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The demand for hydropower production, as a prominent sustainable development strategy, has created a boom in the number of planned hydropower projects, especially small ones. These projects are mainly located in post-socialist transition and developing countries. However, emerging evidence suggests that most of the projects remain on paper. One reason for this is prevalent corruption. In the literature, corruption has been identified in megaprojects but a significant number of hydropower projects are smaller in size. This leaves a literature gap and a subsequent lack of understanding regarding corruption and its potential connection to the absence of hydropower construction. We argue that it also creates a 'safe space' for corrupt actors who use the sector for personal gain. In this paper, we address this nexus of unfinished hydropower projects, sustainable development in transition countries, corruption, and lack of scholarly attention by presenting empirical evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina. We highlight that sustainability goals associated with hydropower might be distorted, especially in transition countries as they are intermingled with hydropower projects that are embedded in complex bureaucratic structures. We conclude that focusing on the sector might improve its management, thus contributing to sustainable development, and also help to decrease the corruption risk. • Small hydropower projects have an increased risk of corruption. • Overlooking small projects create a "safe space" for corrupt actors. • Administrative complicatedness is one key factor behind corruption in the hydropower sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economy & Market Communication Review / Casopis za Ekonomiju i Trzisne Komunikacije is the property of Pan-European University Apeiron and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To behave in a socially responsible manner and to support the concepts of sustainable development, organizations apply various processes and activities for greening their business. In addition to green marketing, supply and distribution chain, production, packaging and recycling, green human resources management (GHRM) also plays a big role. For this purpose, organizations incorporate a green component into all human resources management (HRM) phases, thereby building a green employer brand. This paper examines the extent to which organizations in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina apply GHRM activities and practices, and whether there are differences in the application of these practices depending on the size and business sector. Empirical research carried out in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has found that green activities and HRM practices are applied to a small extent, with slightly higher results achieved by small and manufacturing organizations. The findings indicate the need for greater engagement of organizations to strengthen the awareness of the importance of GHRM, support their sustainable development and strengthen the brand in domestic and foreign markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The globalization of geospatial data and geodetic reference frames is important for the overall development of both national and global economies. In accordance with the needs for defining a general geodetic reference frame, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution "Global Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development (GGRF)" in 2015. The European Union member states have addressed the issue by adopting joint directives, recommendations and other acts to adapt national laws. Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighboring countries, non-EU member states, have enacted appropriate legislation and decisions to adapt to the globalization of spatial data and reference frames. Therefore, the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs (FGU) has undertaken certain activities in order to establish a new geodetic reference frame through changes in legislation, renewal and establishment of new reference systems and measurements. The paper will discuss the existing geodetic reference frame and the activities of the FGU on the introduction of new geodetic datums and map projections in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "sustainability" is flexible as it needs to function in many different contexts and across many issues. At the same time, this flexibility makes it difficult to assess and easy to misuse. Over the last three decades, numerous sustainability assessment tools have been developed to better define the term. In this paper, we critically address these attempts and argue that the flexibility of the term is not solely problematic, but allow people to create their own sustainability imaginaries, by which we mean a society's understanding of how environmental resources should be used. We show this through a case study, the Martin Brod village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, within a few years, the inhabitants changed their sustainability imaginaries in parallel with shifting external socio-economic conditions and expectations. We primarily applied qualitative research methods. Our results show that changing sustainability imaginaries was made possible due to the flexibility of the term which enabled otherwise disempowered local inhabitants to have agency. Consequently, a stricter definition of sustainability may have unintended consequences for people struggling to maintain a political voice in settings such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging of the population causes unfavourable demographic trends that are significantly affecting the current state and the future of pension systems on a global basis. The increased number of pensioners and a significant decrease in the rate of demographic reproduction have negative effects on the sustainability of pension systems based on intergenerational solidarity (pay as you go systems), which are prevalent in most European countries. In this paper, the issue of demographic aging and pension systems is analysed from the point of view of sustainability of public finance in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). There are three projected scenarios and the worst one is based on the assumption that pension expenditures will grow at a pace similar to the period from 2002 to 2012. In that case, the share of pension expenditures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2035 would be over 25%, which is unsustainable by any means. According to long-term projections of the reformed pension system of the FBiH, the greater stability of initial and average pensions, as well as stable social security of pensioners, will result in a relatively stable share of pension expenditures in GDP, of about 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina present rich sites of various non-wood forest products. In the concept of sustainable use of forest resources and assurance the economic, environmental and social effects, non-wood forest products have great importance, especially in the strategic commitments of rural development. However, information on the potentials of non-wood forest products in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very scant, whereas institutional and procedural framework relevant to this sector is underdeveloped. In this paper value chain analysis of non-wood forest products in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been carried out in order to identify the participants in the value chain, their mutual relations, and the analysis of organizational and institutional issues that affect the economic aspects of certain stages of the value chain. Survey method was used for primary data collection in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the relevant information from participants in the chain of non-wood forest products has been obtained. The study included a sample of 156 collectors, who had continuity in the collection and delivery, and 18 companies engaged in purchasing, processing and distribution, which have agreed to participate in the research. For data processing and interpretation of the results classical methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and comparison, and statistical methods of trend analysis