Development In Serbia Research Articles

Laboratory Medicine Management: Leadership Skills for Effective Laboratory.

SummaryForum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry (FESCC) decided that the FESCC Symposium for Balkan Region would be held each year in Belgrade and organized by the Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia and Montenegro (SMBSM). Professor Victor Blaton, at the time President of the FESCC, supported the organization of the Symposium. Purpose of these Symposia has been to educate clinical biochemists from Balkan region to improve management, leadership skills for effective laboratories. As a result of these decision twelve symposia have been organized thus far very successfully. Here the most important Symposium topics will be reviewed. Also, the 13th EFLM Symposium for Balkan Region under the title »Laboratory Medicine Management: Leadership Skills for Effective Laboratory« (Belgrade, September 2017) is organized by EFLM and SMBS under the Auspices of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia and Ministry of Health of Serbia with participation of the European and domestic specialists in field of Laboratory Medicine.

Software education and digital economy development in Serbia

The concept of digital transformation, or the use of technology to improve performance, is analysed in the context of sustainable economic development and technological preparedness of Serbia. The authors further focus on the role of software engineering education. Software developers are key enablers of new information technologies, providing programming services behind the adapted and new business models. The first assessment of current technical competencies, educational background and working conditions of software developers in Serbia was the subject of an empirical study conducted in October 2015, which is discussed in this article. The findings concur with global research, which discerns a shift away from formal education, in part as a result of a gap in the classic curricula and the market demand for agile programming and project management. This gap needs to be supplemented with nontechnical skills in addition to teaching innovative programming, and this could be a subject of further study. Additional research is required to understand the low level of digital adoption by the business sector in Serbia, as well as to investigate the impact that European integration and foreign investments produce on this process. In Serbia, one important positive trend is a high level of openness to entrepreneurship among software developers, and this may be the source of new innovations. A further challenge is to link developers as technical enablers with the traditionally organised businesses in Serbia to facilitate a wider digital transformation and creation of a true digital economy.

Dr Predrag Manojlovic the winner of the "Jovan Cvijic" medal

Professor dr Predrag Manojlovic was born on 24th of ?pril 1955, in Negotin. He graduated in 1980 (average grade 9,76). In 1985 he defended his MSc thesis "The karst of Zamna river basin". He finished his PhD studies in 1990. "Experimental research of the intensity of corrosion in the karst of the Eastern Serbia" was the title of his doctoral dissertation. He started his professional career as assistant at the faculty in 1983. Since 2001 he has worked at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Geography, as a full professor. The main field of his research is geomorphology. At the beginning of his career he was focused on the study of fundamental geomorphology - karst erosion and paleogeomor- phology. The most successful part of his scientific work took place in the period between 1989 and 2000, when he was dedicated to the study of chemical erosion as a geomorphological process. He is one of the founders of the Laboratory for Physical Geography at the Faculty of Geography. In the period 2001-2015 he was the editor-in-chief of the scientific journal "Bulletin" ("Glasnik"), published by the Serbian Geographical Society. He was the leader of two national scientific and research projects in the period between 2001 and 2005 ("The geographical basis of Serbia's development") and 2006 - 2010 ("The intensity of the mechanical and chemical erosion and accumulation in Eastern Serbia"). In his career he has published more than 70 scientific papers in international and national journals. He participated at many scientific conferences. He published three university textbooks and took part in completion of three sheets of Speleological maps of Serbia.

Spatial planning and ecological networks in Serbia

The paper explains the importance and role of spatial planning in the context of the preservation and sustainable use of ecological networks. The concept of ecological networks is presented in terms of its main goals, structure, functions and approaches to biodiversity conservation. The paper gives an overview of ecological network development in Serbia, but also an overview of the activities carried out in establishing the NATURA 2000 European ecological network. Possibilities for improving the spatial planning process in light of the functional development of ecological networks in Serbia are indicated through an analysis of the requirements arising from the policies relevant for spatial planning and the development of ecological networks using the example of drawn up spatial plans.

