Eastern Journal of European Studies

Differential investment in an AI-based technology and economic growth: a tale of two regions 

 Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Hamid Beladi

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we analyze a dynamic model in which two stylized regions, A  and B,  use an artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology α(t)  to produce a knowledge good Qt. Even though the initial value of the AI-based technology α(0)  is identical in both regions, region A  saves and hence invests more than region B  to make the existing AI-based technology more powerful. We show that this differential investment means that the ratio of the output of the knowledge good in region A  to region B  or QAQB  is continually rising. In other words, without targeted policy, region A  will become a "leading region" that experiences economic growth and innovation ahead of region B  which will become a "lagging region" that innovates less and hence tends to grow more slowly.

KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence, dynamics, economic growth, region, technology,

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Batabyal, A. A., & Beladi, H. (2025). Differential investment in an AI-based technology and economic growth: a tale of two regions. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0101

Growth without development: institutional barriers to convergence in EU candidate states  

 Dzenita Siljak,  Kristian L. Nielsen

ABSTRACT: This research analyzes the effect of institutions on economic growth in eight EU candidate transition countries, combining quantitative (β-convergence models) and qualitative (integration maturity framework) methodologies. Drawing on three sets of theories - convergence, institutional economics, and integration maturity - we analyze whether the transition countries have experienced growth without development. The research question is: Why have they lagged on their path towards EU membership? To answer this, we test the research hypothesis that institutions have not had a sufficient impact on the convergence of transition countries towards the EU. The analyzed period is 2004-2022. Countries with efficient institutions tend to experience faster economic growth. This research shows that inefficient institutions are a reason why transition countries have not seized their 'advantage of backwardness'. 

KEYWORDS: European integration, transition, convergence, integration maturity, institutions,

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Šiljak, D., & Nielsen, K. L. (2025). Growth without development: institutional barriers to convergence in EU candidate states. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 13-36. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0102

Mapping the scholarly landscape of lifestyle migration in tourism: bibliometric patterns of trend, themes and future directions

 Maja Niksić Radić,  Daniel Dragičević

ABSTRACT:  This study analyses the evolution and intellectual structure of lifestyle migration research in tourism through bibliometric analysis. Despite its growing relevance, no systematic review has mapped the intersection of these fields. To address this gap, we have examined 145 publications indexed in the Web of Science (1990-2023) using VOSviewer. The findings identify key contributors, thematic clusters, and emerging research directions. The analysis reveals four dominant themes: migration and socio-economic impacts, tourism-driven mobility, transnational lifestyle patterns, and second-home tourism. Research output has grown significantly since 2010, with Spain and the USA leading contributions. The study highlights an increasing focus on digital nomadism, tourism gentrification, and sustainability. Future research should explore lifestyle migration's socio-economic effects, digital infrastructure's role, and policies that balance migration-driven tourism with sustainability. By providing the first structured bibliometric synthesis, this study offers theoretical insights and practical implications for policymakers and tourism practitioners.

KEYWORDS: lifestyle migration, tourism, bibliometric analysis, VOSViewer,

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Radić, M. N., & Dragičević, D. (2025). Mapping the scholarly landscape of lifestyle migration in tourism: bibliometric patterns of trend, themes and future directions. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 37-69. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0103

The role of culture in shaping tourism demand: evidence from panel data analysis of European living labs 

 Davorka Mikulić,  Blanka Skrabić Perić,  Zvonimir Kulis

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to examine the role of culture in driving tourism demand across 35 local units within six European living labs. While prior research often relies on UNESCO World Heritage Sites as the sole proxy for culture, this study broadens the scope to include nationally protected sites, intangible cultural heritage, cultural infrastructure, cultural enterprises, and three cultural governance indices: policy support, institutional presence, and strategic planning. Based on dynamic panel data from 2007 to 2019, the findings reveal that cultural resources and the number of cultural enterprises have a positive effect on tourism demand, while cultural infrastructure produces mixed results. Stimulating culture through cultural businesses and government expenditure also supports tourism demand. Furthermore, all three cultural governance indices demonstrate positive and significant impacts. The results of our research indicate that successful cultural tourism development relies not only on cultural assets but also on their effective governance and management. In this context, the living lab model serves as a valuable collaborative platform for developing integrated, sustainable, and inclusive cultural tourism strategies in small-scale EU regions.

