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STUDIA
Universitatis Babes Bolyai
OECONOMICA

Editorial Board

Volumes

Journal Code: 10615 Cover Date (month and year): August 2020 No. 65, 2020, Issue 2
CONTENTS

Title:	THE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 ON THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAINS
Author(s):	B. SZ.G. PATÓ, M. HERCZEG
Affiliation(s):	University of Pannonia, Hungary
Abstract:	Securing the high level of performance of the supply chains is a difficult task. The harmonization of different interests, the coordination of the raw material supply and information flow, the cooperation of the partners, forging and maintaining a relationship of trust are challenging even in an ideal world in order to meet the customer demands. The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 presents the members of the supply chains with extreme challenges. Because of the epidemic, the value added activities of the supply chains are getting even more importance. It became clear that the different supply chains connect the whole economy in a global and local scale as well. The choice of the inventory and organizational strategy is a key aspect in a crisis like this. The aim of this study is to present the current challenges and their viable solutions in order to check the possibilities to maintain the operation of the supply chains even in this difficult economic and social period using an automotive case study as an example.
Pages:	1-11 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	E12, E24

Title:	INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT IN A NEOCLASSICAL MODEL
Author(s):	Y. TANAKA
Affiliation(s):	Doshisha University, Japan
Abstract:	We show the existence of involuntary unemployment without assuming wage rigidity using a neoclassical model of consumption and production. We consider a case of indivisible labor supply and increasing returns to scale under monopolistic competition. We derive involuntary unemployment by considering utility maximization of consumers and profit maximization of firms in an overlapping generations (OLG) model with two or three generations. In a two-periods OLG model it is possible that a reduction of the nominal wage rate reduces unemployment. However, if we consider a three-periods OLG model including a childhood period, a reduction of the nominal wage rate does not necessarily reduce unemployment.
Pages:	12-28 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	E12, E24;

Title:	MONEY SUPPLY, INFLATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: CO-INTEGRATION AND CAUSALITY ANALYSIS
Author(s):	A. HICHAM
Affiliation(s):	University Centre of Maghnia, Algeria
Abstract:	The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between money supply, inflation rate, and economic growth in the context of Algeria, using various econometric procedures as co-integration without and with structural breaks in addition to three different ways of causality test for the period 1970-2018, the results confirm the long-run relationship between the variables with more than three structural breaks, but with the absence of the effects of money supply and inflation rate on economic growth both in short run and long run terms, on the other hand, the causality results confirmed the existence of hidden causalities among the variables running from the cumulative components not from the natural series, and all the results support the Monetarist view of inflation though the absence of any effect of money supply on economic growth.
Pages:	29-45 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	C22, E31, E51, F43;

Title:	ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND PRACTICES OF CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATORS ON TRADE FACILITATION
Author(s):	M. T. PASARA, C. GONYORA, D. F. MEYER
Affiliation(s):	Trade and Development (TRADE), South Africa, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe, Trade and Development (TRADE), South Africa
Abstract:	In light of renewed interests to boost African trade through continental integration, the authors identified trade facilitation as an integral component of complimenting the integration processes. This is especially relevant in the southern region where the majority of borders are characterised by complex and duplicated processes due to the lack of 'one-stop border posts'. This study explores the attitudes, knowledge and practices of customs administrators on trade facilitation in Zimbabwe. Based on questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and secondary data collected from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the results indicated that 'trade facilitation' was not included in strategic policies of ZIMRA. In terms of risk factors, low staff remuneration was identified as the major issue. Many crossborder authorities at the border (overstaffed) and outdated infrastructure were major constraints in the flow of cargo and people. The study recommends that ZIMRA should provide training on the 'single window system' in order to improve on coordinated border management. Secondly, ZIMRA should review staff remuneration frequently and synchronise it with regional standards. Thirdly, there should be alignment and coordination of the trade-related issues within various government ministries. Fourthly, customs authorities should establish stand-alone trade facilitation units at ports of entry.
Pages:	46-64 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	F13, F15, F23, F42;

Title:	CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR SMALL LOCAL CONSUMER BRANDS
Author(s):	Th. DOBBELSTEIN, R. B. MASON, A. KAMWENDO
Affiliation(s):	Duale Hochschule Baden Wurttemberg, Germany and Durban University of Technology, South Africa, Durban University of Technology, South Africa, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Abstract:	Local or regional fast-moving consumer (FMCG) brands sold mostly in delimited geographic areas are a growing trend. This study aims to understand consumer attitudes towards such products and to identify factors critical to their success. The paper is a comparative study between developed (Germany) and emerging (South Africa) nations to identify differences between the preference criteria for FMCG. The methodology involved an online cross section survey in the two countries. Respondents from both countries preferred local brands and believe they are better quality and more supportive of, and connected to, local communities. South Africans feel this more strongly, show greater commitment, and are prepared to pay more than Germans. 'Beliefs' regarding quality, value for money, and trust in local brands are critical.
Pages:	65-89 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	M 30, M31, M13, L26;