Now showing 1 - 10 of 39
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    Item type:Publication,
    Wicked Problems’ Definitions and Characteristics: A Scoping Literature Review
    (Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb, 2023-05-13)
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    Stella Tsani
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    Alexandros Tsioutsios
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    Hynek Roubík
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    Wicked problems are multifaceted issues that are difficult to resolve due to their complex, ever- changing, and incomplete nature. They have no single solution and often involve various dimensions, such as technology, social, economic, policy, and environmental factors. Addressing wicked problems necessitates an interdisciplinary and systems approach. However, there remains a need for an interdisciplinary review that delivers a comprehensive understanding of wicked problem definitions, characteristics, and applications. Considering that wicked problems involve various dimensions and require interdisciplinary collaboration, a scoping review is an appropriate method to rapidly map the key concepts and sources of evidence across different fields, providing a more holistic perspective on the topic. Scoping reviews can foster greater awareness and knowledge-sharing among researchers and practitioners from different disciplines by summarizing and disseminating research findings. Additionally, they are instrumental in identifying research gaps in the existing literature. Recognizing these gaps is crucial for guiding future research on wicked problems and ensuring that emerging studies build on and expand current knowledge in the field. To conduct a scoping review on wicked problems, a comprehensive selection process was utilized to identify relevant articles. The eligibility criteria included using selected keywords, a time frame from 2000 to the present, English-language articles, and peer-reviewed publications. Only scientific articles from the following databases were considered to ensure high quality: ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. For data management, the open-source program Zotero was employed to streamline the process of handling research materials. We identified 121 articles for the data pool to be analyzed. A standardized online form was used for identifying and collecting literature contributions and developments about a) definitions of wicked problems; b) characteristics of wicked problems; and c) factors that influence wicked problems (regulations, policies, institutions, etc.). Through our analysis, we have identified 100 definitions. Most of the research papers build their definitions on the work of Rittel and Weber (1973) or employ the definition that the latter have derived for wicked problems. With regard to the characteristics and factors, the scoping review highlights wicked problems as pervasive, unpredictable, and complex, involving political, economic, social, and environmental factors. Traditional approaches are inadequate, necessitating innovative, multi-dimensional, multi- stakeholder solutions. However, uncertainty and disagreement on addressing wicked problems persist, with no single solution. Furthermore, stakeholders view solutions’ applicability and efficacy differently, adding to the complexity. Purely scientific solutions are insufficient, as wicked problems are closely linked to societal issues, and solutions are subjective, based on stakeholders’ perceptions.
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    Item type:Publication,
    RISKS OF IMPLEMENTING GAMIFICATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
    (ESD Conference, 2022)
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    The term "gamification" is most often used in the modern business world as an attempt to improve employee productivity and their motivation, improve the marketing activities of the company, improve the activities in the field of finance and all other activities. Gamification is defined as the use of elements, mechanisms, and ways of thinking from video games in an environment that has nothing to do with video games. Because of its broad nature, gamification has found various benefits in different industries, which is amplified in the work-from-home and study-from-home models which became frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing implementation of gamification and its growing popularity is generally based on positive feedback and different benefits outlined, however potential problems and risks can be detrimental to the organization’s functioning if implemented improperly. The paper focuses on the available research on the topic, to serve as a basis for future primary research. Data analyzed shows a discrepancy on outlining benefits and drawbacks/risks in published papers. Following an in-depth analysis, it is determined that poor implementation of gamification can lead to significant problems in organization day-to-day functioning, which if not remedied can deteriorate quickly with great adverse effects. Risk management best practices can be followed to minimize potential negative effects of gamification.
