OJS (University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica)
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Persuasion as the key to trust and effective crisis response
No full textThis paper analyzes the role of persuasion as a fundamental communication tool in crisis management, emphasizing its function in enhancing the competence and credibility of communicators in crisis situations. Persuasion enables the strategic shaping of messages to guide target audiences toward constructive solutions through clearly defined guidelines and advice. As the most effective long-term form of crisis communication, persuasion is based on realistic foundations, contributes to building trust, and encourages rational and positive public thinking, which is crucial for effective crisis management.
However, under the pressure of public scrutiny, political opposition, and intense media oversight, even experienced communicators may resort to manipulative elements, potentially undermining the credibility of crisis communication. Therefore, the importance of systematic preparation for crisis managers in all aspects of persuasive communication is emphasized, particularly in the context of contemporary crises such as pandemics, to ensure consistency, ethics, and effectiveness in crisis communication.
The paper also examines the perception of persuasion among target audiences and its impact on shaping attitudes and decision-making in crisis conditions
The role of AI in information and cyber security management
No full textIntroduction
In an era of rapid digital transformation, information security has become a fundamental concern for corporations, governmental institutions, and private entities. The exponential growth of data, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the increasing complexity of cyber threats necessitate advanced security mechanisms. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly crucial role in identifying, preventing, and mitigating cyber threats by leveraging machine learning and deep learning techniques to detect anomalies and automate security responses.
This paper explores the integration of AI into information security management, focusing on threat detection, automated response mechanisms, security policy adaptation, and compliance with global security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001. AI-driven systems enhance cybersecurity strategies by predicting potential attacks, identifying vulnerabilities, and enabling real-time responses to security incidents. The study highlights AI's contributions to risk assessment, security protocol optimization, and the implementation of intelligent defense mechanisms.
Through different case studies, the paper illustrates how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity frameworks, offering organizations proactive and adaptive security solutions. As AI continues to evolve, its role in information security is expected to expand, shaping the future of autonomous security systems capable of independent threat assessment and mitigation.
Methodology
The methodology of this paper is based on a comprehensive review of scientific literature, case studies, and practical implementations of artificial intelligence (AI) in information security management. A qualitative research approach is adopted, focusing on theoretical analysis and real-world applications to assess the effectiveness of AI-driven security mechanisms.
Literature Review – The study begins with an extensive analysis of existing research, academic papers, and industry reports related to AI in cybersecurity. This review identifies key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field.
Comparative Analysis – Different AI techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, and automated security protocols, are compared based on their efficiency in identifying, preventing, and mitigating cyber threats.
Case Studies – The research includes real-world examples from industries such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and telecommunications to illustrate how AI is transforming information security.
ISO/IEC 27001 Compliance Analysis – A detailed examination of how AI can support compliance with international security standards, focusing on risk management, policy adaptation, and automated security responses.
Future Perspectives – The study concludes with a discussion on the future role of AI in cybersecurity, emphasizing potential advancements, ethical considerations, and challenges that need to be addressed.
Results
This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in information security management, identifying its benefits, challenges, and future implications. The expected outcomes of this research include:
Enhanced Understanding of AI in Cybersecurity – A detailed analysis of how AI technologies, including machine learning and deep learning, contribute to threat detection, attack prevention, and automated security responses.
Identification of Effective AI-Based Security Measures – Insights into the efficiency of various AI-driven security mechanisms, helping organizations implement advanced solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Evaluation of AI’s Role in ISO/IEC 27001 Compliance – A clear assessment of how AI supports organizations in meeting international security standards, focusing on risk assessment, policy enforcement, and automated compliance monitoring.
Case Study Analysis and Practical Applications – A review of real-world implementations of AI in different industries (finance, healthcare, e-commerce, telecommunications), demonstrating its impact on cybersecurity frameworks
Financial crisis and opportunities in global capital markets under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textIntroduction
The pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus, in addition to its health consequences, has left behind the foundation for the creation of other crises. Job losses due to the suspension of many businesses and a double-digit inflation rate with indications of a possible global recession are a sure path to a financial crisis. Measures to mitigate and combat the consequences of the global pandemic have triggered difficulties and unpleasant challenges for world economies, the financial system and capital markets. Most have felt the negative consequences of financial disturbance, but for individuals, the market crisis has served as an opportunity to realize an opportunity and increase private financial assets.
