Economics 21

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  COMMITMENT AS A CONSTRAINT TO THE PURSUIT OF SELF-INTEREST

  By applying the behavioural economics approach and the findings of the empirical survey we conducted, this paper analyses constraints on the pursuit of self-interest. The objective is to transfer scientific insights about the impact which general rules of morality have on human activities; to establish what moral standards govern the community we ... By applying the behavioural economics approach and the findings of the empirical survey we conducted, this paper analyses constraints on the pursuit of self-interest. The objective is to transfer scientific insights about the impact which general rules of morality have on human activities; to establish what moral standards govern the community we researched and to provide new empirical evidence about the influence which the sense of duty has on human behaviour. Our research supports the thesis that people are governed by their sense of duty; they care about the well-being of other people and act responsibly and responsively, whether or not they benefit as individuals and groups; they also seek to treat others reciprocally and evaluate market phenomena from the perspective of their moral feelings. Unlike the Homo Economicus, real people are more moral, good-natured and attractive when treated in compliance with established moral standards and more immoral, evil and repulsive when treated contrary to them.

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  BULGARIA’S TRADE RELATIONS WITH ITS MAIN PARTNERS IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA – TRENDS AND PROSPECTS

  This article aims at presenting the prospects for trade between Bulgaria and Sub-Saharan Africa by analysing the geographical structure of international trade relations with the region. To achieve this firstly it presents Bulgarian trade with Sub-Saharan countries summarizing the trade flow dynamics for the 2003-2015 period, the share of ... This article aims at presenting the prospects for trade between Bulgaria and Sub-Saharan Africa by analysing the geographical structure of international trade relations with the region. To achieve this firstly it presents Bulgarian trade with Sub-Saharan countries summarizing the trade flow dynamics for the 2003-2015 period, the share of Sub-Saharan Africa in Bulgarian international trade, as well as the commodity structure of the trade flows. The main section of the article thoroughly discusses firstly the major trade products for the leading trade partners, then the dynamics of trade with these countries and finally it analyses the significant cases of trade fluctuations. The conclusion summarizes the main findings which show the increasing importance of Sub-Saharan Africa for Bulgaria’s international trade relations.

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  THE SUSTAINABILITY OF MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES IN BULGARIAN AGRICULTURE – LEVEL, FACTORS AND PROSPECTS

  This paper assesses the sustainability of the farms in our country by applying the holistic approach. We first introduce the methods employed in our research and provide a general description of the farms included in it. Then we assess the integral, managerial, economic, social and environmental sustainability of farms in general as well as that ... This paper assesses the sustainability of the farms in our country by applying the holistic approach. We first introduce the methods employed in our research and provide a general description of the farms included in it. Then we assess the integral, managerial, economic, social and environmental sustainability of farms in general as well as that of the different types of farms according to their size, specialization of production, environmental position and geographical location. Finally, we assess the factors for improving the sustainability of farms and present our conclusions about doing further research work and improving the assessment practice in the sec