bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Centrality of the Workplace and Class Consciousness in the US South: The New Orleans Community Studies
Authors: Melcher Cody , van der Naald Joseph
Published: April 2024

The popular and scholarly imagination considers Americans—especially those from the US South—to be averse to working-class politics. The South, in particular, is regarded as having especially low levels of class consciousness, hopelessly mired in racist or racialized ideologies which effectively eliminate the possibility of working-class solidarity. This article problematizes these conclusions by presenting the results of a series of studies conducted in New Orleans, Louisiana. Interviews with activists and community leaders, as well as two representative surveys of the city find that New Orleanians are remarkably class conscious, and almost universally regard the workplace as the central social system for determining their overall well-being. These findings are contextualized in Louisiana’s oft-ignored labor history, and contrasted with the currently en vogue “white working class” literature.
Correlation between body mass index and haemoglobin level of adolescent girls in a stunting locus area at Tangerang, Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, Jl. Arjuna Utara, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta 11510, Indonesia, Nadiyah Nadiyah , Jus’at Idrus ,   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, Jl. Arjuna Utara, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta 11510, Indonesia
Published: April 2024

Introduction: In Indonesia, anaemia is known to be extremely common in female adolescents. In addition, the problem of overweight/obesity in teenagers is becoming more prevalent, even in stunting locus areas. This study aimed to examine the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin levels among adolescent girls in Tangerang’s stunting locus area. Methods: This crosssectional study included 171 adolescent girls attending four junior and senior high schools in Tangerang’s stunting locus area. Adolescents who matched the inclusion criteria— healthy, having lived in Sukamantri for more than six months, and willing to participate were chosen by a multistage cluster sampling procedure. Body weight and fat were measured, and Z-score for BMI-for-age was determined. Haemoglobin levels were measured by the Mission Hb Testing System. Multiple linear regression test was applied for the analysis. Results: The prevalences of thinness/severe thinness, normal, and overweight/obesity were 5.3%, 70.8%, and 23.9%, respectively. There were 20% of anaemic girls. Among anaemic girls, there were 26% overweight/obese and no thin/very thin girls. A weak, negative correlation between BMI with haemoglobin levels was observed (R2=0.054, p<0.001). Conclusion: The correlation between BMI and haemoglobin level was weak in our sample of adolescent girls in the stunting locus area. The current study emphasised the importance of additional research that includes several haematological and inflammatory biomarkers to better understand the complex relationship between nutritional status and haemoglobin level.
Online training needs assessment (TNA) among Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) in the Philippines
Authors:   Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines, Glorioso Idelia G. , Gonzales Milflor S. ,   Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines, Santos Trina Mae B. ,   Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines
Published: April 2024

Introduction: A training needs assessment (TNA) was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to design appropriate and relevant trainings for Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs). In the Philippines, MNAO is a nutrition officer who serves at the municipal level and is tasked to ensure the localisation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) in Local Government Units (LGU) to ensure proper implementation of activities on Public Health Nutrition (PHN). Methods: A total of 162 MNAOs in the country answered the online TNA survey conducted from April to May 2023. Results: Based on the results of the TNA survey, there was a need for DOST-FNRI to design and conduct trainings related to the top three core competencies identified by MNAOs: Creating policies and standards related to food and nutrition; advocating legislation, regulation, and nutrition policies; and designing appropriate nutrition information education and communication (IEC) materials. Conclusion: Based on the study results, it is recommended that LGUs allocate funds for capacity building of the public health workforce to create a skilled workforce in the community that will coordinate the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of nutrition plans at the municipal level. For future consideration, curriculum design for professional development in public health nutrition should include core competencies on food and nutrition policy programme, nutrition programme management, and IEC development.
Analisa Kelayakan Usaha Dengan pendekatan Keuangan Pada Business Start-Up
Authors: Herijawati Etty , Sulistiyowati Rina , Anggraeni Rr. Dian
Published: April 2024

