Suchergebnisse

In this paper the aim is to identify key drivers that have contributed the most to the prosperity of European Union and Western Balkan countries in the 2007-2016 period. Empirical analysis is based on data for cumulative growth rate of values of nine original Legatum Prosperity Index (LPI) pillars and on implementation of Multivariate Data Analysis. Using Principal Component Analysis, four principal components are obtained and we named them: Economic Environment, Social Infrastructure, Institutional Framework and Life Conditions. Based on standardised score values of four new variables, we distinguish the countries that had the highest positive and negative score in each component. With cluster analysis based on LPI pillars growth rates, four clusters of countries have been formed: the first cluster consists of three Western Balkan countries, the second and third of, respectively, ten and four mostly new EU member state countries, and fourth of fourteen predominantly 'old' EU member countries. The analysis points out the fundamental drivers of prosperity in countries belonging to different clusters according to changes in values of nine LPI pillars in the previous decade. In all observed countries it is possible to identify certain similarities in the change of components of prosperity, as they are EU members or candidates for membership.

Faced with the severest economic crisis after World War Two, the global economy is turning to new sources of growth, which should guide it on the road to economic recovery. In such circumstances, the idea of green growth, based on the belief that economic growth and care for the environment go "hand in hand," is being reaffirmed. In a way, green growth represents a step backward, i.e., going back to the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio in 1992, when environmental sustainability of economic growth was the focus of attention. On the other hand, green growth also represents a step forward, as it is a practical and flexible approach that should contribute to the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in all its dimensions:economic, environmental and also social. A large number of countries, including the European Union, follow the green growth model, respecting national idiosyncrasies, which is demonstrated in this paper. In order to communicate with Europe and the world successfully, Serbia needs to share their fundamental values and commitments, but also preserve its national economic identity. Green growth (in the context of sustainable development) is a good option for Serbia and is its strong link to the rest of the world.

Composite indices have recently become a very popular measure for tracking the progress of national economies. One of them is Legatum Prosperity Index (LPI), a relatively new and comprehensive indicator, which describes in a unique way the level and the dynamics of prosperity in the countries across the world. In this paper, prosperity of European Union and Western Balkan states during the last ten years was analyzed and its drivers investigated, using data for LPI. Also, analysis was performed of the relationships of LPI with GDP per capita and Human Development Index, as well as of the deviation of LPI level from the one that could be expected based on GDP per capita level for each observed country. In addition, the paper examines convergence/divergence between developing European countries and old EU members according to the level of LPI and the key dimensions and components of this indicator. Results indicate that new member states have the most room for improvement in the Institutional dimension, or more precisely in the Personal Freedom component, whereas Western Balkan countries could speed up their prosperity by investing more into Environment, as well as into Education, Health, and Personal Freedom.

The application of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in all spheres of human activities has a significant impact on the development of each country. A better understanding of the relationship between these phenomena can contribute to the policy of a more balanced and long-term sustainable development on the national level. In this regard, the aim of the paper is to investigate the link between ICT and development profiles, taking the European countries as an example. We use several composite indexes (i.e., the ITU ICT development index, the global competitiveness index [GCI], and the Legatum prosperity index [LPI]) to investigate these countries' profiles and find a common structure among their respective relationships. We applied the partial least squares regression (PLS-R) model and included a new welfare index – the prosperity index, which integrates all the key dimensions of country development (economic, social, and environmental). Our main finding is that PLS-R models successfully extract important information on common structure vis-à-vis the observed countries' ICT and development profiles. Certain ICT indicators – namely, Use of ICT and Price of ICT services – can be considered predominant indicators, given their impact on a set of competitiveness and prosperity features within a country. These ICT indicators influence certain competitiveness attributes - Technological readiness, Business sophistication, Institutions, and Innovation, and certain prosperity attributes - Governance, Economic quality, and Personal freedom of the observed countries. These observations may be of great importance, as policy-makers can leverage them when designing the appropriate ICT and development strategies at national level.

Education has always been a driving force behind economic prosperity. However, this has become especially important in a globalized knowledge- and new-technology-based economy. The research presented in this paper focuses on the relationship between ICT, population education, and economic growth and development. The analysis of this relationship is based on the latest data collected from relevant national and international institutions. The results obtained from a survey conducted at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, are also analyzed. The paper highlights the challenges faced by the education systems in general, and the education system of Serbia in particular, confronted with the new wave of technological innovation which is fundamentally changing the nature of work and imposing new requirements with regard to the necessary knowledge and skills. Our research results indicate that ICT and education have been recognized by the Government of Serbia as the important determinants of economic and the overall social development.