connections from the perspective of the stock performance and their risk, the empirical analysis is based on vector autoregression (VAR) and Granger causality analyses. The proposed examination is further develope...

Energy policy and European utilities' strategy: Lessons from the liberalisation and privatisation of the energy sector in Romania

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haar, Laura N.; Marinescu, Nicolae

2011-01-01

In the context of energy sector reforms pursued by Romanian government since 1990s, we compare and contrast the market outcomes of European utilities' investment with the host government policy objectives. We begin with energy market reform in Romania and review governments' efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and to gradually withdraw from the distribution and supply segments of electricity market. Subsequently, we illustrate the scope European utilities have had, market policy and design notwithstanding, for consolidating market power through regional dominance. We examine the extent to which these utilities have sought to enhance their positions through horizontal and vertical integration, counter to the EU plans for a competitive market structure. We find that the investments of European incumbents have not been resoundingly successful: although market entrance may have been justified on long-term strategic grounds, in the immediate term, segments acquired through competitive auctions have yielded modest regulated returns. Finally, we discuss the extent to which policy makers have achieved their goals. Although the short-term benefits of a competitive market structure have reached some consumers, a renewed interest in promoting 'national champions' reflect frustration with market mechanisms as a means of ensuring long-term strategic investments in the sector. - Research highlights: → We analyze the European Utilities activities in Romania after market liberalization. → We find government efforts to reform energy sector attracted foreign direct investment. → We find utilities consolidated market power horizontally in Central European region. → The short-term benefits of competitive forces contrast the weak returns by utilities. → To encourage further investment, government should not promote national champions.

EDF, the market and Europe. The future of a public utility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fitoussi, J.P.

2003-01-01

European governments have decided, in the framework of the unique market, to open their national market to competition. Electricite de France (EdF), like the overall French public utilities, has to adapt to this new situation. The question is: how to perform this mutation and avoid ultra-liberalism? This is the main guideline of this book which aim is to define the modalities of the necessary implication of the government and the ones of a new kind of company governance in a sector where regulation errors can have dramatic consequences (like the power outage in the US). The objective of the author is not to propose a simple compromise between market and public utility logics, but to consider the double opening of markets and companies capital as new opportunities to improve both the public utility and the companies efficiency. Such a company 'of the third kind' (somewhere between governmental and private) can be built only if the new rules and reforms are made in a clever and profitable way, i.e. in compliance with sustainable development principles, in the respect of management transparency, and for the benefit of general people and in particular the end-users. (J.S.)

WHY DO COMPANIES FROM EMERGING COUNTRIES MANAGE EARNINGS?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Susana Callao

2017-06-01

Full Text Available This paper provides evidence in terms of the incentives which lead managers from emerging European countries to manage earnings. In particular, we focused on four Eastern European countries: the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, as the majority of studies on earnings management in developing countries were based on the Asian emerging market. The market of developing European countries is still barely explored. After we confirmed that managers from emerging European companies manage earnings, we find that within the different incentives which lead managers to earnings management, the avoidance of debt covenants violations is a strong incentive for managers. Additionally, those firms considered as poor investments (with less value have incentives to manage earnings down as a consequence to opt for market niche. Moreover, emerging Eastern European companies have incentives to flatten earnings of current periods in order to benefit in the future as the source of future nonmanipulated earnings will be insufficient, as they may expect reduced, or at least lower future performance of their companies affected by increasing global competition. Finally, we confirm that privately-owned companies tend to maximize accounting earnings more than state-owned companies because they are in a weaker position related to a specific political and historical factors.

Introduction: Company Tax Integration in the European Union – A Necessary Step to Neutralise ‘Excessive’ Behaviour within the EU?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

A.C.G.A.C. de Graaf (Arnaud); K. Heine (Klaus)

2014-01-01

markdownabstract__Abstract__ This special issue of the Erasmus Law Review is the result of an interdisciplinary workshop on ‘Company Tax Integration in the European Union – a Necessary Step to Neutralise “Excessive” Behaviour within the EU?’, held at the Erasmus School of Law in June

Practices of Dividend Policies Adopted by Energy and Utilities Companies Listed on the BSE

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dorel Berceanu

2013-11-01

Full Text Available This paper aims to highlight how dividend practices are implemented by major energy and utility companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The analyzed sector is of particular importance due to the fact that the firms in this category are always in the attention of investors, knowing that the obtained profits are quite consistent. In addition, for three of the five surveyed companies, the state is the majority shareholder and for the fourth, SNP, it still has a significant package. Therefore, it is interesting to see to what extent the majority and minority shareholders' interests are harmonized, given that the dividend decision is also a means of selecting the shareholder.

THE ANALYSE OF THE REGULATIONS AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL REGARDING CARTELS. CASE SUDY: CARTEL BETWEEN THE COMPANIES CHIQUITA AND PACIFIC

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Berinde Mihai

2012-07-01

Full Text Available The present paper tries to make an analyse of the policy in the field of competition, at the level of the European Union, more exactly the policy applied on cartels. It is important to know the regulations regarding cartels, especially the way in which procedures are done in the case of a cartel. Cartels have a negative impact on competition and consumers, and that’s why it is extremely important that they are discovered on time and after that, by using correction measures to try to recuperate the created damage. The used research method is the analyze of the legislation in force regarding cartels and the study of the existing literature in this field, and in order to give an example of the procedures in the case of a cartel, we analyzed the cartel between two companies Chiquita and Pacific. It is extremely important for these regulations to be known, and in order to discourage such practices, the European Committee has thought of a series of advantages for the companies that give information and evidence regarding the existence of a cartel. Among these advantages we could mention immunity to fine, that permits the company to be absolved of all its fines. The paper presents schematically the legislation that forbids anti-competitive practices, at the level of the European Union, and after that the applied procedure when a law violation is discovered. The modality in which the procedures are applied, in the case of suspecting a cartel, have been presented step by step, and after that, the case study does not exist only to give an example of procedures, but also to present the applied methods, in the case of success in proving the existence of a cartel. The importance of competition policy at a European level cannot be denied because of the fact that only by implementing of a proper policy in this field, an economy can develop further.

77 FR 73646 - Notice of Effectiveness of Exempt Wholesale Generator or Foreign Utility Company Status

Science.gov (United States)

2012-12-11

... Renewable Energy Infrastructure FC12-10-000 Limited Partnership. Project AMBG2 LP FC12-11-000 SunBridge Wind... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. EG12-108-000, et al.] Notice of Effectiveness of Exempt Wholesale Generator or Foreign Utility Company Status [[Page 73647...

Value Relevance of Consolidated Versus Parent Company Financial Statements: Evidence from the Largest Three European Capital Markets

OpenAIRE

Victor-Octavian MULLER

2011-01-01

Within the European Union, parent companies have to prepare and publish both consolidated and individual financial statements. The objective of financial statements with general purpose is to give information regarding the financial position, performance and changes in financial position of the reporting entity, information that is useful to investors and other users in making economic decisions. In order to be useful, financial information needs to be relevant to the decision-making process ...

Cross-border Mobility of the Companies in EU

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Saša Prelič

2015-01-01

Full Text Available The fr eedom of establishment, provided by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is a suitable legal basis for effective cross-border corporate restructuring of companies in European Union. There are some possible methods to exercise this freedom, specially regulated with secondary acts, like cross-border mergers and the establishment and economic operation in the legal form of Societas Europaea, whereas the cross-border transfer of the company (its seat shall be in the light of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union admitted on the basis of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Companies therefore in their intention for cross-border mobility do not need to reconstruct by using the general provisions on establishment and liquidation of companies and through the way of singular succession. There are possibilities, regulated on the EU level, through which companies shall emigrate or spread their business activities to other Member States much simpler and with less cost on the basis of universal succession. The regulation of procedures and the advantages of the mentioned reconstruction methods will be analysed in this article.

European Model Company Act jako nowy instrument harmonizacji europejskiego prawa spółek

OpenAIRE

Możdżeń, Kamila

2016-01-01

Przedmiotem żywej dyskusji w dziedzinie harmonizacji europejskiego prawa spółek stał się ostatnio przełomowy szkic europejskiej ustawy modelowej o spółkach - European Model Company Act (EMCA), który po kilku latach prac najwybitniejszych ekspertów z całej Europy ujrzał światło dzienne. Modelowy europejski kodeks spółek handlowych, który państwa członkowskie będą mogły dobrowolnie implementować, ma pełnić rolę obiecującego dopełnienia dotychczasowych instrumentów harmonizacyjnych oraz inspirow...

Energy policy and European utilities' strategy: Lessons from the liberalisation and privatisation of the energy sector in Romania

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Haar, Laura N., E-mail: laura.n.haar@mbs.ac.u [University of Manchester, Manchester Business School, Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PB (United Kingdom); Marinescu, Nicolae, E-mail: marinescu@unitbv.r [Transylvania University of Brasov, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 29 Eroilor Bd, Brasov 500 036 (Romania)

2011-05-15

In the context of energy sector reforms pursued by Romanian government since 1990s, we compare and contrast the market outcomes of European utilities' investment with the host government policy objectives. We begin with energy market reform in Romania and review governments' efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and to gradually withdraw from the distribution and supply segments of electricity market. Subsequently, we illustrate the scope European utilities have had, market policy and design notwithstanding, for consolidating market power through regional dominance. We examine the extent to which these utilities have sought to enhance their positions through horizontal and vertical integration, counter to the EU plans for a competitive market structure. We find that the investments of European incumbents have not been resoundingly successful: although market entrance may have been justified on long-term strategic grounds, in the immediate term, segments acquired through competitive auctions have yielded modest regulated returns. Finally, we discuss the extent to which policy makers have achieved their goals. Although the short-term benefits of a competitive market structure have reached some consumers, a renewed interest in promoting 'national champions' reflect frustration with market mechanisms as a means of ensuring long-term strategic investments in the sector. - Research highlights: {yields} We analyze the European Utilities activities in Romania after market liberalization. {yields} We find government efforts to reform energy sector attracted foreign direct investment. {yields} We find utilities consolidated market power horizontally in Central European region. {yields} The short-term benefits of competitive forces contrast the weak returns by utilities. {yields} To encourage further investment, government should not promote national champions.

Project of law relative to the electricity and gas public utilities and to the power and gas companies; Projet de loi relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2004-07-01

This document is the definitive text of this project of law adopted by the French house of commons. The aim of this law is to allow the administrations to avoid to use their eligibility right with the opening of the electricity and gas markets to competition. It changes the juridical status of the two public utilities Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) into two anonymous companies and creates two additional companies for the management of the power and gas networks. It ensures also the transposition of the European directives from June 26, 2003 (2003/54/CE and 2003/55/CE). It contains some proper dispositions and modifies various existing French laws, in particular the law no. 46-628 from April 8, 1946 about the electricity and gas nationalization and the law no. 2000-108 from February 10, 2000 relative to the modernization and development of the electric public utility. (J.S.)

New European context for gas producers/operators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Deyirmendjian, J.

2008-01-01

The development of the European Union towards more integration would enter a new phase if the draft Third Directive regarding the natural gas industry and the deregulation of gas markets would be validated as it stands. The stakes for gas producing/operating companies are very high: they must position themselves either as networks and installations companies or as production and trading companies - meaning regulation and recurring revenues or the opportunities and risks of production and trade. Changes such these, added to the globalisation of gas flows linked to the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG), require more investments than in the past. These additional investments and this technological progress nevertheless give hope that this transformation will not noticeably weaken the security of gas supplies within the European Union (EU) despite the greater volatility of the markets, which are increasingly dominated by the strategies of financial operators. The author reviews the history of the development of the gas distribution networks in Europe and discusses details of the new draft directive aiming at more competition on a market that has been dominated so far by vertical structures. Similarities and differences to the deregulation of the European electricity market are discussed. The divergent attitudes of the EU Member States and the negotiation strategy of the European Commission are discussed. Merges of gas and electricity utilities are on the agenda. The author then reviews the current situation of natural gas consumption and supplies and the transportation and distribution facilities. Political factors influencing the security of supply are discussed. Underground gas storage facilities are crucial in this context. Several projects for new main gas pipelines are discussed. Diversification of supply sources is considered as of strategic relevance. The article is richly illustrated and includes several maps and diagrams.

Study on Economic Regulation of Collaborative Strategies among Container Shipping Companies Following Repeal of European Union Regulation 4056/86

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rawindaran Nair

2016-06-01

Full Text Available The European Union removed the block exemption granted under Regulation 4056/86, to liner shipping companies to provide scheduled services on a collaborative basis effective October 2008. This has also been followed by the proposed P3 alliance with participation of Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM. This paper explores, the arguments adopted by the US Federal Maritime Commission, the European Commission and the Ministry of Commerce of China, in rejecting the case proposed by the P3 alliance. The findings of this paper will inform on understanding strategies adopted by major Competition Regulatory authorities in their interpretation of horizontal collaboration in the industry.

Natural gas industry in European Community and european single market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cadoret, I.

1992-01-01

Common Market of natural gas is dominated by some companies. In several Member Countries, one company only manages the whole industry. European Economic Community thinks this type of structure induce hindrances to free circulation of natural gas in Europe. 10 refs

77 FR 42719 - Notice of Effectiveness of Exempt Wholesale Generator or Foreign Utility Company Status

Science.gov (United States)

2012-07-20

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [EG12-43-000, EG12-53-000, EG12-54-000, et al.] Notice of Effectiveness of Exempt Wholesale Generator or Foreign Utility Company Status Docket Nos. Sherbino I Wind Farm LLC EG12-43-000 Eagle Point Power Generation LLC....... EG12-53-000...

Issues related to gas use by European power utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jonchere, J.P.

1992-01-01

Gas-fired combined cycle frequently appears as a least-cost option for newly built power plants. Moreover, this option also brings obvious environmental benefits. But, power utilities, facing unavoidable long term uncertainties about electricity demand are not at ease with long term commitments such a a take-or-pay formula or a price indexation not reflecting the market place in the power generation industry. Due to the flexibilities in the management of existing power plants (deferred closures, etc...) or even on the demand side (load shifting, peak clipping, etc...), early decision making is not compulsory. Therefore, a gas breakthrough in the power sector interfuel competition will require a mutual understanding of constraints and flexibilities faced by partners: gas sellers and power utilities. A fair rent sharing between them would certainly be a prerequisite to a large but possibly temporary access of natural gas to the European power sector. 4 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs

Corporate Political Strategies related to Decisions of European Competition Commission on Regulatory Issues in the European Telecommunications Industry

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Kranenburg, H.L. van; Ross, T.

2014-01-01

The European regulatory institution has the tasks to protect fair competition and equal opportunities for all companies in the European telecommunications industry and to protect the welfare of the consumers. This regulator is responsible for the adherence of telecommunications companies to

The influence of the European Union on the Range of Employees’ Management participation in the Companies from Poland

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Roman Śmietański

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Acknowledging the accession, and as a result, joining the European Union in May 2004 required Poland to make a number of changes, including a number that related to labor rights. These changes were partially based on resolving legal barriers in Polish law in order to bring them into compliance with the European Union's law. These efforts are reflected in the laws related to the so-called employee participation. Generally speaking, this is the right of workers to co-manage and be consulted in the activities of the enterprise for which they work. The most important provisions in this regard (those which Poland had to implement in the past few years are, among others, the directives on the development of the European Works Councils and on the right of workers to establish councils of workers within their company. When the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union established the directives which referred to employee participation, it was the result of the promotion of social dialogue between representatives of management and representatives of workers (which is a particular goal of the EU community and its member states. Unfortunately, in Poland these rights are not honored for the majority of employees.

Performance assessment of food safety management systems in animal-based food companies in view of their context characteristics: A European study

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Luning, P.A.; Kirezieva, K.; Hagelaar, G.; Rovira, J.; Uyttendaele, M.; Jacxsens, L.

2015-01-01

Recurrently the question arises if efforts in food safety management system (FSMS) have resulted in effective systems in animal-based food production systems. The aim of this study was to gain an insight in the performance of FSMS in European animal-based food production companies in view of their

Ames and other European networks in integrity of ageing structures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Davies, L.M.; Von Estorff, U.; Crutzen, S.

1996-01-01

Several European institutions and organisations and the Joint Research Centre have developed co-operative programmes now organised into Networks for mutual benefit. They include utilities, engineering companies, Research and Development laboratories and regulatory bodies. Networks are organised and managed like the successful Programme for the Inspection of Steel Components (PISC). The JRC's Institute for Advanced Materials of the European Commission plays the role of Operating Agent and manager of these Networks: ENIQ. AMES, NESC, each of them dealing with specific aspect of fitness for purpose of materials in structural components. This paper describes the structure and the objectives of these networks. Particular emphasis is given to the network AMES

Law project modified by the Senate after urgency declaration relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the power and gas companies; Projet de loi modifie par le Senat apres declaration d'urgence relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2004-07-01

This document is the modifications made by the French Senate after the first reading of the law project adopted by the House of Commons and relative to the change of status of the power and gas public utilities in the framework of the deregulation of European energy markets. This law changes the juridical status of the two state monopolies Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) into two anonymous companies and creates two additional companies for the management of the power and gas networks. It ensures also the transposition of the European directives from June 26, 2003 (2003/54/CE and 2003/55/CE). It contains some proper dispositions and modifies various existing French laws, in particular the law no. 46-628 from April 8, 1946 about the electricity and gas nationalization and the law no. 2000-108 from February 10, 2000 relative to the modernization and development of the electric public utility. The document lists the modifications made by the Senate article by article. (J.S.)

IAS 40 : The effects of the implementation of IAS 40 for listed investment property companies within the European Union

OpenAIRE

Aronsson, Robert; Högberg, Martin

2009-01-01

Background: The increased globalization and trade over domestic borders within the European Union (EU) has lead to the implementation of new international accounting standards. This is necessary to create an effective capital market, where comparisons between companies located in different countries can be made, due to a more harmonized accounting. Obstacles to overcome when establish a more harmonized accounting in the EU is for example different accounting backgrounds and valuation methods....

Law no. 2004-803 from August 9, 2004 relative to electricity and gas public utilities and to the power and gas companies; Loi no. 2004-803 du 9 aout 2004 relative au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2004-09-01

The aim of this law is to allow the administrations to avoid to use their eligibility right with the opening of the electricity and gas markets to competition. It changes the juridical status of the two public utilities Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) into two anonymous companies and creates two additional companies for the management of the power and gas networks. It ensures also the transposition of the European directives from June 26, 2003 (2003/54/CE and 2003/55/CE). It contains some proper dispositions and modifies various existing French laws, in particular the law no. 46-628 from April 8, 1946 about the electricity and gas nationalization and the law no. 2000-108 from February 10, 2000 relative to the modernization and development of the electric public utility. (J.S.)

Utilization of European Funds in the Public Administration. Study case - Galati County Council

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Manuela Panaitescu

2014-05-01

Full Text Available The main objectives of this paper are to reveal some aspects regarding European funds‟ utilization, starting with the comprehension of EU philosophy regarding cohesion policy and emphasizing the important role played by Structural and Cohesion Funds for public administration, especially in times of economic downturn when the financial resources are difficult to access. Prior Work: this work continues prior research carried out for the “European Programs and Projects Management” MA thesis. Approach: The main methods employed for capturing the research evidence consists in management strategies analysis in the public administration, especially in studying the capacity of absorption of European funds in the case Galati County Council. The main results of this paper show that the risks of absorption capacity decrease of EU funds are linked to a number of factors, such as financial problems, poor information, lack of managerial experience, etc.

How to Analyze Company Using Social Network?

Science.gov (United States)

Palus, Sebastian; Bródka, Piotr; Kazienko, Przemysław

Every single company or institution wants to utilize its resources in the most efficient way. In order to do so they have to be have good structure. The new way to analyze company structure by utilizing existing within company natural social network and example of its usage on Enron company are presented in this paper.

EUR, an European utility requirements documents for future LWR power stations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berbey, Pierre; Lienard, Michel; Redon, Ramon; Essmann, Juergen; Taylor, David T.

2004-01-01

A group of the major European utilities are developing a common requirement document which will be used for the LWR nuclear power plants to be built in Europe from the beginning of the next century. This document provides harmonised policies and technical requirements that will allow the implementation of a design developed in one country into another one. The objectives and contents of the document, the organisation set up for its production and the main requirements are summarised in the paper. (author)

The strategy of players on the European gas market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lecarpentier, A.

2006-01-01

One result of opening up the European gas market to competition has been to increase the number and diversity of the players involved, whether producers, suppliers or electric utilities. However, while the gas on offer is still controlled by a handful of market players given the increasing importance of state-owned companies from exporting countries outside Europe, the downstream gas sector continues to show a strong concentration of incumbent operators seeking a dominant position in the supply of gas. (author)

The strategy of players on the European gas market

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lecarpentier, A

2006-07-01

One result of opening up the European gas market to competition has been to increase the number and diversity of the players involved, whether producers, suppliers or electric utilities. However, while the gas on offer is still controlled by a handful of market players given the increasing importance of state-owned companies from exporting countries outside Europe, the downstream gas sector continues to show a strong concentration of incumbent operators seeking a dominant position in the supply of gas. (author)

Chinese outbound tourism: new challenges for European tourism

OpenAIRE

Andreu, Rosario; Claver-Cortés, Enrique; Quer, Diego

2013-01-01

The growth of China’s outbound tourism is a source of both threats and opportunities for European countries. Therefore, European tourism institutions and companies should focus their attention on this emerging market. The objective of this paper is to analyze the consequences that the boom in Chinese tourism could have for European tourism. A critical analysis provides the basis for actions and measures that the main European tourism institutions and companies should adopt in order to face th...

A European Approach to Lifelong Learning: Goals and Realities.

Science.gov (United States)

Thery, Michel; Roussel, Patrick; Zygmunt, Christian

2003-01-01

Comparison of company practices regarding continuing training of employees shows great diversity among the 15 European Union member states. In 11 countries, over 70 percent of companies are "training involved" (TICs). South European countries have a low percentage of TICs; the proportion of TICs in north European countries is over 80…

Work-life Balance: The effect on Absenteeism among Employeesin a Malaysian Utility Company

OpenAIRE

Mohd, Idaya Husna; Shah, Maimunah Mohd; Anwar, Nur Aizureen; Mahzumi, Nadia

2016-01-01

Employees spend at least one-third of their day at their work place. Since most of the time is spent at the work place, excess in working hours can cause the employees to feel burned out at the end of the week. These high emotional exhaustion and less personal time will cause the employees to adjust their own time in order to achieve preference hours of work. The utility company involves in this study practices 5.5 working days. Feeling overemployed, this will lead the employees to adjust the...

Investment Strategy and Efficiency of Investment Activity of European Insurers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zhabynets Olga Yo.

2014-02-01

Full Text Available The article studies investment strategy and efficiency of investment activity of European insurance companies. In particular, it analyses the share of investments of insurance companies of Europe in GDP, investment portfolio of European insurers and its structure, contribution of insurance companies – leaders of investment activity – into the European investment portfolio. It studies influence of the financial crisis upon investment strategy of European insurers and analyses efficiency of investment activity of European insurers in risk insurance and life insurance. The article proves that investment business models of insurance companies are capable of resisting crisis phenomena more efficiently than other financial institutions. It marks out that measures of insurance companies that are directed at increase of profitability of investments require from them both significant expenditures on creation of the system of investment risk management and open access to different categories of financial assets and markets, which influences the general risk level, taken upon by an insurance company. The author draws a conclusion that, taking into account recent developments, European insurers should focus on equity and investment risk management, finding new possibilities for their (investments growth and also adaptation of new systems and operations for solution of these important tasks.

The Dutch private company: successfully relaunched?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van der Elst, C.F.; Vermeulen, E.P.M.; De Cordt, Y.; Navez, E.J.

2014-01-01

This Chapter in a comparative book on private limited liability companies starts with an illustration of the former success of the Dutch limited liability company (BV). Next it addresses the competitive European legal environment within which the Dutch BV has to operate. The study shows how the

Safety criteria for the next generation of European reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dominguez Bautista, M.T.

1995-01-01

For the next generation of reactors, European companies operating in the electricity sector have drawn up a document called European Utilities Requirement (EUR), which sets out the requirements to be met by the designers of future reactors. The main objective of these new requirements is to increase the safety in existing reactors, making good use of operating experience available and the technological developments of the last decade. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the most significant characteristics, describing how the EUR requirements have been prepared and how they are being implemented by the designers. Areas covered are: - Combining deterministic and probabilistic criteria - Automation of control systems - Design extension for severe accidents - Containment design - Emergency plans - Autonomy versus manual operation

Electric Holding Company Areas

Data.gov (United States)

Department of Homeland Security — Holding companies are electric power utilities that have a holding company structure. This vector polygon layer represents the area served by electric power holding...

17 CFR 250.7 - Companies deemed not to be electric or gas utility companies.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... status afforded by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, any such company shall file with this Commission a... a statement of receipts and expenditures for such year and of financial status at its end. (3) As a prerequisite to retaining the status afforded by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, any such company shall...

Chinese outbound to tourism : new challenges for european tourism

OpenAIRE

Andreu, Rosario; Claver, Enrique; Quer, Diego

2013-01-01

The growth of China’s outbound tourism is a source of both threats and opportunities for European countries. Therefore, European tourism institutions and companies should focus their attention on this emerging market. The objective of this paper is to analyze the consequences that the boom in Chinese tourism could have for European tourism. A critical analysis provides the basis for actions and measures that the main European tourism institutions and companies should adopt i...

A fully updated version of the european utility requirement (EUR) document is available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berbey, P.

2001-01-01

The major European electricity producers have worked on a common requirement document for future LWR plants since 1992 to get specifications acceptable together by the owners, the public and the authorities. Thus the designers can develop standard LWR designs that could be acceptable everywhere in Europe and the utilities can open their consultations to vendors on common bases. Public and authority's acceptance should be improved as well. Significant savings are expected in development and construction costs. Since the release of the last versions of the EUR texts in 1996, a lot of work has been carried out: reviews by the regulators and other external organisations, comparisons, assessment of compliance of designs vs. EUR and clarification works on the controversial topics that deserved changes or clarification. At the beginning of 1999 enough material was available to start a complete revision of the EUR document. In-depth works have been carried out during the last couple of year to develop this revision. The European utilities and the vendors have now an updated and well-tuned tool that allow them to develop, to assess and eventually to order modern LWR designs well fitted to their actual needs. (author)

Relative Pricing of Publicly Traded U.S. Electric Utility Companies

Science.gov (United States)

Jewczyn, Nicholas Stephen

In the financial turmoil of 2008, U.S. firms reported debt-ratios that differed from the debt-ratios calculated from balance sheets. The problem is that investors bought common stock expecting initial investment return and lost money when companies delisted. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine sample securities pricing with the application of synthetic assets and debt accrued. Addressed in the research questions was whether those securities were (a) underpriced compared with return-on-assets (ROA), (b) overpriced compared with ROA, (c) a debt-ratio higher than 60% and also overpriced, (d) underpriced with a synthetic asset added, or (e) related by relative pricing to variant pricing and market capitalization. The study's base theory was Pan's efficient market hypothesis (EMH) of security price prediction of market prices versus model prices. The data from the financial statements of 16 publicly traded U.S. electric utility companies were analyzed via correlations and multiple regression analyses to determine securities pricing and suitability. The findings from the analyses of the sample's variables of market price, book value, market-to-book, and study constructed variables from those variable data were statistically significant. The alternate hypotheses were accepted for all 5 research questions since the analytical operationalization of the hypothetical constructs led to significant relationships. Results suggest that the use of more pricing determinants in securities evaluation may lead to investors losing less money and earning the expected returns for a more efficient capital market, leading to a stronger economy and macroeconomic stability.

EUROPEAN ACCOUNTING REGULATION - HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mariana Farcas

2014-07-01

Full Text Available The first directive regarding the financial reporting at the level of European Union is published in 1978 (The Fourth Directive and whereas its content does not refer to the group companies, this directive was supplemented by another directive (The Seventh Directive published in 1983. The two directives regulate in parallel the issues concerning the preparing of the annual financial statements of individual companies, respectively of the group companies. Since 2008 have begun to take shape the point of views regarding the need of the development and publication of some regulations to simplify and to reduce the administrative burdens of the companies, including on the issue of financial reporting. The steps in the direction of simplification of the regulation in accounting area have resulted in June 2013 in The 34th Directive regarding the annual financial statements, the consolidated financial statements and the related reports of certain types of companies. As a member of the European Union, Romania must take into account the implementation of the European legislation in all areas, including in the field of accounting. In this respect, The Fourth Directive regarding the annual accounts of certain types of companies and The Seventh Directive regarding the consolidated accounts have been transposed into Romanian legislation since 2006 through OMFP 1752/2005 when the Romanian accounting regulations have become in accordance to the European directives and not only harmonized with these, and OMFP 3055/2009 brings additional information concerning the rules relating to the consolidation of accounts.

Human resource development for nuclear generation - from the perspective of a utility company

Science.gov (United States)

Kahar, Wan Shakirah Wan Abdul; Mostafa, Nor Azlan; Salim, Mohd Faiz

2017-01-01

Malaysia is currently in the planning phase of its nuclear power program, with the first unit targeted to be operational in 2030. Training of nuclear power plant (NPP) staffs are usually long and rigorous due to the complexity and safety aspects of nuclear power. As the sole electricity utility in the country, it is therefore essential that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) prepares early in developing its human resource and nuclear expertise as a potential NPP owner-operator. A utility also has to be prudent in managing its work force efficiently and effectively, while ensuring that adequate preparations are being made to acquire the necessary nuclear knowledge with sufficient training lead time. There are several approaches to training that can be taken by a utility company with no experience in nuclear power. These include conducting feasibility studies and benchmarking exercises, preparing long term human resource development, increasing the exposure on nuclear power technology to both the top management and general staff, and employing the assistance of relevant agencies locally and abroad. This paper discusses the activities done and steps taken by TNB in its human resource development for Malaysia's nuclear power program.

Institutional Ownership and Corporate Social Performance: Empirical Evidence from Indonesian Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hasan Fauzi

2007-12-01

Full Text Available Prior research on the relationships of institutional ownership and corporate social responsibility has focused on North American (U.S. and Canada and European companies.  With the passage of Indonesian Law No. 40 in 2007, Indonesian companies are now obligated to conduct CSP. As these companies objected to the passage of this law, awareness of how CSP may benefit Indonesian companies in terms of its positive impact on institutional investors needs to be investigated. Thus, this paper examines the relationships of IO and CSP for Indonesian companies. Unfortunately, contrary to the results for North American and European companies, we found no relationships between institutional ownership and corporate social responsibility for Indonesian companies. This finding suggests that most institutional investors do not include CSP as part of their investment decisions.

2009 energy prices in the European Union

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

In 2009, the natural gas price fell down in the European Union (EU). This drop was of about -5% (excluding taxes) as an average for companies, and of about -3% for households (including taxes). On the other hand, the electricity prices raised by 3% for companies and by 5% for households. In France, only the gas price for companies has dropped between 2008 and 2009. The electricity prices remain significantly lower than the EU average: -29% for companies and -30% for households. The gas price in France remains close to the European average but is significantly lower than the average price in the euro area. (J.S.)

Communications technologies for demand side management, DSM, and European utility communications architecture, EurUCA

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kaerkkaeinen, S.; Kekkonen, V. [VTT Energy, Espoo (Finland); Rissanen, P. [Tietosavo Oy (Finland)

1996-12-31

In this project the main target is to develop and assess methods for DSM (Demand Side Management) and distribution automation planning from the utility`s point of view. The final goal is to integrate these methods for the strategic planning of electric utilities. In practice the project is divided into four main parts: The development and assessment of DSM/IRP planning methods and cost/benefit analysis as a part of international co-operation (IEA DSM Agreement: Annex IV, European Cost/Benefit analysis of DSM, EUBC, and Finnish SAVE-project started in 1995 in co-operation with SRC International and six electric utilities in Finland); Development of PC-based DSM planning and assessment tools at VTT; Development of a decision support system of distribution network planning including DSM options at Tietosavo Oy and Integration of DSM planning and network planning tools in co-operation with VTT Energy and Tietosavo Oy

Communications technologies for demand side management, DSM, and European utility communications architecture, EurUCA

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kaerkkaeinen, S; Kekkonen, V [VTT Energy, Espoo (Finland); Rissanen, P [Tietosavo Oy (Finland)

1997-12-31

In this project the main target is to develop and assess methods for DSM (Demand Side Management) and distribution automation planning from the utility`s point of view. The final goal is to integrate these methods for the strategic planning of electric utilities. In practice the project is divided into four main parts: The development and assessment of DSM/IRP planning methods and cost/benefit analysis as a part of international co-operation (IEA DSM Agreement: Annex IV, European Cost/Benefit analysis of DSM, EUBC, and Finnish SAVE-project started in 1995 in co-operation with SRC International and six electric utilities in Finland); Development of PC-based DSM planning and assessment tools at VTT; Development of a decision support system of distribution network planning including DSM options at Tietosavo Oy and Integration of DSM planning and network planning tools in co-operation with VTT Energy and Tietosavo Oy

Energy service companies in European countries: Current status and a strategy to foster their development

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bertoldi, Paolo [European Commission, DG JRC, TP 450, I-21020 Ispra (Vatican City State, Holy See,) (Italy)]. E-mail: paolo.bertoldi@cec.eu.int; Rezessy, Silvia [Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, Nador u. 9, H-1051 Budapest (Hungary)]. E-mail: ephlas01@phd.ceu.hu; Vine, Edward [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Building 90-4000, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States)]. E-mail: elvine@lbl.gov

2006-09-15

Although the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union (EU) have promoted a number of policy initiatives to foster the Energy Services Company (ESCO) industry, a recent survey of ESCO businesses in Europe has indicated that major differences exist in the development of the ESCO business among the various countries. In some countries a large number of ESCOs have been successfully operating for a number of years, while in other countries only a few ESCOs have recently started to operate. This difference could be explained by several factors, such as different levels of support offered to ESCOs by national and regional energy authorities, local market structures and rules, and variation in the definitions, roles and activities of ESCOs. This paper reviews and analyses the development and the current status of ESCO industries in the EU and the New Accession Countries. Based on the review and the analysis, a long-term strategy to foster the development of ESCOs in Europe is formulated. The strategic actions recommended build on successful experience in Europe and are proposed with an eye to existing and planned legislative measures, such as the proposed Energy Service Directive and the deployment of the Kyoto flexible mechanisms.

Energy service companies in European countries: Current status and a strategy to foster their development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bertoldi, Paolo; Rezessy, Silvia; Vine, Edward

2006-01-01

Although the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union (EU) have promoted a number of policy initiatives to foster the Energy Services Company (ESCO) industry, a recent survey of ESCO businesses in Europe has indicated that major differences exist in the development of the ESCO business among the various countries. In some countries a large number of ESCOs have been successfully operating for a number of years, while in other countries only a few ESCOs have recently started to operate. This difference could be explained by several factors, such as different levels of support offered to ESCOs by national and regional energy authorities, local market structures and rules, and variation in the definitions, roles and activities of ESCOs. This paper reviews and analyses the development and the current status of ESCO industries in the EU and the New Accession Countries. Based on the review and the analysis, a long-term strategy to foster the development of ESCOs in Europe is formulated. The strategic actions recommended build on successful experience in Europe and are proposed with an eye to existing and planned legislative measures, such as the proposed Energy Service Directive and the deployment of the Kyoto flexible mechanisms

Preparing Canada`s power systems for transition to the Year 2000: Y2K readiness assessment results for Canadian electric utility companies: second quarter 1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-08-25

The report describes the state of readiness of Canadian electric utility companies with respect to the Year 2000 computer challenge. It complements the North American Electric Reliability Council Report entitled `Preparing the Electric Power Systems of North America for Transition to the Year 2000: A Status and Work Plan.` Two surveys were employed to gather information for this report. The first, a detailed survey prepared by NERC, was forwarded to all major electric utilities that comprise the Bulk Electricity System in North America. CEA has removed the Canadian findings from the overall North American results, and has presented those findings in this report. The second was a shorter, more simplified study, conducted by CEA and Natural Resources Canada. Whereas small companies involved only in the distribution aspect of the electricity business were not asked to complete the NERC assessment, all Canadian electric utility companies were part of the shorter survey. Chapter 2 covers specifically the readiness status and project management for non-nuclear generation, nuclear generation, energy management systems, telecommunications systems, substation controls, system protection and distribution systems, business information systems, and small distribution companies.

