Social Insurance Institute

Abstract This study examines whether behaviourally informed training can improve the effectiveness of phone-based tax debt collection in a public-sector setting. In collaboration with the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency, we implemented a two-day training programme for call centre agents focused on persuasion, negotiation and behavioural influence techniques derived from behavioural science and nudge theory. The impact of the intervention is assessed using descriptive comparisons of monthly aggregated debt-collection performance indicators before and after the training. We find that, following the intervention, trained agents achieved markedly better outcomes relative to pre-intervention periods, including an increase of approximately 20% in the total amount of debt collected over the subsequent three months and a higher rate of secured payment agreements. Notably, these improvements contrast with historical seasonal patterns that typically show a decline in collections during the same period. While the analysis is descriptive and does not permit definitive causal inference, the results provide strong indicative evidence that targeted behavioural training can enhance compliance outcomes in live, interpersonal interactions. The study contributes to the behavioural public policy and persuasion literatures by extending behavioural insights beyond written or digital nudges to real-time, conversational settings. From a practical perspective, the findings highlight the potential value of soft-skills and behavioural training for frontline public servants as a scalable and cost-effective tool for improving tax administration performance.

The objective of this study is the statistical analysis of a six-year period (2019–2024) hit hailpad dataset over the area of Central Macedonia to define the temporal and spatial distributions of selected hail parameters based on hailpad network data. The maximum number of hail days was recorded in June, while the maximum number of hit hailpads was recorded in April and the secondary maximum was registered in June. During the spring months, hailfalls contain hail small in size, while during the summer months, larger sizes of hail are recorded more frequently. The region most frequently affected by hail is the northwest-west part of the area, and locally, the southern part. Pea- and grape-size hail is distributed almost evenly over the whole protection area, but walnut-size hail is mainly recorded over a rather narrow strip that crosses the entire area from northwest to southeast in its central part.

Within this teaching scenario, students will have the opportunity to critically examine the contribution of tourism to the pollution of local ecosystems. The target group is upper high school students (grades 10-12), and the study is based on the care-know-do method to promote ecological mindfulness, critical thinking, and active citizenship. Students participate in experiential learning activities that combine field-based observation, geospatial data analysis, and community interaction, including parent questionnaires. The educational intervention aligns with sustainable development goals 12, 14, and 15, focusing on interdisciplinary learning, environmental responsibility, and the development of problem-solving skills. Digital platforms can be leveraged to foster collaboration and data-informed inquiry, thereby motivating students to become active agents of change within their local contexts. The findings highlight the potential of combining environmental literacy and digital competence in school-based sustainability initiatives.

The insurance industry plays a crucial role in the global financial system by acting as a buffer against risk and loss. By pooling the risk of a large number of individuals, insurance companies allow people to amortize the financial consequences of not only catastrophic events, such as firefighting insurance for households, but also daily, mundane events, such as borrowing funds to buy homes or starting businesses. For most individuals, their biggest expenses throughout their lives will be associated with buying health-insurance limits, child-rearing, and, after retirement, pensions, to which insurance companies add value by managing financial savings (Chen et al., 2023; Grant et al., 2024; Nguyen et al., 2024). Insurance companies offer various financial products, from property and casualty insurance to life insurance and pensions. However, the overall financial value that the insurance sector adds to the economy is small – commercial banks account for a large portion of financial assets, controlling more than 18 percent of the financial market, while insurance companies manage only 6.5 percent. Despite the reduced relevance of the insurance sector, the challenges posed by volatile financial markets, global climate change, and demographic factors have led to growing partnerships between banks and insurance companies. During the last several decades, the insurance sector has undergone important waves of radical innovation, beginning with the widespread diffusion of information and communications technology in the 1990s. Although the newly adopted technologies have improved the performance of insurance companies, enabling them to reduce their operating costs, change the model and price of the service offered to clients, the overall development of the insurance sector has been slow and punctuated by periods of stagnation (Rodriguez et al., 2023; Sharma et al., 2025).

This article explores the phenomenon of co-opetition – simultaneous cooperation and competition – within the insurance brokerage sector, with a particular focus on the Polish market. While co-opetition has been widely studied among insurers, especially in the context of coinsurance and consortia, its application among intermediaries such as insurance brokers remains underexplored. The study examines the legal and practical dimensions of broker collaboration in Poland, where no specific legislation governs such cooperation. Drawing on empirical data from surveys conducted prior to the annual Congress of Insurance Brokers, the article identifies key motivations for and barriers to co-opetition. Findings suggest that collaboration is often client-driven, influenced by risk complexity, specialized needs, and international engagements. Despite the absence of a formal legal framework, co-opetition among brokers is prevalent and evolving, shaped by market practices and general civil law principles. The study highlights the need for updated regulations to support effective and fair collaboration, suggesting that co-opetition is a natural and beneficial strategy in a competitive yet specialized intermediary market.

INTRODUCTION: Rabies is known as acute, highly fatal, hydrophobic viral disease of CNS system. Majority (99%) spread by Dog bite which is major public health problem in rural than urban area. In India17.4 million cases and 24,000 deaths occur every year, each second there is one dog bite. It is 100% preventable disease if all efforts must be made by the health system to prevent even a single case of rabies, by make plans and policies for its prevention under rabies control program. To look into socio-demographic profile, knowledge and practice among dog bite patients registered at PHC-Hiresavalagi, Hence the current study was taken. OBJECTIVES: To find the socio-demographic profile of dog bite patients. To assess the Knowledge and Practice of dog bite wound management among dog bite patients. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted among alldog bite patients at rural health training centre, Hiresavalagi for period of 7 months by census sampling method. The data was collected by using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire A contact number was obtained from dog bite register, we conducted interview through telephone and who are not respondents to telephone we were approached directly.the data was entered into Microsoft Excel sheet and will be analysed using software SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Our study found that 106(93.8%),7(6.2%) was inadequate & adequate knowledge and 82(72.6%),31(27.4%) was inadequate& adequate practice respectively. Majority 76(67.2%) Patients completed course oftreatment,36(31.9%) was lost to treatment and follow up due to work load, out of station and 1(0.9%) developed new symptoms during the course of treatment. Various control and preventive measures are taken under rabies control program along with health education and promotion, among population by using mass medias, advertisements, role plays & skits at community level. To complete course of treatment strict guidelines should follow at all Health training centre, hospitals & peoples.

This abstract provides a concise overview of the applications, benefits, and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical industry. AI technologies are revolutionizing drug discovery, clinical trials, personalized medicine, drug manufacturing, and more. While AI offers advantages such as error minimization, assistance in complex tasks, and continuous operation, challenges including the need for extensive training data and high costs must be addressed. Despite these limitations, AI holds significant promise in transforming the pharmaceutical landscape, enhancing efficiency, and improving patient outcomes.

This Article is the first law review article to comprehensively examine Final Agency Determinations (FADs) of the United States Department of Agriculture. A key part of the administrative process within the Risk Management Agency of USDA, FADs contribute to the interpretation and understanding of the Common Crop Insurance Policy, which is the federally-reinsured multi-peril insurance contract. This Article surveys ten of the most significant recent FADs and emphasizes the importance of FADs to litigated disputes between insurance providers and insureds with regard to the federal crop insurance program. Overall, understanding of FADs is critical for stakeholders with the multi-peril crop insurance program.