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The paper explores the dynamic field of circular economy and circular business models, analyzing the most influential and highly-cited papers and authors to provide an up-to-date overview of the research landscape by consolidating insights from leading publications and scholars. Using data from the Web of Science database, the paper scrutinizes 528 scientific articles published between 2004 and 2023, demonstrating a notable annual growth rate of 22.73%, which highlights the importance and relevance of the field of circular economy and circular business models. This paper conducts a comprehensive and objective literature review using bibliometric analysis to uncover prevailing topics and trends in the fields of the circular economy and the circular business model. The analysis identifies the ten most influential papers, allowing for a synthesis of the current state of the field. The results of the research are divided into two parts. The first part examines the dominant themes and research methodologies in the selected papers. The second part offers a critical analysis of the consolidated knowledge, organized around three dominant themes: conceptualizing the circular economy, transforming linear business models into circular ones, and designing products to promote the circular economy. Nevertheless, the paper identifies several challenges within the field, including the need for practical applications and evaluations of circular business models across different industrial and geographical contexts and the incorporation of social aspects into the circular economy. Future research directions should focus on understanding the factors affecting the efficiency and implementation of circular business models, as well as developing new metrics to measure their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although academia acknowledges that work engagement is significant for individuals and organizations, a comprehensive understanding of this construct remains elusive, which continuously inspires scholars to undertake further investigation. This paper addresses the identified knowledge gap by exploring the factors that determine work engagement. The focus of the paper is on the relationship between work engagement, employees' individual values, and job satisfaction. Specifically, this paper explores if job satisfaction and individual values can be considered as predictors of employees' engagement at work. The empirical research was carried out in 2023, and it involved a sample of 277 Croatian employees. The research hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis. Statistical analysis of the observed relationship revealed that job satisfaction is the most significant predictor of work engagement. Furthermore, the findings suggested that individual values do influence employee work engagement, but not all values contribute equally. Among the ten observed individual values, universalism, power, benevolence, and achievement were confirmed as statistically significant predictors of work engagement. The results of this study suggested that management should prioritize job satisfaction in order to improve the work engagement of their employees. Furthermore, in their attempts to enhance work engagement within the company, management should also pay attention to employees' individual values since some of them have been confirmed as the determinant of work engagement. This paper offers a useful and fresh perspective into the predecessors of work engagement. Additionally, the findings of this paper provide practical implications for companies interested in stimulating their employees' engagement at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of quality management for developing competitiveness of companies has been debated by literature in the last decade. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by examining the effectiveness of some traditional quality management principles in Croatian manufacturing industry. The main research question for this paper is whether some traditional quality management principles can resist the test of time and still be relevant for manufacturing performance. First the paper offers a brief overview of the importance of quality management. Companies that want to protect their position in the domestic market and expand their business internationally must offer quality products or services at competitive prices. Implementing quality management is possible only if the concept of total quality is applied across the organization in all key functions, starting from procurement to sales and services. The role of manufacturing industry and exports are also discussed in the case of Croatia. The paper follows with explaining the term and role of basic quality management principles and then analyses their connection to company performance. Several quality management principles were selected for primary research. These principles are: data and reporting on quality, supplier relationships, product design and process management. These principles were chosen from a broader list of principles because they can be considered traditional and represent the backbone of quality management implementation. Investigating this topic in the Croatian context is especially important because all of the factors that are relevant for further internationalization of Croatian economy namely: innovation, technology and export (Miloloza et al. 2015) orbit around QM. The quantitative research for this paper started by collecting 116 questionnaires from Croatian manufacturers. Results show quality management principles have a moderate positive connection to export performance in Croatian manufacturing industry. Data and reporting on quality scored the highest grade meaning Croatian manufacturers found this principle the most important one. On the other hand, as a result of correlation analysis process management showed the highest correlation to export performance. At the end of paper some limitations and guidance for future research are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ESG factors in financial contexts have been receiving growing attention in recent years, paralleled by heightened interest from academia, professionals and decision-makers in ESG bonds as one of the instruments of sustainable finance. The purpose of the paper is to provide