The role of the Joint Research Centre from the European Commission in the European Structural Integrity Networks AMES, ENIQ and NESC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Estorff, U. von; Torronen, K.

1999-01-01

Due to the reduction in many countries of the research budget for nuclear safety several European institutions and organisations and the Institute for Advanced Materials (IAM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) have developed co-operative programmes now organised into 'Networks' for mutual benefit. They include utilities, engineering companies, research and development (R and D) laboratories and regulatory bodies. These Networks are all organised and managed in a similar way, i.e. like the successful Programme for the Inspection of Steel Components (PISC). The IAM plays the role of Operating Agent, Reference Laboratory and Network Manager of these Networks: European Network on Ageing Materials Evaluation and Studies (AMES), European Network for Inspection Qualification (ENIQ) and Network for Evaluating Steel Components (NESC), each of them dealing with a specific aspect of fitness for purpose of materials in structural components. This article will describe how the network organisation works, which was the positive experience from the past, why the networks are a tool for integrating fragmented research in Europe and how they fit into the mission of the JRC and therefore follow the EC policy. (orig.)

The utilization of VUJE specialists non-destructive testing qualification at international cooperation with company TECNATOM

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kuna, M.

2006-01-01

The utilization of VUJE specialists non-destructive testing qualification at cooperation with company TECNATOM. The obtain of QDA qualification for ET examination for possibility of qualified evaluation in the foreign NPP (USA, Brazil). The acquired practical experiences by evaluation of ET data from NPP Angra Brazil and Waltz Mill USA. The obtain of SNT-TC-1A and EPRI qualification for the UT evaluation of penetration tube welds measurements. The practical experience during the measurement on NPP Shearon Harris (Author)

European utility requirements: common rules to design next LWR plants in an open electricity market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berbey, Pierre; Ingemarsson, Karl-Fredrik

2004-01-01

The major European electricity producers want to keep able to build new nuclear power plants and they believe 3. generation LWRs would be the most adapted response to their needs in the first decades of this century. Producing a common European Utility Requirement (EUR) document has been one of the basic tasks towards this objective. In this common frame, standardized and competitive LWR NPPs could be developed and offered to the investors. This idea is now well supported by all the other actors on the European electricity market: vendors, regulators, grid managers, administrations although in the competitive and unified European electricity market that is emerging, the electricity producers' stakes are more and more different from the other electricity business actors'. The next term objectives of the electricity producers involved in EUR are focused on negotiating common rules of the game together with the regulators. This covers the nuclear safety approaches, the conditions requested to connect a plant to a HV grid, as well as the design standards. Discussions are going on between the EUR organization and all the corresponding bodies to develop stabilized and predictable design rules that would meet the constraints of nuclear electricity generation in this new environment. Finally there cannot be competition without competitors. The EUR organization has proven to be the right place to establish trustful relationship between the vendors and their potential customers, through fair assessment of the proposed designs performance vs. the utility needs. This will be continued and developed with the main vendors present in Europe, so as to keep alive a list of 4 to 6 designs 'qualified', i.e. showing an acceptable score of non-compliance vs. EUR. (authors)

Gender and Self-Employment: The Role of Mini-Companies

Science.gov (United States)

Johansen, Vegard

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate to what degree participation in mini-companies impact young women and men with regard to the perceived desirability and perceived feasibility of self-employment. The Company Programme (CP) is the largest mini-company scheme in European secondary school. Design/methodology/approach: The data derived…

Several companies will not be able to earn amounts necessary to meet strictest European Union standards

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zackova, K.; Sobinkovic, B.

2003-01-01

Costs of meeting environmental laws, regulations and directives applying to industrial companies are relatively high. Some companies are therefore concerned that they will not be in the position to accumulate sufficient funds to meet the requirements of newly introduced legislation reflecting the European Union (EU) environmental standards. And those plants that will not manage to comply with the new regulation by the set deadline, will face a threat of being closed down. In some cases the threat will be softened by transition periods agreed on in course of pre-entry negotiations on the chapter environment and through time schedules provided for in the newly introduced regulations. Danish consultant company Niras in co-operation with Institute of Slovak and World Economy at SAV (Slovak Academy of Science) calculated that the costs related to implementation EU environmental standards by 2035 would amount to 437 bn Slovak crowns (Sk) (10.57 billion Euro). Chief Negotiator of Slovakia's EU-entry, Jan Figel confirmed that from financial point of view the implementation of environmental standards was the most demanding requirement of all. Experts cannot predict yet what part of these costs will be covered by companies themselves. The highest amount should be spent on water protection - 185 billion Sk (4.47 billion Euro) until 2030. In the waste disposal industry the necessary investments during the same period are estimated to 130 billion Sk (3.14 billion Euro) and another 90 billion Sk (2.18 billion Euro) will have to be spent on big incineration facilities. The mentioned amount of 437 billion Sk (10.57 billion Euro) does not include any costs related to liquidation of old environmental burdens. But this problem will be partially solved through the new environmental arrangements. Several industrial companies are not allowed to build new waste dumps as long as they have not liquidated the old ones or at leas have addressed the matter of contaminated soil. There is no

Evaluation of the European Commission's proposal to set aside emission allowances. Effects on the EU carbon price and Dutch ETS companies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verdonk, M.; Vollebergh, H.

2012-11-15

A set-aside of CO2 allowances would reduce the current oversupply in the European Emissions Trading System (ETS). This would result in temporary higher CO2 prices. However, a literature study has shown that the impact of the European Commission's proposal on CO2 prices is likely to be limited, because the total amount of allowances up to 2020 would remain unchanged. However, the proposal sends out a signal to investors that the functioning of the ETS is a priority for politicians, and increases the likelihood of further reforms. Any negative impact of back loading on ETS companies in the Netherlands is likely to be limited.

Cost structure analysis of commercial nuclear power plants in Japan based on corporate financial statements of electric utility companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kunitake, Norifumi; Nagano, Koji; Suzuki, Tatsujiro

1998-01-01

In this paper, we analyze past and current cost structure of commercial nuclear power plants in Japan based on annual corporate financial statements published by the Japanese electric utility companies, instead of employing the conventional methodology of evaluating the generation cost for a newly constructed model plant. The result of our study on existing commercial nuclear plants reveals the increasing significance of O and M and fuel cycle costs in total generation cost. Thus, it is suggested that electric power companies should take more efforts to reduce these costs in order to maintain the competitiveness of nuclear power in Japan. (author)

The ties between the strategy of players on the European gas market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lecarpentier, A.

2006-01-01

One result of opening up the European gas market to competition has been to increase the number and diversity of the players involved, whether producers, suppliers or electric utilities. However, while the gas on offer is still controlled by a handful of market players given the increasing importance of state-owned companies from exporting countries outside Europe, the downstream gas sector continues to show a strong concentration of incumbent operators seeking a dominant position in the supply of gas. (author)

Why Do European Venture Capital Companies Syndicate?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

S. Manigart (Sophie); J. Bruining (Hans); A. Lockett (Andy); M. Meuleman (Miguel)

2002-01-01

textabstractFinancial theory, resource-based theory and access to deal flow are used to explain syndication practices among European venture capital (VC) firms. The desire to share risk and increase portfolio diversification is a more important motive for syndication than the desire to access

Corporate social responsibility in coal industry (practices of russian and european companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Т. В. Пономаренко

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Corporate social responsibility (CSR is built on interaction between companies and the society which is especially important for major companies that exploit natural resources and play the role of city-forming socially significant entities. Various interpretations of the notion of social responsibility define the varying levels of influence companies have on the society, different levels of contribution of companies in the said process and the degree and level of implementation of CSR. The relations between social responsibility and economic results and the effects of implementing CSR policies are often not obvious.This study offers an assessment of present-day state of corporate social responsibility policies in coal companies of Russia and Poland and formulates proposals on implementing social responsibility projects with consideration of state-of-the-art CSR concepts.The results of the study are as follows: the achieved level of social responsibility in coal companies of Russia and Poland has been assessed; it is proven that most companies in the coal industry are at the level of fragmentary application of CSR concepts; an analysis has been carried out of tools available in the area of social responsibility of coal companies.

Prospects for European Company Law after the Judgment of the European Court of Justice in Centros Ltd

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, Karsten Engsig

2000-01-01

This contribution analysis the implication of the judgment in Centros Ltd, whereby a company can be incorporated in one state and used for activities in other Member States of the EU. The consequence is that businesses can chose to incorporate in the state of their own choice and Member State may...... as a result start to compete to attract incorporations of companies (the Delaware Syndrome). This may call for further harmonization of company laws in the EU....

Procurement of natural gas in power supply companies. Strategies of procurement for EVU; Gasbeschaffung in Energieversorgungsunternehmen. Beschaffungsstrategien fuer EVU

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weber, Janina; Soennecken, Arno [IEBT GmbH Institute for Energy Business and Technology, Herdecke (Germany)

2012-09-10

Since the implementation of the EU directive on the liberalization of the gas market, the time of monopolistic areal supply is gone. Within the Energy Economy Law (EnWG) the European regulations on the internal electricity and gas market have been transposed into national law. Due to the rapid development utility companies need to burst old structures in order to remain competitive and to take advantage of opportunities arising in the market.

European needs for uranium in relation to world supply and demand

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Davis, M.

1977-01-01

The paper explains why Western Europe, and in particular the European Community, is engaged in an important diversification of energy sources to nuclear generated electricity. The resulting Western European demand for uranium (most of which will have to be imported) is quantified and discussed in relation to the needs of North America and Japan and the latest estimates of world uranium resources and production capability. The European Community will be the largest purchaser of uranium from a variety of sources on the world market. It is shown that the lower limits of past estimates for uranium demand appear to be the most reliable so far; the causes and effects of uncertainty for the future are outlined; and the need for exploration is emphasized. It is maintained that although close collaboration between electricity utilities and mining companies is highly desirable, the goal of an orderly market (which should be achievable for uranium) will not be achieved without a positive and constructive contribution being made by public authorities. (author)

Corporate social responsibility in coal industry (practices of russian and european companies)

OpenAIRE

Т. В. Пономаренко; Р. Вольник; О. А. Маринина

2016-01-01

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is built on interaction between companies and the society which is especially important for major companies that exploit natural resources and play the role of city-forming socially significant entities. Various interpretations of the notion of social responsibility define the varying levels of influence companies have on the society, different levels of contribution of companies in the said process and the degree and level of implementation of CSR. The r...

Expanding opportunities. Strategic buying of utilities in new EU member states

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

LaBelle, Michael

2009-01-01

During the 1990s, limited investment opportunities in Western Europe, the opening of the energy markets in Eastern Europe, and the future expansion of the European Union (EU) prompted an expansionist strategy by energy companies from the original EU member states. In this paper, the acquisition and divestiture activities and strategies of utilities from France and Germany are analyzed in the context of the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargements. Through quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including the development of two case studies, the strategy for expansion and evolution in new member states is examined. The results demonstrate a concerted effort to establish economies of scale through ownership of distribution companies. A change in strategy occurs as these privatization opportunities disappear. Generation and trading activity become the growth area for these companies as electricity supply becomes another factor that can contribute to the economies of scale. Recent EU-supported efforts towards regionalization of electricity markets, positions these companies well due to their strong regional presence. This paper will explore these issues in the context of ownership and geographic distribution. (author)

Multinational teams in European and American companies

OpenAIRE

Numic, Aida

2007-01-01

Incorporating team context into research and practice concerning team effectiveness in multinational organizations still remains an ongoing challenge. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the influence of industry, corporate culture, structure, strategy and task characteristics on MNTs in business organizations and to develop a more comprehensive framework connecting the internal dynamics with contextual aspects of MNTs functioning in companies in Europe and the USA. The study was ...

Mining of high utility itemsets of size-2 with pruning strategies and negative item values for B2C companies based on experiential marketing approach

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gaurav Gahlot

2016-09-01

Full Text Available Business to customer (B2C marketing for the retail organisations is the most rapid adoption made by the developed countries, while it has the pitfalls in the developing nations. B2C companies have been continually putting some or the other lucrative offers and schemes on their manufactured products. There happens to be no logical demand of clubbing the sale of two products. The only need of such clubbing is the financial crisis which the company wants to overcome. Information technology can renew and make the competitive advantage for B2C companies. In this paper, a novel way for finding the itemset clubs is proposed, hence extending Apriori algorithm. The proposed methodology aims at finding the combinations of the products which can be sold together with the high levels of utility. This allows for making good profits for the company. Unlike contemporary way of items bearing positive values, negative item values have been looked into. The MHUIS-2wPS algorithm utilises the transactional experiences of the retail stores and outputs the size-2 clubs. The MHUI-NIV algorithm caters for the items with negative item values. The dissertation applies various pruning strategies for the discovery of high utility itemsets. These prunings will help remove the unnecessary formation of the low utility extensions. Later, various datasets have been used to show the essence of the algorithms.

The policies of social welfare produced effects in performance of the company? Comparative analysis of European companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Teresa M. Monllau Jaques

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Purpose: The aim of this paper is to study and analyze the public well being policies and its repercussions in the efficacy and efficiency of the companies that give services to dependant people (CNAE 87 and 88 Codes. Design/methodology/approach: For the making of the present study several companies which gives services in countries with different patterns when applying public well being policies have been compared. These countries have been Spain, Germany, UK and Netherlands. The data has been obtained through AMADEUS. The period of the study has been 2008-2012. The variables used are the operating margin (OMR rate and the rotation assets rate (RAT. Findings and Originality/value: From the results obtained we have not been able to establish a significant statistic relationship between Companies behaviour and public well being policies. Originality/value: Up to date few extracts have been done, in Spain, about the financial behaviour of the companies which give services to the elderly. The business development entails an economic growth which balances with the cost inherent in the elderly population.

Online Company-stakeholder Communication

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Eriksen, Rikke Augustinus; Morsing, Mette

Based on a systematic data collection we study one of the first pioneering company-stakeholder communication campaigns in social media: the case of energy company Vattenfall A/S’s pan-European campaign ‘The Climate Manifesto’. Our findings challenge the general assumption, that stakeholder...... lacked between the company and stakeholders. Vattenfall was accused of green-washing, resulting in a communications crisis. Negative stakeholder reactions consisted of prejudiced and non-negotiable argumentation indicating that social media imposes new managerial challenges since communication processes...... technologies and we question to what extent social media serve the enhancement of improved understandings across corporate and civil society on CSR issues. This paper suggests that managers face a risk of the “double-edge of stakeholder communication” when incorporating social media into their CSR strategies...

Natural gas in the European Community

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kalim, Z.

1991-01-01

A report is presented on 'Natural Gas in the European Community'. Aspects discussed include the challenges facing the gas industry in the EC, the development of the European gas industry, the structure and role of European gas companies, the sources of European supply, gas contracts and the influences that operate on sales into end markets, electricity generation from natural gas, evolving markets for natural gas in the EC, life in the private sector using British Gas as a role model and country profiles for eleven European countries. (UK)

Good practice guide to internal flexibility policies in companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Goudswaard, A.; Oeij, P.; Brugman, T.

2009-01-01

This report sets out to contribute to the present debate on the need for European companies and their workers to become more flexible and adaptable in the face of ongoing economic change and business restructuring. The guide should therefore provide useful and practical tips for company-level actors

Inventory of activation analysis facilities available in the European Community to Industrial users

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pauwels, J.

1975-01-01

This inventory includes lists of activation equipment produced in the European Community, facilities available for industrial users and activation laboratories existing in the European companies. The aim of this inventory is to provide all information that may be useful, to companies interested in activation analysis, as well as to give an idea on existing routine applications and on the European market in facilities

Company law as another beggar-my-neighbour policy : Blog

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Cremers, Jan

2017-01-01

In a Blog (Progressive-Economy@TASC), Jan Cremers (UvT) describes the paradigm change that took place in company law in the 1990s. Since the introduction of the European internal market, company law has been increasingly judged in terms of its impact on ‘competitiveness’. This has led to some

Project financing consequences on cogeneration: industrial plant and municipal utility co-operation in Sweden

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sundberg, Gunnel; Sjoedin, J.Joergen

2003-01-01

The liberalisation of the European electricity market influences investment decisions in combined heat and power plants. Energy companies modify their business strategies and their criteria for investments in power generation capacity. In this paper, the gains from a co-operation between a paper mill and municipal utility are studied. We find that a widened system boundary, including both the industrial plant and the district heating company, increases cost-effectiveness by 7-11%, compared to a situation with two separately optimised systems. Furthermore, optimal investments are strongly influenced by the actors' different required returns. With a relatively low required rate of return on energy investments, typical for a municipally owned utility, the most profitable investment is a wood chips-fuelled cogeneration plant. With a higher rate of return on capital, typical for a competitive industry, the optimal investment is mainly a heat-only steam boiler. Finally, some general influences on required rate of return caused by electricity market deregulation are observed. Whilst tending to increase companies' required returns, deregulation may, besides extending the outlet for locally generated electricity, also obstruct long-term high-cost investments such as cogeneration based on conventional technology

An analysis of strategy plan on business performance of a water utility : a Midvaal water company case study / Erven Sello Malatji

OpenAIRE

Malatji, Erven Sello

2014-01-01

The purpose of the research was to assess the strategic management process of a water utility in South Africa. The research focused on Midvaal Water Company, a section 21 water utility based in South Africa, North West Province town of Klerksdorp. The objectives of the study were; (a) to assess the organisational level of knowledge when it comes to SMP, (b) to determine different perceptions with regards to SMP between management and employees, (c) to determine the organisational profiles (ag...

Book Review: Diversity in European Marketing

OpenAIRE

Hana Machková

2012-01-01

The case book “Diversity in European Marketing” is the result of the scientific cooperation of the CEMS Marketing Faculty Group. Prestigious Central European Universities - Corvinius University of Budapest and University of Economic, Prague - are members of CEMS - the Global Alliance in Management Education of 26 leading business schools and 70 multinational companies. Four authors from these two Universities share in this book their experience of Central European Marketing specifics.

European innovation and technology development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Johnson, R.W.

1991-01-01

The promotion of technological innovation by European national governments and the EC in pursuit of both increased recovery and the anchoring of technology in supply, manufacturing and service sector companies has been a feature of the strategic involvement by European states in exploration and production research and development. This paper summaries past trends in this activity and reviews the targets for future industry innovation which will enable European (primarily the North Sea) production to be sustained for a further generation

Competence and Human Resource Development in Multinational Companies in Three European Union Member States: A Comparative Analysis between Austria, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. CEDEFOP Panorama Series.

Science.gov (United States)

Markowitsch, Jorg; Kollinger, Iris; Warmerdam, John; Moerel, Hans; Konrad, John; Burell, Catherine; Guile, David

A comparative analysis of human resources development and management in the subsidiaries of three multinational companies (Xerox, Glaxo Wellcome, and AXA Nordstern Colonia) was conducted in these three European Union (EU) member states: Austria, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Case studies were used, focusing on competence needs and…

Family Ownership and the Entrenchment Effect on Intellectual Capital Utilization: A Study of High-Technology Companies in Indonesia Dealing with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bima Cinintya Pratama

2017-08-01

Full Text Available At the end of 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN brought into being the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC. Due to the AEC, the firms in ASEAN should utilize their resources more effectively and efficiently, so that the firms can survive and grow despite strong competition in the AEC. Indonesia, as the country with the largest economy in the region, needs to address this issue so that companies in Indonesia can face the challenges resulting from the AEC. This study aimed to examine the positive relationship between the intellectual capital (IC and the financial performance of high-technology (high-tech companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and also to examine whether the entrenchment effect of family ownership exists. This study was conducted from 2008 to 2014. The final sample used in this study consisted of 31 companies with a total of 144 observations. This study used a panel data regression model analysis. The results showed that, for a company, IC has a positive impact on financial performance. This result indicated that the efficient and effective use of their IC will help the firms to achieve higher financial performance, and will be useful for dealing with the AEC. There was no evidence that the entrenchment effect exists in the family ownership of high-tech companies in Indonesia and hampers the utilization of IC.

Family Ownership and the Entrenchment Effect on Intellectual Capital Utilization: A Study of High-Technology Companies in Indonesia Dealing with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bima Cinintya Pratama

2017-07-01

Full Text Available At the end of 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN brought into being the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC. Due to the AEC, the firms in ASEAN should utilize their resources more effectively and efficiently, so that the firms can survive and grow despite strong competition in the AEC. Indonesia, as the country with the largest economy in the region, needs to address this issue so that companies in Indonesia can face the challenges resulting from the AEC. This study aimed to examine the positive relationship between the intellectual capital (IC and the financial performance of high-technology (high-tech companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and also to examine whether the entrenchment effect of family ownership exists. This study was conducted from 2008 to 2014. The final sample used in this study consisted of 31 companies with a total of 144 observations. This study used a panel data regression model analysis. The results showed that, for a company, IC has a positive impact on financial performance. This result indicated that the efficient and effective use of their IC will help the firms to achieve higher financial performance, and will be useful for dealing with the AEC. There was no evidence that the entrenchment effect exists in the family ownership of high-tech companies in Indonesia and hampers the utilization of IC.

CNG: Aiming to be an energy company, not a gas company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wheatley, R.

1997-01-01

Long before regulatory changes in the US paved the way for the union of natural gas and electric utility companies, Consolidated Natural Gas Co. (CNG) embarked on a strategy that would serve the company well in the 1990s. In 1995, CNG began a corporate repositioning to meet mounting competition, switching emphasis from its regulated businesses to the non-regulated side. The goal: to become an energy player, not only in the US but internationally. This paper focuses on the company's operations, business plans, and management strategies. The paper gives an overview, then discusses production of oil and gas, the growing exploration program and plans for the future

Is vaccination good value for money? A review of cost-utility analyses of vaccination strategies in eight European countries

OpenAIRE

Barbieri, Marco; Capri, Stefano

2016-01-01

Objective: The objective of this study is to review published cost-utility analyses of vaccination strategies in eight European countries and to assess whether there are differences in cost-effectiveness terms among countries and vaccinations. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and the PubMed database. Cost-utility analyses of any type of vaccination that used quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as me...

Biomass utilization at Northern States Power Company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ellis, R.P.

1994-01-01

Northern States Power Company (open-quotes NSPclose quotes) generates, transmits and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas to customers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Michigan. An important and growing component of the fuel needed to generate steam for electrical production is biomass. This paper describes NSP's historical use of biomass, current biomass resources and an overview of how NSP plans to expand its use of biomass in the future

78 FR 43197 - Duke Energy Florida, Inc.; Florida Power & Light Company; Tampa Electric Company; Orlando...

Science.gov (United States)

2013-07-19

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [ER13-1922-000; ER13-1929-000; ER13-1932-000; NJ13-11-000] Duke Energy Florida, Inc.; Florida Power & Light Company; Tampa Electric Company; Orlando Utilities Commission; Notice of Compliance Filings Take notice that on July 10, 2013, Duke Energy...

About the interest of an agreement for a european passport for workers in european regulated nuclear installations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gorin, M.; Bailloeuil, C.; Petrequin, A.

2002-01-01

The European directive 96/29 applicable to EU member states is, or will be transposed in each country according to national conditions which could prove to be more restrictive than the demands of the directive. Additionally, specific organisations in each country, reinforce the disparities where radioprotection, and medical and dosimetric follow-up are concerned. In April 2001, on the initiative of a group of French company medical officers (EDF CEA COGEMA), a meeting with company medical officers from various member states of the EEC: Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, was organised in order to bring to attention the issue of the movement of contract workers in European regulated nuclear installations

A fully updated version of the European utility requirement (EUR) documents is to be available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chatry, J.P.; Berbey, P.

2001-01-01

The major European electricity producers have worked on a common requirement document for future LWR plants since 1992 to get specifications acceptable together by the owners, the public and the authorities. Thus the designers can develop standard LWR designs that could be acceptable everywhere in Europe and the utilities can open their consultations to vendors on common bases. Public and authority's acceptance should be improved as well. Significant savings are expected in development and construction costs. Since the release of the last versions of the EUR texts in 1996, a lot of work has been carried out: reviews by the regulators and other external organisations, comparisons, assessment of compliance of designs vs. EUR and clarification works on the controversial topics that deserved changes or clarification. At the beginning of 1999 enough material was available to start a complete revision of the EUR document. Volumes 1 and 2 of the EUR document list generic nuclear island requirements. The main NPP vendors are developing advanced LWR designs for the European market, with reference to the EUR document. Volume 3 deals with the application of EUR to those designs. The EUR utilities -with contributions of the vendors- are writing specific parts of the EUR document that address some of these designs. Each part includes a plant description and an assessment of its level of compliance with EUR. The first three parts deal with EPR (1500 MW PWR developed by NPI, Framatome and Siemens), EPP (1000 MW PWR with passive safety features developed by Westinghouse and Ansaldo) and BWR 90 (1300 MW BWR developed by ABB Atom). Two other subsets are: one for ABWR (1300 MW BWR developed by GE), the other one for SWR 1000 (1000 MW BWR with passive safety features developed by Siemens). This large and diverse set of designs actually gives the EUR document a very strong base. Revision B of Volume 4 incorporates responses to the comments collected on revision A. Considering all that

A prior authorization program of a radiology benefits management company and how it has affected utilization of advanced diagnostic imaging.

Science.gov (United States)

Levin, David C; Bree, Robert L; Rao, Vijay M; Johnson, Jean

2010-01-01

Radiology benefits management companies have evolved in recent years to meet the need to control the rapid growth in advanced diagnostic imaging. The Obama administration and other key policymakers have proposed using them as a cost-control mechanism, but little is known about how they operate or what results they have produced. The main tool they use is prior authorization. The authors describe the inner workings of the call center of one radiology benefits management company and how its prior authorization program seems to have slowed the growth in the utilization of MRI, CT, and PET in the large markets of one commercial payer. Copyright 2010 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

‘What Europeans Saw of Europe’: Medial Construction of European Identity in Information Films and Newsreels in the 1950s

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anne Bruch

2014-02-01

Full Text Available This article examines Austrian, British, French and German newsreels and European information films produced in the period from 1948 to 1958 either by private and semi-private newsreel companies or transnational, supranational and national institutions like the Economic Cooperation Administration, Council of Europe, European Coal and Steel Community. These newsreel items and short films are not only records from the beginning and consolidation of the European integration project but also political instruments in this process. On the one hand, they informed the public about the new institutions, their purposes as well as their decision-making procedures; on the other hand, they were intended to create a European identity by rewriting a collective cultural and historical memory. By means of these films, some of them being part of the public relations campaigns of various European institutions and newsreel companies, a consistent picture of ‘Europe’ was shaped. This audiovisual representation of Europe as a geographical and historical entity, or, respectively, ‘the idea of European integration’, was not only a result of a political discourse but also a cultural continuation of a centuries-old iconographic tradition. This article aims at broadening the academic debate on a European identity by analysing the political communication process of the European Integration in the 1950s.

The impact of European integration on U.S. companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ludolph, C.M.

1992-01-01

This paper reports that the European Market for Minerals, particularly coal has been growing rapidly. The primary sources of demand are electrical production which for a variety of environmental and energy policy reasons has become the energy source of choice in the European community in the 1990s. The EC integration process will increase demand for electrical energy and coal in the north since this is the primary source of energy and alternatives like nuclear have stabilized for at least the next ten years. Coal and electricity demand in the south of Europe should increase even more rapidly because new markets are opening as electricity use intensifies

European opportunities for fuel cell commercialisation

Science.gov (United States)

Gibbs, C. E.; Steel, M. C. F.

1992-01-01

developing European sub-systems, others have chosen to develop their own novel cell technology. This paper will survey the extent of the fuel cell activities in Europe and emphasise the particular markets which fuel cell manufacturers are targeting. Demand for fuel cells in defence and military applications will be the first sector to be commercially viable — European companies such as Siemens, Elenco and VSEL are already marketing AFC or PEM systems for naval and aerospace applications. The small-scale CHP sector is also a likely early market for fuel cell plant. Co-generation fuel cells are of great interest to gas companies like ENAGAS and British Gas looking to promote sales of gas by installing on-site gas-fired generators on their customers' premises. The market for utility scale fuel cell plants is expected to develop later in the decade. The largest demonstration planned for Europe is the 1 MW PAFC for Milan, due to come onstream in 1992. MBB GmbH is considering developing MW-scale MCFC plants with the US company ERC — a 2 MW demonstration is planned for the end of 1993. The potential market for utility fuel cells is large — installation rates could reach 500-1000 MW/year by the turn of the century. Fuel cells will probably not achieve significant use in transport applications in Europe until after the turn of the century unless very stringent emissions legislation for vehicles is introduced. The likely early markets for fuel cells in the transport sector seem to be for delivery and fleet vehicles. Examples of European projects in this area include the Amsterdam city bus project which will use Elenco's AFC technology and Siemens' fork lift truck which will incorporate a PEM fuel cell. Fuel cells also link conveniently with renewable energy systems — coupled with an electrolyser a fuel cell can store solar, wind or wave power. The electrolysis proces is used to generate hydrogen from water at times of surplus energy while the fuel cell consumes hydrogen fuel

Electric and gas utility marketing of residential energy conservation case studies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

None

1980-05-01

The objective of this research was to obtain information about utility conservation marketing techniques from companies actively engaged in performing residential conservation services. Many utilities currently are offering comprehensive services (audits, listing of contractors and lenders, post-installation inspection, advertising, and performing consumer research). Activities are reported for the following utilities: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation; Tampa Electric Company; Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division; Northern States Power-Wisconsin; Public Service Company of Colorado; Arizona Public Service Company; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Sacramento Municipal Utility District; and Pacific Power and Light Company.

The European utility requirements - purposes and requirements to be fulfilled by the next generation of LWRs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Broecker, B.; Essmann, J.

1995-01-01

With the first big phase of nuclear power reactor engineering and construction having come to an end in west european countries, and current activities of reactor manufacturers being reduced to building few plants for meeting growing electricity demand, or replacing retired power plants, the available market for manufacturers of nuclear power systems has become so small that the market of one country alone does not justify investment for the development of novel reactor types, or design enhancements. In all countries of Western Europe, the facility operators are responsible for safe and economically efficient operation of their nuclear power reactors, and this is why they decided to jointly elaborate and present to both manufacturers and supervising authorities as well as to the general public their requirements for the forthcoming generation of nuclear power plants. The resulting European Utility Requirements is a document specifying the details relating to engineered safety, reliability, operating performance, and economics of the reactors to be built by manufacturers for the European market. (orig./UA) [de

18 CFR 367.14 - Transactions with associate companies.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... all transactions with associate companies. The statements may be required to show the general nature... associate companies. 367.14 Section 367.14 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 2005...

Market opening: how will European gas supply evolve?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Delon, Ch.

1999-01-01

With the implementation of the gas directive, European gas companies are facing many new challenges. Some concern the upstream gas sector in particular, notably with the new rules of competition in Europe, the changes in the structure of gas industries and their adaptation to the new Europe-wide market. For this first round table to the 116. gas conference, chaired by Sophie Mayeux, journalist and editor of the Est Eco journal, four representatives of major European companies and one representative of the banking sector examined the possible future scenarios for gas supply in Europe. (authors)

VALUE RELEVANCE OF GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BASED ON ENTITY VERSUS PARENT COMPANY THEORY: EVIDENCE FROM THE LARGEST THREE EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Müller Victor-Octavian

2012-07-01

Full Text Available Financial statementsn#8217; main objective is to give information on the financial position, performance and changes in financial position of the reporting entity, which is useful to investors and other users in making economic decisions. In order to be useful, financial information needs to be relevant to the decision-making process of users in general, and investors in particular. Regarding consolidated financial statements, the accounting theory knows four perspectives (theories on which the preparation of those statements is based, namely, the proprietary theory, the parent company theory, the parent company extension theory and the entity theory (Baxter and Spinney, 1975. Of practical importance are especially the parent company extension perspective and the entity perspective. The IASB and FASB decided (within an ED regarding the Improvement of the Conceptual Framework that consolidated financial statements should be presented from the perspective of the group entity, and not from the perspective of the parent-company. However, this support for the entity theory is to our knowledge not backed by empirical findings in the academic literature. Therefore, in our paper we set to contribute with empirical arguments to finding an actual answer to the question about the superior market value relevance of one of the two concurrent perspectives (theories. We set to carry out an empirical association study on the problem of market value relevance of consolidated financial statements based on the entity theory respectively on the parent company (extension theory, searching for an answer to the above question. In this sense, we pursued an analysis of market value relevance of consolidated accounting information (based on the two perspectives of listed entities between 2003-2008 on the largest three European Stock Exchanges (London, Paris and Frankfurt. The obtained results showed that a n#8222;restrainedn#8221; entity perspective, which would combine

Report made on behalf of the mixed parity commission in charge of the text proposal about the remaining dispositions to be discussed of the project of law relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the electric and gas companies; Rapport fait au nom de la Commission mixte paritaire chargee de proposer un texte sur les dispositions restant en discussion du projet de loi relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gaziere

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lenoir, J.C.; Poniatowski, L

2004-07-01

This project of law aims to adapt the electricity and gas sector to the new economical context of opening of the energy markets to competition. It gives to energy companies the internal organization base necessary to warrant a high level of service and a transparent and non-discriminatory access of third parties to transport and distribution networks. These evolutions will allow Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) companies to compete on equal terms with their European competitors. It confirms first the prime role of public utility of both companies and then transposes the dispositions of the European directives relative to the organization of EdF and GdF integrated companies. It foresees the creation of two daughter companies for the management of energy transport activities. The project of law foresees also the change of the status of EdF and GdF companies and the reform of the retirement pensions of the personnel. This report presents, first, in a comparative table the articles adopted by the French house of commons and the changes adopted by the Senate. Then, a common text is proposed by the mixed parity commission for the articles that remained under discussion. (J.S.)

European Union and oil

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Paillard, Christophe Alexandre

2004-01-01

In a context of oil price increase, problems about a Russian oil company (Loukos), and uncertainties in the Middle-East, the possibility of a new oil shock is a threat for Europe, and raises the issue of a true European energy policy which would encompass, not only grid development, environmental issues or market regulation issues, but also strategic issues related to energy supply security. This article proposes an overview of the European policy: first steps for a future European energy and oil policy in the green paper of the European Commission published in November 2000, issues of pollution and safety for hydrocarbon maritime transport. The article then examines the possibility of a third oil shock due to a crisis in the Middle East, and discusses whether European must have strategic stocks to face an outage of oil supplies

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo in a liberalized european market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaminski, P.

2004-01-01

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gaxownictwo (PGNiG) is the leading operator in the Polish natural gas market. Following Poland's membership of the European Union, the company must now face up to the new challenges of a liberalized gas market. The firm is currently changing its organisational methods in order to adapt its company structure to the requirements of gas directive No. 2003/55/CE. In conformity with the European recommendations, the transportation activities have been separated off from the company structure. Work is being carried out in order to separate the company PGNiG Przesyl which is the operator of the transport system. Preparatory measures are underway in order to facilitate PGNiG's flotation on the stock market. A successful privatisation will enable the company to continue its expansion and to obtain the capital it needs to face up to its investment related expenditure. PGNiG aims to be a highly competitive company, not only in Poland but also in Europe. To achieve this, investments are being made aimed at boosting national gas extraction, which will make it possible to improve the company's competitiveness. The firm seeks to be a key player to discussions focusing on infrastructure for the transportation of natural gas towards Europe and is carrying out negotiations with partners concerning the construction of connections known as 'interconnections' between the gas pipeline systems of the respective European countries. The company's participation in the planned construction of the Bernau-Szczecin pipeline is similar in nature to the project for the delivery of compressed natural gas. (author)

A Virtual Company for Educational Purpose

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Thorsteinsson, Uffe

1997-01-01

The paper presents an overview of a proposed project with the goal to develop an educational system to be used for education of industrial engineer students at European universities. The system is based on Internet and multimedia applications and constists of following elements: A virtual company...

