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STUDIA
Universitatis Babes Bolyai
OECONOMICA

Editorial Board

Volumes

Journal Code: 10615 Cover Date (month and year): August 2019 No. 64, 2019, Issue 1
CONTENTS

Title:	EMPLOYEES' COMPETENCES IN KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE BUSINESS SECTOR COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN TWO CEE COUNTRIES
Author(s):	J. SAMUL, E. SKAPSKA, D. PANKOV
Affiliation(s):	Bialystok University of Technology, Poland, Bialystok University of Technology, Poland, Belarusian State Economic University, Belarus
Abstract:	Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) are services that involve intensive use of high technologies, specialized skills and professional knowledge. However, there are insufficient findings on the competences of employees in the sector of KIBS. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the research on employees' competences in different service sectors of two CEE countries: Poland and Belarus. This study adopted a quantitative approach based on a questionnaire applied to 101 companies from Poland and 42 companies from Belarus. The comparative analysis shows quite similar findings - the most significant competencies are employee engagement, motivation and customer-focused orientation and play a crucial role in the efficiency of services in both countries.
Pages:	3-15 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	M12, M51, M54

Title:	AUTOMATING FORWARD AND REVERSE SUPPLY CHAINS IN THE CONTEXT OF INDUSTRY 4.0
Author(s):	F. L. COVACI
Affiliation(s):	Babe?-Bolyai University, Romania
Abstract:	The 4th industrial revolution brings in a transformation of the traditional supply chain towards a digital supply chain. The machines will be able to use algorithms that will enable them to automate the supply chain formation process and to quickly react to disruptions. The current approach proposes a mechanism based on a message passing inference scheme in order to address the automated supply chain formation problem in a closed-loop supply chain by integrating forward and reverse supply chains. Forward supply chain imply a series of activities required to produce new products from virgin materials and distribute them to consumers while reverse supply chains require collecting used products from consumers and reprocessing them to either recover their leftover market values or dispose of them. It has become common for companies involved in a forward supply chain to also carry out collection and reprocessing of used products. Strict environmental regulations and diminishing raw material resources have intensified the importance of reverse supply chains at an increasing rate. The proposed mechanism is evaluated using two type of supply chain configurations from textile and automobile industry, demonstrating that automated integration of reverse supply chains along with forward supply chains, lead to benefits for the participants in the supply chain.
Pages:	16-32 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	C61

Title:	A CAUSALITY ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GROSS FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Author(s):	D. F. MEYER, K. A. SANUSI
Affiliation(s):	North West University, South Africa, North West University, South Africa and Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Abstract:	In terms of macro-economic policy, gross fixed capital formation, which is the major component of domestic investment, is seen as an important process that could accelerate economic growth. This study re-examines the controversial issue of causality between domestic investment, employment and economic growth using South African data. The traditional assumption of causality running from investment to economic growth has remained inconclusive while empirical findings on the investment and employment growth nexus are also largely unsettled. The study makes use of quarterly data from 1995Q1 to 2016Q4 within the framework of the Johansen cointegration and Vector Error Correction Models (VECM). The empirical findings suggest that a long run relationship exists between domestic investment, employment and economic growth, with causality running from economic growth to investment and not vice versa. The results also demonstrate that investment has a positive long-run impact on employment. The empirical evidence further suggests bi-directional causality between employment and economic growth, while evidence of uni-directional causality, from investment to employment, is also found. The major implication of the study is that although there is bi-directional causality between economic growth and employment, economic growth does not translate to increased employment in the long run confirming "jobless growth". Investment is found to be a positive driver of employment in the South African economy in the long-run. The study concludes that, in order to stimulate employment, investment enhancing policies, such as low interest rates and a favourable economic environment should be put in place to accelerate growth. Measures to promote economic growth, such as improved infrastructural facilities and diversification of the economy, should be further engineered so as to encourage increased investment.
Pages:	33-44 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	E22; E24

Title:	DETERMINANTS OF THE PERCEIVED INTERNSHIP EFFECTIVENESS: EXPLORING STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES
Author(s):	D. IVANA
Affiliation(s):	Babes-Bolyai University, România
Abstract:	Internships are increasingly important for the business higher education as they help students to make the connection between their academic studies and the world of business. This study analyzes the internships of students within an international study program (German line of study) in order to determine what factors account for the most valuable internship experience. Based on the elements of the experiential education approach, the results reveal some characteristics that contribute to a higher level of perceived internship effectiveness in accordance with the employment status and gender. These results provide a basis for designing successful internship programs in business universities.
Pages:	65-58 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	I23, J24

Title:	ANALYSIS OF THE DEMAND FOR PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Author(s):	S. H. DUNGA
Affiliation(s):	North West University, South Africa
Abstract:	Access to a good and healthy life is a human right recognised globally. The fight to deal with poverty and food insecurity as the top two sustainable development goals (SDGs) under the global agenda 2030 can only be achieved if a majority of the world population is able to participate in economic activities. However, the provision of healthcare is complicated by the nature of the demand and supply function. There is inefficient provision due to the positive externalities associated with healthcare provision and consequently the social efficiency is not achieved, especially when private provision is considered, and therefore the need for government involvement. This paper analyses the demand for private healthcare in South Africa, using the data collected from a general household survey with a sample of 21601 households. The results of the logistic regression model show that the gender of the head of a household, income, food security status, age of head of household and social grant and pension status were among the significant predictors of demand for private healthcare. The study provides insights on how provision of healthcare should be tailored so as to achieve maximum efficiency in public provision of healthcare.
Pages:	59-70 FULL PAPER (PDF)
JEL Classification	I11, I15, I32, H41