Purpose: This research aims to present the main obstacles of the application and implementation of the IFRS during the transition period from Kosovo Accounting Standards (KAS) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Considering that the development of accounting in Kosovo, it has not been an easy transition as can be expected. Design/methodology/approach: We conducted a quantitative research through a customized questionnaire which was addressed to 130 certified accountants and auditors in Kosovo, regarding the challenges presented during this period, of which 77 have resulted in positive answers, but with 2 incomplete answers. Findings: Through this research we have managed to identify some of the main challenges faced by accountants and auditors during the transition period from KAS to IFRS and how many respondents agreed that the transition process is complicated. From the analysis of data and results we can conclude that the need for ongoing training and lack of knowledge and experience needed for accountants and auditors has increased the complexity of the IFRS application process. Originality/value: Findings from this study can be a contribution to the application of IFRS for developing countries as well as a contribution to the literature regarding the practical, legal challenges, continuing education regarding the transition phase and regarding the implementation and application ofIFRS.

The perceived ineffectiveness of applicable regulations at its best promotes susceptibility of statutory auditors to compromise independence. Unlike most of the existing studies, this study investigated auditor independence regulations in Nigeria with a view to appraising their effectiveness in promoting independence of audit practitioners. Survey research design was employed to enable collection of relevant data from relevant practitioners using structured questionnaire. Descriptive method, Relative Importance/Significance Index (RII) and Mean Index Score (MIS) were employed for ranking and assessment of auditor independence regulations according to their effectiveness using a five-point Likert. Results revealed that the most effective auditor independence regulation as perceived by the experts was restriction on advertising with Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean Index Score (MIS) of 0.82 and 4.08 respectively. Independent review by peers (RII = 0.68, MIS = 3.40) and rotation of audit partners (RII = 0.67, MIS = 3.37) were considered to be ineffective among others. Being the first known study on audit regulation effectiveness in the country, the study provided valuable insights for urgent intervention by relevant regulators to enforce compliance with applicable audit regulations in the interest of investors.

The purpose of the study to reveal how interest rates on loans offered to consumers by banks in Turkey are affected by macroeconomic factors. For this purpose, the personal loan interest rate is considered as the consumer loan interest rate, mortgage loan interest rate and vehicle loan interest rate. Macroeconomic factors, inflation, gold, exchange rate and money supply are included in the analysis. Three models have been established using monthly data for the period January 2009-June 2020. Firstly, cointegration test was applied to the models and it was determined that there is at least one cointegration relationship in each model. Long-term estimation results for the models are obtained by using the FMOLS method. In general, it was observed that the increase in the exchange rate tended to increase the bank loan interest rates, while the increase in the money supply lowered the bank loan interest rates. As a result of the causality analysis, bidirectional causality relationship from consumer loan interest rate to money supply and inflation, unidirectional causality from interest rate to gold price, unidirectional causality relationship from exchange rate to interest rate was determined. Unidirectional causality relationship from mortgage loan interest rate to money supply, unidirectional causality from exchange rate to interest rate was found. While it was determined that there is a bidirectional causality relationship between vehicle loan interest rate and money supply, gold price and inflation. It is expected that these results may guide banks and policymakers to determine interest rate policies.

This paper’s analysis was triggered by the outbreak of the new virus COVID-19. In December 2019, the Chinese officials alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) of the existence of an unknown deadly virus. Coronavirus has rapidly spread across the world - to Europe, Middle East and the USA, forcing the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic. Its spread has generated major concerns for the health and economic sectors. Meanwhile, all countries hope for the development of a vaccine. Using as a research method the EGARCH model, this paper investigates if it can be applied to model the trend of volatility of the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology markets, especially during the health crisis. More specifically, this paper tries to identify whether different specifications of univariate GARCH models can usefully anticipate volatility in the stock indices market. The study uses estimates from both a symmetric and an asymmetric GARCH models, namely GARCH (1, 1) and EGARCH models, for the Dow Jones Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology index (DJUSPN). The dataset is extracted from “Investing.com” and covers the period September 2019 - August 2020, resulting in a total of approximately 252 daily closing prices. The data focuses on the response of the highest capitalized pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from the US to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus. This study concludes that the EGARCH model is better than the unconditional volatility and the conditional GARCH (1, 1) volatility and it is best suited for modelling and forecasting the fluctuations of the stock indexes.