Significant involvement of agricultural holdings in rural tourism development in Serbia

There are a large number of farms in Serbia, which survived with a little capital and labor, and today one of the perspectives they see in the integration with the rural tourism. Tourism development is an incentive for the introduction of improvements in agricultural production, processing and supply of food, as well as the introduction of modern standards that are difficult to apply on small farms because of the high costs of their implementation. Rural tourism in Serbia is not at a satisfactory level of development, although there are all preconditions for its intensive development. Due to unfavorable political and economic position of Serbia, rural tourism has not encountered the support of its favorable development among its competitors. The authors have tried to point out a study for the attitude of the hosts as a service providers on the current status and problems faced in providing services in rural tourism. Investigated in 15 municipalities in Vojvodina (Northern Serbia), Southwestern Serbia and Southeastern Serbia, and in a total of 46 owners of small farms. Using the tests methods questionnaires and processing in SPSS, version 19.0, and analysis of the data, authors led to the confrmation of certain hypotheses of which started in the investigation.

The impact of air quality conditioned by emission of pollutants to the development of rural tourism and potentials of rural areas

Signifcant potentials for tourism development in Serbia are related to rural areas. Rural development, on its basis, includes the agrarian, but also the non-agrarian sector in rural areas, thus encompassing every vital component of the development of rural areas. This paper is, following the relevant theoretical positions, focused on key issues in the feld of air quality impacts caused by the emission of pollutants to the development of rural tourism and the potentials of rural areas. These are primarily the following issues: which are the criteria for assessing air quality, or what are the limit values of the parameters for the protection of human health, and what is the trend of air quality by zones and agglomerations and what is the percentage of the population potentially exposed to concentrations of pollutants above the reference level. The mentioned topic is analyzed for the period 2012-2015. Analysis of the results of the degree of emission of suspended particles by zones and agglomerations in Serbia is presented correlatively in conclusion with concluding reviews on the existing ecological potential for the development of the basic rural areas in Serbia - Vojvodina, which makes up 28% of the total area of Serbia, Central Serbia, which consists of 29% of the total area of Serbia and South Serbia, which accounts for 44% of the total area of Serbia.

Economic justification for floriculture development in Serbia

Floriculture is a part of horticulture, an agricultural activity which has been on the rise during the past decades. It is different from traditional culture, not only due to the increased sales revenues, but also because flowers are ever more present in daily life, which has created opportunities for engaging in floriculture as a legitimate source of income. The aim of the paper is to present the current situation in the area of floriculture in the world and in Serbia, as well as to draw attention to the relationship between the import and export of floriculture products. This paper includes a SWOT analysis that provides an overview of the current state of floriculture in Serbia and the opportunities for its development. Floriculture is not widespread in Serbia, even though there are quite advantageous climatic conditions, fertile land, tradition and experience, but not enough innovation, inadequate equipment, technological lagging behind in production and insuffcient harmonization with EU standards.

An analysis of key indicators of rural development in Serbia: A comparison with EU countries

In accordance with the strategic aim of Serbia regarding European Union accession, harmonization with European Union rural development policy is an important issue for the creators of rural policy. Accordingly, the basic aim of this paper is to analyse the rural development level of Serbia in comparison to European Union countries, using multivariate statistical analysis. Factor analysis and cluster analysis are applied to extract three factors of rural development: the relative economic significance of rural areas, the general level of economic and agricultural development, and rural development. The results clearly show that Serbia has a lower level of rural development than European Union countries. Therefore defining adequate actions and mechanisms to achieve the policy aims of Serbian rural development is imperative.

Possibility of rural sector development in Serbia using IPARD program

For the countries of the Western Balkans, especially in Serbia, whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture, strategically, within the accession negotiations with the European Union, topics concerning the rural sector are of great importance. In this sense, it is very important for all countries in the region, including Serbia to create the conditions for the implementation of IPARD - Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development as the EU pre-accession program. This European instrument which helps countries that are at the door of the EU is actually a preparation for future participation in the complex and clearly defned Common agricultural policy of the European Union (CAP – Common agriculture policy), which is a set of rules equal for all and that means common agricultural budget. The importance of being well-prepared for the CAP, is expressed in the fact that this budget is more than half of EU cash. When a country joins the EU, it is given a quota in the common agricultural budget through two funds - EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) and EAGF (European Agricultural Guarantee Fund), and for a national agriculture to effectively adopt the mode of operation of these instruments, it is important that the funds which are at its disposal in the pre-accession period are better utilized, and to master the principles on which CAP is based. First steps in the use of further more generous funds for agriculture and rural development are laid down through IPARD.