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    Item type:Publication,
    CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS DIGITAL SHADOW ECONOMY – EVIDENCE FROM NORTH MACEDONIA
    (2024-10)
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    The informal economy is a global phenomenon and a threat to the entire world economy. Fueled by the rapid development of the digital economy and the increasing use of e-commerce worldwide, the informal economy is gaining momentum in the digital space as well. As volume, variety and velocity of transactions in the digital space increase rapidly, there is a growth of the number of illegal digital operators and platforms encouraging consumers’ involvement in digital shadow trade from different reasons. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest problems in the last decade is the difficulty to define and hence detect economic shadow activities, objects and entities in the digital space, which is the basis for the growth of the informal economy. Although in recent years the interest towards the forms, channels, features and scope of the digital shadow activities is increasing, there isn’t a clear understanding of digital shadow economy in the scientific literature. The variety of terms, interpretations, characteristics and aspects relevant to this phenomenon is rather wide, which determines the necessity to define the precise concept in order to detect, measure and reduce shadow activities in the digital space. Despite the prevalence of the informal exchange of goods and services in the digital space in both developing and developed countries, so far little is known about consumer attitude in this large and rapidly expanding market fueled by rapid technological advances. Hence, it is important to understand how consumers perceive the concept of digital shadow economy, are they aware of shadow economy in the digital space and how they behave online. The goal of this study is to discuss important aspects digital shadow economy and to analyze consumer perceptions towards this phenomenon in the country. It employs a quantitative research design, and a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection was distributed among more than 170 respondents. The findings provides relevant theoretical and practical implications and confirm moderate level of awareness of Gen Z towards digital shadow economy in our sample. The results also reveal some valuable insights about online consumer perceptions’ towards determinants of digital shadow consumption and what affects consumer attitude in online shopping channels. Regardless of the efforts to reduce the informal economy in the country, there is a lack of studies and empirical evidence on digital shadow economy from consumer perspective. This study contributes to the understanding of how Gen Z perceive the concept of digital shadow economy and hence can promote activities in rising awareness about the negative effects of shadow activities in the digital space, encouraging young online consumers on strong attitude in avoiding shadow channels in the digital space.
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    Item type:Publication,
    SECURITY ASPECTS OF DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS E-COMMERCE AND M-COMMERCE IMPLEMENTATIONS
    (Institute for Knowledge Management, 2022-10-10)
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    Kirovska, Zanina
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    Anastasovski, Milan
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    Through the accelerated digitization in business, new models of digital transactions are becoming more popular in the last few years. In electronic commerce, in addition to the standard models of B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to customers), m-commerce is becoming increasingly popular, which is defined as conducting e-commerce through wireless communication devices, smartphones and tablets. M-commerce is a new and cutting-edge way of doing business in the world. M-commerce is carried out through mobile devices and appropriate data transfer protocols. This way of doing business is on the rise in the world because the user is not bound to place and time, the service is available anywhere at any time. The paper defines the differences between typical models of e-commerce and m-commerce, in order to make a clear distinction between them. The growth of m-commerce has been investigated in more detail through available statistics and other secondary sources, where trends can also be determined in the next few years, where it is assumed to become one of the dominant patterns of online transactions. The increase in transactions through digital channels also leads to new dangers and security threats, which are amplified because they are new and less tested technologies that could have security flaws. The paper explores the various security threats in e-commerce and m-commerce through analysis and synthesis, where it is shown that there are six different aspects, including integrity, non-repudiation, authenticity, confidentiality, privacy and availability. These aspects are analyzed in more detail through their special elements, as well as the possible strategies for their management. Security, as a very important issue in e-commerce systems, should be taken under the control of companies and government institutions. To this end, a well-managed technology-based strategy should be implemented. A special focus is devoted to the risks and threats in e-commerce, as well as defining the different types of cybercrime that characterize these digital transactions. Through the presentation of the various security aspects of e-commerce and m-commerce, the paper contributes to a better understanding and formation of strategies to deal with the security of transactions with the help of these digital technologies, as well as more frequent changes and synchronization of legal regulations by the institutions in charge of the same ones. Trust in these types of transactions is one of the key elements for their projected growth in the future, making the perception of security vital in the online shopping decision.
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    Item type:Publication,
    IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SALES FUNNELS IN B2C AND B2B SEGMENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
    (National and University Library of the Republic of Srpska, 2021-03-03)
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    <jats:p>The research focuses on introducing social media platforms as either a complementary or main channel in the company sales funnel. Internet technologies and Web 2.0 continue to provide innovations in digital marketing, with the latest iteration being lead generation services through social media. Data shows that almost half of the world population is active on social media, with the new Generation Alpha being projected to be entirely online dependent and proficient in the use of new technologies. The paper provides an overview of the digitalization of sales funnels, as well as the benefits that social media platforms can offer if implemented correctly. Secondary data provides the basis for transforming sales funnels with social media, where previous research provides limited data on the effectiveness of these types of efforts. Primary data demonstrates that introducing social media platforms can provide improvements of up to 3 to 4 times in analyzed case studies, as well as the shorter time when deciding about purchase in use case scenarios. Social media advertising can also be utilized to shorten the sales funnel process and serve as a unified point of entrance and exit in the first few stages.</jats:p>
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    Determinants Of Innovation Activity in Southeast European Countries
    (2024-03-16)
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    Josimovska, Tea
    This paper is dedicated to examining the influence of a number of factors on the global innovation index in the countries of South-Eastern Europe. The purpose of this study is to explore how various factors, specifically GDP per capita, education enrollment, population density, and COVID-19, impact innovation activities in South-Eastern European countries.This research utilizes panel data from 2013- 2021 for nine countries in South-Eastern Europe. A linear regression model was employed, estimated using the least squares method, and analyzed with E-views and Stata statistical software. The independent variables studied include GDP per capita, education enrollment, population density, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for these variables are annual and national level. Specifically, education enrollment is defined as the percentage of the population enrolled in undergraduate studies or equivalent, according to the International Standard Classification of Education (2011), sourced from the European Commission's database. Population data and GDP per capita are obtained from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook database. The findings reveal that among the examined variables, COVID-19 is the only one that shows a statistically significant impact on innovation, even when correcting for standard errors due to autocorrelation in the model. This paper offers unique insights into the dynamics of innovation in South-Eastern Europe, highlighting the significant influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are valuable for policy makers focusing on economic growth and development through innovation.