Methodology
The following work is based on observing the sequence of events and correlating measures related to mitigating the consequences of the global pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus and recording the movements of relevant investment classes on the capital market and global economic indicators. The observed period is from the beginning of the virus outbreak and indications of the pandemic; the beginning of 2020, up to and final 2023 and indications of recovery of the financial and capital markets. There is a stronger focus on 2022, which can be called a challenging year, or even a year marked by the global financial crisis.
Aim and purpose of the work
The global progress and development of modern society, along with life improvement for the population, unavoidably brings with it the increased occurrence of crisis situations and the confrontation with some new ones. The global pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus and the consequences it left behind have crept into every corner and segment of the modern world. Lockdown, or global quarantine, stopped supply chains of goods around the world, temporarily suspended many jobs and slowed down economic growth. The funds needed to mitigate the consequences of the virus were secured through bonds, states borrowed, and a critical mass of money was created. Inflation, the sudden rise in the prices of products and services was inevitable, which further impoverishes the global population, which is already psychologically shaken by the health crisis. The monetary measures of the Central Banks to lower the double-digit inflation rate to an acceptable level are increasing the price of money by raising interest rates, which in turn further reduces the purchasing power of the population and slows down economic investments. Such measures can also lead to regional or global recessions. However, with all the challenges and extremely negative returns on investments through capital markets; stocks, bonds, commodities, investment funds throughout 2022, the wealthier and more financially literate have used the stock market crash and the crisis to further enrich themselves. In the context of crisis management, there is not enough talk about financial crises, which are becoming more frequent, and the concepts and movements from the capital market are not sufficiently known. The aim of this paper is to show how one crisis triggers another crisis situation of a completely different context, and in particular to encourage more thinking and possibilities for managing financial crises in global capital markets in the context of crisis management. Classic banking and savings are in the front of the door of the past, and investments in various asset classes of investment products on capital markets are the finances of the future. Media interest and the tendency to exaggerate the negative is an additional reason for the necessity of raising financial literacy in general. In the context of crisis management, it is also necessary to understand how to recognize real crises from potential or media-induced ones, and to adopt ways to reduce additional negative consequences
A compact, AI-powered system for rapid decontamination during CBRNE incidents
No full textChemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) incidents have long posed significant challenges to humanity, continuously testing our ability to respond timely and effectively to the complex threats they present. The response phase of the disaster anagement cycle is crucial for mitigating immediate harm and preventing further contamination, especially in such high-risk scenarios. (Coppola, 2011) During this phase, decontamination is vital to neutralize or remove hazardous agents from affected individuals and prevent cross-contamination and the spread of contaminants to unaffected areas. (Lake et al., 2013) However, despite its importance, decontamination methods often face considerable challenges.
Traditional decontamination systems demand extensive infrastructure, significant setup times and specialized personnel, making them impractical for rapid deployment in urgent situations. Moreover, decontamination techniques, including physical removal, disinfection, sterilization and ultrasonic cleaning, often struggle with scalability and adaptability to different types of contamination. (Dennis, et al., 2023) The lack of real-time body posture monitoring of the affected individuals and the needed manual guidance leads to inconsistencies in coverage, undermining the effectiveness of emergency response efforts. (Carter and Amlôt, 2016) Meanwhile possible cultural and linguistic barriers between the end-users and the first responders can cause further confusion and lack of communication in such high-stress scenarios. (Carter et al., 2012) Despite its importance, current decontamination mechanisms often struggle with operational constraints, including resource limitations and the effectiveness of handling diverse CBRNE threats. Overcoming these limitations is essential to ensure faster, more efficient and safer decontamination during the response phase.
Addressing these challenges, this Work-in-Progress (WiP) paper presents: i) the Fast Deployable Mass Decontamination system (FDMD), a novel decontamination tunnel designed for rapid deployment, operational flexibility and ease of use in various emergency response environments, and ii) the Decontamination Body Pose Estimation Tool (DBPET), a camera-based image-analysis system that tracks body posture in real-time, while handling the workflow and guidance of the end-users during the process, integrated with the FDMD to ensure optimal decontamination coverage.
