Technological changes, the COVID-19 pandemic, the green transition, geopolitical changes, and risks have all complexified the working and business environment on the global market. Employee knowledge and skills become the companies' key support, as the present circumstances compel them to react quickly and adapt to new business challenges. Education, training, and employee skills improvement aligned with new technological waves and changed work procedures are becoming prominent aspects of modern business. The analysis carried out in this paper has covered just some of the factors affecting the changes in employee skills, such as the effects of digital technologies on work performance, the problem of youth education and employment, the necessity of improving the existing workforce competencies as well as their reskilling and upskilling in the context of lifelong education. The research conducted had two goals. A comparative analysis of the implementation of supplementary adult and employee education in selected countries of the Western Balkans. The second goal was focused on the domestic labor market in order to show that local companies have a developed awareness of the need to innovate knowledge and skills, whereas it also drew attention to the specifics of that process with a distinctive focus on digital and green skills as skills necessary for modern business operations. The research results have shown that Serbian companies have become aware of the importance of a workforce that cultivates digital skills and possesses knowledge in the field of ICT. The analysis has shown a lack of awareness when it comes to personal employee upskilling, although most of the companies that participated in the research emphasize training programs and upskilling as something that is being continuously worked on.

The COVID-19 pandemic has widespread and long-lasting implications for the global economy causing general economic stagnation and crisis. Different industries and sectors strive to maintain the functioning of their business and stimulate companies to increasingly rely on the potential and power of digital technologies and network communications. In the trade sector, there was raising awareness about the importance of digitization and leveraging digital commerce as a strategic investment and competitive advantage. More and more trade companies started looking at digital channels not as an addition to their physical location but as a strategic source of long-term, sustained growth, which proved to be a significant boost for e-commerce all over the world. In this paper, B2B and B2C e-commerce segments are analyzed including current trends and dynamics, management of new business models, and expected implications of the latest digital technology innovations. Investments in new digital technologies tools and solutions in e-commerce had been driven by the need for frictionless shopping, personalization, and improved operational efficiency required by new-age customers. Experiences of the Serbian economy in e-commerce transactions are analyzed as well.

Amidst the globalization of markets, there has been a continuous intensification of competitiveness between enterprises. The modern business environment has caused a shift in how business is conducted. Opportunities and challenges arise, which put a tremendous pressure on enterprises regardless of size and industry. Entrepreneurship in enterprises plays an important role in obtaining a competitive edge in the market. Thus, entrepreneurial intentions in enterprises can often shape the future and survival of the enterprise. In this paper, the prediction of entrepreneurial intentions in enterprises through Internet marketing predictors is addressed. For this, several statistical methods in data mining were used. First, simpler approaches such as linear regression, logistic regression were used. Afterward, classifier decision trees QUEST (quick, unbiased, efficient, statistical tree), and CHAID (chi-squared automatic interaction detection) were used. The sample for analysis was 137 enterprises from Serbia. Furthermore, a supervised machine learning algorithm, support vector machine (SVM) was used. Finally, a feed-forward neural network (FNN) was applied. The results varied across the applied approach, thus providing significant insights into the dynamics of data mining for prediction outcomes in an enterprise setting.

This study examines how selected technological and human-centered factors affect sustainable lean performance potential (SLPP) in manufacturing enterprises within the context of Industry 4.0 transition to Industry 5.0. The relationship between SLPP and Industry 4. transition to Industry 5.0 is contextual, meaning this direct relationship is not analyzed via statistical methods. A structured survey was conducted with 128 managers (n = 128), focusing on human-centric technology design (HCTD), artificial intelligence for waste minimization (AIWM), predictive maintenance (PMAI), and IoT integration in production (IOTP). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, Harman’s single-factor test results, multicollinearity test, and non-linear curve estimation analysis. The results show that all four independent variables are positively associated with SLPP. IoT integration and AI for waste minimization had the strongest effects, followed by predictive maintenance. Human-centric technology design showed a weaker, yet still statistically significant, relationship with SLPP. The findings support a model where digital tools contribute directly to lean and sustainable outcomes, while human-centered approaches are emerging more gradually. The research adds empirical evidence to ongoing discussions about factors affecting lean performance in the context of industrial changes.

This paper examines startup companies as a flexible business model that fosters cooperation and innovation in a dynamic and risky business environment. Startup ventures are designed to swiftly adapt to market changes, positioning themselves as a business model that can meet the competitive demands of the global market. A significant portion of this work focuses on the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards within the startup ecosystem. This includes exploring how startups can incorporate ESG principles into their corporate culture and how they can serve as partners in helping other companies achieve their ESG objectives. The Serbian startup ecosystem is still in its early stages of development, yet it has the potential to play a crucial role in enhancing the dynamism of the domestic economy. Given that startups are established with the aim of rapid growth and international expansion, leveraging unique approaches and digital platforms to address specific problems or market needs, it is particularly important to create a supportive environment for the startup community in Serbia.

Water is the essence of life, and the modern global economy depends fundamentally on the continuity of reliable water supply. Ensuring sustainable water availability is not only an environmental necessity but also a cornerstone of economic stability, business continuity, and prosperity. The increasing demand for water, driven by population growth, shifting consumption patterns, and the ongoing energy transition, is placing unprecedented pressure on already strained freshwater resources. At the same time, global environmental challenges are intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme water-related events, including droughts, floods, and pollution. The economic value of water is immense, estimated at approximately $58 trillion globally, or roughly 60% of global GDP, reflecting its central importance across all sectors of human activity. Achieving a secure and resilient water future requires the modernization of water systems, including the adoption of digital technologies to optimize water use, monitor quality, and improve efficiency. Furthermore, coordinated global action is essential to foster innovation in circular water systems, energy-neutral solutions, and sustainable agricultural production, which together form the foundation for a circular green economy. By integrating technological, ecological, and policy solutions, the world can ensure water security, enhance economic resilience, and protect freshwater ecosystems for generations to come