Chinese Companies in Switzerland

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Esther Kessler

2014-10-01

Full Text Available In recent years, some of China’s leading firms have made headlines with their European expansion, by either opening new facilities or by acquiring or merging with significant enterprises in Europe. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the existing literature by examining Chinese enterprises expanding into Switzerland. The study also allows some conclusions for Chinese companies entering Central and Eastern Europe. We analyze via interviews the motivations of Chinese companies to expand into Switzerland as well as their behavior and the impediments in their internationalization process. Our findings show that Chinese companies fail to take advantage of certain benefits of western economies (such as open information and stable rule of law. To move forward efficiently, they should develop competence in dealing systematically with readily available market information, building professional networks that recognize a separation between business life and personal life, and managing their Chinese and foreign employees in the foreign cultural environment.

Perspectives at the East European engineering companies in the field of power industry in the power-plant construction globalization conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ganchev, R.

2001-01-01

A large group of companies, institutes, boiler and power engineering work ect. from East European countries, currently in process of reorganization or already transformed into new-established private companies and corporations possess significant intellectual property in the field of thermal power technologies and equipment and broad experience in the design and the erection of thermal power plants. In many cases this know-how is not only competitive to that of the large companies of the West and of the Far East, but frequently it also proves to have a number of advantages. However, in the years of transition in these countries and simultaneous globalization, the owners of this potentials meet with difficulties and restrictions to realize it fully. Large investment projects - for new or replacement capacities or comprehensive rehabilitation or refurbishment of TPPs - are accessible only for the financially powerful EPC-contractors and key equipment suppliers, for which large bank credits are accessible. The near future perspective, for the scientists and experts that have accumulated this capital, is in the opportunity to employ the extensive experience and know-how of this firms in the forthcoming large-scale rehabilitation projects in these countries, and primarily, in the solution of specific problems, that have not been solved so far, provided that the projects are awarded not on the basis of the financial power of the contractors but on the basis of the efficiency of the proposed original solutions

E-commerce between a European and a Chinese company

NARCIS (Netherlands)

de Boer, S.J.; Wei, Y.; Zhong, Y.X.; Shi, J.; Lin, X.

2001-01-01

With the rapid development of the Chinese economy in general, and the Internet in China in particular, the scope for international business cooperation is increasing. This paper presents an e-commerce case study between a listed Chinese Internet service provider (ISP) company and a small Dutch IT

A common vision of energy risk? Energy securitisation and company perceptions of risk in the EU

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Edward Stoddard

2012-08-01

Full Text Available In the European Union, energy security is provided by EU institutions, member states and commercial energy companies. However, despite the important role companies play in the provision of European energy security, it is not immediately evident to what extent the interests of the internationally operating energy firms are in line with the energy security preferences held by EU institutions. Analysing this relationship from the perspective of perceptions of energy security and energy business risk, this paper examines the extent to which there is a convergence between the energy securitisation of the European Commission and the observation of business risk as perceived by major European and international energy firms. It finds that while there are some significant areas where Commission securitisation contradicts energy company interests (e.g. climate change and energy prices there is also a high degree of convergence, in particular regarding perceptions of upstream political risk.

European Union funded project on the development of a whole complement deficiency screening ELISA

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Würzner, Reinhard; Tedesco, Francesco; Garred, Peter

2015-01-01

A whole complement ELISA-based assay kit, primarily designed to screen for deficiencies in components of the complement system was developed during a European Union grant involving more than a dozen European scientists and a small-medium enterprise company (Wieslab, which later merged into Eurodi......A whole complement ELISA-based assay kit, primarily designed to screen for deficiencies in components of the complement system was developed during a European Union grant involving more than a dozen European scientists and a small-medium enterprise company (Wieslab, which later merged...

The Exchange Rate Exposure of Danish Non-Financial Companies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Aabo, Tom

1999-01-01

of the extra-market exchange rate exposure of individual companies. As such, only a minority of companies has significant exposures when using the effective Danish exchange rate in an OLS regression analysis while half of the companies have significant exposures when using five main exchange rates. A GARCH(1......A shortcut to measuring exchange rate exposure at the company level can be to exploit the information content in the stock prices. A regression analysis is conducted for the main Danish non-financial companies. The use of one all-comprising exchange rate indicator fails to address the complexity......,1) regression analysis is shown to further improve the detection of exposures. The success in identifying exposures for Danish non-financial companies is in contrast to earlier US studies and is relevant in a European context....

The unknown story of the European carbon market: an archaeology of the electrical sector

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cartel, Melodie; Aggeri, Franck; Caneill, Jean-Yves

2017-01-01

In economic literature, the creation of the European carbon market is presented as a major institutional innovation that can be viewed as a direct application of economic theory. In this article, we propose another version of how the European carbon market came about that emphasizes the active role played by companies. For a period of three years, these companies designed and tested a prototype carbon market, while being observed by European experts. Drawing on archive documents, we analyze this experimentation process and examine in detail its influence on the European carbon market. We then discuss the role of companies in the processes of institutional innovation, a process that generally remains invisible. Finally it is explained how such experiments, conducted in protected spaces, can facilitate the design and testing of new concepts

18 CFR 367.30 - Cost accumulation system for associate companies.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... to the types of services performed and chargeable to the associate companies served. Service company... system for associate companies. 367.30 Section 367.30 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY...

EUROPEAN HARMONIZATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REGULATIONS?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cirstea Andreea

2012-07-01

Full Text Available The purpose of this paper is to analyze the degree of formal accounting harmonization within the European Union with respect to the EC Regulation No. 1606/2002 adopted by the European Parliament and European Council on the 19th of July 2002, which regulates the application of IAS/IFRS regarding the financial reporting of listed European companies. The conclusions of the paper were drawn after the completion of a thorough analysis performed by using correlation and/ or association coefficients, namely: the Jaccard’s Correlation Coefficients, Rogers and Tanimoto Coefficient, Lance and Williams Coefficient and Binary Euclidian Distance Coefficient. The results lead us to conclude that although our first hypothesis is verified, the degree of harmonization between the accounting systems of EU Member States could be truly quantified only through an analysis of the material accounting harmonization, more precisely by analyzing the way the companies put into practice the requirements imposed through the EC Regulation No. 1606/2002.

Advice presented on behalf of the commission of finances, economy and plan about the law project (no. 1613) relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the power and gas companies; Avis presente au nom de la Commission des finances, de l'economie generale et du plan sur le projet de loi (no. 1613), relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carayon, B.

2004-06-01

The aim of this report is to present to the French deputies the advice of the commission of finances and economy about the law project relative to the change of status of the power and gas public utilities in the framework of the deregulation of European energy markets. This law changes the juridical status of the two state monopolies Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) into two anonymous companies and creates two additional companies for the management of the power and gas networks. It ensures also the transposition of the European directives from June 26, 2003 (2003/54/CE and 2003/55/CE). It contains some proper dispositions and modifies various existing French laws, in particular the law no. 46-628 from April 8, 1946 about the electricity and gas nationalization and the law no. 2000-108 from February 10, 2000 relative to the modernization and development of the electric public utility. The first part of the document reports on the general discussions and comments made by the commission about the law project while the second part concerns the detailed analysis of the articles 16 and 22 about the pension funds of EdF and GdF agents and the change of the status of both utilities. The amendments adopted by the commission for these articles conclude the report. (J.S.)

Preparing Canada's power systems for transition to the year 2000: the Y2K programs of Canada's electric utility companies: province-by-province report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anon.

1999-09-01

The province-by-province report covers BC Hydro; TransAlta, ATCO Ltd., EPCOR, and Enmax, SaskPower, Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, Ontario Hydro Services Company, Toronto Hydro, Hydro-Quebec and Energie Maclaren, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Newfoundland Power, Nova Scotia Power, Maritime Electric,Yukon and Northwest Territories,Yukon Electrical Company Ltd., Northland Utilities (Yellowknife) Ltd. and Northland Utilities (NWT) Ltd. A report typically deals with inventory, testing and remediation of business systems, inventory, testing and remediation of operational control devices, business partner reviews, and preparation and exercising of contingency plans, as well as Y2K status and readiness reports, and dateline preparations.

The Japanese power equipment market - potential for foreign companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bell, G.D.; Matsumoto, Satoru

1993-01-01

The potential for foreign companies for sales of heavy electrical equipment in Japan is assessed. The Japanese heavy electrical equipment industry (HEI) has very close links with the electricity supply industry. Traditionally a small circle of domestic manufacturers have supplied all the electric utilities. However, there is criticism in Japan of the inefficiencies which have arisen as a result of the close relationship and the cost competitiveness of domestic products has been eroded by the appreciation of the yen. The chief driving force in the opening of the market to foreign products is political, though. Friction between Japan and the USA and European Community on the subject of trade imbalance, has led the Ministry of Internal Trade and Industry to encourage major utilities to increase their imports from abroad. Consequently, opportunities now exist for foreign suppliers to gain access to the Japanese HEI market but only if they are willing to make a long term investment. Market entry is still likely to be very difficult, however, and unlikely to produce quick returns. In the longer term, though, access to the Japanese market could open up even wider opportunities. (UK)

EU emissions trading: Distinctive behavior of small companies

OpenAIRE

Naegele, Helene; Zaklan, Aleksandar

2016-01-01

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the cornerstone of the European Union's climate policy and covers just under half of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. More than ten years since the EU ETS was first introduced, there continues to be substantial research interest regarding its functioning and the behavior of participating companies. DIW Berlin conducted three econometric studies based on microdata at company and/or installation level. The findings suggest that, overall, there are o...

Company Tax Integration in the European Union During Economic Crisis – Why and How?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

A. Sting (Anna)

2014-01-01

markdownabstract__Abstract__ Company tax integration in the EU is yet to be realised. This article first outlines the main benefits of company tax integration for the Economic and Monetary Union, and also discusses the main legal obstacles the EU Treaties pose for harmonisation of company tax.

The Volatility of Market Risk In Viet Nam Listed Public Utilities Company Groups during and after the Financial Crisis 2007-2009

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dinh Tran Ngoc Huy

2014-03-01

Full Text Available This study estimates market risk of total 45 listed companies in Viet Nam public utilities, natural gas and oil industry during the financial crisis period 2007-2009. Firstly, we found out in the research sample that there are 82% of firms, of total listed firms, with beta values lower than ( 1, meaning having stock returns fluctuating more than the market benchmark. Thirdly, among three (3 groups, the systemic risk in the electric power industry is the smallest, shown by estimated values of equity and asset beta mean, and asset beta variance in this industry is also the smallest. Finally, this paper generates some analytical outcomes that enable companies and government to have more evidence in establishing their policies in investments and in governance

Corporate Negative Equity: The Evidence from the European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Natalia Mokhova

2016-01-01

Full Text Available After the Global Financial Crisis the frequency of reported losses of companies has increased significantly in countries of the European Union. Moreover, the financial leverage of companies have increased and even exceeded 100% in several countries. The reason of this development is negative equity that companies find themselves to report. At first sight negative equities are caused by accumulated losses from prior periods. However, there are some other reasons that can result in increasing negative equities in companies. They remain adequate as long as a company is able to pay its bills. Nevertheless, a company with negative equity is exposed to risks. This paper investigates whether the corporate negative equity is a sign of the future failure of a company. We examine non-financial manufactured companies from selected countries of the European Union within the period 2005–2012 from database Amadeus (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Germany. By the means of comparison between negative and positive equities we applied descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. We find that in all surveyed countries the size positively influences the equity of companies. Other factors as profitability and growth opportunities do not influence the corporate equity. In addition the binary logistic regression analysis has been conducted based on the evidence from Czech companies. Our results indicate that negative equities are not a sign of bankruptcy or insolvency of a company. But the low profitability or low business activities (that are predictors of bankruptcy might lead to negative equities in the balance sheet.

The players on the European gas market - 2008 edition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lecarpentier, Armelle

2008-02-01

In a context of growing dependence on extra-European sources, a growth potential in gas use for power generation and the acceleration of the liberalization process, the 2008 Edition of 'The Players on the European Gas Market' offers a unique detailed review of the positioning of players in both the upstream (production, reserves) and downstream (wholesale and retail supply) sectors of the gas chain. This 140-pages report, includes 55 tables and 29 figures, and presents an in-depth description of the European gas industry by country. The Survey 'The Players on the European Gas Market' provides: - The analysis of new upstream areas and production growth prospects, - Company rankings in terms of reserve and production volumes, - The complete overview of the whole European gas market (market characteristics, supply sources, consuming outlets, effective competition), - Strategies and key facts of the wholesale suppliers to Europe, - An in-depth review of national market structures, - The detailed positioning and analysis of national market power of the numerous companies involved in gas supply

Integrated pollution prevention and control scares industrial companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zackova, K.; Sobinkovic, B.

2003-01-01

It will not be easy to obtain a permit to open a new industrial plant. And not only the new ones but all important operating industrial productions will require a so called integrated permit. Both authorities and company managers consider the validation process to be more demanding compared to the current procedure for obtaining a building or user permit. As of August 1, 2003 - the day a new Act on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) is expected to enter into force - only integrated permits will be given. The related bill has been passed to the parliament for the second reading. As of end of April next year the future of 31 industrial plants will depend on whether they will be granted a integrated permit or not. IPPC is a terror for companies due to its seriousness, complexity and the relatively short time given, should they not manage to obtain a permit the plant may be closed down. The European Commission (EC) Directive 96/61/EC Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control raises the same concerns among companies in European Union (EU) member states. It is one of the most strict environmental standards and one of the sensitive conditions of EU entry. That is one of the reasons transition periods for this Directive were negotiated for ten Slovak companies. (Authors)

Public utilities with renewable energy sources. Proceedings; Stadtwerke mit Erneuerbaren Energien. Konferenzbeitraege

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2008-07-01

Within the Second EUROSOLAR Conference of EUROSOLAR, the European Association for Renewable Energy (Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany) between 15th and 16th May, 2008, at the Waterworks Braunschweig (Federal Republic of Germany), the following lectures were held: (1) The municipal public utility: The paradigm shift from power distribution companies to municipal infrastructure provider (C. Jaenig); (2) Public utilities and their concepts (Z. Meszaros); (3) The BS Energy Group (U.Lehmann-Grube); (4) New ways with energy (T. Westerheide); (5) Public utilities and their concepts (R. Edzards); (6) Public utilities with renewable energy (P. Asmuth); (7) Total concept of the public utility Wolfhagen (M. Ruehl); (8) Municipal energy concepts for the expansion of the combined heat and power generation and renewable energies (J. van Bergen); (9) Storage of renewable energy (T. Blank); (10) Public utility as a confident partner of a renewable regional economy (R. Hemmers); (11) The regenerative combined cycle power plant (M. Meyr); (12) The solar power system of systaic (O. Achilles); (13) The concession contract as an instrument for restructuring (J. Schwarz); (14) EEG 2009, GasNZV and EEWaermeG: The changed legal framework as a chance for a restructured power generation (M. Altrock).

18 CFR 367.1110 - Account 111, Accumulated provision for amortization of service company property.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 2005, FEDERAL POWER ACT AND NATURAL GAS ACT UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR CENTRALIZED SERVICE COMPANIES SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING... (§ 367.4040), for the current amortization of limited-term service company property investments. (2...

Shaping the future of electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Byus, L.C.

1993-01-01

On December 14, 1992, Cincinnati Gas ampersand Electric Company (CG ampersand E) and PSI Resources, Inc. announced an agreement to merge the two companies into a newly formed company, CINergy Corp. In announcing the proposed merger, James E. Rogers Jr., chairman, president, and chief executive officer of PSI said, Our companies have chosen to shape our future and our industry. This is an ideal partnership, since our strengths complement each other and our vision of the future is the same. Will this merger be the first of many that will shape the future of the electric utility in the United States? What is the vision of the future for the industry? About five years ago, a well-known Wall Street utility analyst traveled around the country talking about the anticipated consolidation of electric utility companies in the US His motto was Fifty in Five, meaning widespread consolidation that would reduce the number of independent investor-owned utilities from more than 100 to 50 within a five-year period. He even developed a map showing the mergers/consolidations he looked for and actually named names. More than five years have passed, and only a handful of utility mergers have taken place. But, looking forward from 1992, restructuring of the utility industry is very much a vision of the future. What is the driving force? The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 provides the legislative framework for the electric utility industry in the US in future years. While the specific rules that will govern the industry are yet to be promulgated, the intent to allow (even promote) competition is evident in the Act itself. But it appears the vision of the future is market driven

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION FROM POLAND’S VIEWPOINT. SELECTED ISSUES

OpenAIRE

Iwona M. Pawlas

2014-01-01

It has been ten years since Poland joined the European Union in May 2004. Integration with the EU structures resulted in considerable economic, social and political advantages. On the other hand membership in the EU created new challenges for Poland, the Polish companies and the Polish citizens. The paper reviews selected issues of Poland’s integration with the European Union with special focus on net financial effect of membership, competitiveness of Polish goods on single European market, p...

Report made on behalf of the commission of economic affairs, environment and territory about the law project (no. 1613), relative to the electric and gas public utilities and to the power and gas companies; Rapport fait au nom de la Commission des affaires economiques, de l'environnement et du territoire sur le projet de loi (no. 1613), relatif au service public de l'electricite et du gaz et aux entreprises electriques et gazieres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lenoir, J.C.

2004-06-01

The aim of this report is to present to the French deputies the comments made by the commission of economic affairs, environment and territory about the law project relative to the change of status of the power and gas public utilities in the framework of the deregulation of European energy markets. This law changes the juridical status of the two state monopolies Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF) into two anonymous companies and creates two additional companies for the management of the power and gas networks. It ensures also the transposition of the European directives from June 26, 2003 (2003/54/CE and 2003/55/CE). It contains some proper dispositions and modifies various existing French laws, in particular the law no. 46-628 from April 8, 1946 about the electricity and gas nationalization and the law no. 2000-108 from February 10, 2000 relative to the modernization and development of the electric public utility. The first part of the document reports on the general discussions about the law project while the second part makes a detailed analysis of each article with some proposals of modifications. A comparative table puts in parallel the existing texts, the law project and the proposals made by the commission. (J.S.)

The European Community eco-management and audit regulations and the ISO standard 14001 for eco-management systems: significance and consequences for the eco-management of utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gudet, C.

1996-01-01

Various companies in the electrical industries have concerned themselves with the EMAS regulations and the private sector industries standards BS 7750 and ISO 14001. In various pilot experiments, investigations were carried out on the suitability of these management instruments for utilities. Several power plants in Holland and England have already instituted standards-complying environmental management systems and had them partly certificated. The paper shows in which existing legal frameworks the new management instruments have an effect and what elements they consist of. There is shown, on the basis of an example, which regions of the utility are affected by the environmental management system and how it is co-ordinated into the whole company organisation. (author) 4 figs., 11 refs

How campaigns enhance European issues voting during European Parliament elections

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Beach, Derek; Møller Hansen, Kasper; Larsen, Martin Vinæs

2017-01-01

Based on findings from the literature on campaign effects on the one hand, and the literature on European Parliament elections on the other, we propose a model of European Parliamentary elections in which the campaign shift the calculus of electoral support, making differences in national political...... allegiances less important and attitudes about the European project more important by informing voters of and getting them interested in European politics. In effect, we argue that the political campaign leading up to the election makes European Parliament elections less second-order. While previous studies...... have demonstrated that EU attitudes can matter for voting behavior in European Parliament elections, existing research has drawn on post-election surveys that do not enable us to capture campaign effects. Our contribution is to assess the impact of a campaign by utilizing a rolling cross sectional...

How a traditional company seeded new analytics capabilities

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Gust, G. (Gunther); D. Neumann (Dirk); Flath, C.M. (Christoph M.); T. Brandt (Tobias); Ströhle, P. (Philipp)

2017-01-01

textabstractDeveloping state-of-the art data analytics capabilities is a challenge for traditional companies with long-established processes and legacy systems. We describe how one such company (a Swiss electricity utility) conducted a seed project-a bottom-up initiative to develop an analytics

Bioremediation in Germany: Markets, technologies, and leading companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raphael, T.; Glass, D.J.

1995-01-01

Bioremediation has become an internationally accepted remediation tool. Commercial bioremediation activities take place in many European countries, but Germany and the Netherlands are the clear European leaders, with both having a long history of public and private sector activity in biological technologies. The German bioremediation market has been driven by government regulation, in particular the waste laws that apply to contaminated soils. The 1994 German market for bioremediation is estimated at $70 to 100 million (US $). There are at least 150 companies active in bioremediation in Germany, most of which practice bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, either in situ or ex situ. Because of their predominance in the current European market, German firms are well positioned to expand into those nations in the European Union (EU) currently lacking an environmental business infrastructure

Company cases Denmark

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Tølle, Martin; Pedersen, Jørgen Lindgaard

2005-01-01

for government sector in Denmark. DC employed 1,000 persons and had a market share on 75 % in the market of large government institutions when it was taken over. Danish government wanted to sell DC in order to get more intensity in competion in IT - markets in general and especially in the market for public...... IT - solitions. CSC wanted to buy DC to penetrate the Nordic market. Some effects can be mentioned: Employment in CSC - DK is in 2003 1,700 persons or 2,600 including other companies bought up recently. In innovation positive effects can be registered from contacts with CSC - International. Not only from access...... - Laboratoriet, Benzon - Pharma and Pharma - Medica during years 1988 - 1991.Nycomed wants to establish itself as a company on European level.After a decade with different owners, fusions and splitting ups a construction in which head quarter and R&D move to Denmark close to Copenhagen. The importance...

Good practice guide to internal flexibility policies in companies

OpenAIRE

Goudswaard, A.; Oeij, P.; Brugman, T.

2009-01-01

This report sets out to contribute to the present debate on the need for European companies and their workers to become more flexible and adaptable in the face of ongoing economic change and business restructuring. The guide should therefore provide useful and practical tips for company-level actors concerning the potential benefits of developing more flexible internal workplace policies. Equally, it has been developed to assist practitioners and social partners wishing to review and/or learn...

Financial management of insurance companies in the context of the new regime Solvency II

OpenAIRE

Istrate Costin; Badea Dumitru

2017-01-01

The new solvency regime Solvency II represents a solid and harmonized prudential framework applicable by insurance companies in the European area. Solvency II was implemented in the European Union by adopting Directives 2009/138/EC respectively 2014/51/EU, replacing existing directives regulating solvency former regime, known as Solvency I. Thus, the new European legislation in insurance, applicable from 1 January 2016, was aimed at unifying the main European insurance market and ensuring con...

Local government and utility firms’ debts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marko Primorac

2011-12-01

Full Text Available The global financial crisis has affected the Croatian local public sector. In such circumstances, local government units’ debts and borrowing should be approached with caution. The highly interwoven financial operations of local government units and their utilities indicate the need for analysis of consolidated financial statements of local governments and utility companies in order to gain an insight into the real financial “health” of local units. Accordingly, the main aim of this paper is to analyze the size and the structure of the consolidated (local government and utility companies local public debt in Croatia. Accordingly, the paper presents the financial position of local government units supplemented with information on the financial operations of utility companies, with particular emphasis on the size and structure of their liabilities and gross and net debt. Although the current Budget Law does not require formal preparation of consolidated financial statements by local governments and their utility firms, consolidation is stipulated by International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS. The application of IPSAS regulations would be helpful in determining overall direct and indirect exposure of local government units arising from the financial operations of their utilities.

Tobacco industry strategies for influencing European Community tobacco advertising legislation.

Science.gov (United States)

Neuman, Mark; Bitton, Asaf; Glantz, Stanton

2002-04-13

Restrictions on tobacco company advertising and sponsorship are effective parts of tobacco control programmes worldwide. Through Council Directive 98/43/EC, the European Community (EC) sought to end all tobacco advertising and sponsorship in EC member states by 2006. Initially proposed in 1989, the directive was adopted in 1998, and was annulled by the European Court of Justice in 2000 following a protracted lobbying campaign against the directive by a number of interested organisations including European tobacco companies. A new advertising directive was proposed in May, 2001. We reviewed online collections of tobacco industry documents from US tobacco companies made public under the US Master Settlement Agreement of 1998. Documents reviewed dated from 1978 to 1994 and came from Philip Morris, R J Reynolds, and Brown and Williamson (British American Tobacco) collections. We also obtained approximately 15,000 pages of paper records related to British American Tobacco from its documents' depository in Guildford, UK. This information was supplemented with information in the published literature and consultations with European tobacco control experts. The tobacco industry lobbied against Directive 98/43/EC at the level of EC member state governments as well as on a pan-European level. The industry sought to prevent passage of the directive within the EC legislature, to substitute industry-authored proposals in place of the original directive, and if necessary to use litigation to prevent implementation of the directive after its passage. The tobacco industry sought to delay, and eventually defeat, the EC directive on tobacco advertising and sponsorship by seeking to enlist the aid of figures at the highest levels of European politics while at times attempting to conceal the industry's role. An understanding of these proposed strategies can help European health advocates to pass and implement effective future tobacco control legislation.

Energy consumption across European Union farms: Efficiency in terms of farming output and utilized agricultural area

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martinho, Vítor João Pereira Domingues

2016-01-01

Energy consumption is a global concern, namely due to the limited availability of energy sources and the consequences in terms of gas emissions, with its implications upon greenhouse gas emissions. In the agricultural sector this question bears an additional concern, considering that it is an economic activity which is sensitive to the dimension of the costs associated with production factors. In this way, the objective of the study presented here is to analyze, the efficiency of energy consumption, for the twelve former European Union countries, at farm level, in terms of farming output and utilized agricultural area, over the period 1989–2009 and for the years 2004–2012, with data available in the Farm Accountancy Data Network. On the other hand, the implications of energy consumption in farms' economic performance were analyzed, through econometric techniques (time series, panel data and generalized method of moments) and models based on the Kaldor developments. As a main conclusion, to stress the decrease in efficiency related with energy consumption by farms in the twelve former European Union countries. - Highlights: • It was analyzed the efficiency of energy consumption. • It was considered data for the twelve former European Union states at farm level. • They were evaluated the implications of energy consumption in farms performance. • The conclusions stress the decrease in efficiency of the farms energy consumption.

Film and television production in the Netherlands - a comparison between three medium-sized companies.

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Sanders, Willemien; Puijk, Roel

2014-01-01

This paper discusses the different ways in which production companies established in similar ways can develop over time. It takes three Dutch private film- and television companies as cases. The research forms part of the Dutch component of a European partnership project, Success in the Film and

Are companies in the Czech Republic ready to implement IFRS for SMEs?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lucie Bartůňková

2012-01-01

Full Text Available The process of integration and globalization is closely related to the need for harmonization of accounting at international level. In this connection International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS have been developed, which are primarily designed for companies whose securities are traded on regulated markets of the European Union. However, as the importance of small and medium-sized entities has been recently on the increase, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB also issued after five years of effort in July 2009 the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs. At present, there is no legislation for the application of this standard in the Czech Republic or any other state of the European Union. Each jurisdiction must determine whether to adopt IFRS for SMEs, to what extent and for which entities the standard is mandatory and for which it is not. Already in previous years the European Commission analyzed data from surveys on this new standard and discussed its advantages and disadvantages. To date, however, it has not taken a single decision on whether to adopt and incorporate the standard into the European accounting legislation. The question also remains what attitude towards IFRS for SMEs companies operating in the Czech Republic will take. That is why this paper analyzes the opinions of some Czech companies belonging to the group of SMEs on the potential adoption of this standard.

Financial management of insurance companies in the context of the new regime Solvency II

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Istrate Costin

2017-07-01

Full Text Available The new solvency regime Solvency II represents a solid and harmonized prudential framework applicable by insurance companies in the European area. Solvency II was implemented in the European Union by adopting Directives 2009/138/EC respectively 2014/51/EU, replacing existing directives regulating solvency former regime, known as Solvency I. Thus, the new European legislation in insurance, applicable from 1 January 2016, was aimed at unifying the main European insurance market and ensuring consumer protection. The responsible authority at EU level with the implementation of the new solvency regime is EIOPA - European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, which dealt in previous periods of testing the European market insurance through organizing quantitative impact studies (last exercise - QIS5, organized in 2011. The main standards derived from Solvency II and also the new IFRS accounting provisions, intended to increase the transparency of risk management and investment, in order to pricing insurance products and profitability of the different classes of insurance rates. Solvency II brings both challenges and opportunities for companies, changing the concept of building protection programs for insured and generating additional concerns about capital requirements in the determination of own funds (basic, auxiliary and surplus that can be used to meet this requirement. Also estimate realistic and prudent risk assumed by insurance contracts concluded transposed to the insurance companies by recording every technical reserves represent a very important element in order to establish an optimal balance of financial resources. Given the significant overlap between IFRS and Solvency II, insurers will have to improve disclosure requirements of additional information and adjust planning and forecasting. All these measures will increase the efficiency of financial management, a series of operational measures and by providing documented and tested

R and D and Innovation Electric Utilities Challenges: the USA EPRI perspective and the European Horizon2020 framework

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tagle, J. A.; Garcia Martin, J.; Martin Gomez, M.

2013-07-01

The paper presents the real challenges for the utilities worldwide to move the scientific and technological knowledge existing in our hands out of the laboratory and put it into the market place as rapidly as possible to provide a global electrification needed for a better worldwide life. Six main issues have been identified and each one is confronted with top ten challenges: Long-term operation of future and existing assets; Renewable energies; Zero-emission technologies; Energy Efficiency; Smart grids and cities and Water resources management. The corresponding challenges for each issue are described from both sides the USA utilities perspective and the European strategy with special emphasis in the road map for future R and D and innovation efforts needed for a Nuclear Energy renaissance policy.

R and D and Innovation Electric Utilities Challenges: the USA EPRI perspective and the European Horizon2020 framework

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tagle, J. A.; Garcia Martin, J.; Martin Gomez, M.

2013-01-01

The paper presents the real challenges for the utilities worldwide to move the scientific and technological knowledge existing in our hands out of the laboratory and put it into the market place as rapidly as possible to provide a global electrification needed for a better worldwide life. Six main issues have been identified and each one is confronted with top ten challenges: Long-term operation of future and existing assets; Renewable energies; Zero-emission technologies; Energy Efficiency; Smart grids and cities and Water resources management. The corresponding challenges for each issue are described from both sides the USA utilities perspective and the European strategy with special emphasis in the road map for future R and D and innovation efforts needed for a Nuclear Energy renaissance policy.

Owners of nuclear power plants: Percentage ownership of commercial nuclear power plants by utility companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wood, R.S.

1987-08-01

The following list indicates percentage ownership of commercial nuclear power plants by utility companies as of June 1, 1987. The list includes all plants licensed to operate, under construction, docked for NRC safety and environmental reviews, or under NRC antitrust review. It does not include those plants announced but not yet under review or those plants formally canceled. In many cases, ownership may be in the process of changing as a result of altered financial conditions, changed power needs, and other reasons. However, this list reflects only those ownership percentages of which the NRC has been formally notified. Part I lists plants alphabetically with their associated applicants/licensees and percentage ownership. Part II lists applicants/licensees alphabetically with their associated plants and percentage ownership. Part I also indicates which plants have received operating licenses (OL's). Footnotes for both parts appear at the end of this document

Industrial democracy from a European perspective : the example of SEs

OpenAIRE

Keller, Berndt; Werner, Frank

2010-01-01

The article deals with the forthcoming challenges to the German system of co-determination (Mitbestimmung ) arising from the Europeanization of industrial relations (IR) in general and the European Company (Societas Europaea — SE) in particular. After some short remarks on co-determination’s national history and present challenges, recent political controversies are discussed. Then the most important European regulations on employee involvement are analysed from a German perspective. The main...

Czech Companies Involved in the ARTEMIS Programme

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Kadlec, Jiří

-, special issue (2013), s. 4-5 ISSN 1210-9592 R&D Projects: GA MŠk(CZ) LE13020 Keywords : ARTEMIS JU * embedded systems * european technology platforms * FP7 * ICT * microelectronics * ENIAC JU Subject RIV: AF - Documentation, Librarianship, Information Studies http://library.utia.cas.cz/separaty/2013/ZS/kadlec-czech companies involved in the artemis programme.pdf

Utility Computing: Reality and Beyond

Science.gov (United States)

Ivanov, Ivan I.

Utility Computing is not a new concept. It involves organizing and providing a wide range of computing-related services as public utilities. Much like water, gas, electricity and telecommunications, the concept of computing as public utility was announced in 1955. Utility Computing remained a concept for near 50 years. Now some models and forms of Utility Computing are emerging such as storage and server virtualization, grid computing, and automated provisioning. Recent trends in Utility Computing as a complex technology involve business procedures that could profoundly transform the nature of companies' IT services, organizational IT strategies and technology infrastructure, and business models. In the ultimate Utility Computing models, organizations will be able to acquire as much IT services as they need, whenever and wherever they need them. Based on networked businesses and new secure online applications, Utility Computing would facilitate "agility-integration" of IT resources and services within and between virtual companies. With the application of Utility Computing there could be concealment of the complexity of IT, reduction of operational expenses, and converting of IT costs to variable `on-demand' services. How far should technology, business and society go to adopt Utility Computing forms, modes and models?

Psychosocial and ergonomic survey of office and field jobs in a utility company.

Science.gov (United States)

Coelho, Denis A; Tavares, Carla S D; Lima, Tânia M; Lourenço, Miguel L

2017-08-04

The effect of different kinds of work on the psychosocial assessment of workers under the same management and organizational environment is investigated. A voluntary assessment in a utility company was carried out using the short version of the Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire (CoPsoQ) on two occasions, 1.5 years apart. Initially, 25 office workers (11 men and 14 women) participated, while 14 of those workers (8 women and 6 men) participated in the second assessment together with 32 field workers. The sewage, water treatment and maintenance workers, totaling 32 men, also participated in a field ergonomics assessment using the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries field work ergonomic checklist. The longitudinal outlook was fairly stable, with sustained severe scores in many CoPsoQ subscales and intensification of severity of workers' control over work and esteem for men. A significantly higher esteem score resulted for field rather than office workers. Workers subjected to foul odors showed similar severity of psychosocial factors. For most psychosocial dimensions, the organizational design and management system in place, as well as the overall cultural environment in which it operates, create a much stronger and more decisive impact than job-specific factors.

Are listed property companies in Sweden ready for fair value accounting?  

OpenAIRE

Muyingo, Henry

2002-01-01

The aim of this Masters thesis has been to find out if, and how, listed Swedish property companies have prepared themselves for the regulation passed by the European Parliament that requires all EU companies listed in a regulated market as well as companies preparing admission to trading, at the latest from 2005 onwards, to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with a single set of accounting standards, International Accounting Standards (IAS). The thesis work has been...

Climate change and energy - 2005. European carbon factor 4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-01-01

This joint PWC/Enerpresse brochure publishes the 2004 results of a study about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the 23 main European electric power producers. The study shows a slight decay (-1%) of cumulated emissions of power companies with respect to 2003. These 23 companies represent 53% of the emissions of the power/heat sector in Europe (25 countries). (J.S.)

