Search Results (175)

This paper explores the intervening role in SEP performance of corporate environmental, cultural, and ethnic activities (ECEAs) and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social initiatives (DEISIs) on blockchain adoption (BCA) strategy, particularly useful in the Western Balkans (WB), which demands transparency due to extended fraud and ethnic complexities. In this domain, a question has been raised: In BCA strategies, is there any correlation between SEP performance and ECEAs and DEISIs in a mediating role? A serial mediation model was tested on a dataset of 630 WB and EU companies, and the research conceptual model was validated by CFA (Confirmation Factor Analysis), and the SEM (Structural Equation Model) fit was assessed. We found a statistically sound (significant, positive) correlation between BCA and ESG success performance, especially in the innovation and integrity ESG performance success indicators, when DEISIs mediate. The findings confirmed the influence of technology, and environmental, cultural, ethnic, and social factors on BCA strategy. The findings revealed some important issues of BCA that are of worth to WB companies’ managers to address BCA for better performance. This study adds to the literature on corporate blockchain transformation, especially for organizations seeking investment opportunities in new international markets to diversify their assets and skill pool. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper understanding of how DEI initiatives impact the correlation between business transformation and socioeconomic performance, which is referred to as the “social impact”. Full article

This study explores sustainable rural tourism entrepreneurship within the Urlaub am Bauernhof (UaB) cooperative network in Austria, offering an integrated model that unites financial, social, environmental, institutional, and marketing dimensions. Employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on data from 393 farm-based accommodation stakeholders, this research identifies sustainable entrepreneurship as comprising six interconnected dimensions: Economic Resilience and Diversification, Sociocultural Integration, Environmental and Regional Commitment, Market Visibility and Strategic Communication, Quality Assurance and Institutional Support, and Perceived Value and Branding. This multidimensional and hierarchically structured framework reflects the complex yet coherent nature of sustainability-driven entrepreneurship in cooperative tourism networks. The findings confirm the multidimensional nature of sustainable entrepreneurship and support the hypothesized structural relationships. The UaB network is presented as a transferable model that demonstrates how cooperative frameworks can enhance sustainability, regional identity, and rural revitalization, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for rural regions in the Western Balkans, where economic challenges, depopulation, and underdeveloped tourism infrastructure prevail. By illustrating a successful cooperative approach rooted in sustainability and regional identity, this study contributes to policy-making aimed at fostering resilient, culturally rich, and environmentally responsible rural tourism entrepreneurship in transitioning contexts. Full article

Wild boars are recognized reservoirs of numerous viral pathogens, posing a significant risk to domestic pig populations, particularly in areas with poor biosecurity. This study assessed the prevalence and co-infection patterns of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV), porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and pseudorabies virus (PRV) in wild boars from western Serbia and the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Sixty-six spleen samples from legally hunted wild boars were analyzed by qPCR. All animals were negative for ASFV, CSFV, and PRV. The cumulative prevalence of infection with at least one of the other three viruses was 86.4% (95% CI: 76.2–92.8%). PCMV was detected in 74.2% of samples, PCV2 in 50%, and PPV in 28.8%. Co-infections were common: 42.4% of animals were positive for two viruses, and 12.1% for all three. A statistically significant association was observed between triple co-infection and sex, with higher rates in males. Subadult wild boars showed the highest PCV2 + PCMV co-infection rate (p = 0.0547). These findings highlight the need to expand molecular surveillance, particularly for PCMV, in both wild and domestic pigs, especially in regions reliant on low-biosecurity backyard farming. Full article

