MEASURING THE EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE OF LISTED CONGLOMERATE FIRMS IN NIGERIA: DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA) APPROACH

MEASURING THE EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE OF LISTED CONGLOMERATE FIRMS IN NIGERIA: DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA) APPROACH

Author(s): Joseph E. Idolor,Omoruyi Aigbovo,Omorose Aigbedo Ogiemudia / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Constant Return to Scale Efficiency; Variable Return to Scale Efficiency; Scale Efficiency; Conglomerate Sector; Nigeria;

This study empirically examines efficiency of listed conglomerate firms in Nigeria from 2018 to 2019. The study used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques to measure and evaluates the performance efficiency of the conglomerate firms. Findings show that conglomerate firms in Nigeria are 66.67% grossly efficient in terms of CRS efficiency, VRS efficiency and SCALE efficient across board, respectively. This study therefore concludes that the inefficient firms should benchmark and bench race efficient conglomerate firms in Nigeria. And recommends that Greater managerial capacity is also required to enhance productive, allocative and scale efficiency in the sector.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT BREACH AND ENGAGEMENT OF ACADEMICS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT BREACH AND ENGAGEMENT OF ACADEMICS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Author(s): Darlington Osaremwinda Ogbeide,Blessing Etafo / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Transactional psychological contract; Relational psychological contract; Balanced psychological contract; Engagement; Tertiary institutions;

This study investigated the relationship between psychological contract breaches and the engagement of academics in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to investigate the influence of transactional, relational, and balanced psychological contract breaches on the engagement of academics in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study also examined whether the psychological contract breach experience among academics in public universities differs from the experience of academics in private universities. To achieve these objectives, a cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. This was done by using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 348 academics from public and private tertiary institutions in Edo State, Nigeria. The data collected from sampled academics were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study are that transactional, relational, and balanced psychological contract breaches at both group and individual levels have a significant negative influence on the engagement of academics in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Moreover, no significant difference in the level of psychological contract breach between academics in private and public tertiary institutions in Edo State was observed. Considering these findings, the study recommends that the government and management of tertiary institutions should fulfil the transactional and relational obligations or agreements they enter with academics. This can be done by releasing the earn allowance promise to academics, increasing their basic salary, training them in their current job, and providing them research grants. It can also be done by being committed to the long-term emotional well-being of academics, supporting them to develop externally marketable skills, and meeting new and challenging performance requirements that align with industrial standards.

CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENTS AND INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENTS AND INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

Author(s): Darlington Osaremwinda Ogbeide,Bamidele Lawal / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Cross Border Investments; Exchange Rate; Foreign Direct Investment; Foreign Portfolio Investment; Industrial Performance;

This study examines the impact of cross-border investments, which comprised of foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) on industrial performance in Nigeria using time series data for the period 1988-2020 sourced from the World Bank. The study adopted Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, co-integration techniques, Granger causality test, and Error Correction Model (ECM) as methods of data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that FDI had a weak negative effect on industrial development in Nigeria while FPI had a positive significant effect on industrial performance. The study also revealed that the exchange rate had a weak negative effect on industrial performance. The study, therefore, recommends that the government of Nigeria should employ tax incentives to discourage the repatriation of profits (earnings) by foreign investors and strengthen the quality of education to boost human capital in order to realize the positive spillover effects of technology and capital transfer by foreign investors. It also recommends that the demand for foreign currency should be reduced by placing an embargo on imported raw material and used items from abroad among others as well as developing the agriculture and manufacturing sector to produce imported items and more export-oriented to generate greater foreign earnings to sustain the stability of the naira.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, BOARD DILIGENCE, AND FIRMS’ STRATEGIC CASH FLOW DECISION IN NIGERIAN NON-FINANCE COMPANIES

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, BOARD DILIGENCE, AND FIRMS’ STRATEGIC CASH FLOW DECISION IN NIGERIAN NON-FINANCE COMPANIES

Author(s): Henry Osahon Osazevbaru,Festus Osasere Imasuen / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Agency Theory; Board Characteristics; Corporate Governance; Chief Executive Officer;