Customer satisfaction from private utility companies: An explanatory study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Eleni-Plousia Kosteroglou

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Purpose – The present study examines the factors that have an impact on "customer satisfaction" in the context of private utility companies. The main purpose of the study is accomplished through the development and the empirical testing of a conceptual frame-work (research model. The proposed framework includes six dimensions (research factors: (a tangibles, (b reliability, (c responsiveness, (d assurance, (e empathy, and (f customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The present study adopted the SERVQUAL approach (model, only after analytically testing its suitability for use within the investigated area. In that direction, the focus group methodology was used. Finally, the proposed con-ceptual framework was tested on a random sample of gas consumers residing in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The final sample consisted of 437 adult consumers. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire were thoroughly examined. Empirical data were analysed using the “Structural Equation Modelling” (SEM technique. The present study is empirical, explanatory, deductive and, mainly, quantitative. Findings – Empirical results indicate that "reliability" has the highest impact on "customer satisfaction", while "empathy" has no impact at all. More specifically, the impact of "reliability" on "customer satisfaction" is indirect, mediated through three other di-mensions of the conceptual framework (namely, "tangibles", "responsiveness" and "empathy". Research limitations/implications – A limitation stemming from the implemented methodology is the use of self-reported scales for the measurement of the six research factors. Moreover, the paper lacks a longitudinal approach. Finally, the empirical research (survey is focused on one organisation and, therefore, offers relatively limited generalizability. Originality/value – Very few studies have utilised the SERVQUAL approach in the context of an explanatory research. This approach

17 CFR 256.108 - Accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization of service company property.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

..., unless the company maintains costs and related reserves for specific units or types of property. (c... depreciation and amortization of service company property. 256.108 Section 256.108 Commodity and Securities... COMPANIES AND SUBSIDIARY SERVICE COMPANIES, PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935 Balance Sheet...

A strategic Analysis of the European Companies in the ICT Sales Channel

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Raffaello Balocco

2012-07-01

The goal of this paper is to provide a detailed picture of the ICT sales channel and its players in the European market. A classification framework is proposed and eleven different business models are identified. The paper is based on a case study methodology that included 53 semi‐standardized\tinterviews\twith\tCEOs\t(Chief Executive Officers and marketing and communications managers at leading European ICT suppliers coupled with the literature review.

Production and Logistics Performance of Czech and Slovak Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Polakova Veronika

2013-03-01

Full Text Available This contribution deals with the issues of production and logistics performance of Czech and Slovak companies. The goal of the research was to analyze logistic processes, methods of industrial engineering, methods and evaluation of manufacturing, software tools utilized for measurement and management of performance, which are currently applied in manufacturing companies in the Czech and Slovak Republic. This analysis was done with the utilization of qualitativeresearch conducted in 80 selected manufacturing companies in 2009. The results are compared in the continuity with the conclusions from previous researches on manufacturing and logistic factors of the competitiveness of Czech industrial manufacturers carried out during the period 2000-2001 in the framework of the research project of the Faculty of Economics and Management completed in 2004.

17 CFR 250.41 - Exemption of public utility subsidiaries with respect to limited acquisition of utility assets.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... Exemption of public utility subsidiaries with respect to limited acquisition of utility assets. Any public... derived from its operations as a public-utility company during the preceding calendar year. (d... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Exemption of public utility...

Corporate Governance Best Practice and Stock Performance: Case of CEE Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Julia Bistrova

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Corporate governance (CG becomes a very essential factor to consider prior to investing in the company. A number of studies proved its importance on the developed equity markets. However, intuitively corporate governance should gain more importance due to high degree of uncertainty because of the unstable environment. In order to assess the influence of corporate governance quality on Central and Eastern European companies' stock performance, the CG assessment model, which includes 21 evaluation criteria, was developed. Based on the model rating, the companies with the highest CG quality (top 25% outperformed companies with the worst CG quality (bottom 25% by 0.98% on a monthly basis during the period of 2008 - 2010. Study demonstrate that companies with good CG quality are able to offer lower risk.

A settlement Forum for Stock Quoted Companies and Shareholders Claiming Damage

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Werlauff, Erik

2013-01-01

This article analyses the Dutch group settlement model from a company law and capital market law perspective. The author considers the WCAM procedure primarily as a forum and an instrument for companies in Europe and shareholders claiming damage caused by the company’s insufficient information to...... to the market. The article focuses on important questions for the Dutch settlement model, i.e. questions of jurisdiction, notification, and legal effect of the settlement. The author develops some important perspectives for European procedural and company law.......This article analyses the Dutch group settlement model from a company law and capital market law perspective. The author considers the WCAM procedure primarily as a forum and an instrument for companies in Europe and shareholders claiming damage caused by the company’s insufficient information...

Co-creation : Embedding companies'innovation practices in innovation ecosystem dynamics

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Hahn, Katrin; Kuhlmann, Stefan; Konrad, Kornelia; Visscher, Klaasjan

2017-01-01

Societal challenges – such as climate change, sustainable production and consumption, demographic change, healthcare (European Commission 2017), and the ongoing digitization – lead companies more often to think about topics and technologies beyond their established research and innovation practices.

Company Law as a Restriction to Free Movement

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, Karsten Engsig

2014-01-01

. There is evidence that non-discriminatory obstacles to free movement found in company law can be restrictions. However, recent cases show that the Court may be willing to apply a more restrictive approach where only non-discriminatory measures that have a qualified deterrent effect may constitute restrictions.......Focusing on recent judgments from the Court of Justice of the European Union, this article investigates how the notion of ‘restriction’ – which is the first step in examining whether there is an infringement of the free movement rights – is used in cases involving company law measures...

Beyond the Hype - e-Business Strategy in Leading European Companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Pieper, R.; Kouwenhoven, V.; Hamminga, S.

In this examination of the current state of business technology, two successful e-businessmen combine interviews of 20 captains of European industry regarding their visions of the future of e-business with their own insights, providing inside information on Internet hype as well as ideas for future

THE STEEL EUROPEAN STOCK MARKET EFFICIENCY

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Viorica CHIRILA

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Testing the hypothesis of informational efficiency is a permanent preoccupation of researchers because the theories and the models of modern finance are based on it. This paper presents the results obtained after testing the efficiency hypothesis, in the weak form, for the European stock market of the companies that belong to the economic steel sub-sector. Following the use of both linear and non-linear tests of autocorrelation of returns we can conclude that the European stock market in the economic steel sub-sector is inefficient from an informational point of view and the investors in these stocks may obtain better results than those of the European market in general.

Customer relationship management influence on sales of selected companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jana Němeček

2012-01-01

Full Text Available General awareness of information technology and business strategy Customer Relationship Management (CRM among managers in the Czech Republic is for several years, but in comparison with Western states of the European Union the Czech companies are underdeveloped. Apparently also because of the economic crisis is CRM in the Czech Republic begins to be used more. The main goal of implementing CRM is to help to company increase the quality of relationship and communication with customers. In this article are the most common definitions of CRM.The main content of this article is about the analysing and comparing of Trading Income of selected companies doing business in the Czech Republic. There are compared selected companies with implemented information technology and business strategy CRM with companies without implemented CRM and how it could have an impact to the Trading Income of these selected companies. Has CRM implementation helped to increase the positive Trading Income during the economic crisis? Included is an analysis of Trading Income from 2007 to 2010 for selected companies grouped by number of employees. The conclusion summarizes the analysis of results and assumptions and benefits of CRM.

Web-Gis Solutions Development for Citizens and Water Companies

Science.gov (United States)

Şercăianu, M.

2013-05-01

This paper describes the development of a web-GIS solution in which urban residents, from Buzau City, could be involved in decision-support process of water companies, in order to reduce water losses, by collecting information directly from citizens. In recent years, reducing material and economic losses, recorded in the entire municipal networks management process has become the main focus of public companies in Romania. Due to problems complexity that arise in collecting information from citizens and issues identified in urban areas, more analyzes were required related to web-GIS solutions used in areas such as local government, public utilities, environmental protection or financial management. Another important problem is the poor infrastructure development of spatial databases founded in public companies, and connection to web platforms. Developing the entire communication process between residents and municipal companies has required the use of concept "citizen-sensor" in the entire reporting process. Reported problems are related to water distribution networks with the possibility of covering the entire public utilities infrastructure.

Implications of European Directives in the Assessment of Insurance Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ionel BOSTAN

2011-03-01

Full Text Available The objective of this paper is to present a vision in the sphere of the problematic of assets and liabilities’ evaluation that are reflected in the balance sheet of the insurance companies, inside the theory of the contingent claims, and of the marginal theory inside the insurance sphere. Our references take into consideration all the principles and evaluation norms of a company’s liabilities, company operating in the life insurance domain, including the general request introduced by the IFRS. Also, we argument the fact that the making of the new IFRS standards’ frame must take into consideration the accelerated globalization of the trading and the internalization of the financial markets, factors that have made pass onto the first place the necessity of a standardized financial reporting system. Because for so long the evaluating inadequacy of the assets at their fair value and the liabilities at their fair cost has persisted for so long, we underline that we find even in this a vast debate subject between the insurance companies’ representatives and the IASB, especially in the second step of the IFRS4’s implementation in the life insurance contract.

FINANCIAL INDICATORS FOR THE ROMANIAN COMPANIES BETWEEN ELIGIBILITY AND BANKABILITY OF EU FINANCED PROJECTS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Droj Laurentiu

2014-12-01

Full Text Available The main goal of this research is to compare the eligibility indicators for accessing EU projects with the bankability indicators at the level of Romanian companies. This study was realized in a period when the term of bankability seems to be in the focus of the beneficiaries and management authorities for European funding, of the banking system and of the mass-media as well. This happens for the first time since the launch in 2007-2008 of the main structural EU funding programs focusing on the development of competitive SMEs, which brought significant changes in the EU funding environment. The same with the public institutions, many SMEs have applied for grants in order to finance their investments using different funding programs, especially under the European Regional Development Fund. This process to obtain European funding was a long one in term of evaluation and contracting periods. Under this context, the initial success of SMEs that have successfully applied and even managed to gain access to European funding was overshadowed by another sharper problem: lack of financial resources for co-financing to support investments or expenditures in the initial stages funding the project. This was also a big problem since the start of word financial and economic crisis. Under this context the banking sector was supposed to be heavily involved in ensuring external financing. The main difficulties in co-financing European funding projects by the banks came from the fact that the companies were requested to obtain satisfactory scores in order to qualify for the banking loans. Several indicators were used by the banking sector to analyze the creditworthiness of the applicant companies. From these indicators we selected five of them to be tested by using Student distribution modelling within the ModelRISK – VoseSoftware application over a group of 50 companies located in the North-Western region of Romania. After the model was created in this paper we

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS. A CASE STUDY ON THE INTEGRATED REPORTS OF AN IT COMPANY

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

GORGAN CĂTĂLINA

2014-06-01

Full Text Available Our analysis relies on the 2011 integrated report published by SAP, a European IT company included in the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC Pilot Programme Business Network. The research methodology used is the analysis of the content as we search for a number of selected characteristics in the report and also for a set of key performance indicators (KPI. We use as references the guide provided by DVFA (Society of Investment Professionals in Germany and EFFAS (European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies – EFFAS (2010 for the software industry. The aim of our study is to analyse the way in which an IT company applies the guidelines recognised by the European Commission to identify and communicate the material nonfinancial information, in order to assess the organization’s abilities to create value on a short, medium and long term.

Energy, postal services and telecommunications: which future for the public utilities in france and in Europe?; Energie, poste et telecommunications: quel avenir pour le service public en France et en Europe?

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Strauss-Kahn, D. [Ministere de l`Economie, des Finances et de l`Industrie, 75 - Paris (France). Direction Generale de L`Energie et des Matieres Premieres; Cresson, E. [Commission Europeenne, DG III, Bruxelles (Belgium); Fournier, J.

1998-12-31

This colloquium was initiated by the French State secretary of industry and profited by the participation of the ministry of economy, finance and industry and of the prime minister. The colloquium comprises two plenary sessions: `competition, public utilities and Europe` and `regulation and public policies`, and three sectorial round-tables: `telecommunications`, `energy` and `postal services`. The round-table on energy permitted to precise the behaviour of the main French energy producing and consuming companies with respect to the competition and to the public utilities in the European market. (J.S.)

THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORTING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

ANDREESCU Nicoleta Alina

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Modern society is confronting with problems such as global warming, pollution, contamination of the soil. As a response to these problems, organizations are implementing corporate social responsibility programs, as a way of dealing with these new challenges. CSR reporting began in the 90’s in the USA, but in the last twenty years, EU companies have shown an increasing involvement to a point in which today European CSR reports ammount to 38% of the total reports worldwide. The Global Reporting Initiative is a nongovernmental organism that provides companies which wish to create CSR reports, a set of guidelines and databases what contain CSR reports from 1999 to the present day. As an answer to the need of companies to report their CSR activities, in November 2014, the European Union published Directive 2014/95/EU regarding the obligation of large companies to anually report a series of nonfinancial aspects and information. A priority of the European Comission is to align the CSR reporting method of the member states to the global methods. The comission has evaluated in 2013 the progress of member states and reached the conclusion that member states have chosen different pahts: some have taken only small impact decisions – such as informative and promotional actions for CSR – while other states have taken legislative measures to support corporate social responsibility.

NEW DIMENSIONS OF BENEFITS AND RISKS TO BUSINESSES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION MARKET

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dinu Ana-Maria

2013-07-01

Full Text Available The paper aims to identify the types of risks that a company faces when entering the European Union’s market. Risk may be defined as an uncertain event that may have a negative effect on achieving objectives and risk management can be defined as the process that identifies analyses and accept or mitigate the uncertainty in business decision-making. Well designed and implemented, risk management programs are the source of competitive advantage for businesses in the European Union market and this way the operating costs can be reduced, quality and product reliability can be improved, staff productivity can increase. It is very important for any company to be aware of potential risks as this will help to assess, to prioritise and to protect againt the risks that may arise. Some of the potential risk can destroy a business, while others can cause serious damage that can be costly and time consuming to repair. After the company have identified the risks, they must be prioritized in accordance with the companies assessment of their probability.The European Union expansion is ongoing and it is a major market place .Doing business on international level has always been about managing the unique risks which global markets pose. For many companies that intend to do business in Europe today, the risks are so varied and complicated that a risk management strategy is necessary and must be carefully tuned and revisited on a regular basis. There are many advantages when starting a business in the European Union. When participants and investors enter a new market should remain vigilant about risks.

Does the Company Programme Have the Same Impact on Young Women and Men? A Study of Entrepreneurship Education in Norwegian Upper Secondary Schools

Science.gov (United States)

Johansen, Vegard

2017-01-01

This paper asks whether a European entrepreneurship programme called the "Company Programme" (CP) has an impact on young women and men with regard to career preferences, and perceptions of business skills and the likelihood of having a company. CP is taught to 270,000 students in 39 European countries, and approximately 15% of Norwegian…

Assignment of personnel to work in Switzerland by companies from the European Union / EFTA(1)

CERN Multimedia

DG Unit

2011-01-01

Before performing any services at CERN, companies not established in Switzerland are required under the Swiss legislation in force to make a declaration to the Swiss Federal Office for Migration or to obtain work permits from the Geneva authorities for the employees they intend to assign to work on the Swiss part of the CERN Site. At the request of the Swiss authorities, CERN cannot register employees to whom this legislation applies except in the following circumstances: Case No. 1: Work lasting less than 90 days in the case of companies from the EU-25/EFTA; Case No. 2: Work lasting less than 90 days in the case of EU-2 companies (Bulgaria and Romania); Case No. 3: Work lasting more than 90 days in the case of companies from the EU-27/EFTA. In case No. 1, an attestation d’annonce (declaration certificate) must be obtained. The declaration must be made via the Internet, using the official declaration form, at least 8 days before the start of the services. It is required only if the company pe...

Individualisation of Lean Concept in Companies Dealing with Mass Production

Science.gov (United States)

Bednár, Roman

2012-12-01

The methods of lean manufacturing primarily designed for businesses dealing with serial production, are also used in other types of production. However the concept of lean production was not designed for these types of businesses, they are utilized only partially. Paper focuses on applying methods of lean concept in companies which are dealing with mass production and their options of exchange for other methods in the event of disagreement. Basis of the article is a list of lean methods with its description and its utilization in practice. The questionnaire was utilized to identify information from the practice. Based on this survey were identified the critical methods that are no longer appropriate for companies dealing with mass production. However, there are alternative methods of describing the problem. It is possible to say that companies are trying to get closer to their goal by modification of the basic concepts. And the concept of Lean Enterprise serves as a standard.

Industrial conflict and its management in selected Nigerian manufacturing companies

OpenAIRE

Solaja Oludele Mayowa

2015-01-01

This study examined industrial conflict and its management strategies in selected manufacturing companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study utilized co-relational survey method which involves the use of structured questionnaire and personal observation to elicit information from the respondents. Participants comprised of staffs of three manufacturing companies in Lagos, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents from the three manufacturing companies und...

Statistics of interstate natural gas pipeline companies, 1991

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1993-01-01

This report, presents financial and operating information of all major interstate natural gas pipeline companies that operated in the United States during 1991. This report is used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), State utility commissions, other government agencies, and the general public. The information is taken from FERC Form 2, ''Annual Report of Major Natural Gas Companies,'' as filed with FERC

Misreading liberalisation and privatisation: The case of the US energy utilities in Europe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haar, Laura N.; Jones, Trefor

2008-01-01

In response to energy market liberalisation and privatisation initiatives promoted by the EU and other European states in the 1990s, a large number of US energy utilities expanded their activities in Europe, mainly through acquisitions. The size of their investment was, a decade later, matched by the ensuing scale of their retreat, wealth destruction and often forced exit. Combining interviews, industry studies, published financial data and company reports, this article examines critically their strategy and, in light of widespread failures, seeks to answer the question of what went wrong. It is argued that mistakes might have been avoided through greater appreciation of how market liberalisation evolves given changing government priorities and general sovereign risk. (author)

Misreading liberalisation and privatisation: The case of the US energy utilities in Europe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Haar, Laura N.; Jones, Trefor [Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PB (United Kingdom)

2008-07-15

In response to energy market liberalisation and privatisation initiatives promoted by the EU and other European states in the 1990s, a large number of US energy utilities expanded their activities in Europe, mainly through acquisitions. The size of their investment was, a decade later, matched by the ensuing scale of their retreat, wealth destruction and often forced exit. Combining interviews, industry studies, published financial data and company reports, this article examines critically their strategy and, in light of widespread failures, seeks to answer the question of what went wrong. It is argued that mistakes might have been avoided through greater appreciation of how market liberalisation evolves given changing government priorities and general sovereign risk. (author)

Sustainability inter-linkages in reporting vindeicated: a study of European companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Lozano, R.

2013-01-01

Recently, there has been a rapid growth in company sustainability reporting, as well as an improvement in quality of reports. A number of guidelines have been instrumental in this process; however, they still do not consider the importance of the inter-linkages and synergies among the different

THE TIMELINESS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN UNION’S EMERGING ECONOMIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andra GAJEVSZKY

2013-12-01

Full Text Available Purpose- This research aims to investigate the timeliness of financial statements of the companies across the European Union‘s emerging economies. Research Design- Out of the emerging economies from European Union, the following sample was constituted: the companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange, Warsaw Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange and Budapest Stock Exchange, no matter what tier. The final sample, after eliminating the financial institutions and the entities which were not listed in all the studied years (2008-2012, consists of 37 companies. Findings- While comparing the results of this research with those from prior literature, it can be noticed a slightly decrease of days delay in the case of the analyzed emerging economies. Moreover, consistent with other researchers` findings, companies audited by a Big 4 auditor and with a qualified opinion in the auditor`s report, publish their financial results later than entities which have a favourable audit opinion. Value/Practical Implications- This study highlights the importance of financial statements` timeliness in the context of four European Union`s emerging economies, economies which are known for their delay in publishing their financial results compared to the market economies.

Effects of dietary tannin on growth, feed utilization and digestibility, and carcass composition in juvenile European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

OpenAIRE

Omnes, Marie-Hélène; Le Goasduff, Julien; Le Delliou, Hervé; Le Bayon, Nicolas; Quazuguel, Patrick; Robin, Jean H.

2017-01-01

Plant-based products in fish diets are valuable protein alternatives to fishmeal for the aquafeed industry. Many plant feed ingredients contain polyphenolic compounds, including tannins, which can have beneficial or adverse effects. The tolerable threshold of ingested tannins is unknown for marine carnivorous fishes. We studied the effects of tannic acid (TA) supplementation to the diet of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by measuring growth, feed utilization and digestibility...

COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION OF THE ROMANIAN COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Csaba Nagy

2010-12-01

Full Text Available In front of the Romanian economy which has been integrated only for a few years, lies the challenge of competitiveness which in many cases is associated with innovation. To turn from a close center oriented economy to market economy required an enormous effort from the population and from the companies as well, but the real challenge is still to come. The requirements of competitiveness and innovation of the United European Market are compulsory, from the point of view of the Romanian entrepreneurs is vital for their survival and development. The studies made so far are not very promising. There are many things to be done, many problems are still not solved in the European Union. The European Union is behind its traditional competitors USA and Japan. This is why one of the major concerns of the EU is competitiveness and innovation.

Knowledge virtualization and local connectedness among smart high-tech companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Van Geenhuizen, M.S.; Nijkamp, P.

2011-01-01

Smart high-tech companies are characterized by knowledge intensity and open innovation. Even when these companies emerge in spatial clusters or dense urban places, they may utilize knowledge networks on a global scale. However, there is not much insight into the factors that shape knowledge

Societas Unius Personae – Proposal for a Directive on Single-Member Private Limited Liability Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dionis Jurić

2015-01-01

Full Text Available In 2014 European Commission composed Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on single-member private limited liability companies. The Proposal introduced Societas Unius Personae (SUP. It is variety of the single-member private limited liability company. The SUP is not a new supranational form of company. Member States shall ensure direct on-line registration for incorporation of the SUP with the compulsory use of the templates of Articles of Association and application for registration. The Proposal prescribes minimum capital requirement equivalent to one euro with the introduction of balance sheet test and solvency statement to protect creditors. The aim is removal of the barriers that exist in the national laws of the Member States in the establishment of subsidiaries in order to initiate cross-border business activities of small and medium enterprises.

Outsourcing of distribution and marketing modules - market opportunity for public utility companies; Outsourcing von Vertriebs- und Marketingmodulen - eine Marktchance fuer Stadtwerke

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kiefer, B. [ELEMENTERRA GmbH, Iserlohn (Germany)

2007-09-15

As a result of the liberalisation of the electricity market, growing domestic and international competition and, most importantly, unbundling legislation, German suppliers are compelled to make their network infrastructure available at attractive price levels and thus to abandon the formerly widespread practice of cross-subsidising distribution. Municipal utility companies are thus faced with the growing necessity to make their distribution processes for products and services profitable in themselves. Sophisticated direct distribution concepts involving the collaboration of external service providers in combination with green electricity products are a promising approach.

Implementation of Supply Chain Management (SCM in pharmaceutical company, general principles and case study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zoran Nakov

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Supply Chain Management (SCM in pharmaceutical industry is defined as a “responsible SCM” and its implementation is according to the principles of: business ethics, rights of labor and principles of healthy and safe working environment. Pharmaceutical companies with implemented “responsible SCM” have to use management systems to facilitate continuous improvement in accordance with their working principles. The main purpose of this management system is to ensure the consistency, reliability and continuous improvement of all workflows within an organization.The analyzed case describes the project of European generic pharmaceutical company, which intends to implement best practice SCM operations for five European manufacturing sites and European logistics organizations (active ingredients supply, distribution centers, affiliate customers and third party manufacturers. The main objectives of the project were the creation of the future improved To-Be situation through implementation of new SCM models to the existing To-Day situation.

Testing of the 3M Company Composite Conductor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stovall, John P [ORNL; Rizy, D Tom [ORNL; Kisner, Roger A [ORNL

2010-10-01

The 3M Company has developed a high-temperature low-sag conductor referred to as Aluminum-Conductor Composite-Reinforced or ACCR. The conductor uses an aluminum metal matrix material to replace the steel in conventional conductors. The objective of this work is to accelerate the commercial acceptance by electric utilities of this new conductor design by testing four representative conductor classes in controlled conditions. A unique facility called the Powerline Conductor Accelerated Testing (PCAT) Facility was built at ORNL for testing overhead conductors. The PCAT has been uniquely designed for testing overhead bare transmission line conductors at high currents and temperatures after they have been installed and tensioned to the manufacturer's specifications. The ability to operate a transmission line conductor in this manner does not exist elsewhere in the United States. Four classes of ACCR cable designed by the 3M Company have been successfully test at ORNL small, medium, large and small/compact. Based on these and other manufacturer tests, the 3M Company has successfully introduced the ACCR into the commercial market and has completed over twenty installations for utility companies.

The Commission White Paper on a Strategy for a Future EU Chemicals Policy: the view of European companies of American parentage.

Science.gov (United States)

Montfort, Jean-Philippe

2003-04-01

After years of good service, EU legislation on chemicals is currently subject to a major review. This process, initiated by the Council of Ministers at Chester in April 1998, will soon lead to new legislative proposals. In the meantime, a review of the Commission's White Paper on "Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy," published in February 2001, clearly shows that the regulatory landscape in this area will be significantly reshaped and that a new burden will be imposed on industry to demonstrate that the production and use of chemicals indeed conform to high standards of protection of human health and the environment. In the view of industry, on both sides of the Atlantic, while the objectives of the proposed reform can be supported, the measures proposed in the White Paper to implement these objectives are not properly balanced and will lead to substantial societal and economic drawbacks, unless significant adjustments are made. The purpose of this article is to present the pitfalls and difficulties of the reform as they are perceived by the EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, an organization that regroups about 150 European companies of American parentage, belonging to a broad range of European business sectors, including producers and users of chemicals. In view of the transatlantic and cross-business character of its membership, the EU Committee offers a different perspective on the debate.

WEB-GIS SOLUTIONS DEVELOPMENT FOR CITIZENS AND WATER COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Şercăianu

2013-05-01

Full Text Available This paper describes the development of a web-GIS solution in which urban residents, from Buzau City, could be involved in decision-support process of water companies, in order to reduce water losses, by collecting information directly from citizens. In recent years, reducing material and economic losses, recorded in the entire municipal networks management process has become the main focus of public companies in Romania. Due to problems complexity that arise in collecting information from citizens and issues identified in urban areas, more analyzes were required related to web-GIS solutions used in areas such as local government, public utilities, environmental protection or financial management. Another important problem is the poor infrastructure development of spatial databases founded in public companies, and connection to web platforms. Developing the entire communication process between residents and municipal companies has required the use of concept "citizen-sensor" in the entire reporting process. Reported problems are related to water distribution networks with the possibility of covering the entire public utilities infrastructure.

U.S. utilities' experiences with the implementation of energy efficiency programs

Science.gov (United States)

Goss, Courtney

In the U.S., many electric utility companies are offering demand-side management (DSM) programs to their customers as ways to save money and energy. However, it is challenging to compare these programs between utility companies throughout the U.S. because of the variability of state energy policies. For example, some states in the U.S. have deregulated electricity markets and others do not. In addition, utility companies within a state differ depending on ownership and size. This study examines 12 utilities' experiences with DSM programs and compares the programs' annual energy savings results that the selected utilities reported to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The 2009 EIA data suggests that DSM program effectiveness is not significantly affected by electricity market deregulation or utility ownership. However, DSM programs seem to generally be more effective when administered by utilities located in states with energy savings requirements and DSM program mandates.

Kaizen-Driven Approach While Managing Industrial Projects. A Scandinavian Company Succeeds in Eastern Europe

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Popescu Daniel

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Eastern European companies have experienced various and radical transformations, as resultof the economic crises and turbulences, which exposed structural weaknesses. In the meantime, long-term challenges - such as globalization, shift of power centers from the nationallevel to international structures or scarcity of resources - intensify. Given this context, it ismandatory for companies to develop strategies aiming at being competitive.

The fixing of prices by the oil companies during the Gulf war

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1991-01-01

Developments in the global oil market and changes in the structure of the Danish market during the nineteen eighties are described. Price notation on world market spot markets had a significant influence on the fixing of prices in the consumer countries. The influence of the OPEC lands has been reduced. One must note the over-capacity which followed the two oil crises. On the Danish market many of the larger international companies have withdrawn from the scene. Reduction in the number of independent Danish oil companies continues. These factors have led to increased market concentration. Denmark's recovery of oil covers 70% of domestic consumption. It is evaluated whether oil companies have taken advantage of the Gulf War for monetary gain and whether they have changed their buying practices in order to take advantage of holding less stock. It was found that companies are very quick to follow Rotterdam prices (three days) and that more price reductions are given than before the Gulf War. Danish prices are quick to follow the rises and falls in the European market and did not differ much from the European ones during 1990. Only raw oil producers seem to have gained economically from the Gulf War, but this is not judged as speculation. Refinery and import companies have acted in a similar way to each other and have not seemed to decease their stock after the Gulf War in order to buy at a lower price. (AB)

CSR Strategies in Greater China: Global, East Asian, American, European Style?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Heiduk Guenter

2014-10-01

Full Text Available The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility emerged in the United States and spread to Europe and Asia while being adapted to national/local characteristics. Since borders between markets and societies are blurring and globalization is promoting MNCs which find themselves acting in hybrid societies, international institutions put efforts into the development and moral acceptance of global CSR standards. The scientific interest in CSR focused on the conflicts between company returns and benefits for society. The resulting concepts of performance-oriented, awareness-oriented and welfare-oriented CSR should facilitate the evaluation of CSR strategies implemented by MNCs. In research on the cultural dimensions of economies, it might be possible to allocate geographically the three concepts. Regarding the newly emerging Chinese MNCs, the paper aims to shed light on which concept they follow. On the one hand, CSR concepts of American and/or European MNCs that are present in China might serve as a role model; on the other hand, by learning from Taiwanese/ Hong Kong MNCs, a “greater China CSR approach” might emerge. Empirical studies and own field research suggest that compared to American and European companies, CSR is less deeply rooted in Chinese companies. Furthermore, significant differences between Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwanese companies indicate that a Greater Chinese CSR approach does not yet exist. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that American and European CSR concepts will experience a Chinese influence in the near future.

European Banking Union D: Cross-Border Resolution—Dexia Group

OpenAIRE

Rosalind Z. Wiggins; Natalia Tente; Andrew Metrick

2014-01-01

In September 2008, Dexia Group, SA, the world’s largest provider of public finance, experienced a sudden liquidity crisis. In response, the governments of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg provided the company a capital infusion and credit support. In February 2010, the company adopted a European Union (EU)-approved restructuring plan that required it to scale back its businesses and cease proprietary trading. In June 2011, Dexia withdrew from the government-sponsored credit support program bef...

Driver rostering for bus transit companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Nurmi, K.; Kyngäs, J.; Post, Gerhard F.

2011-01-01

Staff scheduling has become increasingly important for both the public sector and private companies. Good rosters have many benefits for an organization, such as lower costs, more effective utilization of resources and fairer workloads and distribution of shifts. The process of constructing

How much room is left for European gas incumbents?

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schwark, Bastian

2007-07-01

In the context of the liberalization of the European natural gas market former monopolists face a challenge to react to market opening by realigning their strategies. Three major groups of companies can be identified that are capable to influence the European gas market significantly each with a distinctive competitive advantage. They consist of the historical gas incumbents, the power incumbents moving into gas as well as the integrated oil and gas producers moving downwards the supply chain by enlarging their supply division. The aim of the paper is to identify the strategic opportunities of the aforementioned three groups and to asses their success. The analysis is done by means of 22 selected companies that are highly active in the EU gas market. An assessment of their market data and comparisons between the three groups will be done. The firms will be matched according to the potential strategic groups and an outlook given in terms of the development of competition in the European gas market. The results sustain the assumption that the playing field for European gas incumbents is going to decrease as both electricity incumbents and integrated oil and gas producers have significant competitive advantages in their potential moves. (auth)

Enresa's Participation in the Technical Assistance Programmes to the Eastern European Countries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beceiro, A. R.; Vico, E.

2000-01-01

This article briefly describes the participation of ENRESA in the technical assistance programmes to the Central and Eastern European countries (PHARE) and to the New Independent States (TACIS) as well as in the co-operation programmes all of them established by the European Commission. It is worth to point out the active role of ENRESA within the European Consortium CASSIOPEE, formed in 1993 by the six radioactive waste management companies in existence in the European Union at that time. CASSIOPEE was created to assist the European Commission in the area of radioactive waste management of the PHARE and TACIS technical assistance programmes. (Author)

Web-Company Officals See Potential in Marketing College Sports Online.

Science.gov (United States)

Suggs, Welch

2000-01-01

Reports that many college and university athletics departments are utilizing one of two companies, Fansonly or Total Sports, for their Web site development and maintenance. The companies propose to deliver advertising profits, merchandising revenues, and donations to the university but so far monetary gains have been slight, as the sites face…

Money matters. Financial world looks at oil companies with Argus eyes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Gool, M.

2008-01-01

The financial markets foresee high risks in the energy sector for the big, private oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell and BP. It appears that these companies are undervalued, In contrast, financial backers are justifiably positive about companies providing services to the oil sector, such as Schlumberger and Halliburton, and 'utilities', such as Eon and EDF, which still have considerable room for growth, The relatively high valuation of state-controlled oil and gas companies such as Gazprom is somewhat more speculative

Dynamics of the European refining and petrochemical industry. Strategies, structure and change

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Steenbakkers, K.

1997-01-01

The changes in the market position of producers engaged in the oil refining and basic petrochemical industry on the Western European market are the central theme of this book. Analysis of this reshuffling process among these actors is conducted on three levels. First, research is carried out at the level of world regions. In order to understand the reorganization of oil refining and basic petrochemical production in Western Europe, it is necessary to explore the recent aggregate dynamics of these activities on a global scale. Second, the differences in strategic behaviour are exanuned at the level of groups of market participants, namely the major oil companies, the chemical companies, the state-owned companies from both consumer and producer countries, and the independents. Finally, the investment/disinvestment decisions in the Western European oil refining and basic petrochemical industry are investigated at the level of the individual firm. Particular emphasis is placed upon explaining why companies active in the sectors under study have followed different strategies, although they have been confronted with similar adverse market conditions in Western Europe during the last decades. 341 refs

THE IMAGE OF INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES IN WWW LANDSCAPE (WORLD WIDE WEB

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iancu Ioana Ancuta

2011-07-01

Full Text Available In a world where the internet and its image are becoming more and more important, this study is about the importance of Investment and Financial Services Companies web sites. Market competition, creates the need of studies, focused on assessing and analyzing the websites of companies who are active in this sector. Our study wants to respond at several questions related to Romanian Investment and Financial Services Companies web sites through four dimensions: content, layout, handling and interactivity. Which web sites are best and from what point of view? Where should financial services companies direct their investments to differentiate themselves and their sites? In fact we want to rank the 58 Investment and Financial Services Companies web sites based on 127 criteria. There are numerous methods for evaluating web pages. The evaluation methods are similar from the structural point of view and the most popular are: Serqual, Sitequal, Webqual / Equal EtailQ, Ewam, e-Serqual, WebQEM (Badulescu, 2008:58. In the paper: "Assessment of Romanian Banks E-Image: A Marketing Perspective" (Catana, Catana and Constantinescu, 2006: 4 the authors point out that there are at least four complex variables: accessibility, functionality, performance and usability. Each of these can be decomposed into simple ones. We used the same method, and we examined from the utility point of view, 58 web sites of Investment and Financial Services Companies based on 127 criteria following a procedure developed by Institut fur ProfNet Internet Marketing, Munster (Germany. The data collection period was 1-30 September 2010. The results show that there are very large differences between corporate sites; their creators are concentrating on the information required by law and aesthetics, neglecting other aspects as communication and online service. In the future we want to extend this study at international level, by applying the same methods of research in 5 countries from

Changing Value Chain Strategies of Danish Clothing and Fashion Companies, 1970-2013

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jensen, Kristoffer; Taudal Poulsen, René

2013-01-01

Over the last four decades, the clothing industry has seen one of the most radical, global transformations of any industry, and Western European clothing companies have been put under strain. To the surprise of industry observers and academics, however, Denmark continues to hold expansive and pro...... of new companies entering the sector rather than the transformation of old ones. The article demonstrates that value chain strategies are constantly in the making and successful ones rarely remain competitive for long....

