https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/97976 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:13:53 GMT 2026-04-07T14:13:53Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/99781 Title: European integration and the regulation of international banking : selected national comparisons Abstract: This chapter examines the international regulation of banking from the perspective of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. One objective is to explore the methods employed by the authorities of the Grand-Duchy to promote the interests of its financial centre and the use it made of its membership in the Community and the Bas le Supervisors' Committee in the pursuit of that purpose. More specifically this case-study seeks to provide an account of the policies adopted by the Luxembourg authorities as a response to the EC Commission's proposals for the creation of the single market in banking and analyzes the part played by the various actors in the formulation of the Grand-Duchy's banking policies. Another objective is to evaluate whether the two international banking regimes had an important impact on the type of banking regulation adopted by the Grand-Duchy and on the policy-making process of Luxembourg. Additionally, this chapter tries to identify the issues, if any, on which the international regimes' rules conflicted with the perception of self-interest held by the authorities and the other actors of Grand-Duchy's financial centre and to find out how the Luxembourg authorities reacted in such situations. Luxembourg was chosen as the subject of this case study for two main reasons. The Grand-Duchy has in the last few decades became the second most important financial centre within the Community both with regard to the number of foreign banks registered there and also the amount of international financial activity transacted. [...] Description: D.Phil. Fri, 01 Jan 1993 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/99781 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98634 Title: The retired worker, the state and EU social policies Abstract: The main objective of a pension policy is to ensure that at the time of retirement, workers would still receive an adequate income (though not necessarily solely from the state). Pension schemes tend to vary considerably according to country, social class, sex, region and age. An inadequate pension could lead to social exclusion; this is particularly. prevalent among two groups of workers within the EU member states - female and cross-frontier workers. Chapter 1 exposes the problem of ageing in Europe and the lack of a coherent European social provision which could make older workers more vulnerable to social exclusion on retirement. It describes the four welfare regimes prevailing within the EU Member States and questions what provisions are there to ensure that every worker of the EU is able, at the time of retirement, to enjoy resources affording him or her a decent standard of living. Chapter 2 and 3 analyse the impact of EU social policies applied to concrete situations. Chapter 2 discusses gender discrimination, which should have been prohibited by Article 119/EEC and its related directives, and its relevance for pensions. Chapter 3 examines the economics of pension provision for EU cross-frontier workers on retirement and exposes obstacles to freedom of movement of persons and services within the EU. The last chapter, the conclusions, looks at some proposals for reform and their feasibility. Description: M.A. Sat, 01 Jan 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98634 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98411 Title: Success factors in investment promotion strategy : a comparative study for the electronics and IT sectors in Ireland and Malta Abstract: This document is essentially a comparative study between the Republic of Ireland and Malta in order to identify the critical success factors in investment promotion strategies, focusing mostly on the electronics and IT sectors. The main objective of this research is to establish the determinants of the relative success and failure of countries in attracting FDI projects, thereby providing a framework within which policy towards investment promotion in the electronics and IT sectors can be formulated. In this regard, a survey was carried out in both countries so as to be able to compare the performance of investment in the specific sectors of electronics and IT in both countries. From the analysis carried out, it resulted that success factors in investment promotion strategies pertain to the maintenance of a competitive cost base, the achievement of high levels of productivity, the development of an excellent information and communications infrastructure, the development of an excellent transport access, the development of sub-supply infrastructure, investment in education and training, the development of adequate business support programmes, the maintenance of an attractive business package as well as the development of an all integrated business approach. From the study, it resulted that success factors do not solely pertain to a given set of locational advantages faced by a country, but to the enhancement and management of these advantages over time. Only such a process can ensure the sustainability of a competitive edge. Description: M.A. Wed, 01 Jan 1997 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98411 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98090 Title: European year of intercultural dialogue 2008 : together in cross-cultural learning diversity on a small Mediterranean island : Malta case study Abstract: People identify themselves directly or indirectly on the basis of culture which clearly defines who we are and who we are not. However, culture is not of high importance only for individuals, but also deeply rooted in relations with other people in the domestic or global environment. Culture is of high importance also within international organizations, where it helps with intercultural understanding with the main aim - to achieve common goals and to prevent new conflicts from happening. The European Union consists of many nations and ethnic minorities, which have been divided with artificially defined borders in the times of both world wars preventing cultures from mixing. Based on a cultural diversity the European Union initiated the year 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) in order to bring nations closer together and foster inter-cultural learning and communication between individuals of various culture backgrounds to build common values. The study attempts to present not only theoretical discussion but dialogue happening in reality on the small island of the Mediterranean. Malta's national projects FIVE and Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue Night have contributed to the present study as examples of creative practises that illustrated intercultural dialogue as extremely positive, enriching and inevitable process that is needed to build bridges between the members of any existing cultures in the world. Description: M.A. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98090 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z