225 10 3494 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/6677cf2f5154b970d8c22736e49776ff.docx ee607f03be23cf06cac6f9b35244ae50 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/74c6a66a69be51510cbf0b84dd6f34ab.pdf 5ef077abfce8ae53ea46b16d92eac88f PDF Text Text REFİK HALİT KARAY’IN “ESKİCİ” HİKÂYESİNİN SÖZ DİZİMİ AÇISINDAN ÇÖZÜMLENMESİ VE ETKİNLİK ÖRNEKLERİ Demet SANCI UZUN / Bekir GÖKÇE Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Türkçe Eğitimi Bölümü, Rize / Türkiye Anahtar Kelimeler: Çözümleme yöntemi, Türkçe dersi, Eskici, Refik Halit Karay. ÖZET Refik Halit Karay, 20 yüzyıl hikâye ve romancıları arasında seçkin bir yere sahiptir. Türkçeyi ustalıkla kullanan yazarın kurgu gücü, sözcük seçimi ve cümle yapısındaki çeşitlilik dikkat çekmektedir. Türkçe dersi, temelde bilginin beceriye dönüştürüldüğü bir derstir. Dinleme, konuşma, okuma ve yazma olmak üzere temel dil becerileri, dil bilgisi alanıyla tamamlanır. Dil bilgisi öğretiminde tercih edilen yöntemlerden biri, çözümleme çalışmalarıdır. Türkçe dersinde bütünlük ilkesinin gereği olarak temel dil becerilerinin geliştirilmesi sırasında dil bilgisi konularına da değinilmekte, söz konusu dil bilgisi unsurlarının işlevleri sezdirilmeye çalışılmaktadır. Bu çerçevede, çözümleme çalışmalarını tümevarım çalışmalarının tamamlayıcısı olarak görmek mümkündür. Bu yolla öğrencilerin fark etme, ilişki kurma, karşılaştırma, işlevini sezme, birleştirme gibi zihinsel becerileri gelişebilir. Çözümleme çalışmalarında uygulanan parçalama ve ayrıştırma tekniklerinin yardımıyla cümle ile ilgili bilgileri kavratmak kolaylaşabilir. Dil bilgisi öğretiminde tümevarım ve çözümleme yöntemini bütünlük yaklaşımı doğrultusunda uygulamak, işlevsel dil bilgisi öğretimine önemli katkılar sağlayabilir. Bu çalışmada Refik Halit Karay’ın “Eskici” adlı hikâyesi, söz dizimi açısından çözümlenmiş ve kullanışlı etkinlikler hazırlanmıştır. Bu etkinliklerin, çözümleme yönteminin niteliğini artırdığı ve bilginin beceriye dönüşmesini sağladığı söylenebilir. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2227 Title A name given to the resource REFİK HALİT KARAY’IN “ESKİCİ” HİKÂYESİNİN SÖZ DİZİMİ AÇISINDAN ÇÖZÜMLENMESİ VE ETKİNLİK ÖRNEKLERİ Author Author SANCI UZUN, Demet GÖKÇE, Bekir Abstract A summary of the resource. Anahtar Kelimeler: Çözümleme yöntemi, Türkçe dersi, Eskici, Refik Halit Karay. ÖZET Refik Halit Karay, 20 yüzyıl hikâye ve romancıları arasında seçkin bir yere sahiptir. Türkçeyi ustalıkla kullanan yazarın kurgu gücü, sözcük seçimi ve cümle yapısındaki çeşitlilik dikkat çekmektedir. Türkçe dersi, temelde bilginin beceriye dönüştürüldüğü bir derstir. Dinleme, konuşma, okuma ve yazma olmak üzere temel dil becerileri, dil bilgisi alanıyla tamamlanır. Dil bilgisi öğretiminde tercih edilen yöntemlerden biri, çözümleme çalışmalarıdır. Türkçe dersinde bütünlük ilkesinin gereği olarak temel dil becerilerinin geliştirilmesi sırasında dil bilgisi konularına da değinilmekte, söz konusu dil bilgisi unsurlarının işlevleri sezdirilmeye çalışılmaktadır. Bu çerçevede, çözümleme çalışmalarını tümevarım çalışmalarının tamamlayıcısı olarak görmek mümkündür. Bu yolla öğrencilerin fark etme, ilişki kurma, karşılaştırma, işlevini sezme, birleştirme gibi zihinsel becerileri gelişebilir. Çözümleme çalışmalarında uygulanan parçalama ve ayrıştırma tekniklerinin yardımıyla cümle ile ilgili bilgileri kavratmak kolaylaşabilir. Dil bilgisi öğretiminde tümevarım ve çözümleme yöntemini bütünlük yaklaşımı doğrultusunda uygulamak, işlevsel dil bilgisi öğretimine önemli katkılar sağlayabilir. Bu çalışmada Refik Halit Karay’ın “Eskici” adlı hikâyesi, söz dizimi açısından çözümlenmiş ve kullanışlı etkinlikler hazırlanmıştır. Bu etkinliklerin, çözümleme yönteminin niteliğini artırdığı ve bilginin beceriye dönüşmesini sağladığı söylenebilir. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013-05-17 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2203-4548 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/0a37e511292b419f67b8460eb8fe7f37.docx 8ad6bb633dd5cfb1fc80dede8133fb53 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/e4d6befe3ab7d3d4dfb0f7b65923b71e.pdf 6413120af8843a7f9d0ff93f7c365dbf PDF Text Text REFINEMENT OF CALCULATION METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL LOAD IN INDUSTRY Sinchuk O.N. Kryvyi Rih National University, Krivoy Rog, Ukraine Guzov E.S. Kryvyi Rih National University, Krivoy Rog, Ukraine Parkhomenko R.A. Kryvyi Rih National University, Krivoy Rog, Ukraine Keywords: electrical load, calculation methods, power supply systems. ABSTRACT An analysis of known and in practice applied methods of electrical load calculation in power supply systems design for iron exploitation and other industry areas is conducted in this paper. Quality and level of discrepancy between the calculated and real values of power supply system parameters are studied. A method of calculation without the shortcomings of methods analyzed is proposed. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2067 Title A name given to the resource REFINEMENT OF CALCULATION METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL LOAD IN INDUSTRY Author Author O.N., Sinchuk E.S., Guzov R.A., Parkhomenko Abstract A summary of the resource. Keywords: electrical load, calculation methods, power supply systems. ABSTRACT An analysis of known and in practice applied methods of electrical load calculation in power supply systems design for iron exploitation and other industry areas is conducted in this paper. Quality and level of discrepancy between the calculated and real values of power supply system parameters are studied. A method of calculation without the shortcomings of methods analyzed is proposed. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013-05-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2233-1565 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/207b0c6c7c833b49e000e02d243e74a2.docx 2090f8217d6971c5dbe67c9221f2aa13 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/eb484f29a9c22beb5e4ee5bc4130aa04.pdf 19e074b93470655498fe309403227186 PDF Text Text Reflections of the CEFR on the Programs of Primary Education and Secondary Education French Language Course in Turkey Suna Agildere & Neşe (Işik) Tertemiz & Emine Aybike Akkutay Gazi University/ Ankara, Turkey Key words: CEFR,program of the primary education Ankara,French language course in Turkey ABSTRACT Council of Europe recommended in Switzerland in November 2001 using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to set up systems of validation of language ability. The CEFR proposes a nucleus program for all students’ independent in their study fields. It reinforces the awareness about linguistic diversity all over the Europe and emphasizes the significance of multilingualism and multiculturalism to provide the opportunities for citizens to communicate with at least two languages in addition to their native tongue. Moreover, the CEFR is a comprehensive, transparent and consistent guide book for language teachers and learners in the fields of language learning, teaching and assessment. It also attaches importance to life-long learning, learner autonomy and multicultural communication. Furthermore, it describes the objectives to be reached by learners, language skills and knowledge. Such activities in Turkey which is a candidate for the EU should also be revised and adapted. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the secondary French language course in Turkey in terms of a) approach employed, b) objectives, c) content, d) process of teaching and learning, and e) measurement and assessment within the framework of the CEFR. In introduction part of the program, the principles of the CFFR were used in developing the programs. However, some differences were determined in the program. This study discusses these differences and similarities. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 1976 Title A name given to the resource Reflections of the CEFR on the Programs of Primary Education and Secondary Education French Language Course in Turkey Author Author AGLIDERE, Suna TERTEMIZ, Neşe AKKUTAY, Emine Aybike Abstract A summary of the resource. Key words: CEFR,program of the primary education Ankara,French language course in Turkey ABSTRACT Council of Europe recommended in Switzerland in November 2001 using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to set up systems of validation of language ability. The CEFR proposes a nucleus program for all students’ independent in their study fields. It reinforces the awareness about linguistic diversity all over the Europe and emphasizes the significance of multilingualism and multiculturalism to provide the opportunities for citizens to communicate with at least two languages in addition to their native tongue. Moreover, the CEFR is a comprehensive, transparent and consistent guide book for language teachers and learners in the fields of language learning, teaching and assessment. It also attaches importance to life-long learning, learner autonomy and multicultural communication. Furthermore, it describes the objectives to be reached by learners, language skills and knowledge. Such activities in Turkey which is a candidate for the EU should also be revised and adapted. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the secondary French language course in Turkey in terms of a) approach employed, b) objectives, c) content, d) process of teaching and learning, and e) measurement and assessment within the framework of the CEFR. In introduction part of the program, the principles of the CFFR were used in developing the programs. However, some differences were determined in the program. This study discusses these differences and similarities. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available IBU Publishing Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013-05-03 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 963 Title A name given to the resource Reflexions about the Metalinguistic Use of Turcisms in Contemporary Slovene Author Author Dapit, Roberto Abstract A summary of the resource. The aim of the paper is to point out the semantic aspects of some selected turcisms used in the linguistic system of contemporary Slovene. From a lessical corpus of loanwords of turkish origin, as classified in the two etymological dictionaries of the Slovene language (ESSJ, SES), the author has identified some items that have developed a semantic value, which is relevant also in an anthropological discourse about the perception of alterity. By observing the process of acquisition of the selected loanwords, we realize that they entered in the Slovene vocabulary relatively late and mostly through the Serbo-Croatian. Their semantic evolution towards a pejorative meaning, which can be shared, in fact, also by other Balkan languages as Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian, allows to outline a discussion on a metalinguistic level. The most significant case from the point of view of the diversity perception is the item čefur 'immigrant from the former Yugoslav republics', that have been in recent time morphologically tranformed in the Slovene linguistic space. This word carries the highest semantic strength by conveying the definition of the other, moreover it appears in literary works and other typologies of written language with relatively frequent occurrences, if compared with other items. The examination of this phenomenon from several perspectives will be first an attempt to analyse the question on a metalinguistic level and, at the same time, an exploration of the stereotyps which are conceived as definition of the other in Slovenia today. They essentially represent a result of the interaction with the Balkan linguistic and cultural world in the last century. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2012 Keywords Keywords. Conference or Workshop Item PeerReviewed P Philology. Linguistics https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/97e0f5d38b8b0cda35c5bac778086ff3.docx 92f8919a8b50ab1cf9ae368e2166d4cf https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/840f8ea402d466f3eed3447abb37414a.pdf 4755709bdfc16a44454811ca86255776 PDF Text Text Reform of English Learning Education in Macau: Challenges and Opportunites William JamesLin Macao Polytechnic Institute / Macau Key words:teacher training, Macau, gaming industry, privatization, TESOL ABSTRACT The lucrative casino industry in Macau has positioned this special administrative region of China as one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Since the liberalization of the gaming industry in 2002, Western investors and casino operators have quickly developed Macau into the world's gaming capital - surpassing the Las Vegas Strip in 2006 and earning five times more than their Nevada counterpart in 2012. With a population of only 538,000, coupled with a growing demand for laborers, Macau currently enjoys a seemingly stable unemployment rate of 2 percent. Nonetheless, it has been challenging for Macau to meet the casino industry's human capital demand. Macau is currently in need of skilled workers, including those who can speak proficient English in order to continue its goal of becoming an international city. Government and casino companies have sponsored various training programs to address this demand for English-proficient workers (Cheang 2012). However, such efforts remain inadequate without a consistent territory-wide English curriculum or effective teacher training in foreign language pedagogy, leading to student demotivation to learn English (Hu 2011). The legacy of Macau's history as a Portuguese colony has left it with no experience with centralized education reform (Tang and Morrison 1998). Although a large sum of money has been thrown into foreign language education, there are no official quality assurance mechanisms to guarantee any type of proficiency or learning outcomes in Macanese education (Chou 2012, Lau 2010). This paper explores the challenges of implementing a systemic approach to raise the quality of English language learning in Macau. Primary obstacles are (1) the lack of government-control over K-12 education; (2) the incentives of pursuing competitive pay in low-skilled jobs in the gaming industry instead of higher education; and (3) the failure of Macau's government to incorporate quality assurance and teacher training into education reform. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2090 Title A name given to the resource Reform of English Learning Education in Macau: Challenges and Opportunites Author Author LIN, William James Abstract A summary of the resource. Key words:teacher training, Macau, gaming industry, privatization, TESOL ABSTRACT The lucrative casino industry in Macau has positioned this special administrative region of China as one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Since the liberalization of the gaming industry in 2002, Western investors and casino operators have quickly developed Macau into the world's gaming capital - surpassing the Las Vegas Strip in 2006 and earning five times more than their Nevada counterpart in 2012. With a population of only 538,000, coupled with a growing demand for laborers, Macau currently enjoys a seemingly stable unemployment rate of 2 percent. Nonetheless, it has been challenging for Macau to meet the casino industry's human capital demand. Macau is currently in need of skilled workers, including those who can speak proficient English in order to continue its goal of becoming an international city. Government and casino companies have sponsored various training programs to address this demand for English-proficient workers (Cheang 2012). However, such efforts remain inadequate without a consistent territory-wide English curriculum or effective teacher training in foreign language pedagogy, leading to student demotivation to learn English (Hu 2011). The legacy of Macau's history as a Portuguese colony has left it with no experience with centralized education reform (Tang and Morrison 1998). Although a large sum of money has been thrown into foreign language education, there are no official quality assurance mechanisms to guarantee any type of proficiency or learning outcomes in Macanese education (Chou 2012, Lau 2010). This paper explores the challenges of implementing a systemic approach to raise the quality of English language learning in Macau. Primary obstacles are (1) the lack of government-control over K-12 education; (2) the incentives of pursuing competitive pay in low-skilled jobs in the gaming industry instead of higher education; and (3) the failure of Macau's government to incorporate quality assurance and teacher training into education reform. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available IBU Publishing Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013-05-03 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2424 Title A name given to the resource Regional and EU Challenges in the Field of Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights Author Author International, Burch University Abstract A summary of the resource. “Social Perspectives - Journal for Legal Theory and Practice“ is available in full text at the Central and Eastern European Online Library - CEEOL (www.ceeol.com) and on the web page www.ssrc.ibu.edu.ba Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Social Sciences Research Center of International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-06 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed DOI Digital object identifier DOI: 10.14706/DO14111 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-5706 H Social Sciences (General) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2425 Title A name given to the resource Regional and EU Challenges in the Field of Patents Author Author International, Burch University Abstract A summary of the resource. “Social Perspectives - Journal for Legal Theory and Practice“ is available in full text at the Central and Eastern European Online Library - CEEOL (www.ceeol.com) and on the web page www.ssrc.ibu.edu.ba Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Social Sciences Research Center of International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-06 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed DOI Digital object identifier DOI: 10.14706/DO14111 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-5706 H Social Sciences (General) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2426 Title A name given to the resource Regional and EU Challenges in the Field of Trademarks Author Author International, Burch University Abstract A summary of the resource. “Social Perspectives - Journal for Legal Theory and Practice“ is available in full text at the Central and Eastern European Online Library - CEEOL (www.ceeol.com) and on the web page www.ssrc.ibu.edu.ba Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Social Sciences Research Center of International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-06 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed DOI Digital object identifier DOI: 10.14706/DO14111 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-5706 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/451386186acadadcf15bb0923b0a879d.pdf e6e28e648170dffe611b7de85011b010 PDF Text Text 2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Regionalism Reality And Convergence Analysis In The European Union AyĢen ALTUN Dumlupinar University, Department of Economics,Turkey aysenaltun@dumlupinar.edu.tr Abstract: The countries in the EU have entered into an essential localisation and reconstruction