Mirjana Borota Popovska

Exposure to different chemicals is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. Within HBM4EU, focus group discussions were conducted to gather data on citizens’ perceptions of chemical exposure and human biomonitoring. These discussions were hosted in Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia following a protocol developed in the first round of discussions. Results indicate the very high concern of European citizens regarding food safety and the environment. Focus group participants were well aware of potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption (e.g., preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, pesticides, fertilizers, metals), drinking water, or from polluted air and water. One of the positive aspects identified here, is the high interest of citizens in awareness and education on personal measures to control exposure. The promotion of personal behavioral changes requires active involvement of society (e.g., commuting habits, energy choices, waste disposal, dietary habits). Activities should focus on raising awareness of the general public, implementation of policy measures, and mainstreaming of related topics into the education system. Raising awareness of the general public may promote engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions. There is also a need for further research which might focus on the impact of country-specific situations and of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exposure of citizens to chemicals.

Aim. Many people believe that the Internet may revolutionise several disciplines byallowing easier and faster data collection, larger and geographically diverse samples, andtherefore collecting more representative data. However, others are skeptical of its usabilityas well as its practical value. The paper’s aim is to highlight both positive and negativeoutcomes in the online research.Methods. The paper is based on the e-methodological approach by using exclusivelyonline data and online research methods: secondary data/articles with an open accessabout the topic in the literature review section; and online forum as an online researchmethod for the data collection.Results. As the most common advantages are recognised: quick access to information,wide geographical scope, a larger sample size leading to greater statistical power, reducedcost of conducting empirical research, support from online search engines and data bases,open data sources, no need for face-to-face interaction, no paper wasted. The most commondisadvantages appointed by the respondents are: the need of evaluation for the accuracyof the online sources, the need for Internet access, limited access or high costs of some databases, the contrast between fresh and redundant data available, irrelevant data, the needand knowledge for precise formulation of the key phrases/questions, users’ multiple accounts,AI involvement, low motivation of the targeted respondents, unreliable answers, etc.Conclusions. It is interesting that the narratives confi rm the already highlighted positiveand negative outcomes in the online research process as they are already elaboratedin the theoretical frame. This research proves that is possible to use the online forums forgathering data, especially in the kinds of networks, where the most important attribute ofthe respondents is known solely by the membership itself. Because the internet is widespread,easily available, low costing, it is important to open a wide discussion about overcomingshortcomings on online research approach, and come to the useful and improvedsolutions.

Considering pursuing the differentiation strategy makes enable the organization to earn its success and to create, capture and sustain economic value. Despite this importance, it is relatively absentminded in empirical studies at the conceptual level. In response to this gap, the purpose of this paper is conceptualizing differentiation strategy model, developing the instruments of differentiation strategy, and testing the relationship between dimensions of the value chain, differentiation in the supply, competitive advantages, and organizational performance, using data from a sample of 123 manufacturing organizations. On this study, quantitative methods were applied to measure the proposed relationships, and questionnaires were used as a tool in gathering primary data. Relationships proposed in the framework were tested using structural equation modeling. The results of this study indicated that pursuing the differentiation strategy leads on increasing competitive advantage and improving organizational performance. Also, it pointed out that the manufacture organizations’ success is determined by their ability to be flexible on strategic planning and on integrating internal and industrial settings factors on differentiation strategy creating. This research contributes to strategic literature clarifying a successful differentiation model helping the practitioners on increasing the ability and knowledge on pursuing the differentiation strategy.

This study describes the implementation, in North Macedonia, of a “tool”, initially devised in Scotland, to generate community and stakeholder discussion about the places in which they live and notably a place’s capacity to generate health wellbeing and greater equity among citizens. In this study, the “place standard tool” (PST) is viewed from the perspective of creating places which can deliver a triple win of health and wellbeing, equity, and environmental sustainability. Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, inevitably differs economically, culturally, and politically from Scotland, thus providing an opportunity to augment existing knowledge on adaptability of the tool in shaping agendas for policy and action. Тhe PST was tested through seminars with selected focus groups and an online questionnaire. Over 350 respondents were included. Information on priorities enabled the distillation of suggestions for improvement and was shared with the Mayor and municipal administration. Skopje citizens valued an approach which solicited their views in a meaningful way. Specific concerns were expressed relating to heavy traffic and related air and noise pollution, and care and maintenance of places and care services. Responses varied by geographic location. Application of the PST increased knowledge and confidence levels among citizens and enthusiasm for active involvement in decision making. Effective implementation relies heavily on: good governance and top-level support; excellent organization and good timing; careful training of interviewers and focus group moderators; and on prior knowledge of the participants/respondents.