KEYWORDS: cultural tourism, cultural indicators, tourism demand, panel data analysis, European living labs ,

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Mikulić, D., Perić, B. Š., & Kuliš, Z. (2025). The role of culture in shaping tourism demand: evidence from panel data analysis of European living labs. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 70-97. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0104

Dynamic connectedness analysis between crude oil price changes and Polish stock market sectors  

 Viorica Chirilă,  Alina Cristina Nuta

ABSTRACT: The price of oil has registered important fluctuations over time. The crisis caused by the emergence of the COVID-19 virus caused a significant drop in the price of oil. Therefore, this article presents the research results of the spillovers of oil price changes in the sectors of stocks traded on the Polish stock market. Rolling window-based Quantile VAR (QVAR) is used, based on which the spillover indices proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz are calculated. The reference period for the daily oil prices and sector indices used is March 10, 2011 - September 9, 2022. The sectors considered are energy, oil and gas, banks, developers, chemicals, construction, basic materials, IT, media, and food. The methodology allowed obtaining results confirming a more important spillover in the right and left quantiles of the conditional distributions than in the mean and median. This situation confirms a significant spillover from oil price changes to the equity sectors traded in extreme market conditions. It was also identified that connectedness in the right tail is higher than in the left, though only for the stock market's energy and oil and gas sectors. The results highlight the importance of diversified portfolios based on sector-specific responses to oil price fluctuations and different market conditions.

KEYWORDS: stock market, sectors, spillovers, QVAR,

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Chirilă, V., & Nuta, A. C. (2025). Dynamic connectedness analysis between crude oil price changes and Polish stock market sectors. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 98-127. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0105

Does a "super-presidential republic" exist?
The phenomenon of super-presidency experienced by post-communist countries of Eastern Europe and Asia     

 

 Roman Martyniuk,  Oleksii Datsiuk,  Mykola Romanov,  Yurii Irkha

ABSTRACT: The aim of the work is to prove the scientific fallacy of the notion of a "super-presidential republic" as a form of government. In countries where the power of the president does not meet the necessary opposition from civil society and other state authorities, that power is transformed into the phenomenon of super-presidency. The desire to understand the essence of this phenomenon has led to the emergence in the professional community, primarily among political scientists of the post-communist countries of Eastern Europe and Asia, of the terms "super-presidential regime" and "super-presidential republic" or "super-presidentialism". The use of the latter two terms reflects an attempt by a certain circle of scientists to explain the phenomenon of super-presidency as a form of government. Here lies a serious methodological error, since a "super-presidential republic" is not a form of government. If democratic political institutions are weak and civil society is underdeveloped, any republic in which the constitutional status of the president ensures his dominant influence over the executive branch can become "super-presidential".

KEYWORDS: form of government, political regime, super-presidential republic, super-presidentialism, super-presidency , 

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Martyniuk, R., Datsiuk, O., Romanov, M., & Irkha, Y. (2025). Does a 'super-presidential republic' exist? The phenomenon of super-presidency experienced by post-communist countries of Eastern Europe and Asia. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 128-149. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0106

Geopolitical competition or a conflict of values?
A comparison between the US, EU and Russian strategic narratives on the Ukraine war (2022-2023) 

 Valentin Stoian

ABSTRACT: The beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 reignited the study of strategic narratives employed by the main actors involved in the conflict. This article focuses on a three-way comparison between the strategic narratives employed to justify action in Ukraine by the European Union, the United States and the Russian Federation. It argues that, consistent with previous findings, the US and EU conceptualize the conflict as one between systems of government and values while Russia describes it as a geopolitical competition for power, disguised as a conflict of values. While the former focus on liberal values and the rules-based order, the latter emphasizes state sovereignty and multipolarity as the correct situation to be maintained. While expected, an increase of the value-based narratives in Russian discourse was not identified. However, when adopting value-based narratives, Russia focused on the traditional family and maintaining natural hierarchies.