Dalam penelitian ini tujuan penelitian yang ingin dicapai adalah mengetahui keberlanjutan bisnis start-up ditinjau dari pendekatan keuangan, dengan metode penelitian menggunakan deskriptif kuantitatif dengan menggambarkan hasil data yang didapat dari penggunaan rumus-rumus keuangan dengan metode NPV, IRR, BEP, Payback Period dan Profitability Index. Berdasarkan data laporan laba rugi dan laporan arus kas , maka didapat hasil perhitungan untuk NPV sebesar Rp. 94.465.555, IRR sebesar 71,40%, BEP di tahun 2020 sebesar Rp 213.254.132, di tahun 2021 sebesar Rp 195.933.110,- dan di tahun 2022 sebesar Rp. 223.628.576,- ,Payback Period dalam 13 bulan dan Profitability Index sebesar 2,32 dengan total pendapatan tahun 2020 sebesar Rp.388.433.000,- tahun 2021 sebesar Rp 414.392.000,- dan tahun 2022 sebesar Rp 452. 347.000,-  Berdasarkan hasil analisa usaha yang dilakukan pada business start up Ayam Goreng si Mbok Desa dapat dilanjutkan karena investasi layak dinilai dari semua metode yang dipakai.
Perancangan Virtual Assistant Chatbot Berbasis Website sebagai Alat Promosi dan Dukungan Pemasaran
Authors: Hariyanto Susanto , Fenriana Indah , Putra Dicky Surya Dwi , Lasut Desiyanna
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini memfokuskan pada pengembangan dan implementasi Chatbot sebagai alat penting dalam strategi pemasaran produk. Chatbot diimplementasikan sebagai asisten virtual interaktif, memberikan pengguna kemampuan untuk mengajukan pertanyaan dan menerima respons yang relevan berdasarkan pengetahuan terintegrasi. Metode pengembangan yang digunakan adalah metode SDLC dengan pendekatan waterfall, memberikan kerangka kerja yang terstruktur. Pengujian dilakukan menggunakan metode blackbox testing untuk memastikan fungsi-fungsi Chatbot berkinerja sesuai dengan kebutuhan promosi. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan kinerja stabil dan dapat diandalkan. Hal ini menandakan bahwa Chatbot dapat memberikan informasi yang akurat dan tepat waktu kepada pengguna, memudahkan tim pemasaran dalam berkomunikasi efektif. Flowchart dan tabel pengujian yang dikembangkan membantu memahami alur kerja sistem dan hasil pengujian dengan rinci. Analisis hasil pengujian mengindikasikan bahwa implementasi Chatbot sesuai dengan tujuan awal, memberikan manfaat signifikan dalam mendukung strategi pemasaran dan meningkatkan kualitas interaksi pengguna. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini mencakup pengenalan potensi perbaikan, seperti perluasan knowledge base dan peningkatan kemampuan Chatbot dalam merespons pertanyaan yang kompleks. Saran untuk penelitian lebih lanjut melibatkan pengembangan grafis, integrasi suara, dan pemahaman bahasa gaul untuk meningkatkan daya tarik dan keterlibatan pengguna. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi dalam konteks penggunaan Chatbot sebagai alat promosi yang efektif, dengan harapan memberikan dampak positif pada kualitas pemasaran dan pengalaman pengguna secara keseluruhan.
Digital Commons for the Ecological Transition: Ethics, Praxis and Policies
Authors: Shulz Sebastien , O’Neil Mathieu , Broca Sébastien , Daly Angela
Published: April 2024

The article seeks to understand how the digital commons movement addresses ecological issues, how its actors incorporate them into their ethics and praxis, and the challenges they face in scaling up to become a viable ecological alternative to digital capitalism. Building on three case studies, we show that the digital commons currently face three major limitations: reliance on unsustainable Big Tech products, inability or unwillingness to scale up, and negligible political support. Based on two Policy Labs we conducted with actors of the digital commons movement, we conclude by outlining proposals to overcome these limits by adopting E.O. Wright’s anti-capitalist strategies framework.
Sustainable Development in the World of Lies
Authors: Čechmánek Kristián
Published: April 2024

Is the process of sustainable development threatened by disinfor­mation or is disinformation eligible to change the civilizational trajectory of the European Union´s paradigmatical endeavor towards a sustainable fu­ture? As the author believes, answering the question is vital in order to adapt to the situation of new threats that change the perception, cognition, and be­havior of a wide range of participants in political, public, and civil life. In order to do that, the author scrutinizes the European Union´s major sustainable de­velopment policies on the one hand and various trends influenced by strong disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats towards them on the level of member states on the other hand. As the author shows, there are already ob­servable tendencies, based on which it is possible to state a significant in­fluence of disinformation on the sustainable development of the European Union. As the following article will point out, the social and political reality in the European Union indicate a possible paradigm shift where traditional knowledge-based sustainable development is challenged by disinformation narratives that make both European and global endeavor toward a sustain­able future strongly aggravated.
The Influence of Economic Activity on Income in the Regions of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Vojtkova Maria
Published: April 2024

Household income is one of the important components for the qual­ity of life of individuals in the household, while individuals satisfy their needs through it. This paper aims to assess the influence of the selected factor, name­ly economic activity, the member standing at the head of the household, on the equivalent disposable income of the household in the regions of the Slovak Re­public, broken down according to NUTS3, using one-factor analysis of variance. Due to the non-fulfillment of the conditions for the use of parametric variance analysis, its modification using Welch’s variance analysis will be used. The start­ing source of data is data from the EU SILC sample survey on income and living conditions of households in Slovakia for the year 2021, while the analysis itself is carried out using the statistical tool SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1.
The Qualification and Educational Level of Workforce as Employment Factor: Case Study in Nitra Region of Slovakia
Authors: Országhová Dana , Chlebcová Martina
Published: April 2024

