Economic of Agriculture

AI ASSISTED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF GREENHOUSE AND OPEN FIELD SWEET PEPPER PRODUCTION

2025-01-05T11:21:36+01:00

Sweet pepper is a valued vegetable, both among producersand consumers. During the 2017 and 2018 greenhouseexperiments and a field trials with different microbiologicalfertilizers were used to analyze the yields and profitabilityof sweet pepper production. Contrary to the yields obtainedin the greenhouse (14.23 and 13.42 t/0.1ha), the yields inthe open field had significantly lower values (4.324 and4.877 t/0.1ha). Also, the key difference is in the number ofrealized harvests and their dynamics during the productionseason which is also connected to market prices and profit.The coefficients of cost-effectiveness were 1.88 and 1.99in the greenhouse, and 1.39 and 1.45 in the open field, in2017 and 2018 respectively. Producers should be opted tothe greenhouse production because of the higher yieldsand number of harvests outside the main season, whenproduct prices are higher.

SUSTAINABLE BITCOIN MINING

2025-06-24T13:21:34+02:00

Bitcoin, as a digital payment asset, has brought abouta kind of revolution in the global market. Despite itsnumerous economic benefits, bitcoin mining has asignificant negative impact on the environment due to itshigh electricity consumption during the mining process.With this in mind, the study analyzed the profitability ofusing green energy, specifically solar energy, for bitcoinmining. Based on the movement of Bitcoin’s value overthe past 50 months, a comparison was made between theprofitability of bitcoin mining using energy from nonrenewable and renewable (green) sources. Subsequently,a minimum Bitcoin value was determined at which itbecomes necessary to cease further green mining andinstead commence the production and sale of solar energyto the utility company. The research also demonstrated thatgreater profit is achieved solely through supplying solarenergy compared to green bitcoin mining.

EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPACTS

2025-11-26T10:15:21+01:00

Agriculture is a major contributor to climate change,exerting significant pressure on environmental systems.The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship betweenthe environmental performance of agricultural productionand climate change in the European Union (EU) countriesand to assess the degree of their homogeneity accordingto sustainability indicators. Correlation and clusteranalyses were applied using data from the EnvironmentalPerformance Index (EPI). The results confirm a statisticallysignificant positive correlation between agriculturalperformance and climate change mitigation, identifyingthree clusters of EU countries with different levels ofenvironmental efficiency. The findings indicate thatcountries with higher agricultural sustainability achievebetter results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thepaper concludes that future agricultural policies within theEuropean Union should promote sustainable productionmodels that contribute to climate change mitigation whilesimultaneously enhancing the overall environmentalperformance of the agricultural sector.

ASSESSMENT OF HUNGARIAN PLUM PRODUCTION COMPETITIVENESS ON THE SINGLE MARKET OF THE EU

2026-01-03T08:32:39+01:00

The research assesses the competitiveness of Hungarianplum production in the EU single market between 2004and 2020. The plum production area remained relativelystable at 7,900 hectares during the observed period,whereas the yield per hectare fluctuated from 3.6 to 9.8tones per hectare, influencing the annual plum harvestoutput from 27,000 to 70,000 tones per year. Hungaryhas predominantly been an export-oriented country withregard to in terms of plum production. This was supportedby a positive RCA index measured during the investigatedperiod. The most significant decrease in competitivenesswas established at the end of the investigated periodin 2020. According to the regression analysis results,harvested production was a highly significant positivepredictor of RCA (standardized β = 0.81, p < 0.001). Inorder to preserve the competitive advantage of Hungarianplum production, it will be necessary to boost yieldstability and add value to primary agricultural production.

CUSTOMER SHOPPING ORIENTATION AND PERCEPTIONS OF FOOD LOYALTY PROGRAM REWARDS: A SOCIAL EXCHANGE PERSPECTIVE

2025-12-24T09:18:29+01:00

Loyalty as the basis for developing long-term relationshipswith customers is researched in the frame of Social ExchangeTheory. Companies invest a lot in loyalty programs toensure adequate customer relationship management. Thesurvey on random sample of Serbian citizens aims toidentify factors that cause satisfaction or dissatisfactionwith loyalty programs and, through understanding them,direct further efforts in the development of these programs.The research tested and proved the influence of the instantof rewards, but also the functionality of the applicationsespecially on mobile phones, indicating differences inpurchasing food and non-food products.