The effective utilization of natural ventilation in heritage buildings could save a significant rate of electrical energy, as the airflow pattern affects interior comfort conditions; achieving users’ thermal comfort counts as an added value. This study aims to promote an approach in the form of a design strategy for a developed optimal annual operating schedule for heritage buildings, targeting the best operating pattern/s for each month. The study was carried out for a typical heritage building in the central district of Alexandria city (a typical Mediterranean Basin city), Egypt, for improving energy efficiency while achieving users’ thermal comfort. The paper adopted a simulation methodology for conducting energy and thermal comfort analyses using DesignBuilder simulation software. The approach was applied to a south-oriented room of the selected residential heritage building, which is the most affected orientation in the temperate-humid (slightly warmer) climate. The developed operating patterns included closed and opened windows, controlled natural ventilation, and HVAC system for cooling and heating with different temperature setpoints. The results showed that using the developed optimal annual operating schedule can save up to 47% of the total cooling and heating electrical energy annually, while achiev- ing 365 thermally comfortable days a year, including 177 days when only natural ventilation operating patterns are used. The study revealed the importance of considering the optimal operating patterns schedule as an approach to improve the environmental performance of heritage buildings. Also, the optimal annual operating schedule resulted in an adjusted base-case that can be used for evaluating the retrofitting scenarios for south-oriented, energy-efficient heritage buildings in temperate-humid climate.

Biomass gasification represents an efficient process for the production of power, heat and biofuels. Different technologies are used for gasification and this article focuses on a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) system. Understanding the behaviour of particles is of primary importance and a cold flow CFB experimental unit was constructed and tested. The particle circulation rate is greatly affected by the loop seal performance, and therefore the loop seal should be properly optimized to maintain an uninterrupted operation. Smooth flow regimes were obtained for the CFB by varying the loop seal aeration rates. Particles with size 850–1000 µm and 1000–1180 µm were chosen for the experiments. The minimum flow rates of air into the riser for the two particle sizes were found to be 1.3 and 1.5 Sm3/ min, respectively. To obtain a smooth flow regime, a velocity range for aeration in the loop seal was found for the two particle sizes. Based on the experimental results, combinations of flow rates were suggested for the simulations. A Computational Particle Fluid Dynamic (CPFD) model was developed using Barracuda VR, and the model was validated against experimental results. The simulated results for the system regarding the pressure and the height of the bed material in the standpipe agreed well with the experimental results. The deviation between the experimental and computational pressure was less than 0.5% at all the locations for both the particle sizes. The deviation in particle level was about 6% for the 850–1000 µm particles and 17% for the 1000–1150 µm particles. Both the experiments and the simulations predicted that a small fraction of the circulating sands are emitted from the top of the rig. The validated CPFD model was further used to predict the flow behaviour and the particle circulation rate in the CFB.

This paper presents part of the results of a large-scale, long-term experimental research conducted at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Osijek. Among other research goals, this research aims at further development and improvement of a relatively new method used for the measurement of ther- mal transmittance of walls (U-value) in literature, often called temperature-based method (TBM). This research also partially overlaps with other researches carried out at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, where the main research goals were development of machine learning and neural network models for predicting energy consumption in buildings, which will reduce the energy performance gap between design and actual energy needs. Building thermal performance as a whole can be quantified by the heat loss coefficient (HLC) or the total heat loss (THL). Experimental research presented in this paper was conducted by using a built test chamber in a laboratory, and the research lasted for 40 days. This is an innovative element of this research, since the test chamber is built inside a laboratory where external weather conditions are simulated by omitting the negative influence of wind, precipitation, and solar radiation on the experimental results. The actual heating energy consumption by the test chamber was recorded daily for 40 days during the winter season, together with internal and external temperatures, relative humidity (RH), U-values of walls, and wind speed. Chamber airtightness was measured at the beginning of the experiment. These measurements made it possible to perform the Co-heating test. This test is used to calculate the total heat loss of a building, both fabric and ventilation loss. Parallel with the Co-heating test, the design heating energy need of the test chamber was determined by calculating the heat loss coefficient and the total heat loss. Actual and design values of heat loss coefficient and total heat loss were used to characterize the energy performance gap. Energy performance gap in this study was found to be between −40% and 13%. Research results indicate the variables affecting the actual and design values of heat losses significantly. Presented results provide guidance for more accurate determination of actual energy consumption in buildings, and therefore help in the reduction of the energy performance gap.