a systematic overview of the field of ESG bonds from two perspectives: the practical one, by analyzing market development and challenges, and the scientific one, by bibliometric mapping of the Web of Science-indexed publications in order to gain insight into the development and intellectual structure of the scientific field. The analysis of the ESG bond market has shown a significant increase in financial investments with positive environmental and socio-economic effects in recent years. The use of bibliometric methods in the empirical part of the paper has led to insights on the most cited papers in the field (Zerbib, 2019, Flammer, 2021, Reboredo, 2018), on the most relevant sources to form research on ESG bonds (Energy Economics, Finance Research Letters, International Review of Financial Analysis, Journal of Sustainable Finance Investment), and emerging themes and development of the research domain (unlocking the potential of green bonds to finance sustainability goals, developing a structural model for green bonds, premium for green bonds, impact of green bond issuance on companies, the role of green bonds compared to other asset classes in portfolio management and risk management, the impact of green bond market movements (issuance and investments) on other assets market movements). The obtained results are useful for researchers in this field, issuers, investors, and for decision makers in the field of sustainability. A limitation of this research, which is also a recommendation for future research, is to include other citation databases beside the Web of Science as the most relevant one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing is often seen as the backbone of economic growth and development. Its importance can be seen on several levels, from production, job creation, export, innovation to boosting growth. To fuel economic growth, the earth's finite natural resources are being depleted and the by-product of production is pollution, potentially leading to climate change. A new concept of sustainable development has emerged and with it the urge to make production more environmentally friendly. The European Union (EU) sees itself as a pioneer in this planetary sustainability crisis, enabling and accelerating the green and digital transition. In doing so, the EU acts as a rule-maker (directives, regulations) and enforcer (guidelines, voluntary commitments) and promotes green practices to a considerable extent with public funds. The European Green Deal, which is seen as the new growth strategy for Europe, aims to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050 and the green and digital transitions are the tools to achieve this. An important aspect of achieving all the goals the EU has set itself is to make human work green too. Jobs that contribute to reducing environmental impact and combating climate change are defined as green jobs. The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of green jobs in the EU manufacturing sector and EU Member States and to examine their impact on environmental sustainability and the challenges and opportunities associated with their integration. The aim is to assess the extent of green jobs in manufacturing and whether more green jobs in manufacturing correlate with higher economic growth or productivity growth. The main conclusion of this paper is that the share of green jobs in manufacturing is still very low compared to total green employment as well as manufacturing employment and does not show a clear correlation with economic or productivity growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to examine the real convergence in Croatia towards the European Union (EU27, EU14, and EU10) in the 1995-2022 period and in Croatia's first 9 years of membership, and second how the COVID-19 pandemic affected that process. Additionally, the aim is to test the efficiency of Croatia's achievements regarding the EU10 in their first 9 years of membership and in the 1995-2022 period. The main problem in the paper is the economic disparity in the standard of living and wealth between Croatia and EU member states, and the absence of a consensus among economists on convergence/divergence processes in the literature. An additional problem is that most papers study convergence based on PPP-based GDP per capita, and a more accurate measure of the material well-being of households is PPP-based actual individual consumption (AIC) per capita. The inclusion of AIC per capita in the analysis is the added value of this paper. For the analysis data from the World Bank database were used and converted into the per capita measure. The research results indicate that Croatia has narrowed the income gap regarding the EU27 and EU14, but not with EU10 in the 1995-2022 period and in its first 9 years of membership. The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect that process. The convergence process was less efficient in Croatia than in EU10 in the whole 1995-2022 period and in their first 9 years of membership. The main implication of the paper is the confirmation of the convergence regardless the macroeconomic indicator used and a confirmation of stronger convergence in EU10 than in Croatia. The results are important because they draw attention to the lacked growth-enhancing economic policies and structural reforms that improve competitiveness, productivity and accelerate the convergence in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign direct investments (FDI) play an important role in economic growth. Firstly, the accumulation of foreign capital encourages the development of infrastructure, improves the transfer of technology and knowledge, creates new jobs and skills, and increases production capacities in the host country. Additionally, FDI can be significant for trade and access to foreign markets. Export-oriented foreign companies can boost foreign exchange earnings, expand trade, and diversify the host country's export base. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the relationship between FDI and economic growth in the countries of Central and South-eastern Europe (CSE). In the early 1990s, these countries transitioned from planned economies to market capitalism. During this period, there was an influx of FDI from Western countries that contributed to capital accumulation, rising living standards, technology transfer, improved trade integration, and employment growth. Through an analysis of FDI volume on one hand and the dynamics of economic growth, measured by GDP and GDP per capita, on the other, this paper empirically examines and objectively assesses the relationship between FDI and economic growth in Central and South-eastern European (CSE) countries during the period 2000-2020. The results of a panel data analysis indicate a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth. A series of four models were developed to explore this relationship. The first two models focused on assessing the impact of FDI on GDP per capita, while the remaining two models examined the relationship between FDI and overall GDP. The econometric panel analysis revealed that FDI exerts a positive influence on both GDP per capita and overall GDP, underscoring the significant role played by FDI in the economies of Central and South-eastern Europe. Furthermore, EU membership emerges as a key factor when evaluating the standard of living and overall economic activity within this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this paper is to analyze the most significant changes and adjustments in international trade in the contemporary global environment. The purpose of the paper is to provide a better understanding of the significance of international trade, necessary modifications in international trade forms and regulations, and its contribution to growth and development in the midst of Industry 4.0. The results of the analysis show that promoting globalization and trade requires a multifaceted approach, with investment in infrastructure, removing barriers to trade and investment, and supporting sustainable and digital trade initiatives. International trade agreements adapted to contemporary global market conditions play a key role in facilitating trade between countries and strengthening economic growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Happiness at work is a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to boost employee performance and its sustainability. It is not merely a 'nice to have', but an integral element of effective business strategy. Previous research has shown that employee performance, psychological capital, their mental health, and creative performance are all significantly influenced by happiness at work. To assess the multifaceted nature of the concept of happiness at work, the goal of this paper was to get a deeper insight into various concepts connected with it. For that purpose, bibliometric analysis was conducted in September 2023, which resulted in 121 most relevant articles. The Voswiever visualization tool has been used to display the results of the articles. Overall, several studies have shown that happier employees not only show greater job satisfaction but also perform at a higher level. Moreover, employee engagement, as studies have demonstrated, is an important predictor of happiness at work. Overall, a holistic approach to employee happiness at work, addressing its multifaceted dimensions, can significantly enhance the performance and sustainable growth of both, individuals and organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to answer the following research question: Which factors will impact organizational changes until 2030? The study adopted a hybrid research model known as Mixed Method Literacy (MML), which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative research to inform the planning of future organizational change. Within the respondent pool of the QuestionPro platform, a sampling strategy was chosen to ensure that the sample was drawn from various organizations, sectors, and geographical locations. A stratified sampling technique was used to ensure the representation of different sectors, organization sizes, and management levels. Research study provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformational experiences that await modern organizations. There are also several useful implications from this paper for Human resource managers. Recognition that certain types of resources and capabilities contribute to both a capacity for resilience and other strategic capabilities can help firms develop improved HR investment strategies. A major limitation of this survey is that it focuses on scenarios, which, in line with the design and characteristics of the questionnaire itself and the specifications of the scenario analyses, limits the choice of statistical methods. Thus, in line with similar previous studies, we have focused on presentation of general statistical. This research is a scientific guide for organizational leaders, providing detailed insights into possible transformation pathways and a rigorous framework for strategic decision-making. The study profoundly analyses these interrelated issues, providing a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of the driving forces. Our academic aim is to equip leaders with the knowledge and foresight to take proactive action that shapes the dynamics of organizational development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper synthesizes existing research on participative, humane-oriented, and self-protective leadership, integrates existing research findings, and provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on these leadership styles in the context of Slovak culture. A thorough review of the available literature on leadership and cultural dimensions in the Slovak environment was conducted. Based on a review of 81 relevant studies from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases, the author suggests that the three leadership styles can be considered less effective within Slovak culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to explore socially responsible practices in Moroccan listed companies' context. The objective of the research is to find which are the most commonly adopted practices by these companies in each sector and analyze the purpose of their adoption based on institutional pressures. Utilizing data from 52 listed companies' annual reports from the period from 2019 to 2022, different CSR policies used have been analyzed and categorized in social, environmental and community support aspects. Furthermore, this research determined the dominating practices that characterize each sector and discussed results from a neo-institutional perspective. This study contributes