P16 - Capitalist Systems: Political EconomyReturn

This paper explores the shift in consumer brand preferences in Ukraine in response to the ongoing full-scale invasion since 2022, specifically examining the change from international to local brands. By employing a survey-based approach, the study seeks to assess changes in consumer attitudes towards brand reliability, quality perceptions, and willingness to support local businesses both before and after the onset of the conflict. The questionnaire utilizes a Likert scale to gather data on these preferences, alongside demographic factors such as age and proximity to active military activities. The insights gained from this research aim to enhance understanding of consumer behaviour during wartime conditions, offering valuable implications for marketers and policymakers in adapting strategies to meet evolving consumer needs in crisis situations.

This article deals with a comparison of the impact of institutional environment on the competitiveness of Croatia and Serbia between 2000 and 2010. After 2000, both states began to implement institutional and economic reforms. Institutional environment is measured and evaluated by concept Governance Matters of World Bank. Because of limited extent of the text, two indicators of the Governance Matters concept - the level of political stability and the level of rule of law - were chosen for a deeper analysis. Competitiveness is determined by the World Competitiveness Index of World Economic Forum. The paper concludes that institutional environment is a weakness of both countries and the slow dynamics of institutional change is, in accord with new institutional economics and new political economy one of the reasons why both countries have had slow growth of competitiveness and in global comparison have fallen behind.