https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335701 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:26:25 GMT 2026-10-22T21:26:25Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335860 Title: Supplier selection in institutions of residential care Authors: Marjanović, Ivana; Tsironis, Loukas; Papathanasiou, Jason Abstract: The selection of suppliers in public procurement significantly impacts economic efficiency and social wellbeing, particularly within residential care institutions responsible for vulnerable populations. Despite the strategic importance of procurement decisions, limited research has addressed criteria weighting in the specific context of residential care. This study bridges this gap by applying the group Analytic Hierarchy Process (group AHP) to determine the weights of selected procurement criteria in residential care institutions in Serbia. Results indicate that price remains the dominant factor, though sustainability considerations are increasingly influential, aligning procurement practices with broader regulatory and policy goals. Moderately weighted criteria emphasize the importance of contractual clarity and fairness, while delivery time is found to be of comparatively lower priority. The application of group AHP demonstrates strong consistency among expert judgments, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing transparency and reducing potential biases or corruption. The findings underscore the necessity of embedding scientifically grounded multi-criteria approaches into public procurement frameworks and suggest comprehensive training for procurement professionals to facilitate informed, sustainable, and socially responsible procurement decisions. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335860 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335856 Title: Sustainable management of water resources in urban areas: Case study Rasina district Authors: Stričević, Ljiljana; Bursać, Nataša Martić; Gocić, Milena Abstract: Analysis of the state and quality of surface waters on the territory of Rasina district was performed based on the calculation of the BDE Index (Basin Demographic Emission Index) into the Zapadna Morava basin, on the Jasika profile, as well as by defining SWQI (Serbian Water Quality Index) at two hydrological stations on the Zapadna and Južna Morava river courses in the period from 2009 to 2023. The basin demographic emission index (index BDE) represents a criterion of sustainability in the management of urban water supply and wastewater drainage systems. This indicator links key parameters (the number of inhabitants and quantities of outpoured waste waters, the official and average flow in the river) into one single number (index) and enables an easier overview of the state of water resources in time and space. In the analyzed fifteen-year period, the basin demographic emission index show that there is a pronounced upward trend line, which indicates a positive development tendency of the indicator from the point of established sustainability criteria. Water quality was analyzed based on the following selected parameters: oxygen saturation, BOD5, ammonium, pH value, TON, orthophosphates, suspended solids, temperature, conductivity and coliform bacteria. The obtained results show that poor water quality (WQI-61‐62) was registered on both profiles on an annual basis. The worst water quality was recorded at the Maskare hydrological station, on the Zapadna Morava in 2015 (WQI-57). The waters of the Rasina district are mostly loaded with organic matter which originates from waste sewage and industrial waters from urban and rural areas. The aim of this paper is to point out the need to define a planned system for water management, which would enable their rational use both in the present and in the future. By applying the concept of sustainable development, we are creating a basis for the rational use of all natural resources, as well as the basis for the improvement of the environment as a whole. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335856 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335857 Title: The conundrum of the Modified Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) for urban decision-making across scales: A critical reflection Authors: Sipulova, Marta Hustava; Yamu, Claudia van der Laag; Östh, John Abstract: Although the Modified Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) is well-documented in spatial analysis, its effects on urban policy development and decision-making are yet unknown. So, we decided to do this work to critically investigate how MAUP influences urban planning at different levels, impacting analytical results, governance, and spatial policy. The arbitrary division of geographical units still introduces bias and uncertainty in decision-making procedures, even with growing computer capacity and extensive application of urban analytics. By using a semi-structured literature review, we studied current studies on MAUP in urban analytics and planning, therefore highlighting the importance of methodological techniques, difficulties, and mitigating methods. Our results show a fragmented corpus of research where methodological developments usually have no direct relevance for policy-making. We also underline the need for ex-ante and ex-post assessments to evaluate MAUP's influence on urban administration. Additionally, we emphasize the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure a more holistic approach. We aim to raise awareness among urban designers, legislators, and researchers by bridging this research gap, thereby supporting more open, strong, and context-sensitive spatial decision-making systems. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335857 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335859 Title: Export-promoting policies, agglomeration, and growth Authors: Johdo, Wataru Abstract: This paper examines the impact of trade subsidies on global growth and national welfare through the cross-border movement of firms in an endogenous growth model. In particular, our model focuses on two key aspects: the cross-border movement of firms and the reallocation of labor resources between the production and innovation sectors. In this paper, we show that, in the presence of local knowledge spillovers, an increase in the trade subsidy by the country where firms are agglomerated leads to an increase in the global growth rate under certain parameter conditions, while an increase in the trade subsidy by the country that is not agglomerated results in a decrease in the global growth rate. Moreover, the results of the welfare analysis show that trade subsidies in the agglomeration country enhance the welfare of both the agglomeration and the non-agglomeration countries, whereas trade subsidies in non-agglomeration country diminish the welfare of both countries. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335859 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z