The prosperity of the region and the standard of living of its inhab­itants depend on many socioeconomic factors. The main goal of the paper is to evaluate selected factors of the Nitra Region in the Slovak Republic and to compare their level in individual districts with a focus on the mutual relation­ship between the educational structure of the population and employment. The research sample is composed of available data in the DATAcube, the da­tabase of the Statistical Office of Slovakia, and from results of the Population and Housing Census of the Slovak Republic: number of inhabitants, age struc­ture, level of education, unemployment, and others. The data analysis is car­ried out by descriptive statistics, method of comparison with usage of tabular and graphic presentation of results. Results of the Nitra Region showed that a district with a higher educated population is associated with a lower rate of unemployment.
The “Black Swan” Is “Green”: The Role of the Financial Sector in the Green Transition
Authors: Bobeva Daniela
Published: April 2024

The European Union has started an ambitious and unique tran­sition to a green economy. The financial sector is assigned a key role in the transformation process. While the legal framework of the transition is already developed, many challenges remain to be resolved to achieve a smooth func­tioning of the financial system within the changing environment. The article explores theoretical views on the green transition and the role of the financial sector. The impact and the risks of the ongoing reforms in the financial sector are identified. The applied methodology is based on a combination of qual­itative and quantitative analysis using ESG data, as well as data from a spe­cial survey aiming at capturing the views of companies with significant car­bon emissions on their relationship with the banks in the changing regulato­ry and financial framework.
Internal Audit as a Quality Assurance Instrument: A Case Study from Garment Manufacturing Enterprises in the Western Balkan Region
Authors: Kacani Jolta , Kopani Sajmira
Published: April 2024

The European Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (2022) aims to ensure that by 2030 garments have a longer life, are made as much as possible from recyclable material, and are free of harmful substances. For gar­ment producers, this means compliance with mandatory requirements along the value chain focusing on the entire lifecycle of garments, while supporting the green and digital transitions within the industry ecosystem. Compliance with the new environmentally friendly standards required for garment exports in the European markets demands an improved control environment and con­solidated internal audit procedures within manufacturing enterprises. The ob­jective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the current internal audit procedures in garment manufacturing enterprises located in the Western Bal­kan region and exporting to end customers in the European market and oth­er international markets. In doing so this paper analyses a sample of thirty en­terprises according to 5Cs elements of internal audit. The 5Cs in the internal au­dit include the criteria, conditions, causes, consequences, and corrective actions within the sample of the enterprises. Based on 5Cs elements new improvements in the standard operating internal audit procedures in garment manufacturing enterprises are proposed in line with new European strategies.
Participative Management in the Framework of a Local Action Group
Authors: Panaitescu Manuela
Published: April 2024

The main European policy for rural areas is the Common Agricultur­al Policy (CAP). Regarding the involvement of local communities, CAP, through the LEADER program, contributes to the promotion of a community-led local development strategy, supporting development projects initiated at the local level by Local Action Groups. For good functioning and achieving high efficien­cy, LAGs resort to the implementation of participative management in the or­ganization. In the presented work, we propose to analyze the importance of participative management within an organization of this type – LAG “Eremia Grigorescu 1863” Galati and the contribution to the establishment of new busi­nesses, the promotion of tourism, the creation of jobs, which lead to the sustain­able development of rural economy in the South-East Region of Romania. The involvement of the LAG staff in the decision-making process led to the enrich­ment of the level of culture and professional training of the employees, facilitat­ing the achievement of remarkable results in terms of the association. We used the Multi-criteria Analysis to check the way of making decisions within the Lo­cal Action Group.
On the Relationship between ISO Standards and the Logistic Performance Index
Authors: Ceko Enriko
Published: April 2024

Using regression analysis, the paper aims to clarify the relationship between trade logistics issues, expressed with the logistic performance index, and quality management, expressed with the ISO standards index. The paper opted for an exploratory study using regression analysis to find relations be­tween the logistics performance index and the ISO standards index, using data complemented Logistic Performance Index, and ISO Standards certificates is­sued worldwide, providing statistical insights into the relations between the LPI and QM, and the ISO Standards Index. It suggests that successful business or­ganizations should invest in QM, especially in ISO standards improving their logistics, and competitive advantage. This research addresses a previously stated requirement by doing a regression analysis to investigate how quality management (ISO certifications) and logistics are significantly connected. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of investing in quality management to gain a competitive advantage in logistics, recognizing the importance of the ISO certification process and quality management procedures and processes.
Slovak Self-Government´S Gender Policy
Authors: Petrušová Dagmar , Sochuľáková Jana , Kráľová Katarína
Published: April 2024

