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The article discusses a conference titled "Transfer and Adaptation: Languages and Cultures in Dialogue (The Balkans from Late Antiquity to Early Modern Times)" that brought together scholars from various European countries. The conference focused on the investigation of the Balkan region during earlier historical periods, with an emphasis on the interaction between Byzantium and the Slavic world. The conference program included sessions on etymology and history of language, exchange of ideas, manuscript tradition and written culture, the movement of texts, and the multilingual Middle Ages. Several papers were presented on topics such as Slavic borrowings in Romanian, the etymology of a title in the Bulgarian language, and language contacts reflected in inscriptions from Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. The conference concluded with a guided tour of archaeological findings in Sofia. The text also discusses papers presented at a conference on manuscript tradition and written culture, which covered topics such as the introduction of Slavic scripts, the interpretation of Greek phrases in Slavonic translations, the reception of works by Dionysius the Areopagite in early Slavic literature, and the textual tradition of Old Church Slavonic translations. The conference also explored Graeco-Roman cultural ideas and texts in Bulgarian medieval literature. Scholars presented papers on subjects such as the reception of the Trojan War narrative in the medieval Slavic context, the representation of scholarly education in hagiography, and the distribution of Western texts among the South Slavs. The conference also highlighted the movement [Extracted from the article]

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial disease that can possibly affect any part of venous circulation. The risk of VTE increases by about 2 fold in pregnant women and VTE is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. For decades superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) has been considered as benign, self-limiting condition, primarily local event consequently being out of scope of well conducted epidemiological and clinical studies. Recently, the approach on SVT has significantly changed considering that prevalence of lower limb SVT is twice higher than both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The clinical severity of SVT largely depends on the localization of thrombosis, when it concerns the major superficial vein vessels of the lower limb and particularly the great saphenous vein. If untreated or inadequately treated, SVT can potentially cause DVT or PE. The purpose of this review is to discuss the complex interconnection between SVT and risk factors in pregnancy and to provide evidence-based considerations, suggestions, and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of this precarious and delicate clinical entity.

Purpose: This paper aims to focus on analyzing the level of corruption of small- and medium-sized enterprises and their economic performance impact in Western Balkan countries. This study uses survey data from Enterprise Surveys (ES) from 2019, a shared project of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank Group. The selected countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. The questions included in the data set contribute to understanding what firms experience in the private sector. Collected data are based on firms' experiences and enterprises' perceptions of the environment in which they operate. Design/methodology/approach: This paper measures enterprise performance in terms of sales, employees and fixed assets growth. The vector of independent variables comprises enterprise characteristics such as enterprise age, size, ownership structure, legal status, access to formal banking services, gender ownership and other composed variables. Moreover, to capture the level of perceived corruption by firms, we will focus on the following ES questions: "Is it common to have to pay some irregular additional payment or gifts to get things done with regard to customs, taxes, licenses, regulations, services," and the "corruption payment" is defined in the form of a dummy equal to one if the enterprise replies "frequently," "usually" or "always." Findings: Preliminary empirical research results shed light on the level and effects of corruption on enterprises' performance. However, the magnitude and statistical significance are different among the countries included in the sample. Originality/value: Instead of firm-level characteristics, research on corruption frequently focuses on effects dependent on national and institutional characteristics. To better identify the kinds of businesses that are most at risk of corruption, we have selected to focus on differences among firm characteristics in this research. Understanding factors at the firm level is preferred from a policy perspective because these findings assist policymakers to make recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Emergence of several technologies and its relevant features have provided several organizations, state legislatives and normal human beings significant benefits in terms of enhancing their productivity and increasing their outcomes. Artificial Intelligence is one such technology that have sustained with beneficial parameters specifically for commercial firms Mikalef et al., (1). Artificial Intelligence incorporate features such as enhanced automation, smart intelligence services, accurate decision making and more. Nevertheless, the implementation of AI based features have significantly reduced the intervention of humans, Nahavandi (2), and the benefits it provides within health, environment, and economic sectors have raised several concerns. Potential misuse, unethical complexities, and biasness are some of the major hindrances which the technology faces. The states and national councils are accountable for mitigating such concerns and implement pertinent policies and regulations to extract out the positive aspects of Artificial Intelligence. Subsequent sections of this paper demonstrate and evaluates relevant information regarding Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, other parts of this brief paper highlight the legal regulations associated with Artificial Intelligence. particular emphasis is placed on the regulatory parameters incorporated in Balkan States (Slovenia, Serbia, and North Macedonia) for Artificial Intelligence and Robots. Moreover, the regulations in American and European Law over these technologies are also discussed in this paper. Another important aspect which this paper covers is related to the determination of the capability which the robots possesses and discussion on how they can be accepted as legal subjects. Lastly, the paper ends with a conclusion and evaluation section based upon all the fundamentals briefed overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main goal of the paper is to review the existing state and propose a model solution for the introduction of the waste-to-energy concept in the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as these Balkan countries are a source of high pollution due to the inefficient use of fossil fuels and the operation of coal-fired power plants. Besides, these countries have very low level of waste management, which results in the uncontrolled disposal of a large amount of waste which consists of plastic and microplastic materials which are difficult to decompose in natural ecosystems. Methods: Considering the type and objectives of the study, a mixed research method was chosen as a combination of exploratory research, descriptive research, explanatory research, and