Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Željko Tuličić Author-Email: ztulicic@pulsusmedical.hr Author-Workplace-Name: Pulsus Medical d.o.o. Title: THE EFFECT OF ESIF LOANS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA Journal: Poslovna izvrsnost - Business Excellence Abstract: One of the key challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Croatia is limited access to financial resources due to an underdeveloped financial market. European Union funds may represent a potential solution to overcoming the financing issues that SMEs encounter in Croatia. Financial instruments allocated from European Structural and Investment Funds, such as ESIF loans, are available to SMEs. Given the objectives of the ESIF loan program, it can be expected that this instrument will have a positive impact on the performance indicators of SMEs. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of ESIF loans within the small economy sector from 2016 to 2019, that is, the short-term effects of financial instruments on SMEs. The method of hierarchical linear regression enabled the analysis within the framework of various variables, and the sample included 1,341 small and medium-sized Croatian enterprises. The research results suggest that the amount of allocated ESIF loans did not have a statistically significant impact on the performance of SMEs, although the lack of impact and growth should be considered within multiple limitations, such as the short monitoring period, the age of the companies, the amount of funds, and the way financial resources were used. Further research should take into account a more detailed analysis of other variables, and this study can serve as a guideline for further research of the impact of ESIF loans on business enterprises, particularly in the development of SMEs. Keywords: ESIF zajmovi; malo gospodarstvo; financijski instrumenti; uspješnost poslovanja Pages: 11-33 Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2024.18.2.11 File-URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/470145 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:zag:busexc:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:11-33 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antun Fagarazzi Author-Email: afagarazzi1@gmail.com Title: IMPACT OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT LEVEL ON NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY INDEX Journal: Poslovna izvrsnost - Business Excellence Abstract: The integration of digital knowledge and information technology into all economic sectors is driven by the digital revolution and Industry 4.0. They also emerge as the primary driver of economic advancement across different nations. The main research goal of this paper is to analyse how the Digital Development Level influences the National Cybersecurity Index across different countries, as well as to determine the average Digital Development Level and the average National Cybersecurity Index value for all countries. A quantitative approach was employed in this research, utilizing secondary data. The analysis included one-way ANOVA, linear regression, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The study found a positive correlation between the Digital Development Level (DDL) and the National Cybersecurity Index (NCSI), as well as significant disparities between these variables. Qualitative factors, such as government policies, organizational culture, or international cooperation, are not accounted for in the analysis. Research results highlight the need for continued investments in both areas and underscore the importance of integrated policy approaches that address the complex challenges of the digital economy. Keywords: digital development level; national cybersecurity index; digital revolution; Industry 4.0 Pages: 37-61 Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2024.18.2.37 File-URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/470148 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:zag:busexc:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:37-61 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Petar Ninić Author-Email: petar.ninic2604@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Eurospin Hrvatska LTD, Croatia; Doctoral programme in Economics and Business Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia Title: THE IMPORTANCE OF LIBERALIZATION OF THE POSTAL SERVICES MARKET Journal: Poslovna izvrsnost - Business Excellence Abstract: The postal services market plays a central role in the economic and social development of many countries, with its efficiency being crucial for the overall functioning of the economy. Postal services are essential for maintaining an efficient and dynamic single market in the EU and are critical for both citizens and businesses. The postal services market, both in the Republic of Croatia and globally, is undergoing significant transformations driven by the increasing use of electronic communication and the substitution of traditional postal services. Despite the full liberalization achieved by most EU member states, this has not significantly boosted competition in domestic letter mail markets. Inadequate regulation of access to certain elements of postal infrastructure adversely affects consumer surplus and social welfare. While postal and courier services are traditional communication means, they remain vital for economic and social development in today's information society with its rapidly evolving communication technologies. In most EU member countries, after liberalization, prices for services under the universal service obligation have increased. However, liberalization has also driven the growth of e-commerce and improved the business models of leading companies on the courier, express and parcel market. It has compelled former monopolies to modernize their