The article outlines new approaches to managing electrification that are driven by a radical transformation of scientific, technological, environmental, and economic conditions. These include spreading the use of electromechanical devices following the onset of a digital economy, the creation of highly efficient, small-scale power-generating units and lower cost of energy from renewable sources, wider economic collaboration between energy suppliers and consumers based on demand–response mechanisms, and stricter environmental regulations. The article defines the characteristics and trends of the new phase of electrification, assesses its contribution to economic growth and the environmental security of a region, and offers recommendations as to the optimization of the technological structure of the electric power industry in view of evolving requirements for greater reliability, environmental friendli- ness, and service support of power supply.

The authors bring out the principles of the provision of electricity to households in smart cities and identify the main areas of focus for increasing the economic efficiency of adopting innovative electrical technologies through a balance of national economic and business interests. A methodological toolkit has been designed for measuring the level of electrification in a region.

This paper assesses the performance of photovoltaic (PV) technologies integrated into buildings in the desert climate and the factors that affect energy yield. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) and standard mono-crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules were installed facing south, in the three more common tilt angles used in the Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) and Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) applications at the Dubai latitude (90°, 25°, and 0°). We monitored the energy production, the temperature of the PV modules, irradiance on each tilt angle, and the meteorological parameters for a full year. We then calculated the performance ratio for the six modules to evaluate the different factors, including temperature and soiling losses, following IEC 61724-1. The 25° modules, usual PV rooftop angle, had the highest and more consistent energy yield throughout the year. Conversely, the energy yield of the 90° modules, typical angle for facades, vertical shading devices, and guardrails, had the lowest yield and showed wide variations. This is expected as the 90° angle is more affected by the seasonal changes of the solar altitude. The soiling losses on these modules were lower than 1%. However, at 0°, the soiling loss was more evident, with an average reduction of 10.79%. The c-Si module at 25° generated the highest normalized energy yield of 402.02 kW h/m², which was 23.5% more than that of CdTe module with the same tilt angle.

The paper presents the results of a study in the field of a comprehensive economic assessment of the competitive advantages of cogeneration power sources in the context of economic imbalances.

In the course of the study, the theoretical and methodological aspects of the competitive development of energy cogeneration systems were studied. Thus, it is proved that for the methodological support of the process of constructing strategic tasks in energy-generating companies operating in energy cogeneration systems, it is necessary to develop specialized industry methodological tools for assessing business processes in the field of cogeneration. In addition, the revealed multilevel specif- ics of positioning cogeneration energy sources in the territorial energy market under the conditions of economic imbalances required creation of a special methodology to take into account the peculiarities of the development of energy cogeneration systems with the help of which it is possible to study the nature of the impact of economic imbalances that disrupt the normal course of the investment process in energy cogeneration systems.

Testing of the developed methodology showed that the relationship between the centralized and distributed energy cogeneration systems can be different depending on the market conditions and the state of the competitive environment. Thus, in addition to traditional steam turbine plants, in a centralized energy cogeneration system, priority should be given to cogeneration gas plants, as the most competitive in terms of efficiency and maneuverability, and in a distributed – to cogeneration gas turbine plants, mainly built on the basis of local boiler houses.

Despite the growing interest in the field of urban–industrial symbiosis as well as in sustainable energy solutions at the city level, a research gap is recognized in terms of analyzing the advantages of energy symbiosis networks between industrial and urban areas integrating renewable energy systems.

The urban–industrial symbiosis can support both urban transition toward sustainability and industrial green innovation through creating advantageous relationships in the framework of a common low-carbon strategy between industrial districts and neighboring urban areas. Urban–industrial symbiosis extends the concept of industrial symbiosis, a part of the industrial ecology field, to urban–industrial synergies. Taking advantage of the geographic proximity, it promotes the exchanges of waste, resources, and energy between urban and industrial areas, as well as the sharing of infrastructure.

Thus, the paper aims at presenting an in-depth analysis of the main urban–industrial symbiosis schemes based on low-carbon energy flows between industries and cities, investigating the energy syn- ergies potential. It introduces the concept and outline of sustainability-driven framework with the aim of modeling urban–industrial energy symbiosis networks integrating renewable energy sources from a multi-stakeholder point of view and supporting decision-making on the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the energy synergies.