The FDMD is a modular, lightweight decontamination tunnel that can be rapidly deployed and assembled, supporting both wet and dry decontamination techniques through three sets of interchangeable sprinklers. Its compact design enables efficient storage within a standard suitcase, facilitating easy transport, deployment and prepositioning. To optimize decontamination body coverage and reduce human error, the FDMD is integrated with the AI-driven DBPET. This self-sustaining small-scale battery-powered module utilizes real-time camera-based image analysis to track body posture and continuously guide individuals to ensure that they maintain the correct pose for effective decontamination. The tool provides automated, multilingual, step-by-step audio instructions, enabling clear guidance even in high-stress situations. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the system enhances compliance with international decontamination standards and ensures thorough exposure to decontamination agents.
Preliminary evaluation of the system focuses on key performance indicators, including deployment speed, body posture efficiency and operational scalability. Initial results suggest that the FDMD can be assembled in under ten minutes, significantly reducing response time compared to traditional systems. DBPET has demonstrated the potential to enhance user compliance with decontamination protocols, leading to more effective contaminant removal. By offering a cost-effective, rapidly deployable and adaptable solution, the system has the potential to improve emergency response efforts, providing a viable alternative to existing large-scale decontamination infrastructures.
This paper presents an overview of the system's architecture and workflow, components, sub-systems, and key functionalities, while examining its potential impact and benefits in emergency response operations. The system’s impact is assessed across several dimensions: economic, societal, operational, technological and environmental. Example scenarios will be also examined and presented to showcase the system’s versatility and effectiveness in various emergency contexts and environments. These include large-scale CBRNE incidents, industrial accidents and localized environmental emergencies, highlighting the system’s capacity to improve response time, reduce contamination risks and enhance safety for both responders and affected individuals.
Future work will involve further performance testing under controlled conditions and real-world deployment scenarios to assess the system’s effectiveness. Other testing procedures will include studies on the maintenance of the different components of both FDMD and DBPET. Additional research will focus on fully automating the decontamination process through DBPET handling the mechanical valves of the FDMD and monitoring of the sprinklers’ consumables (e.g. decontaminants levels), increasing the AI-based assistance by deploying further useful models (e.g. sentiment detection), integrating FDMD and DBPET with other response technologies such as triage tagging systems for additional security and real-time updates and evaluating its applicability in industrial and civilian settings.
By addressing current limitations in decontamination procedures, the FDMD along with DBPET represent a significant advancement in emergency response, enhancing the safety and efficiency of decontamination efforts for both experts and non-experts managing hazardous incidents
Mass casualty incidents and healthcare system challenges: Capacity adaptation and emergency medical coordination
No full textMass casualty incidents (MCIs) put enormous pressure on healthcare systems, requiring a fast and well-organized response. These events, such as large-scale accidents, natural disasters, and pandemics, lead to a sudden increase in critically injured patients, demanding quick hospital capacity expansion, effective triage, and coordinated emergency medical services. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring hospitals can accommodate many patients without compromising care quality. This requires opening additional treatment areas, using mobile medical units, and transferring stable patients to other facilities to free up critical care beds. Ensuring a steady supply of essential medical resources, such as ventilators, surgical equipment, and blood products is crucial for effective response.
Triage is essential in prioritising care and using resources efficiently. Standardised triage systems, supported by digital tools and artificial intelligence, can help medical teams quickly assess injury severity and decide on the best course of action. Wearable monitoring devices can track patients' vital signs, allowing for better transport and hospital admission decisionmaking.
Effective emergency coordination depends on strong communication between hospitals, emergency responders, and government agencies. Using digital platforms and real-time data sharing ensures faster decision-making and better resource allocation. Helicopter transport and mass evacuation protocols can improve patient distribution, reducing strain on individual facilities.
Technology plays a growing role in MCI management. AI-driven systems can predict patient influx and help distribute medical supplies more efficiently. Geographic information systems can map affected areas, guiding emergency teams to where they are most needed. Electronic health records allow quick access to patient information, ensuring seamless care transitions between medical teams.
Long-term preparedness is key to strengthening healthcare system resilience. Regular training, simulation drills, and disaster response education for healthcare workers improve response efficiency. International collaboration in emergency planning, shared protocols, and resource exchanges enhance global readiness for future crises.