This paper analyzes annual energy production data in Kosovo and explores the potential benefits of introducing natural gas as an energy source. The study compares current coal-based energy production with natural gas in terms of not only financial impact but also environmental pollution and public health. The focus is on evaluating financial sustainability by assessing production costs and consumption effects, particularly the potential for expense reduction through natural gas adoption. A financial module analysis was applied, comparing energy prices from coal and natural gas sources. Special emphasis was placed on household economic benefits, return on investment, and reduced energy costs. With the integration of natural gas, household energy expenses could decrease from €0.12 to €0.10 per unit, resulting in estimated national savings of approximately €60 million per year. The investment evaluation was conducted using methodologies grounded in relevant case studies and price differentials in the energy market. Full article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 continues to pose a major threat to animal and public health. Since its emergence, clade 2.3.4.4b has become the dominant global lineage, associated with widespread outbreaks in Europe. This study aimed to characterise the H5N1 strains detected in backyard chickens in Serbia and investigate their phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships with historical and currently circulating strains in Serbia and the broader region. Samples collected in 2024 were tested by qRT-PCR, and positive samples were propagated in MDCK cells. Whole genome sequencing of isolated virus was performed using the MinION Mk1C platform (ONT, Oxford, UK). Bayesian phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were conducted using BEAST X and SPREAD3 v.9.6. The results revealed three independent introductions of H5N1 into Serbia between 2020 and 2024. The spatiotemporal diffusion patterns confirmed both north–south and west–east viral spread from Northern and Central Europe into the Balkans. Additionally, Serbia was identified as a critical transit and divergence point in the regional transmission network, highlighting its role in the spread of H5N1 between Western and Eastern Europe. These findings underscore the importance of continued genomic surveillance in both domestic and wild bird populations to better understand and reduce HPAI spread. Full article

Climate-induced hydrological risks and deteriorating infrastructure present major challenges for small river basins in border regions, particularly in non-EU countries with limited institutional capacity and funding. These issues are especially acute in post-socialist contexts, where outdated hydrotechnical systems no longer meet current environmental and safety standards. This study investigates the vulnerabilities of the Uzh River basin in Uzhhorod, Ukraine—a non-EU border city with strong ecological and institutional ties to neighboring EU regions—and proposes an adaptive river management model tailored to such environments. An integrated assessment of flood protection systems, sediment transport, drainage performance, and governance gaps was conducted to inform the proposed framework, which combines structural and ecosystem-based interventions with a focus on transboundary water governance. Unlike many existing approaches that lack mechanisms for localized implementation and cross-border coordination, this model offers a transferable, evidence-based methodology for enhancing flood resilience and hydrological sustainability in similar urban areas. The insights are relevant to border cities across Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus, contributing to both engineering practice and regional policy by aligning hydrotechnical solutions with cooperative climate adaptation strategies. Full article

The Sredogriv greenschist facies rocks belong to the Western Balkan Zone in northwestern Bulgaria. The low-grade rocks consist of clastic-tuffaceous precursors and presumably olistostromic magmatic bodies. We present U-Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon age constraints for the Sredogriv metaconglomerate, intruding metaalbitophyre and a breccia-conglomerate of the sedimentary cover. Detrital zircons in the Sredogriv metaconglomerate yield a maximum depositional age of 523 Ma, with a prominent NeoproterozoicEarly Cambrian detrital zircon age clusters derived from igneous sources. The metaalbitophyre crystallized at 308 Ma and contains the same age clusters of inherited zircons. A 263 Ma maximum age of deposition is defined for a breccia-conglomerate of the Smolyanovtsi Formation from the sedimentary cover that recycled material from the Sredogriv metamorphics and Carboniferous–Permian magmatic rocks. The depositional setting of the Sredogriv sedimentary succession is characterized by proximity to Cadomian island arc sources and provenance from the northern periphery of Gondwana. The timing of the Variscan greenschist facies metamorphism of the Sredogriv metamorphics is bracketed between 308 Ma and the depositional age of 272 Ma of another adjacent clastic formation. These results constrain the timing of the Cadomian sedimentary history and the Variscan magmatic and tectono-metamorphic evolution in this part of the Western Balkan Zone. Full article

