Issue 2, 2009

The study presents the evolution of ideas concerning the determinants of the long-term economic growth and the contemporary understandings of them. Based on the achievements in this area, new findings are sought in support of some and in argument of other theses. Based on critical analysis of the currently applied theory and empirics concerning the measuring of the different determinants of the long-term economic growth, new approaches to unsolved so far problems are sought and mentioned.
JEL: B4, C1, E1, O47

The concept of the social responsibility of the firms is especially current in the last years. Researchers from academic institutions, as well as representatives of the business, authorities, international and non-governmental organizations participate actively in the dedicated to this topic discussion forums.
The main goal of the study is to analyze the behavior of the firms in Bulgaria in the context of the social responsibility, to present positive firm practices, as well as to compare different firm strategies.
The paper tracks the evolution of the concept of social responsibility in different theoretical schools. The definitions of acknowledged international institutions are systemized.
The paper presents generalized results from case study survey of the social responsibility of 17 firms in Bulgaria.
Formulated are conclusions and recommendations to the state institutions, companies and their managers.
JEL: M14, G34

The study offers an idea for elaborating a conception model, based on visions and theoretical relationships as well as on hypothesis which have to be tested in the practice.
Those relationships and theoretical constructions are approbated through specific methods for analyzing quality information stressed on the conceptions of the Social Capital, Firm Culture and the relationship between them in Bulgarian economic ambience.
The main role of the business maturity is confirmed exactly in the manifestation of this kind of relationship. The role is also argued by the specific correlation between the national and the organizational dimensions of culture concerning as well the Social Capital itself.
JEL: Z13

The study is devoted to the role and place of the organizational culture in the strategic management process. On the basis of theoretical analysis of the nature and particularities of culture in the organization are derived its content features, including elements, functions, tasks and etc. The influence of the characteristics of the established culture on the process of strategic planning in the company is diagnosed. It is also scrutinized the reverse relationship - the need for cultural adaptation to the requirements of the chosen competitive strategy. The key characteristics of organizational culture necessary to achieve success in today's market conditions of competition are also outlined.
JEL: M14, L10

The persuasive impact is one of the most important communication instruments in the marketing mix, which is revealed especially in the sales. It is directed mostly to the consumer of goods and services for reaching an agreement for purchase. Its goal is to sell them most successfully. At the same time it requires good knowledge of the social-psychological regularities, which drive people to give consumer agreement. The persuasive impact in this area is formalized in the use of different techniques, which have imposed in the practice with their effectiveness. Knowing them and applying them gives good marketing results but also sets the question of the ethics of the relative approaches.
JEL: M1, M3

This article considers the issue on the labor costs allocation in a given company, organization. Each employee is given a rank and specific labor costs value corresponding to this rank and thus it is possible to determine dependence between labor costs and percentage of employees being assessed. Several mathematical methods are applied to determine dependence between labor costs and labor efficiency. By comparing allocation of labor costs of a particular company, organization to these mathematical models, it is easy to determine the degree of effectiveness and optimum allocation.
JEL: J30, J32, D30

The study aims to determine the state and dynamics in the social-economic development of a typical undeveloped rural region. It analyzes the lowest level of the problems the local population, the economic agents and local authorities face. The analysis is based on the results of a questionnaire survey of the business and population in Dulgopol municipality.
The study shows that the micro system of the local population is blocked by many discrepancies between the available resources, the desires of entrepreneurs and workers, the clear understanding of the opportunities and priorities and the lack of real and adequate actions. There is no effective interaction between the different subjects of the social-economic system, which hinders the normal running of the economic relations and processes. Possible alternatives for a graduate overcoming of the delay are suggested.
JEL: O18, R11, R58