MCIs require a proactive approach integrating medical, technological, and logistical strategies. By improving triage methods, strengthening communication networks, and investing in healthcare infrastructure, medical systems can respond more effectively and save more lives. Future efforts should focus on better preparedness, advanced predictive tools, and stronger international cooperation to minimise the impact of mass casualty events
Perception of climate change and risk management: Citizens' attitudes towards causes, consequences, and responses to climate change
No full textIntroductionClimate change represents one of the most serious challenges of the contemporary era, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, human health, the economy, and social stability. The increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, largely attributed to human activities, is driving global temperatures up and causing increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, fires, and storms. In addition to the direct harmful effects on natural ecosystems and infrastructure, climate change significantly impacts the availability of resources, food security, water supplies, and the overall quality of life.
Given the complexity of the challenges posed by climate change, it is crucial to understand how the public perceives these changes and to what extent citizens recognize their own responsibility and potential for action. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze citizens’ attitudes towards the causes and consequences of climate change, the level of trust in available sources of information, and the perceived effectiveness of actions taken by individuals and institutions. The findings can serve as a basis for developing more effective communication and educational strategies in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
MethodologyA quantitative survey method was applied in the study. Data was collected via an anonymous online questionnaire created using Google Forms. The sample consisted of adult participants with varying educational backgrounds, randomly selected. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 38 questions, with three demographic questions (gender, age, and education), and the remaining questions focused on attitudes toward climate change. Participants expressed their opinions using a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 represented complete disagreement and 5 represented complete agreement with a statement. The survey addressed topics related to the perception of the causes and consequences of climate change, trust in media, the scientific community, and government, and the assessment of activities undertaken by individuals and institutions in managing climate risks.
Main resultsThe results of the study indicate a high level of awareness among participants regarding climate change. A total of 88.1% of respondents believe that human activities are the main cause of climate change, while 47.5% disagree with the statement that climate change is solely the result of natural processes. The key risks identified by respondents include the increased frequency of extreme weather events (89.2%), the extinction of plant and animal species (78%), and threats to global food security (77.8%) and human health.
Regarding trust in sources of information about climate change, the results showed a significant deficit. A total of 42.7% of respondents do not trust the media, scientists, or government institutions, while 36.2% express uncertainty about their trust in these sources. This lack of trust may affect the acceptance of scientifically based information and recommendations, leading to reliance on alternative, potentially unreliable sources.
Regarding actions to mitigate the consequences of climate change, 78.9% of participants believe that neither individuals nor institutions are taking sufficient concrete measures. Furthermore, 56.8% of participants disagree with the statement that nature is strong enough to handle the challenges posed by climate change without human intervention. These results indicate citizens' concern, but also a passive perception of individual roles in the climate transition process.
The findings highlight the need to strengthen public awareness and education on climate change, as well as to build trust in scientific and institutional sources of information. Special emphasis should be placed on developing participatory models that engage citizens in decision-making and planning adaptation and mitigation measures. While awareness of the problem exists, the results suggest that there is room for improvement in communication strategies and empowering individuals to actively engage in addressing climate challenges
Attitudes and Opinions of Students at the University of Slavonski Brod on Climate Change
Get PDFClimate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The climate is undeniably changing and significant steps need to be taken to reduce the impact and scale of change. Climate change, caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is expected to lead to a number of problems that will affect the development of society. Negative impacts include damage from increasingly frequent natural disasters and rising sea levels, pressure on food production, negative effects on human health and many other problems. Public engagement will be critical to an effective response to climate change. A well-informed public that is sufficiently aware of the dangers that climate change can cause and the actions that are being taken to respond to climate change is crucial, as mitigation and adaptation processes cannot begin without changes in individual behaviour and adequate public support for policy decisions. It is precisely for this reason that the aim of this thesis is to investigate students' attitudes and opinions on the risks, consequences and opportunities of adapting to climate change. Empirical research was conducted to investigate the perception of climate change from the students' perspective. The survey methods used include research conducted on a random sample of 133 respondents. The paper analyses in detail the knowledge about climate change, its risks and the opportunities available to students at the University of Slavonski Brod
ESG and Social Responsibility: How Companies Shape a Better Future
Get PDFIn the context of global challenges related to climate change, growing social inequalities and the need for responsible corporate governance, sustainability is emerging as a key priority in business strategies. The coming period will mark significant changes in the global approach to sustainability. Through innovation, regulation and governance, companies are playing a significant role in shaping a more sustainable future and responding to the most pressing global challenges by implementing ESG standards (E-Environmental, S-Social, G-Governance) and adopting a more responsible approach to society (CSR-Corporate Social Responsibility).
