Issue No 1(19), 2017

• A MULTI-LAYER ANALYSIS OF EFFECTIVE CLUSTERS IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY. A CASE STUDY ON POLAND
  
  Nijkamp Peter
  Abstract

  Regional development policy in the past years is increasingly dominated by cluster strategies. This means a dedicated orientation towards selective industrial initiatives (often of a high-tech and cognitive nature). In the present study the notion of effective cluster – characterized by intense social and human capital ? is introduced as a systematic framework for assessing regional development policy. The paper presents a specific tool, viz., a Balanced Dashboard, to offer an operational evaluation instrument based on a multidimensional policy perspective. The relevance of this approach is illustrated by means of a multi-layer application of the proposed analytical framework to the Aviation Valley in the Podkarpackie region in South-East Poland.
  
  Keywords: regional development; regional clusters; strategic regional position.
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• INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS BASED ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
  
  Beldiman Camelia-Mădălina
  Abstract

  E-learning has earned a solid reputation among the business community as the method of choice for delivering wide–impact, high–quality, cost–effective training. Although the means used to attain these goals may vary as far as the pedagogical approach and technical complexity is concerned, the results must be the same: added–value for the employees and companies alike. The present paper analyzes some of the content design exigencies imposed by the specifics of company staff training. At the same time, it proposes a set of guidelines which could help designers get adequate pedagogical benefits from blending multimedia and e-learning standards.
  
  Keywords: e-learning, blending learning, multimedia content
  Article pdf
• THE NECESSITY OF REFORMING THE TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION OF THE LOCAL PUBLIC POWER IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA: DEMOGRAPHIC ARGUMENTS
  
  CORNEA Sergiu
  Abstract

  A plausible argument in favour of reforming the territorial organisation of the public power is the demographic situation in Moldova. Currently, the Republic of Moldova is faced with a series of demographic issues that leave their mark on many processes that take place. Here, I refer to the natural movement of the population, the migration phenomenon, aging and pauperization of the population. Closely related to these processes, there are also other phenomena: depopulation, de-urbanisation, and ruralization of urban settlements in Moldova. These tendencies and phenomena that take place in the Republic of Moldova require a new principled approach for the territorial organization of public power. Under the newly created circumstances, the population of local communities that are constantly shrinking does not have sufficient means to finance the activity of local public authorities and therefore, not having sufficient means due to the limited tax base, cannot provide quality public services.
  
  Keywords: reform, depopulation, migration, population aging, de-urbanisation.
  Article pdf
• COMPARATIVE LAW PERSPECTIVES ON THE EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE OBTAINED ILLEGALLY IN THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
  
  Oana Elena GĂLĂŢEANU
  Abstract

  Exclusion represents a sanction which the competent judiciary bodies apply in the cases when evidence has been obtained in illegal ways during criminal proceedings. It consists in the removal by the Court of that evidence which has been obtained illegally. By applying this sanction, the purpose is also to comply with the fundamental rights of the subjects from the criminal procedure. The exclusion is an institution conceived by the common-law legal system, being taken over by the continental law system. In both law systems, it is applied differently, in some national legislations being applied as a mandatory rule in any infringement cases, in other being applied as stand-alone sanction, but only in certain conditions and when the competent courts of competent jurisdiction appreciate it is necessary for the proper course of justice and for keeping an unblemished image in relation to it. A few comparative law perspectives related to the institution of excluding illegally obtained evidence in the criminal proceedings are presented in this study, according to the legislations of the different states of law which have embraced, as case maybe, common law or continental law legal system. The author’s conclusions and opinions regarding this institution of exclusion are presented at the end.
  
  Keywords: reform, depopulation, migration, population aging, de-urbanisation.
  Article pdf
• Power Transition and Balance of Power: Comprehending the Power Dynamics of the 21st Century
  
  POP Adrian
  Abstract

  Lately, the power transition theory has witnessed a certain revival, becoming a popular perspective for scholars and officials alike, especially as far as the U.S.-China relationship is concerned. Firstly, as the power transition theory was originally developed as an alternative to the balance of power arguments, the present paper reviews the concept of power balance. Secondly, it presents the main features and tenets of the power transition theory. Thirdly, it comparatively assesses the key differences between the power transition and the balance of power theories. The paper suggests that, in order to adequately comprehend the power dynamics of the 21st century, one might selectively adopt aspects of the power transition theory, but not doing away with the notion of power balance, as, on one hand, the multipolar distribution of power would likely be the future configuration of it, and, on the other hand, the current and the likely short-term future behaviour of China towards the U.S. fits the notion of soft balancing.
  
  Keywords: power transition theory, balance of power, emerging powers, Sino-American relations
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• INSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ANSWERS TO THE PHENOMENON OF DEMOGRAPHIC AGING: (RE)CONFIGURATION OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE
  
  CORNEA Valentina
  Abstract

  The study analyses the types of services for elderly people. The analysis made on this subject aims at pointing out the features of the current pattern of services, the responsibilities of the public authorities and the predictions on keeping, improving or even assuming another pattern. The types of social services dedicated to elderly people belong to a medical paradigm. A new paradigm referring to the infrastructure of services for elderly people does not intend to revolutionize the system. It is not necessary to invent activities to fill in the elderly people’s time but, on the contrary, to create conditions for the manifestation of the real needs which are not only the medical ones. For the creation of a new paradigm it is necessary to take into account indicators about the vital minimum and the symbolic meaning of consumption. In this way, there must be a stressed receptivity at the level of institutions that deliver the tasks, and the existing resources should be redistributed for actions and services based not only upon the matter of the demand but on the type of problems that engender the demands.
  
  Keywords: ageing, social services, vital minimum, welfare.
  Article pdf