Corruption is a destructive phenomenon that is present in all countries of the world. Numerous studies and analyses show that higher levels of corruption are found in countries with a low level of social and economic development, characterized by low incomes, poverty, uneven growth and development, population migration, and various diseases. Therefore, a particularly strong correlation between corruption and economic and sustainable development is characteristic of low-income countries, i.e., underdeveloped and developing countries (higher levels of the grey economy and corruption correspond to lower levels of economic and sustainable development). For developed countries, the opposite is true - higher levels of economic and sustainable development are correlated with lower levels of the grey economy and corruption. The main goal of this paper is to analyse the impact of the shadow economy and corruption on the economic and sustainable development of European countries.
The paper deals with the issue of missing women as a consequence of gender-based violence, i.e., selective birth policies and unequal access to resources, as well as the projection of the number of women and men in the two most populous countries in the world. The socio-economic consequences that gender imbalance could cause are analysed later, not only in China and India, but also beyond the borders of the mentioned countries. Today, more than ever, by connecting people into a "global village", phenomena in one part of the world cause disturbances across the planet. While progress in combating violence against women and improving support for victims is visible in many countries, new forms of violence are emerging. The Indian Nobel Prize winner and economist Amartya Sen was the first to notice that more than one hundred million women have "disappeared". The decrease in the number of women will lead, among other things, to an increase in the number of men who will live alone, marriage migration, an increase in the number of kidnapped women, forced marriages, trafficking of women, sexual exploitation and abuse of women, as well as the accumulation of bachelors' capital.
Due to the specific nature of legal affairs and the judiciary as a whole, it was initially believed that artificial intelligence would largely bypass the legal industry. However, the degree of application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal sphere in certain countries has exceeded all expectations. This has given rise to numerous questions, not only of a legal but also of civilizational importance. The effects of the application of AI in the judiciary have remained insufficiently researched, as have their consequences. They have been overshadowed by market competition among highly developed technology companies for profit, as well as by the interests of individual states in exercising political control over the judiciary. In order to contribute to clarifying the depth of change and the essence of the risks, this paper explores the basic AI tools that are used or recommended for use in the legal industry of certain countries, primarily the USA, China, and the European Union. Their characteristics are highlighted, as well as the problems that arise in this context. The risks are all the greater if we take into account the findings of our research that the field of AI worldwide is insufficiently and superficially regulated by law. The level of control, supervision, and verification of AI remains far below what is necessary, which calls its trustworthiness into question. Therefore, the adoption of appropriate laws at the national and international levels has become a priority for the further development and application of artificial intelligence and for the prevention of dangerous and undesirable consequences, such as massive violations of human rights, the endangering of human freedoms, and deep social upheavals. The dilemmas that lawyers and judges face in the application of artificial intelligence, and which are discussed in this paper, undoubtedly require further theoretical elaboration and clarification.
This paper critically examines the types of intellectual property (IP) protection used by creative enterprises in Croatia, focusing on their impact on market positioning and overall economic performance. The aim of the study is to identify the forms of IP prevalent in the industry and to examine the practical challenges faced by these enterprises in managing and protecting their intangible assets. The methodological framework is based on the analysis of secondary data sourced from various databases and includes analytical, synthetic, and comparative approaches. The results indicate that enterprises with intellectual property rights generally have higher employment levels, higher revenues per employee, and higher average wages than enterprises without such rights. Patents are found to be particularly influential and often correlate with the greatest economic benefits. These findings underscore the strategic role that robust intellectual property protection plays in increasing the competitiveness, resilience, and long-term sustainability of creative businesses. In light of these findings, the paper recommends strengthening support systems to improve the effectiveness of IP management and legal protection in this segment of the economy.
Economic migration is an integral part of international trade transactions in the modern world. Globally, healthcare professionals constitute a significant part of overall economic migration flows. Worldwide, nurses are the most numerous group of healthcare professionals, and the quality of care is closely related to the effectiveness of the entire health system. As healthcare systems across the world grapple with staffing shortages, understanding how job satisfaction influences nurse retention and migration patterns becomes increasingly crucial. This review article explores the available literature on aspects of job satisfaction, the factors that lead to economic migration, and their implications for the nursing workforce. The findings underscore the importance of effective strategies for fostering nurses' job satisfaction and addressing the challenges of economic migration in the healthcare sector.