Environmental thematic standards explain how companies manage their impact on climate change, energy and water use, biodiversity and ecosystems, how they manage waste, how they use other resources and contribute to the circular economy. The transition from traditional to sustainable practices involves implementing green practices such as switching to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint, designing products with a lower environmental impact.
Social standards cover a company`s relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, owners and the communities in which they operate. They address diversity and inclusion, fair working conditions, respect for children´s and human rights, health and safety at work, and contributions to local communities.
Governance standards refer to how a company is managed, including business ethics, transparency, control and accountability systems. This includes governance structures, anti-corruption measures, the protection of owners, transparent reporting, respect for labour and human rights, and the management of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. Managing in alignment with the elements of sustainability is very important for ensuring stability and security, and it affects a company ability to attract investment and the trust of investors, especially institutional ones. Over the last decade, due to alarming data related to climate change, several initiatives and legislative frameworks have been adopted: the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal, and EU directives.
The main goal of this paper is to show how S-social components in ESG strategies contribute to the creation a more sustainable future and plays a key role in successful business and profitability in the service of creating long-term value and positive changes in society
Lessons learned in fire management and crisis analysis in Republic of North Macedonia
No full textThere are different types of reasons for causing a crisis, and they can be grouped as social, technological and biological, resulting in large material damage or human casualties. Crisis situations are situations that threaten national security and have an impact on human life, the environment and material goods. Due to the volume and dynamics of the events, which are of huge proportions, with a great risk and threat to security in general, many competent authorities are involved in the activities to deal with crisis situations. Most often, in addition to regular services, all available resources are activated, and in certain cases, international aid and support.
In the conditions of forest fires in the country in 2021, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia decided to declare a state of crisis, due to the need for coordinated action of all competent institutions and rational use of national resources. The fact that in crisis conditions the forces of the Army can be engaged to effectively manage the situation is particularly significant.
The paper analyzes several aspects of the occurrence of forest fires, but a special aspect is placed on the criminal investigations for the perpetrators of the crime of setting a forest fire. Also, the author reviews the lessons learned about the functionality of the system for crisis management and protection and rescue
Electrical risks in the firefighter’s activity – Portugal as a case study
No full textA global electrification and transition to sustainable energy sources are underway to mitigate climate change (IEA, 2020). Despite all the opportunities they create, the change faces many multifaceted challenges, including technological, environmental, societal, economic, and geopolitical issues (Sorkin, 2019). This revolution encourages industry to develop innovative and creative solutions to design and implement cleaner systems however, from an operational viewpoint, the lack of normalization, rigorous legal control, and electrical system compliance enforcement create new challenges for firefighters worldwide.
Electrical risk refers to potential damage or accidents caused by electrical activities (electrical installation faults, equipment defects, or inadequate exposure to contact with electrical currents, etc.). The inability to identify an electrical risk or its underestimation can lead to electric shocks, fires, damage to electronic equipment, and, in more serious cases, even death. Hence, preventing electrical risk is fundamental to protecting the lives and well-being of individuals and the community.
The electrical risk in firefighter intervention arises from the possibility of exposure to electrical hazards during their operations (i.e., when fighting fires in buildings, in environments with power transformers, or even in accidents involving high-voltage cables). Knowledge and training are fundamental to these operations for a safer intervention for first responders and victims alike.
This case study was carried out with the main objective of ascertaining the level of awareness and knowledge of Portuguese firefighters on electrical risks, a subject which is believed to be overlooked in their training programs. A questionnaire that included a full socio-demographic characterization of the participants and a number of diagnostic questions to assess their level of proficiency on the topic of electrical risks was designed, validated, and applied to firefighters nationwide during February/March 2024.
The results obtained from a sample of 1 111 firefighters (reliability 99%, 4% error) were clear, highlighting a generalized lack of knowledge in this specific area. Hence, a simple training model is proposed to meet the needs identified by the questionnaire and better prepare the Portuguese first responders to face the challenges posed by increasingly more frequent andless obvious electrical risks