1. Climate change in the Western Balkans and EU green deal : status, mitigation and challengesSandi Knez, Snežana Štrbac, Iztok Podbregar, 2022, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: The European Commission (EC), based on the European Green Deal (2019) and the Recovery plan for Europe (2021), envisages investing 30% of the budget in climate-related programs, projects, and initiatives, which clearly shows Europe's commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral region by 2050. Activities are also planned for countries that are not members of the European Union (EU), which require complex changes in the field of legislation, strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring. To successfully plan short-term and long-term activities on these grounds, it is necessary to have a realistic picture of the state of climate change in each country—as they spill over into the entire region of Europe. The main objective of this paper is to answer the following questions: (i) is climate change observed in Western Balkans? (ii) how are certain sectors vulnerable to climate change in Western Balkans? (iii) what are the climate change adaptation strategies in the six countries of the Western Balkans? The answers to these questions can help in planning activities and initial alignment of Western Balkan countries with the EU plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Main body: The main results of the research show that in all countries of the region, the average annual temperature increased by 1.2 °C compared to 1970, with stabilization and the beginning of the decline which can be expected around 2040. The main reasons for climate change in the region are: industry, energy, and heating sector based on coal exploitation, low energy efficiency, etc.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that Croatia as a member of the EU has adopted, and other five Western Balkans countries are in the process of adopting the necessary regulations and strategies towards climate change mitigation, but the implementation of specific activities is at a low level. The reason for this most often lies in the insufficient commitment of decision-makers to make significant changes in the field of climate change transition (lower level of economic development, lack of investment, and preservation of social peace). Finally, this paper provides an overview of climate change by country, scenario analysis, and policy recommendations.
Ključne besede: climate change, Western Balkans, European union, European green deal
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.07.2024; Ogledov: 85; Prenosov: 9
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2. Small hydropower plants in Western Balkan countries : status, controversies and a proposed model for decision makingBarbara Pavlakovič Farrell, Andrea Okanovic, Bojana Vasić, Jelena Jesic, Polona Šprajc, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. As part of the aforementioned fact, the WB countries have commenced exploitation of energy from renewable sources, among which hydropower is the most important. The main objective of the study is to analyse the status of renewable energy transition in the WB region, focusing on the construction and exploitation of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), as well as a proposal for an original model for decision making in this field, based on a multidimensional decision-making space. Namely, in most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed.
Results: The results of the study show that the construction of SHPPs caused damage to environmentally protected areas, living conditions of local communities, touristic and agricultural potential. All of the foregoing matters have led to mass protests by citizens and a high degree of mistrust so that the future of SHPPs in the WB is extremely uncertain. The assessment of the acceptability of existing SHPPs through the proposed model showed that 74% of SHPPs cannot be considered acceptable from the aspect of the location where they were built, and from the aspect of the impact on the quality of life of the local population. Accordingly, this paper provides suggestions for much-needed improvements.
Conclusions: The construction of SHPPs is causing numerous controversies, opposition, and resistance. To find the right solution, and contribute to sustainable energy and economic development, it is necessary to develop a fully transparent and objective policy system in this field, and to use contemporary models for decision making with emphasis on the involvement local communities in the decision-making process.
Ključne besede: sustainable energy transition, small hydropower plants, environmental awareness, modelling, decision making process, Western Balkans
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.06.2024; Ogledov: 420; Prenosov: 5
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3. The impact of COVID-19 on bank efficiency in the Western Balkans : a DEA approachKaterina Fotova Čiković, Violeta Cvetkoska, Damira Keček, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper aims to assess and compare the relative efficiency of commercial
banks in six Western Balkan developing countries (North Macedonia, Serbia,
Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Kosovo1, and Albania), using the
leading nonparametric methodology Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the
period 2016-2020, and investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemics
on the performance of banking systems in these countries. The outputoriented
DEA model has been implemented with interest expenses and noninterest
expenses as inputs and interest revenue and non-interest revenue
as outputs. Our findings show that the average efficiency of the six Western
Balkan banking systems differs, and Kosovo’s banking system has noted the
highest average efficiency in the whole observed period (2016–2020). In
contrast, the banking system in Bosnia and Herzegovina noted the lowest
average efficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic decreased the relative efficiency
of the banking sectors in all six of the Western Balkan countries observed,
except Kosovo. However, additional research that includes all pandemic
years is recommended to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
the banking systems in the Western Balkans. This study provides invaluable
insights for academic members, banking management and regulatory bodies,
governments, and the interested public. It is the first empirical study that
includes a glimpse of the first impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on banking
systems in the developing countries of the Western Balkans.
Ključne besede: banking sector, data envelopment analysis, COVID-19, Western Balkans
Objavljeno v DKUM: 05.09.2023; Ogledov: 262; Prenosov: 72
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4. Characteristics of the board of directors and dividend policy : a case study of banks in Western BalkansMarko Milašinović, Aleksandra Radojević, Biljana Jovković, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper examines the influence of the size and participation of women
in the board of directors on the dividend policy of banks in Western Balkans.
The research covered 104 banks, observing their dividend policy from 2017
to 2019. The dividend payout ratio was measured by the dividend policy.
A relatively small number of banks paid dividends during the observation
period. By applying the Fixed-Effect model, it was determined that the
size of the board of directors has a statistically significant positive impact
on the dividend policy of observed banks. Concerning the participation of
women on the board of directors, a statistically significant impact on the
dividend policy of banks was not identified. In addition to contributing to the
existing literature on corporate finances, the research results can be crucial
to investors when deciding to invest funds in bank stocks.
