1. Evaluating gastronomic destination competitiveness through upscale gastronomyNuša Basle, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Food has evolved from a basic necessity to a primary motivation for travel. While providing a high-quality gastronomic offer is still a restaurant's primary function, quality is no longer enough; today's demanding guests seek unique and memorable dining experiences. A restaurant's competences play a significant role in shaping the guests' overall perception of the quality and derived perceived value, both of which ultimately impact the competitiveness of both the restaurant and the gastronomic destination. The main contribution of this article is the development of a novel theoretical model-GADECOMP-which is designed to measure a gastronomic destination's competitiveness by centering it around the destination's gastronomic offer. Exploratory factor analyses confirmed that the instrument is reliable and valid. The model was tested on upscale restaurant guests in Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia. Additionally, the SERVQUAL model of quality measurement was transferred from the entrepreneurial level to the destination level. Our method uses a unique competence approach and expands and diversifies the existing quality concepts by using elements of innovativeness, creativity, sustainability, and local features. The GADECOMP model measures the perceived quality of a gastronomic destination through its competences, which are reflected in the gastronomic destination offer. A regression analysis was used to identify the strength of the effect that perceived value has on the gastronomic destination offer and gastronomic destination competences. Keywords: gastronomic tourism, upscale gastronomy, quality, gastronomic destination competences, GADECOMP model, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia Published in DKUM: 19.02.2024; Views: 423; Downloads: 15 Full text (516,84 KB) This document has many files! More... |
2. Plants are not boring, school botany isNataša Kletečki, Dario Hruševar, Božena Mitić, Andrej Šorgo, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The quality of botanical education depends on the quality and interests of the teacher. The aim of our paper was to conduct an initial study on the attitudes of primary and secondary school teachers about plants and botany. We initiated a study in which 211 biology and 168 teachers of different subjects, from primary to secondary schools in Croatia, participated on a voluntary basis. Statistical analysis was processed using jamovi 2.3 software. Teachers of all profiles (biology and others) had similar attitudes: high opinion about the importance of plants for life and education but not about school botany; botany was in the middle of their scale for potential exclusion from education. The last part of the survey referred only to biology teachers and their interests and suggestions for increasing the attractiveness of botany as a subject. The results showed that botany was the least popular, and within it, teachers were most interested in ecology and horticulture. They suggested that botany would be more interesting with active teaching methods and references to everyday contexts; however, it remains unclear why that is so, as the level of autonomy they are given does enable them to introduce such changes. Keywords: botanical education, Croatia, plant awareness, plant blindness, primary and secondary school teachers Published in DKUM: 06.02.2024; Views: 348; Downloads: 20 Full text (995,53 KB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Effects of media coverage on budget transparency in Croatian local administrative unitsIvana Rukavina, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This paper evaluates positive and negative media coverage of online local budget transparency (OLBT) and its impact on budget transparency in Croatian local administrative units in 2018. Using multinomial logistic regression, research confirmed a strong impact of media coverage on budget transparency. Positive media coverage of OLBT increases the probability that local administrative units will attain a higher level of transparency, while negative media coverage is accompanied by a higher likelihood of local units’ retention in the lower transparency range. The implications of these findings are clearly emphasized through a deeper understanding of the role of the media in public sector economics, precisely in the context of budget transparency. This study contributes to public sector literature by identifying the effects of positive and negative media coverage on budget transparency. Keywords: fiscal transparency, budget transparency, local administrative units, media coverage, Croatia Published in DKUM: 05.09.2023; Views: 227; Downloads: 7 Link to file |
4. Juvenile crime in the 21st century : a really escalating problem or just a media sensation? The case of CroatiaIrena Cajner Mraović, Valentina Asančaić, Dubravko Derk, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
The main goal of the paper is to analyse dynamics of juvenile crime and to identify long-term tendencies in the development of this negative social phenomenon in Croatia in this century.
Design/Methods/Approach:
Based on official police statistics, the analysis of the dynamics and the average rate of change are used to reveal and compare trends in reported overall, violent, and juvenile property crime in Croatia between 2000 and 2013. Model of a linear trend is used to make a prediction of future short-time trends.
Findings:
Though the total number of reported juvenile crime is stable or even slightly declining over the observed period, there are exceptional increases or declines in certain years and in certain offences, which can create the wrong impression about alarming changes. It especially applies to the oscillations of the number of reported juvenile homicide and rape, because of small absolute numbers. Substantial and significant fluctuations during the observed period, are found in reported rates for robbery and theft: there is a decrease in reported theft and increase in reported robbery.
