OJS (University St. Kliment Ohridski)
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INVESTIGATION INTO SAFETY CULTURE AND ITS ROLE IN INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACES
Full text linkThis study investigated the significance of safety culture in industrial organizations, focusing on the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that support a safe working environment. The research aimed to assess employee perceptions of safety culture within an industrial company operating in the environmental and waste management sector in Western Slovakia. A questionnaire survey and calibration interviews were used to collect data on key aspects such as personal responsibility, communication, leadership, decision-making, and ongoing safety education. The analysis of survey responses revealed that while employees recognized the importance of safety, significant gaps remained in areas like communication between management and staff and the effectiveness of training programs. Statistical evaluation showed inconsistencies in how safety protocols were perceived and applied across different job roles, indicating the need for more targeted communication and engaging training methods. Insights from the calibration interviews confirmed that fostering open dialogue and providing regular feedback were crucial for improving the overall safety climate. The study concluded that investing in a strong safety culture is essential not only for minimizing risks and accidents but also for enhancing employee satisfaction and organizational performance
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL FOR MANAGING CHANGES IN CORPORATE CULTURE TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION
Full text linkIn the dynamic business environment, enhancing workplace quality is essential for company success, particularly for newly established small businesses facing challenges due to limited resources and specialized staff. This article investigates the role of project management as a strategic tool in managing organizational culture change to improve employee satisfaction. Small companies often lack the resources for costly certifications or external consulting, which limits their ability to create competitive work environments. Therefore, fostering employee satisfaction through an improved work culture becomes crucial for retaining talent and ensuring continuity. Using standardized surveys such as Job Descriptive Index (JDI), the study assesses critical factors influencing employee satisfaction, such as work environment, organizational constraints, and demographics. Through a pilot project developed with the PMBOK methodology, key areas such as Transparent Culture and Employee Rotation are addressed as vital for boosting engagement and satisfaction. Results demonstrate that targeted project management can lead to substantial improvements in employee well-being, contributing to an organization’s competitive edge without excessive financial outlay. Ultimately, the study highlights the potential for using project management strategies to prepare small businesses for future certifications, thereby advancing toward recognized standards like the Great Place to Work®
APPLICABLE LEGAL REGIME FOR PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CRITICAL ENTITIES IN CONFLICT ZONES
Full text linkThe separation of critical infrastructure as a security and operational term is a relatively new phenomenon. However, although the term "critical infrastructure" is relatively new in the international community, this does not mean that its de facto existence has not been previously regulated or treated in an international context. The Geneva Conventions do not recognize critical infrastructure as such. However, this does not mean that legal protection is absent. Partly through norms directly addressing de facto critical infrastructure, and partly through the method of analogy, critical infrastructure in the ius in bello context is subject to protection on multiple grounds. series of provisions of treaty law and customary law protect civilian objects of essential importance, in areas where there is an active armed conflict or de facto occupation. However, the factual situation is difficult to reconcile with the legal one. However, it is not impossible. Through the method of analogy and legal interpretation, the current system of international law provides sufficient norms for distinction and protection of critical infrastructure and critical entities. The specific legal regime applicable to a particular conflict will depend on the circumstances of that conflict, including the parties involved, the nature of the conflict, and the relevant international and domestic laws. In many cases, there may be a need to interpret and apply these laws in a manner that is consistent with the principles of IHL and the protection of civilians and civilian objects
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP AND THE LOSS OF THE MOTHER THROUGH THE PRISM OF THE NOVEL "BELLA SAMA" BY VIOLETA TANCHEVA-ZLATEVA
Full text linkThe subject of interest in the scientific article is the latest prose work of the Macedonian writer Violeta Tancheva-Zlateva, titled unusually “Bella sama”. The novel follows the family history of the adolescent Bella, from the moment before her birth, up to her enrollment in college. The article examines the mother-daughter relationship, through Maria Lena\u27s relationship with her aunt, as a surrogate mother figure, then the relationship between Maria Lena and her daughter Bella. In the article, great attention is paid to the meaning of this relationship, in order to highlight its importance in the development of a young person. Accordingly, the article discusses the impact of the loss/death of the mother on the adolescent Bella, the way she copes with grief, but also how she manages to continue fighting in life on her own
OPTIMIZING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED REHABILITATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Full text linkDisability can be described as a physical, mental, or combined condition which limits the person’s activities such as walking, talking, hearing etc. Rehabilitation for persons with disabilities must include a range of therapeutic, medical and psychological interventions modified to the specific needs of the individual. The rehabilitation process begins with collecting information from the subject to develop a specialized, individualized rehabilitation plan that will guide the therapist. Emphasis is typically placed on physical therapy and occupational therapy; though other types of therapy are also crucial for the closest possible return of motor function to normal. This research paper is based on interviews conducted with a structured questionnaire and observations of 13 participants diagnosed with cerebral palsy, psycho-physical impairments, paraplegia, or mental retardation combined with autism or epilepsy. Due to vocal and auditory impairments experienced by some subjects, interviews were conducted with their caregivers. Additionally, this research includes literature sourced from internet archives such as PubMed and Internet Archive. Ongoing collaboration between persons with disabilities, their caregivers, and family members is identified as a key factor leading to the improvement of their existing condition
WORK ENGAGEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THEIR STUDIES