There is distinctiveness among empirical studies on the relationship between board leadership structure, board diligence, and firms’ cash decisions, particularly in Nigeria. This study focused on how board leadership structure and board diligence affect components of firms’ cash decisions (operating, investing and financing cash flows) of quoted non-finance companies in Nigeria. Data were obtained for seventy-four (74) companies for the period 2010-2019. Analyses were based on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (ordinary least square, dynamic panel data modelling, and Hausman specification test). Overall, the Wald statistics showed that board diligence and board leadership structure insignificantly affect cash decisions. However, board diligence significantly affects financing cash flow decision as a component of cash decisions. Given the findings, it was recommended that firms should discourage the practice of dual leadership structure as it decreases firm’s cash flow decision. Also, there is need to moderate board meetings of companies.

INVESTIGATING THE NEXUS AMONG FINANCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC RISKS IN TURKEY: APPLICATION OF QUANTILE-ON-QUANTILE REGRESSION APPROACH

INVESTIGATING THE NEXUS AMONG FINANCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC RISKS IN TURKEY: APPLICATION OF QUANTILE-ON-QUANTILE REGRESSION APPROACH

Author(s): Jamiu Adetola Odugbesan,Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Financial risk; Economic risk; Political risk; Quantile Granger Causality; Quantile-on-Quantile regression; Turkey;

This study investigates the relationships among the political, financial and economic risks in Turkey using the PRS Group Risks indices covering the period from 1984Q1 to 2018Q4. The nature and directions of the relationship were examined using the innovative Quantile-on-Quantile (Q-Q) regression and Quantile Granger-causality test. Our findings revealed a positive and significant influence of economic risk on financial risk, as well as a positive and significant influence financial risk on economic risk, both at different quantiles. Moreover, while economic risk was found to positively influence political risk at different quantiles, the influence of political risk on economic risk was found to be negative at different quantiles. In addition, the findings on the direction of causal relationship show bidirectional causality between economic risk and political risks, financial and political risks, and financial and political risks in the 0.25 quantiles. Similarly, at 0.75 quantiles, a bidirectional causality between political and economic risks was found, as well as a unidirectional causality was found running from economic risk to financial risk, and from economic risk to financial risk. Meanwhile, at the 0.5 quantile, an evidence of a unidirectional causality was found running from economic risk to political risk and from economic risk to financial risk. Finally, the paper suggested policy directions based on the findings for the Turkish policymakers.

LONG-RUN PERFORMANCE OF SHARE PRICES POST-INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS AND ITS DETERMINANTS IN THE NIGERIAN EXCHANGE (NGX)

LONG-RUN PERFORMANCE OF SHARE PRICES POST-INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS AND ITS DETERMINANTS IN THE NIGERIAN EXCHANGE (NGX)

Author(s): Jeffrey Ogie Eguavoen,Boniface Esosa Bob-Osaze / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Long-run/aftermarket performance; Initial public offerings; Share prices; Returns;

This study empirically investigated the long-run performance of share prices post-initial public offerings and its determinants in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). A sample of 36 Initial Public Offerings (IPO) issuing observations over the period 2004 to 2014 was used. Employing the standard event market adjusted buy-and-hold-abnormal-returns (BHARs) estimation approach to find out the long-run performance of IPOs, and descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, pooled OLS and multivariate panel regression technique to investigate the determinants of IPOs’ long-run performance, the results revealed a positive and significant long-run share price performance of IPOs during the period, thus, outperforming the market benchmark, the Nigerian Exchange All Share Index. This implies that investors who bought shares on the IPO listing day, who nevertheless may be earning negative returns in the short-run, up to 12 months (1 year) from the listing date, earned positive market-adjusted return thereafter. The multivariate panel regression results for the determinants of long-run performance of IPOs reveal, that initial return, IPO volatility, firm’s size, firm’s age, IPO size and market capitalization are significant determinants of IPOs’ long-run performance. The impact of market volatility is however found to be negative and weak. Against the backdrop of these findings, we recommend sound financial and investment management policies that will enhance the long-run performance of IPOs in the Nigerian stock market. In particular, policies to enhance market capitalization, firm’s size, initial return of IPOs and IPO size should be put in place, while those that will reduce the volatility of the market and IPO volatility in order to create market stability are imperative. These should be supported with optimal regulatory framework and institutional mechanisms to enhance the operations of the stock market as well as a stable macroeconomic and political environment.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND CUSTOMERS’ SATISFACTION IN THE NIGERIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND CUSTOMERS’ SATISFACTION IN THE NIGERIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