Human influences on Earth’s natural systems are accelerating, with anthropogenic climate and global change posing existential risks for mankind. To overcome the policy implementation gap in practice both collective and transformative actions for sustainability involving science, policy and society are urgently needed. In the realms of science, this relates to taking inter-and transdisciplinary research approaches to foster exchange and codesigning policy options between researcher, decision-makers and other societal stakeholders; however, such collaboration is often limited by time, funding and complexity constrains. This paper recognises that particularly early career climate change and sustainability researchers are exposed to both the claim for and practical challenges of inter- and transdisciplinarity. For a first qualitative investigation of Austrian early career researchers’ preparedness for conducting participatory research with societal stakeholders, this study examines perspectives of twelve early career researchers participating in a young scientists’ workshop. Using a prepost survey and analysing data by content, our findings indicate that workshop participants have to manage stakeholder processes directly after graduation and, due to a lack of methodological training, only use a small fraction of existing social science methods and participatory settings for stakeholder collaboration. To support other early career researchers and future students in Austria in developing strong interand transdisciplinary research skills, we highlight the added-value of integrating hands-on workshops with societal stakeholders, regular exchange of lessons learned and transdisciplinary lectures into university education. Offering more practice-oriented transdisciplinary learning activities during undergraduate education, like excursions and miniprojects in which students can develop and train participatory methods together with stakeholders under guidance, is believed to be a fruitful strategy in this context.

Since the introduction of the International Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) directive and of the Best Available Techniques Reference (BREF) documents, the best available techniques (BATs) have become a reference both for policies and for companies to compare performance and to identify investment opportunities. Due to the environmental core of the IPPC and the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), energy efficiency (EE) BATs are not always detailed and often lack energy-performance indicators. The H2020 EU-MERCI project is aimed at fostering and facilitating the implementation of EE projects in the manufacturing industry sectors by selecting and disseminating technological and policy best practices. A set of EE ‘Good Practices’ (GPs) was developed considering both BREF indications and literature analysis, and as innovative approach the outcomes of EE obligation and support mea- sures aimed at the industrial sector. This was implemented through an in-depth analysis of the existing schemes in four countries (Austria, Italy, Poland and UK) and a thorough activity to normalise and compare the data made available by the different schemes. The outcome is available through the European Industrial Energy Efficiency good Practices platform implemented by EU-MERCI Partners. On the platform, a database of EE projects implemented in industry under the existing schemes is available. The database is searchable by country, sector, supporting scheme, implementation year and company size. The complete list is also downloadable as Excel file. Besides, a library divided by sectors is available, in which it is possible to look for the available GPs (both BATs and projects implemented under the national schemes) for each phase of the manufacturing processes. Sectoral and national analyses are finally available. This article will illustrate the methodology used for the project and the main outcomes.

NPP Goesgen developed a full-scope probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) model, allowing for an estimate of the risk of offsite consequences. The model considers all operational modes of the plant, power operation, low power operation and shutdown conditions and all risk-relevant initiating events that may lead to a plant accident. The model allows computing different risk metrics starting from core damage frequency, frequency of a large offsite release to detailed plant damage states, activity release categories as well as the risk of offsite consequences expressed in radiological health effects. The risk model is programmed in the software system RISKMAN™ in the format of a set of linked event trees with associated fault trees. Analysis tools for the estimation of accident progression and offsite conse- quences support the model. A plant-specific simulator for severe accidents is in use, which is based on the MELCOR code. Off-site consequences in terms of dose levels are calculated using the MACCS 2.0 code. The full power models are used to support emergency planning by providing information on the possible consequences of hypothetical accidents in dependence on weather conditions. In cooperation with the responsible governmental agencies, this allows to support evacuation actions in case of severe accidents. Simple cartographic aids are available for emergency planning accounting for a possible loss of offsite power during an emergency, preventing the use of computational tools.

The paper presents the methodology and key insights of the risk assessment of offsite consequences for NPP Goesgen and demonstrates the use of the results in emergency planning.