to the literature by presenting how the Moroccan listed companies respond to institutional pressures regarding social and societal responsibility. Limitations of the study include the use of annual reports as the sole data source and the narrow scope by only relying on listed companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New business creation leads to commercialization of high-quality innovations, economic growth, and job creation. Therefore, government's decisions to support entry of new firms in the economy through the development of e-government can have a significant impact on economic growth and business dynamics. EU Single Digital Market Initiative fosters the implementation of digital technologies in all aspects of the economy. Many EU countries have developed national e-government strategies that outline their goals, priorities, and actions for the digitalization of public services. E-government development index confirms that efforts showing the constant increase in digitalization across EU countries. From the standpoint of the entrepreneur, starting a business in a digital environment should be easier, faster, and cheaper. Contemporary research is increasingly focusing on the connection between changes in the market environment and the application of digital technologies. However, there is a lack of research focused on the relationship between the impacts of e-government development and business dynamics. In this paper, we attempt to fill this gap and investigate the influence of the development of e-government on the dynamics of the birth and death rates of firms in manufacturing. We use a panel data structure comprising 18 countries for the period from 2015 to 2021 with data taken from Eurostat, OECD, and UN databases. Given the structure of the available macroeconomic data, we apply panel data modelling. The results suggest that e-government development has a positive impact on the firms' birth rate, but no influence on the death rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying logistic integrated supply chains to achieve set logistic goals necessarily means evaluating their logistic variables. Appropriately chosen logistic indicators and a functioning evaluation system in logistics have significant cognitive, diagnostic, and motivational functions. They provide essential data for logistic decision-making. Their active utilization in logistic management becomes a significant tool for aligning the goals of partial links in the logistic chain. The paper deals with the design of a performance monitoring system for the supply chain and the development of approaches to measuring the performance of the enterprise, logistics, and the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the influence of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), with emphasis on Croatian based companies' controlling function. RPA, a technology employing software robots to automate repetitive tasks, holds the promise of reforming operations and relieving employees from routine tasks. RPA's introduction into business processes enables a significant shift, offering the potential for substantial improvements in operational efficiency. Through the automation of routine tasks such as data entry, manipulation, and report generation, RPA can facilitate quicker decision-making and reduce the likelihood of errors. Within the realm of controlling, this translates to smoother reporting workflows and more accurate insights for decision-makers. This paper combines secondary and primary research approaches to understand RPA's impact and application, particularly in controlling function. The conducted empirical research study provides quantitative data results and insights into how RPA is adopted in analyzed companies, what were the primary implementation drivers, and its use in controlling, as well as how satisfied the respondents are with the RPA implementation and what savings and improvements RPA provides for the companies. By offering insights into the current state of RPA adoption, its benefits, challenges, and business implications, the study aims to bring forth useful knowledge in the evolving landscape of automation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past decade bore witness to fast-paced development of digital technologies, especially in the domain of mobile technologies. The banking sector, renowned for being quite traditional and not in favor of frequent changes, is also adapting to new market trends. New FinTech technologies emerged, technologies that intensively use information-communication and digital technologies to transform traditional business practices of the banking sector. The present paper deals with FinTech technologies, mobile business practices of banks and numerous innovations in mobile banking apps. The primary research that was conducted on a sample of mobile banking users in the Republic of Croatia shows how mobile banking is used and the respondents' views on how digital technologies in the banking sector would be used in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the digital transformation of healthcare requires governmental interventions and a radical approach to change in highly political environments, in a developing country context. We conduct a longitudinal case study of the implementation of the national e-health platform in North Macedonia, connecting primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services. Our findings show how the implementation of the national e-health platform drove disruptive changes to healthcare service delivery, followed by incremental organizational and technological adaptations. We contribute to the literature on digital transformation by emphasizing the role of politics in driving changes in digital transformation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in the last few years, especially since the introduction of generative artificial intelligence models which can be used by any individual with internet connection. On the other hand, knowledge management is well established and widely researched topic. Named two areas are closely connected, and their integration can bring significant benefits for organizations in terms of making better-informed decisions, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the overall effectiveness of knowledge-sharing processes within an organization. Therefore, this paper focuses on the influence of artificial intelligence on the application of knowledge management tools. An empirical study using a questionnaire was conducted aiming to analyze attitudes towards knowledge management systems and their understanding of how artificial intelligence impacts the usage of these tools. Overall, the findings suggest a complex landscape where familiarity, usage, concerns, and expectations regarding artificial intelligence in knowledge management vary among respondents. There is a recognition of the potential benefits but also concerns about challenges and uncertainties associated with artificial intelligence integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning methods can be adopted in the financial industry to detect variables that explain fraud and identify customers at risk of fraud. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. The first goal is to evaluate the potential of the combined approach encompassing k-means cluster analysis and Random Forest Trees binary classification algorithm in predicting fraud in the financial industry. The second goal is to detect characteristics of customers at higher risk of fraudulent behavior and predict fraud in banking. A dataset of customers from a banking institution is used. First, data was prepared. Second, we use k-means cluster analysis to identify bank customer segments and a cluster with the highest fraud occurrence. Third, four tree binary classification algorithms, including Random Forest Trees, Boosted Trees, CHAID trees and C&RT trees, have been used on the full dataset and on cluster members' data to determine which performs the best in predicting fraud. Since Random Forest performed the best, it was used to develop a classification model to identify fraud determinants in the entire dataset and in the Cluster 1 dataset, which has the highest fraud occurrence. Finally, we explained Random Forest Trees developed for the entire dataset and Cluster 1. Research shows that k-means and decision trees can successfully be deployed in customer segmentation and fraud prediction of bank customers. Random Forest performed the best in predicting fraud for the entire set of customers and for Cluster 1, which showed the highest fraud occurrence. Self-employment, marriage status, loan amount and credit history are important predictors of fraud for a full set of customers and members of a chosen segment of customers. This research has theoretical implications in the form of using a combined approach to fraud prediction. Results will serve as practical and managerial input for decision-making in the financial industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022-23 monetary policy tightening of the European Central Bank led to a strong rise in bank credit interest rates in the euro area. However, the regulatory specifics of the Croatian banking system, namely the existence of the National Reference Rate and the interest rate limit on variable rate loans have so far muted the effects of the increase in key ECB interest rates. Towards the end of 2023, while the interest rates on new household credit and term deposits have significantly increased, the effect on regulatory benchmarks is absent and expected with a time lag. This paper uses an algorithmic approach to univariate time-series modelling to estimate three scenarios, differing in the intensity of the rise in the volume and interest rates on new term deposits. The estimated series are then used in stock-flow consistent calculations to simulate three possible paths of the National Reference Rate over a three-year horizon. A strong rise in the National Reference Rate of 210 basis points towards the end of 2026 is associated with a scenario which entails the most intense rise in term deposits, such which would result in almost three quarters of all deposits being in the form of term deposits, the level which was previously observed a decade ago. The used approach could be employed to provide inputs to stress-testing and sensitivity analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting the optimal tax system is one of the key responsibilities of every government. However, whether a tax system is optimal can be argued on different levels, whereby the most apparent trade-off is between efficiency and equity. This paper examines the impact of a proportional income tax introduction on the distribution of disposable income in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a suitable candidate for studying the impact of a flat income tax on the equity prerequisite of optimal taxation because it is the European country that introduced the most radical flat tax rate. Using the synthetic control method, the impact of the 2008 income tax reform on income inequality in Bulgaria is estimated. The synthetic control method creates a synthetic counterfactual country by averaging preintervention results from selected countries. The combination of countries should match Bulgaria as closely as possible in the pre-treatment period, so that an alternative scenario can be examined after the intervention. According to the research findings, the shift to a flat rate income tax in Bulgaria resulted in higher levels of income inequality compared to the levels that would have been present in the absence of such a reform. By employing placebo tests, the robustness of the results is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population's understanding of contemporary and important topics is gaining importance with the increasing complexity of financial systems and trends. As financial markets continue to evolve and deepen, possessing financial knowledge and following current trends has become necessary. Sustainable investment, also referred to as ESG investment, has recently become a key factor in promoting a sustainable economy and environmental protection. Research on sustainable investments is growing and becoming more significant, but there are still opportunities for continued research on this topic. Research is conducted through structured interviews with three different groups of respondents in the Croatian capital market, and the findings are presented. Collecting information from different groups of respondents enables a comparative observation of information, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the respondents' attitudes and perceptions, as