As urbanization increases, cities face challenges related to sustainability and mobility. This study, conducted through interviews in March and April 2023, investigates the implementation of smart mobility solutions in German-speaking cities (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, through a comparative analysis of stakeholder perspectives. Using semi-structured interviews with 25 experts, we explored the opportunities and challenges associated with smart mobility in these distinct socio-economic contexts. The findings reveal significant differences in technological advancement, infrastructural support, and financial resources, providing valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners. This study contributes to the existing literature by bridging the gap between developed and developing regions, offering practical recommendations for achieving sustainable urban transportation systems.

Abstract This paper studies the extent individuals are willing to undertake energy efficiency measures, with evidence coming from a developing country (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The goal of this paper is to analyze energy-savings behaviors, aiming to understand what is typically meant under the term energy efficiency, who is more likely to know the meaning, and the extent individuals are willing to undertake some energy efficiency measures. The sample size used in this paper is a random stratified sample of 1,415 individuals coming from various backgrounds. Our logistic regression models found no statistically significant predictor across all ten measures used in the study. However, past experience, age, and being married are relatively common across these ten energy-saving behaviors. These results might be beneficial in defining policies in order to promote energy-saving behaviors.

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to analyse the effects of interpersonal trust in business relations (proxied by trade credit) and institutional trust (proxied by firms’ trust in courts) on firms’ performance. The analysis is performed on a specific sample of 1298 firms in Western Balkan countries which are usually characterized by negative social capital that is considered to hinder economic and social development at all levels. The methodological approach is based on the propensity score matching method and the obtained results show that firms’ perception of courts as fair, impartial and uncorrupted, is connected with lower costs and with positive expectations of an increase in sales in the upcoming period. On the other side, trade credit as a trust variable has a statistically significant and positive effect on firm productivity measured as sales per employee and on expectations of an increase in sales in the upcoming period. The paper contributes to the existing literature in terms of the choice of the post-socialist groups of countries for the analysis, the method that is used (treatment-effects estimation), and in terms of performing firm-level analysis of the effects of two types of trust on selected variables of firm performance.

The energy efficiency represents a global and multi-faceted issue. It is especially important for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the former socialist and semi-developed country belonging to the Balkan’s region of the Southeastern Europe (SE). Buildings in the WBs, including BiH, represent about 50 percent of the aggregate energy consumption. Estimated energy savings are projected to be between 20 and 40 percent. The research problem addressed in this paper focuses on the introduction of the existing or the improvement of the present strategies dealing with the energy efficiency. The inclusion and operation of funds addressing energy efficiency is of paramount importance. In that context the creation of statewide agency is deemed to be crucial to be responsible for the administration of the assistance of the European Union (EU) and the management of national energy efficiency action plan (NEEAP). Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis represents a simple tool to address numerous elements in tackling of this issue. Unfortunately, it cannot identify the totality of all-important external factors relating to the status of energy efficiency. Introduction of the energy management system (EMS) is another avenue worth exploring.

The energy efficiency represents a global and multi-faceted issue. It is especially important in the former socialist countries belonging to the Balkan’s region being geographically located in the Southeastern Europe (SE). The research problem addressed in this paper focuses on the unexplored potential links between the energy efficiency and the economic development. Energy efficiency is deemed to be highly job intensive phenomenon. It delivers multiple long-range benefits by the means of increasing competitiveness, energy affordability, and decreasing energy bills. Furthermore, it seeks to tackle the important issues of reduced reliance on energy importing, reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions and freeing up of funds to be critically invested in other economic areas. Energy efficiency, efficient and effective policies have been found to be directly linked to job creation and deliverance of the economic stimulus. These types of jobs are related to the activities with the paramount aim in reduction of the energy consumption. Investments in energy efficiency in the buildings and construction sector have been found to have brought about the greatest macroeconomic impact. This impact is due to the increasing need for the construction of new buildings and renovation of existing ones, in addition to its considerable potential in activation of the above listed industries’ value chains. The introduction of energy management system (EMS) being exemplified through the set of processes which utilize data to maintain and enhance energy efficiency and operational efficiency could be one of the important avenues to pursue. On the other hand, the EMS reduces the energy intensity and detrimental environmental polluting impact.

Abstract This paper explores the impact of education-job mismatch on the net income of workers in the context of Bosnia-Herzegovina. We used an OLS linear regression method on data from the Measure BiH Youth Survey. A log-transformation of the dependent variable created the left-side semilog functional form, which is typically used in models of the earnings of individuals. Our findings strongly support the statement that education-job mismatch has a significant effect on net income. Workers can expect net income differences between 13% and 15% if their level of education does not match that required for their job. However, our results show that the impact of education-job mismatch depends on the level of schooling and age of respondents. Results regarding education-job mismatch vary across studies, but our study is the first to examine the effect of education-job mismatch on net income in the context of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Second, the effect of education-job mismatch might depend on the choice of estimation method for incidences of overeducation and undereducation. Third, we emphasise the importance of understanding interactions, and fourth, we introduce new variables to understand how they influence earnings. These include religiousness, and the importance of belonging to a family, or a particular city.

Abstract This article uses data from the National Survey of Citizens’ Perceptions in Bosnia-Herzegovina to investigate the determinants of offering a bribe in the form of money, gifts or services to medical personnel, professors, judicial personnel, police officers and public servants. We presented evidence about the spread of corruption in these five sectors of the economy in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and analysed the effects of determinants at the individual level on the likelihood of engaging in bribery. Our results confirmed that specific personal characteristics predicted corrupt behaviour, but results varied across sectors. Logistic regression was used to generate models from which predictions could be made about the likelihood of an individual engaging in corrupt behaviour. Our research shows that corruption is a widespread phenomenon in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and more educated people, people living in urban areas, and individuals with higher incomes are more likely to engage in bribery in several sectors. Measures and policies aimed at reducing corrupt behaviour should be designed in a way that considers the specific characteristics of these individuals.

Small and medium-sized enterprises account for over 99% of active businesses inBosnia and Herzegovina, and face a number of limitations when performing theirbusiness activities. A number of those limitations relate to the nature of small andmedium-sized enterprises, but most are due to the inadequate legal and regulatoryframework for doing business. A disincentivised business environment and lack ofa unified economic policy and sector strategies further complicate the position ofsmall and medium-sized enterprises. The aim of this paper is to show the limitationsfaced by these companies. To this end, an investigation involving 119 small and medium-sized enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina was conducted.Convenience sampling was used in the research. Based on the survey, it is evidentthat respondents rated the tax burden factor (the tax structure and taxation process)the most problematic. This finding corresponds with Doing Business’ 2019 surveyresults.A section of this paper is devoted to the fiscal aspect of doing business: tax regulationsand the overall tax burden and taxation procedures. It shows that the magnitudeof the fiscal burden, the complexity of tax regulations and the inconsistency andcomplexity of the taxation system are a significant burden on small and medium-sizedenterprises. The paper concludes with recommendations for more efficient andsimpler tax regulation.