Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies and societies around the world. As AI is increasingly being invested in, some countries are developing specific strategies for AI development. These countries are striving to improve their competitiveness and achieve greater economic growth by becoming leaders in AI. In addition to AI development, countries are striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In achieving these goals, countries are concerned about protecting the environment and preserving the resources they have for future generations. This paper examines the impact of AI adoption on sustainable development, with a focus on progress toward the United Nations SDGs. Therefore, this paper analyzed how the willingness of countries to use AI affects the achievement of sustainable development in those countries. Accordingly, the AI Preparedness Index and Sustainable Development Goals indicators were used for 158 countries in the world. The relationship between these variables was examined using multiple regression analysis. The results of the multiple regression analysis show that the willingness of countries to apply AI affects the realization of the SDGs of those countries. However, not all dimensions of readiness for the application of AI have an impact on the goals of sustainable development. It has been shown that the dimensions of digital infrastructure and human capital and labor market policies have the greatest influence on the SDGs. Based on this; countries must strengthen these two dimensions regarding the application of AI in order to realize the SDGs. By strengthening the potential for AI development, these countries are improving sustainability through achieving the SDGs.

Abstract Digital transformation significantly impacts all aspects of the economic system, particularly the functioning of monetary policy and the financial sector. As a key process in modernization, digital transformation encompasses innovations that enable faster, safer and more efficient financial transactions, contributing to greater transparency and better economic integration. This paper analyzes the impact of digital transformation on the monetary policies of Southeast European (SEE) countries, with a particular focus on the development and implementation of digital payment systems. The aim of the research is to examine the potential of digital technologies to improve the monetary policies of these countries, enabling them to achieve greater financial stability and alignment with European Union (EU) standards. The focus is on identifying the benefits of implementing digital payments, including reducing transaction costs, improving trust in monetary institutions, and increasing the transparency of financial flows. The methodological framework of the research is based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), using the CRITIC and MARCOS methods. The CRITIC method was used to evaluate the importance of individual criteria relevant to digital payments, while the MARCOS method enabled the ranking of countries based on their potential for implementing digital payments. The results of the research show that alignment with EU legislation is the most important factor, while Romania has the best potential for implementing digital payments among the observed countries. The contribution of this paper is reflected in the development of a strategic framework and the encouragement of regional cooperation, through which SEE countries could realize the full potential of digital transformation to accelerate economic growth and integration with the EU.

Sociology offers a valuable lens through which to examine the societal transformations taking place in the age of artificial intelligence. By analysing micro-, meso- and macro-social levels, sociology can shed light on how AI affects processes such as socialisation, education, training, employment, communication, leisure and work. Furthermore, the impact of AI on social sustainability is a critical concern. This paper proposes a reflexive analysis of the sociology of AI to explore its potential contributions to social sustainability in the digital age. It considers the challenges associated with accessing and promoting digital literacy for AI, both as consumers and producers. It also considers the implications for sociology as a scientific discipline, encompassing both research methodologies and the products of inquiry. Through this analysis, the paper seeks to provide insights into how the sociology of AI can contribute to a more sustainable society in the digital age, and to identify the obstacles that need to be overcome to achieve this goal.   Received: 22 May 2024 / Accepted: 22 December 2024 / Published: 11 January 2025

Abstract The banking sector assumes a pivotal role in the economic development of nations. The assessment of financial indicators pertaining to banks holds fundamental importance in the evaluation of bank stability and sustainability. This research employs the MEREC (Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria) and MARCOS (Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution) methodologies to delve deeper into the financial landscape of the banking sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Specifically, the objective is to rank banks according to their financial indicators, utilizing financial data from the year 2022. The MEREC method is applied to gauge the significance of financial indicators and ascertain their respective weights, while the MARCOS method is employed to rank banks within BiH based on their financial indicators. The examination of financial indicators within the BiH banking sector, facilitated by the MEREC and MARCOS methodologies, yields a more comprehensive understanding of the sector’s present condition. Limitations of this research, which primarily stem from its reliance on available financial data and predefined methodologies, lies within limited consideration for external factors. To provide a broader contextual perspective, the inclusion of additional financial indicators and comparative analyses with banking sectors of other nations would be imperative. The findings of this research reveal that Raiffeisen Bank exhibits the most favourable financial indicators and demonstrates the highest level of efficiency within this context. Consequently, this research offers insights into identifying exemplary banks that can serve as models for enhancing the performance of others.