facilities and shift their business models towards the expanding parcel market. Given the establishment of full liberalization in the postal services market in most EU member states and the dynamic changes brought by technological advancements, this paper focuses on analyzing the implications of liberalization in the postal services market. Keywords: e-commerce; innovations; liberalization; postal services Pages: 65-79 Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2024.18.2.65 File-URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/470152 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:zag:busexc:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:65-79 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ivan Burazin Author-Email: ivan.burazinn@gmail.com Author-Name: Toni Rajšić Author-Email: tonirajsic@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Doctoral study in Economy and Global Security, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb Author-Name: Mirko Bilandžić Author-Email: mbilandz@ffzg.unizg.hr Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Title: ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE SEPARATIST DONBAS: FROM INTERACTION TO SEPARATION Journal: Poslovna izvrsnost - Business Excellence Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the economic policies of the Ukrainian separatist parts of the Donbas area through the prism of time sequence analysis. In considering the topic of the economic policies of Donbas, demarcation was made according to the phases defined by the socio-political and economic policies of the separatist authorities and the circumstances within which they were developed. In the first phase (2014-2017), economic and industrial cooperation between the government and the separatists was maintained, especially in the field of energy and coal trade. The second phase (2017-2020) is characterized by the blockade and interruption of economic communication between the warring parties, which resulted in the introduction of the concept of external management. The third phase refers to the period from 2020 to 2022 and is characterized by the processes of reorganization and nationalization of political structures in the separatist “republics” and socio-political and economic integration with the Russian Federation. The originality of the work stems from the fact that reconstructed economic policies of the two separatist entities, based on the available and, for objective reasons, insufficient data, still allow for certain convincing insights at the informative level. In the case of Ukraine, this paper has shown how separatist entities adapt their economic policies in specific circumstances, but which are in no way sustainable without external influence and help, in this case, the Russian Federation. The work can be used for further research to understand complex political and economic systems in specific circumstances, especially methodological challenges in terms of availability of information on economic trends and industrial production. Keywords: ekonomske politike; paraentiteti; Ukrajina; Donbas Pages: 81-107 Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2024.18.2.81 File-URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/470154 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:zag:busexc:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:81-107 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Martina Matovinović Author-Email: mmatovin@kbc-zagreb.hr Author-Workplace-Name: University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Croatia Author-Name: Krešo Pandžić Author-Email: kresho.pandzic@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Croatia Author-Name: Darko Ujević Author-Email: darko.ujevic@ttf.hr Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology, Croatia Author-Name: Anđelina Brzović Rakvin Author-Email: abrzovic@kbc-zagreb.hr Author-Workplace-Name: University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia Title: ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF OBESITY: HEALTH, SOCIAL AND INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES Journal: Poslovna izvrsnost - Business Excellence Abstract: Obesity has emerged as a major health and socio-economic issue in modern society, with profound and far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond individual health problems. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is steadily rising across nearly all regions of the world, posing significant challenges to health systems, economies, and societies at large. This paper examines the effects of climate and weather conditions on obesity, the associated health consequences, and the economic implications of overweight and obesity. It also considers body image perception, societal attitudes towards obesity, and techniques for designing and modelling clothing for larger sizes. Obesity is not just a health issue but also a complex social and economic challenge that requires a multidisciplinary approach and coordinated efforts at various levels. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of obesity to better understand and address this growing problem. Although this paper analyses key climate and social factors contributing to obesity rates, opportunities for a more detailed analysis of local specifics in Croatia remain open. The work primarily relies on global data and projections, providing a useful comparison for future research. Keywords: pretilost; ITM (indeks tjelesne mase); kronične bolesti; klimatske promjene; ekonomski utjecaj; konstrukcija i modeliranje odjeće Pages: 109-126 Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2024.18.2.109 File-URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/470158 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:zag:busexc:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:109-126