Tourism as a driver of economic development: The Colombian experience

The current paper analyzes the importance and potentials of the tourism sector for economic development. It is divided into four major parts. After a short introduction, section two presents some theoretical insights into the topic of economic development. Commenting on the most relevant components of the catching-up theory by Abramovitz (1986) and the structural change theory by Baumol (1967) and others, it could be realized that growth and the accompanying structural changes in the distribution of employment and GDP have their sources in the sector industry. But at the moment of incorporating the demand side explanation of structural change, the service sectors offer growth potentials as well. Furthermore, the basic characteristics and importance of the tourism sector for economic development and employment are emphasized, examining the so-called 'social capabilities' and the innovation potential within the process of economic growth of any nation. A short survey of literature concerning the contribution of this sector to economic growth makes clear that tourism should be considered not just from the perspective of the benefits, but also from the costs associated with it. Section three provides an analysis of the economic impact of tourism in a developing country, namely Colombia, based on time-series analysis and data gathered supported on the 'Tourism Satellite Account' Methodology. Some relevant indicators produced by the World Economic Forum through its 'Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report', are also evaluated. Finally, some conclusions are drawn with respect to the potentialities, as well as the challenges identified for the Colombian case. --structural change,service sectors,social capabilities,economic development,tourism,Colombia

Tourism as a driver of economic development: The Colombian experience

The current paper analyzes the importance and potentials of the tourism sector for economic development. It is divided into four major parts. After a short introduction, section two presents some theoretical insights into the topic of economic development. Commenting on the most relevant components of the catching-up theory by Abramovitz (1986) and the structural change theory by Baumol (1967) and others, it could be realized that growth and the accompanying structural changes in the distribution of employment and GDP have their sources in the sector industry. But at the moment of incorporating the demand side explanation of structural change, the service sectors offer growth potentials as well. Furthermore, the basic characteristics and importance of the tourism sector for economic development and employment are emphasized, examining the so-called “social capabilities” and the innovation potential within the process of economic growth of any nation. A short survey of literature concerning the contribution of this sector to economic growth makes clear that tourism should be considered not just from the perspective of the benefits, but also from the costs associated with it. Section three provides an analysis of the economic impact of tourism in a developing country,namely Colombia, based on time-series analysis and data gathered supported on the “Tourism Satellite Account” Methodology. Some relevant indicators produced by the World Economic Forum through its “Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report”, are also evaluated. Finally, some conclusions are drawn with respect to the potentialities, as well as the challenges identified for the Colombian case

Influence of probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis lafti® b94, inulin and transglutaminase on the properties of set- style yoghurt

Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti utjecaj probiotičkog soja Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, inulina i transglutaminaze na kvalitetu i senzorska svojstva čvrstog jogurta. Za proizvodnju jogurta korišteno je svježe homogenizirano mlijeko s 3,3% mliječne masti kojemu je, uz jogurtne starter kulture, dodana probiotička kultura Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, inulin i enzim transglutaminaza, aktiviran 1 h i 30 min. pri 55 °C. Inaktivacija enzima provedena je postupkom pasterizacije 15 min. pri 85 °C. Proizvedeni su i kontrolni uzorci čvrstog jogurta, bez dodatka probiotičke kulture, inulina i transglutaminaze. U radu su određivana fizikalnokemijska i senzorska svojstva proizvedenih čvrstih jogurta. Radi pouzdane identifikacije probiotičkog soja Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, izolira-nog iz proizvedenog jogurta, provedena je SDS-poliakrilamidna gel elektroforeza (SDS-PAGE) ukupnih staničnih proteina i lančana reakcija polimera-zom (PCR) s početnicama specifičnim za rod Bifidobacterium. Proizvedeni čvrsti jogurti s dodanom probiotičkom kulturom, inulinom i transglutami-nazom su bili čvršći i pokazali su manju sinerezu, te su dobili više ocjene senzorskih svojstava u odnosu na kontrolne uzorke jogurta. Broj živih stanica Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94 nakon 28 dana čuvanja bio je viši u uzorcima jogurta koji su sadržavali inulin kao prebiotik. Fermentacija jogurta s inulinom i transglutaminazom je kraće trajala od fermentacije jogurta bez dodatka inulina i transglutaminaze. SDS poliakrilamidnom gel elektroforezom ukupnih staničnih proteina i lančanom reakcijom polimeraze, primjenom početnica specifičnih za rod Bifidobacterium, potvrđena je prisutnost probiotičke kulture u proizvedenom čvrstom jogurtu u visokom broju (više od 106 stanica/mL).The aim of this research was to examine the influence of probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, inulin and transglutaminase on quality and sensory properties of set-style yoghurt. Fresh, homogenized milk with 3,3% of milk fat was used for yoghurt production, with addition of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, inulin and transglutaminase activated during 1h 30 min at 55 °C. Enzyme inactivation was carried out by pasteurization of milk during 15 minutes at 85 °C. Control samples were prepared without addition of probiotic culture, inulin and transglutaminase. Physico-chemical parameters and sensory properties of produced set-style yoghurt have been determined. For reliable identification of probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, isolated from the produced yoghurt, SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins and PCR with species specific primers for Bifidobacterium were carried out. It has been shown that produced set-style yoghurt with probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, inulin and transglutaminase had higher firmness, less syneresis and better sensory properties than control yoghurt samples. After 28 days of storage the viable count of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94 was higher in samples containing inulin as prebiotic. Fermentation of yoghurt samples containing inulin and transglutaminase lasted shorter than fermentation of samples without inulin and transglutaminase. The presence of high number of probiotic culture (more than 106 cells/mL) in produced set yoghurts was confirmed by SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins and PCR with species specific primers for Bifidobacterium

