Projects / Programmes
Slovenia and its actors in international relations and European integrations
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.06.00 |
Social sciences |
Political science |
|
| 5.02.00 |
Social sciences |
Economics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.06 |
Social Sciences |
Political science |
| 5.02 |
Social Sciences |
Economics and Business |
International Relations, International Economics, International Business, Diplomacy, European integration, (Sustainable) development, (Liberal) World Order, Multilateralism, Governance, Global Value Chains, Internationalisation, EU, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Balkans, Slovenia
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 25, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
277 |
2,273 |
2,137 |
7.71 |
| Scopus |
381 |
4,084 |
3,776 |
9.91 |
Researchers (32)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Tectonic changes worldwide (e.g. rising new powers such as China, eroding US dominance, mass migration, Brexit, trade wars, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digitalisation) have been enhanced by the Covid-19 pandemic. As international relations (IR) are becoming more complex and states and other actors increasingly interdependent in the international community is facing new challenges (e.g. economic, social, climate, environmental and health crises) and opportunities that require multilateral responses. The liberal world order has enabled independence and stable international (co)operation to many small states like Slovenia. The understanding of and prompt reactions to a changing world order and the development of resilience to volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous situations (VUCA WORLD) is critical for small states. Equally important is the ability of small states to finding new solutions to the weaknesses and risks of the current international system. All this is an integral part of international relations science, international (political) economy, international business and international law. The complexity of issues in IR requires interdisciplinary analysis and solutions. The goals of the programme are thus: (1) developing and generating knowledge in IR, international (political) economy, integration processes and the resilience factors for small states and non-state actors, (2) facilitating the development and strengthening of Slovenia's international influence within and beyond the EU, (3) (co)designing proactive, responsive and agile strategies and policies for Slovenia, its firms and other actors to strengthen Slovenia's competitiveness and ability to achieve sustainable development. The research team studies the causes and factors of changes in IR and the world order as well as their consequences for Slovenia by looking at three interconnected areas: 1) GOVERNANCE: (a) changes in the world order and their consequences for Slovenia, (b) norms and values as the framework for governance in IR, (c) diplomacy development; 2) INTEGRATION: (a) EU's responsiveness to global changes and its strategic autonomy, (b) differentiated integration and the implementation of European policies, (c) post-conflict management and the integration of Western Balkan states in the EU; 3) INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT of (Slovenian) economic entities and national economy: (a) the efficiency of different forms of international engagement by firms, (b) firms' competitive advantages, (c) the impact of the external environment on the processes of business internationalisation and the economic policy for successful engagement in globalisation. The interdisciplinary character of the research programme allows for original linkages between disciplines and theories therein. We combine theoretical analyses with empirical work that connects modern statistical methods and develop original methodologies through mixed method approaches.
Significance for science
Research team has a significant impact on development of international relations in Slovenia. The impact is the following: 1) Analyses of developments in international relations, theory testing / building, development of methodologies and conceptualisation, scientific approaches in international relations contribute new knowledge and understanding of: a. Changes of liberal international order and the effects for small countries, b. Differentiated integration of EU, questions related to liberal norms, geopolitics and power-shifting in integration processes, c. Identification of specific determinants requiring adjustment/modification of existing theories/policies for small catching-up countries in internationalisation and technological development, d. Multi-disciplinary theoretical approaches that upgrade/complement existing theories. 2) Development of higher education curricula a. Designs, impacts and further improvement of the curricula for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies of International Relations, European Studies, Diplomatic Studies and Development Studies at the University of Ljubljana; b. Transfers own research findings in academic environment, test them and assess the suitability of their transfer to lower levels of education (High school, elementary school); c. Cooperates in research and academic projects and programmes of EU (Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, EUTOPIA, double degrees - Passau, joint degrees - Tetovo, Venice-E.MA); d. Participates in master and doctoral programmes at universities abroad (Vienna, Venice, Salzburg, Zagreb, Wuhan, Budapest, Kaunas). 3) Publishes the research results, cooperates in various expert/ advisory groups, research projects and systematically disseminates results of research a. Publishes scientific articles in the highest ranking (WoS, Scopus) journals; scientific publications or chapters in them, publishes expert and newspaper articles and collaborates intensively with scientists abroad; b. Cooperates in editorial boards of scientific journals and book series, serves as editors of book series (CIR Analysis, Acta Diplomatica) etc., c. Manages and processes databases in ""safe room"" of the Statistical Office of Republic of Slovenia, which enables complex and reliable econometric modelling, both for scientific work as well as application in practice; d. Elaborates own empirical material, data sets, videos and findings to assist also other researchers and policy makers in the field of foreign policy and economics; e. Cooperates in a number of different international research programs (European research projects - H2020, Erasmus+, Jean Monnet, bilateral research projects with Montenegro, China, Hungary). f. Presents its findings at scientific and technical conferences in Slovenia, in the region, Europe and globally, but also in media and general public. 4) Interacts with other relevant stakeholders a. Research group has developed a wide research network in Slovenia and abroad (within the University of Ljubljana, Institute of macroeconomic analysis and development, Institute for Economic Research, University of Maribor, University of Primorska, foreign institutes and networks); b. Cooperates with institutions at home and abroad, other universities and partners from business community, all with the objective of further dissemination, use and testing of the research findings; c. Participates in evaluations of home and foreign research programmes and projects (European Commission, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, etc.); d. Members of the research team are enrolled in various scientific and other associations at national, regional, EU and global level.