Keywords: strategic narratives, geopolitics, democracy, rules-based order,

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Stoian, V. (2025). Geopolitical competition or a conflict of values? A comparison between the US, EU and Russian strategic narratives on the Ukraine war (2022-2023). Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 150-172. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0107

The policy planning system in Georgia: design and implementation challenges 

 Bacho Bitari Khuroshvili

ABSTRACT: Policy planning plays an essential role in public policy and administration, from academia to its practical application. This article examines the policy planning system in Georgia, focusing on its design and implementation. Two research questions guide this inquiry: (1) How is the policy planning system design formulated in Georgia, and how compatible is it with the OECD/Sigma standards? (2) How is the policy planning system implemented, and what explains the gaps between design and implementation? Methods such as in-depth interviews, document analyses, and expert surveys, along with the frameworks of comprehensive rationalism and incrementalism, illustrate the linkages between design and implementation. The research indicates that Georgia's policy planning system demonstrates partial compliance with SIGMA/OECD principles at 45.2%, showing legislative coherence but weaknesses in evidence-based policymaking and stakeholder inclusion. A significant gap exists between formal design and practical implementation, determined by limited administrative capacity, incremental policymaking, and weak political will.

KEYWORDS: public administration reform, policy design, policy implementation, government policy, sigma/OECD, policy development,

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Khuroshvili, B. B. (2025). The policy planning system in Georgia: design and implementation challenges. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 173-193. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0108

Development of youth information and media literacy: analysis of non-formal educational activities

 Marina Drushlyak,  Olena Semenog,  Nataliia Ponomarenko,  Myroslava Vovk,  Dmytro Budianskyi,  Olena Semenikhina

ABSTRACT: The development of information and media literacy among young people is particularly crucial in the context of hybrid warfare, disinformation, and growing digital threats. This study focuses on identifying the most effective forms of non-formal educational activities that contribute to strengthening youth competencies in this area. The research is based on the results of the "MEDIA & CAPSULES" project, implemented within the global IREX initiative "Learn and Discern: Media Literacy - National Deployment". The project included webinars, master classes, and information and media workshops, involving students, teachers, and lecturers. To assess information and media literacy, three key indicators were used: information literacy, media literacy, and digital security. Statistical methods (Student's t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis) indicated that webinars most effectively improve information literacy, master classes enhance digital security, and workshops strengthen media literacy. The findings can inform the development of educational programs and confirm the effectiveness of integrating media education with the principles of digital citizenship in modern educational practices. 

KEYWORDS: information and media literacy, digital security, educational activity form, webinar meetings, master class, youth, non-formal educational activities,

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Drushlyak, M., Semenog, O., Ponomarenko, N., Vovk, M., Budianskyi, D., & Semenikhina, O. (2025). Development of youth information and media literacy: analysis of non-formal educational activities. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 194-215. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0109

Digital transformation, organisational capabilities, and SME performance - size matters  

 Irena Mladenova,  Zhelyu Vladimirov,  Olya Harizanova

ABSTRACT: This paper aims to reveal organisational capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transform digitally and to explore some differences between enterprises' groups. The study approaches digital transformation as transformative and continuous organisational change facilitated by digital technologies and describes the capabilities of SMEs to navigate such a change. This research is quantitative and uses data from a sample of 308 SMEs in Bulgaria, collected during October-December 2023. Five composite variables (transformational leadership, organisational flexibility, risk-tolerant culture, digital skills, and digital business intensity) are used to describe SMEs' ability to implement DT-induced organisational change. Based on these variables, a cluster analysis is applied, which delineates four distinct groups of SMEs. The results show that medium-sized firms do much better on all five variables and demonstrate better firm performance than micro-enterprises.

