Continuous investment in education is a key factor in economic growth and development. Investing in education is an investment with a returns on investment and with multiple positive effects at the private and social levels. Earnings in the labor market represent private returns on investment in education and their measurement is in the center of the scientific literature. The main objective of this paper is to analyze modern theoretical and methodological approaches to measuring returns on investment in education, while analyzing the measurement methodology, indicators used and data sources. The scientific contribution of this paper is based on a concise and critical review of the scientific literature and trends in this field, with reference to the methodology used and indicators in measuring returns on investment in education.

Metabolic derangements in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are associated primarily with the carbohydrate and lipid levels disturbances. Increased flow of free fatty acids (FFAs) into the blood that is coming from the adipocytes as well as an elevated flux of FFAs from de novo lipid synthesis in the liver contribute to these metabolic disturbances. Previous studies suggested a strong association of the hepatic activity of certain enzymes, such as aspartate and alanine transferase (AST, ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with the progression of T2D. In this study, the potential association of the hepatic activities of the liver enzymes and FFAs levels in T2D was examined. Analysis of the activities of ALT, AST, GGT and AP, as well levels of FFAs, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and lipid profile was performed in 40 healthy control and 71 diabetic subjects. All participants were free of hepatitis, viral infections or active liver damage. The results showed a positive association between levels of palmitic and oleic acids with ALT activity (p<0.05), while the activity of GGT was significantly associated with the levels of palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids (p<0.01). Interestingly, in control group, a positive correlation was found between palmitoleic acid levels with ALT activity (p<0.05), and a negative correlation palmitoleic acid with ALP activity (p<0.05) was observed. Obtained data suggest that an elevation of free fatty acid levels and the hepatic fat accumulation in insulin-resistant conditions affect the hepatic enzymes activities, which might contribute further to the progression of Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Conflicts are an integral part of doing business and companies cannot avoid them. In a globalized and dynamic environment, there is a need to manage conflicts that occur within the company, in a productive and effective way. Conflict management styles are influenced by a number of factors, including the national culture of employees, who will have certain preferences in resolving conflicts in accordance with their culture. When it comes to multicultural environment, the knowledge of the national culture of the country in which the business is being done, as well as the company’s home country, national culture is extremely important for conflict management and creation of positive atmosphere in the company. Doing business in a foreign market additionally complicates the process of the creation of interpersonal conflicts. Thus, top management coming from the home country has a big task of understanding the values and customs which are the part of personality of each employee from another country, and at the same time, the understanding of the national culture of the country in which the business was internationalized. The aim of the research is to, based on theoretical and empirical research, examine the impact of Bosnian and Herzegovinian national culture on conflict resolution styles used in foreign companies doing business in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research results show that the national culture is a significant factor in conflict management in a company, but also in conflicts in general. The level of harmonization of chosen styles and ways of managing them with the national culture of the employees will affect their business performance, positive atmosphere and communication, and more efficiency for achieving the company’s business goals.