Andrija Popović1, Andreja Todorović1 and Vladan Vučić2
This research explores the relationship between economic growth and competitiveness and innovation in the circular economy across the 27 EU countries from 2011 to 2020. Using descriptive statistics, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), panel data regression, and cluster analysis, the research investigates how the key economic indicators, such as GDP, GDP per capita, and gross fixed capital formation, affect the performance of the circular economy. The results obtained indicate a positive correlation between overall economic growth and circular competitiveness, though wealthier nations do not consistently lead in circular transitions. The analysis underscores the need for tailored, country-specific policies to promote sustainable practices in the circular economy, especially in less developed economies. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to balance economic growth with sustainability.
Considering the significance of the Internet and communication with consumers in the online environment primarily through social media, as well as the growing importance of sustainability in modern business, this paper aims to analyze consumer behavior regarding green products in the context of social media. Specifically, social media marketing activities of local and global companies in the Republic of Serbia were analyzed, incorporating the five aspects: entertainment, interaction, trendiness, customization, and electronic word-of-mouth. Empirical research was conducted using the survey method and the SEM analysis was applied so as to determine that the mentioned aspects of social media differently affected the attitudes towards the green products of local and global companies. A positive moderating influence of the global identity on the relationships in the models was found. The main contribution of the paper relates to the analysis of the relationship between social media marketing activities and consumer behavior towards green products, with a comparative analysis of local and global companies.
Alphonse Kumaza
Corporate innovation and technology application for the purpose of improving business profits are a permanent fixation in management. The study explores corporate innovation and its capability to ensure social accountability and environmental responsibility. Innovation is necessary for growth, the maintenance of the market share and for the continual expansion and exploration of business opportunities, yet difficult to secure sustainable communities. The results of an SPSS statistical analysis show that business innovative technology and new thinking capabilities are not so designed to promote environmental accountability and social welfare, but rather to enhance corporations’ growth. The insufficient poor understanding of business management of the enterprise’s externality contributes to corporations’ poor environmental performance. This contribution, which might be the subject matter of possible future research, exposes corporations’ inability to promote sustainable stakeholder communities and environmental responsibility, contrary to the perceptions that business innovation works for environmental sustainability.