The role of carbon emissions in the worsening of global warming and other climate change implications has been well recognised. This study empirically investigates the effect of economic growth, urbanisation, and energy consumption on carbon emissions using panel cointegration tests and pooled mean group autoregressive distributed lag (PMG-ARDL) techniques. The research is based on panel data from Western Balkan countries spanning 2001 to 2022. Urbanisation is incorporated into the model to determine its significance in the dynamic relationship among economic growth, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. The inclusion of urbanisation in the Western Balkans context is particularly novel because of its acceleration in this region. The findings suggest that energy consumption, economic growth, and urbanisation significantly affect environmental quality in the long run. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that only economic growth significantly impacts the environment in the short run. Subsequent investigations have revealed that environmental distortion is a long-term consequence of energy consumption, urbanisation, and economic expansion in the examined nations. These countries must prioritise enhancing energy efficiency, urban planning, and pollution mitigation measures while ensuring that economic growth remains unhindered. Full article

Invasive species pose a growing threat to global biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem health, as climate change worsens their spread. This study focused on modelling the current and projected distribution of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman), an invasive pest with potentially devastating impacts on crops and natural vegetation across Europe. Using the MaxEnt species distribution model, we integrated beetle occurrence data with bioclimatic variables, analyzing current and future climate scenarios based on Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5) for near-term (2021–2040) and mid-term (2041–2060) periods. By reclassifying the model results, we identified European regions with negligible, low, medium, and high exposure to this invasive pest under climate change pathways. The results identified regions in central Europe covering an area of 83,807 km² that are currently at medium to high risk of Japanese beetle infestation. Future projections suggest northward expansion with suitable areas potentially increasing to 120,436 km² in the worst-case scenario, particularly in northern Italy, southern Germany, the Western Balkans, and parts of France. These spatially explicit findings can inform targeted monitoring, early detection, and management strategies to mitigate the economic and ecological threats posed by the Japanese beetle. Integrating species distribution modelling with climate change scenarios is imperative for science-based policies to tackle the growing challenge of biological invasions. This research provides a framework for assessing invasion risks at the European scale and guiding adaptive responses in agricultural and natural systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding how work environments affect nurses’ turnover intentions is crucial for improving retention and organizational stability. Research on factors influencing nursing turnover intentions in Italy is limited despite its significant impact on healthcare sustainability today. Aim: This study aims to identify the individual, interpersonal, and job-related factors influencing quit intentions among nurses, examining the mediating role of job satisfaction. Methods: Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theory and Social Exchange Theory (SET), this cross-sectional study applied structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse theoretical relationships. Researchers collected data between August 2022 and December 2023 via an online survey sent to nurses in different settings across Italy. This study tested a hypothesised mediation model using SEM analysis, demonstrating good fit indices. Results: A total of 1745 nurses responded. The findings reveal that high job demands—physical, mental, and emotional workloads—were significantly associated with increased dissatisfaction and quit intentions. Conversely, job resources, including decision-making autonomy, inspiring leadership, and positive leader–member exchanges, were linked to greater job satisfaction and retention. Contrary to expectations, work satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between job demands/resources and turnover intentions. This could be explained by the strong direct effect of job satisfaction on turnover intentions. Additionally, younger nurses were more likely to report higher turnover intentions. Conclusions: Identifying potential quitters at an early stage is essential for the sustainability of healthcare organizations. Understanding the factors contributing to nurse turnover is crucial for developing effective retention strategies. This study emphasizes the need for healthcare organizations to prioritize supportive work environments to enhance nurse job resources, well-being, and retention. Full article

Accurate forecasting of river flows is essential for effective water resource management, flood risk reduction and environmental protection. The ongoing effects of climate change, in particular the shift in precipitation patterns and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, necessitate the development of advanced forecasting models. This study investigates the application of long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks in predicting river runoff in the Velika Morava catchment in Serbia, representing a pioneering application of LSTM in this region. The study uses daily runoff, precipitation and temperature data from 1961 to 2020, interpolated using the inverse distance weighting method. The LSTM model, which was optimized using a trial-and-error approach, showed a high prediction accuracy. For the Velika Morava station, the model showed a mean square error (MSE) of 2936.55 and an R² of 0.85 in the test phase. The findings highlight the effectiveness of LSTM networks in capturing nonlinear hydrological dynamics, temporal dependencies and regional variations. This study underlines the potential of LSTM models to improve river forecasting and water management strategies in the Western Balkans. Full article

