This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the XR challenges, opportunities, and future trends that will impact higher educational institutions. The article discusses (using observation, participatory observation and as well as document analysis) the potential for augmented reality to be used in higher education, having in mind characteristics of Millennials (Generation Y) and Post-Millennials (Generation Z) and raises issues about responsible innovation, the future of work, and formal education. Additionally, survey research was completed among students in Serbia and Romania (103 respondents) within selected generations regarding their knowledge of extended reality and their attitudes towards opportunities and challenges of extended reality in Higher Education Institutions, and thus this paper also utilises quantitative analysis. A correlation matrix, composite reliability, and regression model were used to code the data and extract knowledge. A thorough review of the existing literature on one hand and primary research as well, using the chosen scientific methods, the planned purpose of the research will be obtained: to gain a better-understanding of the education needs of Generation Y and Generation Z and the potential use of XR as a response to the needs observed. The results of the quantitative analysis confirmed our starting assumptions: XR is an excellent technology facilitating the teaching processes allowing learners to more actively control their learning strategies and supporting the interactivity and connectivity that students and faculties experience. Furthermore, Generation Z students are more applicative for stating XR’s opportunities (instead of challenges) in higher education institutions.

Higher education in the Republic of Serbia needs to be reformed. This paper presents a performance analysis of the changes that the authors assume are mandatory, presenting the research problem this article addresses. Cabinet research, performed by analyzing the theoretical building blocks of available knowledge and experience, is underway. Articles and studies from various publications, such as academic journals and institutes, were used as sources. In addition, academic articles and papers and studies about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and extended reality were also consulted. The authors consider that these technologies could be of great assistance in developing a new higher education strategy. Further, this research is exploratory given that information from the 100 Serbian students from selected higher education institutions was used to better understand if these technologies are welcomed by students. Based on SmartPls software, the research analysis proved that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are appropriate technologies implemented in higher education institutions (HEI) to develop skills among students, a collaborative learning environment, and an accessible research environment. Additionally, extended reality (XR) facilitates increased motivation, engagement, and learning-by-doing activities between students, offering a realistic environment for learning.

The paper aims to develop—based on a particular dual comparative analysis that follows the current European concerns—the concepts of competitiveness and innovation as pillars uprighting companies’ resilience, creating ecoinnovative jobs and social inclusion. In their struggle to meet the Circular Economy principles and Green Deal objectives, the countries chosen for analyses—Romania and Serbia—have started implementing added-value blockchain concepts in their societies to thrive in the resilient European market and build empowered societies. According to the World Economic Forum Global Sources of Competitiveness, skills considered in our study refer to businesses’ versatility and societies’ innovation capability. Based on specific data provided by Eurostat, the results showed a correlation between the ecoinnovation index and R&D personnel by sector and helped design a regression model. Hence, we demonstrate that R&D creativity, once stimulated through innovative teaching, blooms, having positive effects at society and market levels as reflected in the ecoinnovation index. Furthermore, cluster analysis within E.U. innovation helped identify strengths and weaknesses, provided new grounds in applying innovation, and led to further recommendations.

From the moment the Republic of Serbia declared a state of emergency in the summer semester of 2019/2020, higher education institutions (HEIs) used various teaching models from Distance Learning Systems (DLS), online platforms and modern information and communication technologies (ICT), to sending materials via student e-mails and notifications via faculty portals. Using survey research as a method, the paper describes the experiences of teachers and associates at HEIs in Serbia (780 respondents) regarding the efficiency of provided education services. In this article, we used the method of content analysis and participatory observation, as well. We analysed the attitudes of teachers and associates apropos the efficiency of providing educational services through the work from home (WFH) model and distance learning (DL) and other models used in response to COVID-19 epidemiological measures in education. During the WFH setup, we looked for factors that affect educational efficiency. When it comes to the statistical technique, factor analysis was selected. Technology, managerial support, and work–home conflict are all expected to impact process efficiency, so these were the first criteria considered when selecting potential factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used as the extraction method, and the Varimax rotation method was also used. We discarded all factors with eigenvalues below one. Four factors caught our attention: School management support, Family–work conflict, Home infrastructure, and Technology choice. The results showed that F1 (School management support) is positively correlated to F2 (Family–work conflict) and efficiency and negatively correlated to F3 (Home infrastructure). Conversely, F2 is negatively correlated to F3 and positively correlated to efficiency. The F4 factor shows no significant correlations to other factors.

The perceptions about artificial intelligence (AI) benefits and the level of university management support among academicians employed by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Serbia have been evaluated via a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. In total, 312 responses have been collected, and the analysis was conducted between respondents who use ChatGPT in teaching and research activities and those who do not. It is evident that the views between the two groups of respondents are different regarding the relevance of AI tools, especially in research endeavours. Academicians using ChatGPT confirm the relevance of AI in improving efficiency and believe that new educational concepts are comparatively quickly adopted if ChatGPT or similar AI tools are used. The opposite view is voiced by non-users. Both groups expressed mainly negative views regarding the lack of adequate guidelines and instructions regarding the use of AI in research and teaching, and the support provided by academic institutions. There is also an apparent lack of initiatives to organize conferences, workshops and other collaborative schemes with other institutions to disseminate and foster AI knowledge. The ramifications of our research are relevant not only for HEIs, but also for policymakers.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming omnipresent in contemporary business environments given the growing awareness of the social role of business entities and their contribution to sustainable development. The research was conducted in order to explore the relationships between the perceived organizational engagement in CSR, job satisfaction due to CSR, organizational pride, and employees’ involvement in the company’s CSR activities. The research was conducted on a sample of employees in the life insurance department of a leading insurance company in Serbia, using a structured web questionnaire. Data analysis was performed on a sample of 138 respondents. Data were processed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), given the relatively small size of the sample, asymmetric data distribution, and the complexity of the relations. The study results point to a more influential role of CSR engagement in fostering organizational pride, compared to job satisfaction, with the latter as the most influential determinant of organizational involvement.