In order to utilise energy-rich solid waste, its liquid conversion into valuable hydrocarbon (HC) chains is one of the ways followed worldwide to decrease the oil processing and waste landfilling at the same time. The unique fixed bed updraft gasification reactor with an oscillating circular grate, situated in VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, can generate up to 90 m3·h−1 of CO and H2-rich synthetic gas. Such valuable mixture is suitable for the gas to liquid conversion in Fischer– Tropsch Micro Catalyst Bed (F-T MCB) unit, where more complex substances of higher temperature and pressure form in the environment. This article focuses on solid-recovered fuel (SRF) gained as a mixture of industrial and communal waste sources. Gasification of such material in the fixed bed reactor can produce approximately 600 and 250 m3 of CO and H2, respectively, per ton of SRF in the abided gasification conditions. The gas, retrieved from the process, undergoes a thermochemical reaction on the surface of a catalyst within the reactor of the Fischer–Tropsch unit. As a result, a highly valued HC liquid is achieved from the suitable, non-recyclable waste treatment. Cobalt and iron catalysts in their plain form, as well as the catalysts enriched with Mn/K enhancers are put in comparison in this study. The quality and quantity of the synthesis product are examined and the technological aspects of both units are described. The amount of HC synthesis product ranges from 18 to 45 kg per ton of fuel. The composition tends to form HC chains in favour of groups of alcohols and alkanes.

Aim of the Study: In wars, epidemics and similar disasters, with the concern of meeting domestic needs, the first thing that comes to mind is usually to improve the import as much as possible by restricting exports. This kind of behavioral models of countries means getting away from the general atmosphere of Globalization and entering the atmosphere of Nationalization. In this study, we will evaluate how Nationalization can be instead of Globalization, what should be understood from nationalization by the "National Economy" approach and application of Hjalmar Schacht, which can be accepted as a good nationalization practice. In the light of all this information, the effect of nationalization on financial statements will be studied.

Methodology of the Study: After the relationship and differences between globalization and nationalization are put forward in a theoretical dimension, the case of Hjalmar Schacht, which presents a concrete practical application of the phenomenon of “nationhood”, which is the basis of nationalization, will be analyzed.

Findings of the Study: Based on the fact that globalization and nationalization have some specific advantages and disadvantages, it is theoretically has been revealed that nationalization has a strong fan population when undesirable situations occur, the globalization advocates sound stronger in the good and problem-free periods, and the globalization- nationalization duality has effects and important changes on the financial structure.

Importance of the Study: This is a multi-titled study that deals with a wide range of diverse and multifaceted issues, such as the concepts of globalization and nationalization, national economy for nationalization, handling of Hjalmar Schaht’s national economy application in particular to national economy and the impact of bad and troubled periods (wars, epidemics etc.), which are the trigger of localization, on the financial structure, and evaluated together by establishing a relation between them.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Independence, Integrity, and Professionalism on the Performance of Government External Auditors.

Design/methodology/approach: The hypothesis was Independence, Integrity, and Professionalism had positive effect on the Performance of Government External Auditors. The total respondents were 182 auditors in the audit board of Indonesia from the Southern Sumatra region with different roles. Data collection method used questionnaires that were distributed to the auditors. Data analysis technique was multiple linear regression analysis. Correlation and determination coefficient and also partial test (t-test) tested the hypotheses.

Finding: The result of the study showed that the basic values of BPK consisting of independence, integrity and professionalism had positive and significant effect on the Performance of Government External Auditors.

Originality/value: This study contributed to the public sector auditing research by increasing our knowledge and understanding on the factors that influenced auditor performance.