modeling. Results: The main result of the research shows the unfavorable situation in the field of waste management in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both countries have adopted adequate strategies and plans, but waste management is not implemented accordingly, Nevertheless, numerous problems create considerable opportunities for improvement, especially regarding the potential for energy production from waste, which is an important approach to implementing the circular economy model. The study showed that the situation is particularly unfavorable in rural areas. Hence, the research proposes (a) a novel model for waste-to-energy governance and (b) a novel model for waste-to-energy management in rural areas. The research was done, and models were developed based on the examples of the Republic of Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the results can be used in countries with a similar level of waste management and with a larger share of rural areas. Conclusions: The paper emphasizes the importance of a holistic and systemic approach to waste management, with emphasis on using waste-to-energy concept as particularly applicable in the transition to circular economy. This study proposes a model for the integration of waste management (with emphasis on plastic and microplastic) and energy efficiency, presenting a model of approach that can be used in countries that are at the beginning of introducing a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following research paper conducts a comprehensive analysis into the intricate dynamics governing the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and International Trade, with a specific focus on the Western Balkan Countries-6 (WB-6). This research spans the period from 2000 to 2020 and seeks to shed light on the interplay between FDI and International Trade within this region. To analyse and interpret these dynamics, various regression models, including Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects, Random Effects, and the Hausman-Taylor model, are employed as analytical tools. Moreover, the research takes into consideration the influence of specific institutional factors within each country, which play a pivotal role in shaping foreign investors' decisions to invest in a particular country. The study's results reveal that gravity factors, in conjunction with institutional determinants such as economic integration, control of corruption, political stability, and other indicators of governance quality, significantly impact the attractiveness of the WB-6 countries to foreign investors. The findings of this paper hold substantial relevance for the development of an analytical framework aimed at evaluating national policies and institutions geared towards enhancing the appeal of Western Balkan countries to foreign investors. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of these host countries prioritizing efforts to bolster the effectiveness of governmental institutions, combat corruption, streamline bureaucratic processes, and improve overall economic conditions to attract and retain foreign investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic Horizons / Ekonomski Horizonti is the property of Economic Horizons and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Granting state aid to market players while ensuring compliance with the internal market requirements, as derived from the European Union (EU) acquis, seems to be a challenging exercise for the Western Balkans. As an integral part of the competition rules (Cseres & Reyna, 2021) state aid requirements proved to be a challenge, especially at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the state efforts to keep alive certain key sectors of the economy (Bouchagiar, 2021). As an EU requirement and Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) legal obligation became even more important. Struggling between the need to save the market while respecting the state aid rules, Western Balkans seem to have to pay more and closer attention to this field. This is why this paper, through an analytical and descriptive approach, intends to address such shortcomings and challenges in light of the efforts to enhance the harmonization of the legislation while ensuring its due application. Enforcing state aid rules requires professional and independent capacities within the relevant state aid authorities an objective remaining far from reach in the Western Balkans. The paper provokes further debates and analysis in the scholarly efforts to shed light on this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Western Balkan economies are still on the list of EU candidates or potential candidate countries, they do have some integration with EU economies. The EU is the leading trading partner of the Western Balkans and is one of the top destinations for the flow of people. The Western Balkan economies have been trying to address their populations' ongoing emigration (the so-called "brain drain" phenomenon) by implementing targeted economic policies. Since one of the main contributors to economic growth is the ability to create innovation, it is crucial to building innovation potential. The main challenge for innovation policy is to provide a favourable environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth to create jobs. Thus, this paper aims to examine innovation potential - an innovation input - as it creates the conditions needed for innovation development. The results of analysing the data (on research and development spending, human resources, an environment friendly to innovation, and intellectual property rights) indicate that the Western Balkan countries are lagging behind the EU in many aspects of innovation potential, so they should still develop their strategies towards creating higher innovation potential. Thus, they will be able to have a higher level of innovation and, as a result, be more competitive in economic terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergence of several technologies and its relevant features have provided several organizations, state legislatives and normal human beings significant benefits in terms of enhancing their productivity and increasing their outcomes. Artificial Intelligence is one such technology that have sustained with beneficial parameters specifically for commercial firms Mikalef et al., (1). Artificial Intelligence incorporate features such as enhanced automation, smart intelligence services, accurate decision making and more. Nevertheless, the implementation of AI based features have significantly reduced the intervention of humans, Nahavandi (2), and the benefits it provides within health, environment, and economic sectors have raised several concerns. Potential misuse, unethical complexities, and biasness are some of the major hindrances which the technology faces. The states and national councils are accountable for mitigating such concerns and implement pertinent policies and regulations to extract out the positive aspects of Artificial Intelligence. Subsequent sections of this paper demonstrate and evaluates relevant information regarding Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, other parts of this brief paper highlight the legal regulations associated with Artificial Intelligence. particular emphasis is placed on the regulatory parameters incorporated in Balkan States (Slovenia, Serbia, and North Macedonia) for Artificial Intelligence and Robots. Moreover, the regulations in American and European Law over these technologies are also discussed in this paper. Another important aspect which this paper covers is related to the determination of the capability which the robots possesses and discussion on how they can be accepted as legal