International Journal of Economics, Management and Tourism

APPLICATION OF THE AGGLOMERATIVE CLUSTERING PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSING THE CIRCULARITY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

Zarko Radjenovic — 2024-12-21

The circular economy represents a regenerative concept of the functioning of the economy and society, which aims at a more efficient allocation of resources and their use with the application of the principles of recycling and reducing the rate of waste generation to protect the environment. At the same time, the circular economy transforms and absorbs the existing industrial waste generation to create energy that encourages the further sustainable development of industrial ecosystems by directing processes to improve general business conditions. The primary methodological framework of this research is based on the selection of circular economy indicators and their performance at the level of the European Union for the five years 2017-2021, based on the latest available data from the Eurostat Database. By analyzing the five-year average values of circular economy indicators, using hierarchical cluster analysis using the agglomerative procedure, the European Union members are grouped by similarity into six clusters. Descriptive statistics within a cluster can determine the dominance of a particular cluster and progress in the area of the circular economy. Based on the results obtained, the most significant progress in circular performance was achieved by Croatia, Estonia and Latvia.

DIGITAL NOMADS AS CONTEMPORARY FORM OF BUSINESS TOURISM

Oliver Filiposki — 2024-12-21

Business tourism is a term used to describe all travel that results directly from work duties or indirectly in the performance of work-related activities. This includes activities related to daily work duties, but also travel for corporate or organizational meetings, conventions and congresses. Digital nomad is a term used to describe people who use telecommunication technologies in their work and live a nomadic life. Digital nomads work from different countries, in different spatial conditions such as cafes, libraries, recreational vehicles, etc. The subject of this paper is the digital nomads as contemporary form of business tourism. The paper presents review of research concerning digital nomads and business tourism. For the purpose of the paper, a research methodology and secondary data sources have been used by consulting literature, studies, statistical data and official web pages of institutions concerning digital nomads and business travel. An analysis and review of different types of nomads and destinations offering digital nomad visa in selected Mediterranean countries has been made, based on a systematic evaluation of the current content of relevant literature using methodology of content analysis.

TOURIST PLACES, FACILITIES AND EVENTS THAT MACEDONIANS SHOULD VISIT

Nikola V. Dimitrov — 2024-12-21

Identity is a trait, a property, a sense of something that exists and that stands out and differs from others. Macedonian identity is a unique feature of an ancient nation with its own language that existed and still exists on the territory of Macedonia.

The uniqueness of the Macedonian identity is a multi-millennium mosaic layered and supported by a diverse natural and cultural heritage.

The aim of the paper is to strengthen the Macedonian patriotic identity through tourism by identifying tourist places, facilities and events that Macedonians should visit to confirm their continued existence at home, in the immediate neighborhood and beyond to promote cosmopolitanism. Whether Macedonians will make the visit with a physical presence individually or organized through travel agencies, or virtually using the Internet - modern technology for education, is a personal decision of every Macedonian.

The material in the paper is divided into three parts. The first part mentions tourist places, facilities and events in the area of RS Macedonia. We are talking about locations that reflect the continuity of Macedonia and Macedonians from the earliest days until today. From the large number of locations, we single out the most important tourist places, facilities and events that Macedonians should visit.

The second part mentions tourist places, facilities and events in neighboring countries, as well as in other countries on the Balkan Peninsula and in Europe, which should be visited by Macedonians, because they are important for Macedonian patriotic identity and cosmopolitanism.

In the third part, there are listed tourist locations in countries on other continents that are significant for Macedonians and should be visited for the purpose of strengthening Macedonian patriotism, identity and cosmopolitanism.

The selection of tourist locations - places, objects and events are grouped by time period of creation, type (natural and anthropogenic) and geographical location.

At the end, in the conclusion, we give an overview of sister cities from Macedonia with cities in the world, and there are over 300 cities that Macedonians should know and visit for the sake of tourism promotion of Macedonia and the Macedonian people in the world

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN BULGARIA

Slavi Dimitrov — 2024-12-21

Religious tourism is a specialized type of tourism in which people travel individually or in groups to religious destinations, outside their usual environment, in order to consume religious values in one form or another. Religiously motivated travel is as old as religion itself, and thus religious tourism is the oldest type of tourism dating back to ancient times. Bulgaria has significant religious tourism resources and can specialize in this type of tourism.

MANAGEMENT AND POSSIBLE SCENARIOS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROCITY CHAVES-VERIN PROJECT

Tatyana Dimitrova — 2024-12-21

The European Union (EU) and its territories depend on increased synergy between cohesion policies and strategies to promote competitiveness, as well as on the development of sectoral policies enabling less-favoured territories to face the challenges of globalization by applying cross-border, transnational and interregional approach. Cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation has already added and continues to create added not only European, political, institutional, economic, but also socio-cultural value. Such an example of cooperation is Eurocity Chaves-Verin, located on both sides of the Spanish-Portuguese border.

KRIPKE SEMANTICS, COMMON KNOWLEDGE, BOUNDED RATIONALITY AND AUMANN’S AGREEMENT THEOREM

Dushko Josheski — 2024-12-21

The first model with k-level thinking with Gaussian noise shows that small deviations for common knowledge led to “almost” common knowledge equilibria. The second model demonstrated the semantic economy idea: as agents exchange and adapt beliefs, they create shared informational value by reaching a consensus that reflects network-wide insights rather than mere individual optimization. Higher reasoning depth does not change Nash equilibria but shifts up Kantian beliefs. The shift up in Kantian beliefs suggests a greater alignment toward strategies that maximize collective welfare, rather than purely individualistic or competitive outcomes. This doesn't alter the Nash equilibrium, where players still act independently, but it emphasizes a higher baseline of cooperative or altruistic expectations among players due to more profound belief hierarchies in the reasoning process. In the third model: networked economic context where agents interact in an economic network where competitive advantage depends on the informational value generated across the network, results differ from the second example: Nash beliefs adjust based on others' best responses (shift up), while Kantian beliefs account for mutual benefit, dampening large shifts. Nash and Kantian equilibria differ when only three agents exist versus network economy.

