Young Croatian Research Articles

An Assessment of HIV/STI Vulnerability and Related Sexual Risk-Taking in a Nationally Representative Sample of Young Croatian Adults

Despite the recent increase in the number of HIV infections in Central and Eastern Europe, patterns of sexual behavior have not been extensively researched, particularly among young people. The aim of the present study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of HIV/AIDS-related vulnerability and sexual risk-taking among young adults in Croatia. Data were collected in 2005 using a nationally representative, multi-stage stratified probability sample (n = 1,093) of women and men aged 18-24 years. The focus in this article was on predictors of sexual risk-taking measured by a composite risky sexual behaviors scale. Using hierarchical regression models, we analyzed gendered effects of community, family, peer group, and individual level factors. For both men and women, peer pressure, sensation seeking, personal risk-assessment, behavioral intention, condom use at first sexual intercourse, and sexual victimization were significant predictors of sexual risk-taking behaviors. A number of predictors were gender-specific: sexual assertiveness and condom self-efficacy for women and parental monitoring, traditional morality, HIV knowledge, and talking about sex with partner for men. Documenting substantial prevalence of potentially risky sexual behaviors among young people in Croatia, the findings call for prevention and intervention efforts that should focus on individual capacity building for responsible sexual behavior.

Assessments of country of origin and brand cues in evaluating a Croatian, western and eastern European food product

The economic and social changes occurring in the former socialist and communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe point to the need for more intensive consumer-based market research. This paper reports on a study of young Croatian consumers' attitudes towards a foreign and domestic product of a single low-involvement food product category (chocolate). The roles that country of origin (COO) and brand play in the consumers' purchase decision process are of particular interest. The research findings indicate some consistency in the way consumers structure their assessments of country of origin, brand and price cues in their evaluation of a Croatian, Western and Eastern European food product (chocolate).

Hijacking the Holy Grail? Emerging HR practices in Croatia

Transition by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from communism towards market economies has brought with it the introduction of Western management thinking. CEE since 1989 has been a kind of test‐bed for human resource management (HRM) – the concept that people management practice is central to the strategic direction and potential competitive advantage of the firm. This paper draws on 21 diverse company case‐study experiences in Croatia to review emerging HR practices and assess the relevance of Western management models. A matrix is designed, that categorises these organisations as “sleepers”, “doers”, “thinkers”, “strivers” or “leaders”, according to their strategic intent and their progress on policy implementation. The results suggest that subsidiaries of multinational corporations are leading the way towards HRM and other significant factors are industry sector and size of the company. There is evidence of “hijacking”of HRM amongst some Croatian companies by old style traditional forces to maintain the status quo. Young Croatian managers welcomed new HR progressive practices and identified with most of the philosophy of HRM, apart from suspicions associated with “mindset control” aspects that they saw underpinning HRM and associated with the previous regime.

Motivational factors in departure of young scientists from Croatian science

The noticeable tendency of young Croatian scientists towards a professional and foreign exodus can be explained not so much by their social, professional or material differentiation as by a subjective experience of their own life and professional situation; in other words, dissatisfaction of the researchers with their own professional and social status. The hierarchy of motives of a potential young scientists" drain indicates a complex pattern. It combines suppressive yet attractive motives where economic factors take precedence but with a desire for better conditions in scientific work and opportunities for promotion, thus demonstrating a motivational duality: integration into the general motivational migration pattern while displaying a scientifically motivational specificity.