Issue 2, 2008

The scientific objectives of the presented study are: (i) to provide an analytical overview of the main characteristics of the Bulgarian pension reform; and (ii) to present its financial aspects related to the pre-reform and post-reform deficit of the PAYG pillar. Several conclusions regarding the background, parameters and financial status (current and projected) of the Bulgarian pension system are summarized. Recommendations concerning the implementation of a mechanism for a regular external monitoring and evaluation of the pension system's development respecting the provisions of the adopted National Strategy and the necessity to develop a new National Strategy for the further improvement of the pension system are suggested as well.
JEL: H53, H55

The objective of the study is to analyze and evaluate the impact on the labor market of the changes in the following parameters of the public pension insurance system in Bulgaria: (a) conditions for access; (b) incomes from pension; and (c) pension insurance installment. The set research tasks are:

1. Systematizing the theoretical aspects of the links and the impact on the pension insurance system and labor market.
2. Making an analytical review of the changes in the chosen parameters of the pension system.
3. Analyzing and evaluating the impact of the changes in the selected parameters of the pension system on the labor market in Bulgaria in the period 1999-2005.
4. Formulating conclusions on the influence of the analyzed changes in the pension insurance system on the labor market in the period 1999-2005.

Discussed is only the impact of the pensions for work time and age, provided to people who have worked in conditions of third category labor, excluding some specific categories of people like military staff and teachers. These cases in their essence are a form of early retiring.
JEL: H55, J26

The study discusses the administrative organization of the labor market in Bulgaria from point of view of its structure, functionality, management and capacity. The study makes a review of the scientific discussion regarding the place and role of the institutions and the labor market, in particular for increasing the effectiveness of the economy. The analysis of the structure, functions, management and capacity of the administrative system of this market from point of view of the contemporary dynamic social-economic changes allows formulating many recommendations concerning the changes in the mentioned areas for improving its administrative service.
JEL: J08, J53

The present study aims to evaluate the success of the classification made in the Human Development Report (HDR) by means of a discriminant analysis. The report, prepared in the framework of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reflects the socio-economical development level of countries worldwide. The results based on the data provided in the HDR (2006) indicate that a classification done by a discriminant analysis has a great success rate.
JEL: O15

The paper systematized the main EU requirements concerning the development of the education, professional qualification and learning through life. The systematization is done from point of view of their content, as well as the logic of their changes. The study discusses the substantial changes in the normative base and main institutional structures in these areas in Bulgaria. On this bases are outlined the more important achievements, gaps and problems in the country.
JEL: I20, I28

The main challenges in the process of European integration concern increase of the competitiveness of the economic entities. This imposes the necessity of creating a developed market of capitals, land, goods and services in the agriculture.
The system of production service is a separate, integral part of the common system of the agricultural production. In theoretical aspect the paper outlines the range of the production service, types of service. Mentioned are the main factors, determining the development of the system.
The change in organization and management of the production service is determined by the organization-economic restructuring in agriculture regarding our accession to EU, the opportunities for adapting to the changes of production-economic conditions, the adequate counteraction to the threats and the use of the favorable opportunities the business environment provides.
The paper studies different organization forms of service area, seeking for an answer to the question to what extent the business opportunities of each of them meet the requirements for successful actions on the target market. On this base the main direction for development of the service area - improving the technical level and organization-economic restructuring are drawn.
JEL: Q13, Q16

The pressure for change and synchronization in the accession process affected, practically, all the aspects of Bulgarian corporate governance (CG), one of them outstanding - the relevance and synchronization of the Bulgarian corporate boards (CB) to the European ones. The corporate boards' issues have a specific place in the CG problems. While, having its own significance, it penetrates all the other and reveals through them. Thus, all requirements for equal treatment of the shareholders happen through the actions of the executive and independent directors and all disclosures of information are carried out under the control and in the schedule of the Managing Boards, respectively Boards of Directors. The connections with stakeholders are completely in the domain of the Investor Relations Directors. This makes the knowledge of their adjustment in the Bulgarian accession to the EU crucial for assessment of the improved CG standards and this is the primary object of the present study.
JEL: G32, G34, G38, K22