Silver lime is a thermophilic, calciphile species that thrives in xero-mesophilic forest communities. The westernmost edge of its natural distribution is Zrinska Gora Mountain in central Croatia, where it is found in almost all types of forest vegetation, albeit with varying frequencies. Its ecological optimum is in specific ravines and grooves, where it forms the mesophilic, relict broad-leaved ravine forest community Polysticho setiferi-Tilietum tomentosae. This research was conducted on two levels. Firstly, the communities of Zrinska Gora were analyzed as the westernmost edge of the natural distribution. Secondly, the ecology of the Tilia tomentosa communities in the western part of its distribution (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Serbia) was observed. Analysis of Ellenberg-type indicator values for 74 communities from the western Balkans revealed a slight trend of decreasing thermophilicity and increasing acidophilicity toward the western edge of the distribution area. Silver lime peripheral populations on Zrinska Gora develop under unique ecological conditions. The soil reaction of all communities falls below the lower limit of the optimal range for its development, and the relict association experiences lower temperature values compared to the other communities. All in all, the results of this study provide insights into the adaptability of silver lime to climate change. Full article

Greenhouse tomato production holds strong economic importance in the Western Balkan (WB) countries, driven by escalating market demands. To align with global food safety trends, systematic advancements in cultivation practices and pest management strategies are essential for the WB region. Conventional reliance on chemical pesticides as the primary pest control method has led to various adverse outcomes, impacting pest management effectiveness and reducing product quality. The impact of climate change on agricultural productivity further emphasizes the need for environmentally friendly solutions in pest protection. To address these challenges and mitigate the detrimental effects of chemical pesticides, this review explores sustainable, alternative solutions, like biological control agents (BCAs), for tomato pest control in the WB region. With biological control gaining recognition as an effective approach, yet remaining underutilized in the WB, this review provides a thorough analysis of the most effective, commercially available BCAs, critically evaluating their advantages and limitations. Widespread BCA application could support the expansion of the tomato production sector while fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, the review explores the role of BCAs within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) frameworks in tomato production, emphasizing their alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly for countries aiming for EU integration. Full article

The transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) is a critical component of economic systems, especially in regions such as the Western Balkans (WB), where infrastructure and regulatory frameworks face significant challenges. This study assesses the current state of transportation of dangerous goods in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo*, focusing on the alignment of national regulations with international standards such as the ADR agreement. Using a structured questionnaire distributed to 847 stakeholders, key barriers are identified, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, limited oversight and low public awareness. Statistical analyses, including paired t-tests, reveal significant differences in perceptions across the countries surveyed, indicating inequalities in implementation and enforcement. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities to close gaps through targeted investments in infrastructure, increased training programs, stricter compliance and regional cooperation. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive data collection systems and advanced risk assessment tools to improve safety and efficiency. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of TDG issues in the WB countries and provides actionable recommendations for policy makers and practitioners to promote safer and more sustainable practices. The region can improve its TDG framework by addressing these challenges and ensuring economic growth and public safety while minimizing environmental risks. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between financialisation and economic growth in Croatia, focusing on the period from 1995 to 2021. Using time series econometric models, including the Augmented Dickey–Fuller test for stationarity, Johansen’s cointegration test for long-term relationships, and the Granger causality test within the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) framework, the research reveals a sustained long-term equilibrium relationship between financialisation and economic growth in Croatia. However, the Granger causality test does not indicate a definitive causal direction between these variables. While the study is limited to the Croatian context and the specified period, its findings have significant implications for policymakers in Croatia and similar emerging markets. These results suggest that while financialisation can enhance economic growth through better resource allocation and increased investment, it may also pose risks such as financial instability. Such measures aim to mitigate the risks associated with financialisation while promoting sustainable economic growth. To address these challenges, we recommend the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks, financial literacy initiatives, and economic diversification strategies. Such measures aim to mitigate the risks associated with financialisation while promoting sustainable economic growth. The study fills an important research gap on financialisation in emerging markets, particularly in Croatia, providing empirical evidence on the long-term relationship between financialisation and economic growth and highlighting the need for context-specific policy interventions. Full article