Europeanisation under authoritarian rule: Greek business and the hoped-for transition to electoral politics, 1967–1974

ABSTRACT

The article addresses the domestic impact of the freezing of the Greek association with the European Economic Community (EEC) on business–government relations during the colonels’ dictatorship in Greece (1967–1974). Focusing on the Federation of Greek Industries (SEV), the author argues that in the face of the Europeanisation of Greek industry, Greek business embarked upon a strategy prioritising liberalisation as a means towards rapprochement with the EEC. But this strategy was not part of a pro-democracy agenda. On the contrary, seeking a viable political regime and future accession to the EEC, SEV supported an abortive authoritarian transition to electoral politics in 1973.     

Greek Marketing Strategies in the European Tourism Market

Between 1960 and 1985 international tourism to Greece enjoyed one of the fastest rates of growth in the world, averaging 12.2 per cent annually. Numerous inter-related explanations were offered for this phenomenon, including endowed factors such as warm climate and antiquities; low costs; the supportive infrastructure and the strength and efficiency of the supply of tourist services and products. One aspect, however, which has not attracted much attention is the quality of Greek marketing. The Greek tourism marketing strategies are examined using a sample of Greek national tourist offices located in major European cities. Data for the study were gathered from personal interviews with the directors of such tourist offices. Although the marketing strategies undertaken by the national tourist offices of Greece abroad have been generally successful, the long-term viability of such strategies can only be sustained by a formalised strategic marketing planning process which caters for a host of interacting internal and external variables.     

The Greek Debt Crisis: Likely Causes,Mechanics and Outcomes

We use insights from the literature on currency crises to offer an analytical treatment of the crisis in the market for Greek government bonds. We argue that the crisis itself and its escalating nature are very likely to be the result of: (i) steady deterioration of Greek macroeconomic fundamentals over 2001–09 to levels inconsistent with long‐term EMU participation; and (ii) a double shift in markets’ expectations, from a regime of credible commitment to future EMU participation under an implicit EMU/German guarantee of Greek fiscal liabilities, to a regime of non‐credible EMU commitment without fiscal guarantees, respectively occurring in November 2009 and February/March 2010. We argue that the risk of contagion to other periphery EMU countries is significant; and that without extensive structural reforms, the sustainability of the EMU is in question.     

新约圣经汉语“逆”翻译研究——论中文代表字原文新约圣经翻译策略与思想

传统意义上的圣经汉译是将圣经原文语言信息转换成汉语来表达,让读者在汉语语境下以汉语思维模式领悟圣经原文的语言信息。而中文代表字原文新约圣经与此相反,它是以汉语符号系统展现新约圣经希腊原文的＂原貌＂,目的是让读者通过汉语进入希腊语原文语境,以希腊文的思维模式来体验经文原文信息,在翻译思想及翻译理念上具有很大程度的相＂逆＂性。试采用描述性翻译研究方法能够较好地阐释中文代表字原文新约圣经的翻译策略及其所体现的翻译思想与理念。     

Social process auditing: A survey and some suggestions

In this paper the social indicators research is linked with accountability at corporate and national level. The case for auditing social measurements is advanced and a possible scheme is proposed. An analytical survey of all the related developments in social accounting is presented and certain conclusions are drawn. Finally, an interdisciplinary approach to accounting for the quality of life is critically examined in the framework of a mixed economy that today prevails in the western world. Vassilios P. Filios, B.B.A. (Athens), M. Soc. Sc. (Southampton), Ph.D. (Birmingham), has been a Research Associate of London Graduate Business School (1979–80) and a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Birmingham (1978–80). During the last years he has been teaching at the Greek Productivity Centre and the Greek Management Association, management accounting to middle and top managers of Greek enterprises. He has also been involved in organizational consultative work. He has contributed with more than fifty articles to the Greek accounting and management journals. He is the author of three books, one in Socio-Economic Accounting, one on Cost Accounting Data for Management Decisions and the third on Public Sector Accounting. Articles of Dr. Filios have also appeared in Accounting and Business Research, in the Accounting Historians Journal, the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, the Rivista Internationale di Scienze Economiche e Commerciali, the Journal of Business Ethics, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences Journal, etc. His research interests lie in the areas of Continental accounting evolution, E.E.C. accounting developments, and on socio-economic aspects of accounting.     

