Scientific Council of the Conference: Prof. Zofia Wysokińska, PhD, University of Lodz, Poland; Prof. Elżbieta Kryńska, PhD, University of Lodz, Poland; Associate Prof. Piotr Urbanek, PhD, University of Lodz, Poland; Prof. Li–Jiuan Chen–Rabich, PhD, Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan; Associate Prof. Yuri Kirillov, PhD, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Omsk, Russia; Prof. Sergey Metelev, PhD, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Omsk, Russia. Conference Themes: • Financial markets: – Capital market investors & investments, – Business valuation/ market valuation, – International financial market and its impact on national economies, – Causes and effects of global financial crisis, – Financial risk and return on capital, – Current trends in banking sector development; • Globalization and international economics: – Economic integration, – European integration, Eurozone – problems and challenges ahead, – Shaping global economy – multinational corporations, – Financial liberalization, – International trade, – Foreign direct investments; • Management in the public sector: – Corporate governance in the public sector, – The concept of new public management, – Management and policies in the municipal companies, – The role of management in the functioning of local government, – The Civil Budget as a new way of management in public finance; • Social aspects of economics: – Social justice in economy– perception of inequality and poverty, – Cultural values in economic life– the role of culture in Economic Development, – Social economy –third sector activity in a political and economic context, – Corporate social responsibility within the broader context of socially responsible, consumption and production, – Social networks and their impact on global economy, – Family Economics– decision–making in the family, division of labor, intergeneration issues; • Politics and economic policy: – Economic and social aftermath of wars and crises, – Institutional Change in Eastern Europe after the collapse of Soviet Union, – Game and decision theory of international political economy, – Role of the nation state, national competitiveness in a globalized world, – Contemporary Theories of Political Economy; • Entrepreneurship and innovation issues: – The role of framework conditions in fostering entrepreneurial activities, – The determinants and outcomes of firm’s innovative activities, – International entrepreneurship and international strategies of SMEs, – New trends in innovation and entrepreneurship, – Governmental innovation policy, – Research methods in modern economy; • Urban and regional economics: – Contemporary spatial structures. Their economic conditions and consequences, – New trends of urban and regional development, – Sustainable cities and regions. An economic approach, – Globalised urban environments. Users and their preferences, – Real estate market after the crisis. Post-speculative reality? Venue of the Conference: University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, POW street 3/5, Lodz. Contact: • Conference chairman: Emilia Klepczarek, MA, e–mail: e.klepczarek@uni.lodz.pl; • Conference secretary: Diana Koplanyi, MA, e–mail: Diana.Koplanyi@uni.lodz.pl. Conference Website: http://economytoday.pl/, www.eksoc.uni.lodz.pl, ikndeksoc@uni.lodz.pl.