Issue 4, 2011

A conceptual distinction was made between product and good as fundamental conceptions of economic theory and practice, considering the presumption, that the good is a wider phenomena that the product. A detailed systematization of both concepts is substantiated, as well as the effectuality and effectiveness related thereto. Therefore six classification types are attached: substantial, creative, functional, reproduction, object and systematic classifications. The distinction between the material and immaterial good is specified very precisely. The difference between the productive and unproductive labour is outlined, pointing out the groups of goods and products, for the generation thereof the labour is productive, or unproductive respectively. The non-traditional view is backed up, that the labour in science, education and medical services is productive and therefore creates not only new benefit, but a new value as well. The eventual adoption of this concept shall change the method of evaluation of the gross domestic product, the national income, the value added and the economic growth, as well as the method of determining the limit between the initial distribution and redistribution of incomes.

JEL: A10; D00; E00

The highlight is the better understanding of knowledge as an economic research object. Therefore the relevant sources are interpreted. It is characterised as an economic category based on types of knowledge important for the economic development. They are matched in dichotomous combinations (such as scientific - daily routine, theoretical - empirical, codified - tacit). The specific characteristics of knowledge as an object of economic research are the personalization, mobility, risk-sensitivity. The common and different facets among information, scientific and technological knowledge are specified. From the historical point of view the experience in statistic monitoring and rating is evaluated systematically, being of vital importance for the economic characteristics of knowledge. The present day issues are focussed. The aspects of the application in practice are discussed in view of the critical review and the systematization of the concepts of a strategy for the socio-economic development.

JEL: A10; O10; O15; O30

There are arguments, that the theory of financial instability and financial crises has failed to explain why the price and quantity assessment are the most important tools in generating a permanent surplus in the demand for loans and the changes in the level of extended loans; how much the macroeconomic volatility is identified with the financial fluctuations; what is the impact of the monetary policy and whether it is possible to be used for stabilizing the financial systems and the aggregate production; whether the International Monetary Fund could act as a global lender of last resort in order to stab

JEL: В22; Е65

The position of the young people on the Bulgarian labour market is presented in details, together with the possibilities for easy transfers to their first jobs. The stress is put on the increasing vulnerability of the youth employment in the period of recent crisis and on its specific problems in Bulgaria. The social protection of the young people in the field of education, and as active and passive policies on the labour market is examined from the point of view of the specific youth problems in the country, and from that of strategic documents coming from European Commission and Bulgarian Government. Some policy recommendations are articulated and also the arguments about the need of integrated approach implementation towards young people policies.

JEL: J21; J64; J68

The portfolio management of the Bulgarian collective investment schemes is the object of this study and the quantitative models and evaluation techniques of the portfolio presentation are the subject thereof. The research aims at analysing the characteristic features of the Bulgarian investment funds in the period between 2007-2010, presenting the data used in the research and the time span, the restrictive conditions and the presumptions for the study as well as its methodology, the empiric results and their analysis. The key inferences and trends for follow-up work on the investigated topic are formulated.

JEL: G11