period. In this process, regions have come to the forefront as one of the most important actors of the EU and have acquired an ever-mounting impact area in the decisionmaking processes. There are two reasons for regional development model has been evaluated on the axis of EU. Differences among the regions have increased due to the enlargement of the Union and this subject has become an aspect that is emphasized after each enlargement process. First of all, European Commission has followed a policy that has a forward effect in order to decrease the instabilities since 1987 and has increased the size of its intervention force. Whether the form of change in the convergence model can be drawn or not, it gives a number of signs about the efficiency of regional policy. Secondly, some changes have occurred in the understanding of regional policy which is the common policy of the EU in the process after 1990s and the understanding of ―new regionalism‖ has come forward. In this understanding, the term of ―region‖ has become essential and acquired a new dimension. Introduction New regionalism in EU is being organized ideally by localizing of socio-economic resolution process and putting a common policy into practice for sub-national theoretical frame. Along with this phenomenon, the EU regional policies have passed through a turning point searching more efficient strategies in an atmosphere of economic uncertainty and political change. Interregional convergence has come into prominence in this process. This study is crucial in terms of EU‘s having a new regional understanding after 1990s and giving importance to the phenomenon of ―convergence‖; showing whether the regions are in the process of ―convergence‖ or ―divergence‖ in this process and this situation‘s affecting the decisions of the EU about future. In the study, first of all the concept, the significance and kind of ―region‖ in the EU is mentioned, then differences in development levels of Union‘s regions are emphasized. Afterwards, theoretical frame of new regionalism and convergence are drawn and their importance for the EU is mentioned. And then, it is carried into practice. Convergence analysis that is carried for the EU regions covers the period between 1995 and 2005. Though studies have been carried out for 268 NUTS II regions in the EU, analyses have been made for 246 regions due to lack of data on some regions. 246 NUTS II regions are grouped into four different groups considering the enlargement processes of countries. In this study, basic data about the EU have been obtained from the official website www.eurostat.com. Conditional and absolute convergence analyses have been made using cross-section approach which is carried out by Barro and Salai Martin. Definition and Importance of the Region in the EU Definition of a region in the EU is an extremely sensitive issue in terms of regional policy. As the regional policy of the Union is a policy respecting country borders and not intervening in the area of political system within the nation – state, it is carried out through the ―region‖ definitions of the Member States (Brasche, 2001, p.14). In this respect, the ―region‖ in the EU is defined as the pieces of land similar to each other in terms of geographical, ecological, economic, cultural, ethnical and administrative perspectives. Regions are becoming more and more significant during the economic and political process of the EU. In the Preamble of the Rome Treaty establishing the EU and even before the Rome Treaty in the European Coal and Steel Community Agreement, the concept of region was drawn attention by envisaging provisions related to the 754 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo development of less developed regions and the elimination of inter – regional development disparities (http://www.hri.org). Furthermore, the establishment of Committee of the Regions by the Maastricht Treaty is a crucial step forward for the regional authorities to gain right to say in the EU decision – making process officially. Regions have turned into more important units as the interregional development disparities in the EU are becoming more apparent. In the EU, the regional backwardness or the development of the underdeveloped regions has not been coming into prominence, yet decreasing the interregional development disparities has been gaining importance. The importance of the ―Region‖ for the EU has resulted in the involvement of the regional authorities into the integration process. Classification of the Regions in the EU In the EU, the concept of region is defined by taking into consideration several criteria such as the areas dominated by a specific sector within the scope of new economic structuring, the areas bordered by a neighbouring country and affected by the economic activities of that neighbouring country, transit regions, regions influenced by the economic structure of a common settlement (Karluk, 2007, pp. 362-363). The regions are classified as normative and analytical regions. Normative regions reflect political will; their boundaries are fixed in terms of the remit of local authorities. This regions, the size of the region's population regarded as corresponding to the economically optimal use of the necessary resources to accomplish their tasks. Analytical (functional) region; are defined in terms of particular analytical requirements. They categorise areas according to specific geographical criteria such as altitude or soil type, or by economic and social criteria such as the homogeneity, complementarity or polarisation of regional economies (European Commission, 2007, p. 9). The regions in the EU are seperated into categories on the basis of administrative structures of the Member States as well as their economic situation, geographical location, etc (Scott, 2002, p.2). The regional classification system which is important for the regional policy and the regional instruments of the EU is the classification which is based on the functions and the structures (Commission of the European Comminities, 1985, p.2). In the EU, the regions are classified as Homogeneous Regions, Polarized Regions, Administrative Regions, Front Regions, Cross Border Regions, and Planning Regions according to their functions and structures. Homogeneous regions or uniform regions describe a unity consisted of bilevel and successive segments according to the selected criteria (urban population, per capita income, socio-economic characteristics of the population, etc.) (Erkal, 1990, p.17 & Berry, 1961, p. 278). Although it has been tried to have homogeneous regions while grouping NUTS regions that will be examined in the scope of the planning regions in the EU, for instance while grouping 11 sub – NUTS II regions in Belgium, heterogeneity can be possible among the regions. The unemployment rate in Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, a region in Belgium, is 17.6 %; whereas it is 4.2 % in Prov. Vlaams Brabant and 4.2 % in Prov. West-Vlaanderen. This heterogeneity rate is a lot more among the regions of different countries. Yet, the cities forming the regions are fairly homogeneous. Polorized regions are the regions which are clustered around an administrative center city, graded according to their sizes and functions, and manage their fundamental relations via the center city (Taneri, 1986, p.24). The more these regions exercise influence over their surrounding areas, the larger polarized regions they form. For example, Munich region in Germany and Manchester region in the United Kingdom are polarized regions in the EU. Administrative regions, dependent on the political central authority in the hierarchical decision – making process, are mostly formed in an artificial way. The county councils and municipalities in Sweden and cities in France can be given as examples of administrative regions (Mengi, 2001, p. 23). Front regions are usually economically the least developed parts of the countries they are located in. For example, Aland region in Finland and Northern Ireland, etc. (Karlsson, 2007, p.42). Cross – border regions are formed through cross border cooperation. Border regions are tried to be developed and less developed infrastructure is struggled to be improved through these regions. The very first region in this respect is Regio Basiliensis. The mentioned region covers Oberrhein in Switzerland, Alsace in France, and Baden in Germany (Karlsson, 2007, pp.44-47). Planning regions are determined for EU regional policy, funds and development agencies. For this purpose, the EU designates underdeveloped regions and areas facing structural difficulties through a classification system throughout the Union in order to decrease inter-regional development disparities (Moussis, 2004, p.230). This classification is the NUTS (The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) classification system which is a unique and complete system dividing the territory of the EU to produce regional statistics for the EU (Casellas ve 755 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Galley, 1999, p.553). Regions in the NUTS classification system are general administrative units reflecting the limitations of the mandates of local and regional authorities in a specific region (European Commission, 2008, p. 204). The regions in the EU are clustered under NUTS I, NUTS II and NUTS III levels in terms of planning and incentives. Each EU country classifies NUTS regions themselves taking into account development levels and assistance requirements (http://ec.europa.eu/). NUTS subdivides each Member State into a whole number of regions at NUTS 1 level. Each of these is then subdivided into regions at NUTS level 2, and these in turn into regions at NUTS level 3. (European Commission, 2005, p.5). This 3 – level classification in the NUTS system is a regional classification