Significance for the country
Research outputs of the group influence socioeconomic and cultural developments directly and indirectly: a) Impact on social development and social infrastructure: o Co-creation of the Foreign policy strategy, Industrial policy, Energy policy; o Membership and consultancy activities in the Strategic Council on foreign policy at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); in Expert Council for International Development Cooperation at MFA, in the Fiscal Council, Statistical council for R&D, in various bodies of the Slovenian Research Agency, National Council for Science and Technology, and others; o Collaboration in development and implementation of the curricula for diplomatic service of Slovenia; o Advisory and recommendations to internationalisation strategies of business/enterprises, promotion of innovation activities, suggesting improvement in business environment and public administration (based on monitoring business environment and innovation ecosystems). b) Promotion of Slovenia By organising various international scientific conferences and other events in Slovenia, the research group directly contributes to the promotion of the country. Promotion is further implemented through the presentation of original research findings at various scientific events abroad (Europe, China, USA, India, Australia, South-Eastern Asia, more than 40 participations during 2015-2021). c) Environmental protection and promotion of sustainable development though transfer of good practices of circular economy and social responsibility, identified in the analysis of environmental and sustainable development policies, agricultural and industrial policy and case studies. d) Impact on development of culture: o Analyses of cultural diplomacy, study of new sources of soft power of states and new forms of promotion of the national achievements (through culture, literacy and scientific diplomacy); o Monitoring the activities of Slovenian minorities and expatriates, as well as minorities in Slovenia; o Research in the field of so-called ambassadors of culture (successful individuals, who work in the culture field abroad) and connecting the research with other fields (for example, ethnology, culinary, wine tasting). o Promotion of Slovenian society and culture abroad, through guest lectures, cooperation at round tables for general public as well as experts, participation at other events, etc. Impact on socio-economic activities and economic development e) Elaboration of analytical papers, data inteligence and strategies for national policies o elaboration of technical papers for the programmes that impact the competitiveness of Slovenia and other small countries, for example background analyses for the smart specialisation strategy; o drafting the programmes and advising the government, ministries and institutions in Slovenia, in the region or at EU level (analyses of structure and dynamics of trade (services, goods and FDI), analyses of determinants of growth, with special attention to R&D&I, Europeanisation of R&D&I policies). f) Evaluation of policies, programmes and instruments o cooperation in evaluation of various programmes, instruments and policies (iin the field of innovation, competitiveness), impact on the preparation of future programmes and instruments; o assessment of state aid and its impact on competitiveness, productivity, employment, internationalisation and innovation activity; analyses of effectiveness of state aid versus subsidies; all serving as the basis for policy design (members of programme group participate as members of various consultancy bodies). g) Elaboration of the programmes for promotion of internationalisation for Slovenian and EU institutions: o continuous monitoring of the Slovenian business environment for the foreign owned enterprises in Slovenia; proposing facilitation measures o analysis of research and innovation environment (RIO reports; Policy Support Facility), proposals of instruments and measures to promote innovation activity; o analyses of structures and modes of integration of Slovenian enterprises in global value chains (GVC) (matrix of supplier chains, effects of foreign acquisitions on export, import, investment and employment); o Analyses of international investment flows, HQ-subsidiary relations, international labour mobility, etc. A number of stakeholders, such as ministries, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, foreign and national chambers of commerce and industry, SPIRIT Slovenia, Slovenian Export Bank, industrial associations and enterprises regularly use research results. Analyses of impact of the first wave of pandemic were presented at various events at home and abroad, applied in design of the measures for the second wave, showing implications for the internationalization and innovation activity in postpandemic period. Research group members contribute to societal and cultural development beyond Slovenia: a) With cooperation in bodies of Council of Europe, OVSE, European Commission; b) With advisory work at WIIW, UNCTAD, Advisory Council within Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, OECD, European Commission's projects on accession of different countries of Western Balkan, etc.