Analysing consumers' ‘activism’ in response to rising prices

The purpose of this paper was to compose the profile of active consumers in Greece during a period of rising prices taking into account shifts in their consumption. A survey was conducted from 1 September 2008 to 21 November 2008 to collect the primary data source for the study. Questionnaires were administered to 200 consumers. To our knowledge this was the first attempt to offer insight into the characteristics of the Greek consumer in a period of economic crisis. For this purpose, econometric analysis was employed. Empirical results suggested that high‐income groups spend more for food commodities and are less likely to be active consumers. It was concluded that consumers have reduced spending for some basic and semi‐luxury products like fruits, meat, alcohol, sweets and coffee, and entertainment activities. The main factor which affected the reaction to price increases, as expected, was the monthly private income. Twenty per cent of the consumers are members of a national consumer movement organization, and support their actions against rising prices. Women, who research the market before purchasing a product, are more likely than men to participate in economic boycotts. By examining the profile of non‐active consumers and the reasons for their behaviour, we are able to propose a policy for the activation of the Greek consumer movement, which is necessary for the consumers' resistance to rising prices. Taking into consideration that Greek consumers face increased prices for food commodities and services, a policy framework to activate consumers is among the main prerequisites for maintaining consumers' well being. We suggest that the Greek Consumer Protection Institutes should regain consumers' confidence and focus on the dissemination of information about organized economic boycotts.     

欧洲债务危机对中国经济的影响分析

随着希腊经济危机的加剧,成为全球关注的热点。由于,欧盟在处理希腊债务危机的问题上没有得到有效的解决,使得希腊债务危机进一步蔓延,导致银行危机与债务危机并发,逐渐扩散的整个欧元区,大致欧洲出现了严重的债务危机。本文通过对欧洲债务危机的分析,着重研究欧洲债务危机对中国经济的影响。     

Review and analysis of the empirical research in corporate social accounting

This paper is an attempt to summarize and evaluate the current state of empirical research on corporate social performance and policy. The extreme complexity and scope of the area and the recency of much of the relevant work makes the study preliminary, partial, and a little presumptuous out of necessity given the previous absence of such a systematic summary and analysis of empirical research. The present effort, however, may be useful in facilitating and channeling future empirical research.No single work advances understanding very far. The aims of a scientific work are limited by the formal character of the theory, by the phenomena it encompasses, by the types of subjects it studies, and by the data it gathers.(Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon, in: Human Problem Solving, 1972) Vassilios P. Filios, B.B.A. (Athens), M. Soc. Sc. (South-ampton), Ph.D. (Birmingham), has been a Research Associate of London Graduate Business School (1979–80) and a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Birmingham (1978–80). During the last years he has been teaching at the Greek Productivity Centre and the Greek Management Association, management accounting to middle and top managers of Greek enterprises. He has also been involved in organizational consultative work. He has contributed with more than fifty articles to the Greek accounting and management journals. He is the author of three books, one in Socio-Economic Accounting, one on Cost Accounting Data for Management Decisions and the third on Public Sector Accounting. Articles of Dr. Filios have also appeared in Accounting and Business Research, in the Accounting Historians Journal, the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, the Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Economiche e Commerciali, the Journal of Business Ethics, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences Journal, etc. His research interest lie in the areas of Continental accounting evolution, E.E.C. accounting developments, and on socio-economic aspects of accounting.     

Customer-driven philosophy in the banking industry under different ownership status: the case of Greece

Relationship banking (RB) philosophy has become a topic of increasing importance in strategic marketing management. RB concerns inter alia the applying of customer-driven strategies using advanced information technology. This study investigates RB in the Greek banking industry overall and also under different ownership status (privately owned vs. stated-controlled vs. foreign banks). Based on a wide field of research during the period 2005–2006, indeed, we find that banks in Greece apply the philosophy of RB; however, privately owned and foreign banks implement RB strategies more systematically and effectively in comparison with state-controlled banks. The usefulness of our results is twofold: they satisfactorily justify the considerable growth of the private banking sector in the Greek economy and significantly enrich the service-profit chain of this specific industry.     