as it covers the field management. Besides, there are NUTS IV and NUTS V levels which are the local units (LAU – Local Administrative Units). These units include the settlement administrations (http://ec.europa.eu/). New Regionalism in the EU Supporting the regions in the EU has always been on the agenda as of the establishment of the Union. The aim of the EU regional policy, supporting the economic integration, has been to ensure coherence of the regional policies among the member states and decrease the existing disparities by using several tools. In the recent two decades, a series of changes of conception has been experienced with regard to overcoming the problem of eliminating inter – regional development disparities and ensuring convergence between the regions. These changes have been reflected to the regional policies of the EU. ―New regionalism‖ concept, which has been developed upon the criticisms of the policies projecting regional policy in the top-down government regimes, has influenced the EU as well as the regional policies of many countries. The ―region‖ has become the first focus of political economy in the policy called ―new regionalism‖. The regions have begun transferring their institutional capacities (Batchler ve Yuill, 2001, p.10). According to this policy, inter-regional disparities will be alleviated by encouraging inter-regional competition. In tandem with this understanding, the EU addresses the inter-regional inequality problem more widely as a problem of regional development. New regionalism concept aims at revealing internal dynamics and improving local economy through its own dynamics. A regional identity is created in economic, political and cultural fields. This approach anticipates an understanding of bottom-to-top management in contrary to the former regional policies (Gren, 2002, p.81). Administration and authority are transferred from central government to regions. New regionalism gains more power with the authority granted to it. This authorization is the increase in the power or capacity to progress to the regional agenda. Part of this authorization is used for the purpose of ensuring the region and people to participate in the regional decision-making process constructively (http://www.munimall.net). Taking into consideration NUTS classification at the level of local authorities, new service areas and units has been established so as to increase effectiveness and decrease inter-regional development disparities. Thus, it is aimed at maintaining convergence. Differences and Convergence of the Regions in the EU There are serious disparities of development among the regions in the EU in terms of certain indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, unemployment rate, education and health, the level of research and development activities, and infrastructure facilities. These disparities increase in parallel with the enlargement of the Union. Moreover, important problems of regional disparities still continue even in the founding member states. It is important whether regional policy will effectively boost the growth of underdeveloped regions and will improve convergence or not. Even though the calibration exercises tend to argue that regional transfer may boost growth, there are still some suspicions concerning the effectiveness of regional policy according to the results of econometric studies and case analyses. The question of whether the socio-economic development disparities among the countries and the regions will decrease in the course of time or not has an essential place in the economic literature. Variables which put forward economic and social disparities and structural dispairites, especially including the GDP per capita figures and GDP variation coefficients, can be used while determining these disparities. Whether these disparities increase or decrease can be explained via the convergence or divergence of examined regions or countries to and from each other. Convergence is a catchy concept, but one that organizes serious thinking in diverse areas ranging from economic growth, theoretical econometrics, finance, European politics and monetary union, regional planning and geography, up through but not ending at entertainment and multi-media technology, and the software industry. And, in practically every instance the term convergence is used with a different meaning (Quah, 1996, p.1). The concept of convergence which can be described as the alleviation of international or national disparities in certain economic 756 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo variables can be shortly expressed as showing a tendency to a single point and approaching to a more similar situation gradually (Gaynor and Karakitsos, 1997, p.24).Neoclassical growth model asserts that per-capita output across countries or regions converges when they have similar preferences, technology levels and institutional and legal systems (Brasili ve Gutierrez, 2004, p.2). Whether the growth rates of relatively poor countries or regions will reach to those of richer ones in the course of time or not is the convergence approach (Barro ve Sala-i Martin, 1992, p.223). In this approach uses two concepts:  convergence and  convergence. There is  convergence if poor economies tend to grow faster than wealty ones.  concept of convergence is often confused with an alternative definition of convergence, where that the dispersion of real per capita income across groups of economies tend to fall over time (Sala-i Martin, 1996, p. 1327). Two types of  convergence are used in the literature : absolute and condinitional. The difference between the absolute and conditional convergence is related to the assumption that whether the economies are in the same condition or not in terms of some factors like technology, institutional infrastructure, and savings ratio. Whilst these kinds of disparities among the regions or countries are overlooked in the absolute convergence, variables that will create these kinds of disparities between the economies are added to the model in the conditional convergence. Interregional Convergence Analysis in the EU In the study, a convergence analysis was performed to be able to understand whether inter – regional disparities in the EU are approaching to each other in time or not. The concept of convergence for the EU means that economic disparities between the member states of the Union are to be decreased in accordance with the fundamental aim of the Maastricht criteria and the economic performance levels of the countries are drawn closer to each other as far as possible on a higher common ground rather than a lower one (Dinan, 2005, p.426). Thereby, similarity of the economic coherence and macroeconomic indicators of the regions in the EU within the process was examined through the convergence analysis. In the study, the method followed by Barro and Sala-i Martin was utilized for the convergence analysis. Convergence analysis was carried out with horizontal cross section approach. The analysis was initiated for 268 NUTS II regions. However, as data could not be found for some regions, the analysis was peformed for 246 regions. At this point, 246 regions, consisting of 27 countries, were classified under 4 groups. The aim in this grouping was to form homogeneous groups since adding too many regions in the convergence analysis could lead to wrong and meaningless conclusions. The membership dates of the countries to the EU and the enlargement process was taken into consideration while doing this grouping. There were totally 109 regions from France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the 1st group. A total of 38 regions from England, Denmark and Ireland were found in the 2nd group. There were totally 58 regions from Greece, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Sweden and Finland in the 3rd group. In the 4th group, there were a total of 41 regions from Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Malta, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria. These regions are NUTS II regions of the countries. In the analysis, the data set covered the period from 1995 to 2005. Analyses were carried out for the whole data set, in other words for 1995 – 2005 period, and for 2 sub – periods; 1995 – 2000 period and 2000 – 2005 period respectively. In this way, the convergence analysis between the regions has provided clearer results throughout the years. Absolute  convergence and Conditional  convergence and  convergence were respectively measured for the regions in the groups. Variables were also added to the model in the Conditional  convergence in order to reflect structural characteristics of the regions. Due to the data supply difficulties on the basis of the regions, merely the share of R & D expenditures in the GDP and unemployment rates were utilized. Dummy variable was used for the unemployment rates. It has been determined through these analyses whether the interregional disparities in the EU have the tendency of convergence or divergence and whether the EU regions display similar economic performances in time or not. In the  convergence measurement, convergence/ divergence analysis was carried out by forming 3 different models for each analysis period and for 4 different groups. The models of the convergence analysis are as follows: Yi ,t 1  e  T  1 log( )a Model 1 :  log( Yi ,t T )  u i ,t T Yi ,t T  T  757 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Yi ,t 1  e  T 1 log( )a Model 2 : T Yi ,t T  T Model 3 : Yi,t : Yi,t-T : T : Di,t : Ri,t : ui,t : Yi ,t 1  e  T 1 log( )a T Yi ,t T  T   log( Yi ,t T )  cDi ,t  u i ,t    log( Yi ,t T )  cDi ,t  dRi ,t  u i ,t  GDP per capita in the year t GDP per capita in the starting year Years passed through as of the starting year till the current year Duppy variable which takes the