Psychological Symptoms among Workers Employed in Companies Undergoing Privatization in Postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina

OpenAIRE

Avdibegović, Esmina; Hasanović, Mevludin; Hodžić, Medin; Selimbašić, Zihnet

2011-01-01

In Central and Eastern European countries, after abandoning communism, significant political, economic and social changes occurred, followed by the increase in income inequality and social disparity. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological symptoms and monthly income of employees in companies undergoing privatization. The study included 258 workers from seven companies undergoing privatization in the Tuzla Canton region. For the study purposes,...

Aerojet Energy Conversion Company mobile volume reduction system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smith, K.R.

1984-01-01

Over the past few years, rapidly increasing costs for the disposal of low level radioactive waste (LLW) have generated the need for utilities to volume-reduce their LLW prior to shipment and burial. Incineration systems have been selected by several utilities to fulfill this need for maximum volume reduction. Until recently, all of the incineration systems selected by utilities were designed to be housed and operated in a facility erected by the utility. Now, however, lack of capital and rising design/erection costs are causing utilities to reevaluate their plans for purchasing incineration systems to process their LLW. The result is a growing demand for incineration services. Once again, Commonwealth Edison Company (Com-Ed) is leading the industry with an ongoing program to utilize incineration services provided by Aerojet Energy Conversion Company (AECC) for the Dresden Quad Cities, LaSalle, and Zion Nuclear Stations. At the stations, combustible dry active waste and contaminated oil will be processed in a Mobile Volume Reduction System (MVRS) designed and fabricated by AECC. The MVRS is a totally self-contained system consisting of a controlled-air incinerator and a liquid offgas cleanup system. No buildings are required to house the system, and the MVRS achieves volume reduction factors similar to systems currently available for permanent in-plant installation. The result is an option for the utility having the benefits of volume reduction without the capital commitment normally required by the utility

EUROPEAN CROSS-BORDER MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS- REALITIES AND PERSPECTIVES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Vancea Mariana

2011-07-01

Full Text Available This paper analyses the impact of the economic and financial crisis on merger and acquisition activity in Europe and the latest trends manifested on the cross-border merger and acquisition market involving European companies. Thus, a first objective of this research is to reveal the evolution of the European cross-border merger and acquisition activity in terms of dynamics, volume and structure. Another objective of this research is to reveal the short and medium term perspectives on mergers and acquisitions in Europe. Thus, under the continuous economic recovery of the European countries and the other worldwide economies, the recovery of financial markets and the growth of corporate profits, we shall witness an intensive cross-border merger and acquisition activity in Europe. The expansion engine of these operations seems to be represented by the emerging economies. This research is based on a systematic, logical and comparative analysis of scientific literature and statistical data regarding the cross-border mergers and acquisitions that involve European companies in recent years. This paper is part of the doctoral thesis Mergers and acquisitions- strategies of growth and development of enterprises. European and national particularities, coordinated by professor Ph.D. Alina Bădulescu from University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics. The doctoral research is supported by The Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, Contract POSDRU 59/1.5/S/1- Romanian researchers through modern and efficient doctoral programs.

Downstream natural gas in Europe - high hopes dashed for upstream oil and gas companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eikeland, P.O.

2007-01-01

Access for independents to retail gas markets was a central concern in European policy reform efforts in the 1990s. Upstream oil and gas companies reacted with strategic intentions of forward integration. By late 2004, forward integration was still weak, however. An important explanation of the gap between announced strategic re-orientation and actual strategy implementation lies in the political failure of EU member states to dismantle market barriers to entry for independents. Variations between companies in downstream strategy implementation are explained by variations in business opportunities and internal company factors. [Author

Downstream natural gas in Europe-High hopes dashed for upstream oil and gas companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eikeland, Per Ove

2007-01-01

Access for independents to retail gas markets was a central concern in European policy reform efforts in the 1990s. Upstream oil and gas companies reacted with strategic intentions of forward integration. By late 2004, forward integration was still weak, however. An important explanation of the gap between announced strategic re-orientation and actual strategy implementation lies in the political failure of EU member states to dismantle market barriers to entry for independents. Variations between companies in downstream strategy implementation are explained by variations in business opportunities and internal company factors

Environmental performance, profitability, asset utilization, debt monitoring and firm value

Science.gov (United States)

Bukit, R. Br; Haryanto, B.; Ginting, P.

2018-02-01

The growing issue on firm value shows that firm value is not only determined by the firm ability to increase financial profit, but also by the company's concern in maintaining the environmental condition. The industrial development produces waste that pollutes the environment that has potential to serious impact on the next life. In addition to provide financial benefits, companies are increasingly facing pressure to be socially responsible for the survival of the company. However, past findings demonstrate that the effect of environmental performance, profitability, and asset utilization to the firm’s value are still unclear. This study aims to test whether environmental performance, firm profitability and asset utilization can effectively enhance firm value in two different conditions: intensive debt monitoring and less intensive debt monitoring. Sample of companies is taken from the list of Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period of 2013 to 2015. Using multiple regression analysis, discloses that: in intensive monitoring, managers tend to have high firm value when company has high environmental performance and or high profitability and high asset utilization. Monitoring system needs to be intensified especially for companies with the above characteristics.

Kyriakos Kyriakou: Big companies overanalyze and thus lose perspective

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tomáš Poucha

2013-06-01

Full Text Available In his exclusive interview for Central European Business Review, the Regional Managing Director ofNielsen CEE, Kyriakos Kyriakou, talks about lack of trust in the manufacturer – retailer relationship,about consumer data and how companies should work with it, about selling on discounts and promotionalspirals, about marketing – sales cooperation and about other interesting topics.

Changes in the European business

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stoehle, S.J.

1997-12-31

The paper gives a view on some of the changes that the European gas business is currently undergoing and the possible effects of these changes. There are two major items that stand out in this respect covering the continued deregulation of the UK gas market and the final content of EU`s gas Directive. No participant in the European gas business will be unaffected by these two events. According to the author, the dynamics of these changes to the gas business will create interesting business opportunities for those companies and individuals that are anticipating the future and willing to take risks in order to succeed. Topics are: Infrastructure; the market - supply and demand; main changes. 14 figs.

Cleveland, Toledo utilities merge to aid N-projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Utroska, D.

1985-01-01

A decision by the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. and Toledo Edison to merge was spurred by the need to strengthen their access to capital markets in order to complete several nuclear power plants now under construction and to possibly mitigate the impact of large rate increases on Ohio ratepayers. The two utilities will continue as local companies. If they obtain approval from the Securities and Exchange, the Ohio Public Utilities, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions for the $8 million affiliation, the new holding company will be among the 20 largest electric utilities in terms of the market value of its common stock. Some industry observers see this as a harbinger of more utility mergers. 1 figure

On the way to becoming ''quite ordinary enterprises''. Strategic orientation of the power utilities in the European market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Harig, H.D.

1996-01-01

Competition is an indispensable prerequisite of evolution. In the sector of electricity supply it is defined, inter alia, by the choice of source of primary energy. On the other hand, opening of the European market entails new challenges. In many European countries, electric energy is converted at less expense than in Germany. The builders of capital intensive power grid systems are trying to protect themselves against their competitive chances deteriorating also by their being required to make these grid systems available to competitors not having to bear these expenses. Nuclear power plants are among the most capital intensive generating units in the power industry. However, operating them is not only a matter of the power utilities; to them, nuclear power is one tpye of primary energy out of many others. Instead, the government must indicate the direction, through its energy policy, in which future technologies are to create international competitive advantages to domestic industries. In addition, the government must provide the funds necessary in the launching phase. (orig.) [de

Market (in)efficiency in valuing electric utilities-The case of Norwegian generating companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kjaerland, Frode

2010-01-01

After deregulation of the energy market in Norway, a number of mergers and acquisitions of hydropower generating companies have taken place. However, valuation of these companies has proved controversial. From an ex-post perspective, there is support for the criticism that generation assets have been sold too cheaply. This article presents a simple valuation model providing evidence of how value has evolved. On the basis of these results, we discuss the valuation from an ex ante perspective and in the light of the market efficiency hypothesis of (Fama, 1970) and (Fama, 1991).

Assignment of personnel to work in Switzerland by companies from the European Union / EFTA(1)

CERN Multimedia

DG Unit

2011-01-01

  *** Obsolete information ***     Before performing any services at CERN, companies not established in Switzerland are required under the Swiss legislation in force to make a declaration to the Swiss Federal Office for Migration or to obtain work permits from the Geneva authorities for the employees they intend to assign to work on the Swiss part of the CERN Site. At the request of the Swiss authorities, CERN cannot register employees to whom this legislation applies except in the following circumstances: Case No. 1: Work lasting less than 90 days in the case of companies from the EU-25/EFTA; Case No. 2: Work lasting less than 90 days in the case of EU-2 companies (Bulgaria and Romania); Case No. 3: Work lasting more than 90 days in the case of companies from the EU-27/EFTA. In case No. 1, an attestation d’annonce (declaration certificate) must be obtained. The declaration must be made via the Internet, using the official declaration form, at le...

A Literature Review of Foreign Ownership and Company Performance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iuliana Oana MIHAI

2014-11-01

Full Text Available The purpose of this article is to review the results of research papers conducted in the area of foreign ownership impact on company’s performance and to highlight the specifics of this linkage in the environment of transition economies. Several authors have documented greater efficiency of private companies compared to state-owned. According to different studies, an alternative option for transition economies is foreign ownership. Recent studies show that the effect of ownership forms on companies and financial performance is more significant in Eastern European countries compared to developed countries. However, study results are often contradictory, therefore they require additional research.

Implementation of utilities operation and maintenance experience into the European pressurized water reactor design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zaiss, W.; Lallier, M.

1999-01-01

Since 1992 Electricite de France EDF and German Utilities GU work together with Nuclear Power International NPI, a subsidiary of Framatome and Siemens, in the development of the future European Pressurized Water Reactor EPR. The EPR is an evolutionary concept, based on the French N4 plants and the German KONVOI plants. From the beginning, experienced operation and maintenance people from the precursor plants participate at the design process. Their experience will lead to a plant, which is not only characterised by low investment costs, but also by good operability, high availability and low operation and maintenance costs. No expensive back-fittings should be necessary after commissioning, to reach these availability and maintenance targets. The utility specialists give design requirements for outage performance, system design, and layout. These design requirements are really determining the system performances, and not what was design basis before. It does not necessarily lead to system increases. Mainly it is a shifting of the emphasis to other items. There are even cases, where the system performances can be reduced. Mostly very small modifications, which are nearly cost neutral when implemented early in the design, have big impact on the further operation. If there are big cost influences, a sound balance between investment and gained availability is made together with the designers. There is very fruitful discussion between designers and operators, which is highly estimated by both sides. In this frame also new, revolutionary ideas are coming up, which are going mostly in the direction of investment cost reduction, without loosing operation freedom. It is the first time in Europe, that designers and operators are working so close together. It is also the first time, that the management and the decision making is dominated by the utilities. (author)

The account manager: Link between the customer and the energy distribution company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Gelder, J.W.

1993-01-01

The monopolistic utility companies are rapidly turning into customer-oriented and efficient organizations. To be able to put client-oriented ideas into practice the whole organization has to be changed. A new job is that of account manager, the satellite between customer and energy company. Views and experiences of two distribution companies and the Nederlandse Gasunie are given and discussed. 3 ills

THE PROTECTION OF CREDITORS IN CASE OF THE FUSION OF COMPANIES-ASPECTS OF COMPARATIVE LAW

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Viorel Bănulescu

2016-11-01

Full Text Available Fusion, a complex operation, determines the reorganisation of the companies involved, so as, in addition to the associates, administrators or the employees, the third parties, as social creditors of the companies concerned, can be prejudiced .Through this article, we intend to analyse the means of protection provided by the national and European legislation, to identify the vulnerable aspects, and to submit solutions for the insurance of a real and adequate protection for the creditors of the companies involved in the fusion operation.

Survey on the Use of LCA in European Chemical Industry

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Olsen, Stig Irving

1999-01-01

During 1997 a questionnaire was sent to 40 European chemical manufacturers representing different positions in the supply chain. 25 companies (62.5%) responded, of which 23 had been involved in LCA to some degree. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions divided into four parts dealing...... industry has taken up the LCA methodology and is testing its applicability for their purposes, although they still feel the methodology is a bit immature. The resources devoted to LCA depends to a great extent on the company's position in the supply chain and on the size of the company. Many of the LCA...

Pilot utilization plan for satellite data-based service for agriculture in Poland

Science.gov (United States)

Gatkowska, Martyna; Paradowski, Karol; Wróbel, Karolina

2017-10-01

The paper aims at demonstrating the assumptions and achievements of the Pilot Utilization Plan Activities performed within the Project ASAP "Advanced Sustainable Agricultural Production", co-financed by European Space Agency under the ARTES IAP Programme. Within the course of the project, the Pilot Utilization Plan (PilUP) activities are performed in order to develop the remote sensing based models, and further calibrate and validate them in order to achieve the accuracy, which meets the requirements of paying customers. The completion of the first PilUP resulted in development of the following models based of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 satellite data: model of homogenous polygons demarcation on the basis of comparison of electromagnetic scanning results and bare soil spectral reflectance, model of problematic areas indication and model for yield potential, delivered on the basis of NDVI map developed 1 month before harvest and the map of yield/collected yield derived from Users participating in PilUP. The second edition of the PilUP is being conducted between March 2017 until the end of 2017. This edition includes farmers and insurance companies. The following activities are planned: development of model for delimitation of loses due to unfavorable wintering of winter crops and validation of the model with in-situ data collected by the insurance companies in-field investigators, further enhancement of the model for homogenous polygons delimitation and primary indication of soil productivity and testing of the applicability and viability of map of problematic areas with the farmers.

European Telecommunications Conference. Strategic Planning for the 1990s

Science.gov (United States)

Blackburn, J. F.

1990-06-01

The European Telecommunications Conference Strategic Planning for the 1990s provided information to delegates and their companies on strategic planning for the European market, particularly after the advent of the European Single Market at the end of 1992. The conference objective was to examine the impact of the initiatives of the European Commission (EC) and the changing attitudes to service provision by public and private sector organizations on industry and marketing. Organized by Blenheim Online and Logica, 40 delegates attended this conference, mainly from Europe, but with a few from the U.S. The papers were designed to illuminate such questions as emerging market sectors, impact of U.S telecommunications organizations in Europe, mergers and acquisition, standards, and value-added services.

Separation of energy companies. Judicial aspects. The separation and the European law

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Slotboom, M.M.; Ter Heegde, A.

2005-01-01

There is much discussion in the Netherlands about the plan of the Dutch government to separate energy companies into a commercial energy supply business and a network business. In a series of articles attention will be paid to the legal aspects of the separation [nl

Turmoil and transition: Electric utility industry trends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1994-06-01

In a review of electric utility industry trends, focusing on North America, it is noted that four critical influences are dominant: competition in the electricity supply business; technological advances; the recognized need for environmental protection; and a favoring of market economics and customer choice. As energy costs rose in the 1970s and 1980s, electricity usage growth rates decreased and demand side management became an accepted alternative to building new power plants. In large areas of Canada and the USA, substantial surplus generation capacity arose, transmission linkages improved, and regional electricity markets developed. Privatization measures in the British electric sector were closely studied in North America and electric markets in the USA were pushed toward more competition with the 1992 Energy Policy Act. Non-utility generators have entered the market, including industrial companies, pipeline companies, independent renewable-energy providers, and power companies set up by the utilities themselves. Power pools may evolve into regional transmission grids in which the transmission owning utilities would exchange their lines for an interest in the grid. California is likely to lead in opening access to transmission on a regional scale. Distribution systems are likely to remain a regulated monopoly as before. Substantial change is expected in customer services as functions such as power purchase and conservation are being performed by independent companies. Other possible developments in the industry include emissions trading and spot markets for power. The implications of these trends for British Columbia Hydro are discussed

European Union definitely introduces common taxes on energy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schoenweisner, R.

2003-01-01

In this paper taxes of the European Union on energy are reviewed. European Union Ministers of environment Council definitely ratified new common system of minimal energy taxes in last week. Council introduces par excellence minimal all-European size of an electricity, coal and natural gas consumption tax. New directive according to European Commission will improve operation of internal market and eliminate deformation of competitive environment among individual members as well as among mineral oils and the other energy sources. Slovak Republic taxes all motor fuel types by higher charge as is minimal level demanded by EU according to new directive after rising of consumable tax from mineral oils in August 2003. According to Minister of Finances Slovak Republic demanded European Union for a temporary 10-year period for utilizing electricity, coal, coke, and natural gas consumption tax. According to Ministry, Utilizing new taxes and rising of tax load is not in interest of started tax reform in Slovak Republic

US utility partnerships

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Worthington, B.

1995-01-01

Activities of the United States Energy Association were reviewed, as well as the manner in which its members are benefitting from the Association's programs. The principal cooperative program set up is the Utility Partnership Program, which was described. Through this program the Association is matching US companies, both electric utilities and gas utilities, with counterparts in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union. So far, about 25 partnerships were signed, e.g. in the Czech Republic, in Kazakhstan, in Poland, and in Slovakia. It was estimated that the return to the United States from the investments made by the American government in these Utility Partnership Programs has been well over 100-fold

Citizen Advisory Council use in the electric utility industry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McElfresh, R.W.

1991-01-01

Many electric utility companies have come to realize the Importance of seeking public input before launching corporate resources into major construction projects. One way to organize this input is to establish a Citizen Advisory Council (CAC). This paper describes the purpose of such a group, its advantages and limitations, and how it might be organized. This paper also describes the results of a survey of CAC use for facility siting purposes. Fifty large utility companies were contacted, eleven of which use CACs for siting purposes. Six of these were questioned in greater detail as to their success in using CACs on specific projects. All companies were positive about the use of CACs for public participation because the groups were able to bring valuable information to light and company credibility was enhanced. Most importantly, the responding companies believed they were able to save time in the siting and licensing process

Zenn Motor Company

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Clifford, I. [Zenn Motor Company, Toronto, ON (Canada)

2010-07-01

Zenn Motor company is a leader in the electric vehicle space and builds and markets a low speed vehicle known as the zero emission, no noise (ZENN). This presentation provided background information on the Zenn Motor Company as well as on EEStor, a company that develops four-wheeled vehicles and that is seeking partners to fund the development for a modified barium titanate-based ultracapacitor. In 2004, ZENN entered into a technology agreement with EEStor that secured certain exclusive and non-exclusive rights to purchase and deploy EEStor's EESU technology as part of its ZENNergy solutions in several markets, including exclusive rights for new four-passenger vehicles with a curb weight of up to 1,400 kilograms; exclusive rights for the neighbourhood electric vehicles (NEV) and golf carts market; exclusive rights for utility vehicles; and exclusive rights for the aftermarket conversion to ZENNergy of any four-wheeled vehicles. The presentation also addressed ZENNergy and the art of integrating high energy drive solutions. Lessons learned and EEStor's technology attributes were discussed. A hypothetical case study was also offered. The presentation concluded with a discussion of EEStor technology status and opportunity horizons. It was concluded that a better battery is needed to enable the mass adoption of electric vehicles. tabs.

European gas market developments. Opportunities and threats

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Oostvoorn, F.

1998-09-01

The paper is based on two studies conducted by ECN, namely a study entitled 'An analysis of the West-European gas market: a company approach' and another entitled 'Developments of gas markets across Europe' to be published in November 1998. The paper addresses the past driving factors responsible for the increasing share of gas in the EU energy demand. Furthermore it very briefly discusses the rising dependency of the European Union (EU) on gas imports from non-EU sources such as Russia and the expected gas-to-gas competition in a large number of EU countries in the next decades. 25 refs

Plant design and beam utilization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Svendsen, E.B.

1983-01-01

Plant design and beam utilization are two things closely tied together: without a proper plant design, one can never get good beam utilization. When a company decides to build an irradiation facility, there are some major decisions to be made right in the beginning. These decisions can be most important for the long-term success or failure of the irradiation facility, because the company normally will have to live with these decisions during the whole life-time of the irradiation equipment. To start with the decision has to be made whether to select a cobalt-60 irradiation plant or an accelerator irradiation plant. This decision can only be reached after a careful study of the products and the 'weight' and the material of the products the company wants to irradiate. As an old accelerator-man, I tend to personally favor accelerators, although I am very impressed by the newer cobalt-60 pallet irradiation plants from A.E.C.L. I believe that they have a great future in the emerging field of food irradiation. As I have primarily been involved with accelerators during the last 14 years, this paper is only dealing with different design approaches and utilizations of accelerator-plants. (author)

[European Marketing Authorisation: a long process. Experiences of small biotech companies with the ATMP regulation].

Science.gov (United States)

Buljovčić, Z

2011-07-01

On 30 December 2008, the Regulation (EC) 1394/2007 on advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) entered into force. Herewith the first EU-wide regulatory framework for ATMPs was established. It requires a central marketing authorisation application to the EMA (European Medicinal Agency). This new framework especially changes the code of regulatory practice for tissue engineered products (TEPs), as no registration procedure had been previously required for autologous TEPs. This also meant that no clinical proof of efficacy achieved by a pivotal clinical trial was necessary. Difficulties and their background as well as the vast requirements for product development that have to be addressed by small companies within a very short time frame are presented. Hereby, it is obvious that regulatory experience which is required to identify and implement the resulting implications was not in place yet and still had to be established. The lack of regulatory experience also resulted in difficulties with scientific advice preparation, expectations toward regulatory agencies, consultants, and transformation of regulatory requirements. Addressing the regulatory requirements within the transition period is even more difficult for entrepreneurs with products which are assigned for indications resulting in complex challenges to the trial design. Due to the enormous time pressure to generate data and due to the implied financial pressure, different adaptation strategies are evolving. In Germany the "hospital exemption" according to §4b AMG (German Medicinal Products Law) is of major importance. A reorientation toward acellular products and a slow down in development of new ATMP products is expected.

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM Excellence Model in a Low Voltage Switchgear Compan

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Özgür Özmen

2017-11-01

Full Text Available The Turkish low voltage switchgear sector is made up of several local and international companies. Generally, local companies operating in this sector try to get a competitive advantage by fabricating cheap products, in order to cope with the competition that focuses more on quality. What’s more, international corporations perform quality activities under the organization and control of their top-managements from abroad. Although VIKO is a local producer, it is a company willing to invest more in quality, as well as in research and development. VIKO company is the focus of this self-assessment study, since it lies at the conjunction of companies operating in this sector, it being a local company performing various quality enhancement activities. Simultaneously, the authors consider that this study shall prove useful to create an overview over the entire Turkish low voltage switchgear sector. The evaluation of the company and its core-activities was based upon nine criteria of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM Excellence Model, in order to identify the strengths, the weaknesses and aspects that require improvements. This is the first study worldwide performed in the low voltage switchgear sector and it is aimed at motivating other Turkish companies that operate in this sector to implement The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM Excellence Model in their TQM activities (Total Quality Management.

Orientation of Agri-Food Companies to CSR And Consumer Perception: A Survey on Two Italian Companies.

Science.gov (United States)

Civero, Gennaro; Rusciano, Vincenzo; Scarpato, Debora

2018-05-07

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the most important tool for implementing Sustainability Guidelines for Business (US20030018487A1), delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all the stakeholders and is currently the focus of international studies and debates (US7260559B1), especially in the agri-food sector as demonstrated by recent patents (CA2862273A1). In most agri-food businesses operating in Italy, there is little effectiveness in the communication strategies of this instrument to the stakeholders since they are often not advanced. Identifying the first two food companies in the European ranking of the 6th CSR Online Awards, through an empirical survey on consumers, their level of perception of the CSR strategies communication of this companies will be analyzed. In both case studies analyzed, there is the presence of a Sustainability Orientation and the evolution of CSR tools within such companies and their promotion and communication to all the stakeholders. Despite this, the level of perception of respondents on the CSR strategies communication of this companies and the promotion of CSR instruments is not optimal. The interviewed consumers has not enriched its knowledge on CSR due to the lack of an adequate communication strategy for both case studies. Consequently, to raise awareness on the subject, there is still a great deal of cooperation needed between public institutions, local communities, businesses and citizens. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Transferability of results of cost utility analyses for biologicals in inflammatory conditions for Central and Eastern European countries.

Science.gov (United States)

Gulácsi, László; Rencz, Fanni; Péntek, Márta; Brodszky, Valentin; Lopert, Ruth; Hevér, Noémi V; Baji, Petra

2014-05-01

Several Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries require cost-utility analyses (CUAs) to support reimbursement formulary listing. However, CUAs informed by local evidence are often unavailable, and the cost-effectiveness of the several currently reimbursed biologicals is unclear. To estimate the cost-effectiveness as multiples of per capita GDP/quality adjusted life years (QALY) of four biologicals (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, golimumab) currently reimbursed in six CEE countries in six inflammatory rheumatoid and bowel disease conditions. Systematic literature review of published cost-utility analyses in the selected conditions, using the United Kingdom (UK) as reference country and with study selection criteria set to optimize the transfer of results to the CEEs. Prices in each CEE country were pro-rated against UK prices using purchasing power parity (PPP)-adjusted per capita GDP, and local GDP per capita/QALY ratios estimated. Central and Eastern European countries list prices were 144-333% higher than pro rata prices. Out of 85 CUAs identified by previous systematic literature reviews, 15 were selected as a convenience sample for estimating the cost-effectiveness of biologicals in the CEE countries in terms of per capita GDP/QALY. Per capita GDP/QALY values varied from 0.42 to 6.4 across countries and conditions (Bulgaria: 0.97-6.38; Czech Republic: 0.42-2.76; Hungary: 0.54-3.54; Poland: 0.59-3.90; Romania: 0.77-5.07; Slovakia: 0.55-3.61). While results must be interpreted with caution, calculating pro rata (cost-effective) prices and per capita GDP/QALY ratios based on CUAs can aid reimbursement decision-making in the absence of analyses using local data.

The European Private Company: Do We Need Another 28th Private Legal Form in the EU? On Regulatory Competition of Corporate Law

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Martina Eckardt

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs are of vital importance for employment, innovation and growth in the EU member states. However, so far only a rather small number participates in international business activities. The European private company is intended to support SMEs’ internationalization. In this paper we analyse whether such an additional supranational legal form is necessary. In a first step we show that from the normative point of view of interjurisdictional competition arguments from welfare economics, public choice and evolutionary economics are mainly in favour of it. In a next step we ask from a positive point of view whether it is nevertheless necessary at all. We discuss to what extent horizontal competition on legal forms is already working within the EU. We find that there is some competition taking place, however, so far it does not address specifically the needs of SMEs when doing business internationally

CONSIDERING CHANGES IN WOOD UTILIZATION -A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

OpenAIRE

Resch, Helmuth

2008-01-01

Worldwide, continuous change is evident. What impact does it have on the utilization of wood? What should be considered when educating professionals in Wood Science and Technology (WS&T)? Where did we come from and where do we need to go? .Throughout history, forests provided important social, ecological, and economic values. Wood utilization advanced along with an unprecedented and exciting industrial evolution and WS&T became an interdisciplinary field. Recently, stronger environmental conc...

Efficiency Analysis of European Freight Villages-Three Peers for Benchmarking

OpenAIRE

Yang, Congcong; Taudes, Alfred; Dong, Guozhi

2015-01-01

Measuring the performance of Freight Villages (FVs) has important implications for logistics companies and other related companies as well as governments. In this paper we apply Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the performance of European FVs in a purely data-driven way incorporating the nature of FVs as complex operations that use multiple inputs and produce several outputs. We employ several DEA models and perform a complete sensitivity analysis of the appropriateness of the chose...

Leadership – dedication to the Quality Management System and customer focus in Macedonian companies

OpenAIRE

Mitreva, Elizabeta; Filiposki, Oliver; Krivokapić, Zdravko; Jovanovic, Jelena; Taskov, Nako

2017-01-01

This study presents the research findings regarding the capacity of leadership in Macedonian companies, their ability to make decisions and practice team work in accordance with the criteria for obtaining the European Quality Award. The results of the research should provide useful directions that will serve Macedonian companies to improve products, services and business processes. The solution was found in the development of the management system through TQM (Total Quality Management) strate...

Migration and tourism entrepreneurship: North-European immigrants in Cataluna and Languedoc.

Science.gov (United States)

Lardies, R

1999-01-01

This paper examines new North European immigration into two Mediterranean regions and identifies the characteristics of North European entrepreneurs who work in small tourist businesses. Data used for analyses were gathered from 169 questionnaires addressed to small tourism firms and other tourism-related businesses in Cataluna (Spain) and Languedo (France). Also, the North European entrepreneurs are examined within the context of new migration flows into South European regions from the north of the continent. As for the reasons for moving to these South European regions, company formation and the style of running the businesses are found to be less motivated by the need for work than by lifestyle considerations. The results suggest that international migration theory offers little to explain these new migratory flows.

Decision E90057 re: ICG Utilities (Alberta) Ltd

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1990-10-10

ICG Utilities applied before the Alberta Public Utilities Board for determining a rate base and for fixing and approving interim and final rates for gas supplied to its customers in Alberta. A hearing was held to consider issues related to the application. In determining the rate base, the company's capital expenditures, acquisition of reserves, capitalization of administrative expenses, accumulated depreciation and related expense, and necessary working capital were taken into account. The fair return on the rate base was then fixed by considering the company's capital structure, long- and short- term debt rates, return on common equity, and foreign exchange rates. Utility revenue requirements were discussed in terms of cash operating expenses, cost of gas, income taxes, and non-cash operating expenses. Other matters treated at the hearing were the allocation of costs among ICG and affiliated companies, proposed amendments to ICG standards, regulations and practices, and the hearing costs reserve account. 5 tabs.

The Integrative Dimension of the Economic Globalization in European Space

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Daniela Mariana Alexandrache

2010-06-01

Full Text Available We believe that globalization and its socio-economic implications of the world and world economic crisis is one of the most debated issues from several years. The publication "The Economist’’ named globalization as the most used word of the century. The most relevant dimension of globalization is the economy with the more dynamic factors: technological development, the hegemony of liberal conceptions (closely linked to the triumph of the ideology of market economy and explosive development of countries or regions. Economic globalization has manifested a series of visible effects such as: the emergence of new markets and foreign trade (interconnected at global level, the appearance of: transnational companies, multilateral agreements on trade, broadening the scope of WTO, transformation of multinational companies in transnational companies and the emergence of global economic markets. Regionally, we noticed that the trendof concentration of economic activity is more pronounced and advanced in the European continent. Expanding globalization in Europe was achieved because of the fall of communism, and the neoliberal reformation which took place in Western European countries. Events like the fall of the Berlin Wall, followed by the fall of communism eradicated many political, economic, religious or cultural barriers. There were born new relations between state and market, public and private. European Union is, in our view, a regional office ofglobalization, representing the best performing integrative system in the world (by creating free trade area, customs union, common market, the Economic and Monetary Union. In terms of the European Commission,European model is a third way towards globalization, a middle path between protectionism and uncontrolled economy. To understand why the EU is an advanced approximation of globalization, perhaps a regional model of globalization, we must first understand the link between globalization and regional

Tempest in a teapot: utility advertising

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ciscel, D.H.

1976-08-12

Utility sales programs represent a form of organizational slack. It is an expense that can be traded off in times of administrative stress, providing a satisfactory payment to the consumer while maintaining the integrity of the present institutional arrangement. Because it is a trade-off commodity, regulatory control of utility advertising will remain a ''tempest in a teapot.'' Marketing programs are an integral part of the selling process in the modern corporation, and severe restrictions on advertising must be temporary in nature. Court cases have pointed out that utility companies need to inform the consumer about the use of the product and to promote demand for the product. These actions will be considered legally reasonable no matter what the final disposition of current environmental regulations and energy restrictions. In fact, as acceptable social solutions develop for environmental and energy supply problems, the pressure on utility advertising can be expected to fall proportionately. However, the utility still represents the largest industrial concern in most locales. The utility advertising program makes the company even more visible. When there is public dissatisfaction with the more complex parts of the utility delivery system, the raucous voice of outrage will emerge from this tempestuous teapot.

A European Project SysPAQ

OpenAIRE

Muller , Birgit; Dahms , Arne; Muller , Dirk; Knudsen , Henrik; Afshari , Alireza; Wargocki , Pawel; Olesen , Bjarne; Berglund , Brigitta; Ramalho , Olivier; Goschnick , Joachim; Jann , Oliver; Horn , Wolfgang; Nesa , Daniel; Chanier , Eric; Ruponen , Mika

2007-01-01

International audience; The European research project Innovative Sensor System for Measuring Perceived Air Quality and Brand Specific Odours (SysPAQ) is started under the VIth framework programme under the work programme "New and Emerging Science and Technology" (NEST PATHFINDER "Measuring the Impossible"). The Kick-of of the project was on the first of September 2006. Ten partners (3 Companies, 3 Universities, 4 research Institutes) from 5 countries are involved. The main goal of this projec...

75 FR 54618 - CAlifornians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (CARE) v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-09-08

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL10-84-000] CAlifornians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (CARE) v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, California Public Utilities Commission; Notice of Complaint...

75 FR 66744 - Californians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (CARE) v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-10-29

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL10-84-001] Californians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (CARE) v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, California Public Utilities Commission; Notice of Amended...

Smart Grid Innovation Management for SME Electricity Companies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Tambo, Torben

2011-01-01

innovation process lies ahead for utility companies in screening, testing, maturing, implementing and operating smart grids. This process is expected to follow the political targets for CO2 reduction stretching forward until 2050. As no proven concepts exists, and as the process is expected to progress many...... years ahead, smart grid represents an excellent case of continuous innovation. The current study use a series of loosely related technological studies of smart grid related technologies in SME electricity companies to highlight critical issues in this innovation process. Major findings...... are that the companies have limited innovation capabilities, they are presented with plenty of technological offerings that eventually have to be rejected, and they suffer from absence of clear objectives....

European future natural gas demand and supply diversification: key issues for Central and Eastern Europe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mueller-Elschner, E.