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    Item type:Publication,
    INTERNET MARKETING CHANNEL IMPLEMENTATION IN THE TRADE INDUSTRY IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
    (Journal of Sustainable Development - Integrated Business Faculty, 2019-06-01)
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    Modern companies are utilizing the benefits of Internet marketing, which can prove as a crucial tool in communicating with consumers. While the obvious goal of Internet marketing is to sell products and services or to promote them online, companies can communicate, transmit or exchange messages about themselves, conduct research, analyze competitors and other activities. From a marketing point of view, social media are also becoming more and more important, but many businesses are uncertain whether accepting social media will advance the line if there are difficulties in aligning marketing activities through social media with rising sales. The paper conducts primary research in a specific industry in North Macedonia, focused on small and medium companies, with key findings that Internet and social media marketing is considered a powerful tool with a lot of benefits by participants.
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    Item type:Publication,
    CORRELATION OF COVID-19 IN THE ONLINE PURCHASING PROCESS
    (Faculty of Economics-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2021-11-13)
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    Boceva, Brankica
    The paper establishes the central point for researching factors that influence buying decisions in the online purchasing process. The benefits of e-commerce for both buyers and sellers place it as the default method of shopping in the near future. Through empirical research, e-commerce growth is being established as rapidly rising through recent years, which has been accelerated by specific factors introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that e-commerce is dependent on several different factors during normal circumstances, which also include the level of development of the country as one of the main precursors. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced greatly the importance of these established factors for online purchasing, rendering many of them obsolete. The paper structures the research to outline the most relevant factors influencing online purchasing decisions pre-pandemic and during pandemic times, and to draw relevant conclusions and recommendations for future practical implementations of e-commerce models. Research shows that new factors need to be introduce in these types of abnormal times, as the nature of the pandemic made non-contact interactions the norm in the past year. By introducing the six stages of pandemic behavior, online retailers can better understand the factors influencing online purchasing process in pandemic times. Finally, specific recommendations can be made to improve the e-commerce acceptance both at industry and company levels.
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    Short-Term Gains and Emerging Long-Term Concerns: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Meta-Analytic Evidence on AI's Impact on Student Creativity and Problem-Solving
    (UDEKOM Balkans, 2025-12)
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    Ana Josimovska Nikolov
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    The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education presents a landscape of immediate opportunities and emerging long-term concerns. While many studies have documented the short-term effects of AI on student learning, a consolidated understanding of its sustained impact on core cognitive skills is lacking. This paper provides a systematic review of the current evidence, synthesizing findings from recent meta-analyses and longitudinal studies to evaluate the impact of AI on student creativity and problem-solving. Our review of the meta-analytic evidence, including data from over 50 experimental studies, confirms that AI-supported interventions can yield moderate short-term gains in creative thinking (SMD = 0.54). However, our synthesis of emerging longitudinal data and systematic reviews also surfaces significant concerns about the potential for cognitive over-reliance and the erosion of critical thinking skills over time. This paper maps the current evidence base, highlighting the robust quantitative findings on short-term impacts while calling attention to the critical, yet under-researched, long-term implications. We conclude that while the short-term benefits of AI are promising, they must be weighed against emerging long-term risks. We advocate for a balanced pedagogical approach that cultivates both AI literacy and enduring human skills, ensuring that technology serves as a scaffold for, rather than a substitute for, human ingenuity.