Jelena Kristić

Multiple criteria decision making for setting priorities of investments into the table egg production

The process of growth and development of any business entity is tightly linked to investments. This paper elaborates on the application of multiple criteria methods from the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the aim to create assumptions for the development of production, particularly focused on opportunities for investments in table egg production. There were two alternatives analysed: investment in enriched cages and investment in alternative production systems. Each of these options had advantages and disadvantages, that were graded by criteria. Investment in alternative systems was assessed as a better alternative, as eggs produced in these systems were estimated to achieve higher income. Financial investments in such systems are higher, but eggs achieve a higher price in the market than those from enriched cages. Sensitivity analysis presented the effects that changes in the egg price and in costs structure have on the net present value of investment. Sensitivity analysis showed that changes in egg price significantly affect the success of business, while input costs have less impact on the business result.

Poultry production in the Republic of Croatia: current state and future expectations

Compared to 2009, total poultry population in 2016 decreased by 8.63% in Croatia. In this period, the number of hens decreased by 42.50%, turkeys by 12.31%, geese by 66.23%, ducks by 51.06%, and the number of other poultry species decreased by 90.92%. Consumption of poultry meat in all European Union countries combined is estimated at 22 kg per capita per year, which is 59.10% more than in Croatia, where poultry meat is consumed at an average level of 9 kg per capita. A similar pattern relates to the consumption of table eggs, which is 20.67% lower in Croatia than the average yearly consumption of 12.1 kg of eggs per capita in all European Union countries combined. Croatia produces 661 million eggs per year. Out of the total number of table egg producers, most of them use extensive production systems and have less than 4,999 birds at their farms, and only three producers have production capacity which exceeds 100,000 birds. The management of laying hens is mostly by using enriched caged systems. In future, the production of indigenous breeds (Zagorje turkey and Hrvatica hen) is anticipated to have an important role in Croatian poultry production, as these breeds are resistant and endurable, and have the potential to assure self-sustainability of small poultry producers.

Motivational Factors: Drivers Behind Women Entrepreneurs’ Decision to Start an Entrepreneurial Venture in Croatia

Abstract A decision to start a business is not easy because it is result of the economic conditions, cultural context, but also “push” and “pull” factors. In order to determine woman motivational factors, a survey of 1,157 Eastern Croatia respondents was conducted. The purpose of the research was to determine which motivations the potential future entrepreneurs believe trigger women entrepreneurs’ decision to start an entrepreneurial venture. The results show that women are considered to be financially motivated. The fact that real-life women entrepreneurs from previous research have stated slightly different motivations shows that there is room for improvement of entrepreneurship education.