The basic purpose of the paper is to research determinants on profitability indicators of the banks in the European Union. Analysed bank profitability indicators considered as a standard are: the return on total bank assets (ROA) and return on total bank equity (ROE). The research model of bank profitability determinants is developed by analysing the systemically important, quoted banks in the European Union, in the 2007–2019 period, by using an adequate panel data analysis technique. The empirical evidence is in line with the initial assumptions: the efficiency of the banking firm, measured by the cost to income ratio and the non-performing loans ratio, has a significant influence on bank profitability, both on ROA and ROE. In the post-crisis period, banking firms ask for efficient cost management in achieving performance objectives. Additional important empirical results of research are the absence of impact of assets size and regulatory capital ratio on profitability indicators. The most important contribution of the paper is related to the sample definition, variable selection and explanatory power of the presented model in explaining global banking tendencies.

This study systematically examines the impact of immigration, emigration, and the influx of foreign workers on employment, unemployment, and economic growth in the Republic of Croatia. The primary objective of the research is to understand how these demographic and economic changes shape the labor market and evaluate their long-term effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and wage levels. The methodology used in this study involves a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic data from Croatia over the past 11 years, focusing on critical indicators such as employment, unemployment, immigration, emigration, foreign workers, wages, and GDP trends. This approach provides valuable insights into how migration patterns influence critical labor market indicators. The findings reveal that immigration and foreign workers significantly impact employment, particularly in stabilizing sectors like tourism and construction. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the number of foreign workers and GDP growth. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of immigration and foreign workers in addressing labor shortages and driving economic growth in Croatia. However, targeted policies are needed to ensure the successful integration of foreign workers and the long-term sustainability of the domestic labor market.

Business schools, implementing the Responsible Management Education (RME), have their graduates employed by organizations, which are often characterized by contested governance. Its structural conditions reward documented procedure over substantive responsibility. We apply the adaptive compliance framework to this setting and ask what happens to managerial responsibility when business schools operate under the same pressures. We argue that contested governance pushes responsibility toward procedural proof, narrow managerial agency, and understanding of ethical concerns as a private matter. RME cannot dissolve these pressures fully, but it can keep alive the professional language that managers need to resist them. The paper develops a conceptual model and sets out propositions and indicators for further empirical research.

Sažetak: Kvaliteta proizvoda jedan je od glavnih kriterija stjecanja kompetitivnih prednosti u odnosu na konkurenciju. Pri tome oznake kvalitete mogu biti način komuniciranja između proizvoda i kupca. Više istraživanja provedenih među potencijalnim kupcima je pokazalo kako su ispitanici spremni platiti više za proizvod koji im nudi veću kvalitetu. Uvođenjem oznaka zemljopisnog podrijetla potiče se ruralno gospodarstvo te tako pridonosi povećanju prihoda poljoprivrednika te zadržavanju stanovništva u udaljenim područjima i područjima s otežanim uvjetima gospodarenja. Na taj se način povećava i tržišna vrijednost proizvoda gospodarskih subjekata jer se jamči njihova posebnost u odnosu na druge slične proizvode ili prehrambene proizvode. Osim toga, zahvaljujući uvođenju oznake zemljopisnog podrijetla kupci mogu donositi odluku o kupnji na temelju jasnih informacija o posebnim svojstvima proizvoda koje kupuju. Na razini Europske unije razlikuju se tri oznake: „zaštićena oznaka izvornosti“, „zaštićena oznake zemljopisnog podrijetla“ i „zajamčeno tradicionalni specijaliteti“.Oznaka izvornosti ili kvalitete je alat marketinškog pristupa jer su kupci spremni platiti nešto više za proizvod koji im jamči kvalitetu, ali i alat za ruralni razvoj zbog činjenice da se oznaka zemljopisnog podrijetla ne može premjestiti na drugo područje pa daje dodatnu vrijednost ruralnom području zbog kojeg je proizvod zaštićen. U empirijskom dijelu ovog rada autori su proveli istraživanje tržišne prepoznatljivosti „Novigradske dagnje“ na uzorku od 574 ispitanika. Rezultati istraživanja, korišteni su za slijedeći korak definiranja strateškog pozicioniranja proizvoda „Novigradske dagnje“ u cilju postizanja ekonomskih i ostalih pozitivnih učinaka. Stoga se povezanost marikulture, poljoprivredne proizvodnje i turizma nameće kao slijedeći korak kroz održivi turizam. Održivi turizam je u prvom redu usmjeren na povećanje zadovoljstva turista te društveno-ekonomske koristi, očuvanje prirodne i kulturne baštine i snižavanje negativnih utjecaja turizma na lokalnu zajednicu u cjelini. Product quality is one of the main criteria for gaining competitive advantage over the competition. In doing so, quality labels can be a way of communication between the product and the customer. Several researches conducted among potential customers has demonstrated that respondents are willing to pay more for a product that offers them higher quality. The introduction of geographical origin indications encourages the rural economy and thus contributes to increase of the farmers’ income of and retention of the population in remote areas and areas with difficult conditions of economy. In this way, the market value of the products of economic operators is increased because their uniqueness in relation to other similar products or food products is guaranteed. In addition, thanks to the introduction of the geographical origin indication, customers can make a purchase decision based on clear information about the specific characteristics of the products they buy. Three designations are discerned at the level of European Union: “Protected Designation of Origin” (PDO), “Protected Geographical Indication” (PGI) and “Traditional Specialties Guaranteed” (TSG). Label of origin or quality is a tool of marketing approach because customers are willing to pay more for a product that guarantees quality to them, but also a tool for rural development due to the fact that the geographical origin indication cannot be transferred to another area and provides added value to rural areas which makes the product protected. The authors have conducted in the empirical part of this paper a study of market recognition of “Novigrad mussels” on a sample of 574 respondents. The results of the research were used for the next step of defining the strategic positioning of the product “Novigrad mussels” in order to achieve economic and other positive effects. Therefore, the connection between mariculture, agricultural production and tourism is imposed as the next step through sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism is primarily aimed at increasing tourist satisfaction and socio-economic benefits, preserving natural and cultural heritage and reducing the negative impacts of tourism on the local community as a whole.