Suchergebnisse

Since the mid-1980s, the notion of 'European citizenship' has been discussed as a crucial factor in the formation of neo-European identity with particular symbolic, ideological and political content. This article explores aspects in which 'European citizenship' symbolic content and
constructs (membership, belonging, rights, participation and identity) are delineated through the European Union's institutional, political and educational discourses and policies. It is argued that, over the past decades, the institutional construction of European Union (EU) citizenship has
been characterized by a weak ideological and symbolic content as well as by political and social deficits. Moreover, it is claimed that the EU's education discourses and policies are controlled by an economic and technocratic rationale (marketization, govermentality, benchmarking, etc.), through
which the 'European citizenship' paradigm is gradually depoliticized, mutated, and decreased to a measurable 'civic competence' governed by numbers.

This paper studies the financial characteristics of firms that are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. The primary focus of the study is to capture the financial attributes of firms that display positive and negative stock returns, and firms that display low and high standard deviation in their stock returns. The study also examines the behaviour of firms that belong to ATHEX as well as other market indices, such as FTSE 20, FTSE International, etc. The study categorises listed firms based on size, growth, profitability, liquidity and leverage, and assesses their financial behaviour and performance. Firms with high profitability and growth, liquidity and dividend payout tend to attract investors' interest and display positive stock returns. Firms with unfavourable financial figures and uncertainty appear to exhibit significant volatility in their stock returns. Firms that are politically and financially visible, either due to size or because they belong to a market index, tend to carefully organise their actions and meet financial analysts' forecasts. Firms distribute high dividends and pay their creditors timely in order to attract investors, satisfy creditors and favourably affect stock market participants. Overall, firms structure their decision-making so as to improve their financial profile and performance, and influence the picture that the stock market has about their managerial abilities and future prospects.

PurposeThe present paper focuses on the level of attention and comprehension that Greek schoolchildren have of food labels. Three different age groups (8th, 10th and 12th years of age) are examined. A large dataset from various districts in the wider Athens region has been used.Design/methodology/approachThe British Food Standards Agency questionnaire used for the same purpose in the UK was adopted and adapted to the local circumstances.FindingsThe sampled schoolchildren pay attention at certain food labels elements only, and they may do so only when they purchase a product for the first time. There is an associated lack of understanding, and medium to high levels of erroneous interpretation for some food label related information. No major differences are found to exist between age groups.Research limitations/implicationsMethods suitable for fostering awareness and clarity in student mindsets regarding food label elements need development.Practical implicationsThere is a substantial need to alter the method for the exchange and provision of information to schoolchildren regarding food label information is concerned, as the current status of affairs seems to be unsatisfactory.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical results regarding the extent of attention towards, and understanding of, a wide range of different elements/information available in food labels. The dataset is large and it originates from various districts in the wider Athens region.

Verticordia grandis J. Drumm. (Myrtaceae) is described and illustrated; its ecology and its position within the genus are given. The circumstances of its discovery, and James Drummond's activities as a collector in Western Australia, are discussed.