were used. Technique of SWOT analysis was used in order to identify the positive and negative factors, as the basis for defining the strategic direction of non-wood forest products sector development. The obtained results indicate on the presence of numerous problems in the value chain. The share of individual groups of non-wood forest products in the analyzed period is: 50% of berries, 40% of medicinal and aromatic plants and 10% of mushrooms. The average annual growth rate of purchased and processed amounts of medicinal and aromatic plants was 17%, 28% of forest berries, and 34% of mushrooms. Approximately 93% of these products are distributed in the international market, whereas achieved prices are twice as high as compared to the domestic market. Sales trend has been increasing both in the domestic and foreign markets. The average annual growth rate of sales in the domestic market for mushrooms is 120%, for forest berries 85%, and for medicinal and aromatic plants 64%. The average annual growth rate of sales in foreign markets is 15% for medicinal and aromatic plants, 26% for berries and 33% for mushrooms. The most important foreign markets are Germany, Italy and Austria, and also the United States and Canada for essential oils. The research results show that it is necessary to take certain measures on improvement the institutional and procedural framework relevant for the sector of non-wood forest products, for purpose of its affirmation and contribution to overall national economy. Observed in a broader socio-economic context, it can significantly affect the definition of the forest policy objectives, multifunctional use and determining the strategic direction of sustainable forestry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Countryside is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ekonomski Vjesnik is the property of Ekonomski Vjesnik and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, sustainable development and climate change is increasingly considered as a matter of key strategic importance, especially by local authorities and the academic community. The State development vision is that by 2030 Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) will be a sustainable and progressive 'green economy'. Backcasting approach, having in mind its descriptive character and the problem solving at the very beginning, is much more convenient for solving long-term problems and offering long-term sustainable solutions. Therefore, it is better to consider backcasting as an approach rather than a method. Furthermore, backcasting studies should provide decision--makers and the public in an entirely acceptable and interesting picture of the future of the whole society on which an opinion should be formed for quality decision making. Therefore, the scenarios of the development using the backcasting approach should provide a broad description of the solutions that should be considered for the adoption of final options of different futures. It has been confirmed that the backcasting approach is particularly promising in cases of complex problems, the need for radical changes, in cases where dominant trends are part of the problem and external influences that cannot be sufficiently addressed in the current market. The aim of this article is the identification of the optimal scenario in the selected sectors using the backcasting approach, and their analysis through the Multi--Criteria Decision Modeling (MCDM), by application of DEXi software, to evaluate their acceptability and the possibilities of their use in B&H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The countries with transition economies are under pressure to increase entrepreneurial activities that will enable fast growth with minimum impact on natural resources. Despite specific challenges the economies in transition face, development of (sustainable) entrepreneurship has not been in focus of the academic research. This leaves some open questions such as those concerning the role and mode of operation of public policies, level of risk and its influence on entrepreneurship creativity, role of knowledge in diffusing entrepreneurial values and fostering aspirations, externalities created for the society and the connection between sustainability and entrepreneurship. This paper aims to introduce a discussion on sustainable entrepreneurship in countries with economies in transition. The research carried out included (i) review of literature and statistical data on entrepreneurial environment, (ii) structured interviews with representatives of government, civil society, business sector and academia to understand the society's perception of green entrepreneurship and (iii) analysis of case studies on green entrepreneurs. It can be concluded that entrepreneurs in economies in transition do not seem to be ready to respond to the challenges or to take any risks by investing in green business, but also that the government and educational institutions do not recognize their own role and fail to support the development of green entrepreneurship. For those “green oriented” businesses, the key sociological constructs are personal motivation and mission, locality, and a forward-thinking orientation in terms of sustainability. All businesses managed to achieve the economic, environmental and social value creation without any support from the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean technology or clean production is the most important factor for the economic growth of a society and it will play the main role not only in the area of cleaner production, but also in sustainable development. The development of clean technology will be the main factor of the company's strategy in the future. Each company, which wants to reach the competitive position at the market and wants to be environmentally friendly, has to accept the new approach in corporate management and the strategy of new clean technology. The main principles of clean technology are based on the concept of maximum resource and energy productivity and virtually no waste. This approach may be limited by human resources and the level of their environmental knowledge. Companies are committed to the development of the workers' skills, and thus to the improvement of the company for the full implementation of the environmental legislation and clean production concept. Based on this commitment, one of Tempus projects is designed to improve the university-enterprise cooperation in the process of creating sustainable industry in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To achieve this goal, partner universities will create special courses on sustainable industry and thus enhance the lifelong learning process and cooperation between industry and universities in the Western Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently, almost all human activities (agriculture, transport, industry, construction sector, etc.) have an adverse impact on the environment. The construction sector in the EU alone accounts for a big part of the total energy consumption and emission of CO2. Two-thirds of the energy used in the construction sector in Europe goes to housing. As the number of residents grows, the requirements for new housing increase, causing an additional increase in energy consumption and new CO2 emissions for construction, maintenance, lighting, ventilation, cooling, and heating. Benefits of detailed planning of sustainable development of the construction sector are manifold. The most important benefits are sustainable use of resources, economic and social development of communities, increasing employment rates, improvements of living conditions and protection of the environment. Two scenarios for the development of an energy-efficient construction sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a focus on housing facilities are developed, in order to address the needs and benefits of detailed planning. Both scenarios analyze the effects on job creation, the impact of used construction materials on the environment and eco balance of local products. The difference in the solutions confirms the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to the planning of sustainable systems so that not only technical, but also economic and social benefits can be evaluated thanks to the combination of methods used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]