Paper represents positive effects of competitive intelligence (CI) usage in the process of strategic decision making within the company. We analyze current state of CI awareness in Serbian businesses, and influence of CI on business...

With an increase in the number of the companies that have adopted the ISO 14001 standard, the interest demonstrated in research studies regarding the assessment of the motives for and benefits from the ISO 14001 standard implementation has also been increasing. Nevertheless, in spite of the importance of the ISO 14001 standards, a discussion on their importance and the role of accounting in this process yet remains an open issue among researchers and practitioners. Starting from the above said, the main purpose of the research conducted in this paper is to identify the motives for and benefits from the implementation of the ISO 14001 standard and to examine the role of accounting in the implementation process. The empirical research in this paper was performed on the example of the 33 companies that have the obligation to submit their data on the sources of environmental pollution to the National Pollution Register. The data were collected through a poll of the management of the companies via a questionnaire, whereas the data analysis was performed by using various quantitative statistical methods and techniques, and primarily through the application of descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. The results of the research indicate that the primary motives for the introduction of the ISO 14001 standards are an environmental responsibility, creating the image of a socially responsible company and the improvement of performances, whereas the benefits can be synthesized through the improvement of environmental performances, efficiency and profitability. Also, the results of the research study indicate that the managers of the companies partly recognize the role of accounting in the implementation of the ISO 14001 standard. The main conclusion of the research is that the management of the companies partly recognize the role of accounting in the ISO 14001 standards implementation. The main conclusion of the research is that the management of the companies in Serbia understand the importance of the implementation of the ISO 14001 standards, but not to a proper extent, as well as the role of accounting in that process.

The main purpose of this paper is to explain the ways in which environmental audit contributes to improving and preserving environmental protection, respecting the concept of sustainable development. The paper uses methods of analysis, synthesis, analogy, and continuity. Specifically, to draw conclusion about the impact of environmental audit on environmental improvement and protection, first of all, relevant and available foreign literature and practice are consulted. Research results show direct link between environmental audit requirements and protection and improvement of polluting enterprises’ environment. Practical applicability of research results consists in giving specific proposals to reduce pollution and improve environmental protection. Furthermore, the most appropriate form of environmental audit report is proposed. Originality and importance of research conducted in this study consist of proposals for introduction, implementation, control, and continuous improvement of environmental protection, through internal and external environmental audit in enterprises of the Republic of Serbia.

In the period 1990 - 2002, 1674 patients with colorectal carcinoma were operated in the First Surgical Clinic, Third Department for Colorectal Surgery. In 1264 cases (75,5%) rectal carcinoma was the indication for surgical treatment. Sphincter saving procedures (SSP) were performed in 824 (65,2%), abdominoperineal resections (APR) in 340 (26,9%) and resections of rectum with definitive stoma (Hartmann procedure) in 100 (7,9%) patients. We analyzed 1095 cases where curative SSP or APR were performed. All cases where curative resection was not possible because of liver metastases or inability to excise all macroscopic disease were excluded. In the group of patients where SSP was performed (767 cases), there were 26,6% high colorectal anastomoses (8cm from anal verge), 65,4% with low (4-8cm from anal verge) and 8,0% with intersphincteric coloanal anastomosis (cm from anal verge). Patohistological exam showed 5,3% Dukes A, 53,1% Dukes B, 36,5% Dukes C and 4,9% Dukes D. In the APR group (328 cases) there were 1,5% Dukes A, 32,4% Dukes B, 62,1% Dukes C and 3,5% Dukes D. In this study we analyzed local recurrence and five-year survival in both groups. Recurrence of the disease was registered in 325 (29,6%) out of 1095 patients. Local recurrence was found in 81 (7,4%) patients. In the SSP group recurrence occured in 215 (28,0%) out of 767 curative resections. Local recurrence alone was found in 53 patients (6,9%). SSP group was also divided into two subgroups; in the first group TME was performed and in second transection of mesorectum was carried out. Analyzing local recurrence in these two groups, in the TME group it was 7,6% and in the transection group 5,6%. In the APR group recurrence was registered in 110 (33,5%) out of 328 patients while local recurrence alone was found in 28 (8,5%) cases. Analyzing mortality we found that 234 (21,4%) out of 1095 patients died during follow-up. In the SSP group 154 out of 767 patients (20,1%) died. In the TME group mortality was 21,7% and in the transection group 16,9%. Mortality in the APR group showed that 80 out of 328 (24,4%) patients died during follow-up. Analysis by the Kaplan-Meier?s test shows cumulative survival of 0,69 for all cases. In the SSP group cumulative survival is 0,72 and in the APR group 0,64 with statistically significant difference (p,001). In the TME group cumulative survival is 0,75 and in the transection group 0,72 with statistically significant difference (p,05). We believe that performing SSP should be encouraged whenever it is possible because there is no difference in local recurrence rates and survival compared to APR. Transection of mesorectum can safely be performed in most cases with tumors located more than 8 cm form anal verge. We believe that exact preoperative staging and preoperative radiotherapy could improve results.

In the context of the globalization of business operations and the increasing use of information technologies, complexity of business transactions, and business risk, the role of internal audit is becoming increasingly important and the range of tasks performed by internal auditors is growing. As a part of the company control system, the internal audit assesses the efficiency, effectiveness, economy, and fairness of the realization of tasks, provides consulting services to the enterprise?s management, and promotes the effectiveness of risk management with the aim of creating added value and enhancing business activities. It is the aim of this work, through empirical research conducted in large and medium-sized Serbian companies, to show the degree of development of the internal audit, the perception of accountants in respect to the tasks and responsibilities of internal audit, and whether there is a connection between the enterprise size and legal form on the one hand, and the organization and responsibilities of internal audit on the other.

The main goal of the research in this paper is to, starting from the role that financial system has in operating of every market economy, analyze the strengths and failures of a bank-based and market-based financial system when performing basic economic functions. In order to achieve the defined goal, a qualitative research was conducted. In this sense, an innovative interpretation of the relevant scientific literature was made using descriptive and comparative analysis methods. The paper examines four approaches that represent a critical analysis of the role and importance of banks and the securities market - bankbased, market-based, financial services and legal-based approach. Emphasizing the positive role of banks, the bank-based approach highlights the comparative failures of the securities market. On the other hand, the market-based view highlights the advantages of the securities market, while at the same time emphasizing the failures of banks in performing their basic functions. However, the focus of a financial services approach is not the debate over whether a better financial system is based on banks or the securities market, but the extent, quality and availability of financial services is important. Finally, the legal-based approach, which represents addition to the financial services approach, emphasizes compliance with the provisions of financial contracts and the protection of the rights of participants in financial transactions. Accordingly, the key research findings relate to identifying assumptions that contribute to the better functioning of the financial system and to pointing out that the functional compatibility of banks and securities markets contributes to their complementarity and more efficient transfer of funds from savings towards investment entities.