subjects. Lastly, the paper ends with a conclusion and evaluation section based upon all the fundamentals briefed overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the paper is analysis and proposal of a concept for establishing an efficient system for disaster management in the Western Balkan countries. After the breakup of Yugoslavia (1992), there has been no effective system for managing emergency situations, while cross-border cooperation in this respect does not exist at all. The paper provides an overview of the situation in the field of emergency and crisis management in five countries of the region and a concept of promotion and cross-border cooperation in this field. The results of the research show that no country in the region has adequate emergency and disaster management system and that, regardless of the negative experiences, an efficient multilateral cooperation system has not been established so far in this field (there is neither regulatory framework nor proposals for the model of organization and for the procedures or technical mechanisms that would make the above possible). Therefore, the concept of establishing the Regional Center for Disaster Management in the Western Balkans territory (RCDM-WB) is proposed as a first step in handling disaster situations that arise from natural phenomena or technical and technological accidents. This is the first scientifically developed proposal of this kind for the above-mentioned region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prehistoric communities had strong ties with the animal world that surrounded them—animals were prey, sources of food, and raw materials, but also threats and mysteries, and certain animals often had an important place in the symbolic realm. With the process of domestication and the switch to animal husbandry as the main source of animal food, these relations changed considerably, and a certain dichotomy between "the domestic" and "the wild" may be noted in numerous past communities. When it comes to the Neolithic period in the Balkans, domestic animals had an important place in subsistence and economy, and it seems that cattle had a particularly prominent symbolic role. Wild species preserved some of their significance in both subsistence and symbolic realms, especially cervids (red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer). In this paper, the place of deer in the material culture of the Neolithic communities in the Balkans will be analysed: skeletal elements of deer were used for the production of diverse items, including non-utilitarian ones, or were part of ritual depositions, and deer representations are encountered in other materials, such as clay figurines. The symbolic meaning of deer cannot be reconstructed with certainty; however, it is probable that deer were tied with territoriality and the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accessible literature covered in this paper commonly highlights psyllids as a significant group of insects affecting pear trees, posing a continual challenge for commercial orchards. With the development of modern pear cultivation systems, Cacopsylla pyri Linnaeus 1758 (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) has emerged as a major pest in pear orchards across many European countries, including those in the Western Balkans. For years, the agricultural sector has primarily relied on chemical insecticides to control pear psyllas, but these methods often fail to produce satisfactory results. This is largely due to C. pyri's rapid development of resistance to chemical treatments. Consequently, modern agriculture is increasingly shifting towards biological methods to manage C. pyri, involving the identification and conservation of its natural enemies. Although there is an abundance of research on the natural predators of C. pyri and their biocontrol applications across the globe, the Western Balkan region has conducted relatively few studies on the subject. Globally, various parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogenic fungi are often cited as effective against C. pyri. Specific species registered in the agroecological conditions of the Western Balkans include parasitic wasps such as Trechnites insidiosus Crawford, 1910 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Prionomitus mitratus Dalman, 1820 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), as well as the predatory bug Anthocoris nemoralis Fabricius, 1794 (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). However, most Balkan countries have yet to fully utilise the potential of beneficial entomofauna or develop strategies for their commercial application at a national level. Considering that C. pyri is a major pest in pear cultivation and its natural enemies have not been thoroughly explored in most of the Western Balkans, this paper aims to review the literature data on available natural enemies of pear psyllas and to highlight and promote their undeniable potential in biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are 16 short papers that cover a wide range of heritage science methods including radiocarbon dating, archaeomaterials, DNA analysis, GIS field methods and conservation. Panagiota Manti reviews: Bridging Science and Heritage in the Balkans: Studies in Archaeometry, Cultural Heritage Restoration and Conservation, edited by Nona Palincas and Corneliu C. Ponta, Oxford, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, 168 pp., (paperback).1 ISBN 978-1-78969-196-2 Taking the opportunity of the forthcoming 8th Balkan Symposium on rchaeometry in October 2022 in Belgrade,[2] this review attempts to offer a critical insight into the book compiled from contributions to the 5th Balkan Symposium of Archaeometry held in Sinaia, Romania in September 2016.[3] That symposium addressed specialists working on the archaeology of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. [Extracted from the article]

The Union's response during the worst contemporary refugee crisis of 2015 was unreliable, fragmented, and it largely affected the Western Balkan countries that are now aspiring to become EU Member States. The crisis has emphasized the urgent need for a consistent approach, both from the individual Member States and the EU as a whole. This paper analyses how the EU's response to the refugee crisis has affected its migration and asylum policy and how it contributed towards the reforms presented in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The paper presents an overview of the Common European Asylums System, its adjustments throughout the years and the need for a broader and comprehensive reform. It also analyses the impact of the 2015 refugee crisis on the countries on the Western Balkan route and argues that the EU reforms of its migration and asylum policy will contribute towards strengthening the partnership between the EU and the Western Balkan countries in the area of migration and asylum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of trade openness and human capital for the economic growth of countries is the subject of many studies today. The role of innovations and the innovativeness of economies in modern economic development is extremely important. With greater accumulation of human capital, knowledge, skills and innovation are accumulated. All these variables are crucial for achieving higher economic growth. Special attention in the studies of relevant authors is directed towards researching this relationship on the example of small open economies, as well as developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between trade openness and human capital as explanatory variables and GDP as a dependent variable in a sample of eight Balkan countries. The goal of the