Ljerka Cerović

Economic Implications of Insufficient Health Literacy

Abstract The main goal of this paper is to elaborate the importance of health literacy in cost-effective utilization of health care services which influence the efficiency of the entire health care sector. In order to complement the theoretical framework of the economic implications and the circular influence of health literacy on the economy, an empirical analysis was carried out using S–TOFHLA. The results suggest that the patients’ personal characteristics and the accessibility to health care services influence the level of health literacy which affects the health care costs.

Monopoly Exploitation and Rent-Seeking as an Inevitability of Capital Concentration

The primary focus of this research is on the genesis of companies as the dominant assumption of their behavior, from perfect to deviant. The phenomenon of extraction of monopoly rents and its extremely negative effects on social welfare, such as rent-seeking, is assumed by the authors to be conditioned by the genesis of companies, and therefore, describes the nature of their activities and survival in the market. The paper attempts to interpret the relationship between the problems of inefficient production in monopoly markets as a necessity and inevitability caused by the genesis of monopoly companies. Furthermore, the paper synthesizes classical economic analysis of profit maximization in monopoly markets and the negative consequences that arise from it, with the Marxist analysis of the genesis of capitalistic companies. Regardless of the type of ownership profit maximization and competition represent a common denominator for both economic directions. The main thesis of the paper is that the free competition is a generator of capital accumulation, concentration and centralization as well as the most powerful tool for the eliminating market competitors. However, the competition battle does not stop with the market monopolization. It continues at higher levels of production and capital concentration, within and outside the limits of domestic market, whilst the goal becomes a tool ? capital to capital, with a tendency for further accumulation of all its negative consequences and connotations. Accordingly, the regulation of imperfect markets is becoming a necessity, thus the dialectical approach to regulation is proposed for various industries through principles and legal solutions for industries which respect specific characteristics of each market and the historical timing of the application of regulation.

Economic Effects of Renewable Energy Technologies

Abstract Rapid economic development has resulted in the more frequent use of renewable energy technologies. On the other hand, the production and use of renewables fosters the development of new technologies, creating many new opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded individuals and, consequently, the economy in general. Renewable energy technologies have a multiplier effect in spurring the economy and the development of not only the energy sector but also all the supporting activities related to such industry. The purpose of this research is to analyse both the positive and the negative economic effects of investing in various renewable technologies, as well as to confirm, by means of the energy-economy model, the benefit of such technologies in boosting the economy.

Liberalization of EU Gas Sector: Impacts and Perspectives of Future Development

The paper summarizes liberalization and the EU gas market opening along with its prospects and forecasts. The European gas sector is committed to ensure that natural gas, with strong environmental advantages is able to play its full part in a competitive, secure and sustainable energy sector. A successful internal market is essential to the competitiveness of Europe and contributes to investment in infrastructure to support supply security, efficiency and service. The paper also contains an analysis of the recent changes in the structure of gas demand and the supply and its consequences for enhancement of competition in the EU gas market. It discusses role of the growing gas demand, taxation of gas production and trade along with dependency of the EU gas sector. Liberalization of the gas markets is very important tool which contributes to the development of the European economy towards its goals of efficiency and competitiveness in the ever-increasing global market place. Clearly, the implementation of the EU Gas Directive can be viewed as a final step by the EU to accomplish an internal market for gas. The major objective is to promote increasing competition in the natural gas market and to reduce gas prices for all customers and thereby to increase the competitiveness of (energy-intensive) European industries and economies. Moreover, this paper discusses prospects for increased consumption of natural gas and future trends of the European gas market within the EU up to 2030.