Projects / Programmes
Capabilities and opportunities of Slovenia and its actors as a new EU member
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.06.00 |
Social sciences |
Political science |
|
| 5.02.00 |
Social sciences |
Economics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S170 |
Social sciences |
Political and administrative sciences |
integration, actors, international relations, international political economy, EU, knowledge, globalisation, South East Europe, foreign policy, internationalisation, sovereignty
Researchers (15)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The aim of research is to explore what kind capabilities the various actors as new EU members have and how they can use these possibilities to maximize their welfare. A range of research methods will be used to achieve these objectives (by means of questionnaires, interviews, case studies, field work, and more robust statistical analyses), all in the frame of theories of international relations, foreign politics as well as international economics and internationalisation. The expected results: (i) identifying areas of specialization in conditions of restrained capacities and capabilities, (ii) proposing strategies and policies for more effective implementation of interests, (iii) uncovering possibilities for application of comparative advantages in the South-East Europe, (iv) contributing to the bargaining empowerment of actors (enterprises, representatives of state, non-governemntal organisations, etc.).
Significance for science
Relevance of the results of research group work for the development of science relates in particular to the following aspects: 1. In the contemporary theoretical trends, which create the basis of the research group work, we introduce specific factors of relevance for small countries, for new EU member states, for transition countries remaining outside the EU (in particular countries of South-Eastern Europe), and in general for countries which lag behind in promoting the knowledge based society and internationalisation. These factors are so strong that the ask for the adjustment of the existing theories. Taking into account these specific factors and by the way of comparative analyses, we generalize the experiences of Slovenia as a small country to other new EU member states and other transition countries. 2. We test the relevance of existing theoretical concepts in contemporary circumstances of globalised international relations and reallocatioon of power / market shares. We confirm the hypothesis that dominant paradigms, which form the basis of the existing dominant theories, do not take into account all the relevant contemporary circumstances. Therefore, certain modifications should be made. 3. We introduce multi-disciplinarity in the research area which has traditionally been dominated by a uni-disciplinary approach in most of the applied theoretical approaches. In this way, we come closer to contemporary trends in some science disciplines, which are increasingly aware of the limitations of uni-dimensional approaches in resolving problems of the contemporary world and of individual countries / actors, which are increasingly interweaved . 4. We define elements of startegies / policies of states and other actors of international (economic) relations, which lead to the strenghtening of their position within changed contemporary circumstances. Namely, it is increasingly obvious that position of infividual actors in international relations (and not only of the state) depend much more than previously thought on the actions of individual actors on their levels of operation. 5. Intensive integration of research group members in international cooperation and comprehensive publication of the research results in reputable foreign journals and with international publishers assure broader international recognition and affirmation of our research results in the relevant scientific fields of activity. 6. Research group has created some original data and knowledge bases (e.g. data base of foreign subsidiaries in Slovenia and of Slovenian investors abroad, identification of the best partices of enterprise internationalisation, best practices of mechanisms and and instruments of innovation policies), which could be used by other researchers, as well as for a more efficient conducting of state-level economic policy and fir-level business policies.
Significance for the country
Work and results of the research group are highly in line with the priorities of the Slovenia's Development Startegy as they are concentrated on the strenghtening of the position of Slovenia and its actors in the EU and globalisation processes. High level of integration of the research programme in the processes of Slovenia's socio-economic development is also demonstrated by a considerable engagement of the researchers in a number of projects of the Target Research Programme "Slovenian Competitiveness 2006-2013", in the work of the Institute of Macro-economic Analyses and Development, by studies and expert advise provided by the researchers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments, Slovene Export and Development Bank, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, a number of firms, by the participation of the reserchers in various economic and state bodies (Strategic Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expert bodies of the Government Office for Growth, Committee of Reform of the Government of Slovenia, participation in the preparation of the Slovenia's Development Strategy, Discussions on the Development of Slovenia etc.). By presenting research on Slovenia and on possibilities for cooperation with and in Slovenia, the researchers, the researchers promote Slovenia abroad. Within the education process, they also take care of transferring new knowledge into Slovenia. More exactly, the relevance of the work of the research group for Slovenia's development is reflected in: a/ Better knowledge of the factors of Slovenian economy absorptive capacity for the transfer of knowledge and innovations. Researche has been concentrated on the creation of adequate conditions/capabilities in firms, as well as on the necessary adjustment of various policies (most of all innovation policy) to new circumstances in international environment, and to the strengthening of internationalisation and service activities. b/ Contribution to the creation of the knowledge, which Slovenia urgently needs for its integration in the EU, in the emerging knowledge society and in the globalisation processes, by accelerated internationalisat6ion of activities of all its actors. The research findings contribute to the formulation of concrete socio-economic policies targeted to the strengthening of competitiveness of enterprises and country as a whole, as well as to the development of a civil society. c/ Research group activities, which are directed to the strengthening of Slovenia and its actors in the international context, contribute to the promotion of the country and to the strengthening of national identity, and by that also to the improvement of the structural position of Slovenia and its actors in the international community. d/ The fact that all the research group members are also involved in the pedagogical work at the Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as at other universities in Slovenia and abroad (UK, Finland, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina) assures the transfer of research results in the education process. In 2004-2008, students of the research group members received two university level Prešeren Awards, five faculty level Prešeren Awards, Ministry of Foreign Affairs award for the best doctoral thesis and four awards for the best diploma, 25 United Nations awards, six Trimo Trebnje awards and one Krka award. This indicates a quality contribution of the research group and its results, not only for the education process but also for the actors from public administration and corporate sector.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