research is to quantify the relationship between two independent variables and GDP as a dependent variable. The period in which we observe this relationship covers the period from 2000 to 2019. Achieving the research objective is done on the basis of a panel model with fixed and random effects. The results of the panel research testify to the existence of a positive relationship between trade openness and human capital as independent variables and GDP as a dependent variable. Calculated coefficients with independent variables were obtained with a high level of statistical significance. The conclusion of the research implies that there is a positive impact of trade openness and human capital on GDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will analyze the economic performance of six Western Balkan countries. The intention is to utilize the index of economic performance for each country in this region. The analysis will look at the data for the past decade (2010-2022). In addition, secondary data available from publically available databases have been included in this analysis. EPI is constructed by using important macroeconomic indexes such as unemployment, inflation, budget deficit, and annual growth. Also, this paper will analyze the impact that the war in Ukraine has had in affecting the economic performance of Western Balkans countries. To do this, graphs, descriptive statistics, and regression models have been used. In line with conventional wisdom, the results show that countries with lower unemployment have performed better than the countries with higher unemployment rates. Contrary to expectations, higher growth rates have not translated to better performance, as well as increased public borrowing has not correlated to better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western Balkan states, among them Kosovo and North Macedonia, joined others from around the world in offering aid to Turkey, which, along with Syria, was hit by two deadly earthquakes on February 6, 2023. The epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake was in Kahramanmaras province near the border with Syria. As a result of the earthquakes, there were 50,783 deaths, 297 missing and 107,204 injured across 11 of the 17 affected provinces of Turkey. At least 15.73 million people and 4 million buildings were affected. About 345,000 apartments were destroyed. Over 1.5 million people were left homeless. Over 100 nations and 16 international organizations offered aid to the earthquake victims in Turkey. In addition, 11 countries contributed search and rescue teams accompanied by specially trained dogs to locate survivors trapped in the rubble. In contrast, aid to Syria was comparatively less, primarily due to Western sanctions on the nation and government-imposed restrictions on humanitarian organizations operating beyond their controlled regions. The paper conducts an analysis of ten existing international response organizations, examining their agreements and procedures in disaster response efforts. It investigates the history and effectiveness of these organizations in managing disaster situations, with a specific focus on their roles in addressing the Turkey and Syria disasters. The paper assesses their effectiveness in the context of the February 2023 earthquake. Furthermore, the paper explores the concept of mutual aid mechanisms, which are commonly utilized by countries worldwide for disaster response. These agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral, are typically established at different levels of government, ranging from local to national and even international. While the specifics of these agreements may vary among nations, the overarching goal is to create a framework for sharing resources, personnel, and expertise during times of emergency. Additionally, the paper discusses the response efforts of two Balkan countries, Kosovo and North Macedonia, which provided assistance such as search and rescue teams, handlers with dogs, and material aid like blankets and stretchers. Notably, these nations offered their support independently, without being part of any international organization. Their response was established through direct communication with Turkey. It was characterized by its immediacy and sincerity, Finally, the paper draws conclusions based on an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of existing response systems, offering recommendations to policymakers to enhance overall disaster response procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the effects of interpersonal trust in business relations (proxied by trade credit) and institutional trust (proxied by firms' trust in courts) on firms' performance. The analysis is performed on a specific sample of 1298 firms in Western Balkan countries which are usually characterized by negative social capital that is considered to hinder economic and social development at all levels. The methodological approach is based on the propensity score matching method and the obtained results show that firms' perception of courts as fair, impartial and uncorrupted, is connected with lower costs and with positive expectations of an increase in sales in the upcoming period. On the other side, trade credit as a trust variable has a statistically significant and positive effect on firm productivity measured as sales per employee and on expectations of an increase in sales in the upcoming period. The paper contributes to the existing literature in terms of the choice of the post-socialist groups of countries for the analysis, the method that is used (treatment-effects estimation), and in terms of performing firm-level analysis of the effects of two types of trust on selected variables of firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to establish a unified typology for the culturally significant kulla stone houses built in the cross-border region of Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro during the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite some attempts at typological categorisation on the national level, a joint typology for this region currently needs to be improved. Based on existing literature and field research, the paper identifies the specificities of different geographical locations while validating the core attributes common to all typological variations. The findings suggest that the joint typological classification of kulla in the Balkans should primarily be based on architectural elements and, to some extent, setting, building materials and techniques, while functional composition is consistent across all types. The paper argues that defining a common typology for the Albanian kulla stone houses in the Balkans is crucial for evaluating, preserving, and developing kulla as serial properties and for their future regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Problems of Sustainable Development / Problemy Ekorozwoju is the property of Faculty of Environmental Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Slavica Slovaca is the property of Slavisticky Ustav Jana Stanislava SAV and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Startup businesses are becoming an increasingly common term in the business world. Millions of investments, large corporations, as well as the world's best experts are connected to the concept of startup businesses. The basis of this paper is to present the situation with lending startup businesses in the Republic of North Macedonia, through analysis of the situation and challenges of the startup ecosystem in the country, and through comparative analysis of the situation with lending startup businesses in certain Western Balkan countries. The aim was to determine whether the Republic of North Macedonia has made