SAFETY CULTURE AND CONTINUING CARE

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, placed immense pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, including the National Health Service and the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care. In this context, the management of safety culture in healthcare has gained particular relevance, although it remains relatively underexplored in Portugal. This study aimed to analyse the importance of safety culture management within an Integrated Continuing Care Unit, identifying good practices, factors associated with organisational learning, and the occurrence of adverse events. It is a single case study of an exploratory and descriptive nature, based on document analysis of institutional standards and reports, interviews conducted at various management levels, and questionnaires administered to unit professionals. The results revealed consistency between the analysed documentation, the professionals’ perceptions, and the statements of those responsible for management. Overall, the institution demonstrates a proactive/sustainable level of maturity regarding safety culture. However, priority areas for improvement emerged, particularly in communication and training in occupational health and safety areas significantly affected by the pandemic and its impact on organisational structure and institutional priorities.

Susana PESCADA - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, spescada@ualg.pt

Marta SERRARIO - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal mserrario@ualg.pt

Bernardete SEQUEIRA - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, bsequeira@ualg.pt

Fernando TEIXEIRA - Professor Assistant, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Portugal, fernando.teixeira@ipbeja.pt

Christos Ap. LADIAS - Professor, Regional Science Inquiry Journal, Greece ladias@rsijournal.eu

Filipos RUXHO - Professor Assistant, Departament of Business and Management, Universum International College, powered by Arizona State University, Kosovo, filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org (Corresponding Author)

O10, 047, C21, R11

KOSOVO EMPLOYEE’S PERCEPTION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DECENT WORK ACCORDING TO SUSTAINABILITY

This research paper aims to identify how implementation of Goal 8 “Decent work and economic growth” deriving from the UN Sustainable Development Goals is being perceived by employees of the public sector and private sector in Kosovo. This paper aims to investigate perceptions of the employees on decent work and explore the path how employees, employers, social partners and public policymakers contribute to a united response to the implementation of sustainability dimensions to foster community cohesion and promote common vision. In a discovery seeking environment, as a research method was used survey. The sample consists of 201 respondents that targeted employees of either private or public sector in different regions of the country. Data collected were analyzed using Independent T-Test and Spearman’s rank order correlations. The study reveals that there is no mean difference between perceptions of females and males about the economic growth in the country and impact on incomes. Economic growth is moderately related with the opportunity of being able to cover basic living expenses. Moreover, the perceptions of the integrity protection at workplace and being able to cover basic living expenses is moderately intertwined with the equal pay for equal value. Safety and physical security at workplace is also moderately related to protection of integrity in the workplace. Perceptions of respondents on economic growth are moderately associated with working sector.

Filipos RUXHO - Assistant Professor, Department of Business Management, Universum International College, Kosovo E-mail: filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org

J10, J13, J40, O10, O40

PUBLIC DEBT AS A DETERMINANT OF THE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN KOSOVO

This article investigates the impact of public debt on economic growth in Kosovo. By analyzing secondary data, we aim to determine whether increasing public debt levels have stimulated or hindered economic growth. The study employs an econometric model to quantify this relationship, providing valuable insights for policymakers and economists. The findings suggest a nuanced impact of public debt on economic growth, with implications for fiscal policy and sustainable development strategies in Kosovo. Empirical results suggest negative relationship between public debt and economic growth controlling for other determinants of growth trade openness, total investment, current account balance and primary balance. The results also confirmed the existence of a “U inverted” relationship between public debt and economic growth.

Filipos RUXHO - Professor Assistant, Faculty of Agribusiness, Haxhi Zeka University, Peja, Republic of Kosovo. filipos.ruxho@unhz.eu

Dimitrios P. PETROPOULOS - Professor, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Food University of Peloponnese, Greece. d.petropoulos@uop.gr

Dimas Angga NEGORO - Profesor Assistant Esa Unggul University, Indonesia. dimas.angga@esaunggul.ac.id

H63, E60, O10, O40