Sumba Island has been dubbed as the Iconic Island of renewable energy (RE). However, the realisation of such title has yet to go smoothly and optimally, and it has been faced with manifold hurdles, espe- cially those in relation to the programme continuity; even the electrification rate realised fell short of the rate target. This research aimed to analyse the RE with the highest potential that could be developed to strengthen the energy security of the Sumba Timur–Sumba Island zone. This research employed a hard system approach, namely, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Primary data were collected from fill- ing out expert-justified questionnaire. The experts were selected on purpose based on the criteria that they should have full understanding of the conditions and potential of renewable energy sources in Sumba Timur, be sufficiently experienced and be professional. The TOPSIS method was employed for the purpose of determining which RE source has the most potential according to the renewable energy security index. This study involved 30 experts and practitioners, comprising 11 government officials (G), eight businessmen (B), five academics/researchers (A), four community members (C) and two finance agency employees. The results showed that solar energy is the most promising and pos- sible energy source to be developed in East Sumba in the context of strengthening renewable natural resource–based energy source, while other potential alternative energy sources are hydro energy and wind energy.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of government complexity, weaknesses in the internal control system, and non-compliance with the law on the disclosure of local government financial statements (LKPD) based on Government Regulation No. 71 of 2010. Design/methodology/approach: The secondary data type is panel data with 32 provinces cross-section and time series for 5 years (2012-2016) so that the number of panel data observations is 160 observations. The analytical tool used is panel data regression with the fixed-effect method. Findings: The results of the study show that the complexity of governance has a significant positive influence on the disclosure of local government financial statements, the weakness of the internal control system does not influence the disclosure of local government financial statements and non-compliance with the law has a significant negative influence on the disclosure of local government financial statements. Originality/value: This study contributes to the public sector accounting research by increasing our knowledge and understanding on the disclosure of local government financial statements.

Purpose: Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co-operatives facilitates financial intermediation, inclusion and deepening. In spite of this, 30 percent do not operate with prudent credit management practices attributed to unremitted deductions by employer institutions or borrowers’ default and unskilled employees. This makes them prone to de-licensing for being financially vulnerable thus, putting members’ funds at risk. This is still a puzzle even with the investment by the government on an oversight authority that can ensure they are compliant to the regulations so as to maintain financial sustainability. This study was conducted to establish the moderating effect of SACCO size on credit management practice and financial sustainability. The information asymmetry theory was adopted where the study population was the Kenya Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co- operatives.

Design and Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a positivism philosophical paradigm where the sample size was 119 respondents out of which 95 percent responded. Emailed questionnaire and data collection sheet were used in data collection.

Findings: A binary logistic regression was carried out where it was established that with presence of a moderator for the independent sub-variables, the strength of relationship between variables didn’t change (Nagelkerke R2 = 20.1 percent) but with introduction of interaction term, the strength of relationship between variables changed (Nagelkerke R2 = 27.2 percent). However, the relationship strength between variables didn’t change with presence of a moderator for the independent variable (Nagelkerke R2 = 19.9 percent).

Conclusion and recommendation: This study thus, concluded that SACCO size had a significant moderating effect on the independent sub-variables but the overall independent variable did not show any significance. This study recommended that SACCO size should only be considered while addressing credit risk mitigation and staff competence of DT-SACCOs in an effort to improve their financial sustainability.

Çalışmanın Amacı: Bu araştırmanın amacı, küresel ölçekte gelişimi ivme kazanan ve bir spor dalı olarak yaygınlaşan e-Sporun önemi üzerinde durarak, son yıllarda ortaya koyduğu ekonomik sonuçları ve gelişimi sayısal veriler ile somutlaştırmaktır. Araştırma Yöntemi: Bu araştırma nitel araştırma yöntemleri kapsamında yer alan doküman analizi yöntemi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın Önemi: Mevcut literatür incelendiğinde, e-Sporun gelişimsel çerçevesinin çizilmeye çalışıldığı ve ekonomik verilerin de bu çalışmalar kapsamında sunulduğu söylenebilir. Salt ekonomik ve ticari çıktılarına ilişkin bilimsel çalışmaların yok denecek kadar az olması bu araştırmanın temel esin kaynağı olmuştur. Bulgular ve Değerlendirme: e-Sporun günümüzde 1.1 milyar dolarlık hacmi ile devasa bir ekonomiye dönüştüğü bir gerçektir. Özellikle küresel ölçekte oyuncu, takım ve ülke gelirleri sürekli artarken; başta teknoloji firmaları olmak üzere birçok firma ve şirket sponsorluk faaliyetleri ile bu endüstrinin içinde yer almaya çalışmaktadır. Ayrıca e-Spor sektörün yayıncılık ve çevrimiçi içerik yayınlarının hızla arttığı da gözle görülebilmektedir. Uluslararası turnuva ve organizasyonlar düzenlenmekte ve milyonlarca dolar ödül dağıtılmaktadır. Dünyanın dijital alt yapısının her geçen gelişmesiyle birlikte e-Spor üretici ve katılımcıları arasında da rekabet giderek şiddetlenmektedir.

