Projects / Programmes
Entrepreneurship for Innovative Society
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.02.00 |
Social sciences |
Economics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S180 |
Social sciences |
Economics, econometrics, economic theory, economic systems, economic policy |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.02 |
Social Sciences |
Economics and Business |
Innovativeness, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial spirit, dynamic entrepreneurship, fast-growing enterprises, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, financing, sustainable development, social responsibility, humane society, knowledge society, management, business models, economic policy measures.
Researchers (23)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Basic objectives of the research program are: (1) to strengthen the understanding of reasons influencing enterprises/organizations and causing the lag of Slovenia and similar countries in innovativeness and entrepreneurship; (2) to contribute to the understanding of how to reduce the lag in the best way as soon as possible or even erase it completely; (3) to find appropriate tools and concepts for conducting evidence-based policy making.
The research program is based on three research pillars that have solid empirically confirmed theoretical foundations: (i) the multidimensionality of research and a dense network of mutual links among multidimensional variables and their components, which is extremely important if the link between the entrepreneurial research and effective economic policy is to be established;(ii) the need for international comparisons within multi-country studies of entrepreneurial activity that enables the comparison and replication of research and generating meaningful contributions to education, economic practice and policies;(iii) the integration of a variety of academic disciplines, since a very dynamic phenomena is analyzed - the multi-theoretic and multi-methodological approach is needed.
The research consortium and network Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), in which the research group is included, is the largest and the most complex research project in the field of entrepreneurship, and very likely also in the field of social sciences in general, in the world. GEM research is a key source of comparable data across a large variety of countries. Due to our research group, Slovenia has been a part of the GEM project since 2002 – today it is possible to compare Slovenia with over 100 countries in the field of early-stage entrepreneurial activity.
The previous research work in this research program is upgraded with topics, with which we wish to study multidimensional associations and dependencies amongst constructs and their components, with the purpose of analyzing factors influencing the innovative entrepreneurial activity in the economy and building an innovative and humane society. Already existing theoretical concepts have to be supplemented, which will represent an important contribution to the development of science. We believe that theoretical models that are to be formed will be successfully implemented in practice, which will directly contribute to achieving the goals of this research program.
Significance for science
In the past period, in-depth research work that has contributed to the development of science had been conducted, since our research results are regularly published by quality and cited papers. The past research results have also enabled the research group to become an important part of the "Global Entrepreneurship Monitor" research society; members of the research group are also included in several international networks, which is extremely important for effective comparative research: network «Global Entrepreneurship Research Association«, international network DIANA for female entrepreneurship research, international network for research of values at individual level, level of organization and level of society (SVS- Schwarts Values Survey) and their impact on economic development, European Council for Small Business etc.
The research program is upgraded with topics, with which we wish to study multidimensional associations and dependencies among constructs (entrepreneurship, innovativeness, development, cultural and social norms, values, knowledge, sustainable entrepreneurship, social responsibility etc.) and their components, with the purpose of analyzing factors influencing the innovative entrepreneurial activity in the economy and building of an innovative and humane society. We are aware of mutual interactions, meaning that the development stage of the society also has an impact on innovative entrepreneurial activity of individuals and organizations. Existing theoretical concepts have to be supplemented, which will represent an important contribution to the development of science.
The research approach is designed very interdisciplinary, combining elements of economics, finance, management, marketing, operations research, psychology, environmental protection etc. (the composition of the research groups corresponds to this completely). This interdisciplinary approach enables us to reveal new aspects of research in the Slovenian as well as in the integrated international environment. Research studies combine theoretically diverse platforms and a multi-dimensionality of approaches.
An important scientific development is also expected in the field of the development of a methodological instrumentarium, especially in the field of structural equation models and inclusion of multidimensional variables into models, as well as in the field of multi-criteria decision making, including multidimensional model of factors influencing economic development and well-being.
One of the important contributions of the research program to science is the analysis of shock transmission between different segments of financial markets, where companies (and also countries) compete for financial resources, especially in the periods of instability or turmoil in economies and on financial markets, and its effect on prices of financial resources. We also see a scientific contribution to the field of analyzing whether dependence between different segments of financial markets is dynamic and possibly nonlinear – i.e. changing with the market regime.
We believe that theoretical models that are to be formed will be successfully implemented in practice, which will directly influence the achieving of goals of this research program (defined in chapter 18 of this application).
Significance for the country
Direct relevance of this research program for the socio-economic development arises from the fact that research results ensure evidence-based suggestions for policy makers in Slovenia, for transition from the post-industrial society to the knowledge society, as described and defined in strategic documents of the European Union and Slovenia (Horizon 2020 - The EU Framework program for research and innovation, COSME 2014-2020 - the EU program for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), The Resolution about research and innovation strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020 and the emerging Strategy of smart specialization 2014-2020). As written in Start:up Manifesto Slovenia, which was also prepared based on Global Research Monitor research results (http://www.startup.si/sl-si/iniciativa-startup-slovenija/startup-manifest), this transition is a challenge, an opportunity as well as a potential danger for individuals, organizations - enterprises and for the national economy. The cruxes of the success of the creative society are talent, technology and tolerance - for economic success in the knowledge society the innovative ecosystem, teemed with the possibilities of access to financing and other sources, is also needed. It enables the talent to flourish and produces conditions needed for high-quality and high-impact entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship. This is also the objective of this research program - to contribute to the preparation of the necessary bases for economic policy of the country, which will be able to place high-tech and knowledge-based service start-ups with growth potential to key positions in the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, taking into account the principles of sustainable and socially responsible acting.
The results of our research are also important for the economic policy, namely for preparing the measures for greater availability of capital for companies, as this is one of the main barriers for growth and development of companies, not just in Slovenia but also for other, even the most developed, ecosystems. The results of our analysis will also be important for monitoring the changing bank credit conditions for small and medium sized companies (SMEs), including the effects of bank expectations on the availability of bank credits for SMEs.
Indirect relevance of this research program is multifaceted. In terms of promoting our country, the relevance is evident by the intense publishing of achievements of research group in the international environment as well as with cooperation in influencing international research networks, where the excellent entrepreneurial, system theory and innovative society research and applied projects are taking place.
The relevance of the research project for the professional field is also evident from the fact that the research group has established itself as the leading group in the entrepreneurial research in Slovenia and has gained reputation in a broader region, among others also by publishing series of scientific monographs in the "Slovenian entrepreneurial observatory" collection. The research group has established itself also as the leading group for enhancing and fostering entrepreneurial education and training.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