KEYWORDS: digital transformation, organisational capabilities, organisational change, SMEs, 

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Mladenova, I., Vladimirov, Z., & Harizanova, O. (2025). Digital transformation, organisational capabilities, and SME performance - size matters. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 216-238. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0110

The EU's tacit yet unspoken attitude towards Turkey's EU accession process:
viewing Turkey as 'a European outsider'

 Hakan Samur,  Turgut Demirtepe

ABSTRACT: Turkey's accession process to the European Union has been a prolonged journey. The objective of this article is to scrutinize the role of the European Union in extending this process. A thorough analysis of the relations between Turkey and the EU from the 1960s to the present demonstrates a notable discrepancy between the EU's official rhetoric and its tangible actions concerning Turkey's membership. In official statements, the EU has consistently underscored Turkey's Europeanness and its suitability for membership. However, an examination of the EU's attitude reveals a stark contrast to these declarations, suggesting that the EU's commitment to Turkey's membership is superficial at best. It is frequently asserted by the EU that Turkey suffers from significant shortcomings in meeting the economic, political, and institutional criteria required for membership, which are often cited as key obstacles to accession. However, even during periods when Turkey has made genuine and determined efforts to address these deficiencies, the EU's stance has largely been characterized by institutional inertia and lack of genuine engagement. Moreover, the constructive approach extended to other candidate countries has conspicuously not been applied to Turkey. Similarly, since the 1990s, reluctance toward Turkey's accession has been openly articulated by certain EU officials. Through a qualitative and diachronic analysis of key events and official statements, this study aims to illustrate all these points with concrete examples and to argue that the primary impediment to Turkey's EU membership lies not in the country's shortcomings, but rather in the EU's principled and persistent opposition to Turkish accession.

KEYWORDS: EU, Turkey, accession process, Europeanness, privileged partnership,

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Samur, H., & Demirtepe, T. (2025). The EU's tacit yet unspoken attitude towards Turkey's EU accession process: viewing Turkey as 'a European outsider'. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 239-257. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0111

10 years of cooperation on the Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms.
Could macro-regional strategies foster S3-related interregional cooperation?

 Petra Szávics

ABSTRACT: The article analyses the extent to which the specific policy measures introduced in the 2021-2027 programming period have had an impact on the problems associated with interregional cooperation around smart specialisation priorities on the Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms (TSSPs). The improvements are considerable, but some weaknesses persist. Lagging regions are more engaged on the platforms and quadruple helix stakeholders, including businesses and business support organisations, are currently involved in partnerships. However, lagging regions are still in minority on the platforms and many of them remain outside. Partnerships do not manage to use the funding available from EU level instruments and from Cohesion Policy in complementarity. The Interreg programmes are an exception. The interregional cooperation linked to smart specialisation should be further improved. Macro-regional strategies could not only offer a space for the alignment of regional research and innovation policies and support S3-related interregional collaboration but could also benefit from these.

KEYWORDS: smart specialisation, interregional cooperation, TSSPs, outward looking dimension of S3, thematic platforms, macro-regional strategies, 

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Szávics, P. (2025). 10 years of cooperation on the Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms. Could macro-regional strategies foster S3-related interregional cooperation? Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 258-280. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0112

The role of FDI in regional economic growth in Central & Eastern Europe: the case of the Hungarian regions

 Zoltan Gal,  Andras Gyimesi

ABSTRACT: FDI has been a key driver of economic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). However, its long-term impact on GDP growth is limited, with benefits often concentrated in more developed regions, exacerbating regional disparities. This paper examines the relationship between FDI inflows, GDP growth, and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in Hungarian regions from 2000 to 2018 using panel econometric methods. Panel granger causality tests, and panel regression models (using first difference effect) are conducted controlling for GFCF, employment, R&D and the global financial crisis.  Findings reveal that FDI does not significantly drive regional GDP growth, highlighting the importance of endogenous growth factors and local entrepreneurial ecosystems. The study critiques the FDI-led model, linking its shortcomings to economic nationalism and regional disintegration.

