<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Stylised facts of GDP growth patterns of developing (or transition) countries reveal huge difference to the GDP pattern observed in developed countries. Namely, they are characterised by a specific characteristic - instability, much higher and different from the ones observed in developed countries. This paper brings forward the assessment of the instability of growth, which is observed and tested in the case of several Balkan economies. In the course of transition, they experienced sudden turns from positive to negative average growth rates (or vice versa) caused by many structural, economic, political and social changes. Hence, the main purpose of the paper is to review the very recent literature on instability in growth and to empirically analyse it in the case of Balkan group of transition economies, performed by use of the simple linear regression analysis on the GDP growth data series. Main goal is to determine whether GDP growth patterns in the course of transition were characterised by instability and breaks. The results suggest that the growth process in Balkan economies cannot be described simply by a single rising trend, since the simple linear regression analysis shows very poor statistical fit. In general, the assessment guides towards an in-depth study of the instability of growth in the course of transition with a novel growth concept that will allow for shifts or breaks in trend, accompanied by a non-linear modelling approach that will allow the parameters to adjust to reflect structural changes in the course of transition.</abstract>

Testing Instability in Growth Patterns in the Course of Transition: Evidence for Balkan Countries

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">After multiple decreases in the reference interest rate and its reaching zero bounds in certain countries during the recent global financial crisis, central banks in developed countries have started applying non-standard measures of monetary policy. This does not refer to introducing new monetary policy instruments, but rather to a certain relativisation within the framework of standard instruments, in terms of maturity of liquidity provision, collateral policy and counterparties. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the role of non-standard measures of monetary policy as a mechanism for overcoming problems in the implementation of the neoliberal concept of monetary policy in the conditions of the financial crisis. The answer to this question is rather sensitive, considering the fact that the neoliberal concept was supported by the most developed countries, that is, in fact, their central banks were using non-standard instruments of monetary policy for the greatest part.</abstract>

Non-Standard Measures of the Monetary Policy – Mechanism for Overcoming Problems in the Implementation of the Neoliberal Concept of Monetary Policy During a Financial Crisis

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In a research paper, the authors provide an empirical approach to taxes and economic growth in the United States in the period 1996-2016. The basic goal is to explore how taxes affect economic growth. The subject of the research is measuring the effects of tax revenue growth and tax form as a personal income tax, corporate income tax and social security contributions on gross domestic product as a proxy for economic growth. Methodology framework includes several tests to clear the potential problem of heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, multicollinearity and specification of the model. Based on diagnostic tests, a regression model is adequately created where fundamental econometric procedures are applied. Correlation matrix reflects a strong and positive relationship between tax revenue growth and corporate income tax on the one side and gross domestic product growth, on the another side. Also, personal income tax and social security contributions are weakly related to gross domestic product growth. The model shows a significant effect of tax revenue growth and social security contributions, while personal income tax and corporate income tax do not have a significant impact on gross domestic product growth. Interestingly, personal income tax as the main tax form in the tax structure of the United States has no significant impact on economic growth compared to social security contributions which percentage share is lesser.</abstract>

Estimating the Impact of Taxes on the Economic Growth in the United States

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The importance of distribution channels comes from the increasingly sophisticated consumer demands, producer’s focus on core competences, and the contribution of the distribution channels to achievement of goals at the national economy level. Due to the fact that intermediaries of distribution channel have the role to link producer and consumers, the results of their functioning have a direct impact on the mentioned partners in the channel. Therefore, the efficiency of the intermediaries directly affects the performance of related partners, producers and consumers. Retailers, as intermediaries in the channel, attracted great attention due to their leadership position and power, which proceed from direct communication with consumers. In this regard, the objective of the research presented in this paper is the analysis of the importance of distribution channels, from partners’ point of view, as well as from macro aspect, with special reference to the retailers, as the primary participants in the distribution channel, in the Republic of Serbia. As indicators of performance, authors use Return of Sale (ROS) and Return of Equity (ROE). By applying the regression analysis, the authors examine whether the performance and role of retail chain leaders in distribution channels depends on the size of the sales network, or the number of sales facilities. The survey shows that the largest retail chains in the Republic of Serbia are performing below the average for the retail sector, and that the size of their retail network has a significant impact on the achieved results.</abstract>

Analysis of Distribution Channels’ Successfulness –The Case of the Retail Chains in the Republic of Serbia

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">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.</abstract>

Environmental Audit for Environmental Improvement and Protection

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Electronic business leads to the reengineering of business processes in a company, which encompasses integrating processes through customer relationship management, supply chain management, and an enterprise resource planning system. The aim of the paper is to analyse the impact of electronic business on enterprise transformation through reengineering and integration of business processes. The significance of the research is to emphasise management problems and challenges encountered by companies due to electronic business and application of information technologies. The research applies an analytical method to examine the effects of electronic business on business processes. The main contribution of the research is to look at electronic business as an initiator and the cause of radical changes in business processes characterised as reengineering. By transforming their business practices into electronic business, companies make significant efforts in their restructuring in order to deal with the changes in the competitive environment. The basis of these efforts is a redesign and change of business processes. The conclusion is that introducing the Internet and Web-technologies in business does not require only a radical reengineering of existing basic business processes but also generation of new ones, which would support the new business environment.</abstract>

Higher Business School of Professional Studies

The Role of Electronic Business in the Reengeneering and Integration of Business Processes

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Economic Themes

 The Faculty of Economics in Niš publishes the journal Economic Themes within the Center for Publishing. According to the categorization of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia the journal is classified as the leading journal of national importance (M51) and is issued quarterly (in Serbian and English). In the upcoming period we wish to implement two important aims: first, to continually enhance the quality of the journal in compliance with generally accepted standards and second, to improve the ranking of the journal in the following years. All articles sent for publishing are anonymously reviewed.  Rejection Rate   App. 28%  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 