Gender inequality is a complex phenomenon whose impacts and consequences affect every area of society. Although as a rule the disadvantag­es concern women, in some cases gender stereotypes have an adverse impact on men as well. The goal of gender equality is to create a respectful space for every woman and every man so that they can realize themselves in life accord­ing to their wishes and abilities and not be limited by gender stereotypes. De­spite indisputable progress in equal opportunities for men and women in the Slovak Republic, inequalities persist in almost all areas of private and public life. The following contribution aims to present the differences and changes in the representation of women in elected positions of selected self-governing entities in the Slovak Republic.
Human Strivings, between Social Change and Lifelong Learning
Authors: Nilă Stratone Mirela Cristiana
Published: April 2024

This paper explains the relationship between social change and life­long learning, based on human efforts. The connecting element turns out to be the permanent process of transformation, both in terms of social change and education focused on lifelong learning. It is obvious that lifelong learning has become largely dependent on digitization, and the dominant method of this is becoming more and more pronounced as a new form of pedagogy of the self. This aspect leads to the new identity of the pedagogue/teacher, who, being also a dynamic element in the process of social change, transforms himself and at the same time the subject of learning. In this study, it is explained the need for a common vision about the interdependence between continuous and perma­nent social change on the one hand and the social need or the citizen’s right of the adult to train throughout life, on the other hand.
Innovative Careers Ahead: Adapting to New Occupations and Competencies in the Future Workforce
Authors: Vorina Anton , Vrcelj Nikolina , Bevanda Vuk
Published: April 2024

The rapid evolution of technology, automation, and globalization is causing big changes in the workforce. This is making us think differently about jobs and skills. In the paper, we explore the new trends that are shaping the job market. We look at three important topics about the future of work. First, we try to predict what new jobs will appear and what will make them happen. Second, we study the skills that are becoming more important for doing well in workplaces that are changing. Lastly, we closely examine how humans and robots interact at work, looking at how much robots might replace humans and what that means for jobs. To do this, we analyzed articles published be­tween 2018 and 2023. We found that adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, and being good with digital technology are very important skills during these big changes.
The Risks of Quiet Quitting: Exploring the Impact of Telework on Employee Psychological Departure
Authors: Schmidt Dusana Alshatti , Barath Matus
Published: April 2024

The rise of teleworking has revolutionized the way of working, al­lowing employees to carry out their duties remotely and offering newfound flexibility. The long-term impact of teleworking has fully developed many neg­ative factors that were already present in traditional work settings. One con­cern that has been raised is whether telework can lead to quiet quitting. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent increase in remote work have highlighted the phenomenon of quiet quitting, it is essential to examine the pre-pandemic context to develop a comprehensive understanding of telework­ers’ potential to silent disengage from work. Drawing on existing literature, this paper aims to analyze the risks of quiet quitting and investigate whether tele­workers are susceptible to engaging in quiet quitting by examining the poten­tial factors before the pandemic. This can help organizations to identify and ad­dress potential challenges, and foster an environment that promotes employee engagement, and long-term commitment.
Exploring the Universities’ Resilience in Times of Crisis by Reporting to the Pattern of the National Culture
Authors: Dincă Dragoș Valentin , Nicolescu Cristina Elena , Berceanu Ionuț Bogdan
Published: April 2024

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, superior education demonstrat­ed remarkable adaptability during crises, particularly by swiftly embracing a borderless virtual learning environment. From this perspective, the paper is focused on the resilience of the university educational system, underlining the importance of two key pillars that model it: the pattern of national cul­ture and the level of public spending on education. To this end and by reference to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, the paper highlights that the pattern of national culture explains a good deal of the levels of budget allocations on education between 2007-2020 of the cur­rent 27 EU member states. Thus, beyond the good practices identified in the institutional development plan by implementing a new management model, the results of the paper analysis indicate the need to consolidate the national educational policies through proper financing of the field, towards achieving the European Ed­ucation Area.
Factors Associated with Self-Perceived Health Status in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Labudová Viera
Published: April 2024

Self-perceived health (SPH) expresses a subjective assessment by the respondent of his/her health. When assessing his/her health, the re­spondent states one of the following categories: 1: very good, 2: good, 3: fair, 4: bad, 5: very bad. This paper aimed to analyze the influence of indi­vidual characteristics of persons aged 16 and over in the Slovak Republic on the subjective perception of health and quantify the intensity of their im­pact. For this purpose, a logistic regression model was used to predict “good health” (categories ‘very good’ or ‘good’). As explanatory variables for the logistic regression model have included these demographic or socio-eco­nomic indicators: marital status, age, the highest level of education attained based on the ISCED, main activity status, severe material deprivation, equal­ized household disposable income, degree of urbanization, and NUTS 3 re­gion. The analysis was performed using the SAS Enterprise Guide on a sam­ple of data from the EU SILC 2021 survey.
Identification and Role of Ethical Consumer Behaviour in the Overall Marketing Strategy
Authors: Dimova Nadezhda
Published: April 2024