KEYWORDS: FDI, dependent market economy, GDP, regional economic growth, fixed investments, Hungarian regions,

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Gál, Z., & Gyimesi, A. (2025). The role of FDI in regional economic growth in Central & Eastern Europe: the case of the Hungarian regions. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 281-309. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0113

Flamenco in education: building European identity and social belonging

 Jesus Heredia-Carroza,  Carmen Lopez-Ruiz,  Angeles Carrosa-Zayas,  Carlos Chavarria-Ortiz

ABSTRACT: This paper deepens into the future teachers' outlooks on integrating flamenco in the educational context and its effects on the society. A group of 301 forms was carried out with university students enrolled in programmes related to education to assess the impact of incorporating flamenco into the educational syllabus. The results from this descriptive statistical assessment indicate that 88.4% of respondents were in favor of flamenco's inclusion. The participants of the form emphasized how flamenco has the potential to reinforce cultural identity, preserve heritage and promote relations between generations. The outcomes make certain that flamenco's inclusion into the syllabus enhances cohesion in the society and provides more support for belonging to the community. Flamenco is more than a cultural tradition as it is also a fundamental asset for Europe's legacy and time to come. Flamenco contributes to preserving and promoting Spain and Europe's cultural richness, safeguarding its role as a source of inspiration and growth for posterity, due to its promotion of belonging and encouragement of citizenship,

KEYWORDS: flamenco, education, community belonging, social cohesion, teachers' perception, Europe,

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Heredia-Carroza, J., López-Ruiz, C., Carrosa-Zayas, Á., & Chavarría-Ortiz, C. (2025). Flamenco in education: building European identity and social belonging. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 310-335. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0114

Teleworking in the post-pandemic period COVID-19 -
reasons and aspects of implementation in the Czech Republic   

 Jaroslav Vrchota,  Monika Marikova,  Petr Řehoř

ABSTRACT: While teleworking used to be a desirable benefit, it has now become a normal part of the employment relationship and the only way for some employees to continue doing their jobs. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the aspects affecting the adoption of teleworking in companies. The paper is based on research conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic (late 2020 to mid-2022) and builds on research conducted during the pandemic in 2019, which investigated factors influencing the length of TW (teleworking) implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic. In this paper, the authors evaluated 17 aspects that influenced the adoption of teleworking in 216 firms. Using factor analysis, the authors grouped the aspects of teleworking into 3 factors, which were named as follows: Current labour market needs from the perspective of employees (summarizing 8 aspects), Barriers faced by firms (7 aspects) and COVID specifics (2 aspects).

KEYWORDS: teleworking, homeworking, management of organizations, aspects, implementation  

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Vrchota, J., Maříková, M., & Řehoř, P. (2025). Teleworking in the post-pandemic period COVID-19 - reasons and aspects of implementation in the Czech Republic. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 336-361. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0115

BOOK REVIEW:
Aurelian Dănilă (2022). Retrospectivă diplomatică. Amintiri, interviuri, documente [Diplomatic Retrospective. Memories, interviews, documents], Chișinău: Tipografia Centrală

 Adrian-Bogdan Ceobanu

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Ceobanu, A. (2025). Book review: Aurelian Dănilă, Retrospectivă diplomatică. Amintiri, interviuri, documente. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 362-366. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0116

BOOK REVIEW:
Cătălin-Gabriel Stănescu (2025). EU Informal Debt-Collection Regulation. Failure by Design? Oxford University Press, ISBN 978 0 19 896615 9

 Carmen Tamara Ungureanu

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Ungureanu, C. T. (2025). Book review: Cătălin-Gabriel Stănescu (2025), EU Informal Debt-Collection Regulation. Failure by Design? Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(1), 367-369. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-0117