Projects / Programmes
Climate changes and its influence in the predominant paradigm in economic and business science and in Slovenia
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.02.01 |
Social sciences |
Economics |
Economy sciences |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S180 |
Social sciences |
Economics, econometrics, economic theory, economic systems, economic policy |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.02 |
Social Sciences |
Economics and Business |
Researchers (29)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Goals. To analyse: effects of external and internal environment on Slovenian companies’ performance in times of crisis and achieving sustainable development objectives (economic, social, environmental). Consequences of Slovenian companies’ indebtedness in comparison to neighbouring countries (the Balkans, Mediterranean, Central Europe). Sector differences. The role of intangible (with eco) capital in the crisis. Differences in intangible capital in private and public sector. Tourism (because of specific sustainability aspects). Consumer attitudes towards sustainable development factors and reverse effects on creation of sustainable business models. Specific aspects of consumer behaviour (ethnocentrism). Sustainable development of Slovenian cities and life quality. Sustainability of pension reform in light of intergenerational relations and population aging (social component of sustainability).
Methodology. Analysis of firm behaviour and performance based on econometric methods. Methods of quantitative analysis for survey data. Microeconomic simulations (agent based simulation models).
Data. AJPES, SORS, GVIN, AMADEUS databases, annual reports, survey data.
Project management. Group of Faculty of Economics University of Ljubljana, external partners from analyzed countries (EIPF; Svejnar, Columbia University; Miyagawa, Gakushuin University; Epstein, Rice University; Lucey, Trinity College; Pastore, University of Napoli; representatives of Western Balkan institutions). The network enables data access, holistic coverage of problem analysis with local experts and quality interpretation of findings.
Expected results. 1) To determine (comparative) importance of firms’ competitiveness and efficiency factors 2) To analyze public sector efficiency and determine comparative role of intangible capital in relation to private sector. To determine the role of: 3) internal factors (intangible capital, ownership, indebtedness) in overcoming the crisis 4) sustainable development as a competitiveness factor 5) importance of tourism in the economy (preserving the countryside, development of support activities, tourism sustainability) 6) To evaluate pension reform models from sustainability perspective 7) To identify problems in sustainable development of Slovenian cities 8) To propose improvements.
Original contribution. 1) Comparison of internal factors and firms’ export orientation as a competitiveness factor 2) Demonstration of the impact of stakeholder relations, capital and labour market frictions on firms’ behaviour as the basis for more realistic macroeconomic modelling. Analysis of 3) consumers’ sustainability 4) sustainability of intergenerational relations and adequacy of pension reform 5) Evaluation of life quality in Slovenian cities.
The main changes in relation to 2008-12 program: 1) extension to entire sustainable growth 2) economy analysis in view of the crisis 3) analysis of key economy sectors from the viewpoints of competitiveness and sustainability.
Significance for science
Research focus on the firms’ behaviour enables us to:
1. analyse the development and competitiveness of firms through prism of internal/external factors (ownership, indebtedness, institutional characteristics, structural reforms and transition);
2. comparatively analyse indebtedness and capital structure at the EU level which is the first such analysis of its kind and should help us to explain situation in Slovenia along with differences among firms, sectors, and countries;
3. reveal the comparative efficiency of the anti-crisis measures in EU and effects of institutional characteristics of countries;
4. reveal the importance of internal characteristics, restructuring, investment in tangible/intangible capital and relations in firms. These results will be important from the competitiveness and future development perspective;
5. contribute to the development of economic theory and empirical research in the areas of the role of stakeholders in firms;
6. emphasise extreme relevance and importance of strategic firms’ behaviour in current applied economic science due to its international aspects.
Consumer analysis in tourism and quality of life from the perspective of sustainable development will enable us to:
7. contribute to integration of several levels of responsible consumption (environmental, social), observe predecessors of individual behaviour and enable insight into importance of each dimension to develop strategies and impact on consumer behaviour;
8. based on the literature review and consistent use of two dimensions of firms’ responsibility to contribute to a more coherent understanding of ethical, sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible consumption;
9. position the analysis into transitional environment expands the context beyond the traditional studied western cultural backgrounds;
10. deal with the problem of indebtedness of Slovenian firms and society from the perspective of sustainable development, in context of aging, pension reform and intergenerational relations;
11. analyse specific characteristics of Slovenian towns and their residents in light of sustainable urban development, which is one of only a few such analyses in Slovenia, and the first based on the economics of happiness.
Research approaches used in the analysis will be either new or applied in Slovenia for the first time:
12. development of methodology for measurement of intangible capital in the public sector;
13. preparation of database for intangible capital assessment using data provided by the SORS;
14. development of methodology for measurement of individual’s satisfaction with the quality of life in Slovenian cities with special focus on sustainable element;
15. use of annual reports at EU level, allowing for accurate comparative analysis of firms in the EU and Slovenia;
16. preparation of the first database of intangible capital in all sectors for a developing country, which allows for private/public comparison and analysis of the implications for productivity.
Significance for the country
Firm level analysis will facilitate:
1. better understanding of Slovenian companies’ characteristics; provide insights for businesses/ national economy on the adequacy of existing practices and propose relevant changes.
2. comparative international analysis to contribute to the understanding of Slovenian firms’ competitiveness.
3. study of the ownership problem, its transformation and (types of) investments and productivity, that is important for policy implication and guidance for management and owners.
4. gathering of information based on identified problems for policy measures targeted at an increase in efficiency and competitiveness.
5. analysis of intangible capital in public sector, revelation of its weaknesses; it will contribute to increased investments in intangible capital, their efficiency, reduction of the public sector and stabilization of public finances.
Through the analysis of sustainable development the research group will:
6. continue the work in the field of environmental and sustainable elements and intangible capital since the literature and evidence on this topic for developing and transition countries is still quite limited and it is important to continue the work.
7. help to define the importance of tourism for regional development, contribute to the development of appropriate measures and activities to maintain the countryside and development of eco-agriculture.
8. analyse aging and its effects on sustainable development with respect to intergenerational relations that will contribute to the pensions funding analysis.
9. identify sustainable impulses of residents and their satisfaction with life in cities, which will be important input for design of appropriate measures and enhancing life quality.
10. provide insights into consumer behaviour and decision making with respect to environmentally and socially responsible corporate strategies.
Other effects:
11. results will be available to researchers, businesses, public institutions, governments, students and other interested public for different purposes; they will be presented at the Portorož Business Conference, and contribute to the problem awareness among businessmen.
12. many aspects of the analysis will be a novelty in the field, especially for developing countries, which will allow for greater recognition of researchers and Faculty of Economics; integrative collaboration with prominent researchers, and improved quality of future research outputs
13. due to wide research group international collaboration will be strengthened.
14. results will not only be communicated through scientific but also professional channels and will serve as a platform for fundamental decisions in Slovenian economic development and development of Slovenian companies; the results will also be disseminated via mass media.
15. results may positively affect Slovenian economic climate and growth; they may trigger necessary reforms of business environment and changes in the behaviour of key decision-makers.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