In the context of financial security, forensic accounting and corporate investigations play a key role in detecting and preventing irregularities, improving internal controls, and strengthening investor and stakeholder confidence. The application of forensic accounting involves a detailed analysis of financial statements and business transactions, while corporate investigations encompass broader processes that include legal, operational, and organizational aspects of business operations. This paper aims to present a methodological approach to detecting indicators of fraudulent activities through a case study and to highlight the appropriate internal controls that prevent their recurrence in the future. The paper provides a detailed examination of business transactions in privately owned enterprises that benefit management and owners while simultaneously jeopardizing the operations of their suppliers and creditors.
In recent decades, the digital revolution has brought major changes to education, accelerated by the rise of smart boards, e-learning, virtual reality, and 3D printing. A variety of devices have emerged, from projectors replacing overhead projectors to smartphones supplanting calculators. Nevertheless, digital literacy varies across regions and age groups and is influenced by infrastructure, access, and the state of the education system. Digital technologies have been adopted in education, but their utilisation demands appropriate instruction and continuous enhancement for educators and students alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the integration of digital tools, but their adoption has encountered various challenges. Along with the advantages of digital education, potential issues such as accessibility, technical barriers, and diminished interactivity also arise. To achieve successful implementation of digital education, it is crucial to maintain a balance, ensure data protection, and provide continuous training to teachers.
The aim of this paper is to examine the elements of the criminal offense of unauthorized use of someone else's business name and other distinctive marks of goods or services, as a form of criminal offense against the economy, which in modern criminal law has particular significance and is subject to specific regulation. Using the analytical-synthetic method with the inductive-deductive approach, certain rules were determined. The basic form of this criminal offense has two alternative modes of commission, namely: the use of someone else's business name, geographical indication of origin, trademark, or distinctive mark of goods, as well as the introduction of certain features of someone else's business name, trademark, or distinctive mark into one's business name, brand, trademark or special designation. The consequence of committing the criminal offense of unauthorized use of someone else's business name and other distinctive marks of goods or services consists in harm done to the rightful owner of the business name, as well as to the owner of other distinctive marks of goods or services. The criminal offense of unauthorized use of someone else's business name and other distinctive marks of goods or services is prescribed by Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia, as a special type of unfair competition, which also affects the interests of customers or users of services. The result of the paper is a commentary of the Criminal Code in the domain of unauthorized use of someone else's business name and other distinctive marks of goods or services.
At the level of definitions, there is a close connection between ethics and management control. However, in theory and practice, this is not the case. The main question is: why is this so? This paper investigates the relationship between ethics and management control in corporations, focusing on the points of contact and the limitations that hinder a closer connection. The relationship is analyzed within the framework of agency theory and modern approaches to management control. The aim of the paper is to examine the possibilities for creating an effective trust-based management control system, which would align with the essence of proposed reforms of corporations and capitalism in general. The research results showed that the existing management control systems, both within themselves and in the context of the default values of capitalism, cannot be transformed into trust-based management control systems. Ethics is separated from management control by strong barriers, either due to the influence of agency theory and the concept of shareholder primacy, or due to the limitations of modern approaches in integrating all elements of reality. Designing a trust-based control system will be possible once controversial discussions on ethics and capitalism are reconciled at the level of the state and regulatory bodies. This is necessary for institutionalizing a new corporate purpose and revised understandings of ownership and responsibility.
The territory of the municipality of Topola is located in the heart of & Scaron;umadija. Fertile land and a temperate continental climate favor agriculture, making it the leading economic activity. Special attention is devoted to fruit growing, while viticulture is considered an activity of particular importance. The area of the municipality of Topola can be described as a place where history is still alive, as it is rich in cultural and historical heritage, events, and authentic gastronomy. As such, it provides opportunities for the local population to engage in rural tourism. The primary goal of this paper is to determine the number of rural tourism households engaged in rural tourism and to analyze the accommodation capacities of the rural area of the municipality of Topola. For the purposes of the research, a quantitative approach to public opinion polling will be used in the form of a closed and anonymous questionnaire, as well as a statistical method (sampling method). The significance of the obtained results is reflected in acquiring relevant data regarding the number of available rural tourism households and analyzing the accommodation capacities of rural tourism households in this rural area. Based on the obtained results, it was determined that a large percentage of respondents were uninformed about the existence of rural tourism households and the availability of accommodation facilities. It was also found that there are various motives for staying in rural tourism households. Respondents primarily obtain information about the availability of accommodation facilities via the Internet, especially through social networks.