Author(s): Omorodion Omoregbe,Joseph Azage,Aisosa Loveth Eribo / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Organizational Culture; Customers’ Satisfaction; Firms’ Involvement; Firms’ Consistency; Firms’ Adaptability and Firms’ Mission;

This study examined the effect of organizational culture on customers’ satisfaction among the customers of the Nigerian banking industry, Benin City. Specifically, it assessed the relationship between firms’ involvement, firms’ consistency, firms’ adaptability and firms’ mission on customers’ satisfaction in the Nigerian banking industry, Benin City. The survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study covered all customers in the Nigerian banking industry, Benin City. A total of four hundred copies of the questionnaire were distributed and retrieved. A stratified random sampling procedure was used in administering the questionnaire to selected banks in Benin City. The data collected through questionnaire administration was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the null hypotheses and estimate the research models with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24. The study found that there is a significant positive relationship between firms’ consistency, firms’ adaptability, firms’ mission and customers’ satisfaction while a significant negative relationship exists between firms’ involvement and customers’ satisfaction among the customers of the Nigerian banking industry, Benin City. The study recommends that organizations need to adapt quickly and involve customers in their decision-making processes, the firms need to be consistent about their core values, ensure agreement, coordination and integration of all its processes among all its people while ensuring that their strategic direction and intent, goals and objectives, vision centers on customers’ satisfaction.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

Author(s): Mathias Opele Adedayo,Adunola Ajayi Mobolanle,Oluwaseun Akinyele Adeleke / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: Goal attainment; Operational efficiency; Effective communication; Timely information;

The study examined effective communication as a tool for enhancing SMEs performance in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The result of the correlation and regression analysis revealed the existence of a positive and statistically significant relationship between timeliness aspect of effective communication and performance of SMEs (p < 0.0005). The result further showed the existence of a positive and statistically significant relationship between correctness aspect of effective communication and business performance (p < 0.0005). In addition, a positive and statistically significant relationship exists between specificity aspect of effective communication and performance of SMEs (p < 0.0005); and a positive and statistically significant relationship exists between effective listening aspect of communication and performance of SMEs (p < 0.0005). The study recommended among others that management of the business organization should provide platforms that will improve timely communication among the different stakeholders in the organization.

Automated Road Milling Cutter for Repair of the Road Surfaces with Variable Trackage

Automated Road Milling Cutter for Repair of the Road Surfaces with Variable Trackage

Author(s): Nurbol Kamzanov,Marzhana Amanova,Aigyl Baikenzheyeva,Guldariya Naimanova,Rustem Kozbagarov / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: road milling cutter; asphalt concrete pavement; pit repair; cutting element; highway; working body; track

The article presents a method of experimental research and created stand with metrological equip-ment that allows to simulate the complex process of milling asphalt concrete samples by force and coordinate closure. As a result of the research, regression equations describing the milling parame-ters of asphalt concrete samples, were obtained. It is established that during the transition from the power (elastic) closure of the technological system to the rigid (coordinate) one, milling errors de-crease by up to 15 % and their spread is up to 30 %. The developed method for restoring the road surface can be applied in practice not only within Kazakhstan, but outside the country, as well.

Increase of the Automotive Power Transistor Modules Manufacture Reliability Using Ai Detecting System for Soldering Splashes

Increase of the Automotive Power Transistor Modules Manufacture Reliability Using Ai Detecting System for Soldering Splashes

Author(s): Dušan Koniar,Peter Klčo,Libor Hargaš,Marek Chnápko,Katarína Pocisková Dimová,Vladimír Kindl / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: transistor; module; solder; splash

This study discusses the automated visual inspection of electronic boards used in the mass production of power electronics equipment. Soldering splashes, produced during the necessary manufacturing stages, can affect the hybrid power semiconductor modules' quality, specifications and lifespan. Splashes from soldering may appear in some electronic boards areas when they may cause decreasing of quality of these boards and need to be removed. Image analysis algorithms are used to search for such areas. The automated inspection is based on neural network YOLO. The images of electronic boards, acquired by authors in SEMIKRON Slovakia company, were used as training, testing and validation dataset for the YOLO network. The custom recording system was designed to acquire those images. The implementation of this method may increase the object search success and then thereby increase the overall quality of module production.