The success of a modern marketing strategy largely depends on taking into account the changes and dynamics of consumer behavior. Cru­cial to this reporting is identifying ethical consumer behavior and distin­guishing it from unethical consumer behavior. Marketing managers should monitor the ever-increasing intensity of chang­es in consumer behavior, especially those that reflect the creation of unethi­cal behavior. This process is two-way, and in many cases, changes in mar­keting strategy influence consumer choices and whether to be ethical or un­ethical, because companies themselves can be ethical.
Understanding Regenerative Tourism as a Catalyst for Sustainable Economies: An Analysis of Selected Practices
Authors: Amorim Marlene , Ferreira Dias Marta , Brandão Filipa , Castro Madureira Raquel , Costa Rui , Breda Zélia , Guardado Cristina , Lopes Marcela , Pedro Bruna
Published: April 2024

The European sustainability agendas and debates present new challenges and opportunities for innovation, particularly in the tourism sec­tor. As countries strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the tourism indus­try must align its activities with these goals. Many tourism businesses are un­dergoing profound changes, embracing digital technologies and redesigning processes to prioritize sustainability. In recent years, the concept of regenera­tive tourism has emerged, setting even more ambitious goals. Regenerative tourism aims to proactively regenerate communities, cultures, nature, and eco­nomic systems. While lacking a stable academic definition, regenerative tour­ism is already driving the development of innovative tourism experiences that have transformative effects on specific destinations. This paper provides an ex­ploratory analysis of regenerative tourism, including a literature review and an analysis of selected regenerative tourism practices in Portugal. Through quali­tative analysis, the study examines the practices adopted by tourism stakehold­ers and evaluates their economic, social, and environmental benefits. The find­ings and lessons learned from these cases serve as valuable guidance for other destinations interested in embracing regenerative tourism principles and prac­tices. Ultimately, the study contributes to the advancement of a more resilient and regenerative global tourism industry.
An Overview of Foreign Direct Investments in Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Authors: Mujačević Elvis
Published: April 2024

Tourism is one of the leading economic sectors of our time. The Tourism Investment report by fDi Intelligence of the Financial Times shows the link between foreign direct investment in tourism as a driver of job creation and economic growth worldwide. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, foreign direct investments (FDI) play a pivotal role in shaping the growth trajectory of various sectors. One such sector that has witnessed a substantial impact from FDI is tourism, a thriving industry that not only con­tributes significantly to a nation’s GDP but also plays a pivotal role in job cre­ation. This article delves into the symbiotic relationship between foreign di­rect investments in tourism and the generation of employment opportuni­ties, shedding light on the mutual benefits that arise when nations open their doors to international investors. It also explores the significance of foreign di­rect investments in tourism, examining the positive effects on economic de­velopment, job creation, and the overall sustainability of the sector.
Digital Experience Scale Development: An Application in Rural Heritage Tourism
Authors: Marković Suzana , Raspor Janković Sanja
Published: April 2024

By using qualitative and quantitative research approaches, this study aims to develop a measurement scale for evaluating digital experience in the context of heritage tourism. The three-step procedure was used to con­ceptualize, create, and validate a digital experience scale. Conceptualization is based on key digital experience dimensions extracted from the literature re­view. The developed digital experience scale consists of seven dimensions: ex­pectation confirmation, perceived enjoyment/entertainment, engagement, perceived ease of use, education, escapism, and aesthetics. The scale was test­ed in a small heritage site located in a rural tourist destination in Croatia. The results show adequate reliability and validity of the measurement scale, im­plying its applicability in future research on the digital experience of heritage visitors. Therefore, this study extends the experience measurement literature and adds to the knowledge of digital technology implementation in small ru­ral heritage sites.
Sustainable Development of Spa Tourism through the Mobilization of Local Resources
Authors: Đurović Boban
Published: April 2024

The heterogeneous needs and demands of tourists have led to the development of different types of tourism. Due to the desire to spend a part of their time outside of the usual daily activities, tourists today are increasing­ly developing needs that are in line with the principles of sustainable develop­ment. The Republic of Serbia is often referred to as the land of spas, due to nu­merous thermal mineral springs, which have been used as tourist destinations for decades. In order to preserve the value of spas, and then improve the spa’s position as a sustainable tourist destination, strategic decisions are needed that will ensure the use of the resources available to the spa, while respecting the principles of sustainable development. Bearing in mind the above, this pa­per aims to examine the possibilities of spa tourism development through the mobilization, ie engagement of local resources.
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Albania Prefer Progressive Tax or Flat Tax
Authors: Zeneli Mimoza , Frakulli Almarin
Published: April 2024