Assessment of attitudes toward corporate social accountability in Britain

Few issues seem to have more long-term impact upon the relations between business and society than those of corporate attitudes toward greater public accountability, corporate behaviours in response to such attitudes, and societal reaction to those behaviours. Nevertheless, there has been relatively little rigorous behavioural research of managerial attitudes toward corporate social accountability. This empirical study researches the attitudes of management in Britain toward corporate social accountability. It assesses the corporate concern for social responsibility during the peak period of such concern by all interested parties (1974–1979). Vassilios P. Filios, B.B.A. (Athens), M. Soc. Sc. (Southampton), Ph.D. (Birmingham), has been a Research Associate of London Graduate Business School (1979–80) and a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Birmingham (1978–80). During the last years he has been teaching at the Greek Productivity Centre and the Greek Management Association, management accounting to middle and top managers of Greek enterprises. He has also been involved in organizational consultative work. He has contributed with more than fifty articles to the Greek accounting and management journals. He is the author of three books, one in Socio-Economic Accounting, one on Cost Accounting Data for Management Decisions and the third on Public Sector Accounting. Articles of Dr. Filios have also appeared in Accounting and Business Research,in the Accounting Historians Journal,the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting,the Rivista Internationale di Scienze Economiche e Commerciali,the Journal of Business Ethics, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences Journal,etc. His research interests lie in the areas of Continental accounting evolution, E.E.C. accounting developments, and on socio-economic aspects of accounting.     

Factors Favoring Greece’s Inward Foreign Direct Investment in the Aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis: An Exploratory Survey

Greece has suffered the worst from the late 2000s global financial crisis. Despite the completion of the economic adjustment program the rate of recovery in Greece is still weak. The liquidity constraints in the Greek economy imply that the investment shock, which will accelerate its recovery rate, will be an outcome of investment inflows by privatizations and/or other opportunities arising to foreign investors (inward FDI) due to the devaluation of the assets in Greece caused by the crisis. However, the level of attracted by the Greek economy has always been well below the European Union average. This paper investigates the factors favoring inward FDI in Greece after the crisis. A survey is made by the use of a questionnaire for the collection of primary data on the activity of multinationals in Greece and non-parametric methods are used for investigating the attractiveness of the Greek market and the decision to invest.     

European Family Firms in International Business: British and Greek Tramp-Shipping Firms

This article traces the similar paths and common characteristics of British and Greek tramp-shipping companies over the last 130 years through a comparative and international perspective. Despite the tendency of companies to adopt corporate and managerial forms, British and Greek tramp-shipping firms remained first and foremost family firms. The strength and the viability of these firms were networks, on a local, national and international level – networks whose cohesion was based on trust and a particular business culture that was developed in the maritime regions whence they came, centred on family firms involved in international business.     

Prospects for the Greek Economy in the Post‐enlargement Era

This paper examines the consequences for Greece of the EU enlargement eastwards. The analysis is based on an evaluation of the Greek economy competitiveness relative to the economies of the acceding and candidate countries during the last decade. Using data disaggregated up to the third digit, the magnitude of Greek inter‐ and intra‐industry trade with the above countries is determined and contrasted to the corresponding trade with the EU. Other issues examined are the effects from factor movements such as the FDI flows and migration, and the macroeconomic effects from the reallocation of EU funds. Enlargement is expected to exert positive trade and FDI effects on the Greek economy, a negative effect on future economic growth as a result of budgetary reductions and an uncertain effect on labour markets from migration. A non‐exploited trade potential of Greece with the Balkan countries creates further opportunities for regional development.     

Ein differenzierter Blick auf einen Euro-Austritt Griechenlands

Since the large current account deficit in Greece has become a source of concern regarding its sustainability, an increasing number of economists advocate the reintroduction of a devalued Greek drachma in order to improve the competitiveness of the Greek economy and help boost exports. This paper offers a contrasting perspective and puts the positive aspects of the reintroduction of the drachma in the context of legal and economic repercussions following the devaluation. The paper concludes that it is advisable for Greece to stay within the eurozone and counterbalance the ongoing austerity measures with investments to increase the competitiveness of its economy.     

Are ICT,Workplace Organization,and Human Capital Relevant for Innovation? A Comparative Swiss/Greek Study

This paper investigates and compares the relationships for Swiss and Greek firms between indicators for the intensity of use of modern information and communications technologies (ICT), several forms of workplace organization, and human capital, on the one hand, and several measures of innovation performance at firm level, on the other hand. For the Swiss firms, we find that ICT contribute to innovation activities (a) as enablers of process innovation (but not of product innovation) and (b) as means for increasing the efficiency of the R&D process. The organizational variables for “work design” and “employee voice” show significant positive correlations for most innovation indicators. Human capital matters primarily for R&D activities. The findings for the Greek firms indicate positive correlations of ICT with product and process innovation and of new “work design” with product innovation and R&D. No correlation of human capital with innovation could be found. No complementarities for the three factors with respect to innovation performance could be detected in either country.     