BILATERAL PROJECT REPORT IMPACT OF QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19 ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN SLOVENIA AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract Ova Studija nastaje u vremenu potrebe za rekonstrukcijom, adaptacijom, popravkom i unapređenjem inženjerskog naselja (Bungalovi) Mješovitog Holdinga “ERS” MP a.d. Trebinje ZP “ Hidroelektrane na Drini” a.d. Višegrad, u naselje koje će biti na mapi turističke ponude Višegrada. Turizam Višegrada je u ekspanziji, raste tražnja za turističkom ponudom. Geografski položaj Višegrada, ćuprija na Drini koja je vezana za nobelovca Ivu Andrića, zatim od nedavno Andrićgrad, kao i blizina Zlatibora, doprinose da Višegrad bude veoma interesantna turistička destinacija. Cilj inoviranog naselja jeste profit, koji će ovo preduzeće ostvarivati putem izdavanja bungalova zainteresovanim turistima. Mješoviti Holding “ERS” MP a.d. Trebinje ZP “ Hidroelektrane na Drini”, a.d. Višegrad, uradilo je sve pripreme za adaptaciju istog, tj. naselje se priprema za turističku ponudu. Godina 2023. jeste godina kada se očekuju intezivni radovi na ovom projektu, odnosno godina završetka najvećeg dijela radova. Finansijska sredstva za rekonstrukciju i adaptaciju istih,od strane nadležnih organa ovog preduzeća, odobrena su planom nabavki za 2023. godinu. Ekonomsko finansijska analiza i istraživanje tržišta, kao sastavni dijelovi ove Studije, pokazuju da je racionalno i ekonomski opravdano ulaganje u rekonstrukciju, adaptaciju i popravku bungalova, s ciljem da postanu sastavni dio turističke ponude Višegrada. Na osnovu Studije može se zaključiti da bi bilo neopravdano da naselje služi samo za izdavanje, znajući da je većina gostiju zainteresovana za usluge SPA centra. Zato ova Studija predviđa izgradnju i SPA centra, sa korištenjem termalne vode koja se nalazi u neposrednoj blizini, što zasigurno može biti komparativna prednost ovog naselja.

Climate changes and the number of people in the world are increasingly affecting the environment. In order to reduce this impact, there are more and more alternatives to cars with internal combustion. Currently, the most used alternative is electric cars. This research aimed to rank electric cars according to their characteristics. It was selected 13 criteria according to which 20 alternatives were ranked. For this purpose, it was used two methods, DNMEREC (Double normalization Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria) used to determine criterion weights objectively and DNCRADIS (Double normalization Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution) method used to rank alternatives. Here, classical methods for multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) are extended to contribute to a more stable ranking of alternatives. Unlike similar approaches, the same normalization has been used here, but in two ways, which represents an innovative approach in MCDM. The results of this approach have shown that the best-ranked alternative is A6 (Sono Sion), while the worst-ranked alternative is A2 (Smart EQ forfour). These results were confirmed with a comparative analysis of the results obtained using other MCDM methods and sensitivity analysis. The validation of the results and the application of the Spearman correlation coefficient have shown that the ranking of the alternatives is uniform and more stable when double normalization is applied than when classical methods with their normalization are used. In addition, this decision-making provides support to potential buyers for choosing electric cars.

Abstract COVID-19 had undoubtedly speeded up adoption of digital technologies. Most of the theoreticians agree that changes that happened in the pandemic period would not happen in the next several years or even decades. There is almost no business operation that has not been affected by the pandemic, from customer relation and sales to supply chain. It influenced different business sectors leaving permanent change and making a significant proportion of organizations working in at least hybrid mode: combining digital and traditional pre-pandemic ways of working. COVID-19 had significantly changed the workplace and way of working. Workplace has shifted to digital or at least hybrid and employees and companies have adopted new ways of working, including usage of digital technologies but also accepting more agile and flexible procedures and rules. The research community has followed this phenomenon and tried to provide best possible recommendation to it accordance to recognized research methods. The paper provides a systematic literature review of the most significant scientific and industry publication in the years after the pandemic start. It is based on Kitchenham methodology of the systematic review with selected publication from recognized bibliographic databases. First part provides general effects of the pandemic to digital transformation of businesses all over the globe, mostly connected to analysis of the employees’ workplace preference. The second part is focused on digital workplace transformation and presents key theoretical and professional findings in the post-pandemic workplace. This part is consisted of the preview of benefits of the digital workplace transformation, identification of critical success factors and the most significant challenges of the process.

Abstract The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) performed by the World Bank is an indicator of the logistics environment quality of a country in which logistics operators act. The LPI is an interactive tool designed to help countries identify challenges, innovative solutions, and opportunities they face in their work in the field of trade and logistics. The aim of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis and ranking of the LPI of the countries in the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro), calculated by the World Bank for 2018, using an integrated Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC)-Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) model and thus show the real picture of the logistics environment. In order to determine the performance of countries and show the overall logistics performance, six key dimensions are used: customs, infrastructure, international transport, logistics capability, tracking and tracing of goods and shipment delivery within scheduled or expected times. Using the CRITIC method, the weight values of the previously mentioned six criteria were calculated, whereby the criterion related to shipment delivery within scheduled times was singled out as the most significant criterion. Then, by applying the MARCOS method, the countries of the Western Balkans were ranked on the basis of the six defined criteria. Based on the results obtained, the best-ranked country is Serbia. The analysis of the sensitivity of the results to changes in the significance of the criteria does not show significant changes in the ranking.

The paper addresses and evaluates the currency boards’ policy and assesses whether the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the function of currency boards, as a form of monetary policy. In this context, a hypothesis that the currency boards provides the foundation for growth and development of a transition economy is being put to the test. To test the hypothesis, the paper compares the movement of economic growth indicators (gross domestic product) among the countries of South Eastern Europe with the primary focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina. By comparing the obtained results, as well as by applying the correlation and regression analysis, by means of simple linear regression, it is proven that the currency boards do not represent an obstacle to economic growth, but is the basis for establishing the stability of the economy and the basis for sustainable growth and development able to adequately respond to shocks.