well as greater reliability and authenticity of the study. The aim of this research is to assess the perception of regulatory representatives, institutional investors, and certified financial experts about sustainable investments and to compare the answers to the respondents' questions to determine similarities or differences in their thinking and attitudes. Also, the paper uses data collected by a qualitative research method, that is, by interviewing three groups of respondents. The conducted qualitative research confirms that capital market participants are aware of the importance of sustainable investments and the positive impact of sustainable investments on environmental protection, improvement of society and the financial sector. A key finding of this study is that sustainable investment has the potential to create a more financially sustainable and stable economy and encourages several positive changes at the level of the national capital market and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research focuses on the problems and experiences of integration of immigrant population in the Spanish and German rural areas struggling against depopulation. It considers the policies and measures taken by public authorities to tackle two interlinked problems: population shrinking in small towns and immigrant integration seen as a chance to revitalize these rural areas. Based on literature review, official statistics and policy analysis, the paper shows the hurdles and opportunities of immigration integration in declining territories and the potential coherence of these policies from a comparative approach in the Spanish and German contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) significantly reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, facilitate capital flow and improve financing conditions, which can help exporters ease financing constraints and promote export. This paper studies the impacts of RTAs signed by member countries of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) on the trade effects of financial development, using the gravity model with industry level bilateral trade data from 2000 to 2021. The results show that with RTAs, exporters' dependence on financial development of home countries has decreased, and there is a similar mechanism in importing countries. However, exporters' decreasing dependence on financial development is different, i.e., the decreasing dependence of exporters in industries rely heavily on external financing is smaller than that in other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Croatia has been falling behind more successful new member states and belongs to the group of the least developed EU economies. After joining the EU, the availability of European structural funds, the removal of all trade barriers, and the strong growth of the tourism sector resulted in accelerating growth rates. This paper aims to decompose the total economic growth in the Croatian economy in the 2010-2018 period into the effect of increasing demand and technology improvements. The study is based on the structural decomposition analysis which is the extension of the input-output model and has been widely used in previous studies in many economies to identify the driving forces of economic growth over a certain period. Based on empirical results, it can be concluded that total final demand effects related to the increase in the final expenditures on the total economy level have been three times more intensive compared to the effects of technological change. It is estimated that the increase in final demand positively affected economic activity in each sector, while the distribution of technological change effects significantly varies. The highest positive effects of technological change are found in the manufacturing, agri-food, and hospitality sector. On the other hand, negative effects of technological change effects are found for energy products, trade and transport, and various personal and business services. Significant variations are found in the growth dynamics of manufacturing sectors. The highest cumulative growth in the 2010-2018 period has been recorded in the production of computers and electronics, furniture, machinery and equipment, and wood products. In the case of computers, machinery, and furniture the main effects are related to the product mix effects, while the economic growth of the wood industry is primarily the result of technological effects and increased participation in the supply chain of other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyse the trade and economic relations of European Union member states which are important gates of EU trade with third countries. This research highlights the shifting of the trade routes and economic geographic process. What kind of impacts are there in EU countries that a significant part of EU-Chine trade has been moving from vessels to freight trains or combined, overland-maritime transportation? It has partly taken out the former China--Rotterdam/Hamburg maritime way. This paper analyzes the role of the Port of Piraeus in this process as the pretty new but very important port for the Chinese COSCO maritime transportation company and on the other hand how the new structure changes the revenues for the members in this situation. The study employs the so-called collection cost. It is an important revenue for the member states. It comes from the Traditional own resources; it is 20 percent of the tariffs between 2000-2019. It remains in the budget of EU member states and only 80 percent goes to the Brussels budget. The old members especially the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany want to protect their current position and share in the integration trade with third/external partners. It means that these countries can handle the tariff administration and get the mentioned 20 percent amount. The analysis reveals that the new EU members with high potential in international trade would like to recut the "trade-cake" to receive higher benefits from it due to the mentioned collection cost or the value-added tax related to logistics and manufacturing industries. Based upon the analysis, it may be concluded that every member state can increase the revenue from the collection cost and value-added tax, and on the other hand they can decrease the direct GNI-based contribution to the