Originality/Value:
In Croatia, but also in other post-socialist countries in Central Eastern Europe, there are general beliefs of the dramatic increase in juvenile crime rates since late 1990s. Results of this study reveal how such cursory review obscures some long-term and significant changes in juvenile crime, which are indicative when speaking about the juvenile crime under conditions of intensive social change. Keywords: juvenile, overall crime, violent crime, property crime, Croatia, trends Published in DKUM: 16.04.2020; Views: 1100; Downloads: 47 Link to file This document has many files! More... |
5. Developing police search strategies for elderly missing persons in CroatiaKsenija Butorac, Marijan Šuperina, Ljiljana Mikšaj-Todorović, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
This paper examines the distribution of elderly missing persons in the city of Zagreb per variables (age, sex of the missing person, social and marital status, employment, place and duration of disappearance, method of finding the missing person, its outcome, reasons for disappearance, etc.) needed for the design of the plan of the search for the missing person.
Design/Methods/Approach:
The paper uses data collected through a questionnaire with 417 variables and processed with certain basic statistical methods. The collected data are examined on a sample of 170 elderly missing persons in the city of Zagreb, and through characteristics of methods, measures and actions, together with the methods of search for elderly persons in cities, with special reference to Zagreb.
Findings:
The statistically established behavioural modes of certain groups of elderly people are analysed: persons with Alzheimer’s disease and persons with suicidal risk. The stated findings largely assist in planning and conducting the search for those persons, especially for missing person profiling and his/her possible movement since disappearance. The success of the search for the missing person presumes knowledge about the stated specifics by all searchers. It especially applies to the police in the formal, due to its sole duty and competence for the search for missing persons, as well as in the real sense where they conduct search measures and actions together with other participants adapted to real situations of disappearance of elderly persons.
Research Limitations / Implications:
The research has been limited by data available from the police bulletin of daily events, but this limitation was partially removed by a direct insight into the police files containing the case history. During the research, the legal and ethical regulations regarding personal data protection were strictly followed.
Originality/Value:
There is a number of researches on police search for the missing persons (UK, USA, Australia etc.), but few of them deal with elderly persons. This paper introduces a new offensive approach to the search for the missing person on a strategic level (missing person profiling with regard to specific variables, possible movement and routes, “wanderings”). New police procedures are suggested on a tactical level (e.g., stopping a person who disappeared in a certain area), but they include traditional police methods (car & regular patrols, police officers on bicycles, police search dogs, collecting information, conducting interviews, terrain search etc.). Introduction of the principle of partnership search for the missing person. Research results should be useful to police practice and their education. Keywords: missing persons, police search, elderly persons, Alzheimer's disease, Croatia Published in DKUM: 16.04.2020; Views: 1070; Downloads: 68 Full text (366,35 KB) This document has many files! More... |
6. Police officersʼ motor abilities and their link to martial arts achievementsDamir Lauš, Goran Ribičić, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
The objective of this paper is to determine the link between police officers’ motor abilities and their achievements in the martial arts.
Design/Methods/Approach:
The research involved a sample of 140 police officers employed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.
The sample of criterion variables involves evaluating five groups of elements that are used to assess the quality of performing martial arts elements: N1 – strikes and blocks; N2 – judo falls and throwing; N3 – arrest techniques; N4 – defence against an unarmed attacker; and N5 – defence against an armed attacker. The quality of a performance was evaluated by three kinesiologists who are martial arts instructors.
The sample of predictor variables involves 17 tests for assessing motor abilities and one test for assessing functional abilities.
Findings:
Regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between the predictor variables and each of the five criterion variables. The link between the police officers’ achievements in the martial arts and their motor abilities was defined according to the following variables: side steps, standing long jump, throwing a 3-kg medicine ball, push-ups in one minute, overhand grip pull-ups on a bar, and squats in one minute.