A progressive and flat tax system is widely debated not only in public finance but usually as a political issue in Albania. A progressive tax has been applied in Albania in recent years. Many researchers in Albania have studied the effect of the flat and progressive tax on public finances, but what we will bring in this paper is the point of view with which small and medium businesses in Albania consider the effect of the tax on the in­come of their companies. Based on the results of the survey of Structural Statistics, for the year 2021, 99.8% of active enterprises are SMEs. This important fact intrigued us to study the effect of taxes on SME income as well as their opinion on each tax. In order to see the effect of the tax system, the analysis of the data collect­ed from 200 SMEs (through questionnaires) for the main indicators such as progressive taxation, and simplified tax on small business was carried out. The descriptive analysis of the data collected as well as the confidence inter­val estimation for the VAT rate preferred, are going to generate some con­clusions and recommendations for policymakers.
Possibility of Application of the Triple Helix Model with the Aim of Sustainable Development of Republic of Srpska’s Spa
Authors: Novakovic Vesna , Jakupovic Sanel
Published: April 2024

This study aims to show how we can apply the Triple helix model to improve the development and management of the spa recreational poten­tial of the Republic of Srpska. The lack of a unique platform that would repre­sent the spa-recreational potential of the Republic of Srpska as a destination that is rich in visual content and is based on a segmentation model, was an in­centive for this paper. The research concept is based on the Triple Helix mod­el by bringing together higher education institutions, tourism small and me­dium enterprises, and government representatives. Also, the research aims to collect and analyze data on the possibilities of improving the business of spas through greater promotion of their activities.
Analysis of Stay of Cruise Ships in the Port of Kotor
Authors: Konjević Nikola , Popović Sava
Published: April 2024

The business mission of ports specialized in receiving cruise ships is the optimal use of capacity for the reception and dispatch of ships and tourists sailing on them while applying all safety, security and environmental stand­ards. Hence, the aim is to maximize the number of ship and passenger arriv­als, and their time spent in the port. Using the port of Kotor example, this pa­per presents the achieved results of this mission. The main goal of reviewing this topic is to determine the correlation between the size of a ship and the place of its stay in the port and to define tendencies regarding the length of its stay. The paper also seeks to affirm the position of Kotor as a recognized point on the itinerary of cruise ships sailing the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.
Efficiency of Agricultural Soil Withdrawals – Case of Slovakia
Authors: Palšová Lucia , Čeryová Dominika , Machničová Zina
Published: April 2024

Policymakers, scientists or academic experts agree on the necessi­ty of agricultural soil concerning different areas (e.g. rural sustainability, and so on). In response to the above, the EU is therefore taking various measures in the form of concrete strategies for the protection of agricultural soil. The main aim of the paper was to analyse the current state of agricultural soil and its de­velopment in the territory of Slovakia, with a special emphasis on the investi­gation of agricultural soil withdrawals for non-agricultural purposes. The re­sults of regression and correlation analysis showed a statistically significant dependence between the purpose and several quality groups of withdrawn soil in Slovakia. The most common purposes of soil withdrawals were housing and industry which have a demonstrable impact on the constant decrease of agricultural soil. In conclusion, the authors proposed a complex of systematic measures to reduce the volume of agricultural soil withdrawals.
Renewable Energy Financing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Obstacles and Solutions
Authors: Topcu Mert
Published: April 2024

The renewable energy industry, whose global market size was es­timated at US$ 1030,95 billion in 2022, faced numerous obstacles including financing issues ranking at the top during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the importance of the topic, this study addresses these obstacles as well as potential solutions to financing renewable energy during the COVID-19 out­break. The study discusses that economic uncertainty, disruption of supply chains, reduced investor confidence, reduced demand for energy, and poli­cy changes are among the major problems in renewable energy financing during the outbreak. The study also proposes global solutions in order to provide policy stability and a predictable policy environment.
Climate Change Impact on Financial Reporting – A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Manoku Almina
Published: April 2024