1996-01-01

After the breakdown of the former Soviet Union and the COMECON the demarcation line between western Europe and central/eastern Europe has disappeared. The central and eastern European economies as a whole and their gas industries as well as the western European gas companies are preparing for the future enlarged market in creating the prerequisites to participate successfully in such a market and to seize the opportunities this market is offering. The framework for this future European Gas Market has to be created now. The European gas industries and gas markets are in transition and are in a process of reshaping, with the following challenges: (1) In Central and Eastern European countries: To complete the privatization and restructuring process from centrally-planned economies to market-oriented structures with deregulated prices, market-oriented tariff systems and new legal and regulatory frameworks. These are the essential prerequisites for an integration of the central and eastern European countries into a single European gas market and the basis for an effective and successful trans border gas co-operation between east and west. (2) In western European countries: To pursue nearly similar processes of restructuring which are underway: privatization by reducing state participation and influence in gas and energy companies, with the accent on liberalization and deregulation of market structures with fewer market entry barriers, and more competition by reducing the influence of state or private monopolies. Gas companies are undertaking cost-efficiency measures to be prepared to meet the requirements of more competitive market structures and also of a more advanced internationalized gas business. The fundamental rules on which western European gas industries based their operations up to now have to be reconsidered. The old western European structures which have developed under the shelter of governmental protection are under pressure from several sources. EU energy

Cannabis Use and Drug Related Problems Among Adolescents in 27 European Countries: The Utility of the Prevention Paradox

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Romelsjö Anders

2014-10-01

Full Text Available AIMS – To study the prevalence of cannabis use and drug-related problems among European adolescents and the utility of the prevention paradox. METHODS – Survey data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD in 2007 in the 27 countries with information about drug use and drug-related problems was used. We analysed the proportion of all drug-related problems that occurred in a high risk group and among others who had used cannabis in the previous 12 months. The cut-off for the high risk group was chosen to include 10-15 % of the most frequent cannabis users. RESULTS – The high risk groups accounted for a substantial, but a minority, of drug-related problems among boys as well as girls. A minority of those who had used cannabis reported any drug-related problem. The proportion of adolescents with drug-related problems and the average number of problems increased with frequency of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS – We find support for policy measures of more general character, supported by the prevention paradox. However, this does not exclude a policy supporting frequent drug users if they can be identified

Organisational-Level Attributes of Micro-Multinationals. The Evidence From European SMEs

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wąsowska Aleksandra

2017-03-01

Full Text Available This paper investigates organisational-level attributes that allow European SMEs to choose equity-based modes of entry to foreign markets, thus becoming micro-multinationals. We hypothesize that international R&D cooperation (hypothesis 1 and using digital marketing (hypothesis 2 by SMEs increase their likelihood of becoming a mMNE. These hypotheses are tested through a logistic regression analysis based on a large sample of European companies drawn from the Flash Eurobarometer study. Separate regression models are estimated for companies originating from EU-13 and EU-15. Hypothesis 1 is supported by both samples. Hypothesis 2 is supported in the EU-15 sample. Our identification of organisational-level attributes that increase the likelihood of SMEs choosing equity-based internationalisation contributes to International Entrepreneurship entry mode literature.

Transfer Pricing in the European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gheorghe MATEI

2011-04-01

Full Text Available The transfer pricing mechanism is a tool commonly used to transfer the tax base from countries with high taxation in countries with low taxation. In the European Union, this financial operations generate significant tax revenue losses. In an attempt to limit the handling of corporate tax systems, many public authorities have introduced regulations on transfer pricing, but the effectiveness of these rules has proved limited, and they contributed to the increasing complexity of tax laws and to the appearance of additional costs for companies. A solution to the solving of the transfer pricing problem in the European Union is represented by the introduction of the common consolidated corporate tax base.

Changes in the European gas business

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stoehle, S.J.

1997-01-01

The paper gives a view on some of the changes that the European gas business is currently undergoing and the possible effects of these changes. There are two major items that stand out in this respect covering the continued deregulation of the UK gas market and the final content of EU's gas Directive. No participant in the European gas business will be unaffected by these two events. According to the author, the dynamics of these changes to the gas business will create interesting business opportunities for those companies and individuals that are anticipating the future and willing to take risks in order to succeed. Topics are: Infrastructure; the market - supply and demand; main changes. 14 figs

Corporate Mobility in the European Union - a Flash in the Pan?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ringe, Georg

This paper discusses new data on regulatory competition in European company law and the impact of national law reforms, using the example of English company law forms being used by German start-ups. Since 1999, entrepreneurs in the EU have been allowed to select foreign legal forms to govern...... their affairs. The data show that English limited companies were very popular with German entrepreneurs in the first few years of the last decade but have experienced a sharp decline since early 2006. This decline casts doubt over the claim that the German company law reform from November 2008 ‘successfully...... fought off’ the use of foreign company forms. Moreover, by contrasting the German data with the corresponding developments in Austria, the paper further demonstrates that the latter jurisdiction is also seeing a similar decline, and without having reformed its company law. Instead of exclusively seeing...

Corporate Mobility in the European Union - a Flash in the Pan?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ringe, Georg

2013-01-01

This paper discusses new data on regulatory competition in European company law and the impact of national law reforms, using the example of English company law forms being used by German start-ups. Since 1999, entrepreneurs in the EU have been allowed to select foreign legal forms to govern...... their affairs. The data show that English limited companies were very popular with German entrepreneurs in the first few years of the last decade but have experienced a sharp decline since early 2006. This decline casts doubt over the claim that the German company law reform from November 2008 ‘successfully...... fought off’ the use of foreign company forms. Moreover, by contrasting the German data with the corresponding developments in Austria, the paper further demonstrates that the latter jurisdiction is also seeing a similar decline, and without having reformed its company law. Instead of exclusively seeing...

Valuation of Company Merger from the Shareholders’ Point of View

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Christian Toll

2017-08-01

Full Text Available By means of a company merger formerly legally and economically independent companies are tied up to an economic entity. To order the financial state of affairs after the merger, the current shareholders must revalue their stake in the merged company. The interest is focused on the valuation of shares and, consequently, on the allocation of the future economic benefits of the merged company to each owner. Despite the apparent relevance of company mergers in practice, the scientific literature deals with this topic only in an unsatisfying manner. After some early simple model-oriented approaches with the aim to define an ideal exchange ratio, the valuation problem of a merger was taken up again not earlier than in Hering (2004. Based on his considerations, the aim of our paper is to extend and generalize the valuation methods for a company merger and foremost to set the algebra for the computation of the critical share by using maximization of wealth as target function on a firm foundation. We assign a certain marginal quota to the shareholders representing the minimum share in the merged company which puts them in a financial position no worse than compared to the going concern basis. For this reason, we introduce the state marginal quota model as an innovative valuation approach that considers both existing market imperfections and individual expectations of a specific shareholder. To pinpoint our key finding: If private financial redistributions are available, our extended and generalized model shows that the marginal quota * in question cannot be “trivially” obtained as a ratio of utilities. Instead, it is essential to consider the private decision field of a shareholder to allow a restructuring of the dividend payout stream offered by the merged company in order to reach at least a level of utility which is comparable to the state before the merger.

Globalizing core business strategies for U.S. utilities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weidenbach, W.H. Jr. [Weidenbach & Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA (United States)

1994-12-31

Good afternoon. I am honored to be here today and consider it a privilege to be a part of such a forum. I`d like to talk about changes that have taken place in the U.S. electric utility industry--changes that have helped promote the evolution of the independent power industry. My talk today will involve a brief history of the U.S. electric generating industry, addressing legislation and issues that affect the emerging independent power industry. Just a few years ago, electric utilities in the U.S. were experiencing very fast growth building many new, large, state-of-the-art generating plants. Issues such as the oil embargo, regulation and public opinion made it necessary for many of these companies to move predominately to coal-fired plants while completing their nuclear programs. In additions to developing the proven, reliable and efficient operating skills for these plants, this was also a period of building strong financial posture for these companies adding to their credentials. The lower growth rate that prevails today for U.S. utilities is allowing new strength to be developed in areas such as Demand Side Management and Integrated Resource Planning. These skills have also prepared U.S. companies to expand their market opportunities. Recent regulatory changes now allow these companies to expand their core business strengths to market in the non-regulated arena both domestically and internationally. Privatization of existing facilities have offered almost instant equity an operational opportunities for these companies both at home and throughout the world. Now that major growth is in other areas-particularly in Asia, U.S. companies are quite interested in bringing their skills and capabilities to bear in these fast growing areas of opportunity. This proven experience, exceptional financial strength and entrepreneurial spirit make these companies great partnership opportunities for existing and future generating facilities.

Adoption of the Objectives of the Monetary and Economic Union and European Financial Integration

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

MĂDĂLINA RĂDOI

2014-05-01

Full Text Available The European concerns, with old traditions in forming multinational financial markets, developed in the integration of the financial markets and of the European banking systems which allowed the investors from any European country to follow the orders on the best market, through the best beneficiary, benefitting from the most effective financial-banking services. This market offers sophisticated and modern financial tools, which cope with the needs of the invertors, portfolio managers, transnational companies and traders, having an impact over the balanced economic development of the European countries and unemployment reduction.

Orchestration of Globally Distributed Knowledge for Innovation in Multinational Companies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sajadirad, Solmaz; Lassen, Astrid Heidemann

Conducting a multiple-case study in five companies from Danish industry, this paper explores how multinational companies orchestrate knowledge from their globally distributed subsidiaries for innovation. Comparisons of knowledge orchestration within headquarter and subsidiaries for improvement...... and innovation show that a combination of the dynamic use of inter-firm objects and a well-established knowledge orchestration process underlies knowledge orchestration for innovation in multinational companies, as it advances headquarters’ abilities to effectively acquire, evaluate, disseminate, and utilize...... globally distributed knowledge. This study contributes to the understanding of knowledge orchestration between headquarter and distributed subsidiaries in multinational companies and how it is related to innovation. Specifically, this paper has important implications regarding the use of inter-firm objects...

Gas transportation tariffs in the european union market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bianchi, A.

2001-01-01

In a liberalised market, it is an indubitable competitive advantage for a firm to accede at the gas grid with a low cost. The comparison among gas transportation tariffs of 18 European gas transportation companies for a big industrial consumer, shows that Italy is in the medium-high position of the ranking [it

Performance management system in sale and distribution: A case of Serbian company

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Aleksandar Jankulović

2013-09-01

Full Text Available Background: Performance management system (PMS is the process of quantifying action which leads to organizational efficiency, competitiveness and growth. Performance measurement is the vital element of quality management system (QMS. Innovative companies have a strong culture, clear sense of mission and purpose, a well thought out strategy and business philosophy of continuous improvement, driven by QMS. Implementation of QMS ISO9001 standards has encouraged many organizations to develop and implement performance management system. Statement of quality objectives and Measurement, analysis and improvement as a part of QMS which leads to continual improvement is a vital part of success of company. Therefore PMS influence on sale, distribution and logistics companies with a complex processes and great number of subjects in supply chain are of great importance for their success. Methods: In our research we analyse measures and measurement approaches and frameworks that exist in logistic management and based on that we present results from one SME from eastern European country. We use case study research and therefore we conduct interviews with managers, employees and QMS/PMS implementation staff in sale and distribution company. Results: The aim of this study was to estimate the value of various metrics of the evaluation of QMS implementation. The study was based on case study in one Serbian sale and distribution company specifically in measurement part and metrics that are essential for their business and to compare them with approaches existed in literature. We reveal some obstacles in collecting data for measurement and benchmarking in Serbian market. Different metrics for efficient management of company are implemented in this company based on sales results and customer satisfaction.  Conclusion:  The importance of the research is in the fact that implementation of QMS reveal the need for PMS implementation and therefore results in certain

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES IN EUROPEAN UNION EMERGING ECONOMIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mihaela Dumitrascu

2013-07-01

Full Text Available The aim of this research is to analyze the support committees of European Union emerging economies. The importance of good corporate governance is vital for an organization, especially in the emerging markets, fact that leads to a several perceived improvements of the entity, while being more trustable, open and transparent in relationship with all its stakeholders. In our demarche we started by choosing the emerging economies from European Union, which lead us to a sample consisting of the companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange, Sofia Stock Exchange, Warsaw Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange, Budapest Stock Exchange, without taking into consideration a specific tier. In order to have a heterogeneous sample, we did eliminate the financial institutions from our research. This study is developed at European Union level and takes into consideration the following indices: BET® BUCHAREST EXCHANGE TRADING (Romania, SOFIX (Bulgaria, WIG 20 (Poland, PX (Czech Republic, BUX The Share Index of the Budapest Stock Exchange Co. Ltd. (Hungary. The data are extracted from the Annual Reports, Corporate Governance Codes, Comply or Explain Statement or the websites of the listed companies, from period 2007 - 2011. We choose this period, because we wanted to see the evolution of the corporate governance committees’ implementation from the period when the last countries from our sample joined the European Union since nowadays. Our conclusion is that we can not discuss about good corporate governance practices. Even so, we can observe from our investigation that the trend in this regard is encouraging. Like future research, we thought at developing our study by comparing the emerging economies from European Union with those outside this area. It is an interesting field of investigation, as every country has different regulations.

The competitiveness through taxes in the Central and Eastern European countries

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Daniela Pîrvu

2009-05-01

Full Text Available In the last few years, many countries Central and Eastern European countrieshave reduced their corporate income tax rates with the purpose of attractingmultinational companies. Various studies indicate the fact that the level of the corporateincome tax represents an important advantage that drives the decisions to place foreigndirect investments. Many European Union member states have initiated corporateincome tax reforms, in order to generate the increase in the competitiveness of nationaleconomies. In the case of the Central and Eastern European countries, where thedecrease in the corporate income taxes was higher, these reforms brought profoundchanges in the economic environment.

Extraterritorial reach of the FCPA: recommendations for U.S. medical device companies with activities in Europe.

Science.gov (United States)

Vollebregt, Erik

2010-01-01

Traditionally medical devices companies manage business compliance with anti-corruption and anti-fraud rules in a document-oriented way that does not always yield optimal results for the company. As a result, compliance issues are not optimally managed by the companies. Now that medical devices companies become ever more internationally active, they must also take into account the international dimensions of business compliance. This article intends to provide U.S. medical devices companies with activities in Europe with an insight in business compliance risks in the European Union (EU) and the risks related to U.S. statutes that may be applicable to a U.S. company's activities overseas. The article proposes a process-oriented and IT-supported way of structuring an international business compliance program, resulting in increased effectiveness of the program and increased competitiveness and risk management of the company as well as a high degree of acceptance of the procedures by the company's employees.

15 years of monitoring occupational exposure to respirable dust and quartz within the European industrial minerals sector.

Science.gov (United States)

Zilaout, Hicham; Vlaanderen, Jelle; Houba, Remko; Kromhout, Hans

2017-07-01

In 2000, a prospective Dust Monitoring Program (DMP) was started in which measurements of worker's exposure to respirable dust and quartz are collected in member companies from the European Industrial Minerals Association (IMA-Europe). After 15 years, the resulting IMA-DMP database allows a detailed overview of exposure levels of respirable dust and quartz over time within this industrial sector. Our aim is to describe the IMA-DMP and the current state of the corresponding database which due to continuation of the IMA-DMP is still growing. The future use of the database will also be highlighted including its utility for the industrial minerals producing sector. Exposure data are being obtained following a common protocol including a standardized sampling strategy, standardized sampling and analytical methods and a data management system. Following strict quality control procedures, exposure data are consequently added to a central database. The data comprises personal exposure measurements including auxiliary information on work and other conditions during sampling. Currently, the IMA-DMP database consists of almost 28,000 personal measurements which have been performed from 2000 until 2015 representing 29 half-yearly sampling campaigns. The exposure data have been collected from 160 different worksites owned by 35 industrial mineral companies and comes from 23 European countries and approximately 5000 workers. The IMA-DMP database provides the European minerals sector with reliable data regarding worker personal exposures to respirable dust and quartz. The database can be used as a powerful tool to address outstanding scientific issues on long-term exposure trends and exposure variability, and importantly, as a surveillance tool to evaluate exposure control measures. The database will be valuable for future epidemiological studies on respiratory health effects and will allow for estimation of quantitative exposure response relationships. Copyright © 2017 The

Det europæiske Model Company Law Act Project

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Andersen, Paul Krüger; Baums, Theodor

2008-01-01

På initiativ af forfatterne til det følgende blev der i 2007 dannet en europæisk gruppe af fremtrædende selskabsretseksperter med henblik på at udforme en »European Model Company Law Act« (EMCLA). Gruppen holdt sit første møde i Århus i september 2007.  ...

Employability and the psychological contract in European ICT sector SMEs

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Scholarios, D.; van der Heijden, B.I.J.M.; van der Schoot, E.; Bozionelos, N.; Epitropaki, O.; Knauth, P.; Marzec, I.; Mikkelsen, A.; van der Heijde, C.M.

2008-01-01

This article explores the employability of information and communication technology (ICT) professionals from the perspective of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first stage of analysis, based on over 100 interviews with managers of ICT supplier companies in seven European countries

Reaching an entrepreneurial management system of amoebas. A qualitative insight into the European experiences

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Urban Wiesław

2016-03-01

Full Text Available The aim of the study is an assessment of the Amoeba Management System (AMS introduction advancements in some European companies. The study takes the practically focused research approach. The approaches, achievements and phases whilst introducing the AMS principles by companies are observed and critically assessed. First insight into the challenges of AMS introduction is taken basing on critical study of the literature output. The scientific studies and managerial publications are taken into consideration. The empirical part of the study is based on the qualitative approach. A multiple case study methodology is employed. The research objects are three companies, one of them operates in Sweden, the next two in Poland. Each of them have different experiences in AMS implementation, they also manifest different management styles and habits. The study demonstrates that AMS is a very prospective management methodology which can support companies in employees commitment during their journey towards operational excellence. The analysis results show different motivations for AMS introduction as well as different development paths, these are harmonized with different management styles in companies and culture occurring in countries. The study is particularly valuable because this is one of the first empirical investigations of AMS implementation in European companies. In the field of theory the study proposes the four level scale for amoebas system maturity. This scale allows to classify companies following AMS principles and, at the same time, this scale is also the kind of path of AMS implementation. The study points out basic tools for companies which support AMS implementation. These tools are already known in management literature, but experience of investigated companies shows that they are fundamental for successful AMS implementation.

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENERGY COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ionescu (Sas Mihaela

2014-07-01

Full Text Available This paper aims to contribute to a better knowledge of the problems of energy services provided that both the international economic literature and in the Romanian, it continues to be addressed in a low position. Therefore, the author examines energy services through mechanisms that can be saved primary energy and final energy in the context of declining energy reserves worldwide. Economic and financial crisis and the current recession contribute to preventing the development of the energy services market and solutions on the framework conditions of political, economic, legal and financial aspects of energy performance contracts associated with these companies. Some Member States have already established a system requiring the national energy industry to achieve energy savings, achieving positive results: there were savings of up to 6% of final energy consumption. In a system of this type, utilities are required to obtain a fixed amount of energy savings by implementing energy efficiency improvements in their clients (such as households, companies, government or housing associations and other sectors and energy production and transport. As an alternative to savings by themselves, some systems allow utilities to purchase energy savings from other actors such as energy service companies (ESCOs. Energy saving obligations stimulate providers to change their business model from retail energy products to the provision of energy services. Energy Service Companies continues to be a key area for financing energy efficiency in the EU. In this respect, several Member States mention providing model contracts for energy services, the introduction of legislation or removing legal barriers for ESCO access to energy services in the public sector. Meanwhile, many of the measures encouraged on ESCO contain too little detail on specific actions to be taken.

The Western European Mobile Service Market

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Henten, Anders; Tadayoni, Reza; Hjarup, Søren

The aim of the paper is to analyse the development of the structure in the Western European mobile services market, based primarily on technological and economic parameters. The focus of the analysis is on the market consolidation process, taking place horizontally, i.e. among the mobile network...... operators, and on the new companies entering the mobile field vertically, delivering, e.g., content and portal services, as convergence with Internet develops....

The European structural integrity research programme

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Townley, C.H.A.; Acker, D.; Laue, H.

1990-01-01

A thermal hydraulics evaluation of the European Fast Reactor (EFR) design followed by structural analysis is presented in this article to assess the structural integrity research programme to date. Improved design methods are being achieved as a result of the structural integrity programme for the EFR. Excellent collaboration between the nationally based research organizations and the design and construction companies has been important in achieving these improvements. (UK)

The Virtual Enterprise – Citizen of the European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andreea Davidescu (Vasile

2013-06-01

Full Text Available The Virtual Enterprise is a rather young and unclear concept in the business world. A virtual enterprise is a temporary network of companies that share their different resources in order to reach a given goal (the creation of a new product, or the entry on a new market and is a powerful tool in the hands of the business community. The question this article raises is whether European Union's businesses are able to take advantage of this opportunity within the European Union. We discuss several obstacles towards the creation of virtual enterprises: regulatory uncertainties, operational management that dismisses the advantage of an excellent infrastructure, the orientation of innovation creators towards theoretical research and the European business culture. The article also looks at research on the virtual enterprise in the European Union, the legal framework and technologies for virtualization.

LDHI opportunities for offshore European production

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Clark, L. W.; Anderson, J.; Frostman, L.; Poynton, N.

2006-03-15

Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors (LDHIs) are gaining worldwide acceptance as a viable alternative to the more conventional methods of hydrate flow assurance control. Use of this LDHI technology in the European area is becoming more common as operators are beginning to implement and gain from the advantages of LDHIs. This paper will review the basic applicability of the various LDHIs and will review LDHI case histories worldwide in order to show how this technology could be implemented to a greater extent into European production systems. Case histories will illustrate the use and advantages of multifunctional products indicating how operating companies can reduce operating costs and capital expenditure through their implementation. Differing production scenarios will be covered indicating how different LDHIs can be used to cover a range of applications in the field, such as those found in the European region. These will cover both the use of Anti-Agglomerants (AA) and Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors (KHI). (Author)

Is vaccination good value for money? A review of cost-utility analyses of vaccination strategies in eight European countries

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marco Barbieri

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Objective: The objective of this study is to review published cost-utility analyses of vaccination strategies in eight European countries and to assess whether there are differences in cost-effectiveness terms among countries and vaccinations. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and the PubMed database. Cost-utility analyses of any type of vaccination that used quality-adjusted life years (QALYs as measure of benefit and conducted in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands or the UK were included. Results: A total of 94 studies were identified. As a result of our search methodology, the vast majority of studies were conducted in the Netherlands or UK (33 and 30 studies, respectively. The most frequent vaccination types were against Human papillomavirus (HPV with 23 studies, followed by vaccination against pneumococcal infections (19 studies. The analysed vaccinations were generally cost-effective but with high variability. Considering an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER of 40,000€/QALY, we noticed that the following vaccinations studies are below this threshold, i.e. all varicella and influenza (with one outlier studies, 90% of the studies for HPV and 75% of the studies for pneumococcal vaccinations. Rotavirus vaccination was considered as not cost-effective, with only 30% of studies below the threshold of 40,000€/QALY. There was no clear trend for vaccinations being more cost-effective in some countries. Conclusions: The published literature has shown that vaccination strategies are generally cost-effective in European countries. High heterogeneity in the results among studies and countries was found.

Voluntary agreements, implementation and efficiency. European relevance of case study results. Reflections on transferability to voluntary agreement schemes at the European level

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Helby, Peter

2000-04-01

As a policy instrument, voluntary agreements often fascinate policy-makers.This is fuelled by a number of assumed advantages, such as the opportunity for co-operation rather than confrontation, speed and flexibility and the cost-effectiveness. Some advantages might even be accentuated at the European level: Co-operation has added advantage at the European level where the culture of consensus decision is strong. Flexibility is extra attractive for policy makers dealing with an economy less homogeneous than the average national economy. Speed is certainly welcomed by policy-makers otherwise faced with the slow-winding European legislative process. Cost-effectiveness is eagerly sought by European policy makers facing tight administrative budgets and staff limits. This report examines lessons from the VAIE case studies that may be useful to policy makers engaged in the development of voluntary approaches at the European level. These case studies are about voluntary agreement schemes for industrial energy efficiency deployed in Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden. For a summary of these case studies, please refer to the the VAIE final report. More detailed information is available in the VAIE national reports. It needs to be emphasised that the empirical base is very narrow. The 'lessons' presented can only be hypotheses, based on an inductive leap from a very narrow experience. The reader will need to check these hypotheses against her own broader experience and personal judgement. According to the principle of subsidiarity, voluntary agreements should be implemented at the European level only if that would have significant advantage over national action. Action at the European level, rather than the national level, would have these potential advantages: Being more consistent with the development of the single market; Allowing higher demands on energy efficiency without negative effect on competitiveness and employment; Stimulating company

The nuclear industry in the European Community

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gasterstaedt, N.

1990-01-01

In its reference program of 1984, the Commission presented the guidelines for the objectives in the field of nuclear electricity production within the Community. In addition, the effects have been investigated which concern the realization of these objectives for all persons involved in nuclear energy: local government, utility companies and industry. The question of nuclear energy is part of the general energy policy. Therefore, the reference program of 1984 was one of the elements which has been considered up to 1995 by the Council when defining the objectives for energy economy. The guidelines of the Commission in the reference program of 1984 are still valid today. It is important, however, to check the effects of the completion of the internal market on nuclear industry. Therefore, the Commission announced in its working program of 1989 that it will revise the reference nuclear program with regard to the prospects of the European internal market. The present document fulfills this obligation. The problems of the industry for the design and construction of nuclear power plants are treated intentionally. After the Commission for Economic and Social Affairs has given its statement, the commission will publish the document officially. (orig./UA) [de

The Utilization of CRM in Small Business

OpenAIRE

Leimu, Santeri

2013-01-01

The purpose of this thesis was to explore how a small-size company could utilize Customer Relationship Management theories for being more successful in their business. The main objective was to create a model for the case company based on CRM theories itself as well as empirical observations. The case company’s field of business is in inspections of global import and export trade. The amount of employees is less than ten. Work in the company divides into two sections, i.e. office work and...

Which future for natural gas in the European-Mediterranean area

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Giesbert, J.Ch.

1997-01-01

In the Mediterranean sea surrounding countries, energy consumption and in particular natural gas, is growing up. However, this development requires the mobilization of important capitals and the creation of multilateral partnerships. These investments must be realized when southern and eastern Mediterranean countries will change for a market economy and when the energy market in the European Union is liberalizing. This paper describes the situation of the development of natural gas uses in the Maghreb countries (power production, development of cogeneration systems, supply of LPG fuels for domestic uses, development of distribution and transportation systems) and the position of European gas companies with respect to this developing market: investments, risks assessment, European Union warranty, liberalization of gas markets in the Maghreb countries and in the European union. (J.S.)

Antecedents and consequences of customer-company identification: expanding the role of relationship marketing.

Science.gov (United States)

Ahearne, Michael; Bhattacharya, C B; Gruen, Thomas

2005-05-01

This article presents an empirical test of organizational identification in the context of customer-company (C-C) relationships. It investigates whether customers identify with companies and what the antecedents and consequences of such identification are. The model posits that perceived company characteristics, construed external image, and the perception of the company's boundary-spanning agent lead to C-C identification. In turn, such identification is expected to impact both in-role behavior (i.e., product utilization) as well as extra-role behavior (i.e., citizenship). The model was tested in a consultative selling context of pharmaceutical sales reps calling on physicians. Results from the empirical test indicated that customers do indeed identify with organizations and that C-C identification positively impacts both product utilization behavior and extra-role behavior even when the effect of brand perception is accounted for. Second, the study found that the organization's characteristics as well as the salesperson's characteristics contributed to the development of C-C identification.

Multiple metamorphoses for EdF and GdF

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jemain, A.

2004-01-01

The draft of law, modifying the statute of the French electric and gas utilities, Electricite de France (EdF) and Gaz de France (GdF), that the French government has presented to the Council of State, mixes some European and French preoccupations. The reason is the urgency of the planning and the date line of July 1, 2004 with the opening of the gas and power markets to 3.5 millions of professionals. The draft includes the obligations and missions of public utility of both companies, the transposition of the European directives, the conclusions of the negotiation of retirement pensions with the syndicate organizations, and the transformation of both public companies into anonymous companies. Short paper. (J.S.)

The storage location assignment problem: application in an agribusiness company

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Helton C. Gomes

2015-09-01

Full Text Available The goal of this work is propose an efficient storage scheme for a company in the agribusiness sector. The company studied herein is located in the Alto Paranaíba region of Minas Gerais, and exports coffee beans. Efficient storage can provide improvements in the use of space, operational resources, and staff time, as well as facilitating the order picking process. To accomplish this, the problem was mathematically modeled as a Storage Location Assignment Problem (SLAP, aimed at minimizing handling costs and maximizing space utilization and storage efficiency. The mathematical model using the company data was solved using the CPLEX solver, version 12.1. The results obtained were compared with the actual company scenario, and several advantages were observed.

Nitrogen oxide control at power plants of the ENEL company (Italy)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kotler, V.R. (Vserossiiskii Teplotekhnicheskii Institut (Russian Federation))

1993-03-01

Analyzes experiences of the ENEL electricity company in Italy in controlling pollutant emission from fossil-fuel power plants. In 1990, the company produced 87% of the country's electricity. Until the year 2000, ENEL plans to increase coal use for power generation by 23.5% and install 9,300 MW of new coal-fired power plant capacity. New European and Italian emission standards require ENEL to reduce NO[sub x] emissions by 30% from 1986 to 1998. NO[sub x] emission values from various fuel-oil and pulverized-coal fired steam generators operated by the company are given. Modifications to existing combustion technologies and equipment installed to lower NO[sub x] content in flue gases at various ENEL power plants are considered. The most promising coal combustion technologies and ongoing research programs are pointed out. 4 refs.

Conferring of contracts by utilities in the Single European Market. Transposition of the sectoral directive where it concerns construction and delivery orders into German law

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pick, H.; Wetzel, U.

1994-01-01

After the enactment of the Second Law Amending the Law on Budgetary Principles, the Ordinance on the Confering of Contracts, and the Ordinance on Verification; and the amendment of the ordinances on the placing of construction and delivery orders (VOB and VOL) the European Directives on so-called ''public'' tendering can be said to be transposed into German law as far as they concern construction and delivery orders. This means that as of 1 March 1994 besides the ''classical'' public contractors utilities, too, must invite bids Europe-wide. According to European law this also applies to service orders as of 1 July 1994, but this provision still awaits transposition into German law. (orig.) [de

A European Land Mobile Satellite System via EMS

Science.gov (United States)

Ananasso, Fulvio; Mistretta, Ignazio

1991-10-01

The paper analyzes the technical and market issues that influence the strategy of implementation of a Land Mobile Satellite System via the payload EMS (European Mobile System) embarked on ITALSAT F-2. The final goal is to determine services, network architecture, and added value chain that make LMSS via EMS profitable for a typical telecommunication company.

Analysis of information flows among individual companies in the KOSDAQ market

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Ho-Yong; Oh, Gabjin

2016-08-01

In this paper, we employ the variance decomposition method to measure the strength and the direction of interconnections among companies in the KOSDAQ (Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotation) stock market. We analyze the 200 companies listed on the KOSDAQ market from January 2001 to December 2015. We find that the systemic risk, measured by using the interconnections, increases substantially during periods of financial crisis such as the bankruptcy of Lehman brothers and the European financial crisis. In particular, we find that the increases in the aggregated information flows can be used to predict the increment of the market volatility that may occur during a sub-prime financial crisis period.

Personal dosimetry service of VF, a.s. company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prasek, P.

2009-01-01

The VF, a.s. Company will extend its services in the area of personal dosimetry at the end of 2008, which is fully in compliance with the requirements of the Atomic Act, section 9 paragraph (1) letter r) and Decree on Radiation Protection, section 59 paragraph (1) letter a). Optically stimulated luminescence was selected in VF .a.s. as the most advantageous and the most advanced technology for the integral personal dosimetry. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been using in dosimetry for more than ten years. Although it is relatively new technology , its indisputable advantages predetermine that technology has significantly benefited in personal dosimetry services within a short time all over the advanced world. The VF, a.s. personal dosimetry service is based on the licensed products of LANDAUER, the US company, which is the world leader in OSL dosimetry. Crystalline Al 2 O 3 :C was selected as the detection material. All equipment of personal dosimetry service is installed in the VF Centre of Technology in Cerna Hora. The personal dosimetry service is incorporated in the International LANDAUER Dosimetry Service Network, and in the European Union, it is directly linked to the LANDAUER European Headquarters with its office in Paris. As a part of the OSL technology licence, the VF personal dosimetry service was included in the inter-laboratory comparison programme of the LANDAUER syndicate. (author)

Personal dosimetry service of VF, a.s. company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prasek, P.

2008-01-01

The VF, a.s. Company will extend its services in the area of personal dosimetry at the end of 2008, which is fully in compliance with the requirements of the Atomic Act, section 9 paragraph (1) letter r) and Decree on Radiation Protection, section 59 paragraph (1) letter a). Optically stimulated luminescence was selected in VF .a.s. as the most advantageous and the most advanced technology for the integral personal dosimetry . Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been using in dosimetry for more than ten years. Although it is relatively new technology , its indisputable advantages predetermine that technology has significantly benefited in personal dosimetry services within a short time all over the advanced world. The VF, a.s. personal dosimetry service is based on the licensed products of LANDAUER, the US company, which is the world leader in OSL dosimetry. Crystalline Al 2 O 3 :C was selected as the detection material. All equipment of personal dosimetry service is installed in the VF Centre of Technology in Cerna Hora. The personal dosimetry service is incorporated in the International LANDAUER Dosimetry Service Network, and in the European Union, it is directly linked to the LANDAUER European Headquarters with its office in Paris. As a part of the OSL technology licence, the VF personal dosimetry service was included in the inter-laboratory comparison programme of the LANDAUER syndicate. (author)

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS FUNDAMENT FOR ASSESSMENT THE COMPANY'S VALUE

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Goran Karanovic

2010-06-01

Full Text Available Lack of capital market development cause that calculating the value of companies in the small markets, such as the Croatian market, is carried out primarily from the analysis of financial statements. Lack of market development is evident from the unrealistic and unobjective corporate values, as result of too small volumeof securities trading in financial markets. The primary financial analysis is the basic method for estimating company value, and represents the foundation for an objective determination of cash flow components that will be discounted. Trought analysis investors are trying to answer the questions such as: status of the assets,liabilities and capital, the dynamics of business enterprises, the level of solvency and liquidity, utilization of fixed assets, contribution of fixed assets in total income, company profitability rates and investment in the company. Investors use financial analysis only as a basis and as a tool to predict the potential for creating new business value.

An agent-based model for energy service companies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Robinson, Marguerite; Varga, Liz; Allen, Peter

2015-01-01

Highlights: • An agent-based model for household energy efficiency upgrades is considered. • Energy service companies provide an alternative to traditional utility providers. • Household self-financing is a limiting factor to widespread efficiency upgrading. • Longer term service contracts can lead to reduced household energy costs. • Future energy price increases enable service providers to retain their customer base. - Abstract: The residential housing sector is a major consumer of energy accounting for approximately one third of carbon emissions in the United Kingdom. Achieving a sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure necessitates a reduced and more efficient use of domestic energy supplies. Energy service companies offer an alternative to traditional providers, which supply a single utility product to satisfy the unconstrained demand of end users, and have been identified as a potentially important actor in sustainable future economies. An agent-based model is developed to examine the potential of energy service companies to contribute to the large scale upgrading of household energy efficiency, which would ultimately lead to a more sustainable and secure energy infrastructure. The migration of households towards energy service companies is described by an attractiveness array, through which potential customers can evaluate the future benefits, in terms of household energy costs, of changing provider. It is shown that self-financing is a limiting factor to the widespread upgrading of residential energy efficiency. Greater reductions in household energy costs could be achieved by committing to longer term contracts, allowing upgrade costs to be distributed over greater time intervals. A steadily increasing cost of future energy usage lends an element of stability to the market, with energy service companies displaying the ability to retain customers on contract expiration. The model highlights how a greater focus on the provision of energy services, as

Liberalisation and Corporate Strategic Behaviours: A Taxonomy of the European Electric Firms

OpenAIRE

Schiavone Francesco; Quintano Michele

2012-01-01

Liberalisation in the European electricity market greatly increased the number of corporate mergers and acquisitions. This article proposes a taxonomy of the strategic behaviours of European electricity firms after the recent continental industry liberalisation. We analysed the operations of mergers and acquisitions of these companies. The «five competitive forces» model by Michael Porter was used in order to develop the taxonomy. Our analysis outlines three main strategic types: "omnivorou"s...

Growth Dynamics of Dairy Processing Firms in the European Union

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Gardebroek, C.; Turi, K.N.; Wijnands, J.H.M.

