https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72011 2026-04-04T06:25:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72357 Title: Conservation laws derived from systemic approach and symmetry Authors: Klinkova, Galiya; Grabinski, Michael Abstract: We prove mathematically for the first time that a conserved value must exist in economics. We derive it by using symmetry arguments in the systemic approach. Recently, it has been shown that a conserved value and its rigorous application can avoid any form of financial crises. So it is proven that a financial crisis is for sure avoidable without any other economic sacrifices. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72356 Title: Recession and value of new dwellings : changes in the spatial structure of Greece, 2003-2015 Authors: Zitti, Marco; Salvati, Luca Abstract: Recent economic dynamics in southern Europe have been influenced by multifaceted processes with important spatial outcomes. Construction industry has been one of the productive sectors with the most relevant crisis-driven changes in Greece, probably the most affected country in Europe. With the aim to provide a quantitative analysis offering a comprehensive knowledge of regional-scale dynamics in construction industry during expansion and recession times, the present study investigates spatial variations over 2003-2015 in the value of new dwellings, supplemented with other indicators of building activity (number of permits, average building surface, number of floors), at the scale of Greek prefectures. A data mining framework based on principal component analysis and non-parametric correlations with background socioeconomic indicators was developed to identify spatial patterns in building activity during economic expansion (2003-2009) and crisis (2009-2015). According to building permit data, the average value of new dwellings' per surface area increased in a spatially-heterogeneous fashion across the country, with a substantial difference in growth rates between the two investigated time intervals. During expansion, new dwellings' value increased across the country with a slight decline in two regions and a considerable growth in one region. During recession, new dwellings' value decreased in one region and increased markedly in four regions, being relatively stable in the rest of the country. In 2003, the highest values of new dwellings were spatially associated with economically-dynamic districts characterized by agglomeration economies, upper urban functions, and transport accessibility. With crisis, the spatial distribution of dwellings' value was more heterogeneous and not associated to specific background factors, with the highest increase observed in accessible rural districts and coastal areas with tourism specialization. Further investigation on the role of economic cycles in house value spatial trends is particularly required for designing effective post-crisis development measures. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72355 Title: Sport events tourism : an approach to the Portuguese case Authors: Palrão, Teresa; Filipe, José António Abstract: Sports events assume a major importance in tourism. This relevance results particularly from the fact that there are numerous disciplines that can be practiced and nowadays tourists are traveling around the world to participate in multiple sport events. Considering that, it becomes imperative to study the different types of involvement that tourists may have in all of the involved processes. Particularly, Portugal is a country holding excellent natural conditions for Tourism and for the practice of a considerable number of different sporting activities, many of them possible to be held all year round. This study´s intention is to define a framework model which will allow the understanding of the main touristic motivations for tourists’ participation in sports events activities, particularly considering the Gammon & Robinson’s (1997) classification and Weed & Bull (2004). The main objective of the study is to create a consistent theoretical basis for the study of these events. There is already a possible outcome for the study based on its present stage resulting that, according to either the responsible agents for the sector and the ones for the specific described events, sports events in Portugal have been increasing and that Portugal is being much demanded for this kind of events. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72354 Title: Enhancing customer service in commercial banks in India using the balanced scorecard technique Authors: Visalakshi, S.; Kasilingam, R. Abstract: In today’s competitive environment, customer satisfaction has become a cornerstone for gauging bank performance and profitability. The banking environment is becoming more and more competitive and banks are striving to bring about a competitive edge in their marketing efforts to surge ahead in competition. The customer has become an important source of business and profits for the banks. In order to remain competitive and profitable, banks are making efforts to increase their customer base by developing strong relationships with their customers and by offering efficient services. Business processes are important because they have a great impact on customer satisfaction. The study concludes that focusing on process improvements will help the bank to maintain a competitive edge in the market by satisfying the customer needs efficiently. Improvements in the quality of product, innovations in products and sound risk management and compliance procedures will add to the satisfaction levels of the customer. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z