The project, which started its activities on December 18th, 2023 is financed by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), under project IP-2022-10-6703, in the amount of 119,449.81 euros, and the planned implementation period is 4 years, i.e. until December 17th, 2027.
The main purpose of the project is to develop a framework of conditions for strengthening resilience to the COVID-19 crisis and to encourage the digitization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises at the level of entrepreneurs, enterprises and ecosystems, including comprehensive guidelines for entrepreneurial practices and economic policy makers.
The methodological framework of the research includes quantitative research on secondary data, survey-based research and qualitative research, and has the character of innovation since it does not refer to replicating existing research, but is developed by the research group for the needs of the proposed research project.
"As part of the proposed research, we are looking for answers to questions about the vulnerability or resistance of Croatian micro, small and medium enterprises in selected industries to the COVID-19 crisis, and we want to identify the most vulnerable segments of the selected industries" – Full Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, Ph.D.
The results of the project are planned within the following scientific objectives:
Objective 1: Examine and detect the vulnerabilities or resistance of Croatian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected industries to the COVID-19 crisis and identify the most vulnerable segments of the selected industries.
Objective 2: To test and determine the existence and extent of changes in investment and financing strategies of Croatian micro, small and medium enterprises in selected activities, directly and indirectly conditioned by the COVID-19 crisis, by comparing them in the periods before, during and after the crisis.
Objective 3: Examine and determine the significance of the direct and indirect impact of the COVID-19 crisis as a determinant of business success, understood through the spectrum of security and profitability goals of Croatian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected industries.
Objective 4: Examine and determine changes in the degree of digitization of Croatian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from selected industries during the COVID-19 crisis, and examine and identify the significance and extent of the impact of the degree of digitization on the vulnerability and resilience of enterprises.
Objective 5: To examine, identify and describe (potential) drivers and obstacles for the digitization of Croatian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected activities at the level of activities, enterprises and entrepreneurs, and to identify the significance and scale of their influence on the level of enterprise digitization.
Objective 6: Based on the results, develop a framework of conditions for strengthening crisis resilience and encouraging digitalization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises at the level of entrepreneurs, enterprises and ecosystems, including comprehensive guidelines for entrepreneurial practice and economic policy makers.
The project requires disciplines related to entrepreneurship and digital transformations, therefore the research group consists of members of the Department of Economy at UNIZG FOI, who also work within the Entrepreneurship Lab. Added value and expertise to the project is provided by the participation of three external collaborators from the University of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics, and University of Split Faculty of Economics.
The research group with SUZG FOI consists of the project leader, Full Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, Ph.D. and colleagues, Marijana Bubanić, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Kristina Detelj, Ph.D., Ivana Dvorski Lacković, Ph.D., Ivana Đunđek, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Iva Gregurec, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Suzana Keglević Kozjak, Ph.D., Karolina Kokot, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Irena Konecki, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Dina Korent, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Kovšca, Ph.D., Tamara Šmaguc, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Zrinka Lacković Vincek, Ph.D. and Full Prof. Ksenija Vuković, Ph.D.
External associates on the project are Assoc. Prof. Mirjana Grčić Fabić, Ph.D. from the University of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, Assoc. Prof. Mihaela Mikić, Ph.D. from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Full Prof. Vlatka Škokić, Ph.D. from the University of Split Faculty of Economics.