Ključne besede: banks, board of directors, gender structure, dividend policy, Western Balkans
Objavljeno v DKUM: 01.09.2023; Ogledov: 363; Prenosov: 231
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5. Ekonomski učinki “Mini Schengena” na države zahodnega BalkanaStefan Pasinechki, 2021, diplomsko delo Opis: The concept of open borders between Western Balkan countries has gained a lot of traction in recent years. The idea gained traction after the leaders of Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia agreed to begin implementing the "Mini Schengen" or "Open Balkans" plan, which includes opening the three nations' internal borders. In this thesis, we have analyzed the economic effects such a move will have on these three countries using already available data and studies done on Schengen Area countries. We used these studies and data to forecast the economy for the next few years if Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia joined the Schengen or Mini Schengen in the years 2021-2025. We discovered that open borders would significantly benefit the economies, increase cooperation, and improve relations of these countries, as well as provide numerous economic opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Ključne besede: Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Western Balkans, Schengen, borders, economy
Objavljeno v DKUM: 17.11.2021; Ogledov: 731; Prenosov: 68
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6. Digital marketing communication in developing countries : evidence from the Western BalkansVisar Rrustemi, Ganimete Podvorica, Gezim Jusufi, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Digital marketing has made significant progress in recent years, in all countries, both developed and developing. Many local and international companies have largely placed their marketing activities in the digital environment. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more important for many companies and consumers to conduct marketing, buying and selling activities through social media. Like companies, consumers are changing their buying behaviors by focusing more on social media, from which they are providing the necessary and sufficient information about all the products and services that are marketed online. This paper is of particular importance because it addresses the issue of digital marketing activities in the Western Balkans region, specifically the behavior of consumers from countries of this region on social media. From the results of the paper it can be concluded that consumers from these countries are quite engaged in social media, where they receive the necessary information for different products and services, follow the activities of different companies, etc.
Ključne besede: digital marketing, communication, social media, Western Balkans, internet
Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.01.2021; Ogledov: 1020; Prenosov: 0 |
7. The impact of EU programmes on financing higher education institutions in Western Balkans - evidence from KosovoGezim Jusufi, Suada Ajdarpašić, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The main goal of this paper is to analyse the financial effects of EU education and research programs on the development of higher education institutions in Western Balkan countries with a special emphasis given to Kosovo. To achieve the set goal, we have used the integrative review method. The Western Balkan HEIs do not have sufficient financial capacity to develop new curricula, new study programmes and research projects. They must therefore make use of EU education and research programmes to cover this gap. The evidence provided in the paper supports the idea that HEIs of the countries with low economic development, political challenges and lack of institutional capabilities will have a difficult time funding such undertakings without the assistance of EU programmes. Thus, these programs have a great impact on financing these educational institutions effectively. Therefore, their impact on the funding of universities in this region should be elaborated. It should be noted that there is little research which elaborate the impact of these programs on funding Western Balkan HEIs. These are key findings of the paper.
Ključne besede: EU programmes, higher education institutions, Western Balkans, Kosovo, financing
Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.01.2021; Ogledov: 997; Prenosov: 24
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8. Towards European Union or regional economic area : Western Balkans at crossroadsGazmend Qorraj, 2018, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The aim of the paper is to reflect upon the dilemma or whether the EU will continue the integration process in the Western Balkans or backlash on regional cooperation instruments and initiatives within the framework of the Western Balkans. The Regional Economic Area (REA) is analyzed as the more recent policy of the European Union for the remaining Balkan countries. It is crucial to analyze the idea behind REA, starting from two main assumptions: first, the creation of REA stemmed from EU internal challenges; and second, REA came up as a creative EU approach in efforts to find a specific model for reforms in the Western Balkans in the frame of regional institutions. The paper also discusses regional trade and specifically the role of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in coordinating these initiatives in the Western Balkans. Taking into consideration the EU current challenges as well as difficulties of the Western Balkan countries to overcome the political and economic problems, then regional cooperation could appear as an alternative to the EU integration process for the Western Balkans. The main conclusion of this paper is that the Western Balkans needs the EU’s direct support, in particular, since RCC and other regional instruments cannot enforce, support and monitor the initiatives and reforms in the region.
Ključne besede: Western Balkans, integration, cooperation, coordination, regional, enlargement
Objavljeno v DKUM: 03.05.2018; Ogledov: 1323; Prenosov: 190
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9. Evaluating the impact of environmental factors on the international competitiveness of Small and Medium sized Enterprises in the Western BalkansGoran Andzelic, Vladimir Dzakovic, Bojan Lalić, Danica Zrnic, Iztok Palčič, 2011, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with an export potential face significant obstacles in gaining international competitiveness, due to the highly dynamic environment in which they operate. This study evaluates the impact of environmental factors on international competitiveness of the Western Balkans SMEs by identifying the key pairs of environmental factors and factors of international competitiveness, which facilitate an increase in international competitiveness of these firms. The paper also studies the importance of strategic planning and decision making process in the Western Balkans SMEs. Research is based on a questionnaire conducted on the representative sample of SMEs in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period September 2008 to March 2009. The findings of the research indicate which significant environmental factors have an impact on gaining the international competitiveness of the Western Balkans SMEs, therefore offering sound basis for strategic positioning and further gaining of competitive advantage.
Ključne besede: international competitiveness, small and medium enterprises, strategic positioning, environmental factors, Western Balkans
Objavljeno v DKUM: 01.06.2012; Ogledov: 2671; Prenosov: 38
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