Climate change has a dual effect on the financial dimension of companies: on one hand companies spend more to meet the requirements of climate impact and meeting climate targets and on the other hand the cli­mate regulations have increased the burden of financial regulation and fi­nancial reporting. This paper aims to discuss the theoretical approach that has been suggested in the literature to tackle the increased burden of disclos­ing financial information related to climate change. The paper discusses the main Climate-Related Risks, Opportunities, and Financial Impacts and what the preparers of financial statements have to keep in mind while publishing financial and non-financial information. Based on thorough research of re­cent theoretical and empirical publications the author finds that the most im­pacted financial reporting standards are standards on financial instruments, standards on Insurance Contracts on items such as asset impairment, chang­es in the useful life of assets, changes in the fair valuation of assets due to cli­mate-related and emerging risks, increased costs and/or reduced demand for products and services, potential provisions and contingent liabilities aris­ing from fines and penalties; and changes in expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets. As the requirement to disclose more financial and non-financial information related to climate impact is expected to increase in the future, the author concludes with several recommendations that will very soon be relevant for big and medium companies
Water and Air Purification Technologies and Equipment in the Sustainable National Development Context
Authors: Rotariu Nicoleta , Simionescu Cristian Silviu
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper consists of an interdisciplinary approach to air and water environmental factors impact evaluation to eliminate the po­tentially adverse effects, using high-performance technologies and equip­ment so that the status of the ecosystems is not affected by human activities. This new era can be defined as the “Anthropocene Era” which impact also re­quires increased responsibility, conscious management, and environmental protection area-related activities. The theoretical significance and applied value of the paper consists of high­lighting the problems faced by Romania regarding the impact of pollution on the environmental factors of water and air, using performance methods and techniques. The authors of the paper, following the risk analysis, highlight the impact gen­erated by pollution, to reduce these effects and reach the targets assumed by Romania as a member state of the United Nations and the European Union, within the UN Summit for Sustainable Development. Sustainable development also seeks to find a stable theoretical framework for decision-making in any situation where there is a human-environment relationship. Sustainable development promotes the concept of reconciling economic and social progress without jeopardizing the natural balance of the planet and at the same time without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Africa, Water and Climate Change
Authors: Benea Ciprian-Beniamin , Onita Adina Sacara , Porumb Andra-Teodora
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to bring to the European audience the importance of connections between water and climate change on the African continent; even though this continent could be regarded as somewhere in the southern hemisphere, the globalized world we already live in proves the contrary. In fact, it is very close to us. As population dynamics will put higher pressures on available natural resources in Africa, the migratory pressure from that conti­nent, which already is felt on the European continent, not only could bring so­cial or political upheavals there, but it could complicate the socio-econom­ic equilibrium closer to us. Furthermore, in the context of climate change, there are needed some measures to be taken in order to prevent such a sce­nario from taking place. And among other key resources, the most important, which is related to everything, is water; the way it would be used in Africa and how would it be distributed could make a difference.
Decarbonization Initiatives among Leading Power Utility Players
Authors: Georgievski Vlado , Kiteva Rogleva Nevenka
Published: April 2024

Decarbonization of the power sector means a reduction of its CO2 intensity, which reduces the emission of carbon dioxide per unit of electrici­ty generated. In order to meet the emission reduction targets pledged to the Paris Agreement on climate change, power utility companies need to devel­op strategies on how to decarbonize their generation assets. Companies must achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which is necessary to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement of capping global temperature rise at 1.5°C and to meet the less ambitious 2°C target. Rapid decarbonization of the power sector is needed particularly as heat and transport sectors are electrified, creating an increase in demand for electric power. Decarbonization is being achieved by increasing the share of low-carbon energy sources, particularly renewables, and a corresponding reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Worldwide, renewa­bles now produce a third of power capacity.
Trends in Hydrogen Production Projects for Energy and Climate Purposes – A Descriptive Analysis of the IEA Database
Authors: Ocenic Elena
Published: April 2024

This paper analyses the global project database on hydrogen pro­duction from the International Energy Agency (IEA), comprising 1477 projects for energy and climate purposes. Through quantitative analysis and data vis­ualization, the research centers on renewable-powered hydrogen projects, encompassing various production methods. Across 80 countries, Germany, Australia, and the United States exhibit the most projects (182, 118, 114). Most of the projects are in developmental stages, with 35% undergoing feasibili­ty studies, 23% in concept stages, and 15% operational. Notably, 66 opera­tional projects are renewable-powered, Germany leading with 19, followed by China (8), Great Britain, and Spain (4 each). Technologies include proton ex­change membrane electrolysis, alkaline electrolysis, and others. This work un­derscores global hydrogen production efforts, spotlighting countries pioneer­ing renewable-driven facilities for this energy carrier.
The Methods of Hard Power and Soft Power in International Law
Authors: Korbayram Azam , Hoca Elif
Published: April 2024

After the catastrophic and devastating consequences of World War II, which shook the whole world, the UN was established, one of the main goals of which was to establish the legal framework of the basic prin­ciples for the use of military force and military intervention. Namely, for the preservation of collective security, the Charter of the organization itself and numerous conventions strictly prohibit war and the use of force between the subjects of international law. In that context, various steps have been taken and binding prohibitions on the use of force have been introduced. The mo­tive of the research consists of the introduced mechanisms for the preserva­tion of collective security. Namely, the paper tries to analyze the legal frame­work of the concepts of military power and soft power. The paper tries to in­vestigate (the differences between) the concepts of power, conflict, military power and soft power with their methods and mechanisms provided by in­ternational law.
Assessing the Impacts of Price Controls on Emerging Markets: Evidence from Tirana City, Albania
Authors: Trebicka Brunela , Tartaraj Azeta
Published: April 2024