EU's budget due to a better position in international trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to identify short-run drivers of inflation rate within European countries between 2006 and 2022. Unemployment rate, credit to private sector and GDP growth were identified as short-run drivers of inflation rates rate within European countries between 2006 and 2022 by using fixed effects panela data and Bayesian model averaging. Inflation rates within European member states increase following a decrease in unemployment rates, an increase in credit to private sector and an increase in GDP growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slowdown in economic activity is already noticeable and "self-explanatory," and uncertainty continues to slow investment, which can lead the economy into a vicious cycle of alternating phases between growth, stagnation, and recession. There is no "free lunch" or accelerated economic growth without strategic (specialized) determination, and fairness, uniformity, and convergence are harder to finance precisely when the need for them is growing. Another problem occurs in countries and regions that have "lagged behind" in development. In these countries and regions, there are significant constraints in terms of financial resources, workforce, and the technological base for change. Even when the "will" (political and technical) is there, there are often too many priorities, raising questions about what development priorities should be set at the regional and national levels (individually and then collectively) and whether there is sufficient capacity to implement them. Exploring the causes and consequences of these movements is the main reason for the research and is a contribution to the field. The focus of this paper and the importance of the results obtained are therefore on the following fundamental challenges for research, but also for policy: 1) the state behavior of inflation during global recessions, 2) growth and development in difference: beyond inflation in Croatia, and 3) overcoming the curse of destiny: what are the opportunities for the EU in times of instability? At the same time, "united in diversity" as a basic description of the EU (single market of non-united economies) takes on a different meaning. However, membership in the EU and the Eurozone contributes to the "superiority and resilience of the club". In any case, inflation has been underestimated - worldwide. So the question is who will feel Friedman's hangover after almost 40 years of exciting growth periods in Croatia and what is our destiny? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is 'sustainable'? What economic activity qualifies as green and should receive, accordingly, investments? Is nuclear energy green? Is gas green? The legal classification system defines a list of environmentally sustainable economic activities that aims at playing a significant part in facilitating sustainable investment in EU. The paper points the different views member states have on what green means, on the Hinkley Point C Case before the Court of Justice of European Union. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the legal base concerning the concept of sustainable development in EU law. In order to address this question the paper is divided into three parts. The first part is dedicated to the legal framework of EU primary and secondary law relating to the concepts of sustainable development, green and environmental law. The recent classification of sustainable activities in the Taxonomy Regulation is considered in the second part. The third part of the paper selects some interpretations of the Court of Justice of European Union case-law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although rural areas have often been portrayed as picturesque settings in which various economic activities are undertaken, one of the main negative characteristics of modern-day rural areas relates to the outmigration of youth population. In this sense, recent advancements in academia have shown that entrepreneurship has been increasingly seen as an appropriate mechanism which could be utilized with the aim of socio-economic revitalization of neglected areas. Despite this fact, there is a lack of relevant sources which could be utilized when it comes to a systematic overview of entrepreneurship among youth population, specifically, in rural areas. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate which key challenges and obstacles that have been prevailing in modern-day rural areas have been aggravating development of youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. In this sense, it is of utmost importance to assess different policies and programmes which should be enabling youth population of rural areas to tackle successfully such obstacles and engage in entrepreneurial endeavors. The youth population in rural areas usually encounters three main types of constraints which refer to a lack of human, social, and financial capital. These issues have been specifically examined at the level of the Republic of Croatia. Almost the entire area of the Republic of Croatia could be categorized as a rural area and, in this sense, the Republic of Croatia does not constitute an exception when it comes to adverse effects prevailing in modern-day rural areas. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to determine some of the main constraints in existing policies and programs at the level of the Republic of Croatia, which could be seen as appropriate for stimulation of entrepreneurship among rural youth population. A literature review undertaken as a part of this study has shown that at the level of the Republic of Croatia there is no unique program which would prescribe policies for stimulating and developing entrepreneurship among the youth population in rural areas. Key stakeholders which should be most responsible for the creation of such policies need to consider appropriate measures that need to be undertaken with the, primarily, aim of providing the youth population with enhanced access to quality entrepreneurship education. Not of least importance are structural changes that need to be made with regard to financial measures supporting the youth population and creation of supportive networks that enhance the social capital of rural youth entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]