ADOPTION OF AI-POWERED FOOD DELIVERY PLATFORMS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

2025-11-09T08:51:59+01:00

With the rapid growth of AI technologies, understandingfactors driving user adoption of AI-powered platformsis increasingly important. This study investigates factorsinfluencing the adoption of AI-powered food deliveryplatforms by integrating the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework with Task–Technology Fit theory.Primary research was conducted through a structuredquestionnaire in May 2024 in the Republic of Serbia,collecting data on communicative competence, technologyand task characteristics, perceived intelligence, socialinfluence, anthropomorphism, emotional trust, and task–technology fit. Structural equation modeling tested thehypothesized relationships. Results indicate that bothtask–technology fit and emotional trust significantlyinfluence adoption intention. The findings highlight thecritical roles of emotional trust and effective alignmentbetween technology and user tasks in facilitating adoptionof AI platforms in emerging markets. It is recommendedthat platform providers enhance AI transparency and builduser trust. Additional descriptive data reveal moderate AIfamiliarity among respondents, indicating potential forfurther user education.

GROSS MARGIN ANALYSIS OF RASPBERRY PRODUCTION ON SELECTED FAMILY HOLDINGS IN SERBIA

2026-01-03T08:06:59+01:00

This study analyzes the economic performance and riskexposure of raspberry production on selected family farmsin Serbia, identified by agricultural advisory services asregional leaders. Using gross margin calculations for theperiod 2020–2024, the results show that an average grossmargin was €14,546/ha or €1.57/kg. Strong year-to-yearfluctuations in gross margin were observed, ranging from€0.53/kg in 2023 to €2.97/kg in 2022. These variationswere primarily attributable to volatility in raspberry marketprices and escalating labor costs, which together accountedfor more than 80% of total variable expenses. Sensitivityanalysis indicated that most simulated scenarios yieldedpositive gross margins, suggesting a favorable outlookfor the selected Serbian farms. The findings underscorethe sector’s dependence on labor and unstable markets,highlighting the need for technological modernization,labor-saving innovations, and targeted institutional supportto sustain competitiveness in the global raspberry market.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRICTS IN SERBIA BASED ON THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

2025-11-26T10:17:04+01:00

The purpose of this paper is to analyze regional differencesin agricultural production development at district levelin the Republic of Serbia. For the realization of definedobjectives a multivariate statistical methodology wasemployed, based on the combined application ofhierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis methods,using following four indicators: employment in agriculture,average farm size, land productivity, and agriculturalgross value added per farm. The research results indicatethe existence of five distinct clusters of districts, whichdiffer significantly in production structure, resourceutilization, and economic efficiency. The findings confirmpronounced regional disparities and emphasize the needfor differentiated agricultural development measures. Therecommendations arising from results relate to the creationof targeted institutional and financial support tailored to thespecific characteristics of individual clusters. This researchcontributes to the enrichment of existing literature andprovides a suitable analytical basis for creation of futureagricultural and rural development strategy.

THE PATHWAY TO THE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES: THE GREEN TRANSFORMATION OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS

2026-01-16T13:57:51+01:00

Global development in recent decades has beencharacterized by increased resource consumption andgrowing environmental pressures, highlighting the need forsustainable economic and social progress. Tourism, despiteits significant contribution to economic growth, often putspressure on natural resources and ecosystems, underscoringthe need for sustainable development in territories withsubstantial rural characteristics, such as islands. Thispaper examines the role of green transformation as adriver of economic resilience and sustainable developmentof Croatian island economies. Research was conductedamong stakeholders in island destinations who are involvedin tourism planning, development and management, usinga structured questionnaire survey. The results from PartialLeast Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)show that green transformation of tourism positivelyinfluences all four sustainability dimensions of destinationdevelopment, with the strongest effect on environmentalsustainability. These findings support decision-makers inshaping development strategies for island destinations.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, JOB SATISFACTION AND PERFORMANCE OF TEMPORARY WORKERS IN FRUIT GROWING