This article presents the results of studies that the authors conducted proceeding from a hypothesis that an increase of crises phenomena in the global economy, uncertainty, and higher risk along with the growing use of digital smart technology apply radically new requirements on knowledge-intensive services in the energy sector. The sector of management consulting and engineering services, which constitute the backbone of knowledge-intensive services, is faced with a new role of providing a mix of services addressing the tasks of devising anticipatory actions amid uncertainty and crisis based on forecasting. Analysis of changes in business models and the content of services indicate their strong capacity for smart logistics of complex projects, knowledge transfer in cooperation with universities and innovation institutions, managing the development of flexible technological and product solutions, and competency development in network teams. This article offers a detailed elaboration of an up-to-date conceptual framework of engineering and management consulting; provides an overview of global trends; and presents a case study of collaboration problems that emerge in cross-disciplinary teams working on smart grid projects and projects of energy supply in cities based on smart grid technology. A model of proactive management and anticipatory personnel training in energy companies is proposed. This article describes the skillset needed for implementing a concept of integrated knowledge-intensive services for technological modernization and digitalization of the energy sector.

In the last decades, the amount of municipal sewage sludge generation rate has drastically increased due to population growth, spatial sewerage system development, and implementation of new treatment techniques. Nowadays, it is considered a globally prominent issue. Municipal sewage sludge contains pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with heavy metals, poorly biodegradable organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, which make its utilization management quite difficult. Landfill placement of sewage sludge is the most widely used technique worldwide, but is obsolete and inefficient, and accompanied by significant risk of environmental pollution with high logistics expenditure. Moreover, landfill placement means that all residual energy and potential material reuse applications are lost. The introduction of modern treatment techniques can solve the problem with sewage sludge generation, but it results in strong energy consumption increase of energy consumption. Moderniza- tion and operational policies based on circular economy principles are focused on relevant sewage sludge utilization issues with the potential use of waste-to-energy and recycling applications. The paper presents a methodological approach of cradle-to-grave assessment of sewage sludge treatment process based on energy and material flow analysis. The proposed methodology is studied within the real operational activities of big-scale wastewater treatment plants of two of the largest cities of Russia – Ekaterinburg and Perm. This investigation provides an efficient managerial tool for sustainable development that can be used by wide range of stakeholders.

The efficiency of a gasification process is directly related to the rate of biomass conversion into product gas. The rate of fuel conversion depends on the interaction of fuel with the bed material, the gasifying agent, and the residence time of fuel particles. The interactions and the residence time depend on the fuel feeding positions along the height of the reactor. Thus, the fuel feeding position in a gasification reactor is an important parameter that influences the efficiency of the gasification process; longer residence time of the fuel particles in the bed enables efficient carbon conversion and less tar formation. In this work, in-bed and on-bed feed positions of the fuel particles have been investigated using a computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) model. The model is developed and validated against experimental data obtained from a bubbling fluidized bed gasification reactor. Experiments were carried out in a 20 kW pilot scale bubbling fluidized bed gasification reactor. Wood pellets of 3–30 mm length and 5 mm diameter are fed into the reactor at a mass flow rate of 2.4 kg/h. The molar flow rate of the producer gas, which typically consists of CH₄, CO, CO₂, and H₂ for both the in-bed and on-bed cases, is calculated by the CPFD model. The results show that CO and CH4 concentrations increase in the product gas when the biomass is fed at the location near to the bottom of the bed, while CO₂ and H₂ increase in the case of on-bed feed. The fuel particles segregate, followed by partial combustion of the smaller fuel particles on the bed surface in the case of on-bed feed. The total mass of the bed including unreacted char is higher for on-bed feed, indicating that the char is consumed slowly. The CPFD model can predict the product gas compositions, the fuel conversion, changes in the bed hydrodynamics, and the product gas yield at different feeding positions of the fuel particles. Thus, the model can be useful for design purposes.

