Under the influence of different factors, the dynamics of the size of the operating profit margin of food trading companies in Serbia varies from comparable global food retailers in various countries. Based on the obtained results of empirical research, we can also conclude that the operating profit margin of the leading food trading companies in Serbia is lower than the in analyzed comparable food retail trade companies from the developed market economies. It points to the conclusion that it is necessary to efficiently manage revenues, costs, profit, assets, and financial structure in order to improve the performance of food trading companies in Serbia in the future. In order to increase the operating profit margin, as a measure of long-term performance, it is necessary to manage the financial structure of the food trading companies in Serbia as effectively as possible. The main objective of this paper is to apply dynamics of size and structure of operating margin of global retailers in Serbia by applying accounting methodology based on data from annual financial statements. It is an increasingly significant non-standard indicator of their performance. Therefore, this indicator will receive increasing attention in the future.

Economic diplomacy as such includes targeted activities carried out by representatives of one country with representatives of another country, which in their core aim to increase foreign investments, greater volume of exports or imports, as well as strengthening the positions of domestic companies in other countries. In addition to the aforementioned activities, economic diplomacy also includes activities that a country undertakes by participating in international economic organizations as well as joining them. This discipline represents the future and the direction of diplomacy of every modern state that wants to survive in today's market conditions, which are unstable, changing and a decisive factor for every participant. The main goal, focus and function of economic diplomacy must be the protection of national economic interests in every international relationship, whatever level it may be. In this paper, economic diplomacy as a discipline will be dealt with, a short theoretical review will be given, as well as the author's perspectives and views on the progress of the Republic of Serbia and the countries of the region in this field.

Modern trends operating from the environment require a different shaping of the organizational structure of the company. Accordingly, instead of traditional forms, more flexible organizational structures appear that are based on the characteristics of organic design. The emphasis is primarily on accepting change, decentralization of decision-making, a wider range of control, teamwork, adequate organizational culture, good interpersonal relationships, continuous learning and innovation development. Technological progress, scientific achievements, and thus the even greater need for continuous learning and acquiring new knowledge, as important characteristics of the modern business environment, have had the greatest impact on shaping the organizational structure of the company. The fact that information technology and knowledge are the basis of new organizational forms speaks in favor of that. Globalization has also played a role in creating the conditions for changing the organizational structure of companies, as well as the time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Organisations have been forced to do business differently and business processes have had to change rapidly in order for organisations to survive. The aim of this work is to indicate the fundamental trends that operate from the business environment and condition the need for the application of more flexible organizational forms. In addition, the aim of the paper is to point out the characteristics of organizational models that have emerged under the influence of these trends.

This paper analyses the business operation of trade companies in the Republic of Serbia during the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of the crisis caused by this virus on the work of these companies. Namely, this crisis has caused serious problems in a short period in most sectors and altered the way they do business. It can be said that to a certain extent it caused damage to trade companies, with the effect of the pandemic differing by trade segments. For example, trade companies selling food products even achieved positive results in 2020, when compared to 2019. Accordingly, this paper aims to perceive the manner of business operation and achieved economic results of trade companies that operate in the territory of the Republic of Serbia during the period of existence of the Covid-19 virus.