Full text linkWork engagement and studying, are shown as two parallel but also simultaneous tracks. The theory and the researches connected with the analysis are showing that the work engagement during the study, affects the quality of the study. In most cases the effects have been negative, that is, the result is avoiding the performance of student tasks, insufficient dedication to studies, in some cases even leaving the studies. Things have changed - something once considered as a harm to the quality of education nowadays, working engagement during studies is appreciated and respected. We are outlining what working engagement during studies really represents, why do we observe it, what is its value in the course of studying, what is the widest range of modalities in which it occurs and so on. Upon theoretical basis and different country practices, we conduct primary research (survey, interviews and ethnography) for today\u27s modern developments on the cultural-economical-societal-environmental-technical front where young people are manoeuvring the levers of studying and working, at the same time. Our conclusions and recommendations are towards the most appropriate combination of work and studies are presented, the source of which are the insights of the respondents and what the co-authors learned for themselves
GYNOCRITICISM-CONCEPT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Full text linkMultidisciplinary approach is essential for the study of literature, and many modern literary theoretical concepts include multi-aspect analysis and tools from various scientific fields (psychology, linguistics, and even mathematics). All theories about the emergence of the female script, feminism and gynocriticism are directly related to the fifth sustainable development goal of the UN on gender equality - to achieve gender equality and emancipation of women and girls.To consider the female character in the literary texts, according to the already known and elaborated application theories is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for a better and different interpretation of the text, which through such an analysis facilitates communication with the recipient. It also gives a new meaning to literary texts, to the characters in them and expands the mysterious stories to the level of educational, instructive content.Feminism in the modern and postmodern reveals new space for building new point of views and judgments about the characters. In„Dialectics of the Enlightenment“ (Horkheimer and: 2002) state that women are equated with nature and men with culture. Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adornoshow a scheme in which the woman is interpreted as nature - an object, and the man as a culture - subject and confirmation of the perception that modern men have about women. As I mentioned above, Horkheimer and Adorno and twentieth-century gender studies found modern culture in gender binarism. Dubravka Oraic - Tolic lists key gender oppositions.Precisely the analysis of the characters (Mara in "Mara\u27s Wedding" by Vladimir Kostov and Velika from "Pyreus" - PMA) according to the key gender oppositions, confirm that in Macedonian literature, at least in the indicated examples, there is no doubt about misogyny, but on the contrary, adoration of feminine power. Hence, isn’t it the greatest contribution to raising awareness of gender equality and a different perception of women
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRIES IN THE WESTERN BALKANS REGION
Full text linkAt the Sustainable Development Summit, which took place in New York from September 25-27, 2015, the Sustainable Development Agenda entitled "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", was adopted. The agenda establishes 17 sustainable development goals that are interconnected, interdependent. Within the paper, the author will analyze the following objective - Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. In order to achieve these goals, the author analyzes the content of the Strategy for Sustainable Development – the Europe 2020 Strategy which sets five goals – for employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate /energy. The next content that the author analyzes in the paper is the European Union\u27s plan for growth in the Western Balkans (2023). The aim is to support countries that are candidates for membership or aspiring to candidate status to accelerate reforms and increase their economic potential in order to progress more quickly in the European integration process. When preparing the content of the paper, the author uses general methods: the descriptive method, the normative method, the comparative method, and the method of content analysis as a special scientific method
ENHANCING QUALITY AND EXTENDING SHELF LIFE: THE ROLE OF Ɣ-IRRADIATED BLACK PEPPER (PIPER NIGRUM) IN MORTADELLA PRESERVATION DURING COLD STORAGE
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to assess the impact of incorporating Ɣ-irradiated black pepper (Piper nigrum) at the maximum approved radiation dose of 10 kGy on the quality characteristics and shelf-life of sliced mortadella bologna-type sausage (IBP) stored at 4 ± 2 °C for 21 days in vacuum packaging. The sterility of the black pepper grains was confirmed using the standard microbiological agar plate method, revealing < 0.01 log cfu/g microbial activity, a state maintained after the pepper\u27s addition at 1.5% of the total sausage mass. This led to an extended lag phase in microbial growth within the IBP samples during storage, positively influencing various sensory and biochemical parameters. Statistically significant improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in hardness and color intensity were observed by the 14th day, enhancing overall appearance and resulting in lower TVB-N values due to decreased microbial activity. These findings suggest that Ɣ-irradiated black pepper can enhance the quality and extend the shelf-life of mortadella bologna-type sausages during cold storage in normal atmosphere packaging
SIZING OF A BATTERY ENERGY-STORAGE SYSTEM FOR THE FACULTY OF TECHNICAL SCIENCES – BITOLA
Full text linkRenewable energy sources are the key to reducing carbon emissions and achieving more energy independency. Up to 2018 the Faculty of Technical Sciences Bitola used only electrical energy from the grid. In 2019, the faculty installed its first 20 kW of photovoltaic panels. The number of panels has doubled and as of 2023, the installed power is 40 kW. As a prosumer, the faculty uses the grid energy for covering the energy needs when the generation from the PVs is insufficient. When the generated energy from PVs is high, it is used by the faculty building and in cases when generated energy exceeds the faculty’s load, the energy is exported to the grid. The positive thing is that the faculty’s work time is synchronised with the generation of the photovoltaic panels (08:00-16:00). During periods of low PV energy production (such as cloudy weather), a battery storage system can offset energy shortfalls. The critical question is determining the optimal battery capacity that achieves maximum financial benefit by minimising investment costs and maximising returns from selling surplus energy back to the grid. The main goal of this paper is to calculate optimal capacity of battery energy storage for achieving minimum dependency from grid power and to reduce faculty costs for electricity from the grid