Objective of the Study: It is aimed in this study to develop a model of cryptocurrency which is applicable in Turkey and suitable for Islamic monetary and financial system, by presenting the condition of cryptocurrency, which has reached a significant size in the world of finance, in the system of Islamic finance. Methodology of the Study: In this study, first of all, the course of money from its invention and first use to the present time has been revealed, and the cases that have emerged in this course since the earliest days of humanity and the Islamic world, and their reactions as well as solutions to these cases have been examined. In the light of these findings, an appropriate model has been tried to be developed. Findings of the Study: With a close review of literature, it has been observed that while there are limited number of studies on cryptocurrencies, and that number is limited when it comes to the studies on Islamic cryptocurrency. It has also been seen that studies on Islamic cryptocurrency are still not ground, discussions on the system still continue, a model that is not agreed upon has not, yet, been put forth, and therefore there is a need to conduct more studies on it. Significance of the Study: In the study, a practicable cryptocurrency modelthatissuitableforIslamicmoneyandfinancialsystemhasbeen proposed. The most important advantage of this model, which contains different elements from those stated in studies available in the literature and which is thought to meet the monetary criteria of Islam, is that it is possible to apply it immediately and that it offers a proposal that enables it to be included in this developing monetary system of the Islamicworld.

Objective: The objective of this study is to theoretically review the existing theoretical and empirical literature on dividend policy to understand the status and applicability of the theory in different economies and to discover any potential knowledge gaps for further research.

Study Design and Methodology: This is a descriptive analysis of existing theoretical literature and its application in different economies. The study used a sample of empirical studies to gather empirical evidence.

Findings: Dividend policy has a significant role in the firm decision-making process, a uniform dividend policy for all firms may not be feasible because of the differences in firms’ ownership, investor’s preference and firm characteristics, firms maintain a consistent dividend policy to avoid giving wrong signals to investors. The study also confirms inconsistency in the application of existing dividend theory with empirical evidence in different markets. We find that the ownership structure of a firm has greater influence in the firm decision-making process and recommend future studies should explore the extent to which ownership structure influences dividend policy and firm value.

Significance of the study: This study provides a framework for evaluating dividend policy practices between developed and developing countries, evaluate the relevance and applicability of dividend theory within the context of developing economies and identify the best dividend policy practices. The study will form part of the body of knowledge in the finance literature that will enable scholars to appreciate the critical issues involved in dividend policy decisions and provide a base for identifying knowledge gaps for further research.

Purpose: The major objective of the study is to identify the relationship between financial statement disclosure and shareholder attitude change relating to the investors who have invested in the companies which are registered under the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Primary data was collected from 110 investors who invested in Colombo Stock Exchange. The questionnaire was designed to examine the shareholders’ attitude change towards financial statement disclosure by considering their awareness and perception on quality of information disclose in Financial statements. Shareholder’s attitude change is considered as the dependent variable with four indicators; Information Provision, Feedback and Consultation and Communication and Improvement. Financial Statement Disclosure is the independent variable and independent variable explained by four indicators namely, Income Statement Disclosure, Balance Sheet Disclosure, Cash Flow Statement Disclosure and Notes.

Findings: The result exposed the fact that income statement disclosure and the cashflow statement disclosure significantly changed the shareholder’s attitude.

Practical Implications: The article offers insights to perception and attitude of shareholders to identify the shareholders’ attitude change on financial statement disclosure indicate how shareholders react to financial statement disclosure and disclosure quality of reporting.

Originality/Value: The article presents significant evidence in terms of its scrupulous approach towards checking the toughness of results.

The preparedness for outbreaks of pandemics such as the COVID-19 is a major concern for health authorities and leaders as extensive studies in the past have been reported and well documented. However, engaging with the response to an outbreak demands many decisions with enormous implications on a population and its regions. A review of past response mechanisms sheds light on different scenarios to provide an understanding of the challenges that will emerge, depicting trends, changes to GDP and the impact on the economy and employment. With this article we aim to identify and bring to light the challenges faced by Malta during the pandemic we are currently facing - COVID. This will help risk managers and leaders understand the devastating social and economic impact of such disruptions and act proactively to avoid repetition and embarrassments of being unprepared. Moreover we aim to provide an understanding of the expected cascading economic domino effects, which may result from the workforce unavailability, during a pandemic and the mistakes in estimation, if any, that could have been avoided. A desk research study technique was adopted whereby data was collected from existing sources, including government websites, online statistics, published reports, trends and internal data to the local Maltese markets. The COVID-19 phenomena led to new measures being taken worldwide as professionals, leaders, academics and businesses took unpredecented steps to change their business as usual strategies. This in turn brought about various questions and discussions on how islands like Malta controlled their situation.