Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present theoretical explanations for the failure of the largest dairy processing firm in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) after only about one year of operation. Design/methodology/approach -The paper contains a case study on the establishment and failure of a new firm is presented. Data were collected through mass media reports and interviews with knowledgeable individuals in the dairy industry. The data were analyzed using neo-institutional theories, primarily agency theory. Findings -The core of the explanation is that the various categories of institutions were not aligned. For example, poor contract enforcement created insurmountable agency costs for all parties involved. Research limitations/implications -As this paper is based on a case study it is uncertain to which extent the finding can be generalized. Originality/value -Most case studies describe successes. This paper presents a case where the odds for success were poor, but the project was still initiated.

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Rural youth are influenced by a wide range of uncertainties regarding their personal and professional development. Rural youth and in particular rural NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) are especially vulnerable and face higher risks of labour market, social and economic exclusion. This paper aims to analyse the determinants of the dynamics of rural NEETs in three post-transitional countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia) compared to the EU-28 average and to Ireland as an example of an established EU member state with over 50% of its population living in rural areas that can act as a benchmark for effective policy implementation to address challenges of marginalized youth, during the 2009–2019 period. The dynamics of rural NEET status and the efficiency/adaptability of regional development policies are revealed through analysis of macro and socioeconomic factors as well as specific employment-related indicators disaggregated by gender and degree of urbanisation. The comparative analysis indicates deficiencies in regional development policies among post-transitional countries and the potential to adapt modern European practices and policies for improving the rural NEETs’ position.

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Economic performance and competiveness of commercial farms, in producing and selling organic products, is often dependent on the structure of networks and the organization of supply chains. Networks play an important role in information dissemination, particularly in the otherwise scarce information flow in rural areas. Informal networks are in most cases a valuable source of social capital and information exchange. The aim of this paper is to understand network and stakeholder position and relations in the information channels among the actors in the supply chain for organic productions, by mapping information diffusion on horizontal level -farmer's relations with other farmers. A survey on 122 organic farms was carried out in 2018 in the Republic of North Macedonia. The data were processed in UCINET. Mapping social capital structure contributes in identifying key individuals (social capital hubs), that can be activated for information dissemination and ultimately for active mobilization of organic production networks. The findings confirm that farmers with similar production type are more likely to cooperate and share information among each other.