Improvement Prioritization in Bike Lane Attributes Based on the View of Different Gender and Age Cyclist Groups (Case Study: Qazvin City, Iran)

Improvement Prioritization in Bike Lane Attributes Based on the View of Different Gender and Age Cyclist Groups (Case Study: Qazvin City, Iran)

Author(s): Shima Zarabadipour,Ehsan Ramezani-Khansari,Alireza Abdolrazaghi / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: bike lane; gender; age; cycling purpose; transportation infrastructure

A survey of cyclists in the city of Qazvin, Iran, was conducted by focusing on improving the bike lane attributes (increasing width, increasing attractiveness or appeal of the bike lane (painting, planting …), improving pavement conditions, improving sight distance and removing obstacles in the bike lane). It was seen that there was no difference between age groups. Two important priorities for the men group were increasing the lane width and improving the sight distance, while the women considered improving the pavement conditions and the appeal of the bike lanes. Increasing the lane width and improving the pavement conditions for the recreational group and increasing the lane width and improving the sight distance for the non-recreational group were the most important improvements. It can be said that increasing the width of the bike lane was the most important factor for almost all groups.

Monitoring of Shallow-Grooved Tramway Crossings

Monitoring of Shallow-Grooved Tramway Crossings

Author(s): Magdalena Křečková,Hana Krejčiříková / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: rail structure; deep-grooved crossing; shallow-grooved crossing; wear; noise emission level

The article presents selected results and the sequencing of research into the project "Long-Term Monitoring of Rail Structures in Tramway Crossings with a Focus on Shallow-Grooved Crossings Aimed at the Optimization of their Maintenance and Noise Reduction", which was running with support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic within the Zeta Project (project registration No. TJ04000257) in 2020-2022. The project was elaborated jointly with the Prazska strojirna a.s. Company in cooperation with the Prague Public Transit Company (hereinafter PPTC). The project's objective was to optimize the maintenance of tramway tracks with a focus on shallow-grooved crossings in rail structures taking into account the noise emission levels during the life cycle of these crossings.

Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Background of the Optimal Control of the Concrete Mixture Forming

Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Background of the Optimal Control of the Concrete Mixture Forming

Author(s): Pavlo Pshinko,Tatyana Dekhta,Olena Hromova,Oksana Steinbrech / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: the intensity of vibrations; the optimal control of forming; the inertial current of energy

Concrete belongs to the most used building materials, applied in almost all types of constructions (civil, industrial, road, hydraulic, subway constructions, etc.). Currently, the most common is the vibration method of molding concrete and reinforced concrete products.

Developing Pedestrian Fatality Prediction Models Using Historical Crash Data: Application of Binary Logistic Regression and Boosted Tree Mechanism

Developing Pedestrian Fatality Prediction Models Using Historical Crash Data: Application of Binary Logistic Regression and Boosted Tree Mechanism

Author(s): Malaya Mohanty,Bitati Sarkar,Piotr Gorzelańczyk,Rachita Panda,Srinivasa Rao Gandupalli,Ampereza Ankunda / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: Pedestrian fatalities; vehicle category; 85th percentile speed; binary logistic model; boosted tree model

Pedestrian fatality rate plays a key role in examining effectiveness of the road safety. The present study attempts to examine the effect of various categories of accused vehicles and the average 85th percentile speed at accident location on the pedestrian crash fatality. The study also attempts to develop pedestrian crash severity models using the binary logistic regression and boosted trees technique. Historical crash data, along with the video recording technique at accident sites, have been utilized for the present study. From regression equations, it is observed that when the heavy vehicle (HV) hits a pedestrian as compared to two-wheeler (2W), the average chance of death increases 2.44 times. According to the Boosted tree model, the contribution of speed is 60 %, whereas the contribution of category of accused vehicle is 40 % for pedestrian fatality prediction. The study should help in planning better strategies like all red time at intersections or pedestrian foot over bridge at critical locations.