Problem continuity in discontinuity of development of Serbian industry

In this paper the author uses a comparative analysis in order to show the discontinuity in the process of the industrial development of the Serbian society, as well as to point out the fact that the almost same problems have not been mastered throughout the whole process of industrialization. Besides the historical data, the data of the empirical research are used. The goal of the empirical research was to determine the real and the possible degree and intensity of the influence of the structural social changes to the organizing of industrial work. The research had been done from 2011 to 2013 using the multiple case study method, and it included six organizations from different sectors of industry. By comparison of different phases of the industrial development in Serbia the author concludes the continuity of the following problems: accumulation of capital, technical and technological underdevelopment and dependence, raw materials dependence, and the deficit of the competent work force (especially managers). The biggest and the basic problem, which encompasses all four problems mentioned above, has been the absence of the strategy of the industrial development throughout the whole process of this development.

Zdravstveni, socijalni i demografski aspekti nekih rizičnih ponašanja mladih

Development of international traffic and tourism, migration of working society, spread of drug addiction disease and subsequent global economic crisis, unemployement as will as troubles in solving everyday existentional problems in young people gradually contributed to unadaptability, disturbance and even to the breakdown of traditional rules of behaviour within families and social surrounding. The wide influx of personal computers in home and schools has enabled to young generation earlier access to various knowledges including those relating sexuality. It has contributed to the earlier sexual maturity and sexual contacts in younger period of life. Alienation from family and replacement of her influence with the feeling of belonging to the persons of same age, exposure to various risky behaviours (smoking, alcohol, drug addiction, unprotected sexual contacts, gambling), especially dangerous for girls (diseases of reproductive organs, undesirable gravidity, abortus, sterility, break up of schooling and disturbances of social relations). The worrysome fact is the highest abortion rate in adolescent girls in Europe (together with Great Britain). Health education to prevent risk behaviour in young people should be performed in schools in pre­adolescent period (fifth class of elementary) school respectively in age before experiencing first sexual contact. Every pupil has at least one teacher, some students do not have parents, however, not every parent is interested or capable in opening such a delicate subject with his child. Corresponding educational programme integrated in teaching curricula of elementary schools will contribute to positive demographic development in Serbia.

Importance of on-time decision making in energy sector based on perspectives: Case study new Stavalj project

Expression "Development conditions and perspectives" became important for numerous analyses in various industrial and social areas. Several strategic documents and studies in last two decades analysed projects with topics on perspectives of future development in Serbia. Various tools are used for development of such documents, based on recent scientific and numerical solutions, thus providing reliable assessment for strategic decision making. Almost all analyses tried to implement the theories and practical experiences through the prism of "sustainable development", which included establishment of most important sustainability parameters. Analysis and ranking presented in this paper considered the potential of the Stavalj coal deposit, near city of Sjenica in Serbia, and feasibility of construction project of new mine and thermal power plant. Basis for analysis was a hybrid assessment model which takes into account principles of sustainable development. The model incorporates quantified SWOT analysis, which applies to active underground mines in Serbia. Special attention was given to the parameters describing potential for development.

The state of agriculture and rural development in Serbia

The state of agriculture and rural development in Serbia

Problems of agricultural and rural development in Serbia and necessity of new agricultural policy

The Republic of Serbia has a favorable conditions for agricultural and rural development (5,097 million ha of agricultural land, 85% of the territory is rural). Serbia has a skilled and educated human resources and appropriate institutions for education (high schools, colleges, institutes), as well as a long agricultural tradition. Nevertheless agriculture and villages in Serbia are in the process of decay, devastation and backwardness. Agricultural production in the period from 2000-2015 for example had positive outcome in only four years. The negative development trend was followed with de-agrarianism and demographic emptying of villages. The causes for this are numerous. The authors come to the conclusion that a new paradigm of sustainable agricultural and rural development, as well as the new agricultural policy is need.

The state and perspective of the natural gas sector in Serbia

ABSTRACTThe strategy of long-term energy development of Serbia identifies an increase of share of natural gas in final energy consumption as one of the main aims. Serbia has signed a strategic agreement with the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas sector, within which the project South Stream pipeline is planned to be realized. In addition, the Republic of Serbia has signed the Treaty that establishes the Energy Community and accepted the obligation to implement the Energy Community acquis. In the natural gas sector it is related to establishing a fully liberated national and regional natural gas market. Overview and analysis of the current state concerning indigenous production, infrastructure, and consumption structure are presented as the basis for projections of the possible Serbian natural gas sector development. Three possible scenarios for future natural gas consumption, considering different influential parameters, have been developed by the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) software. Scenarios characterized by different levels and structures of consumption are analyzed in detail.