significant progress in support, and whether it has made the transition from traditional to new methods of financing. The scientific-research contribution of this paper is in a better understanding of the strategy of the state regarding the financing of entrepreneurial ventures. The presented and interpreted results could be a useful basis and incentive for further research on this and similar topics related to the initial stage at the state and regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the theoretical treatment of the content of the principles on which the Public Administration Reform was built in the Western Balkans countries, led by the European Union. In addition, the principles contained in the EU regulations and which are included in the form of objectives in the Public Administration Reform Strategy in the Western Balkans countries, the claims to join the EU, if we analyse them carefully are derived or adapted from the principles of Weber's theory on Bureaucracy. Since Public Administration Reform is a process closely related to the organization and that of institutions as state organizations with the aim of modernizing them on the same principles as Weber, the idea of the ideal bureaucracy, so that such a bureaucracy should be based on: A formal hierarchical structure; Rules-based Management; Functional Specialty organization; Up-focused or In-focused Mission; Impersonal and Employment-based on Technical Qualifications. It is important that the same principles in which Weber calls for the modern organization of institutions as organizations, but also based on which the idea for Public Administration Reform in the Western Balkans countries was built, to analyse under what preconditions can be reached their realization in practice. Analysing the actions of the states of the Western Balkans to fulfil or not these principles, the weight of the Public Administration Reform process for the development of the institutions of these states will be concluded, the democratization of the societies will be measured, but at the same time it will be tested through these examples as well Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy, and its relevance in the twenty-first century. In order to carry out the work in question, secondary data were used, including scientific literature, reports on the subject from competent institutions, but also analysis from researchers and experts who deal with research and monitoring of the implementation process of the Reform in the Public Administration of the Western Balkans countries. This work will serve to raise the voice for a qualitative reformation in the centre with the citizen as the key cause for the need of such a process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hawala system, an informal and traditional money transfer mechanism, has been a subject of concern for counterterrorism and counterintelligence agencies worldwide due to its potential exploitation for illicit financial activities, including terrorism financing. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the Hawala system's presence in the Western Balkans, a region historically characterized by geopolitical complexity and a complex security landscape. Drawing on empirical data and regulatory analysis, this study explores the challenges posed by the Hawala system in the context of counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts in the Western Balkans. It examines the system's vulnerabilities, its exploitation for terrorism financing and the difficulties faced by intelligence agencies in monitoring and disrupting Hawala networks. Moreover, the paper assesses the regulatory frameworks implemented by countries in the region and offers practical policy recommendations to enhance counterterrorism and counterintelligence strategies, fostering greater security and stability in the Western Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account the circumstances that Kosovo has faced since the 1990s until now, we can say that significant steps have been taken to advance the country's economic development, but it is still regarded as a country that is not economically developed enough, with a deep negative trade balance and an unfavorable macroeconomic policy to ensure a faster development trend, despite recent economic growth that has been insufficient to affect this. For analysis, we took the life and non-life insurance sector, which turns out to be undeveloped and participates in the financial sector with only 2.7%, so it is a symbolic indicator that speaks for itself about the development of the insurance sector. This industry is characterized by a low level of development, and the main motive is to analyze the development trend of this sector while comparing it with the countries of the region.The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine gross written premiums in the insurance sector in the Western Balkans. In this paper, we will analyze the trend of the gross written premium in the insurance sector in Kosova compared to the countries of the Western Balkans. The sample contains data such as the number of inhabitants, the total gross income at country level, the income per capita, the gross written premium, the rate of insurance density, and the penetration rate for the countries of Kosova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia for the period 2010–2021.The empirical research is done by collecting data from the official reports published on an annual basis by the financial institutions of the countries in the region as well as the World Bank. A research paper is classified as an exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory study. Comparative analysis and descriptive statistics will be the methodologies applied in this paper.The analysis of these data shows that the development of the insurance market in Kosova and the countries of the Western Balkans from 2010 onwards, despite the new market entries of branches of large groups, has not been characterized by real strategies for the exploration of new segments of the market and an increase in demand. The insurance sector needs to be influenced by strategic approaches that move from transaction value to product lifetime value and from product life cycle to customer life cycle. The commitment to create an attractive environment for business initiatives and foreign investments, in addition to being a constant challenge for underdeveloped economies, should also be a strategic goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the phenomenon of intermarriages in the Western Balkans, shedding light on their intricate relationship with the region's tumultuous history, ethnic diversity, and socio‐political dynamics. Through a comprehensive exploration of interethnic unions across different areas, the study delves into how these marriages have historically served as symbols of coexistence and integration, particularly during the mid‐20th century, when they were encouraged by the newly‐formed states to unite the different nations living in them. However, the rise of ethno‐nationalism and the Yugoslav Wars significantly impacted these marital patterns, underscoring the complex interplay between politics, culture, and traditional norms. The paper highlights the decline in mixed marriages post‐war, persistent ethnic tensions, and varying dynamics in different locales, suggesting that comprehensive approaches are needed for sustainable peace and unity in the Western Balkans. Through this lens, intermarriages emerge not just as personal unions but as potent symbols and potential catalysts for broader societal transformations, albeit within a context of considerable challenges and the need for nuanced, multifaceted approaches to fostering lasting interethnic