This paper analyzes the impact of economic freedom along with traditional economic factors on economic growth for a panel of European countries. The growth of the gross domestic product was observed over a twenty-year time period on a sample of 43 developing and developed countries. Based on a robust dynamic panel setting, we conclude that increases in economic freedom as expressed by the Index of Economic Freedom/Heritage Foundation (but not its levels) are related to economic growth. The EU membership status either had no effect or it curbed the effect of the economic freedom on growth. We also find that the subprime economic crisis of 2008–2009 exerted a negative impact on the growth of European economies.

This paper explores the impact of marketing mix instruments on the students’ satisfaction in faculties in the Republic of Serbia and Spain, with the aim of determining how significant the effects of each marketing mix tool and their combinations are in relation to satisfaction of students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The detailed literature review is provided in the theoretical part, which contributes to a better understanding of terms like marketing in higher education, marketing mix instruments in higher education and students’ satisfaction. Data were collected from 896 respondents, who are all students at the faculties in Serbia and Spain, and were obtained using the questionnaire purposefully composed for this research. The methods used to highlight any gaps in this marketing mix practice and the relative customer–student satisfaction in HEIs are statistical analyses (descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and t-independent samples tests), leading to the general conclusions regarding the following: by improving marketing mix instruments (service, distribution, human factor, physical evidence, service process) we can, and by improving (price, promotion) we cannot, improve students’ satisfaction in higher education institutions. The general conclusions clearly highlight what needs to be improved in practice in higher education institutions to improve students’ satisfaction, especially students’ loyalty, students’ choices, students’ satisfaction with the quality of the marketing mix instruments at the faculty, students’ satisfaction with expectation which they had upon enrolment and student satisfaction with the public image of the faculty, which is the main goal of these institutions.

The symbiotic relationship between bees and the environment underscores the potential of apiculture as a sustainable practice. Bees, as pollinators, play a crucial role in ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. Their pollination services are essential for the reproduction of numerous plant species, including many crops that constitute the backbone of agricultural economies. Beekeeping can diversify income sources, reducing dependence on single crops and enhancing household resilience to economic shocks. The aim of this paper is to explore the multifaceted role of apiculture as a tool for sustainable rural development. In conclusion, apiculture holds immense promise as a tool for sustainable rural development, offering a pathway towards economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship. By harnessing the synergies between bees, biodiversity, and community development, beekeeping has the potential to transform rural landscapes and livelihoods. However, realizing this potential requires concerted efforts to address the challenges and barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of beekeeping practices. Through collaborative action and integrated approaches, it can unlock the transformative power of apiculture and build resilient, vibrant, and sustainable rural communities for generations to come.

The goal of the research was to investigate the effect of dietary natural or biotic additives such as garlic, black pepper, and chili pepper powder in poultry nutrition on sustainable and economic efficiency of this type of production. A total of eight dietary treatments with 1200 broiler chickens of hybrid line Hubbard were formed, with four replicates. During the experimental period, chickens were fed with three period mixtures diets of different average costs: Starter compound mixture two weeks (0.38 €/kg in all treatments), grower compound mixture next three weeks (0.36, 0.38, 0.40, 0.41, 0.46, 0.39, 0.42, and 0.39 €/kg, respectively), and finisher compound mixture for the final week (0.34, 0.36, 0.38, 0.39, 0.44, 0.37, 0.40, and 0.37 €/kg, respectively). The experiment lasted a total of 42 days. Upon finishing the experiment, results have shown statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences regarding the European broiler index (EBI) as one of the indicators of economic efficacy. The EBI was lowest in the control treatment (220.4) and significantly higher in experimental treatments (298.6), respectively. In cost, a calculation included the cost of feed and used natural or biotic supplements in chicken nutrition. The findings of the study of economic efficiency revealed that the cost per treatment rises depends on the natural additive used. Economic efficiency analysis showed that the most economical natural additive with the lowest cost is garlic (0.68 €/kg), while the most uneconomical is treatment with black pepper with the highest cost of body weight gain (0.82 €/kg). This higher cost of the gained meat is minimal as a consequence of a much healthier and more nutritious food meant for human use, which often promotes sustainable aspects, compared to conventional and industrialized poultry production.

The aim of this paper is to examine the intricate balance between economic viability and ecological stewardship within the global dairy industry. Dairy production, while essential for providing vital nutrients and supporting livelihoods, faces increasing scrutiny due to its environmental impact. This review explores the challenges and opportunities of achieving sustainability in dairy farming, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, biodiversity conservation, and consumer preferences. It delves into the economic dimensions of dairy sustainability, discussing strategies for optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing market competitiveness. Additionally, the paper examines the ecological imperatives of dairy farming, exploring practices and innovations aimed at minimizing environmental impact, improving resource utilization, and promoting ecosystem health. Furthermore, it investigates consumer perceptions, preferences, and willingness to pay for sustainably produced dairy products, highlighting the role of market mechanisms and policy interventions in driving demand for environmentally friendly options. Finally, the paper discusses policy frameworks, market mechanisms, and institutional arrangements to support the transition towards sustainable dairy systems, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across stakeholders. Overall, the paper provides insights into the complex dynamics of economic and ecological sustainability in dairy production, offering pathways for achieving a more sustainable and resilient future for the industry.

This research examines the difference in the level of entrepreneurial orientation among university employees within the European Union compared to university employees in non-EU countries. The EU Member States included in the research are the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croatia, and the non-EU countries include the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Montenegro, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Northern Macedonia. In the sample of 1474 respondents, the ENTRE-U scale was used to measure the entrepreneurial orientation of universities, and multivariate analysis of MANOVA variance was used for data processing. The ENTRE-U scale has proven applicable not only to developed countries but also developing countries. Moreover, it proved that being a member of the European Union in this part of Eastern Europe does not significantly affect the entrepreneurial orientation of universities.