Professor Srđan Bogosavljević, member of the Management Board of IPSOS Adria, the renowned international agency, says in the interview for Pobjeda that sometimes research fails to produce a real picture of social trends.
“Trends are much more reliable than data. Our research shows that the pro-European attitude of citizens in Montenegro is very strong”, says Professor Bogosavljević.
IPSOS carries out even 15 public research in Montenegro on annual basis. Is there really that much interest in research?
Mr Bogosavljević: Absolutely. W are a commercial company, present on the stock exchange. The emphasis is on the long-term calculations. The most important criterion is reputation. By rule, our research in Montenegro aren’t for the public.
As for the public opinion, we focus on either checking different tactics or revealing majority views on specific problems.
Our clients are mostly foreigners, although there are some important domestic clients. Since our public opinion is greatly influenced by current affairs, the need for more research is even greater. From the statistical point of view, trends are more reliable than data.
Speaking of trends, can you tell that Montenegro with Euro-Atlantic orientation has majority support?
Mr Bogosavljević: Of course, we don’t provide details related to our research, but what we can do is provide trends of the most basic parameters for the assessment of the public opinion attitudes. For example, pro-European attitude in Montenegro is very strong, according to the research from 2013.
There are many dilemmas over the citizens’ opinion on the course our country has taken. What parameters demonstrate the current state of affairs in Montenegro?
Mr Bogosavljević: Ratings of parties and leaders are very important but I’d say that answering the question in what direction Montenegro is moving would be the best indicator of current affairs in Montenegro. As far as the direction in which the country is moving, general opinion in Montenegro is divided: 47% of those who think it’s a good direction and 46% of those who think it’s moving in wrong direction.
However, defined voters are for the government. Many think that the government should be changed but are unable to see that change caused by the opposition parties. Perception of the unemployment as primary problem in the country is becoming less strong.
What state institutions citizens of Montenegro have most trust in?
Mr Bogosavljević: There’s traditionally great trust in the Armed Forces of Montenegro (58%), police (54%), NGOs and media (49%) and the Government of Montenegro (44%). Generally, citizens have least trust in political parties.
What about the rating of Montenegrin politicians and political parties?
Mr Bogosavljević: I believe media find that most interesting. There are so much parameters for rating. At personality level, we can talk about the general rating of a politician, and the “maximum trust a politician earns”. In the first case, persons are given positive or negative marks. Currently, we are testing 15 persons. Mr Nikola Janović has had 52% of positive marks. He’s followed by Mr Aleksa Bečić (44), Mr Milo Đukanović (42). Mr Dritan Abazović (41), Mr Duško Marković (36) etc. It’s more indicative for elections when only one person citizens have most trust in is chosen and, as for Montenegro, it’s been Mr Milo Đukanović for so long. DPS has been at the top for so long.
According to the latest research findings, DPS enjoy the greatest confidence of citizens in Montenegro (41%).
IPSOS is one of the biggest global research companies in the world and is present in the entire former Yugoslavia. How important is it to be part of such great chain?
Mr Bogosavljević: Let me be more precise with the position of IPSOS: it is the second biggest research company, with a turnover of almost $3 billion an d around 17.000 of employees. Part of IPSOS dealing with social and public opinion research is the biggest unit of that kind in the world, and the biggest in our region. There are many advantages of being part it, because many innovative research models are at our available to us. Companies of this kind protect such models through patents. Besides, sharing experience is priceless.
