Editorial

The Journal of International Studies focuses on theoretical and policy-making issues faced by Central and Eastern European Countries’ (CEEC) economies which were formerly command or centrally-planned. CEE countries are still facing the strategic and socio-economic choices in the transitional economy, bewaring their situation in global world transformations and challenges of globalization. CEE countries had different reactions towards the ways of their economic development. Designate veritable priorities in the economy form a system of strategic purposes and impact a mechanism of their realization.

The Journal also deals with the in-depth debates faced by both transitional and mature market economies, which could serve as a pattern or a plausible solution for the emerging economies. We believe that the Journal of International Studies will serve as a thought–provoking medium for numerous political, economic, social and cultural themes behind the concept of globalization and international economics, which have long been sought after by those involved in theoretical and practical considerations of the matter.

 We are of the opinion that the elite of the society should be called for a close participation in the transformation processes, and an active role of the academia is most appreciated. The Journal is dedicated to enhancing the link between academic theory and its application at both micro and macro levels.

The authors are expected to critically interrogate the much–abused term of globalization and demonstrate, in a highly convincing and eminently readable manner, our need to adopt a far more creative socio-economic and strategic response to the forces currently transforming the society at different scales.

The current issue of the Journal of International Studies is dedicated to the development of Ukrainian and Polish economic relations with some contributions from other CEE countries. Taking into account insufficient cross-regional scientific research, it is logical to combine efforts in general meaningful directions for disclosing of situational analysis, prognosis of possible alternatives and modeling of optimum tendencies of historically allied Slavonic societies and territories, having a lot of mutual in history and culture.

An issue includes 15 papers from 16 authors from Ukrainian, Polish and Lithuanian academic establishments and non-governmental organizations. In the journal, different aspects of developing economies are considered, namely business innovations and regional development; labour market issues in the globalization context; industry development in selected European countries; and financial prerogatives in the Polish-Ukrainian context.

Yuriy Bilan and Yuriy Yamko

December, 2008

Kyiv-Ternopil