harmony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the state of knowledge on the family Myrmeleontidae occurring in North Macedonia based on published records, museum specimens and new samples, and provide a comprehensive species list. North Macedonia represents only 3.9% of the area of the Balkan Peninsula but harbours 19 species belonging to 14 antlion genera, i.e., 61% of the peninsular fauna. We report collection localities, literature records and biological data for each species. Three species, Nemoleon poecilopterus, Neuroleon assimilis and Myrmeleon inconspicuus, are reported for the first time in North Macedonia. The genus Nemoleon Navás is also reported for the first time in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of Islamic financial literacy (IFL) while it is at the heart of our understanding of the overall financial system. To date, insufficient attention has been paid to Turkey, the Balkans and other potential Islamic finance hubs like Suriname. In fact, there have been no attempts to examine IFL in those regions or economies. The purpose of this paper is to test and validate the IFL scale developed by Dinc et al. (2021) in an international setting. By doing so, this study elaborates on possible antecedents and levels of IFL across countries and economic systems. Design/methodology/approach: The design of the questionnaire used is based on the principles of Islamic finance and covers all the segments. The total number of collected observations is 3,579. This study uses the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to ascertain the factor structure and test the revised scale fit with the original form. Besides, IBM AMOS 25 Graphics is used for calculating the fit indexes for the scale. Findings: The results from the CFA revealed that the scale has a good fit for its original and kept the four-dimensional structure. In addition, it also indicates that the predeveloped IFL scale is valid for different cultures, countries and individuals either having conventional or Islamic financial institutions preferences. Furthermore, results of empirical tests demonstrate that Turkey is significantly higher in Islamic financial awareness, whereas other countries' group is higher on all other subdimensions of the scale. On the other hand, female respondents indicate significantly higher levels of Islamic financial awareness, and male respondents show significantly higher levels of Islamic financial knowledge. Finally, the most prominent finding to emerge from the analysis is that the principles of Islamic finance are well accepted, except for some liberal views on the concept of "interest" (riba). Research limitations/implications: Because of the diverse demography of the collected sample observations, this revised scale has a homogeneous set of implications. This IFL scale can accurately measure the level of IFL attained by an individual, group, society or nation, as well as suggest necessary actions based on its four-dimensional structure. Originality/value: This study tests the IFL scale by considering two key elements: increased sample size and vast geographical coverage. To ensure that the developed scale is universal, this study took into account more than 3,000 observations from 28 different countries. These amendments ensure the uniqueness of this paper and its originality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the temporalities of EU investments into Southeast European (SEE) roads. Road construction and maintenance and related institutional frameworks, regulation, and project planning signify different modes of infrastructural time. Roads carry narratives of development and progress, but they also confront visions of desired futures with ruins of forgotten pasts. Promises of infrastructural potential intersect with project cycles, financial flows, and construction timelines, and work delays and material malfunctions. As such, infrastructures are a productive entry point to understanding how Europeanisation works through different temporalizing practices and techniques. The paper maps complex temporalities and temporal politics that shape infrastructural development and showcases how Europeanisation works also outside of promises of linear progress to EU membership on the one hand and corresponding classifications of absent futures on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the corona virus and its rapid spread has caused a global health crisis, the virus has had a huge negative impact and has deepened fear in all segments of economic activity and financial flows. Experts from the business world, have for a long time highlighted the facts that point to great losses in the world economy. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicated that the corona virus was biggest threat to the world economy in recent history until today. For the needs of this paper, and in the direction of fulfilling the set goals, available data have been used that through statistical processing show the impact of the pandemic on the activities of the stock markets through the overall economic activity. In addition, the American and several world stock markets were selected for this paper as a comparison with the stock markets of Southeast Europe. The purpose of the paper is to show how the emergence of COVID in the Balkan countries at the beginning of 2020 affected stock exchange activities, how fear and state restrictions led to a decline in economic activity and thus a decline in the indices of all stock exchanges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following evolving electricity markets, Transmission System Operators face challenges in processes of Net Transfer Capacity calculations. Increasing uncertainties stemming from growing electricity trade exchanges, make traditional monthly calculations obsolete. To enhance system stability, the paper proposes an implementation of a fast capacity calculation method aligned with day-ahead market principles. The study discusses capacity calculation regions aligning with European Legislation, particularly examining the Albanian Power System as a case study and introduces an improved approach to net transfer capacity calculations. The paper proposes and implements a Python algorithm to automate the net transfer capacity calculation process, obtaining improved efficiency in the calculation process. The paper emphasizes the importance of ensuring power system security, promoting cross-border trade, and easing market developments, offering a practical solution to the problem of net transfer capacity calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022 has created a sense of urgency across Europe and thus pushed forward significant changes and readjustments of foreign, security, and defense policies. These major shifts have been referred to as Zeitenwende by the German chancellor Olaf Scholz, the turning point not only for Germany but for the whole European security architecture. Western Balkans is increasingly stated as an area of strategic importance for the European (Euro-Atlantic) security community, whereby it is the geopolitical interest of the both the EU and NATO to have the Western Balkans integrated. This is one of the regions where the interests of the West and Russian Federation collide - this factor adds to the already complex security dynamics resulting from domestic, bilateral, and regional issues that affect regional security and stability. Hence, one characteristic of the regional political and security dynamics is the long-term presence of external actors. This paper explores the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the Western Balkans' political and security dynamics from the perspective of Regional Security Complex Theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from 1996 to 2019 covering five Western Balkan countries and applying the linear panel data estimation method, this paper examines the effect of macroeconomic indicators and financial market development on income inequality. Regression results with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors demonstrate that income per capita increases income disparities. Theoretically, there are grounds for both a positive and negative relationship between economic growth and income inequality. In addition, contrary to prevailing literature, our analysis finds no significant impact of financial market development on income inequality, while the rule of law is found to have no effect on income inequalities in these countries. We depart from previous literature by bringing new evidence on the relationship between income inequality and economic growth in the specific context of Western Balkan countries. We study this relationship in an integrated framework and rely on a larger time span, both of which are seemingly important for comprehending the income inequality-economic growth nexus. Certainly, the obtained results bear important policy implications as discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main goal of the paper is to define the level of energy efficiency in the economies of selected countries in the Balkan region that have opted for the EU Green Deal, a circular economy, and a transition to carbon neutrality. Energy efficiency, as a determinant of carbon neutrality, was selected as an indicator for analysis because it records particularly unfavorable indicators in the region under observation. The research was carried out on a sample of seven Balkan countries and their surrounding areas. An initial qualitative analysis was followed by a quantitative analysis based on a combination of statistical methods and soft computing. Six indicators were selected for the analysis covering a period of 30 years (1990–2020). Results: A significant obstacle to the green transition and the region's transition to a circular economy and carbon neutrality is energy efficiency and energy related pollution—the reliance of most countries on coal-fired thermal power plants for electricity generation. The research results showed the following: (a) the degree of economic development and membership in the European Union are not significantly related to the level of energy efficiency; (b) most of the sampled countries are in the initial stages of introducing activities to achieve carbon neutrality; and (c) only Slovenia has documented consistent indicators and evident advancements in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. Based on the research findings, proposals for improvements were made in the direction of policymaking and in a methodological sense. Conclusions: The implementation of circularity and carbon neutrality as a long-term goal of the European Union is not necessarily related to the level of economic development, nor can its trajectory be exclusively ascertained by means of data processing and monitoring. A more precise understanding of a carbon-neutral future can be achieved through the incorporation of qualitative data to a greater extent, a realistic evaluation of historical facts and their repercussions, as well as projections of the effects that reality and global developments after 2022 will have on each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In today's modern business and technological landscape, businesses are increasingly inclined to seek alternative methods for resolving disputes rather than rely solely on traditional court procedures. Businesses are also increasingly aware of the significance of resolving conflicts through alternative means and taking proactive measures to avoid litigation. In recent decades, investment arbitration has gained widespread acceptance and has emerged as a preferred mechanism for resolving disputes involving international investors in Western Balkan countries. Some countries demonstrate a favourable inclination towards employing arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism by enacting legislation that grants investors the right to initiate arbitration proceedings against the state in case of failure. This scientific research objective will be achieved through the reflection of the legislative framework in the matter of investment arbitration as well as the reflection of the flow of foreign investments, analysing and not limited to the treatment of concrete cases of arbitration disputes. Through this approach, we will answer the central question of how much arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism is a stimulating factor for attracting foreign direct investment or whether multinational companies only use the legislative and incentive favours offered by the Republic of Kosovo and North Macedonia. Methods: The article was conceived based on a modern methodological framework. Within the general methodological framework of scientific research, logical methods play a crucial role in the scientific processing of the research data, drawing conclusions and determining facts through which the truth of the thesis of the work is reached scientifically. In the context of this paper, the method of analysis through which the impact of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in relation to the flow of investments will be analysed is noteworthy. Additionally, methods of abstraction and concretisation will also be used. Abstraction is the basis of analysis, which sometimes represents the separation of parts from the whole subject. Moreover, the comparative method will highlight the diverse normative solutions in national legislation and international legal sources. Results and conclusions: In the article, the authors propose considering the effectiveness of existing provisions and determining whether adjustments or alternative approaches are needed to maximise the benefits of foreign investment while minimising potential risks and uncertainties associated with dispute resolution processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this paper is irregular migration and modern models of preventing the smuggling of migrants on the part of the Western Balkan route through the Republic of Serbia. The goal is to show how the new strategic approach of the Serbian police in this area can give excellent results, that the application of modern methods of policing and technical means are aimed at preventing the smuggling of migrants, i.e., the illegal movement and transport of migrants across the state border and state territory to go to countries of the European Union. Based on the conducted research, the authors have drawn certain conclusions: 1) effectiveness, efficiency, and economy in the area of suppression of irregular migration can be achieved by applying an adequate criminal strategy, 2) the new strategic approach led to the discovery and arrest of a large number of people smugglers and the discovery of illegal firearms, 3) the use of modern technical means, coordinated, joint work of different police units and management from a single center by a strategic level manager directly in charge of combating irregular migration and human smuggling in a particular area (territory) which is estimated to be a hotspot of criminal activity, is a prerequisite for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Balkan region is rich in limestone deposits, which have created one of the largest hotspots of subterranean biodiversity. This paper gives an overview of the diversity of subterranean terrestrial arthropods in Resava Cave in eastern Serbia. This cave is protected and has the status of a natural monument. At the same time, it is one of the most