value of 1 if the unemployment rate of the region in the concerned year is lower than the average unemployment rate of the group, and which takes the value of 0 in other cases. The rate of R & D ependitures in the GDP in the concerned year Error term in the regression model  coefficient was derived through the linear least – squares method and the coefficient was calculated 1  e   t  b   T  formula. (Note: t statistics in brackets). by using Period Model 1  1995-2005 1995-2000 2000-2005 0,005 (-1,646) -0,051 (1,58) 0,004 (-1,084) R2 0,025 0,023 0,011 Model 2  c 0,008 0,004 (-2,403) (2,317) -0,009 -0,003 (2,048) (-1,315) 0,003 -0,002 (-0,674) (-0,706) Model 3 R2 0,072 0,038 0,015  c d 0,009 0,004 0,001 (-2,55) (2,39) (0,937) -0,009 -0,003 -0,001 (2,205) (-1,315) (-1,072) 0,004 -0,001 0,001 (-1,027) (-0,539) (1,725) R2 0,079 0,049 0,043 Table 1: Regression Results of the Regions in the 1st Group Regression results of 109 observations in the 1 st group during 1995 - 2005 period according to 3 models have been demonstrated in Table 1. When the  coefficient is examined in each 3 models with regard to the convergence, it is seen that the values obtained are positive and are meaningful by 5% in the 2 nd and the 3rd models. In the 2nd and the 3rd models, approximately 1% of convergence has been experienced per year during one decade. This convergence is a conditional one.  coefficient is not different from zero in the 1 st model during 1995 – 2000 period and it is not possible to mention about the convergence nor the divergence.  coefficient is meaningful by 5% in the 2nd and the 3rd models and there is a divergence. A divergence of approximately 1% per year has been experienced during 5 – year period. Although the  coefficient is positive for 2000 – 2005 period as in the whole period, it is not meaningful statistically. This result means that there is not convergence or divergence in the regions in respect of second sub – period. Variables give more meaningful results in the regions of the 1 st group in the long – term analysis. Period Model 1  1995-2005 1995-2000 2000-2005 -0,006 (0,809) -0,029 (3,998) 0,003 (-0,469) R2 0,018 0,308 0,006 Model 2  -0,006 (0,828) -0,028 (3,783) 0,003 (-0,471) c 0,003 (0,802) 0,001 (0,32) 0,002 (0,533) Model 3 R2 0,036 0,310 0,014  -0,006 (0,919) -0,030 (4,164) 0,002 (-0,381) c 0,003 (0,822) 0,005 (1,0806) 0,002 (0,567) Table 2: Regression Results of the Regions in the 2st Group 758 d -0,004 (-0,976) -0,01 (-1,721) -0,005 (-1,495) R2 0,062 0,365 0,075 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo In the 2nd group regions, when the results of each 3 models are examined for 38 observations during 1995 – 2005 period, it is indicated in Table 2 that none of the variables have a meaningful contribution statistically.  coefficients are negative for each of the 3 models during 1995 – 2000 period, yet all the variables are meaningful statistically, which is an evidence for divergence.  coefficient is meaningful by 1 % and there is a divergence of around 3 % during 5 – year period. Although the duppy variable could not add explicity to the model, R & D expenditures could add explicity to the model. During 2000 – 2005 period,  coefficients for each 3 models are positive and not different from zero. Here, point estimation cannot be an evidence for conditional convergence by demonstrating that the value is small and meaningless and that convergence of each region to its own steady – state income level has not been realized in distinct way. Period Model 1  1995-2005 1995-2000 2000-2005 0,012 (-2,66) 0,012 (-2,15) 0,023 (-4,236) Model 2 2 R 0,112 0,076 0,243  0,016 (-3,02) 0,015 (-2,544) 0,019 (-2,991) c 0,004 (1,39) 0,004 (1,371) -0,004 (-1,042) Model 3 2 R 0,142 0,107 0,257  0,0151 (-2,564) 0,015 (-2,232) 0,013 (-1,892) c 0,004 (1,376) 0,004 (1,365) -0,004 (-1,145) d 0,0001 (-0,0119) -0,001 (-0,0355) -0,002 (-1,541) R2 0,143 0,109 0,289 Table 3: Regression Results of the Regions in the 3st Group Table 3 presents the results of each 3 models for 58 observations in the 3rd group regions during 1995 – 2005 period. For this period,  coefficient is different from zero and meaningful statistically in the 1 st model. Besides, the fact that  coefficient is positive shows that there is convergence. It is observed that a convergence of 1.2 %, 1.6 % and 1.5 % was experienced in these 3 models respectively during this decade. The same results have been obtained for absolute convergence and conditional convergence. During 1995 – 2000 period, it is seen that the estimated  coefficient is positive and meaningful by 5 % for all the models. Absolute convergence and conditional convergence has been experienced by 1.2 % of and 1.5 % respectively during this 5 – year period. Yet, the variables added to the model are not explanatory variables. The findings of 2000 – 2005 period are in the same direction with the findings of the first sub – period. In the 1st and the 2nd model,  coefficient is different from zero and is at 1 % level; and it is at 10 % level in the 3rd model. It is seen that a convergence of 2.3 % was experienced per year in the 1st model during the 5 – year period. This convergence is an absolute one. It is observed that there is a convergence of 1.9 % and 1.3 % per year in the 2nd and 3rd models respectively. This situation proves the existence of both absolute and conditional convergence. The variables added to the model in this period are not explanatory variables. Period Model 1  1995-2005 1995-2000 2000-2005 0,002 (-0,295) -0,021 (3,215) 0,016 (-2,15) R2 0,002 0,210 0,106 Model 2  0,003 (-0,494) -0,026 (3,908) 0,020 (-2,736) c 0,004 (0,861) -0,014 (-2,142) 0,016 (2,53) Model 3 R2 0,021 0,295 0,235  0,009 (-1,365) -0,026 (3,182) 0,026 (-2,832) c 0,002 (0,466) -0,014 (-2,118) 0,014 (2,163) d 0,009 (1,696) 0,001 (0,141) 0,008 (1,043) R2 0,092 0,295 0,257 Table 4: Regression Results of the Regions in the 4st Group When the results of each 3 models for 41 observations in the 4 th group regions during 1995 – 2005 period have been analysed, it has been found out that  coefficient is positive, but not different from zero. In the 1995 2000 period,  coefficients are meaningful by 1 % and have negative values. It is seen that a divergence of 2.1 % per year is experienced in the 1st model during this 5 - year period. The same result has been obtained again by adding the variables and a divergence of 2.6 % has been experienced per year. Here, while the duppy variable is explanatory, the variable of R & D expenditure rate can not add explicity to the model. During 2000 – 2005 period,  coefficient is meaningful by 1 % in the 2nd and the 3rd models and by 5 % in the 1st model. It is observed that a convergence of 1.6 % has been experienced per year and this convergence is an absolute convergence. It is seen that a convergence of 2 % and 2.6 % per year has been experienced respectively in the 2 nd and the 3rd models, which is a conditional convergence. It is observed that while the duppy variable is explanatory, there is not a clear conditional convergence even a control variable for the R & D expenditures is added. An explanation of this result is that R & D expenditures do not differ so much among the regions and the fact that the share of R & D expenditures in the GDP is high does not have a great influence on the convergence. The regions in the 4 th group consist of the countries recently participated in the EU. Though a very strong divergence was identified among these regions 759 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo during 1995 – 2000 period, a very strong convergence was identified during 2000 – 2005 period. This is mainly affected by the fact that the EU accession processes of these countries coincided with the second sub – period. Graph 1: Growth Rates and Starting Year Logarithmic GDP per capita levels of the Regions in the 1st Group (1995-2005) Graph 2: Growth Rates and Starting Year Logarithmic GDP per capita levels of the Regions in the 2 st Group (1995-2005) Graph 3: Growth Rates and Starting Year Logarithmic GDP per capita levels of the Regions in the 3 st Group (1995-2005) Graph 4: Growth Rates and Starting Year Logarithmic GDP per capita levels of the Regions in the 4st Group (1995-2005) 760 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Standard deviation of GDP per capita figures is calculated and its fluctuation over time is examined for the measurement of  convergence.  