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The content of this article was contained in the welcoming speech at the 29th Scientific Symposium in Osijek, 15.–17.10.2008. It describes the need for quality management and how quality management at Pforzheim University /Business School has been developed. This article wants to give an overview about several measures initiated, e.g. ensuring the quality of teaching, guidelines in different areas, a mentoring concept, internationalization and evaluation.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome are increasingly observed in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IAH on pancreatic histology and ultrastructure in a porcine model. We examined 16 intubated and anesthetized domestic pigs with a mean body weight of 50.6 (SD, 3.8) kg. Using a CO2 pneumoperitoneum, the intra-abdominal pressure was increased to 30 mmHg for an investigation period of 6 or 12 h (each study group n = 6). In the control group, the intra-abdominal pressure remained 3.9 (SD, 5.4) mmHg for 12 h. Additional Ringer's solution was infused to maintain cardiac output at the level of controls. After the observation period, specimens were taken for histological and ultrastructural analysis, and animals were killed. Cardiac output did not change when compared with control. Histologically, mild- to moderate-grade necrosis was observed after 12 h of IAH. In the ultrastructural analysis, leukocyte infiltration and swelling of endothelial cells were found. In the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas, endoplasmic reticulum was dilated, and necrosis was noticed. Mitochondrial damage manifested as cisternal destruction with formation of large vacuoles. In this porcine model, 6 and 12 h of IAH resulted in light-microscopical and ultrastructural changes comparable to pancreatitis in humans. As SAP is often accompanied by IAH, the finding of the underlying study suggests a vicious cycle in which IAH may worsen pancreatitis. Ultimately, these findings are in favor of a decompression in patients with SAP and IAH.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept which is based on the orientation of economic subjects for the benefit of the community. CSR has a long and rich tradition of existence and activities but in the Republic of Croatia CSR is still developing. In this article, CSR is seen through Carroll’s pyramid of social responsibility which includes economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities of business subjects. Economic and legal responsibilities which are core responsibilities of each business subject are standardized and prescribed/regulated, while the ethical and philanthropic activities are optional and voluntary. The article focuses on the last two components that are lately becoming increasingly important and represent a new philosophy in the modern business. Apart from the importance of applying these newer, less explored responsibilities, the article points to the need of rearranging priorities within the pyramid for the purpose of better implementation of CSR.

Businesses have started using Internet at the beginning of its development during the early nineties of the 20th century. Since then, the process of Internet adoption has had a signifi cant growth for businesses especially as a new communication and distribution channel. Along with the expansion of Web 2.0 and global popularity of social networks, companies started adopting these changes and using social networks for achieving their specifi c business goals. Even though some sectors showed faster adoption rates, it is a general view that social networks are used for business purposes regardless of the sector those companies belong to. Th e same trend is apparent in Croatia, especially in the last few years as Croatian companies are using various social networks in their Internet presence strategies. Th e survey is focused on the most profi table Croatian companies and their Internet activities. Th e aim of the paper is to explore the volume of Croatian most profi table companies present on social networks and other Internet locations and to determine the main purposes of their usage with specifi c company goals. In addition, the paper will test the similarities between diff erent sectors in the Croatian economy according to the usage of social networks for their business purposes.