visited caves in Serbia and its surroundings. Our study comprises the results of three years of biospeleological investigations of the famous Serbian cave in combination with data from the few available literature sources on the arthropod fauna of the cave. The arthropod samples were collected both manually and with pitfall traps. A total of 107 arthropod species from the four major subphyla were registered in the cave: 66 species of Hexapoda, 27 species of Chelicerata, 11 species of Myriapoda and three species of Crustacea. For four troglobitic, 16 troglophilic and 87 trogloxenic species recorded in the cave, descriptions of their microhabitats and information on their distribution in the cave are given. Considering the medium size of Resava Cave and the lack of permanent water flow in the two main levels on the one hand, and the large number of arthropod species recorded on the other, the cave is relatively rich in hypogean terrestrial arthropod fauna compared to other caves in Serbia that have been biospeleologically studied so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introductory paper sets the scene for the special issue on migration in the Western Balkan region. First, we briefly outline the background to the research networking initiative in the Western Balkans—'WB-MIGNET'—which resulted in producing the set of papers presented here. Then we describe the context in which the analysis of migration, return and development in the Western Balkans takes place, highlighting the role of diasporas and return migration. The region exemplifies a wide range and interrelation of migratory forms, including temporary and permanent labour migration, forced migration of refugees, temporary displacement, high-skilled migration and transit migration. Quite apart from the scale and diversity of migratory phenomena in this region, the special relevance of the Western Balkans rests on mass emigration, predominantly of educated young people, and their possible return, including to post-conflict areas, and role in the development of their home countries. Such processes within the Western Balkans also offer useful lessons for designing future migration policies in Europe and worldwide. The final section of this introductory paper summarizes the papers that follow and highlights their originality and key findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Ohrid Basin is a graben structure situated in the Dinarides at the border of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania. It hosts one of the oldest lakes in Europe and is characterized by a basin and range-like geological setting together with the half-graben basins of Korca, Erseka and Debar. The basin is surrounded by Palaeozoic metamorphics in the northeast and north and Mesozoic ultramafic, carbonatic and magmatic rocks in the east, northwest, west and south. Palaeocene to Pliocene units are present in the southwest. With the basin development, Neogene sediments from Pliocene to recent deposited in the lows. Three major deformation phases lead to the basin formation: A) NW-SE shortening from Late Cretaceous to Miocene; B) uplift and diminishing compression during Messinian - Pliocene; C) vertical uplift and (N)E-(S)W extension from Pliocene to recent. Neotectonic activity of the study area concentrates on N-S trending normal faults that flank the Ohrid Basin on the east and west. Seismic activity with moderate to strong events is documented during the last 2000 y; the seismic hazard level is among the highest of the Balkan Peninsula. Activity of the youngest faults is evidenced by earthquake data and field observations. Morphotectonic features like a wind-gap, fault scarps, a stepped series of active normal faults, deformed palaeosols, and fault-related hydrothermal activity are preserved around Lake Ohrid and allow delineating the tectonic history. It is shown that the Lake Ohrid Basin can be characterized as a seismogenic landscape. This paper presents a tectonic history of the Lake Ohrid Basin and describes tectonic features that are preserved in the recent landscape. The analysis of morphotectonic features is used to derive the deformation history. The stratigraphy of the area is summarized and concentrates on the main units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoubtedly, global warming is one of the main debatable topics among politicians, scholars, academicians, being discussedeverywhere and by everyone. Having into consideration that one of the main factors of the global warming are the greenhouse gas emissions, where carbon dioxide represents 76% of these emissions, the main aim of this paper is to analyse the effects of the CO2 emissions as well as other greenhouse gas emissions on the economy and society. In addition, a panel analysis has been conducted, where OLS, Fixed and Random effects models are used in order to check the impact of the CO2 emissions on the GDP per capita of developing countries of Western Balkans region, for the last three decades. Finally, the main conclusions and consequences from the negative impact of the CO2 emissions on the society, economy and growth of the developing countries have been highlighted as well as several important suggestions have been stated for emphasising and addressing the problems that we will be facing soonbecause of the global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is the cause of the global health crisis, economic downturn and financial crisis. The tourism was the most affected industry because moving and travel restrictions put in place. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on tourism development in Western Balkan countries. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether it exists the difference impact of COVID-19 on tourism development of Western Balkan countries. The results of research indicate that COVID-19 was the most important impact on tourism development of observed countries during this century. In 2020, the Western Balkan countries recorded the decrease of number of foreign tourists and tourism receipts, but the same time recorded the increase of receipts per tourist. At the same time, the results indicate that tourism and death rate have significant impact on the economic growth of Western Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the environmental radicalization of European politics, which is reflected in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy, and new CAP 2023–2027, this paper aims to determine the impact of agri-environmental indicators on soil productivity based on the land productivity function model. The paper focuses on the Western Balkans countries, which are in the process of European integration and which, in the coming period, need to harmonize their agricultural policy with the CAP. First, the aggregate Cobb–Douglas production function has been used to create a land productivity function. Then, the sources of land productivity growth have been calculated, which can be particularly interesting in the context of agri-environmental indicators, such as fertilizer use and livestock density. The research results showed that land productivity is the most elastic concerning changes in the number of livestock units per hectare. Consequently, reducing livestock units had a markedly negative effect on productivity. In addition, the research results showed that using mineral fertilizers is a crucial source of growth in land productivity in these countries. These results imply that the creators of the agricultural policy must carefully assess the pace at which they will harmonize ecological and economic goals, especially if they take into account the current Ukraine crisis that can disrupt the food market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]