„Rettungsprogramme“ für Krisenländer verschärften die Krise — eine Replik

In his reply, Niemeier accuses Boysen Hogrefe and Stolzenburg of erroneously ascribing the failing of the Greek programme to insufficient “ownership”, whereas the true cause is — in his view — an inadequate austerity policy. The alleged success of this policy in Portugal and Ireland refers solely to GDP growth and ignores the continuing high levels of unemployment in those countries. Boysen- Hogrefe and Stolzenburg insist that the “success” of a rescue programme actually implies that the respective country is able to return to capital markets. The Greek crisis was structural rather than cyclical, so a temporary stabilisation of domestic demand (financed by additional foreign debt) would not have solved the issue.     

Negotiators’ Attitudes toward Signing Business Contracts: Evidence from Greece and Israel

This study extends beyond negotiation process and styles, and focuses on negotiators’ tendency to sign formal contracts. Drawing on a risk mitigation perspective, it examines the influence of businesspeople's levels of horizontal and vertical individualism‐collectivism, ethical idealism, and trust propensity on their attitudes toward signing formal negotiated business contracts in Greece and in Israel. A survey questionnaire was translated from English to Greek and to Hebrew, and 649 responses were collected from employees who worked in industries such as banking, insurance, construction, manufacturing, retailing, and tourism in the Greek and Israeli private and public sectors. Our findings suggest that higher levels of horizontal individualism, horizontal collectivism, and ethical idealism increase employees’ tendency to sign formal contracts, whereas lower levels of general trust are associated with a higher propensity to sign formal contracts. Interestingly, employees’ propensity to sign formal contracts was significantly lower in Israel than in Greece. We argue that the propensity to sign formal contracts, and thus to mitigate potential agreement risks, is dependent on the individuals’ cultural and personal attributes. The study provides practitioners with a set of cultural and individual attributes that can serve as predictors of negotiators’ predisposition toward signing business contracts. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Completion of the internal market and consumer protection in Greece

The paper provides information about the development of Greek consumer law under the influence of the internal market programme of the EC. This influence has been very positive in general. Most consumer directives of the EC have been implemented, albeit with some limitations. Furthermore, the Greek legislator has anticipated not yet adopted EC directives, e.g., on unfair terms in consumer contracts and on product safety. The author argues for the establishment of a European Consumer Code, especially in order to overcome the restrictions of the subsidiarity principle.

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Die Vollendung des Gemeinsamen Markts und der Verbraucherschutz in Griechenland

Zusammenfassung Der Beitrag informiert über den Stand des griechischen Verbraucherschutzrechts aufgrund des BinnenmarktprogrammËs der EG. Letzteres hat sich überaus positiv ausgewirkt. Das griechische Recht hat die EG-Richtlinien zum Verbraucherschutz zum grö\ten Teil übernommen, wenn auch in einigen Gebieten, etwa der Produkthaftung, mit Abstrichen. In anderen Bereichen, etwa mi\bräuchliche Klauseln in Verbraucherverträgen und allgemeine Produktsicherheit, hat man EG-Regelungen antizipiert. Die Verfasserin fordert die Verabschiedung eines europäischen Verbraucherkodex, schon um negativen Wirkungen des Subsidiaritätsprinzips entgegenzuwirken.

     

Unfair Contract Terms Under Greek Law: Case Law Developments

This note examines a decision by the Greek Supreme Court which offers an interpretation of the unfair term provision in consumer protection law. The case concerned a class action by a consumer organization against a commercial bank. The decision makes a breakthrough in two related respects. First, the Court not only interprets the national law in the light of the EU Directive on Unfair Contract Terms, but also adopts rules of interpretation and reasoning that run parallel to the latest European discussion on unfair contract terms. Second, in an unprecedented manner for Greek case law, it declares a large number of contractual clauses to be unfair, hence broadening consumer protection significantly. Most commercial banks in Greece are now under an obligation to modify their pre-formulated contracts in order to comply with the Court's interpretation of the provision on unfair terms in the Consumer Protection Act.     

Problem Child Greece

In summer 2018, Greece left the EU rescue umbrella. Enormous efforts were made by the Greek state and its population to cut back its over-consumption and recurring new debt. The austerity measures were associated with numerous reforms aimed at advancing the Greek economy. Doubts that sustainable success was achieved are more than justified. The positive development of net exports, for example, was mainly at the expense of investment. This led to an enormous and uneven reduction of capital stock. With one exception, the structure of investments in capital stock is not optimal and should be readjusted according to the current available data.