Darko Dukić

An analysis of job satisfaction among Croatian librarians as support to library human resource management

In the ICT-dominated world, libraries are facing major challenges in an attempt to fulfil their functions. If libraries are to respond adequately to rapid and complex changes, they need highly skilled and motivated employees. As people are an organization’s greatest asset, human resource management in libraries should be given proper attention. Different questions related to job satisfaction are definitely crucial for efficient human resource management. This paper presents the results of research focused on the way in which librarians in Eastern Croatia perceive certain aspects of their work. The analysis shows that Eastern Croatian librarians have a relatively positive attitude to their work, but they are less satisfied with their social status, salary levels, working conditions, possibilities for further training, and interpersonal relations at work. To a large extent, the results of this study indicate that human resource management in Eastern Croatian libraries needs to be improved. Statistical methods were also used to examine the differences in librarians’ opinions with regard to gender, age, professional title and the type of libraries they work in.

Stochastic sum-of-ratios fractional programming model in an agricultural decision support system

The task of an agricultural management information system is to continuously provide the management with information required for decision-making within their scope of work. In order to do this, adequate quantitative models and computerized systems for their solving and analysis need to be implemented in the area of agricultural output planning. Since agricultural production is characterized by a level of uncertainty, it is normally not possible to estimate model parameters and relations with certainty, which has a direct impact on the effectiveness of planning. Such problems can be resolved to a significant degree by constructing decision support systems based on stochastic models. This paper will present as such the stochastic sum-of-ratios fractional programming model.

Implementation of computer-aided statistical analysis in a simulation scheduling model

A range of methods have been developed as project management support. In order to improve decision-making efficiency in conditions of uncertainty, simulations began to be applied in the area of project management. In performing such simulations, the durations of project activities have to be defined as random variables. In this paper it is assumed that activity durations follow a beta PERT distribution. Different information required for decision-making in such a simulation model is obtained by means of adequate statistical methods. The decision-making process can be further improved by modified usage of certain elements of statistical analysis. A computer-aided statistical analysis thus becomes an indispensable tool for a project manager. The construction of adequate decision-making system and the development of software applications are prerequisites for implementing the proposed model.

Public administration employees’ readiness and acceptance of e-government: Findings from a Croatian survey

Despite the widespread use of digital technology in public administration, little attention has been given to understanding e-government adoption and acceptance by its employees. This paper examines the level of public administration employees’ ICT literacy and the extent to which they support e-government. The influence of background variables is also explored in the analysis. A structured online questionnaire was used to gather data from employees of Croatian central government bodies. According to the results, surveyed employees rated their general ICT literacy as high. They are more confident in their basic ICT skills than in advanced ones. The level of such skills is associated with socio-demographic characteristics. The findings also indicate that employees accept e-government, but they are less satisfied with its implementation. However, socio-demographic factors do not affect to a great extent employees’ acceptance and satisfaction with e-government. The study expands previous research by analysing the group differences at both manifest and latent levels. It also contributes to the identification of factors that may influence e-government success.

Knowledge management and e-learning in higher education: a research study based on students’ perceptions

In order to achieve economic and social progress, it is particularly important to incorporate knowledge management into the education system. E-learning as a knowledge transfer tool is closely connected to knowledge management. This article examined the information and communication technology (ICT) competencies of Croatian and Scottish students to participate in knowledge transfer activities, as well as their perceptions of e-learning. The results of this study confirmed assumptions about differences in ICT usage and e-learning perceptions between students from the two countries, indicating a more favourable position for Scottish students. The results presented have a wider use, since the instrument developed can be used both for the analysis of differences between any two countries (educational systems), and in the context of multilateral analysis.

E‐Learning in Croatian Higher Education: An Analysis of Students’ Perceptions

Over the last years, e‐learning has taken an important role in Croatian higher education as a result of strategies defined and measures undertaken. Nonetheless, in comparison to the developed countries, the achievements in e‐learning implementation are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, the efforts to advance e‐learning within Croatian higher education need to be intensified. It is further necessary to undertake ongoing activities in order to solve possible problems in e‐learning system functioning, which requires the development of adequate evaluation instruments and methods. One of the key steps in this process would be examining and analyzing users’ attitudes. This paper presents a study of Croatian students’ perceptions with regard to certain aspects of e‐learning usage. Given the character of this research, adequate statistical methods were required for the data processing. The results of the analysis indicate that, for the most part, Croatian students have positive perceptions of e‐learning, particula...

Portfolio optimization based on a computer simulation of securities rates of return from the bivariate normal distribution

The basic aim of all investors investing in securities is to achieve maximum yield while keeping their loss risks at a minimum. A number of techniques and methods have been devised as a decision support tool in this domain. In this paper, the initial model of portfolio optimization has been enhanced by using computer simulation. It was used in the model to generate random rates of return from the bivariate normal distribution. It was assumed that its parameters are established on the basis of empirical data and estimates of the expected rates of return for securities. In this model, the efficient solution set, from which an optimum portfolio is derived, is obtained by finding extrema of the function by means of the Lagrange method.