MA theses on Central Eastern Europe and Balkan countries

by: Giorgio Comai
  In the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, power (understood as a mixture of influence on  politics and economics in a country hold by a restricted number of people) does not simply shift from an elite to another or from a ruling party to  another one but changes in nature and structure. The new strategies to keep or obtain power being worked out in the last few years in CIS countries, as well as other factors determinant in shaping the processes of change of power throughout the region are the issues being discussed in the present study.
   Particular attention is dedicated to Ukraine’s “orange revolution”, often perceived as a (positive or negative) model in the area. Separate chapters will deal with post-Soviet groups of interest and political youth organisations, taking examples from different countries of the region.
   This study is meant above all to be some kind of reference book for all those interested in the processes of change of power in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

by: Irene Dioli
   This study explores queer theatrical performance and its social and political relevance in the post-Yugoslavian context; namely, in the city of Belgrade, where the field research took place.
   Over the past three decades, in the Anglophone West, four linked political and intellectual movements, have questioned common cultural assumptions and hierarchic understandings of social and identity categories: the sexual revolution, feminism, gay liberation, and minority rights. At the same time, anthropology has been a major force in contemporary theories of sexuality, particularly in the critiques of gender and heterosexuality as naturalised universals, and a specific anthropology of homosexuality has developed. An analogous, though different, process now seems to be developing in the former Yugoslavian context, or, at least, in the Serbian capital, where social activisms in different realms (gender and sexuality, politics, ethnic minorities, civil rights…) are developing a common perspective, focusing on the basic right to diversity and pluralism. Thus, a common focus on human rights is bringing together, at least partially, feminist, anti-militarist, and LGBT organisations, which have been developing common projects and initiatives, the basis for their cooperation lying in the struggle for democratisation, full citizenship, and certainty of human rights for all categories and individuals. For instance, the queer theatre group “Act Women” is part of the feminist organisation “Women at work”, and works in close collaboration with LGBT rights organisations (Labrys, Gayten…) and groups that work on democratisation at a mostly political/human rights level (Stanipani Collective).

Corporate social responsibility in selected, publicly listed companies in Hungary and Macedonia
by: Tatjana Warner
   In the emerging stock exchanges of Hungary and Macedonia, publicly listed companies aim predominantly at satisfying the shareholders’ financial goals – dividend and share value increase. Do these companies look at corporate social responsibility as well and therefore ensure to yielding greater returns in the long-run?
   The present thesis, “Is the purpose of business only to do business? Corporate Social Responsibility in selected, publicly listed companies in Hungary and Macedonia” examines the corporate attitude of selected listed companies in Hungary and Macedonia and compares each country’s case.
   Publicly listed companies are of relevance in this thesis because of their enormous impact on market development and economic growth and because of their aim of attracting more financial and strategic investors. In order to fund growth, goals other than high stock returns become relevant; goals that broaden the stability, trust and therefore the likelihood of potential investments. Furthermore, listed companies in transition countries are still in their early stages of developing socially responsible performances and integrating long-term sustainable approaches in their core business strategies. By comparing the countries cases, this thesis emphasizes on the importance of European integration processes as vital in advancing companies’ corporate responsible conducts, on the necessity of regulated public policies in regard to CSR, on the requirement of commonly accepted CSR reporting standards as a driving force to achieving a sufficient level of transparency and on the inevitability of the intensification of the stakeholders’ dialogues that can accelerate the success of the organizational performances of the companies.