The rise of ecological economics and the verification of the sustainable development concept in the last decade of the previous century led to the recognition of the important role of natural capital in economic growth. With the ever-growing depletion of natural resources and increasing environmental expenditures caused mostly by human activities, it is necessary to disconnect natural capital usage from economic growth, especially bearing in mind current and future economic and societal development. The paper firstpresents an overview of natural capital as a driver ofproduction growth in economic theory. Then, the phenomenon of decoupling is explained, with particular emphasis on resource decoupling and impact decoupling. In light of the imperative to decouple production growth from the consumption of natural capital, the importance of the circular economy model as a tool through which the goals of decoupling can be achieved to a significant degree is discussed. Due to the possibility of multiple resource use in the production process and the reduction of environmental pollution, the circular production model is particularly applicable in the fields of agriculture and the food industry.
This research investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors on aggregated banking sector profitability in nine Southeast European countries over the period from 2012 to 2021. The authors use panel data analysis to examine how GDP per capita, exchange rates, credit risk, competition, and inflation affect Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). The findings reveal a significant positive but non-linear relationship between GDP per capita and banking sector profitability, suggesting diminishing returns at higher levels of development. Possibly due to a heightened level of export competitiveness, exchange rates positively affect banking sector performance. Credit risk and competition exhibit negative effects, although they are statistically insignificant, while inflation has a minor negative effect. These results underscore the complexity and predominantly non-linear impact of macroeconomic fundamentals on banking sector profitability in transition economies. More specifically, this research contributes to the existing knowledge regarding the determinants of banking sector profitability in Southeast European countries and their implications for policy and practice. These insights are beneficial for bank management in emerging markets, policymakers, and academic researchers.
Human resources and their utilization through employment are essential for the development and improvement of any national economy. A significant component of innovation and productivity growth is the employment rate of young people, who are considered to be the carriers of technological changes and competitiveness. However, despite some positive results in the past period, countries worldwide are still facing the challenge of a high youth unemployment rate and its multifaceted negative consequences. Western Balkan countries, all in different phases of EU accession, are sharing similar economic setbacks, including youth unemployment. The first part of the paper analyses the position of youth unemployment and the NEET (not in education, employment or training) rate in the Republic of Serbia, the skill gap that exists in the labour market, as well as an overview and assessment of existing strategies and policies implemented in the Republic of Serbia. In the following part, a comparative analysis of the position of youth in Serbia with the rest of the Western Balkan countries is conducted. The results point to mutual challenges of young people entering a dynamic labour market that can be addressed through extensive cooperation and joint initiatives. By analysing available quantitative data, theoretical and institutional frameworks, the paper emphasizes the importance of providing various measures of extended support for young people and their economic position to foster economic growth and enhance national competitiveness.
Burnout syndrome is persistent dissatisfaction with one's job, workplace, environment, or atmosphere in the immediate work setting. It frequently occurs among nurses due to the nature of their professional responsibilities. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of burnout syndrome has reached unprecedented levels. The research, conducted in February 2023, included 120 nurses employed at the Health Centers Zemun and New Belgrade 60 nurses in the COVID-19 outpatient clinic and 60 nurses in the NON-COVID outpatient clinic. A descriptive research method, an indirect observational method (survey), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in the prevalence of burnout syndrome, nor in the subscale scores, between nurses working in COVID and non-COVID outpatient clinics. Nurses employed in healthcare centers face the risk of burnout syndrome due to the nature of their daily responsibilities, regardless of the clinic's focus. Key factors in preventing the onset of burnout syndrome include ensuring a supportive work environment, adequate equipment, harmonious interpersonal relationships, and minimizing workplace conflict, all aimed at safeguarding the mental well-being of nurses.
Investments are significant elements of farm business operations because adequate managerial decisions concerning farm investments lead to productivity growth. While the level of investments depends on a number of factors (such as farm type, profitability, value of fixed assets, labor force, cash flow, investment subsidies, etc.), investment activity itself can be measured by a variety of indicators. The goal of this research was to rank different farm types in the European Union based on their level of investment activity. To perform the analysis, the EUFADN public database for the year 2022 (covering EU27_2020) was used. Having in mind that each indicator of investment activity provides a different ranking of farm types, the authors applied the I-distance methodology to determine the overall rank of individual farm types. The results indicated that the highest level of investment activity is related to specialized granivore farms, while the most important indicator for the ranking process proves to be gross investments in fixed assets. If the percent of net investments is used as the most important indicator for the ranking process, then farms specialized in horticultural production have the highest level of investment activity. Farm types dealing with olive and fruit production, as well as sheep and goat production, recorded the lowest investment activity.