CHALLENGES IN MANAGING EMPLOYEES WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS

Mimoza Serafimova — 2024-12-23

Inclusive management of diversity in the work environment is essential to organizational success and productivity in today's globalized world. With employees who differ in terms of culture, generation, gender and socio-economic background, organizations face unique challenges as well as opportunities. The inclusion of all team members, regardless of their characteristics, not only improves team dynamics, but also increases innovation and employee engagement. Research shows that inclusive cultures have a significantly higher rate of employee satisfaction, which in turn leads to increased loyalty and a better reputation for the organization.

The role of inclusive leadership is crucial in creating a work environment where diversity is valued. Leaders with cultural intelligence and empathy contribute to the development of trust and cooperation in teams, which supports organizational growth and productivity. By using cultural competence training and introducing inclusive policies, companies create conditions in which employees can express their potential and feel valued.

In conclusion, inclusive management not only helps to overcome differences, but also lays the foundation for long-term success and positive organizational development

COMPULSORY OIL RESERVES OF THE RNM - status and challenges

Anita Stamnova — 2024-12-23

The supply of crude oil and oil products in the EU is a very important issue, especially for the transport sector and the chemical industry. The concentration of production, the reduction of oil reserves and the increased consumption of oil products worldwide contribute to an increased risk of supply difficulties.

The European Council in the Action Plan 2007 to 2009, within the Energy Policy of Europe, emphasized the need to strengthen the security of the supply of oil reserves to the European Union, as well as to each EU member state, with the aim of oil availability in case of crises. The Energy policy of Europe imposes the need for greater compatibility of the European Community system with the system envisaged by the International Energy Agency.

In accordance with Council Directive 2006/67/EC of July 24, 2006, the obligation of EU member states to keep minimum reserves of crude oil and/or oil derivatives is imposed^[1]. Oil reserves are calculated based on the average daily domestic consumption during the previous calendar year. However, reserve holding obligations under the International Energy Program Agreement of November 18, 1974 are calculated on the basis of net imports of oil and petroleum products. For that reason and as a result of other differences in the methodology, the way in which the obligations to keep compulsory reserves and emergency reserves of the EU are calculated, with the directive 2009/119/EC of the Council of September 14, 2009, it is stipulated that the Member States should pass laws, regulations or other administrative provisions by which the stocks of oil reserves until December 31, 2012, will be at a level of at least 90 days of average daily net import or 61 days of average daily consumption in the country, respectively which of the two quantities is bigger.

The Law on Compulsory Oil Reserves of the RSM regulates the obligation to ensure a high level of security of the supply of crude oil and oil derivatives through the creating, storing and maintenance of minimum stocks of crude oil and/or oil derivatives in the form of compulsory oil reserves. the manner and conditions of creation, storage and maintainance of the compulsory oil reserves, introducing the necessary procedures for intervention in order to deal with a severe shortages of oil derivatives in the market and other issues of importance for the compulsory reserves. This Law began to be applied from 01.01.2021 and it partially transposes the Directive 2009/119/EU, compulsory reserves should be formed gradually in order to ensure the total compulsory reserves kept at all times in the Republic of N. Macedonia to correspond to at least 90 days of daily average net imports or 61 days of average daily domestic consumption, in the previous calendar year, depending on which of the two stated quantities is bigger.

The formation of compulsory reserves of oil and oil derivatives is a process of procurement of crude oil and/or oil derivatives and their storage in storage facilities, thus providing conditions for intervention supply to the market with oil derivatives in case of disruption of the energy security of the state caused by large-scale supply disruptions. The central body for keeping oil reserves is the RSM is Compulsory Oil Reserves Agency, which is authorized to establish, maintenance, storage and selling of the compulsory oil reserves. Storage and maintenance of the oil reserves is the responsibility of the trading companies – warehouses keepers, which in their tank capacities should store, keep and replenish crude oil and/or oil derivatives from the compulsory reserves.

[1] Official gazette L 217, 8.8.2006.,page 8.

THE ROLE OF STANDARDIZATION IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Dushica Popova — 2024-12-23

Standardization and the implementation of standards are vital in the food industry and ensure safe and quality products, increasing the customers’ loyalty. Furthermore, the process has a great role in the promotion of economic stability. The standards implementation process enables safer food products, improved operational efficiency and greater accountability within the food industry. As the global food supply chain becomes more complex, the importance of these standards is greater. The most common standards implemented in the food industry are ISO 22000, HASSP, GMP, etc. By introducing these standards, organizations improve their food safety practices, but also meet the needs of the customers.

Standardization is a legal requirement, builds trust in food products and increases market stability. Standardized products save time, energy and money, and increase competitiveness and consumers’ loyalty.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PLANNING FUNCTION IN THE BUSINESS FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN TOURISM ENTERPRISES

Zlatko Jakovlev — 2024-12-23

Planning is an introduction to selecting findings and goals, and the first activity to successfully implement the above. The result of the planning process is the plans. Many elements that go into the plans, before being taken for consideration, should be selected in detail. Plans are made for different intervals. They strongly imply not only new ideas but also sensitivity, equipment in the workplace and so on. It should be apostrophed that the plan is a means of action and a way to achieve the goal. If planning is efficient, it can also be expected to be successfully implemented