convergence has the tendency to reveal  convergence. Although  convergence is necessary for  convergence, it is not an adequate condition. If there is  convergence in a region, it means that the income inequity is decreasing in that region and it is an evidence for the existence of a tendency for the equalization of income per capita. Table 5 presents the averages and the standard deviations of logarithmic GDP per capita of each group on the basis of years. It is seen in the 1 st group regions that the standard deviation expansion was growing and divergence was experienced in time during 1995 – 2000 sub-period. Yet, while the standard deviation of GDP per capita was 0.26 in 1995; it is observed that the standard deviation expansion did not grow over time in 2005, in other words divergence was not experienced, which confirms the existence of convergence. It is seen in the 2nd group regions that the expansion grew over time even if just a bit. It is possible to mention about the existence of convergence throughout all the periods for the 3 rd group regions. It is observed in the 4th group regions that the standard deviation expansion grew as of 1995 – 2000 period and declined during 2000 – 2005 period. It is possible to mention about the existence of convergence during that decade. There is not any differentiation between the results of  convergence and those of  convergence. On the basis of the results of convergence analyses, it can be stated that a convergence process was generally experienced among the regions in the EU during the examined period and that process was rather a slow one. the Regions in the the Regions in the the Regions in the The Regions in the 1st Group 2st Group 3st Group 4st Group Average Standard Standard Standard Standard Average Average Average Deviation Deviation Deviation Deviation 1995 9,73 0,26 9,64 0,21 9,53 0,28 8,81 0,40 1996 9,77 0,26 9,70 0,21 9,58 0,28 8,86 0,43 1997 9,81 0,26 9,77 0,22 9,64 0,27 8,92 0,44 1998 9,85 0,25 9,81 0,23 9,69 0,27 8,97 0,43 1999 9,90 0,26 9,85 0,23 9,75 0,27 9,01 0,45 2000 9,95 0,26 9,93 0,24 9,80 0,28 9,08 0,44 2001 9,98 0,26 9,97 0,24 9,84 0,27 9,14 0,44 2002 10,01 0,25 10,01 0,24 9,89 0,26 9,20 0,44 2003 10,01 0,26 10,04 0,24 9,91 0,26 9,25 0,42 2004 10,04 0,26 10,10 0,24 9,95 0,27 9,32 0,42 2005 10,07 0,26 10,11 0,24 9,99 0,26 9,39 0,42 Table 5: Average and Standard Deviation of Logarithmic GDP per capita for each group in terms of years Conclusion Whether the socio - economic development disparities will decrease in the EU regions in the course of time or not is an important subject. Particularly GDP per capita figures and GDP variation coefficients, and variables revealing economic and social disparities and structural disparities may be utilised in order to determine this. Whether these disparities are increasing or decreasing can be explained through the convergence or divergence of the examined regions or countries to/from each other. The concept of convergence for the EU means that economic disparities between the member states and the regions of the Union is decreased and their economic performance levels are drawn closer to each other as far as possible on a higher common ground rather than a lower one. Along with the impact of new regionalism concept, it is becoming more important that inter – regional development disparities are eliminated by improving the growth rates of under-developed regions effectively and ensuring convergence. During 1995 – 2005 period, a convergence process, albeit a slow one, was experienced in the regions of the EU. After 1990s, the changes in the regional policies and the new formations in the EU have started to achieve the objectives. However, the convergence results have been evaluated separately for each group. For instance, in the 4 th group regions consisting of the very recent members of the EU, although it has been determined that there was a strong divergence during 1995 – 2000 period, it has been found out that there was a strong convergence during 2000 – 2005 period which coincides with their EU accession processes. On the basis of the results of convergence 761 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo analyses, it can be stated that a convergence process was generally experienced among the regions in the EU during the examined period and that process was rather a slow one. Whether the socio - economic development disparities will decrease in the EU regions in the course of time or not is an important subject. Particularly GDP per capita figures and GDP variation coefficients, and variables revealing economic and social disparities and structural disparities may be utilised in order to determine this. Whether these disparities are increasing or decreasing can be explained through the convergence or divergence of the examined regions or countries to/from each other. The concept of convergence for the EU means that economic disparities between the member states and the regions of the Union is decreased and their economic performance levels are drawn closer to each other as far as possible on a higher common ground rather than a lower one. Along with the impact of new regionalism concept, it is becoming more important that inter – regional development disparities are eliminated by improving the growth rates of under-developed regions effectively and ensuring convergence. During 1995 – 2005 period, a convergence process, albeit a slow one, was experienced in the regions of the EU. After 1990s, the changes in the regional policies and the new formations in the EU have started to achieve the objectives. However, the convergence results have been evaluated separately for each group. For instance, in the 4 th group regions consisting of the very recent members of the EU, although it has been determined that there was a strong divergence during 1995 – 2000 period, it has been found out that there was a strong convergence during 2000 – 2005 period which coincides with their EU accession processes. On the basis of the results of convergence analyses, it can be stated that a convergence process was generally experienced among the regions in the EU during the examined period and that process was rather a slow one. References Barro, R.J. & Sala-i- Martin, X. (1992). Convergence. Journal of Political Economy, Vol.100, No:2. Batchler, J. & Yuill, D. (2001). Policies and Strategies for Regional Development: A Shift in Paradigm?. Regional and Industrial Policy Research Paper, Number: 46, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strachclyde, UK, August. Berry, B. J. (1961). A Method for Deriving Multi-Factor Uniform Regions. Polish Geographical, 1961. Brasche, U. (2001). Avrupa Birliği‘nin Bölgesel Politikası ve Türkiye‘nin Uyumu. Ġstanbul, ĠKV Yayınları. Brasili, C. & Gutierrez, L. (2004). Regional Convergence Across European Union. Econpapers. Casellas, A. & Galley, C. C. (1999). Regional Definitions in the European Union: A Question of Disparities?. Regional Studies, Vol. 33, 6 Aug. Commission of the European Communities. (1985). The Region of Europe. Document, OFUPEC, Luxembourg. Dinan, D. (2005). Avrupa Birliği Ansiklopedisi. Trans.: Hale Akay, Kitap Yayınevi, Ġstanbul. Erkal, M. (1990). Bölge Açısından Az GeliĢmiĢlik. Der Yayınları, Ġstanbul. European Commission. (2005). European Regional and Urban Statistics. Reference Guide, Eurostat Methods and Nomenclature, Luxembourg. European Commission. (2007). Regions in the European Union, Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, NUTS 2006/EU27. Eurostat Methodologies and Working Papers, Luxembourg. European Commission. (2008). Key Figures on Europe. Eurostat Pocketbooks, Luxembourg. Gaynor, K. B. – Karakitsos, E. (1997). Economic Convergence in a Multispeed Europe. St. Martin‘s Pres, New York. 762 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Gren, J.(2002). New Regionalism and West Sweden: Change in The Regionalism Paradigm. Regional and Federal Studies, Vol.12, No.3. Karluk, R.(2007). Avrupa Birliği ve Türkiye. 9. Baskı, Beta Yayınları, Ġstanbul. Karlsson, I. (2007). Bölgeler Avrupası. Çev.: Turhan Kayaoğlu, Ġstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi Yayınları, Ġstanbul. Quah, D. T. (1996). Twin peaks: Growth and Convergence in Models of Distribution Dynamics. Economic Journals, Centre for Economic Performance Discussion Paper No:280. Mengi, A. (2001). Avrupa Birliği‘nde Bölge, Bölge Planlaması ve Türkiye. GAP Dergisi, Sayı:15. Moussis, N. (2004). Avrupa Birliği Politikalarına GiriĢ Rehberi. Trans.: Ahmet Fethi, Mega Yayınları, Ġstanbul, Sala-i Martin, X. (1996). Regional Cohesion: Evidence and Theories of Regional Growth and Convergence. European Economic Review, 40. Scott, A. (2002). Constitutional Regions and the European Union. Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the NAW, University of Wales at Aberystwyth. Taneri, E. (1986). Bölge Planlama. Yıldız Üniversitesi Yayınları, Sayı:186, Ġstanbul. http://www.hri.org/docs/Rome57/Rome57.txt. http://ec.europa.eu/com/eurostat/ramon/nuts/home_regions_en.html. http://www.munimall.net/eos/2002/wallis_regionalism.nclk. ‗The New Regionalism‘. Allan Wallis . 763 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 230 Title A name given to the resource Regionalism Reality And Convergence Analysis In The European Union Author Author ALTUN, Ayşen Abstract A summary of the resource. The countries in the EU have entered into an essential localisation and reconstruction period. In this process, regions have come to the forefront as one of the most important actors of the EU and have acquired an ever-mounting impact area in the decisionmaking processes. There are two reasons for regional development model has been evaluated on the axis of EU. Differences among the regions have increased due to the enlargement of the Union and this subject has become an aspect that is emphasized after each enlargement process. First of all, European Commission has followed a policy that has a forward effect in order to decrease the instabilities since 1987 and has increased the size of its intervention force. Whether the form of change in the convergence model can be drawn or not, it gives a number of signs about the efficiency of regional policy. Secondly, some changes have occurred in the understanding of regional policy which is the common policy of the EU in the process after 1990s and the understanding of ―new regionalism‖ has come forward. In this understanding, the term of ―region‖ has become essential and acquired a new dimension. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-06 Keywords Keywords. Conference or Workshop Item PeerReviewed HB Economic Theory https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/a4aafcaa10cacf99b68578d18fe5faf3.pdf 7b674d46c04af746d1152c662daba05d PDF Text Text 2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Regulations and Accounting Applications in Insurance Sector of Turkey Rafet AKTAġ Dumlupinar University, Turkey rafetaktas@gmail.com Süleyman AÇIKALIN acikalinsuleyman@hotmail.com Abstract: Insurance is a contract with a premium payment based on the principle of paying claims when the risk, that is the reason of insurance for an interest, is realized. Trust is the base of insurance business. This sector especially in developing countries has a potential to raise new funds for economic development. In Turkey, 61 firms and 16,069 employees work in life, non-life, life/pension and pension branches of insurance sector in 2008. This sector is one of the developing areas in Turkey with 73 brokers and 13,250 agencies. Insurance agencies are working according to the Insurance Law and the regulations of the General Directorate of Insurance and Insurance Supervisory Board both of which organized under Turkish Treasury. These regulations are about establishment processes, insurance activities, the way of using funds collected from premiums, and adequacy of capital and liability compensations. Accounting activities are executed according to these regulations. In addition, Capital Markets Board (CMB) and Turkish Accounting Standards Board (TASB) describe standards and accounting applications have to obey these standards too. The name of this standard is Turkish Financial Reporting Standards (TFRS) 4 – Insurance Contracts that is arranged parallel to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 4 – Insurance Contracts. This study aims to describe the characteristics of insurance sector in Turkey and also to analyze some specific regulations and accounting applications. Introduction Insurance industry performs two important functions in economic life; one is micro and the other one is macro. Insurance companies create benefits in microeconomic sense by undertaking the risks faced by individuals as well as companies. Moreover, they contribute to the functioning of the financial markets by supplying the premiums they collected from their customers as funds to the financial system. Supplying the much needed long term funds for the real sector is critically important for the countries with limited capital accumulation. Insurance activities in Turkey are carried out according to Insurance Law No. 5684 and the regulations of the General Directorate of Insurance and Insurance Supervisory Board, both of which operate under the authority of the Undersecretariat of Treasury. These arrangements cover the areas of establishing insurance business and insurance processing activities as well as the use of collected funds, capital and liability coverage adequacy issues. Accounting practices, on the other hand, are conducted under the above mentioned arrangements as well as standards prepared by Capital Markets Board (CMB) and Turkish Accounting Standards Board (TASB). Turkish Financial Reporting Standard 4-Insurance Contracts prepared by TASB is the same as the International Financial Reporting Standard 4- Insurance Contracts prepared by the IASB. Some special arrangements and their accounting practices are going to be analyzed after providing a profile picture of the fast developing insurance sector in Turkey. Definition and Importance of the Insurance Sector Insurance is an organization which brings people, who is facing the same risk that is determined by a contract, together in order to pay for the expected damages (Pekiner, 1974, 17). Insurance is the act of guaranteeing that the payments for damages will be paid in case of the risk under contract is realized (Çaldağ, 1979, 9). The concept of insurance came to life when people who face the same threat of danger come together to pay for the damages with the conscious decision that it is not possible to completely eliminating physical dangers. Insurance companies try to eliminate negative consequences of the risk for the individuals with the help of other individuals who want to avoid the consequences on the basis of an assurance. Trust is the base of insurance 615 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo business. Insurance sector and its companies are important for the functioning of the financial markets. The insurance companies play an important role in financial markets by directing the funds they collected as premiums. Insurance Sector in Turkey Having enjoyed a spectacular growth consistently after the financial crisis in 2001, the insurance industry in Turkey experienced a slight decline at the last quarter of the 2008 and concluded the year with a growth rate below inflation as a result of the global financial crisis (Annual Report 2008, 3). There are total of 61 insurance and pension companies consisting of 36 non-life, 24 life/pension and 1 reinsuring companies in Turkey in 2008 (Annual Report 2008, 25). There are 13,250 agencies excluding bank insurance, 73 brokers and 901 loss adjusters (natural entity) in insurance and private pension sector as of December 31 st, 2008 in Turkey. It is estimated that over 50 thousands of people are employed in the sector including agencies, brokers and loss adjusters with 16,069 employees in insurance companies (Annual Report 2008, 26). When the year 2008 is evaluated by the end of year figures, we could see that insurance companies concluded 52.4 million contracts and 37.5 million policies during the year. It means that the number of contract and policies increased by 15% in 2008. The total amount of assets of the industry also rose by 19% to 27.9 billion TL compared to 2007 (Annual Report 2008, 3). Turkish insurance sector took 36th place within 88 countries with a share of 0.21% in global premium production. According to the ratio of premium volume to GDP and premium volume per capita, Turkish insurance market has been ranked 76th and 65th, respectively. Turkey has a rank of 34 over total of 35 European Countries in premium volume per capita (Annual Report 2008, 22). Legal Regulatory Authorities in Insurance Sector in Turkey The insurance companies must operate under the guidelines of TFRS, Insurance Law, and the Turkish Commerce Law. At the same time, insurance activities take place inside the framework set by Insurance Supervisory Board and General Directorate of Insurance both of which operate within the Undersecretariat of Treasury. Regulations by the Undersecretariat of Treasury The responsibility of regulating and supervising the insurance sector is given to the Undersecretariat of Treasury with Insurance Law. There are two units operating within the Treasury about the insurance activities in Turkey. These are the Insurance Supervisory Board and the General Directorate of Insurance . Insurance Supervisory Board The Insurance Supervisory Board was established in 1963 with Law No. 7397 to supervise all activities of insurance companies. General Directorate of Insurance Insurance companies must obey the rules by General Directorate of Insurance . This department is established by the law establishing the Undersecretariat of Treasury which is dated December 20 th, 1994 and numbered 4059. Insurance Law The purpose of the Insurance Law No. 5684 is to develop the insurance sector in general, to protect rights and benefits of insured entities and to make sure that the sector could work efficiently in a safe and stable environment. This law also organizes the start up procedures in the sector and sets the main rules and methods of operations in the industry. 616 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo The Turkish Commerce Law Regulations The fifth chapter of the Turkish Commerce Law is devoted to the topic of insurance. The necessary definitions such as insurance contracts and insurance policy are given and types of insurance are explained in this book. Turkish Accounting Standards Board (TASB) and TFRS 4 Insurance Contracts Standard Turkish Accounting Standards Board is a public entity established with law in order to perform duties defined by the Capital Markets Law and has financial and administrative independency. TASB published International Accounting/Financial Reporting Standards as the Turkish Accounting/Financial Reporting Standards on the Official Gazette on several dates and Turkish Accounting/Financial Reporting Standards which are going to guide the Turkish accounting practices became in full harmony with the International Accounting/Financial Reporting Standards. One of these standards is the TFRS-4 Insurance Contracts Standard, which is published on March 25 th, 2006 No. 26119 issue of the Official Gazette for the first time and some changes are officially made on July 15 th, 2007 No. 26583 issue of the Official Gazette. Even though these standards set the general framework, they do not include detailed explanations for insurance accounting practices. However, it is a known fact that the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is still working on the issues of ―recording‖ and ―valuation‖ about insurance contract. Various arrangements are made regarding financial reporting activities of insurance companies on the directive about TFRS-4. The main objective of TFRS-4 is to determine the principles of financial reporting of the insurance companies. TFRS-4 includes all activities of insurance companies including reinsurance (Berk, 2005, 25). Accounting Practices by Insurance Companies Accounting practices of insurance companies are quite different from companies in other sectors. The nonphysical nature of the insurance business differentiates the insurance company from companies in manufacturing and in commerce. There are other differences for the insurance company in other areas such as capital structure, resource allocation, and working style. Even though the insurance companies locate inside the financial services sector, the structure of assets and liabilities are quite different from other financial companies (AktaĢ, 2005, 124). The differences of insurance companies show themselves also on insurance accounting. These are (Candar, 2001; Uyanık, 2001, 510; BaĢpınar, 2005, 6); a) The amount of receivables and payables of insurance companies show uncertainties in many aspects. The main source of this uncertainty arises from the fact it is not known whether the risk under insurance is realized and how big