2010-01-01

The structure of the dairy processing industry in the European Union has changed enormously in recent decades. In many countries, the industry is characterized by a few large companies with a big market share accompanied by many small processors that often produce for niche markets. This article

Strategic Alliances in the European Industries of the Third Industrial Revolution

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Angel Calvo

2016-07-01

Full Text Available The dimension of the alliances has compelled experts to revise their preconceptions about the internationalization of companies and to include this strategy in their models as Uppsala model was forced to acknowledge. This article focuses on one of the alliances forged in Europe, very deviated from the practices of the majority because it was a company with exclusively European partners. It adopts the perspective of a peripheral country (Spain in the global economy and from the special status of at least one of the partners in a monopoly. Finally, the article follows case study methodology, which aims to delve into the complexity of the processes and the phenomena at hand. The article responds to the need for an alternative approach to industry analysis that is particularly important for technology-based industries and the most turbulent high-tech industries.  The first section examines the creation of European Silicon Structures as a strategic alliance in the European semiconductor industry. Parts two and three look at the case of Spain and the role of demand using the example of Telefonica. Conclusions are presented in the final section.

Finacial Expertise, Authority and Power in the European Football 'Industry'

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hertbert F. Moorhouse

2007-12-01

Full Text Available The paper aims to provoke discussion about two issues. Firstly, how do economic ideas, concepts, theories, principles and information enter into the discourse of the owners and controllers of Europe’s most popular sport – football – and into political discussion about the game? It stresses the role management consultants have created for themselves in the new football 'industry'. Secondly, as a specific example of the general concern, the paper considers the role of the Deloitte company in European football. Its publications – especially the Annual Reviews of Football Finance – have been very influential and the company has acted as consultants for UEFA on many of the key issues in contemporary football. The paper critically assesses the approach Deloitte has adopted to the commercialisation of football, and explores difficulties in the way it has analysed some of the key issues in European football. It suggests that some countervailing forces need to be created to limit the authority and influence Deloitte currently exercise.

Utility franchises reconsidered

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weidner, B.

1981-11-01

It is easier to obtain a public utility franchise than one for a fast food store because companies like Burger King value the profit share and control available with a franchise arrangement. The investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in Chicago and elsewhere gets little financial or regulatory benefit, although they do have an alternative because the franchise can be taken over by the city with a one-year notice. As IOUs evolved, the annual franchise fee has been incorporated into the rate in a move that taxes ratepayers and maximizes profits. Cities that found franchising unsatisfactory are looking for ways to terminate the franchise and finance a takeover, but limited-term and indeterminate franchises may offer a better mechanism when public needs and utility aims diverge. A directory lists franchised utilities by state and comments on their legal status. (DCK)

Estimating a corporate governance index for companies in Greece

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ramona Iulia Țarțavulea (Dieaconescu

2015-12-01

Full Text Available European countries have gone through serious efforts to overcome the financial crisis and special measures had to be taken in order to limit the negative impact on businesses and stabilize a healthy economic environment for the single market. The specific governmental policies aimed to keep under control the effects of the crisis and relaunch the economic growth, but they were unpopular among a part of the European citizens. The economic situation forced most managers of private companies to rethink the business strategy and restructure the activity. Lately, Greece has been going through a difficult period, as the crisis worsened the economic situation of the country. The population did not welcome the drastic economic measures which were proposed by IMF and institutional creditors and this conflict almost lead to national insolvency. The problems of Greece are deeply rooted in the business models and economic philosophy. This paper has the purpose of analyzing the corporate governance regulation and practices in Greece and to determine whether it is possible to enhance business profitability and stability by enforcing a better legal framework in the area of corporate governance. The research focuses on the calculation of a corporate governance index for a selection of Greek companies form different sectors of activity (oil &gas, telecommunications, beverages and the analysis of the results may lead to the identification of weaknesses in this domain. Improvements in the corporate governance practices are considered to lead to enhancing business stability and sustainability. The methodology for calculating the corporate governance index is adapted for Greek companies and is in accordance with the provisions of the Hellenic Corporate Governance Code.

The deregulation connection : utility competition creates new niche company

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roy, C.

1999-01-01

Deregulation in Ontario's utility market has created incentives for local utilities to add new services to attract and keep customers, knowing that in a competitive energy market, only those utilities which offer the best services will survive. London Hydro, which provides power to southwestern Ontario launched a private enterprise called LondonConnect Inc. The new enterprise offers high-speed digital services to area businesses. London Hydro made this unique move to take advantage of the fact that 20 per cent of businesses communicate electronically. London Hydro believes that in the next five years, that number will increase to 80 per cent. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) gives businesses greater connectivity to the Internet and web services. One of the network's capabilities is realtime video conferencing between hydro locations. MAN can also be used to create a secure and private virtual community-wide area network of computers and office machines. The advantages are numerous. For example, hospitals will be able to exchange information between remote sites at incredible speeds. MAN is made up of fiber-optic cables and electronic routers. LondonConnect is expecting to provide access throughout London by the fall of 1999. A dozen clients have already signed up for the service. Installation of the system will cost $1,000 with fixed monthly rates. The cost will vary depending on the level of service. The network will cost London Hydro $3 million, but it is expected to generate $2.5 million annually in its first two years. 3 figs

The deregulation connection : utility competition creates new niche company

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Roy, C

1999-08-01

Deregulation in Ontario's utility market has created incentives for local utilities to add new services to attract and keep customers, knowing that in a competitive energy market, only those utilities which offer the best services will survive. London Hydro, which provides power to southwestern Ontario launched a private enterprise called LondonConnect Inc. The new enterprise offers high-speed digital services to area businesses. London Hydro made this unique move to take advantage of the fact that 20 per cent of businesses communicate electronically. London Hydro believes that in the next five years, that number will increase to 80 per cent. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) gives businesses greater connectivity to the Internet and web services. One of the network's capabilities is realtime video conferencing between hydro locations. MAN can also be used to create a secure and private virtual community-wide area network of computers and office machines. The advantages are numerous. For example, hospitals will be able to exchange information between remote sites at incredible speeds. MAN is made up of fiber-optic cables and electronic routers. LondonConnect is expecting to provide access throughout London by the fall of 1999. A dozen clients have already signed up for the service. Installation of the system will cost $1,000 with fixed monthly rates. The cost will vary depending on the level of service. The network will cost London Hydro $3 million, but it is expected to generate $2.5 million annually in its first two years. 3 figs.

The deregulation connection : utility competition creates new niche company

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Roy, C.

1999-08-01

Deregulation in Ontario`s utility market has created incentives for local utilities to add new services to attract and keep customers, knowing that in a competitive energy market, only those utilities which offer the best services will survive. London Hydro, which provides power to southwestern Ontario launched a private enterprise called LondonConnect Inc. The new enterprise offers high-speed digital services to area businesses. London Hydro made this unique move to take advantage of the fact that 20 per cent of businesses communicate electronically. London Hydro believes that in the next five years, that number will increase to 80 per cent. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) gives businesses greater connectivity to the Internet and web services. One of the network`s capabilities is realtime video conferencing between hydro locations. MAN can also be used to create a secure and private virtual community-wide area network of computers and office machines. The advantages are numerous. For example, hospitals will be able to exchange information between remote sites at incredible speeds. MAN is made up of fiber-optic cables and electronic routers. LondonConnect is expecting to provide access throughout London by the fall of 1999. A dozen clients have already signed up for the service. Installation of the system will cost $1,000 with fixed monthly rates. The cost will vary depending on the level of service. The network will cost London Hydro $3 million, but it is expected to generate $2.5 million annually in its first two years. 3 figs.

18 CFR 141.400 - FERC Form No. 3-Q, Quarterly financial report of electric utilities, licensees, and natural gas...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

..., Quarterly financial report of electric utilities, licensees, and natural gas companies. 141.400 Section 141..., licensees, and natural gas companies. (a) Prescription. The quarterly report of electric utilities, licensees, and natural gas companies, designated as FERC Form No. 3-Q, is prescribed for the reporting...

Brexit and the European financial system: mapping markets, players and jobs

OpenAIRE

Batsaikhan, Uuriintuya; Kalcik, Robert; Schoenmaker, Dirk

2017-01-01

London is an international financial centre, serving European and global clients. A hard Brexit would lead to a partial migration of financial firms from London to the EU27 (EU minus UK) to ensure they can continue to serve their EU27 clients. Four major cities will host most of the new EU27 wholesale markets - Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and Amsterdam. These cities have far fewer people employed in finance than London. Moreover, they host the European headquarters of fewer large companies. The ...

IMPACT OF IFRS ADOPTION ON ROMANIAN COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Adriana Florina POPA

2013-10-01

Full Text Available Accounting globalization follows the transformation of the accounting system into an economic and financial model, able to inform more correctly and rapidly the users of the accounting information, amongst which the investors and the creditors are clearly delimited. Within this context, the need of a harmonized and well oriented accounting system has become imperative. The adoption of a set of international accounting standards in Europe is intended to provide uniform and high quality financial information on the financial markets which would consolidate the global market efficiency, reducing the cost of capital accessing for European companies. There are numerous opinions according to which the IFRS adoption could be an element of abolishing the discrepancies between the accounting systems, offering at the same time a high level of transparency of the financial information. Our objective is to analyze the opportunity of implementing the IAS/IFRS referential by the Romanian companies, as well as their instant reaction within this context.

A LINEAR PROGRAMMING METHOD TO ENHANCE RESOURCE UTILIZATION CASE OF ETHIOPIAN APPAREL SECTOR

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gezahegn Tesfaye

2016-06-01

Full Text Available The Ethiopian industrial development strategy is characterized by export-led and labor intensive industrialization. The country is emerging as the most important investment destination in its apparel sector. Thought this sector is expected to generate more income from the export market, its export earnings remain trivial mainly due to the inefficient organizational resource utilization. One of the competent techniques that help companies to efficiently improve the use of their resources to increase their profit is linear programming. In apparel manufacturing firms, efficient use of materials such as fabrics and sewing threads and processing time at different stages of production as well as minimization of labor and materials cost are necessary to enhance their profitability. Cutting, sewing, and finishing operations deserve more attention for apparel process optimization. However, the issue of proper resource allocation remains an unsolved problem within the Ethiopian apparel industry. The aim of this research is to devise efficient resource utilization mechanism for Ethiopian apparel sector to improve their resource utilization and profitability, taking one of the garment factories engaged in the export market as a case study. Five types of products the company is currently producing, the amount of resources employed to produce each unit of the products, and the value of profit per unit from the sale of each products have been collected from the case company. The monthly availability of resources utilized and the monthly production volume of the five products have also been collected from the company. The data gathered was mathematically modeled using a linear programming technique, and solved using MS-Excel solver. The findings of the study depicts that all of the organizational resources are severely underutilized. This research proved that the resource utilization of the case company can be improved from 46.41% of the current resource

DOES CSR ENHANCE MARKET PERFORMANCE FOR AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anca BUTNARIU

2016-12-01

Full Text Available This paper aims at analyzing the role of strategic CSR in creating stable long term performance in the automotive industry. The first part of the paper reviews the success factors for the European auto industry and analyses the influence strategic CSR has on these factors. In order to illustrate the relation between strategic CSR activities and the economic performance, the paper presents the strategic evolution of one of the most ancient motor companies on the international scene, namely Peugeot and evaluates the innovative ideas brought into the market, as well as its future prospects. The PSA Group holds a position of European leader in terms of CO2 emissions, with an average of 110.3 grams of CO2/km in 2014. The PSA Peugeot Citroen Group’s strategy is being increasingly oriented towards environmental protection and energy saving.

Structural change in Europe's gas markets: three scenarios for the development of the European gas market to 2020

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ellis, A.; Bowitz, E.; Roland, K.

2000-01-01

Against the background of the European Union's Gas Directive, and the emergence of new players and markets in Europe's gas sector, this paper explores how company actions could shape the future for the gas industry. Starting with an examination of company strategies this paper develops three scenarios for the future: a 'Gradual Transformation' scenario where a single European gas market develops that is essentially oligopolistic in nature; a 'Vertical Integration' scenario, where upstream and downstream gas companies merge to form a vertically integrated gas supplier; and a 'Pull the Plug' scenario, where the current market structure decomposes into a competitive market. These scenarios are examined in terms of their impact on gas prices, demand and the distribution of gas rent along the supply chain. The paper highlights the fact that the EU's gas Directive is not sufficient for the introduction of competition into Europe's gas markets, but that company actions will be the key determinant, and they may favour alternative market structures. (Author)

European oil refining: strategies for a competitive future

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MacDonald, James.

1997-07-01

European Oil Refining investigates how the industry came to be in crisis and what the future holds. As well as an extensive analysis of past and present market shifts, the report predicts likely future developments and their consequences for investors. The report reviews the European oil sector in a global context, calculates the cost to refiners of key environmental legislation, assesses the problems caused by changing product demand and crude supply, examines possible solutions to the problems of low margins and overcapacity, evaluates the key players' main strategies to increase their competitiveness, analyses the western European oil refining industry by country, details the refinery operations of the major countries of central and eastern Europe, profiles 15 of the major oil companies and estimates the increase in investment required as a result of legislative and demand changes. (author)

Discerning a key characteristic of a European style of management: Managing the tension between integration opportunities and the constraining diversity in Europe

OpenAIRE

Boone, Peter; Bosch, Frans

1996-01-01

textabstractIn 1991, Thurley and Wirdenius claimed that international companies operating in European countries could, and should, make a strategic choice whether or not to develop a "European" approach or style of management. After the acceptance of the Treaty of Maastricht, and with the new European Union preparing to absorb applicants from the European Free Trade Association, their claim is becoming even more important. Not surprisingly, a European style of management, or "European managem...

CONSIDERATIONS ON ACCESS TO FINANCE FOR NON-FINANCIAL COMPANIES IN ROMANIA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nicoleta Georgeta PANAIT

2016-06-01

Full Text Available The main purpose of this paper is to understand the mechanisms involved in bank lending activity and the effects that this activity has on profitability and business companies. One of the main sources of funding of their work for Romanian companies is the bank lending. Lending is based on the viability of business plans and the debtors' ability to generate revenue, respectively liquidity as the main collateral and source of repayment of loans and payment of interest, commitment to shareholders, management experience and financial stability company. Increasing of the role of major national banks, caused mainly corporate development and financing environment state and the living standards of Romanian benefiting from banking services. However, the European core reforms in recent years has changed substantially all the activities of the banks active in Romania and partnerships with customers and stakeholders and increased both their strategic ability and professionalism.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Food Manufacturing Companies – Environmental Dimensions

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ľudmila Nagyová

2016-01-01

Full Text Available The degree of a company’s acceptance and integration of the CSR concept is directly reflected in the fundamental principles of the company. Through the environmental sustainability, a company can make a positive contribution to the society and the natural environment. Competitive and cost pressures are the key drivers of sustainable development in the industry. Today, many international food and drink companies are delivering excellent achievements. The present paper tries to highlight how much are food manufacturing companies committed to caring for the environment as a main component of their CSR strategy. In order to fulfil the defined objectives of the paper, the primary and secondary sources of information were collected and used, as well as there was used the method of interview, using a questionnaire (total number of respondents was 100 food manufacturing companies. In our research the highest percentage of large, SMC and micro companies indicated the reduction of negative operational impacts as the most important commitment of companies in relation to environment. Most large companies invest to installing pollution reducing technology to improve environmental quality (67% and utilizing more environmentally friendly raw materials (51%. These areas indicated the highest percentage as well as for SMC. In the case of large companies there are more visible movements in environmental practices than in micro and small-medium companies.

Hedging Life and Pension Company Balance Sheets with Hybrid Derivatives

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jørgensen, Peter Løchte

2009-01-01

Life and Pension companies are facing enhanced risks of market due to dynamic interest rates and unprecedented volatility in equities, jeopardising guarantee of performance to policyholders and shareholders. Evolving statutory requirements and financial reporting standards, add to the challenges...... for these companies. This paper highlights the utility of "Hybrid Derivatives" and the new risk based solvency reporting system, know as "Traffic Light System" adopted by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, as an answer to the challenges posed....

The Utilization Of Resources And Regulation Along With Companys Strategies In Managing Oil And Natural Gas Industry In Indonesia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sigit Rahardjo

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Oil and gas production in Indonesia has been declined since 1995 up to now the effort to increase the production has been done but it does not result yet. In contrast day by day the investment is getting increased and huge on the other hands it becomes a problem and a challenge for Indonesia to meet oil needs as raw material for refined fuel oil either for transportation or industries. Day by day the needs of refined fuel oil is getting increased and huge as it is correlated to the increasing of the number of motorcycles either two-wheeled or four-wheeled as well as the increasing of oil and gas or non-oil and gas industries. Oil and natural industry Resource Base has specific characteristics those are internal factor that uses resource such as high technology huge investment cost as well as competent human resources. Besides the external factor those are good regulations either in the central and regional levels as well as the sector which is very important toward the production performance and the of company managements strategies to manage this industry. This paper attempts to figure out the impact of internal factor in the form of resources and external factor in the form of regulation as well as the effect of production performance toward petroleum companies of upstream sectors in Indonesia and managements role especially petroleum industrialists in managing the company. The wane of oil production and the increasing of refined fuel oil need in Indonesia as well as the increasing of oil production cost then it will affect the industrialists strategies in managing the companies. The resources consist of human resource oil reserve as well as petroleum technologies. While regulation consists of law central and regional government regulations and rules in oil and gas sector. Whereas the companys strategies are explained by production volume and selling volume of oil. Companys performance which sets to work in upstream sector is influenced by

Electricity regulation in Germany - in the context of the European market

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pfaffenberger, W

1994-06-01

Electric utilities (EU) in Germany are semi-public or private enterprises of a wide variety of size. The large producer utilities operate the high voltage grid on the basis of private contracts. Regional distribution companies mostly without a considerable share in production often in cooperation with local distributors deliver electricity (el) in the non-urban areas whereas mostly city owned EU supply the large cities often on the basis of considerable parts of autoproduction and often also with a considerable share of el produced in cogeneration plants. The equilibrium between the parts of this system in the past was ensured by a legal framework protecting local monopolies as well as long term contracts between producers and distributors. This equilibrium derived its stability from political more than from economic factors. Deregulation trends inherent in European legislation on competition have threatened this stability. - In the first phase resistance against a more competitive order seemed unanimous. In the meantime however the different actors had time to rethink their position. - The European Council has now proposed a more moderate regulation taking into account the large differences in the ESI in the different member countries. - The German Government has made a proposal for some important changes in the Energy Law and connected passages in the Competition Law, which would introduce some more competitive elements into the system without anticipating the results of a competitive process. - Wholesale producers and regional distributors as well as customer groups are in favour of this reform, whereas the local distributors fear to become the losers in the ongoing reform process. - Environmentalists express concern that a more competitive order could lead to a lowering of environmental standards. This paper gives a short survery of the ESI in Germany, its regulations and the ongoing reform. (orig.)

Enterprises’ Growth Potential in the European Union: Implications for Research and Innovation Policy

OpenAIRE

MONCADA PATERNO' CASTELLO Pietro; CINCERA Michele

2012-01-01

One of the main objectives of the new European research and innovation policy agenda is to favour the positive demographics (creation and growth) of EU companies operating in new/knowledge-intensive industries, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These companies play an important role in shaping the dynamism of the economy’s sectoral composition, favouring the transition towards more knowledge-intensive activities and in contributing to the overall economic growth objectives and m...

The big shedding of the European refining

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lepetit, V.

2007-01-01

Everywhere in Europe the oil companies are selling their refineries. Even if they work at full capacity, the interest of the European market is far below the one of Asia where demand is in full expansion and Middle-East where the raw matter is abundant. The world refining capacity is of 86 million barrel per day and should reach 106 million barrel per day in 2020. (J.S.)

NEW OFFSHORE LOCATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

RADULESCU IRINA GABRIELA

2014-05-01

Full Text Available The offshore activity provides benefits for the host market and has positive effects on services, and on producers that use intermediate services. FDI in services has an important impact on the offshore activity, especially through transfer of technology. Many transnational companies have recognized the advantages of offshoring and the fact that it becomes a key globalization force. Recently, the Central European countries have become popular destinations among offshoring

Value of Construction Company and its Dependence on Significant Variables

Science.gov (United States)

Vítková, E.; Hromádka, V.; Ondrušková, E.

2017-10-01

The paper deals with the value of the construction company assessment respecting usable approaches and determinable variables. The reasons of the value of the construction company assessment are different, but the most important reasons are the sale or the purchase of the company, the liquidation of the company, the fusion of the company with another subject or the others. According the reason of the value assessment it is possible to determine theoretically different approaches for valuation, mainly it concerns about the yield method of valuation and the proprietary method of valuation. Both approaches are dependant of detailed input variables, which quality will influence the final assessment of the company´s value. The main objective of the paper is to suggest, according to the analysis, possible ways of input variables, mainly in the form of expected cash-flows or the profit, determination. The paper is focused mainly on methods of time series analysis, regression analysis and mathematical simulation utilization. As the output, the results of the analysis on the case study will be demonstrated.

The European hadron therapy community touches base

CERN Multimedia

Audrey Ballantine, Manuela Cirilli, Evangelia Dimovasili, Manjit Dosanjh, Seamus Hegarty

2010-01-01

The European hadron therapy community gathered in Stockholm from 3 to 5 September for the annual ENLIGHT workshops. Three of the four EC-funded projects born under the umbrella of ENLIGHT (see box) were discussed in the prestigious Nobel Forum at the Karolinska Institutet.   Souvenir photo from the ENLIGHT workshops On its second birthday, the PARTNER Initial Training Network was especially under the spotlight, as the European Commission conducted a formal project review bringing together the institutes, companies and young researchers involved. The 21 PARTNER researchers experienced the thrill of presenting their work in this privileged setting. During the coffee breaks, they joked about this being their only chance in life to speak in the Nobel Forum – but who knows what these brilliant young minds will achieve! They certainly impressed the European Commission’s Project Officer Gianluca Coluccio and Expert Reviewer Kaisa Hellevuo, who stated that PARTNER is a showcase proj...

Rethinking European Competition Law : From a consumer welfare to a capability approach

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Claassen, Rutger; Gerbrandy, Anna

2016-01-01

European competition law is predominantly focused on maximizing consumer welfare. This overarching purpose (which is supported by economic theory) leaves little place for safeguarding non-economic values, such as sustainability. This makes it difficult to allow cooperation between companies to

Rethinking European Competition Law: from a consumer welfare to a capability approach

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Claassen, Rutger; Gerbrandy, Anna

European competition law is predominantly focused on maximizing consumer welfare. This overarching purpose (which is supported by economic theory) leaves little place for safeguarding non-economic values, such as sustainability. This makes it difficult to allow cooperation between companies which

European Fast Reactor IWGFR/FRCC-report. A review of the collaborative programme on the European Fast Reactor (EFR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1992-07-01

The design work for the 1500 MWe European Fast Reactor EFR was started in 1988. Two years during phase 1 were devoted to the concept design; the subsequent concept validation phase 2 will last until March 1993. In autumn 1991 the 'concept design '91, CD91, was put forward; its major design features and the R and D support are described briefly together with the organisational structures. The European Fast Reactor Utilities Group 'EFRUG' presently comprises EdF (France), ENEL (Italy), Nuclear Electric (UK) and Bayernwerk, PreulsenElektra and RWE (Germany). For design and construction of EFR the group 'EFR Associates' is responsible, combining the companies Siemens (formerly Interatom, Germany), NNC Ltd. (UK) and Framatome/Div. Novatome (France). The necessary R and D support is given by CEA (France), UKAEA (UK) and KfK/Siemens (Germany). The R and D work is executed in the various national research centres ranging from Dounreay via Bensberg and Karlsruhe to Cadarache. The design work is done at Bensberg, Lyon and Risley. The present programme of design work extends to early 1993 and is aimed at producing a detailed consistent design for the nuclear part of the plant and a non site specific safety report. By that date the basic feasibility of the main design features will have been underwritten by the joint R and D programme and there will be an informal assessment of the general licensibility of the concept by the Ad Hoc Safety Club. In follow-up the utilities will then be in the position to decide whether to proceed with the next steps. The key issues of this phase will include the specification of the plant, the siting, the detailed engineering, licensing with possibly a public enquiry and the question of ownership and financing. In the international arena the collaboration with USSR is proceeding well on the basis of an USSR-Europe Agreement from January 8, 1991; it foresees review and specialists meetings in the field of fast breeder research. On the occasion of

Gaz de France and Ruhrgas have made commitments towards the European commission

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

2004-01-01

The European Commission's DG Competition has decided to close its investigation into the alleged refusal by the French and German gas companies Gaz de France and Ruhrgas to grant the Norwegian subsidiary of the US gas producer Marathon access to their gas networks. Both companies have offered commitments to improve third party access to their respective transport networks in order to allow customers in France and Germany to benefit more effectively from the opening of the gas markets to competition. (author)

New production concepts in the clothing industry : new ways of work for unpredictable markets : results from a European survey

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Dhondt, S.; Peeters, M.H.H.

1994-01-01

This brochure summarises the results of a survey carried out among 86 clothing companies representing eight different West European countries. The research examined the effect of new ways of work in clothing companies on personnel policy, on the organisation of work and on the effectiveness of the

An Assessment of RFID Applications in Manufacturing Companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gładysz Bartłomiej

2015-12-01

Full Text Available The meaning of Cyber Physical Systems and an Internet of Things with indication of RFID position in those concepts was outlined. Research program related to assessment of RFID technology was presented. Author deducted on problems related to RFID implementations and RFID essentially for logistics of manufacturing companies. Research goals and problems were formulated. Tools, techniques, models and methods that could be utilized were proposed and discussed. Research was focused on design of a new method to support early decision making phases for RFID application in logistics of manufacturing companies. Author stated that literature and practice lacks of complex method to answer if RFID is strategically important for the company, which processes should be RFID-supported, how RFID-supported processes should be designed and if RFID-support is rational. Framework for assessment of RFID technology with illustrative example was discussed.

Play the European card

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Majewski, O.

1999-01-01

Dr. Otto Majewski, Chief Executive Officer of the Bayernwerk AG utility, in his capacity as Chairman of the European Nuclear Council pointed out at ENC 98 in Nice that national energy policies constituted a major danger to the use of nuclear power. At the same time, he indicated ways and means by which to evade that danger. The decisions taken in Sweden and in the Federal Republic of Germany to opt out of the use of nuclear power show that national energy policies can seriously jeopardize the use of nuclear power. Bayernwerk CEO Dr. Majewski urged nuclear power plant operators to counteract these tendencies by playing the European card. Nuclear power anyway was a classical topic of European cooperation which, in the past, had resulted in higher safety standards and in the development of the EPR. It should also be attempted, by working on European institutions, to strengthen the use of nuclear power, even on a national level. He invoked economic arguments against nuclear opponents, especially the preservation of competitiveness by means of lower electricity prices, and arguments of climate protection. (orig.) [de

Third European Company Survey: Workplace innovation in European companies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Oeij, P.; Žiauberyté-Jakštiené, R.; Dhondt, S.; Corral, A.; Totterdill, P.; Preenen, P.

2015-01-01

Workplace innovation (WPI) is a developed and implemented practice or combination of practices which enables employees to participate in organisational change and renewal and hence improve the quality of working life and organisational performance. This report looks at reasons for enabling WPI,

Penetration of small and medium sized food companies on foreign markets

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ladislav Mura

2010-01-01

Full Text Available In the world the interconnection of national economies and internationalization of economic processes occur. In turbulent changing business environment only those companies that understand the current trends in global economy may survive, develop and prosper. Therefore, the issue of internationalization for most companies becomes to be more important and the process of in­ter­na­tio­na­li­za­tion is the way how to stand this increasingly competitive environment. In presented contribution, the attention is paid to issues of internationalization of Slovak food industry enterprises such as their way of business internationalization, percentage share of foreign - trading activities on overall business activity, company evaluation of business internationalization or barriers of foreign markets pe­ne­tra­tion that researched companies have to deal with. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs are the engine of the Slovak economy, generator of development, innovation, growth and they employ more than 60% of employees. Almost all businesses operating in agri-food complex have character of small and medium enterprises. The results of carried research have shown that small and medium-sized companies are considered to be successful in operation on foreign markets in surrounding European countries.

THE MAIN OPERATIONS OF REORGANIZATION THROUGH MERGERS OF TRADING COMPANIES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alexandra-Gabriela Rolea

2013-11-01

Full Text Available Notwithstanding the optimistic forecasts issued by experts a couple of years ago, the economic predicaments of the European Union’s member states, including Romania, are far from being settled. The extension of the economic and financial dowturn, the continuing process of globalization and the financial markets’ volatility have imposed an unparalleled flexibility upon the economic agents, in that the amount of mergers and acquisitions has risen at a both national and international level. This background calls for a detailed but nonetheless approachable study of the reorganization of the trading companies though mergers, aimed mainly at the business environment. In order to reach the aforementioned objectives, the theoretical endeavor seeks to explore the relevant legal provisions, including the European Directives. The juridical and accounting operations of mergers, their legal consequences and concrete implications on the activity of the trading companies will also be analysed. Some particular approaches embraced by the legal practice are to be presented, as in Romania mergers are submitted to the control of the court. The study will have a positive impact on the economic agents, who are fostered to conclude this type of restructuring, by altering the line of thought shaped a few years ago, according to which mergers are difficult, isolated and sometimes even unacceptable operations.

Fast reactor collaboration in Europe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smith, G.E.I.

1987-01-01

Fast reactors have been developed in several European countries, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. A suggestion to collaborate on fast reactor research and development resulted in an Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1984 by the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium. Holland was expected to join later. This provided for co-operation between electric utilities, reactor design, research and development companies and fuel cycle companies. Three steering committees have so far been set up, the European fast reactor utilities Group, the European research and development and the European fuel cycle steering committees. Progress on these is detailed. The main areas of technology exchange are listed in the Appendix. The possibility exists for a series of three large demonstration plants to be built in Europe and a fuel reprocessing plant to confirm the reactor system. (U.K.)

Impact of M&A on the Employment in Japanese Companies

OpenAIRE

Hiroyuki Taguchi; Taichi Yanagawa; Masashi Harita

2012-01-01

With utilizing Financial Statements Statistics of Corporation by Industry, we analyzed the impact of M&A on the employment in Japanese companies. In this study, the impact of M&A on the employment was extracted by developing panel data for fiscal year 1995 to 2008 targeting 9,880 sample companies including 3,697 cases of M&A to estimate a labor demand model. Major findings of the study are described below. First, dynamically positive effect was confirmed mainly in the manufacturing industry a...

Five steps to increasing utilization of your Employee Assistance Program.

Science.gov (United States)

Carchietta, Gail A

2015-03-01

Despite increased stress and free services, the national average for EAP use within a company continues to be 3% to 4%. This article describes the steps one company has taken to achieve a 16% utilization rate for the last 3 years. © 2015 The Author(s).

Corporate Tax in European Union and the Theory of Corporate Finance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iwin-Garzyńska Jolanta

2015-12-01

Full Text Available One of the main objectives to be accomplished by the European Union law is to eliminate barriers to the functioning of domestic market and in particular improve the competitiveness of enterprises. After several years of efforts, the European Commission approved a proposal for the directive on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base which is to remove obstacles to the functioning of internal market and increase tax harmonization. The article is aimed at presenting the essence of CCCTB in the theory of corporate finance and its importance for enterprises, based on the survey of Polish and EU companies. The paper addresses issues relating to tax in corporate finance. Canons of taxation will be discussed and special emphasis will be placed on principles behind formulating fiscal law provisions (including the EU law. Furthermore, the article presents the results of surveys into the importance of taxation cannons for Polish and EU companies.

Lost in transition? Comparing strategies of electricity companies in Delhi

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Criqui, Laure; Zérah, Marie-Hélène

2015-01-01

This paper examines the notion of energy transition when implemented by private utilities. In 2000, the Delhi government privatized electricity distribution to three private distribution companies. Most research was concerned with the impact of privatization on energy reliability, tariff settings and regulation issues. This paper looks at two under-researched themes: the expansion of services to poorer neighborhoods and the rollout of clean energy policies. This focus allows to unpack the materiality of socio-technical systems, to analyze how energy infrastructures are being technically deployed on the ground and to identify which social approach is used. To detail the specific practices of each company provides a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the reform. In-depth analysis of the three private utilities show that they interpret the reform mandate differently: they use a varied range of technical tools; they respond differently to social concerns in poorer neighborhoods; and they have distinctive internal management choices and corporate cultures. All these four factors can strengthen or undermine the transition towards increased access and clean energy. - Highlights: • Energy transition in an emerging cities aims at balancing environmental and social concerns. • Utilities have distinct transition paths despite similar privatization and regulation framework. • Utilities paths depend on spatial, social, managerial and corporate considerations. • Utilities' strategies are shaped by urban challenges rather than by energy policies

From commodity to customer value : the transition from a production-oriented to a market-oriented European dairy industry

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Everwand, W.C.; Ingenbleek, P.T.M.; Backus, G.B.C.

2007-01-01

The European food industry has been regulated for a long time. Since the 1960s, the European market has been protected from imports by relatively high taxes. Companies in Europe therefore never had to fear real competition from outside the Union in their domestic markets. This changed, when, due to

Utilization of health care services by migrants in Europe

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Graetz, V.; Rechel, B.; Groot, W.

2017-01-01

: Compared with previous systematic reviews, the results indicate a clearer picture of the differences in health service utilization between migrants and non-migrants in Europe. Areas timely for developing research: A comprehensive comparison across European countries is impossible because the number......Introduction: Our study reviewed the empirical evidence on the utilization of health care services by migrants in Europe, and on differences in health service utilization between migrants and non-migrants across European countries. Sources of data: A systematic literature review was performed......, searching the databases Medline, Cinahl and Embase and covering the period from January 2009 to April 2016. The final number of articles included was 39. Areas of agreement: Utilization of accident and emergency services and hospitalizations were higher among migrants compared with non-migrants in most...

Design and Implementation of Company Tailored Automated Material Handling

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Langer, Gilad; Bilberg, Arne

1996-01-01

This article focuses on the problems of analysing automation of material handling systems in order to develop an efficient automated solution that is specifically tailored to the company. The research has resulted in development of new methods for evaluating factory automation from design...... to implementation. The goals of the research were to analyse and evaluate automation in order to obtain an advantageous combination of human and automated resources. The idea is to asses different solutions in a virtual environment, where experiments and analyses can be performed so that the company can justify...... for their application with computer aided information processing tools. The framework is named the "Automated Material Handling (AMH) Preference GuideLine". The research has been carried out in close co-operation with Danish and European industry, where implementations of automation can be referred to. It is our...

Introduction to the EC's Marie Curie Initial Training Network (MC-ITN) project: Particle Training Network for European Radiotherapy (PARTNER)

CERN Document Server

Dosanjh, Manjit

2013-01-01

PARTNER (Particle Training Network for European Radiotherapy) is a project funded by the European Commission’s Marie Curie-ITN funding scheme through the ENLIGHT Platform for 5.6 million Euro. PARTNER has brought together academic institutes, research centres and leading European companies, focusing in particular on a specialized radiotherapy (RT) called hadron therapy (HT), interchangeably referred to as particle therapy (PT). The ultimate goal of HT is to deliver more effective treatment to cancer patients leading to major improvement in the health of citizens. In Europe, several hundred million Euro have been invested, since the beginning of this century, in PT. In this decade, the use of HT is rapidly growing across Europe, and there is an urgent need for qualified researchers from a range of disciplines to work on its translational research. In response to this need, the European community of HT, and in particular 10 leading academic institutes, research centres, companies and small and medium-sized en...

Impact of the legislation on electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

De Long, M.

1982-01-01

The possible impact of Federal nuclear waste legislation on electric utilities is discussed. The proposed legislation will set forth a well defined program enabling utilities with nuclear plants to make long term plans under a statutory mandate committed to an available technology and implementation timetable. The legislation includes the necessary specificity for the utility companies to fulfill their responsibilities in describing their waste disposal plans to their customers, the concerned public, and state and local legislators

Financing the electric power utilities, especially the nuclear power in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tajima, T.

