https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28470 2026-04-04T21:18:56Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32175 Title: Health care services performance measurement : theory, methods and empirical evidence Authors: Maniadakis, Nikos M.; Kotsopoulos, Nikolaos; Prezerakos, Panagiotis E.; Yfantopoulos, John N. Abstract: Despite the growing international literature in the field of efficiency and productivity measurement there are very limited Greek applications partly due to inadequate and incomplete datasets. The aim of this article is to illustrate the main methodologies for health care services efficiency and productivity measurement, to present their strengths and weaknesses and to discuss the existing evidence from applications in other countries. Notwithstanding the fact that the related methodologies have been recently developed these methods may help practitioners and health care decisions makers in improving health care management in Greece. 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32172 Title: The prospect of Euro adoption in Romania Authors: Fat, Codruta Maria; Beju, Daniela Georgeta Abstract: Taking into account the schedule of Romania’s monetary integration: the entrance into Exchange Rate Mechanism II in 2012 and the euro adoption in 2014, our authorities have become preoccupied in accelerating the convergence process. This paper aims to analyze Romania’s progress in the convergence process, as well as, the current stage of the fulfilment of nominal and real convergence criteria required for euro adoption. In the same time we compare the results obtained by our country and those recorded in other Central and Eastern European states in the integration process. We also debate on the main reasons responsible for delaying the convergence process in Romania and the prospect of speeding up this process without a negative impact on the economy. 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32171 Title: The impact of unemployment rate on the dimension of shadow economy in Spain : a structural equation approach Authors: Dobre, Ion; Alexandru, Adriana AnaMaria Abstract: The paper uses annual data for the period 1970-2007 in order to estimate the size of Spanish shadow economy. In view to do so, the shadow economy is modelled like a latent variable using the structural equation model(SEM). The model includes tax burden, social benefits, subsidies, government employment, self-employment and unemployment rate as main causes of shadow economy and the results indicates that the size of informal sector oscillates between 22% and 18% of GDP in the last ten years. Investigating the relationship between the shadow economy and unemployment rate a positive relationship is marked out between this two variables. 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32170 Title: Regional policy responses to demographic challenges and opportunities Authors: Sorici, Costin Octavan Abstract: In Europe, the trend towards greater life expectancy, often in good health, is primarily due to the unprecedented peace we have known for 60 years, the constant improvement in living conditions and the progress in medicine enabling us to live longer. This success partly explains the demographic perspective facing Europe of an ageing population with rising old age dependency ratios. Initially, discussion around this ageing trend concentrated on the sustainability of social security, pensions and health policies. However, it is increasingly recognized that an ageing population will require the adaptation of practically all major public policies, including education, employment and social affairs, transport, public services and infrastructures and urban planning, to address ageing and exploit the opportunities it presents. 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z