Možnost posodobitve poučevanja angleščine: študija o spletnih učiteljih angleščine kot tujega jezika

The master’s thesis explores the north-Croatian teachers’ readiness for teaching online. With technology slowly, but steadily, taking over everyday actions, it was only a matter of time when it would take over education. With March 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, technology was the safest way of conducting lessons and was instantaneously implemented into education. This master’s thesis aims to determine how English teachers in the three northernmost Croatian counties managed the new challenge. Specifically, it tests factors that influenced their e-readiness through 7 hypotheses. The research is based on questionnaire results – the questionnaire was sent to 86 primary schools, 30 secondary schools and 11 private language schools in Međimurje county, Varaždin county and Koprivnica-Križevci county via email with a request to forward it to their English teachers. Analysing responses with quantitative research methods, the study showed that factors such as age, gender and professional development influence teachers’ e-readiness, while there were no differences among the three counties. Furthermore, the results revealed that the teachers generally feel ready for conducting online lessons, although Gay’s questionnaire on Carribean teachers’ online teaching readiness proved otherwise. Interestingly, some of the teachers did have online teaching experience prior to the pandemic, which along with organized professional development offered to them, helped them feel ready to teach online. Ultimately, teachers are better prepared to teach online than they were prior to the pandemichowever, there is still a lot of room for improvement.Magistrsko delo preučuje pripravljenost severnohrvaških učiteljev angleščine na spletno poučevanje. Z marcem 2020 in pojavom pandemije bolezni COVID-19 se je celotno izvajanje pouka naenkrat začelo izvajati po spletu. Sklepamo, da učitelji angleščine pred tem niso imeli ali pa so imeli zelo malo izkušenj s spletnim poučevanjem, vendar so se kljub temu dobro znašli in med izvajanjem pouka na daljavo pridobili dovolj izkušenj. Naloga testira pripravljenost severnohrvaških učiteljev na pouk na spletu na podlagi treh faktorjev: tehnične pripravljenosti (TR), pedagoške pripravljenosti (PR) in pripravljenosti življenjskega stila (LR). Z analizo podatkov vprašalnika smo preverili sedem hipotez

Characteristics of Information Communication Technology Usage among the Alpha Generation from their Parents\u27 Perspective

