New technologies, digitization and educational methods are leading to new innovative models based on increasing cooperation between companies and education. Changes in the education system have led to the improvement of the quality of education, the introduction of dual education, lifelong learning, short study programs, new methods and models based on connecting education and businesses, all with the aim of adapting the education system to the needs of the economy. The results of the research presented in this paper will show the degree and manner of connection between companies and educational institutions, with special reference to higher education institutions. The period of the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, was observed in order to see in which direction the cooperation is going, as well as predictions for the next period. It was shown who are the initiators of cooperation, that companies increasingly support dual education and accept students for internships. In addition, it is shown how much new t

Public awareness about renewable sources can contribute to social acceptance of sustainable development projects. The purpose of this study was to determine attitudes and level of awareness of the population of rural regions of Serbia about renewable energy sources. The research method included the random sampling of 400+ respondents in Southern, Eastern and Central Serbia. A questionnaire with closed-ended questions for expressing attitudes (Likert scale) was used. Collected data have been analyzed with SPSS. The results of this study clearly show that the citizens of rural regions of Serbia are relatively poorly informed not only of general aspects of energy production and consumption, but of specific aspects related to the use of renewable energy sources. This investigation emphasizes the need for intensive public information campaign about the advantages and benefits of renewable energy in order to have broader public support for the implementation of this form of energy into energy sector of Serbia.

This paper presents an analysis of the use of social networks from the various aspects of usage in the case companies, from the point of view of different activities and opportunities in the implementation of the obtained results for marketing purposes of these companies. Social networks are one of the most suitable basis for the collection of information that is by nature of a wide spectrum and enabling marketing activities developed under their influence. This paper presents the results of research in the frequency of the use of social networks. The valid sample in this study consisted of 200 questionnaires, on behalf of the 90 companies that responded. The results are statistically analyzed. After conducting research in this paper, data processing was done, and it is accounted for in the Figures. In accordance with the set of objectives, the results were analyzed. The research results indicate that the use of social networks positively affects many marketing activities and requires the adjustment of the existing model of marketing communications in companies. Research results can influence the understanding of the specificities of social networks and their impact on business operations and indicate the need to adapt to the different activities of this specific medium.

The aim of the paper is to point out the importance of recycling and its benefits, and to present the measures and activities that influence awareness among the youth of the city of Novi Sad about the importance of recycling, that is, the proper treatment of municipal waste. The paper will present the past and present treatment of municipal waste and its path of development. Proper treatment of municipal waste has numerous benefits, one of the most important being environmental protection and enabling favorable conditions for proper growth and development of the community as a whole. The paper will also present the research conducted for the needs of the project co-financed by the Secretariat for Environmental Protection of the city of Novi Sad, which refers to determining the level of awareness of the youth of the city of Novi Sad about recycling and its benefits. After the presentation of the results obtained on the basis of the research, recommendations and guidelines will be presented as to what needs to be done in order for the youth of Novi Sad to have a satisfactory level of awareness.

This paper examines income convergence in Europe by jointly analyzing European Union member states and Western Balkan economies over the period 2004–2023. While classical growth theory predicts that poorer economies should grow faster than richer ones, empirical evidence for Europe remains mixed, particularly when institutional and structural heterogeneity is taken into account. Using panel data techniques, the study tests for absolute and conditional β-convergence and complements this analysis with an assessment of σ-convergence. The results provide strong evidence of absolute income convergence across the sample, indicating that economies with lower initial income levels tend to grow faster. Conditional convergence is also confirmed, although the direct effect of institutional quality weakens once structural factors such as foreign direct investment and human capital are included, suggesting that institutions operate primarily through indirect channels. An interaction analysis shows no systematic evidence that institutional quality alters the speed of convergence. Finally, σ-convergence analysis reveals pronounced regional heterogeneity, with strong convergence among new EU member states, stable but low dispersion within the Western Balkans, and more modest convergence patterns in the EU core. Overall, the findings highlight that European convergence remains uneven and highly conditional on institutional and structural characteristics.

Institutions are widely recognized as a key determinant of long-run economic growth, yet empirical research has predominantly focused on institutional levels rather than institutional stability over time. This study examines whether regulatory volatility—conceptualized as a dynamic dimension of institutional stability—is associated with economic growth across 32 European economies over the period 2004–2023. Regulatory volatility is measured using rolling five-year standard deviations of the Regulatory Quality indicator from the Worldwide Governance Indicators, allowing institutional stability to vary within countries over time while avoiding forward-looking bias. The empirical strategy relies on fixed-effects panel models with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors to account for unobserved heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. The results indicate that regulatory volatility is negatively associated with economic growth within European Union economies, while the relationship appears weaker and heterogeneous in Western Balkan transition countries. A one standard deviation increase in regulatory volatility is associated with an economically meaningful reduction in annual per capita growth. These findings suggest that sustainable economic performance may depend not only on the level of institutional quality but also on the stability and predictability of regulatory frameworks over time.