Analysis of Terrain Modelling Methods in the Coastal Zone

Analysis of Terrain Modelling Methods in the Coastal Zone

Author(s): Oktawia Lewicka / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: terrain modelling; coastal zone; inverse distance weighted (IDW); modified shepard's method (MSM) natural neighbor interpolation (NNI); kriging; spline

Geospatial data are increasingly used to model the terrain in the coastal zone, in particular in shallow waterbodies (with a depth of up to 1 m). In order to generate a terrain relief, it is important to choose a method for its modelling that will allow it to be accurately projected. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to analyze the terrain modelling methods in the coastal zone. For the purposes of the research, five most popular methods for terrain modelling were described: Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Modified Shepard's Method (MSM), Natural Neighbor Interpolation (NNI), kriging and spline. Each of the methods has been described in a uniform way in terms of: the essence of its operation, mathematical expression and application examples. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods for terrain modelling are also discussed. It should be stated that the choice of the method for the terrain modelling of a shallow waterbody is not unambiguous, as it depends on the type of data recorded during bathymetric and photogrammetric measurements.

Road Accident Analysis and Safety Audit: A Case Study of MDR 132

Road Accident Analysis and Safety Audit: A Case Study of MDR 132

Author(s): Amir Ali Khan Sabir,Sachin Dass,Gyanendra Singh,Saurabh Jaglan / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2023

Keywords: accident prone location; accident severity index (ASI); road safety audit; severity; nature of accident

Road accident and road safety are the key global concerns and problem for emerging nations like India. It has been attempted to examine the accidents that happened on Major District Road (MDR) 132 (Nuh to Hodal), India in the last five years. The primary objective of this study was to perform the Road Safety Audit for identification of accident-prone areas based on Accident Severity Index (ASI) and provide some improvement measures in order to lower the frequency and severity of accidents. Identified accident prone locations (blackspots) were ranked according to the ASI index. The distribution of accidents based on various parameters were also discussed. Site visit of critical sections of the road to observe road deficiencies were made and safety recommendations, along with the risk associated with them and priority as per IRC: SP: 88-2019, were suggested.

Healing Fragmentation of Forest Biosecurity Networks: A Conceptual and Reflexive Mapping Analysis of Postcolonial Relations that Matter in Aotearoa|New Zealand and Cymru|Wales

Healing Fragmentation of Forest Biosecurity Networks: A Conceptual and Reflexive Mapping Analysis of Postcolonial Relations that Matter in Aotearoa|New Zealand and Cymru|Wales

Author(s): Sara MacBride-Stewart,Liz O’Brien,Andrea Grant,Maria Ayala,Susanna Finlay-Smits,Will Allen,Alison Greenaway / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: postcolonial science; biosecurity epistemology; plant pathogens; Aotearoa|New Zealand; Cymru|Wales; social science;

Scientific biosecurity has become an important approach for managing the threats to Kauri trees and plant management in Aotearoa|New Zealand and Cymru|Wales, more generally. However, the conceptual apparatus of biosecurity does not make the relations and overlaps between people, knowledges or values visible in practice. This is particularly so for Indigenous Māori knowledge and ontologies, which are not yet fully integrated into this field. This paper has two aims. The first is to understand how the fragmentation of the biosecurity system concerning plant pathogens is reproducing colonial relations, while shaping biosecurity practices in new ways. The second is to use postcoloniality theory as an analytic tool to understand the role that local and Indigenous knowledge and ontologies play in the biosecurity system more globally. This lens is specifically turned on the social scientific understandings of biosecurity and used to analyse the relationships of others involved in the generation and use of biosecurity science for the protection of trees in Aotearoa|New Zealand and Cymru|Wales, analysing through the lens of social science, our interviews, and focus groups with them. Two places and ways of understanding postcoloniality are deliberately evoked so that postcolonial relations become the dominant lens for understanding how society and the environment have become dis/entangled in the biosecurity system in various ways. Some consistent clusters of biosecurity fragmentation can be identified along with the emergence of specific social and environmental relations that underpin shared aspects of care with/for trees and ecosystem conservation. This result demonstrates the impact that fragmentation could have on building a relational structure and ethics of biosecurity, linking communities, geographies, policies and values. Our conclusions echo the range of questions and relations at stake resulting from this fragmentation of biosecurity and show the role(s) that social scientists and Pākehā scientists can have in opening spaces for new postcolonial biosecurity practices to emerge.

CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND REPRODUCTIVE INTENTIONS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD

CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND REPRODUCTIVE INTENTIONS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD

Author(s): Sekulić Milena,Milica Solarević,Anđelija Ivkov-Džigurski,Ljubica Ivanović Bibić / Language(s): English / Issue: 19/2022

Keywords: contraception; family planning; students; Novi Sad; Serbia

Family planning is the ability of individuals and couples to have the desired number of children at a time when they want to. This is achieved using contraceptive methods and the treatment of unintentional infertility. Family planning is crucial for women’s empowerment, and gender equality and is an essential factor in reducing world poverty. The research was conducted on an electronic survey questionnaire on the final sample size of 660 female students from the University of Novi Sad (Serbia). Survey results were analyzed using SPSS 23 software for Windows (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). The aim of the study is the analysis of the reproductive intensions regarding the structure of contraceptive use, from which comes the secondary objective, which is identification of the need for the sexual and reproductive education of young people. More than half of female students use modern contraceptives, but a significant proportion of female students rely on traditional methods such as withdrawal (coitus interruptus) (26.0%) and calendar methods (10.7%).

DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND ENERGY POVERTY IN SERBIA

DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND ENERGY POVERTY IN SERBIA

Author(s): Ivana Poljak / Language(s): English / Issue: 19/2022

Keywords: households; energy poverty; EU-SILC; Serbia; regional analysis

Energy issues and energy poverty became very important when dealing with global development challenges and sustainable development agenda, and as the years pass more precise indicators are formed to follow this phenomenon from various perspectives. One way to follow and analyze energy poverty is through the indicators proposed by the European Commission and the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). Based on the main EU-SILC indicators for Serbia for 2020, this analysis explored a relationship between energy poverty and household income disaggregated by available data about regions, degree of urbanization, household types, and sex-age structure. It also tended to position Serbia within the European context regarding energy poverty. Based on the available data, it was found that people living in thinly populated areas expressed a higher share of vulnerabilities than those living in densely populated areas. Also, persons at risk of poverty are more vulnerable than the total population. When it comes to household types, people living in a single-person household are the most vulnerable, followed by the singleparent household with dependent children.

THE WINTER MARCH OF NIKOLA ZRINSKI AND JULIUS HOHENLOHE AND THE ARSON OF THE OSIJEK BRIDGE IN 1664

THE WINTER MARCH OF NIKOLA ZRINSKI AND JULIUS HOHENLOHE AND THE ARSON OF THE OSIJEK BRIDGE IN 1664

Author(s): Vladimir Prebilič,Lara Iva Dreu / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

The year 1664 represented an important historic milestone in Southeast Europe. The Ottoman Empire reached its peak size in Europe, but at the same time the gradual decline of their rule began tobe obvious. The Habsburg court, headed by the Caesar Leopold I, was not prepared to carry out an extensive military operation against the Ottomans. The latter, well aware of this fact, substantially raided the lands of Ban Nikola Zrinski, especially the beglerbeg of Kanizsa with his constant invasions into the surroundings of Varaždin. In order to protect his lands, the Croatian Ban decided to build fortresses at the borders with the Ottoman estates. However, the Habsburg court did not approve of those decisions. When the Ottoman Army decided to spend the winter in Belgrade, the Viennese court expected the extensive military operations to take place in the summer months of 1664. As the sentiment that the attack is the best defence prevailed, the preparations for the Winter March against the Ottoman units began. The instigator was the Croatian Ban Nikola Zrinski, who counted on the support and participation of Count Julius of Hohenlohe. The primary strategic goal of this military operation was to destroy or at least damage the renowned Suleiman Bridge in Osijek, which served as an entry point into the Hungarian region for all Ottoman military units, so its destruction would represent a huge logistic challenge for the crossing of the Drava River.