The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the Tisa River on its flow through Serbia. The water quality status and the spatial and temporal trends along the Tisa River were assessed through the application of ten SWQI parameters derived from a six-year public database of environmental data (2011-16). Also, the created data set was treated by multivariate techniques in order to identify the similiraties and differences between sampling periods and locations, recognize variables that affect the temporal and spatial water quality and present anthropogenic impact on water quality parameters. This study reveals that water quality along the Tisa River decreases slightly downstream. Obtained values of SWQI descriptive quality indicator indicated that water quality on this course, during the monitoring period, was good (72-83) and very good (84-89). Multivariate statistical techniques (PCA/FA) led to the conclusion that the changes in water quality mostly occur under the influence of organic pollutants (anthropogenic) and nutrients (total phosphorus, ammonia, etc.).

The study on the biosorption of copper ions using raw eggshells as an adsorbent is presented in this paper. The influence of different process parameters, such as: initial pH value of the solution, initial Cu²⁺ ions concentration, initial mass of the adsorbent, and stirring rate, on the biosorption capacity was evaluated. The SEM-EDS analysis was performed before and after the biosorption process. SEM micrographs indicate a change in the morphology of the sample after the biosorption process. The obtained EDS spectra indicated that K, Ca, and Mg were possibly exchanged with Cu²⁺ ions during the biosorption process. The equilibrium analysis showed that the Langmuir isotherm model best describes the experimental data. Four kinetic models were used to analyze the experimental data, and the results revealed that the pseudo-first order kinetic model is the best fit for the analyzed data. Calculated thermodynamic data indicated that the biosorption process is spontaneous, and that copper ions are possibly bound to the surface of the eggshells by chemisorption. The biosorption process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken Design (BBD), with the selected factors: adsorbent mass, initial metal ion concentration, and contact time.

Objectivity in scientific research have been a frequently discussed issue in the scientific community given that interpretivist scholars have resisted the crucial role of the positivist paradigm which dominates in social sciences as well. This paper seeks to critically consider the main criterion (or principle) of scientific knowledge – objectivity – from the standpoint of social science research. The conducted analysis shows that objectivity is not only the key tenet of quantitative research, but also is equally important in qualitative studies which are used in numerous disciplines. The main objective of this paper is, in order to avoid various threats to objective research, to conceptualize this leading sicentific principle that may enhance the methodological quality of science; for example, lack of bias, replicability, reproducibility, etc.

The dimensions that influence the establishment of business process management (BPM) practices and the progression to higher levels of process maturity derive from exploring the dimensions of process orientation of organizations. Small and medium-sized clothing enterprises (SME’s) are characterized by various specifics that can affect the degree of process orientation adoption and the pace of transition from lower to higher levels of process maturity. According to these specifics, the acceptance of the process approach may be differently affected. For the purpose of adequate evaluation and prioritization of the most influential dimensions, a new integrated multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model that combines classical and fuzzy theory was developed. First, the full consistency method (FUCOM) method was applied, followed by the fuzzy pivot pairwise relative criteria importance assessment (fuzzy PIPRECIA) method to obtain more accurate criteria values. Prioritization of the most influential BPM dimension contributes to highlighting the area of business that needs to be primarily strengthened by appropriate actions for successful establishment of BPM in apparel industry SMEs. Within this research, the prioritized dimension refers to human resource management in accordance with the specific aspects of business within the apparel industry.

The aim of this research is to provide the assessment of water quality with a wider scheme of interrelations between the water quality parameters and locations using a reliable visual approach of multicriteria PROMETHEE and GAIA methods. The case study of one of the largest and regionally most important catchment areas on the territory of the Republic of Serbia—the Tisa River Basin—was therein used. The analysis of water quality included scenarios for warm (summer), cold (winter), and average annual period. A partial and complete ranking of locations according to the quality of water was performed by applying the PROMETHEE method and expanded afterward by GAIA method analysis to point out critical locations with endangered water quality (M6, M4, and M11). Identified locations were then investigated in more detail using spider web graphs that revealed water quality variables of concern (PO4-P and N) and indicated the causes of its occurrence. The obtained results are in accordance with the results of physical and chemical tests that are regularly conducted by the official government agencies for environmental protection and the reports that are presented to the public. The presented approach can easily be applied to any water body to point out both the locations with reduced water quality and the specific parameters (causes) that affect the reduction of water quality at these locations, thereby enhancing and strengthening usual water quality assessments as well as water resources management in general.

Numerous branches of industry, involving the textile and clothing sector, are subjected to various negative trends of the COVID-19 pandemic period and other crises. Crisis management in a systematic manner within a company represents one of the possible replies aiming at reducing the adverse effects of these events. The analysis of companies' experiences in encountering such an unwanted event shows that good communication facilitates crisis management. The main goal of this paper is to consider the role of public relations in the crisis management. The first part of this paper considers different forms of crisis that every production company has to take into account. The middle part of the paper focuses on the crisis management process, and, also, analyzes possible communication strategies. In the final part of the paper, attention is paid to the recent experiences in terms of crisis communication management in well-known companies.