1975-04-01

Electric power demands in Japan have shown a remarkable growth at an annual rate of 12% since 1965. Nine electric power companies have invested large amounts of money so far, amounting to over 1 trillion yen every year since 1972. A survey of the electric power supply system and an estimation of the electric power demands in 1980 and in 1985 are given. It is expected that the main portion of electric power in the future will gradually be generated by nuclear plants. Financial features of the electrical power utilities, the credit risk of the electric power utilities, and the raising of funds by electric power utilities are discussed. It is concluded that it will be necessary (1) to expand the capital market, (2) to enable the electric power companies to issue a sufficient amount of bonds, (3) to make the Government financing institutions, such as the Japan Development Bank, provide the electric power companies with larger funds on a long-term and low-interest rate basis, and (4) even to take such drastic steps as subsidizing interest on private loans to the electric power companies. (B.P.)

5th European Rheology Conference

CERN Document Server

1998-01-01

Global sustainable development of the world economy requires better understanding and utilization of natural recourses. In this endeavor rheology has an indispensable role. The Rheology Conferences are therefore always an important event for science and technology. The Fifth European Rheology Conference, held from September 6 to 11 in the Portoro-z, Slovenia, will be the first AlI-European rheology meeting after the formal constitution of the European Society ofRheology. As such it will be a special historical event. At this meeting the European Society of Rheology will introduce the Weissenberg Medal, to be bestowed every four years to an individual for hislhers contribution to the field of Rheology. The recipient ofthe first award will be professor G. Marrucci ofthe Universita degli Studi di Napoli, Italy. Two mini Symposia will be part of the Conference. The first, on Industrial Rheology, will commemorate the late professor G. Astarita. The second will honor the eightieth birthday of professor N.W. Tschoeg...

European Master in Innovation in Nuclear Energy (EMINE). Developed in the frame work of the European Institut of Innovation and Technology, KIC InnoEnergy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ferrié, E.; Carreira, M.; Gudowski, W.; Garrido, F.; Reynier, B.; Dies, J.; Batet, Ll.; Otic, I.; Patte, C.; Darrigues, I.; Fernandez-Olano, P.; Leon, P.T.; Coste-Leconte, S.; Fanjas, Y.; Henriksson, H.

2014-01-01

KIC InnoEnergy SE is a European company fostering the integration of education, technology, business and entrepreneurship and strengthening the culture of innovation. The strategic objective is to become the leading engine of innovation in the field of sustainable energy. It has been designated as a one of the first three Knowledge and Innovation Communities by the EIT's Governing Board on 16 December 2009 in Budapest. KIC InnoEnergy addresses sustainable energy as its priority area. KIC InnoEnergy is a world class alliance of top European players with a proven track record. The Consortium consists of 30+ shareholders and additional 50+ partners - companies, research institutes, universities and business schools covering the whole energy mix. They are organised around six regional units, the Co-Location Centres (CC): France, Benelux, Germany, Iberia, Poland Plus and Sweden. On completion of the EMINE programme, a Master of Science degree will be awarded from the universities where studies were performed during year one and year two, i.e. a double-degree. A diploma from KIC InnoEnergy related to innovation and entrepreneurship will also be presented

Can Information Increase Turnout in European Parliament Elections?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Høgh, Esben; Larsen, Martin Vinæs

2016-01-01

We examine the effect of information on turnout at a European Parliament election in Denmark. We utilize a quasi-experimental design to sidestep the substantial problems related to causal inference associated with identifying the effect of information. Specifically, we look at a group of Danish...... first-time voters, some of whom were exogenously exposed to information in the run-up to the 2014 European Parliament election, by participating in a one-day workshop about EU (European Union) politics. We find that those who participated were more knowledgeable about and more likely to vote...... in the upcoming European Parliament election. This suggests that increasing political participation in the EU could, in part, be a matter of exposing the European public to more information about EU politics....

Overcoming mixed waste management obstacles - A company wide approach

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buckley, R.N.

1996-01-01

The dual regulation of mixed waste by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency has significantly complicated the treatment, storage and disposal of this waste. Because of the limited treatment and disposal options available, facilities generating mixed waste are also being forced to acquire storage permits to meet requirements associated with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Due to the burdens imposed by the regulatory climate, Entergy Operations has undertaken a proactive approach to managing its mixed waste. Their approach is company wide and simplistic in nature. Utilizing the peer groups to develop strategies and a company wide procedure for guidance on mixed waste activities, they have focused on areas where they have the most control and can achieve the greatest benefits from their efforts. A key aspect of the program includes training and employee awareness regarding mixed waste minimization practices. In addition, Entergy Operations is optimizing the implementation of regulatory provisions that facilitate more flexible management practices for mixed waste. This presentation focuses on the team approach to developing mixed waste managements programs and the utilization of innovative thinking and planning to minimize the regulatory burdens. It will also describe management practices and philosophies that have provided more flexibility in implementing a safe and effective company wide mixed waste management program

CHALLENGES OF AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND FUNDING ACCES

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Daniela Livia TRASCA

2015-04-01

Full Text Available The development of agriculture was a priority for the member states of the European Union since its foundation, the Common Agricultural Policy being one of the most ancient politics at the European level. Agriculture is a sector which has a special economic and social importance for Romania. The paper aimed to identify the challenges of the agricultural companies from the perspective of labour productivity and funding access. In this respect, a series of economic indicators as the contribution of agriculture to GDP, the value of agricultural production, the evolution of reference interest rate, the evolution of credits for agriculture, were studied. the conclusion was that in order to improve labour productivity, it is needed a higher qualification of the occupied population in agriculture and the significant improvement of technological endowment of this sector and, from the point of view of funding access, it is necessary the continuous support of the companies which carry out their activity in agriculture, but not only by the diminution of difference interest rate.

European utility requirements (EUR) volume 3 assessment for AP1000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saiu, G.; Demetri, K.J.

2005-01-01

The EUR (European Utility Requirements) Volume 3 is intended to report the Plant Description, the Compliance Assessment to EUR Volumes 1 and 2, and finally, the Specific Requirements for each specific Nuclear Power Plant Design considered by the EUR. Five subsets of EUR Volume 3, based on EUR Revision B, are already published; all of which are next generation plant designs being developed for Europe beyond 2000. They include : 1) EP1000 - Passive Pressurized Light Water Reactor (3-Loop, 1000 MWe) 2) EPR - Evolutionary Pressurized Light Water Reactor (1500 MWe) 3) BWR90/90+ - Evolutionary Boiling Water Reactor (1400 MWe) 4) ABWR - Evolutionary Boiling Water Reactor (1400 MWe) 5) SWR 1000 - Boiling Water Reactor With Passive Features (1000 MWe) In addition, the following subsets are currently being developed: 1) AP1000 - Passive Pressurized Light Water Reactor (2-Loop, 1117 MWe) 2) VVER AES 92 - Pressurized Water Reactor With Passive Features (1000 MWe) The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the program, which started in January 2004 with the EUR group to prepare an EUR Volume 3 Subset for the AP1000 nuclear plant design. The AP1000 EUR compliance assessment, to be performed against EUR Revision C requirements, is an important step for the evaluation of the AP1000 design for application in Europe. The AP1000 compliance assessment is making full use of AP1000 licensing documentation, EPP Phase 2 design activities and EP1000 EUR detailed compliance assessment. As of today, nearly all of the EUR Chapters have been discussed within the EUR Coordination Group. Based on the results of the compliance assessment, it can be stated that the AP1000 design shows a good level of compliance with the EUR Revision C requirements. Nevertheless, the compliance assessment has highlighted areas for where the AP1000 plant deviates from the EUR. The EPP design group has selected the most significant ones for performing detailed studies to quantify the degree of compliance

The regulatory framework of accounting and accounting standard-setting bodies in the European Union member states

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ivana Mamić-Sačer

2015-12-01

Full Text Available One of the principal features of accounting in the 21st century is harmonisation and stanardisation. Regulation of the European Parliament and European Council No. 1606/2002 harmonizes financial reporting for certain companies in the EU. However, national accounting principles are of great importance for financial reporting. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the regulatory accounting framework and the standard-setting bodies of EU member states. The analysis of these accounting issues was conducted with respect to all 28 EU member states. The results indicate that EU member states regulate their principal accounting issues through separate accounting acts or implement those issues in companies acts. Some EU member states do not have national accounting standards, the national accounting principles being incorporated in companies acts and accounting acts. Nevertheless, national accounting standard-setting bodies are governmental organisations in almost half the member states.

CSR in TSL companies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Joanna DYCZKOWSKA

2015-03-01

Full Text Available TSL companies are characterized by high dynamics of an increase of incomes, and hence increased shipping. Owing to a rational policy in the area of the consolidation of production and distribution, they may boast of a better use of the means of transport. The purpose of this article is to present the activities in the area of the eco-friendly CSR aspect in the activities of TSL companies taking into consideration particularly logistic operators. The research methods used in the study include an analysis of secondary data, observations and comparative analyses. Road transport in the shipping structure comes first and it constitutes 84% of freights. In the year 2009, in Poland greenhouse gas emissions from road transport amounted to 42.5 million tons (4.84% of the EU member states and CO emissions were 41.9 million tons (analogically, 4.83% of environment pollutions in the European Union. This causes an emission of fumes into the atmosphere. The policy of sustainable development pursued by logistic operators under corporate social responsibility is a response to the abovementioned data. They take decisions concerning social and environmental aspects. The activities of TSL companies under CSR need to provide an answer to customer expectations and needs, and they have to cause an increase of competitiveness on the market. The selected four largest logistic operators conduct the following eco-friendly activities on the highest level: fume emission reports and the control of these emissions, transport of hazardous goods (ADR, voluntary services in the scope of environmental protection and cooperation with eco-friendly organizations. There are those activities which call for improvement: a limitation of the emission of fumes, waste management and sewage treatment policy.

The Impact of the Macroeconomic Environment on Insurance Companies

OpenAIRE

Čepeláková, Lenka

2015-01-01

i Abstract: This thesis assesses the impact of economic, institutional and demographic factors on the life and non-life gross written premiums of insurance companies. A dynamic panel data regression using the system generalized method of mo- ments is applied on data of 29 European countries collected by EIOPA covering the period from 2005 to 2013. The results reveal that economic and institutio- nal factors drive both life and non-life insurance industry. On the other hand, we cannot confirm ...

Strategies of development of European power producers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heddebaut, D.

2007-12-01

This economical study answers the following questions: what is the dynamics of European power markets? What is the relative competitiveness of the different power production means? What are the determining factors of electricity wholesale prices? Who are the operators the most threatened by the rise of wholesale prices? To what extend power producers are impacted by the CO 2 constrain? Who are the most efficient producers? The analysis is based on 18 of the most representative groups of the European electric utilities. The first volume of the study presents the strategic perspectives of European power producers: dynamics and basic characteristics of European power markets, strategic options of European operators, typology and financial results of European power producers, scenarios of market reorganization according to Eurostaf (possible mega-mergers in the future, competition). Volume 2 makes a detailed analysis of the positioning and perspectives of the 18 selected groups: key figures, sourcing strategies, production means management, Eurostaf's diagnosis. (J.S.)

The Existing Regulatory Conditions for 'Energy Smart Water Utilities'

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Basse, Ellen Margrethe

2014-01-01

This chapter is focused on the legal conditions that exist for the energy–smart water utilities in the European Union (EU). In section 2 the interdependencies of water and energy services and the growing interest in solving these problems that may arise from this interdependence by regulatory ini...... legal design and the problems that it causes for the water utilities that want to be resource–efficient and have a low–carbon footprint.......This chapter is focused on the legal conditions that exist for the energy–smart water utilities in the European Union (EU). In section 2 the interdependencies of water and energy services and the growing interest in solving these problems that may arise from this interdependence by regulatory...... initiatives are shortly described. One of the solutions needed is a reduction of energy use in the water utilities by their utilisation of renewable sources – acting as energy–smart water utilities. Such utilities are described in section 3. The policy and law regulating the water utilities are important...

75 FR 42432 - Northern Natural Gas Company, Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-07-21

... Natural Gas Company, Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC, Transcontinental... abandonment of facilities by Northern Natural Gas Company, Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas... resources, fisheries, and wetlands; Cultural resources; Vegetation and wildlife; Endangered and threatened...

Conflict and cooperation with respect to European natural-gas regulations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Austvik, O.G.

2003-01-01

Significant economies of scale and scope in the European gas industry make many transmission and local distribution companies natural monopolies in the markets in which they operate. Often, this gives them a strong market power and they experience little competitive pressure. Hence public interventions into the functioning of the market, as seen under the initiatives taken by the European Commission, such as the 'Gas Directive' occur. This paper discusses a game between the public authority and the transporters, where various levels of conflict and cooperation will influence how far regulations will go and how they will be designed. (author)

Japanese subsidiaries in the European Union: Entry modes and performance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

David Tanganelli

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Japanese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI in the European Union and its performance were analysed in this work. Three different FDI or entry modes used by Japanese companies to enter the European market were compared, and the presence of a relationship between the selected entry mode and the performance of the subsidiary was investigated. We found that more than half of the Japanese investments in Europe took the form of new ventures, approximately 40% were joint ventures and less than 6% were acquisitions. We found that no specific entry mode performed better than another.

ENIQ: European Network for Inspection Qualification

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Champigny, F.; Crutzen, S.; Lemaitre, P.

1995-01-01

Many countries are currently considering their own approach to inspection qualification and are carefully assessing experience to date. ENIQ, which stands for European Network for Inspection Qualification, groups the major part of the utilities in Western Europe. The general objective of ENIQ is to coordinate and manage at European level expertise and resources for the assessment and qualification of NDE inspection techniques and procedures, primarily for nuclear components. Also non-nuclear heavy duty components will be considered. Within ENIQ there is a growing consensus of opinion on the general principles of a European approach towards inspection qualification. In this paper the main activities, organization and actual status of ENIQ will be discussed

Science Camps in Europe--Collaboration with Companies and School, Implications and Results on Scientific Literacy

Science.gov (United States)

Lindner, M.; Kubat, C.

2014-01-01

The paper informs on the characteristics of a Comenius Network of seven organizations, who are collaborating in exchanging best practice on science camps. This exchange includes evaluation results on more science camps of European organizations, which will deliver information on organization, collaboration with companies, pedagogical aspects, as…

CONSIDERATIONS OVER THE METHODOLOGY OF FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND ITS LINKAGE WITH BANKABILITY OF EUROPEAN FUNDED INVESTMENT PROJECTS

OpenAIRE

TRENCA Ioan; PETRIA Nicolae; DROJ Laurentiu

2012-01-01

European funding is considered to be one of the hot topics in Romania and all over Eastern Europe since its novelty and its expected capacity to improve the life of the newly integrated European citizens. The linkages between the European Financial Support Programmes, the private financing performed by the banking sector and the private companies which are intending to use the structural funds to finance their investments is obvious. The present paper analyzed these linkages, creates a case s...

Social Reponsibility Attitudes and Practices of Companies: Hungary vs. Romania Crossborder Comparison

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Adrian HATOS

2017-06-01

Full Text Available Within this article our goal is to underlineelements of the organizational/corporate cultureregarding the social responsibility attitudes andpractices of companies from the Romanian –Hungarian trans-border region, with a focus onpolicies regarding the environment and the involvementwithin the community. The researchhas been carried out within a European fundedproject concerning the establishment of a sustainabledevelopment business center (The surveycarried out within the project: ‘BHB – SustanaibleDevelopment Business Center’ contractHURO/1101/175/2.1.1. Data was collected viaface-to-face interviews conducted in 405 Romanianand Hungarian companies from a proportionalquotas sample.While for most items there were no signifi -cant differences recorded between the two countries,Romanian companies display a strongerconcern for waste management and the Hungarianones discuss more often with their neighboringcommunities critical common issues. Statisticalchecks performed largely reject the possibilitythat these differences are due to the dissimilarindustry structure of the two countries.

Cosmetics Europe Guidelines on the Management of Undesirable Effects and Reporting of Serious Undesirable Effects from Cosmetics in the European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gerald Renner

2017-01-01

Full Text Available The European Union (EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009 requires companies to collect and assess reports of adverse health effects from the cosmetic products (undesirable effects they market. Furthermore, undesirable effects that are considered as serious need to be reported to the national competent authorities. Cosmetics Europe, representing the European cosmetics industry, has developed these guidelines to promote a consistent practical approach for the management of undesirable effects and the notification of serious undesirable effects. Following these guidelines allows companies concerned to demonstrate due diligence and compliance with the legal requirements.

Industrial Policy Approaches from Theory to Practice in European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anca Dachin

2006-12-01

Full Text Available The main debate about industrial policy consists of the attitude regarding the role of state versus market. The admission of possible market failures was the inspiration source for policies in the field of competition strengthening, supply of public goods, overcoming the deficit of capital etc. The general objectives of industrial policy may vary from the absolute role of the market to the market control. The European Community has applied a diversity of policies, differentiated from one period to another, in connection with the competition pressure on the world market and with the European integration stages. The EC had at its beginning a complete faith in the market mechanism, then a period of protectionism followed, as an answer to the oil shock and to the pressure of competition on international markets, especially coming from large American and Japanese companies. During the period 1985-1990, the European Community began to establish an industrial policy to encourage partnership between European companies and to promote cooperation in the field of research and development. In 1990 the European Commission proposed a new coherent concept of market oriented industrial policy, according to the model of neutral policy. Industrial policy is strongly connected to the competition policy. Especially after 1995, there have been signs of worry about the lower competitiveness in terms of productivity growth rate, expenditures for research and innovation capacity compared to USA and Japan. In addition, the European industry must face the competition pressure coming from the emergence of countries, mainly those from South-East Asia. In this context, the key factor which ensures a favorable perspective for the industry is competitiveness. This also implies expected positive effects of EU enlargement. The decision to sustain competitiveness was already taken in Lisbon, where a modern strategy was presented. Its priorities are the creation of a suitable

Industrial Policy Approaches from Theory to Practice in European Union

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anca Dachin

2006-10-01

Full Text Available The main debate about industrial policy consists of the attitude regarding the role of state versus market. The admission of possible market failures was the inspiration source for policies in the field of competition strengthening, supply of public goods, overcoming the deficit of capital etc. The general objectives of industrial policy may vary from the absolute role of the market to the market control. The European Community has applied a diversity of policies, differentiated from one period to another, in connection with the competition pressure on the world market and with the European integration stages. The EC had at its beginning a complete faith in the market mechanism, then a period of protectionism followed, as an answer to the oil shock and to the pressure of competition on international markets, especially coming from large American and Japanese companies. During the period 1985-1990, the European Community began to establish an industrial policy to encourage partnership between European companies and to promote cooperation in the field of research and development. In 1990 the European Commission proposed a new coherent concept of market oriented industrial policy, according to the model of neutral policy. Industrial policy is strongly connected to the competition policy. Especially after 1995, there have been signs of worry about the lower competitiveness in terms of productivity growth rate, expenditures for research and innovation capacity compared to USA and Japan. In addition, the European industry must face the competition pressure coming from the emergence of countries, mainly those from South-East Asia. In this context, the key factor which ensures a favorable perspective for the industry is competitiveness. This also implies expected positive effects of EU enlargement. The decision to sustain competitiveness was already taken in Lisbon, where a modern strategy was presented. Its priorities are the creation of a suitable

A Comparative Case Study of Electric Utility Companies’ Use of Energy Democracy in Strategic Communication

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Meaghan McKasy

2018-02-01

Full Text Available A substantial increase in distributed renewable energy resources is changing the face of the energy environment, leading to strategic communication efforts by key stakeholders. The energy democracy movement supports this transformation from fossil fuels to distributed renewable energy and aims for equitable involvement of publics in energy decision making. These tenets challenge utility company earnings as they are directly related to energy sales and infrastructure returns on investment. Proposals by electric utility companies to restructure net-metering policies as a solution to financial issues have been criticized as prohibitive to the success of renewable energy advancement. To address these disagreements, the Edison Electric Institute and a communication firm, Maslansky & Partners, created The Future of Energy: A Working Communication Guide for Discussion. This handbook provides utility companies with strategic communication guidelines to portray themselves as supportive of renewables within a dynamic energy industry. We posit that aspects of the energy democracy movement have been employed by electric utility companies, as shown through the use of the handbook, as a strategy for communicating with customers in discussions around net metering. We examine two case studies in states with recent controversial net-metering policy changes by analyzing utility company websites and press releases for the use of the communication handbook terminology. We found that, in both cases, the suggested language was used to position their companies as pro-renewable energy and their utility-scale projects as more equitable for their customers. In addition, we found differences between each company’s use of key terms from the handbook. We posit that this is due to the temporal context of each net-metering debate at the time of the handbook release. Conclusions and future directions for research in the growing area of energy democracy are discussed.

Utility FGD Survey, January--December 1989

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hance, S.L.; McKibben, R.S.; Jones, F.M. (IT Corp., Cincinnati, OH (United States))

1992-03-01

The Utility flue gas desulfurization (FGD) Survey report, which is generated by a computerized data base management system, represents a survey of operational and planned domestic utility flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. It summarizes information contributed by the utility industry, system and equipment suppliers, system designers, research organizations, and regulatory agencies. The data cover system design, fuel characteristics, operating history, and actual system performance. Also included is a unit-by-unit discussion of problems and solutions associated with the boilers, scrubbers, and FGD systems. The development status (operational, under construction, or in the planning stages), system supplier, process, waste disposal practice, and regulatory class are tabulated alphabetically by utility company.

Arco to enter European PGE production with new Rotterdam plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Young, I.

1993-01-01

Arco Chemical (Newtown Square, PA) will enter production of propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) in Europe by building a 70,000-m.t./year plant at its Rotterdam site. Arco's board has approved the project, with construction to begin this year and completion expected in mid-1995. 'This new plant supports the company's long-standing strategy to increase its downstream integration in value-added derivatives of propylene oxide,' says Jack Oppasser, president of Arco Chemical Europe (Maidenhead, U.K.). 'It allows the company to sustain its strong position in the growing European glycol ether market.' Arco's move represents a challenge to Dow Europe (Horgen, Switzerland), which dominates the European PGE market. Dow is Europe's biggest producer of PGEs, with its Dowanol brands commanding a share greater than 50% of the estimated 90,000-m.t./year methyl-based PGE market. This was recently boosted by completion of the expansion of its plant at Stade, Germany, from 60,000 m.t./year to 110,000 m.t./year. While Arco does not currently make PGEs in Europe, it is the second-largest supplier, with about 15,000 m.t.-20,000 m.t./year, via 'third-party manufacturing arrangements' with European producers, including BP Chemicals, and imports from its 90-million lbs/year plant at Bayport, TX. However, Arco refuses to comment on this because of 'antitrust aspects.'

Directive 2014/95/EU: Are Italian Companies Already Compliant?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andrea Venturelli

2017-08-01

Full Text Available According to Directive 2014/95/EU on disclosure of non-financial information from 2017 onwards, large companies (exceeding 500 employees headquartered in Member States will be required to provide a series of social, environmental, and governance statements. The Directive was transposed into Italian law by Legislative Decree 254 of 30 December 2016.The aim of this paper is to evaluate the information gap for Italian companies and,consequently,the adjustments required by the new Directive on non-financial information. In order to analyze the level of non-financial and diversity disclosure, we created an assessment model called “Non-financial information score”, which records the required information as a percentage. We apply it to a sample of 223 large companies.The results (with an average NFIscore of about 49% show that, in spite of what has previously emerged in the European debate about the application of the Directive on the part of large companies, an information gap remains, although the implementation of the directive should help to fill it in the coming years.In this sense, the potential contribution of the EU directive to non-financial disclosure in Italy appears to be greater than we had expected. Thus, in accordance with the literature, this paper appears to confirm the role of regulation in improving the quality of disclosure of non-financial information.

Westinghouse European trainee program

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jimenez, G.

2010-01-01

Westinghouse Electric Company is proud of giving its employees the possibility to work and act globally. The company's European Trainee Program provides an opportunity to work within different fields of business within Westinghouse, participating in a wide range of projects and experiencing and learning from the different cultures of the company. In 2006 the first Trainee Program started with seven Swedish Trainees. During these eighteen months they worked 12 months in Sweden and then went off to six-month-assignments in France and in the US. In April 2008, the first European Trainee Program was launched with ten Trainees from four different countries: five from Sweden, two from Germany, two from Spain and one from Belgium. As with the previous program, its length was eighteen months. During the first year, the European Trainees had the opportunity to work in various areas within their country of hire, as well as to visit different Westinghouse headquarters in Europe and the US to learn more about the global business. Their kick-off session took place in Vaesteraas, Sweden in April 2008. During four days, the Trainees participated in group dynamic exercises as well as presentations of the business of Westinghouse abroad and in Sweden. Two of the most interesting parts of this session were the visits to the Fuel Factory and to the Field Services mock-ups. The second session took place in June 2008 in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (USA), where Westinghouse had its main headquarters, nowadays located in Cranberry, PA. During two weeks, the trainees got to know even more about Westinghouse through visits, lectures and forums for open discussions. The visits comprised for example the tubing factory at Blairsville, the Field Services main headquarters in Madison and the George Westinghouse Research and Technology Park near Pittsburgh. The meetings included presentations of each Westinghouse business unit, detailed information about future projects and round table discussions

75 FR 13524 - Northern Natural Gas Company, Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-03-22

... Natural Gas Company, Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC, Transcontinental... notice that on March 5, 2010, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern Natural), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124- 1000, filed on behalf of itself and other owners, Southern Natural Gas Company...

MACROECONOMIC CLIMATE AND THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE COMPANIES IN ROMANIA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andrei Rădulescu

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Small and medium size companies (SMEs represent the engine of the economy in the member states of the European Union. In Romania, SMEs entered the post-crisis cycle in 2013 after a severe adjustment process under the impact of the Great Recession. The economic performance of SMEs is strongly influenced by the macroeconomic climate. The important role of SMEs in the economy has determined the Romanian government to implement several measures in order to support their activity. The present paper highlights the mid-term macroeconomic outlook for Romania, as well as the recent developments related to SMEs, along with the main measures implemented by the Government over the past years in order to support the development of these companies.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE OF RETAIL TRADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Catana Adina

2012-07-01

Full Text Available According to Karel De Gucht, Trade Commissioner from the European Commission, trade is working for Europe's economic recovery by ensuring growth and jobs. The European renewed trade strategy will open markets and connect Europe to the main sources and regis of global growth. The aim is to ensure that European business gets a fair deal and that countries’ rights are respected so that all can enjoy the benefits of trade. Thanks to the ease of modern transport and communications, it is now easier to produce, buy and sell goods around the world which gives European companies of every size the potential to trade outside Europe. This paper’s objective is to analyse the development stage of the European Union’s retail, and its member countries. The study is based on the research taken in the project of PhD research with the theme: The impacts of Economic Integration on Romanian Retail. For my research I used data from Eurostat, National Statistical Institute, European Union official website In the past 10 years, the volume of retail trade in EU member states has increased, but the extent of the changes varies substantially from one country to another.

Favourability towards electric utilities jumps 10 per cent in 1997

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1997-01-01

A recent survey of public opinion has shown that 85 per cent of the public view their electric utility company favourably. This represents a 10 per cent increase over last year. A survey of 4,090 Canadians was conducted which looked at the perceptions of the value of electricity services compared to telephone, natural gas, banking, and home insurance services. The study showed that Canadian electric utility companies are viewed as positively as the telephone companies and almost as favourably as the banks. Some 71 per cent of respondents reported that the value they receive from their electric utility is excellent or good. Lower prices, better customer services and increased research into alternative power sources were among the benefits that Canadians perceive would result from a more competitive electricity sector. Some misgivings about deregulation included a belief that there would be less attention to environmental concerns and more outages. Four per cent of the respondents said they would 'definitely' switch to an alternative supplier of electricity, while 25 per cent said they would 'probably' switch to an alternative supplier of electricity. 2 tabs

Improving utility conservation programs: outcomes, interventions, and evaluations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Condelli, L; Archer, D; Aronson, E; Curbow, B; McLeod, B; Pettigrew, T F; White, L T; Yates, S

1984-06-01

Four major California utility companies have active energy conservation programs mandated by the State's Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). These companies evaluate their programs and send reports of the evaluations to the CPUC. A review of 213 of these reports revealed a marketing research approach toward promoting conservation. Advertising and informational campaigns characterize most programs, and attitudes and self-reported behavior were the major outcome measures. This approach is shown to be ineffective. Suggestions for improvement include: (1) the use of actual energy consumption as the primary outcome measure in evaluating conservation programs; (2) the abandonment of conventional advertising, and the use of it only for the promotion of ''hard'' interventions; (3) increased use of social diffusion methods to disseminate information; (4) the design of more effective educational material by incorporating cognitive social psychological principles; and (5) the utilization of ''hard'' interventions that have a direct, verifiable link to conservation.

European downstream oil industry safety performance. Statistical summary of reported incidents 2009

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Burton, A.; Den Haan, K.H.

2010-10-01

The sixteenth such report by CONCAWE, this issue includes statistics on workrelated personal injuries for the European downstream oil industry's own employees as well as contractors for the year 2009. Data were received from 33 companies representing more than 97% of the European refining capacity. Trends over the last sixteen years are highlighted and the data are also compared to similar statistics from related industries. In addition, this report presents the results of the first Process Safety Performance Indicator data gathering exercise amongst the CONCAWE membership.

Vectors for Increasing the Effectiveness of Profit Management at Company Level

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

І. V.

2017-05-01

Full Text Available Imperfect management of processes involved in accumulation and disposal of profit at Ukrainian companies affects their performance, with the consequent losses of public budget revenues. This raises the need for new and more effective mechanisms for accumulation and disposal of corporate profit, which would be focused on maximal utilization of production, marketing and fiscal capacities of business entities and enhancement of their competitiveness at domestic and global market. The article’s objective is to conduct theoretical study of profit as an economic category and an essential component of company’s performance, sum up the principles of profit management, and analyze the profit management system at company level. A brief review of theoretical definitions of profit is made, economic origin of profit and its role in business operation in the Ukrainian context is highlighted. The components of profit management system at company level, essential principles of strategic management of company profit, organizational and economic mechanism for company profit management, a strategy for profit management at company level is discussed and summed up. The organizational and economic mechanism for profit quality management at company level is proposed.

Canadian company innovates dam repair

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

2000-01-01

Successful repair without any downtime, of the Sabana Yegua power and irrigation structure in the western Dominican Republic by Aquatic Sciences Ltd., a St. Catherine, Ontario-based underwater specialist company, is discussed. The structure was damaged by Hurricane George last when when rising water levels damaged a major valve in the control gate chamber. The repair strategy designed by Aquatic Sciences used a remotely operated vehicle with a mechanical arm for minor tasks which placed a specially-made plug into the inlet pipe. The work was completed in one week, saving the utility company a great deal of money by making it possible to make the repairs remotely in the gate chamber without having to drain the tunnel, as would have been necessary had the repair been completed manually. The remotely operated vehicles use a scanning sonar as well as light to find their way. They are particularly well adapted to work underwater under low-visibility conditions

The European gas market at the 2008 prospects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2004-11-01

Because of the opening of European energy markets to competition and to the dynamism of gas consumption, the natural gas market has become very attractive. In parallel, the development of infrastructures (in particular for the LNG industry) offer setting up possibilities to newcomers. Moreover, the synergies linked to the gas/electricity convergence diminish the boundary between electricity and gas markets. In this context, the historical operators of European gas markets have to face the offensive of oil and electric power companies. This study tackles the following questions: what are the gas demand evolution prospects? What are the most attractive consumption areas? How gas prices will change in mid-term? What is the competitive intensity of national markets? Which commercial positioning is to be adopted? What future for dual offers? What is the advantage of regulated activities for operators? Who are the best positioned actors? What will be the mid-term role of Gazprom? What are the mid-term prospects of European market reconfiguration? This study analyses the strategy and positioning of the main European gas operators and shows their forces and weaknesses. It includes a financial comparison of the 20 main groups present in the European natural gas market. This analysis allows to propose 4 scenarios of mid-term evolution for this market. (J.S.)

European wind turbine catalogue

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1994-01-01

The THERMIE European Community programme is designed to promote the greater use of European technology and this catalogue contributes to the fulfillment of this aim by dissemination of information on 50 wind turbines from 30 manufacturers. These turbines are produced in Europe and are commercially available. The manufacturers presented produce and sell grid-connected turbines which have been officially approved in countries where this approval is acquired, however some of the wind turbines included in the catalogue have not been regarded as fully commercially available at the time of going to print. The entries, which are illustrated by colour photographs, give company profiles, concept descriptions, measured power curves, prices, and information on design and dimension, safety systems, stage of development, special characteristics, annual energy production, and noise pollution. Lists are given of wind turbine manufacturers and agents and of consultants and developers in the wind energy sector. Exchange rates used in the conversion of the prices of wind turbines are also given. Information can be found on the OPET network (organizations recognised by the European Commission as an Organization for the Promotion of Energy Technologies (OPET)). An article describes the development of the wind power industry during the last 10-15 years and another article on certification aims to give an overview of the most well-known and acknowledged type approvals currently issued in Europe. (AB)

The Demand of Part-time in European Companies: A Multilevel Modeling Approach

OpenAIRE

2011-01-01

Part-time work is one of the most well-known « atypical » working time arrangements in Europe, shaping working time regimes across countries and mapping work-life balance patterns. Comparative studies on part-time work across European countries have pointed to large differences in the development, extent and quality of part-time employment. To explain such differences, the focus has been mainly on labor supply consideration and on public policies and/or institutional arrangements pertaining t...

EDF, the 2003-2007 project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-01-01

This brochure presents the 2003-2007 project of Electricite de France (EdF) in the framework of the opening of European energy markets. The aim of this project is to take over the present day contract of EdF with the French government in order to become an anonymous company. The wish of F. Roussely, president of EdF, is to open and increase the capital of the company but also to fulfill its public utility missions. The stake of EdF is to stay competitive, to become a European energy leader, to stay an integrated company combining production, transport, distribution and commercialization, and finally to maintain its historical public utility standards: specific tariff conditions and services for low income people, financing of renewable energy projects. (J.S.)

EDF, the 2003-2007 project; EDF, le projet 2003-2007

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2005-07-01

This brochure presents the 2003-2007 project of Electricite de France (EdF) in the framework of the opening of European energy markets. The aim of this project is to take over the present day contract of EdF with the French government in order to become an anonymous company. The wish of F. Roussely, president of EdF, is to open and increase the capital of the company but also to fulfill its public utility missions. The stake of EdF is to stay competitive, to become a European energy leader, to stay an integrated company combining production, transport, distribution and commercialization, and finally to maintain its historical public utility standards: specific tariff conditions and services for low income people, financing of renewable energy projects. (J.S.)

Investing in European market real property through reits

Science.gov (United States)

Adamuscin, A.

2010-03-01

For institutional and private investors, investing in real estate represents an attractive form of the consignment of their money. Real estate provides a regular source of income in the form of the rent from or interest on the credit provided. At the same time, real estate is a good investment instrument, because it provides diversified contributions and security against inflation for investors. In their efforts to diversify risk, investors are expressing growing interest in investing in the whole European Union. The success of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in the U.S. also opened the door for investing in this market for small investors, which is the reason for the development of this type of investment company in the European arena. One problem concerning the development of European real estate investment funds is the unsolved issue of the harmonization of the legislation and regulatory safety measures, which would enable the creation of a common market for new investment products in Europe.

Then and now with utility advertising and marketing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Netschert, B.C.

1978-11-09

Basic business functions, such as advertising and marketing, occupy a valid place in the lives of public utilities, even in an environment where conservation and economy are emphasized. The author describes how a particular group of electric-utility companies has changed emphasis in an exemplary response to new societal pressures and values. He identifies the litmus test of the appropriateness of promotional and information activities and expenditures by utilities in terms of consumer sovereignty.