The Role of Financial Perspective of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development for the Purpose of Strengthening Serbian Economy

The focus of this paper is to show the necessity to change the existing policy on the importance of entrepreneurship and rural development in Serbia. It cannot be said that this area was not given importance in Serbia, but it can definitely be said that this is not done in the correct way, using all available resources (human, financial (own and foreign sources of funding), intellectual, etc). The aim is to draw attention to the necessity of reducing the public sector (which incidentally has been funded by the private sector through taxes), to the greater stimulation of the private sector (environment, sources of financing, etc.) and to a number of other measures that the Government of Serbia should take, which would be aimed at that for an estimated period of five to ten years, and see in practice that the number of employees in the private sector is ¾, and in the state administration ¼. Namely that the private sector is strong, stable and the state sector is efficient. Furthermore, the aim of this paper is to show us the necessity of using pre-accession funds for the purpose of rural development in Serbia, with the emphasis on legislative solutions that have existed even in the former SFRY.

The strategic aspects and results of agriculture development in Serbia in the transition period

The economic development in Yugoslavia (Serbia) after the second world war has been conducted at the expense of agriculture because the industrialisation was in the forefront of the economic policy. It has an impact on the present position of the agriculture compared to the other sectors because the parity of product exchange is still retained at the expense of agriculture. Even under these circumstances agriculture is an industry with a positive foreign trade balance, important share in the national product and the unemployment rate reduction, and that has been analysed and shown in this paper. Many developed European countries are an example of the successful agricultural development as a carrier of the complete development. There are indisputably much wider possibilities for agriculture development in Serbia, and it could become a great comparative advantage of our economy in the developed markets in the world, with the appropriate macroeconomic policy.

Programmes of professional development of teachers: Estimated usefulness and educaional effects

The system of professional development in Serbia presents the key mechanism for improving professional competencies of teachers. Programmes for professional development and improvement of professional competencies of teachers represent a special place in this system. The estimation of their effects is primarily based on studying of perception of teachers and their satisfaction with the programmes of professional development, so there are not thorough data about the other, significant determinates of the quality of the programme (knowledge and skills, changes in teaching praxis, achievements of students, etc). The perception of teachers about the significance and usage of programmes and students' achievement are represented as research in this paper. Three separate samples were studied for correlation between the teachers' estimation of usage of the certain programme of professional development and average result of the class at the mock and final test (Mathematics test, Serbian Test and Combined Test) during the school year 2014/2015. It was determined that there is no connection between the quality of the programme of professional development measured by teacher's perceptions and students' achievements measured by the results and the mock and final test. The authors interpret these results in the context of the existing systematic solutions and different organisational and conceptual restrictions which follow the exhibiting system of professional development in Serbia, concluding that it is necessary for the future research to widen the scope of the research topics so that knowledge of this filed should be fulfilled.

The stakeholder networking approach as a necessary factor of cultural tourism development in Serbia

One of the biggest challenges in the development and management of tourist destinations that base their offer on cultural attractions, is the need to harmonize interests of numerous actors (stakeholders). Stakeholder analysis is a technique used to identify the institutions, groups and individuals that influence the management of cultural resources and attractions. It also considers the wider socio- economic and political context that influences implementation of strategic measures and activities, as defined by the Tourism Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia. The goal of this research is to identify a system of tourism development in Serbia and principles for formation of tourist destinations. It also attempts to determine if practical application of stakeholder approach is present. Furthermore, this paper defines the levels in which some stakeholders operate, their roles and also limitations in their practices that influence the development of cultural tourism in Serbia. Common interests are identified that could become a basis for the harmonization of general attitudes and facilitation of the cooperation between stakeholders. The aim is also to create a system that would enable a practical application of stakeholder networking leading to sustainable development of tourist destinations.

Interest and gharar in Islamic banking

Islamic banking is relatively unknown to us. Although Islamic banking is only a segment or a 'niche' of the overall banking industry and banking market, its significance is rising steadily, and it will play an important role in the near future. Islamic banks, especially in light of the latest economic and political developments in Serbia (Etihad's acquisition of JAT, the project 'Belgrade Waterfront', etc.) are not so far away from the Serbian banking system, so it is necessary to understand the basic forbidden categories in it, which is the main topic of this paper. Interest and gharar, which is a category in Islamic banking that is much broader, more comprehensive and more ambiguous than risk or speculation, are discussed in details.