2026-01-04T08:51:28+01:00

The paper analyses the associations between twotemporary work characteristics (workplace burnout andjob insecurity), job satisfaction, and mental health in fruitgrowing in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the role ofsatisfaction with employee care in these relationships.The research involved 1,359 seasonal workers engaged inpruning and harvesting tasks on fruit plantations. Usingstructural equation modelling the analysis explored causeand-effect associations. The findings reveal that job burnoutexerts a stronger influence on temporary workers’ mentalhealth than on job satisfaction, whereas job insecurityhas a more pronounced effect on job satisfaction than onmental health. Across these relationships, satisfaction withemployee care functions as a buffer, mitigating the adverseimpacts of burnout and job insecurity on both mentalhealth and job satisfaction - two critical determinants ofworkplace performance.

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF RURAL AGRITOURISM FARMS

2026-02-10T13:29:16+01:00

The digitalization of the tourism market requiresagritourism farms to develop contemporary marketingstrategies to enhance competitiveness and ensuresustainable performance. This study examines therelationship between digital marketing strategy andcompetitiveness based on a sample of 123 agritourismfarms in Serbia. Correlation analysis indicates moderateto strong positive associations between digital strategyand all competitiveness dimensions. Multiple regressionresults show that social media activity, online reputationmanagement, direct digital communication with guests,and the integration of digital strategy have a statisticallysignificant and positive impact on overall competitiveness,whereas basic web presence and platform presence donot demonstrate an independent effect. Cluster analysisidentifies three distinct groups of farms, with thosecharacterized by a highly integrated digital strategyachieving higher market visibility, capacity utilization,revenue, and guest loyalty. The findings confirm thatcompetitive advantage primarily stems from a strategicand integrated digital approach.

GREEN MARKETING AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM RURAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE EXAMPLE OF MOUNT GOLIJA PERCEPTIONS AND ATITUDES OF GENERATION Z

2026-02-03T18:59:47+01:00

This paper explores the role of green marketing in promotingsustainable rural tourism on Mount Golija, with a particularfocus on the perceptions and attitudes of Generation Z.The research was conducted through an online surveyon a sample of 256 respondents aged 18 to 32, aiming toexamine their level of environmental awareness, values,and behavioral intentions within the context of sustainablerural tourism in protected natural areas. The analysisrevealed that environmental awareness and the perceptionof destination responsibility have a significant positiveimpact on the intention to visit Golija. At the same time,a noticeable gap was identified between the respondents’declared ecological values and their actual behavior,highlighting the need for a more consistent and transparentapproach to communicating sustainable practices in ruraltourism destinations. The results suggest that the long-termsuccess of sustainable rural tourism development dependson authentic communication and the active involvement ofGeneration Z in initiatives that connect local communities,environmental protection, and tourism development.

METHODOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF PLSSEM IN MANAGEMENT RESEARCH: THE CASE OF RAKIJA

2026-02-04T12:49:46+01:00

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is widely applied inconsumer behavior research; however, the methodologicalchoice between covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM) andpartial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) remains contestedin applied research contexts. This study compares theperformance of CB-SEM and PLS-SEM using an identicaltheoretical model previously employed to analyze culturalfactors influencing consumer purchasing behavior forrakija, a culturally embedded agricultural product. Surveydata were reanalyzed using SmartPLS, focusing onmeasurement model evaluation and the estimation of directand indirect structural effects. The results show that PLSSEM yields lower path coefficient estimates but higherexplained variance (R²) compared to CB-SEM, indicatingmore conservative effect estimation alongside strongerexplanatory performance. These findings suggest thatPLS-SEM represents a methodologically appropriate andpractically advantageous approach for modeling consumerbehavior in culturally specific agricultural markets.The study contributes to the applied SEM literature byproviding empirical guidance on method selection inagricultural economics research.

FINANCIAL FRAUD RISK MANAGEMENT IN DAIRY COMPANIES IN SERBIA

2026-02-04T12:54:14+01:00

This paper examines the management of fraud risk indairy companies. The research was conducted on a randomsample of 110 respondents employed in companiesoperating within the dairy industry in the Republic ofSerbia, who hold key managerial positions (generalmanager or chief financial officer) or perform roles suchas internal auditor, risk controller, head of accounting,or similar positions. The Partial Least Squares StructuralEquation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was appliedin the analysis. The findings indicate that awareness ofoperational fraud becomes a protective factor only whenit leads to the concrete improvement of control andpreventive mechanisms. The results contribute to a betterunderstanding of the necessity to strengthen managerialcapacities and the regulatory framework to enhancefinancial transparency and protect the integrity of the dairysector in Serbia.

ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION OF THE APPLICATION OF SPIROTETRAMAT IN THE CONTROL OF THE WHITE BUTTERFLY APHID (TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM) IN GREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION

2026-03-05T08:11:04+01:00

The aim of this research was to evaluate the economicefficiency of the spirometrat 100 g/L SC in controllingthe white butterfly aphid (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) ingreenhouse tomato production within the framework ofIntegrated Pest Management (IPM). All applied insecticidetreatments led to a statistically significant reduction of thepest population in comparison to the untreated control,as well as an increase in the number of healthy fruits andcommercial yield. A dose of 0.45 l/ha did not provide asatisfactory level of control (<90%), while a dose of 0.75l/ha showed high efficiency, comparable to the standardpreparation Movento 100 SC. The systemic propertiesof spirotetramat allow to act on all developmental stagesof the pest, including individuals in the inner parts of theleaf, with good compatibility with beneficial organisms.Economic analysis, based on gross margin and otherindicators, confirms that the application of spirotetramat ingreenhouse tomato production is economically justified andcontributes to the sustainable control of T. vaporariorum.

INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS IN AGRI-FOOD TRADE STRATEGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON CONSUMER

2026-03-09T07:56:10+01:00

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of sustainableinnovations in agri-food retail on consumer satisfactionand the moderating role of retail store image. A quantitativesurvey with a structured questionnaire was conducted on381 consumers. Data were analyzed using correlation,multiple regression, and moderation regression analysesin IBM SPSS Statistics. Results show that environmentalsustainability, product and marketing innovationssignificantly affect consumer satisfaction. Findingssuggest that managers can enhance competitiveness andresource efficiency by integrating sustainability intoproduct and marketing innovations, especially for organicand sustainably sourced products. The study introducesnovelty by analyzing retail store image as a moderator,providing insights into interdependent relationships thathave been largely overlooked in existing literature. Thisresearch offers practical implications for strategic decisionmaking in agri-food retail, promoting sustainable practicesand healthy consumer choices.

THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS IN LOCAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND METHODOLOGICAL INSIGHT INTO THE APPLICATION OF STRATEGIC TOOLS IN SERBIA

2025-11-19T19:08:22+01:00

This paper examines the alignment between local tourismdevelopment strategies and the current national strategyin Serbia, with a focus on the application of key strategicplanning tools. The purpose is to assess how effectivelylocal governments implement these tools and to whatextent their strategies reflect national priorities. The studyapplies comparative analysis to selected municipalitieswith adopted tourism strategies and includes a control casewithout such a document. The methodology incorporatesqualitative assessment and quantitative ranking usinga multi-criteria decision-making approach. The resultshighlight significant variations in the use of strategictools, limited institutional coordination, and the lackof monitoring mechanisms. The findings suggest thatexisting strategies often prioritize formal complianceover practical functionality. The paper concludes thatenhancing institutional capacity and participatoryplanning is essential for improving strategic outcomes. Itrecommends developing a more integrated and responsiveplanning framework to support sustainable tourism growthin Serbia.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR IN SERBIA’S BIOECONOMY: EVIDENCE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD VALUE CHAIN

2026-01-30T10:59:26+01:00

The aim of the paper is to analyse the pharmaceutical sectorin the Republic of Serbia’s agro-based production systemthrough a comparative analysis with the food industry overthe period 2016–2024. The analysis relies on aggregatedsectoral financial data and uses various financial indicators.The findings show that the pharmaceutical sectorconsistently achieves higher value added, stronger exportorientation, faster long-term growth dynamics, and morestable performance than the food industry. This confirmsthe existence of a pronounced structural gap withinSerbia’s bio-economy between traditional agro-industrialsectors and knowledge-intensive bio-based industries. Thefindings provide a quantitative basis for assessing the roleof the pharmaceutical sector as a carrier of higher valueadded stages in the agro-based production system.