This study examines the effects of price controls in emerging mar­kets, focusing specifically on Tirana City, Albania. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that merges quantitative price data analysis with qualitative eval­uations of its socio-economic impacts, the research aims to shed light on the effectiveness and repercussions of price controls. Findings suggest that while these controls can act as temporary social policy tools, they often lead to negative economic consequences, including stifled investment, hampered growth, worsened poverty, and substantial fiscal strains. The study empha­sizes adopting targeted social safety nets, reforms, and a stable framework to mitigate price control effects, highlighting the role of transparent stabili­zation funds for fiscal sustainability. Exploring price control implications in Ti­rana City, contributes to the dialogue on regulation management in emerg­ing markets, advocating for strategies that harmonize social objectives with economic growth, and urging policymakers to seek balanced approaches for long-term prosperity.
Marketing of the Territory of Tirana City, Albania: Strategies for Economic Development and Tourism Promotion
Authors: Tartaraj Azeta , Trebicka Brunela
Published: April 2024

This study examines the role of territorial marketing in enhanc­ing economic growth and tourism in Tirana City, Albania. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including stakeholder interviews and tourism data analysis, the research highlights the significant impact of effective marketing strategies tailored to Tirana’s unique attractions. These strategies not only at­tract tourists but also stimulate local economic activities. The study under­scores the importance of public-private partnerships and digital marketing in boosting territorial marketing efforts. However, its focus on Tirana limits the findings’ applicability to other areas, and the reliance on existing tourism sta­tistics may not fully reflect all marketing activities. Future research could delve into the long-term impacts of marketing initiatives and tourist preferences. Ultimately, strategic marketing of Tirana’s territory could make it a more ap­pealing destination, offering valuable insights for policymakers and tourism professionals aiming for sustainable development and tourism growth.
Chaotic Economic Growth and Investment in Unmanned Aerial Systems: China and Russia
Authors: Jablanovic Vesna
Published: April 2024

Originally viewed as a military tool, an unmanned aerial system (UAS), has important economic applications. The economic opportunity for an unmanned aerial system technology is large. The defense sector will remain the largest market for drones. This paper examines the economic growth sta­bility in China and Russia. The basic aim of this paper is to create a relatively simple chaotic economic growth model. Investment in unmanned aerial sys­tems is an important generator of economic growth an d economic stability.
Sustainable Development Management and Its Role in the Organizations
Authors: Grecu Andreea
Published: April 2024

Any organization, whether it be a commercial or a non-profit or­ganization, must perform the duty of sustainable development manage­ment. This is so that they can thrive while upholding the ideals of social re­sponsibility and meeting the demands of a modern public management sys­tem. The management of sustainable development is directly related to the promotion of global responsibility leadership, and this relationship ultimately leads to a change in corporate culture. This transition entails promoting sus­tainable acceptability and commitment at all levels of the organization and viewing performance through a sustainability lens.
Pendampingan Belajar Matematika Pada Materi FPB dan KPK Dengan Mengimplementasikan Permainan Congklak dan Media Sempoa Di MI PUI Tulungagung
Authors: Nurafifah Luthfiyati , Wati Mila , Ismunandar Denni
Published: April 2024

Siswa Sekolah Dasar berada pada tingkat perkembangan kognitif operasional konkret, yakni mempelajari suatu konsep dengan memanipulasi objek konkret yang ada di sekitarnya. Pada kenyataannya, pembelajaran matematika di sekolah masih berpusat pada penguasaan materi atau hafalan. Pembelajaran yang demikian menyebabkan siswa jenuh, dan pasif. Perlunya inovasi pembelajaran matematika dalam memahami materi FPB dan KPK berupa media congklak bilangan sebagai perantara dalam memudahkan guru menyampaikan materi. Pendampingan belajar ini  bertujuan agar siswa antusias dalam belajar juga memudahkan siswa dalam memahami materi sehingga, kompetensi pedadogik siswa meningkat. Metodologi penyampaian pelatihan ini meliputi tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pemantauan, analisis data, dan pelaporan. Keberhasilan pelaksanaan pendampingan belajar ini dinilai melalui lembar penilaian pretest dan posttest. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data dengan bantuan SPSS 23.0 sebanyak 8 siswa yang presentasenya sudah dikatakan efektif dengan range >75%, dan terdapat 12 siswa yang presentasenya dikatakan cukup efektif dengan range 56-75%. Pelaksanaan Pendampingan Belajar Matematika Pada Materi FPB dan KPK dengan Mengimplementasikan Permainan Congklak dan Media Sempoa di MI PUI Tulungagung dikatakan efektif