the compensation is going to be if it is realized. b) In case of insurance companies, it is not possible to determine periodic profit or loss with certainty. Because the price of every service provided is based on certain possibility calculations. These calculations generally include an average value according to the law of big numbers. When the damage is realized above the expected rate, there will be a loss for the insurance company. Otherwise, there will be a profit. c) A significant portion of premiums collected by insurance companies is paid back to the clients as compensation payments. However, it is not possible to determine the amount, the timing or the identity of the client with certainty. d) The allowances for uncertainties are allocated from the premiums collected from clients rather than the profit as in the case of other businesses. The financial tables carry some margin or errors since the amount of these allowances depend on possibility calculations. e) The differences between life insurance and general insurance create some accounting problems in this sector. The above mentioned policies provide coverage for different periods with their different premium structures. The different laws and accounting practices, such as these different policies can not be provided by the same company, led to developments of these two branches completely separately. f) The probability of determining the revenues and expenses with certainty is low since financial flows of the insurance companies goes beyond a single period. However, it is assumed that the revenues collected and compensations made during the same calendar year are assumed to belong to the same calculation period. Profit and loss calculations in case of commercial and industrial companies, on the other hand, generally belong to the same calculation period. Moreover since the insurance sector functions on the principle of trust and the governments feel the need for protecting the rights and benefits of clients, the sector faced very important legal restrictions and regulations in many 617 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo countries. Establishing technical provisions, giving a bigger weight to the liquid assets in total assets, requirement of establishing funds, extra capital requirements to make sure they have the compensation payment adequacy are some examples of the regulations faced by the insurance industry. Technical Provisions Technical insurance provision is defined as the funds separated by the insurance companies established as corporations by the Insurance Law to cover the responsibilities of policies not expiring by the last day of the period and allowed to subtract from the revenues as an expense according to the Corporate Taxation Law (Arslanhan, 1996, 12). Insurance technical provisions is the amount separated by the insurance companies because of responsibilities they carry due risks covered by the policies they prepared. The most important function of these provisions is guaranteeing the compensation payment must be made by the insurance company when the insured risk is occurred. Moreover, the provisions show the degree of risk the company faces for the financial information users. Insurance Law lists the technical insurance provisions as: - unearned premium provisions - unexpired provisions - equalization provisions - mathematical provisions - outstanding claims provisions - promotion and discount provisions Technical provisions are located on the balance sheet as a liability. In order to understand whether the technical provisions adequately cover the risk they face, liability adequacy test is performed. The liability adequacy test for life and non-life insurance companies could be summarized as the following table (Sarıaslan, 2008, 20-21). A. Future Cash Flows Expected losses Related expenses of losses Related management expenses B. Insurance Liabilities Unearned premium provisions Premium production expense Related non-physical assets (+) (+) (+) (+) (-) (-) Table 1. Non Life Insurance Company A. Future Cash Flows Expected losses Related expenses of (+) Related management expenses Embedded options and (+) B. Insurance Liabilities Actuarial mathematical provisions (+) Unearned premium provisions Premium production expense Related non-physical assets Table 2. Life Insurance Company 618 (+) losses (+) warranty (+) (-) (-) �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo TFRS 4 finds such a test outlined above as sufficient for the insurance companies (Sarıaslan, 2008, 21). Liability adequacy test in Turkey is formulated by the regulations of the Turkish Treasury as the following: Years I) Allocated Provisions A. Accrued B. Not reported C. Expense share II) Realized D. Accrued E. Not reported F. Expense share 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total 2010 150 40 10 130 30 8 120 20 12 200 50 15 220 70 20 820 210 65 210 120 50 15 140 20 13 130 25 10 190 45 10 310 80 20 890 220 68 III) Adequacy ratio Accrued (A/D) * 100 Not reported (B/E) * 100 Expense share (C/F) * 100 92,1 95,4 95,5 IV) Difference in adequacy Ratio (The legal adequacy ratio is 95%) 1.Accrued 95-92,1 = 2,9 - 2.Not reported 3.Expense share * (210+6,09*) = 216,09 - 210 x %2,9 Standards allow discounting the general insurance provisions but this practice is not required at this stage. At the same time, standards do not ban the use of rate of return of insurance assets as the discount rate. Up until the completion of second stage of establishing insurance standards by IASB, premium production expenses could be deferred (AktaĢ, 2005, 124-125). Conclusion Insurance industry performs two important functions, one micro and the other one is macro, in economic life. The insurance sector in Turkey operating in the branches of non-life, life, life/pension, and pension with 61 companies and 16,069 employees by 2008 is fast growing sector. Insurance activities in Turkey are carried out according to Insurance Law and the regulations of the General Directorate of Insurance Business and Insurance Supervisory Board, both of which operate under the authority of the Undersecretariat of Treasury. Turkish Financial Reporting Standard 4-Insurance Contracts prepared by TASB is the same as the International Financial Reporting Standard 4- Insurance Contracts by the IASB. Regulations prepared by the legal authorities in Turkey satisfy the minimum requirements set by the TFRS-4. There are going to be serious changes in insurance accounting practices in Turkey when the second stage of Insurance Contracts Standards is completed. References AktaĢ, R. (2005). Sigorta ĠĢletmelerinde Gerçeğe Uygun Değer YaklaĢımının Kullanılması ve Değerlendirilmesi, Gazi University Unpublished Phd Thesis, Ankara. Annual Report about Insurance and Private Pension Activities in Turkey, 2008 Arslanhan, N. (1996). Sigorta Teknik Ġhtiyatları, Vergi Sorunları Dergisi, Eylül. BaĢpınar, A. (2005) Finansal Analiz Tekniklerinin Sigorta ġirketi Mali Tablolarına Uygulanması, Maliye Dergisi, Sayı:149, Mayıs-Aralık. 619 �2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9 2010, Sarajevo Berk, N. (2005). AB Sigortacılığı'nda Solvency II Düzenlemeleri ve Türk Sigortacılığı'nın Harmonizasyonu, Türkiye Sigorta ve Reasürans ġirketler Birliği Yayını, Bilim ve DanıĢma Kurulu Onaylı Eserler. Candar, S. (2001). Sigorta Muhasebesi ve Mali Tablolarının Diğer Sektörlerden FarklılaĢması ve Analizi, Ankara. Çaldağ, Y. (1979). Sigorta ĠĢletmeleri ve Muhasebesinin Ġncelenmesi, AĠTĠA Yayınları, Ankara. International Financial Reporting Standard 4- Insurance Contract Pekiner, K. (1974). Sigorta ĠĢletmeciliği Prensipleri-Hesap Bünyesi, Ġstanbul. Sarıaslan, M. (2008). Devam Eden Riskler KarĢılığının TFRS 4‘deki Düzenlemelerle KarĢılaĢtırılması, Sigorta AraĢtırmaları Dergisi, Sayı:4. Turkish Financial Reporting Standard 4- Insurance Contract Uyanık, A. (2001). Denetim, Muhasebe ve Vergilendirme -Sigorta Sektörü Uygulamalı-, Beta Basım Yayım Dağıtım, Ġstanbul. 620 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 240 Title A name given to the resource Regulations and Accounting Applications in Insurance Sector of Turkey Author Author AKTAŞ, Rafet AÇIKALIN, Süleyman Abstract A summary of the resource. Insurance is a contract with a premium payment based on the principle of paying claims when the risk, that is the reason of insurance for an interest, is realized. Trust is the base of insurance business. This sector especially in developing countries has a potential to raise new funds for economic development. In Turkey, 61 firms and 16,069 employees work in life, non-life, life/pension and pension branches of insurance sector in 2008. This sector is one of the developing areas in Turkey with 73 brokers and 13,250 agencies. Insurance agencies are working according to the Insurance Law and the regulations of the General Directorate of Insurance and Insurance Supervisory Board both of which organized under Turkish Treasury. These regulations are about establishment processes, insurance activities, the way of using funds collected from premiums, and adequacy of capital and liability compensations. Accounting activities are executed according to these regulations. In addition, Capital Markets Board (CMB) and Turkish Accounting Standards Board (TASB) describe standards and accounting applications have to obey these standards too. The name of this standard is Turkish Financial Reporting Standards (TFRS) 4 – Insurance Contracts that is arranged parallel to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 4 – Insurance Contracts. This study aims to describe the characteristics of insurance sector in Turkey and also to analyze some specific regulations and accounting applications. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-06 Keywords Keywords. Conference or Workshop Item PeerReviewed HB Economic Theory