V zaključnem delu raziskujemo uporabo informacijsko-komunikacijske tehnologije (IKT) pri članih generacije alfa. IKT se hitro razvija, zato jo otroci začnejo uporabljati vedno hitreje. Pojavi se vprašanje glede najprimernejšega posredovanja starša pri otrokovi uporabi IKT, saj so oni tisti, ki v največji meri odločajo o načinu in ravni otrokove interakcije s tehnologijo. Namen zaključnega dela je ugotoviti, katere oblike IKT člani generacije alfa najpogosteje uporabljajo, na kakšen način in s katerim namenom ter kako starši posredujejo pri otrokovi uporabi IKT in kako vplivajo nanjo. To smo preverili z vprašalnikom, na katerega je svoje odgovore podalo 274 respondentov. Vzorec vprašalnika je zajemal starše otrok, rojenih od leta 2010 do danes. Skozi tri raziskovalna vprašanja smo ugotovili določene trende uporabe IKT pri otrocih, in sicer da je pametni telefon najbolj priljubljena oblika IKT pri otrocih, medtem ko sta računalnik in tablica najmanj priljubljeni obliki. Ugotovili smo tudi, da obstajajo nekateri dejavniki, ki vplivajo na otrokovo uporabo IKT. Starost je pomemben dejavnik, ki določa pogostost otrokove uporabe IKT. Pri dejavnikih, kot so spol otroka, število otrok v družini in izobrazba starša, smo ugotovili, da vplivajo na otrokovo uporabo IKT le v nekaterih primerih, medtem ko starost starša nima značilnega vpliva na otrokovo uporabo IKT. Prav tako smo ugotovili, da se s pogostostjo uporabe IKT pri starših poveča tudi uporaba IKT pri otrocih. Glede na rezultate raziskave lahko zaključimo, da na področju Medžimurskega okrožja Republike Hrvaške obstaja generacija alfa.The master\u27s thesis deals with researching the use of information and communication technology (ICT) among members of the alpha generation. As an inevitable part of everyday life, ICT is developing rapidly, and children start using it at an earlier and earlier age. The question arises as to what the most appropriate parent intervention in their child\u27s use of ICT is, as it is the parents, who have the greatest influence on the child\u27s interaction with technology. The purpose of the final work is to determine which forms of ICT are used most often by members of the alpha generation, in what way, with what purpose, and to what extent parents intervene in and influence the child\u27s use of ICT. 274 respondents completed the questionnaire. The survey sample consisted of parents of children born between 2010 and today. There are some trends in the use of ICT among children, namely that the smartphone is the most popular form of ICT among children, while the computer and tablet are the least popular forms. There are also some factors that influence a child\u27s use of ICT. Age is an important factor that determines the frequency of a child\u27s use of ICT. The child\u27s gender, the number of children in the family and the parent\u27s education influence the child\u27s use of ICT only in some cases, while the parent\u27s age has no significant effect on the child\u27s use of ICT. With the frequency of ICT use by parents, the use of ICT by children also increases. Based on the results of the research, we can easily conclude that there is an alpha generation in the Međimurje District of the Republic of Croatia

Zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung Kroatiens : Tertiarisierung als "Grand Espoir"?

Der Zusammenbruch des Systems der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung und der sich daran anschließende Transformationsprozess zogen einen sektoralen Strukturwandel der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft nach sich. Die forcierte Deindustrialisierung und Tertiarisierung führte allerdings zu massiven Fehlentwicklungen, die bis eute die wirtschaftliche Lage des Landes bestimmen. In der Untersuchung wird daher der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit ein Tertiarisierungsprozess für ein Transformationsland wie Kroatien als Option für eine erfolgreiche wirtschaftliche Entwicklung zu bewerten ist. Dafür müssen zunächst grundlegende theoretische Ansätze zu den Themen­gebieten Wachstum und Strukturwandel beschrieben, beurteilt und systematisiert werden. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass neuere modelltheoretische Untersuchungen weiterhin an der demand bias- und productivity bias-Hypothese gemäß Fourastié (1949) und Baumol (1967) ansetzen, um die Triebkräfte der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung hin zu einer Dienst­leistungs­gesellschaft zu erklären. Die Autorin identifiziert dabei zwei Theoriestränge: Einerseits wird in der Literatur versucht, die Überlegungen zum strukturellen Wandel mit der Wachstumstheorie "zu versöhnen", d. h. zu verbinden. Andererseits werden "Heilungschancen" der Baumolschen Kostenkrankheit auf Basis der Determinanten der Endogenen Wachstumstheorie und der Innovationsmerkmale von Dienstleistungen formuliert. Empirische Untersuchungen zum sektoralen Strukturwandel in ausgewählten europäischen Wohlfahrtsstaatssystemen zeigen weiterhin auf, dass die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung eines Landes zudem von gesellschaftlichen und politischen Faktoren bestimmt wird. Im zweiten Teil der Studie werden mithilfe des theoretischen Instrumen­tariums die drei Entwicklungsstufen der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nachgezeichnet. Dabei zeigt sich, dass in der ersten Phase die Mängel der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung einen strukturellen Wandel und Produktivitätswachstum behinderten, während in den 1990er Jahren insbesondere die verfehlte Wirtschafts- und Sozialpolitik zu negativen volkswirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Folgen führte. Während des forcierten Integrationsprozesses in die EU wirkte sich die in der zweiten Hälfte der 2000er-Jahre einsetzende Wirtschaftskrise negativ auf den kroatischen Arbeitsmarkt aus. Die Analyse der Innovationsfähigkeit der kroatischen Wirtschaft sowie die Zusammenfassung der zentralen Erkenntnisse im letzten Teil der Studie zeigen auf, dass Wachstum und Beschäftigung zukünftig gefördert werden können, wenn in Kroatien der strukturelle und gesellschaftliche Wandel weiter fortgesetzt wird