Value:
It may be concluded from the research results that attention should be paid in the martial arts training of police officers to developing and improving their coordination, agility, as well as their explosive and repetitive strength. Keywords: police, police officers, self-defence, motor abilities, Croatia Published in DKUM: 15.04.2020; Views: 931; Downloads: 50 Full text (816,72 KB) This document has many files! More... |
7. Foreign Languages in Tourism : does the Higher Education in Tourism Meet the Needs of the Tourism Industry? The Case of CroatiaPetra Mikulčić, 2019, master's thesis Abstract: The aim of this master’s thesis was to examine in what way the foreign language curricula of the higher education institutions for tourism meet the needs of the tourism industry in Croatia. The research was conducted between both parties of this topic – the representatives of higher education institutions for tourism and the tourism industry representatives. The analysis of research results showed there is currently a gap between what the foreign language curricula of the higher education institutions for tourism have to provide and what the tourism industry actually needs. The research results suggested the main reasons for that gap are the absence of unique education strategy in tourism, a lack of practical work associated with tourism studies, overcrowded classrooms and insufficient learning hour rate. They also suggested possible improvements, which would make the foreign language curricula much more effective. Some of them include: the development of the unique education strategy in tourism, a more prudent choice of languages that are being taught, a limitation of enrollment quotes, an emphasised awareness of the importance of personal initiatives, the curricula with more interaction, adopting trends and successful ideas and changes in knowledge evaluation process. It is our hope this research will help in recognising the necessary changes and provide inspiration for improvements. Keywords: Foreign languages, tourism industry, higher education, curricula, Croatia Published in DKUM: 14.11.2019; Views: 1495; Downloads: 155 Full text (1,81 MB) |
8. Is there something as an ex-Yugoslavian HRM model? : sticking to the socialist heritage or converging with neoliberal practicesNina Pološki Vokić, Andrej Kohont, Agneš Slavić, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: The question of this paper is whether there is an ex-Yugoslavia HRM model drawing upon Western imported features fused with ethno open-socialistic and self-management elements? In the empirical part Cranet data for 341 companies from Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia are analysed. Main characteristics of HRM systems in ex-Yugoslavia are: the HRM strategic partner role is still neglected, the mind-set of taking care for everybody is omnipresent, the value of performance management is not fully entrusted, the full-time employment still predominates, and the trade unions retained their barging power. Although 30 indicators revealed specifics of ex-Yugoslavia HRM model, the theorized hybrid HRM system was not disclosed. Keywords: human resource management (HRM), ex-Yugoslavia HRM model, CRANET data, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia Published in DKUM: 03.05.2018; Views: 1250; Downloads: 174 Full text (812,12 KB) This document has many files! More... |
9. Individual's resistance regarding BPM initiative : case study of the insurance companyMirjana Pejić Bach, Vesna Bosilj-Vukšić, Daila Suša-Vugec, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Though the individual’s resistance is very often considered a significant barrier to BPM success, the literature on that topic is quite scarce. With the aim to shed light on this topic, we have conducted research of a Croatian insurance company. We examined the impact of individual’s resistance regarding BPM initiative using the theory of reasoned action. Structural equation model was developed using the data collected by the survey among company employees. The results indicate that subjective norms are positively related to the individual’s resistance regarding BPM initiative, while positive initial belief regarding BPM initiative tends to decrease the probability of resistance to change. Keywords: business process management, theory of reasoned action, individual’s resistance, insurance company, change management, Croatia Published in DKUM: 03.05.2018; Views: 1166; Downloads: 207 Full text (837,86 KB) This document has many files! More... |
10. Analysis of personal income taxation determinants in Croatia in long run : evidence from cointegration analysisIrena Palić, Ksenija Dumičić, Barbara Grofelnik, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Personal income taxation remains an ongoing issue in Croatia. It is used as an important instrument of income redistribution. Moreover, it directly affects purchasing power of the working population. Numerous changes have been made in this type of taxation since the establishment of Croatian tax system. The aim of this paper is to analyse possible determinants of personal income taxation in Croatia. After offering brief insight into public finance theory regarding personal income taxation, the structure of personal income taxation in Croatia is explained. The empirical analysis of the determinants of personal income taxation in Croatia is conducted using cointegration analysis. Economic conditions, average monthly wage, and number of taxpayers are used as determinants of personal income tax used in this research. The cointegration analysis is conducted using monthly data from January 2008 to February 2016. The results of the research show a statistically significant negative impact of economic conditions and statistically significant positive impact of average monthly wage and number of taxpayers on personal income taxation in long run, what is in line with economic and public finance theory. Keywords: personal income taxation determinants, economic conditions, wages, number of taxpayers, johansen cointegration approach, Croatia Published in DKUM: 03.05.2018; Views: 1260; Downloads: 219 Full text (361,99 KB) This document has many files! More... |