The emergence of the internet and the development of information technologies have enabled the rise of electronic banking, which allows clients to conduct their financial transactions in a simple and efficient manner, significantly saving time. Individuals who use electronic banking services no longer need to visit the bank in person, can avoid waiting in lines, and can comfortably manage their financial activities from home, thus experiencing a certain degree of convenience. On the other hand, the question arises as to whether banks manage their clients' data appropriately, adhering to legal regulations and frameworks, including the Consumer Protection Act, ensuring that all personal data is used exclusively for business purposes. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact ofperceived usefulness, ease of use, reliability, and security on clients' intention to use electronic banking. The study also examines the use of blockchain technology, which enhances the security offinancial transactions. The research variables exert a positive effect on clients' intention to use electronic banking, ultimately leading to client satisfaction and loyalty, thus valuable
This paper presents an analysis of the repercussions of economic crises on pharmaceutical companies located in Serbia and neighboring countries. The focal point of this research is to delineate the influence that economic crises, spanning the period from 2007 to 2021, have exerted on the operations of pharmaceutical companies. The primary objective of this study is to underscore the significance of economic crises in shaping the financial performance indicators of pharmaceutical companies. The fundamental hypothesis, validated in this paper, posits that economic crises have affected pharmaceutical companies, although in diverse manners and with varying degrees of intensity. Throughout the research, two pivotal questions guided the investigation. First, the study explored whether there is a correlation between the macroeconomic indicators of the countries in which the observed companies operate and their financial indicators. The second question addressed whether all observed financial indicators of pharmaceutical companies decline during periods of economic crisis. This research focuses on three distinct periods: the initial phase of the global economic crisis, the second period encompassing the year 2011, and the third period marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it induced. The principal contribution of this paper lies in emphasizing that economic crises influence the operational dynamics ofpharmaceutical companies; however, the origin ofa crisis cannot serve as a reliable predictor of its potential impact on a company's operations.
This article describes the development and design of a sustainable solar electric cargo tricycle in Hungary, Europe, as well as the implementation experience and results of its five-year-long operation powered solely by onboard solar energy. The authors examined current low-consumption transportation methods, electric vehicles, and their suitability for solar usage in sustainable transport systems. Conclusions were drawn regarding the design, sizing, and optimisation of solar vehicles for onboard solar energy utilisation. A total distance of 24,748.4 km was covered with 1,686 kWh of total energy consumption, according to onboard measurements, demonstrating 100% solar-powered operation from 2017 to 2022. The sun provides sufficient energy for daily passenger and cargo transport with fully onboard-generated solar power even in Central Europe, provided that a lighter and slower solar-powered electric tricycle is developed instead of high-consumption cars. Apart from the inability to reach distant destinations quickly, the vehicle functions similarly to automobiles.
Regarding the widely spread view on the significance of emotions that affect consumer behaviour in general, this manuscript explores the influence of emotional motivators on the purchasing process in the textile industry. The aim of this study was to identify the emotions that have the strongest effect on consumers when purchasing clothing products. The empirical research was conducted from January to March 2022 on a sample of225 respondents in the Republic ofSerbia. The participants answered questions about the positive and negative emotions that occurred during the purchasing process in the textile industry. The survey indicated that the majority of respondents recognise the importance of emotions in their buying behaviour related to clothing. The most dominant emotions affecting their decisions were positive emotions, with trust and joy identified as the most important. On the other hand, fear was the strongest negative emotion recognised in the survey. The research also indicated a significant difference in emotional motivators affecting male and female respondents.
This study analyses how macroeconomic conditions influence the growth of registered entrepreneurial activity, quantified by the number of newly established firms per country. The research relies on World Bank datasets spanning 145 nations over a 17-year period (2006-2022). Using panel data regression, the findings indicate that higher GDP per capita and increased tax revenue positively correlate with the formation of limited liability companies (LLCs). On the other hand, the unemployment rate proves to have a negative correlation, indicating that higher unemployment levels hinder the development of formal entrepreneurial activity. These results highlight the importance of economic stability and institutional transparency in promoting the creation of formal entrepreneurship. By leveraging World Bank data, this study provides robust empirical insights for policymakers aiming to enhance entrepreneurial ecosystems through targeted economic policies.
