Project “STAT-KONK” is implemented within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026 and is financed by European Union funds through the NextGenerationEU instrument.
At “The 8th International Conference on Management and Organization (ICMO 2026) – Sustainability by Design: Rethinking Strategy, People & Digital Futures”, held from June 3 to June 6, 2026, in Pržno, Montenegro, Josip Arnerić presented the paper titled “Reconstruction of a Business-Oriented and Sustainability-Related Competitiveness Index Using Open Data: Evidence from Croatia.”
The paper develops and validates a transparent and replicable competitiveness index for Croatia based exclusively on open data, with the aim of ensuring continuity in competitiveness monitoring following the discontinuation of several international indices after 2019. The proposed framework conceptualizes competitiveness as a multidimensional phenomenon integrating market performance, innovation, human capital, infrastructure, and sustainability, with sustainability embedded as an essential component of long-term competitiveness. Methodologically, the study contributes by introducing a robust and decomposable composite-indicator framework that enables transparent validation, comparison, and application in business- and policy-oriented analyses.
At the “49th ICT and Electronics Convention MIPRO 2026”, held in Opatija, Croatia, from 25 to 29 May 2026, two scientific papers authored by members of the STAT-KONK project team were presented.
In the paper Mapping the Digital Divide in Artificial Intelligence: A VOSviewer-Based Bibliometric Literature Review, authors Mirjana Pejić Bach, Berislav Žmuk, Matija Fortuna, and Jovana Zoroja provide a bibliometric review of the literature on the digital divide in the context of artificial intelligence, with the aim of identifying the field’s intellectual structure, dominant research themes, and emerging directions. The analysis of publications indexed in the Web of Science database, conducted using VOSviewer, revealed that the main research themes are related to health, technology, education, governance, and ethics. Particular attention is being directed toward generative artificial intelligence, AI literacy, ethical issues, and algorithmic bias. The findings also highlight shortcomings in measuring the digital divide, the limited availability of international comparative studies, and the need for more effective translation of policy principles and guidelines into practical measures that foster inclusive artificial intelligence and digital inclusion.
In the paper Mapping Human-Algorithm Interaction: A Bibliometric and Conceptual Map of Transparency, Autonomy, and Digital Resilience (2010–2026), authors Marija Gombar, Mirjana Pejić Bach, and Mislav Ante Omazić conducted a bibliometric analysis of research on human-algorithm interaction within the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), based on 377 publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2010 and 2026. Using the VOSviewer and Bibliometrix tools, the authors identified four dominant thematic areas: large language models and generative artificial intelligence; transparency and explainability associated with fairness and interpretability; recommender systems focused on trust; and user experience in human-algorithm interaction with an emphasis on control and responsibility. The results indicate a strong increase in interest in topics related to large language models after 2021. The paper also proposes a conceptual framework in which transparency supports user autonomy, autonomy strengthens system resilience, and both contribute to the design of more resilient digital interfaces.
The conference proceedings are expected to be published in July 2026.
At the “FEB Zagreb 17th International Odyssey Conference on Economics and Business”, which was held from May 20 to May 23, 2026, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Associate Professor Berislav Žmuk delivered a presentation of the paper titled The role of statistical methods in Croatian enterprises in the post-pandemic business environment.
The paper analyzes the perception of ongoing digital transformation and its impact on the use of statistical methods in Croatian enterprises following the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a probabilistic web survey conducted among Croatian enterprises in June 2024, the findings show that statistical methods are more frequently used by medium-sized and large enterprises, while less than half of enterprises in the overall sample reported using them. The results also indicate that enterprises primarily use statistical methods to improve business performance, while many enterprises that currently do not use them would be willing to adopt them if they were convinced of their positive effects on business outcomes.
The publication of the conference proceedings is expected no later than July 2026.
In May 2026, the scientific paper by Irena Palić titled Environmental Fiscal Policy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the EU-27: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel GMM Model was published online in Croatian Operational Research Society journal Croatian Operational Research Review, 17(2), 0-X, ISSN: 1848-9931 (print), ISSN: 1848-0225 (online) DOI: 10.17535/crorr.2026.0022 (https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/943155).
The paper examines the effects of environmental fiscal policy instruments on greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 during the period 2009-2023. By applying the Arellano and Bond difference GMM estimator to panel data, the study analyzes the impact of energy taxes, transport taxes, and government environmental protection expenditures on total greenhouse gas emissions. The research additionally includes robustness checks using population as a control variable and CO2 emissions as an alternative dependent variable.
The results reveal strong persistence in greenhouse gas emissions across EU member states. Energy taxes and government environmental protection expenditures were found to have a negative and statistically significant effect on emissions in both the short run and the long run, confirming their effectiveness as instruments of environmental fiscal policy. In contrast, transport taxes showed a positive relationship with emissions, indicating that the current structure of transport taxation in the EU is not sufficiently effective in reducing environmental pressures.
The findings emphasize the importance of evidence-based environmental policy design and the role of fiscal instruments in supporting the transition toward sustainable development and climate neutrality within the European Union.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., a meeting of the leaders of institutional research projects was held in Hall 17 of the Faculty of Economics & Business – Zagreb, together with the Committee for the Evaluation and Selection of Project Proposals and for Monitoring the Implementation of Selected Projects.
The topics of the meeting included the dynamics of project implementation and the achievement of the work plan, the rebalancing of the financial plan, and adjustments to internal procedures for covering expenses in accordance with the Ordinance on Amendments and Supplements to the Ordinance on the Implementation of Simple Procurement Procedures.
The meeting was also attended by the project leader of “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK,” Associate Professor Berislav Žmuk.
In March 2026, the scientific paper by Žmuk, B. and Bradaš, P. titled Empirical Analysis of Compliance with the Corporate Governance Code and the Financial Performance of Croatian Non-Financial Joint-Stock Companies, was published online first in Ekonomska misao i praksa, 0-x, ISSN: 1330-1039 (print), ISSN: 1848-963X (online), DOI: 10.17818/EMIP/2026/14 (https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/942844).
The paper analyzes the relationship between formal compliance with the recommendations of the Corporate Governance Code and the competitiveness of Croatian enterprises by applying advanced statistical methods to a sample of 46 non-financial joint-stock companies during the period 2020-2024. Using the ESGOV index, LASSO regression, and hierarchical cluster analysis, the study identified key governance factors associated with enterprise profitability and market value, as well as groups of enterprises with similar governance patterns.
The results confirm the importance of the institutional framework, transparency, and data-driven governance for strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian economy, which is consistent with the project’s objectives related to the development of empirically grounded models and statistical tools for competitiveness analysis.
On Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at 11:30 a.m., the second coordination meeting of the project team for the project “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK” was held online.
Activities carried out within the project in the period from 1 October 2025 to 16 March 2026 were presented. Administrative instructions were also provided to the project team members, and a review of the planned activities until the end of the first project year (30 September 2026) was conducted.
The next coordination meeting of the project team for the project “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK” is planned for September 2026.
05. Prezentacija - Radionica - Hrvatska poduzeća i statistika - veljača 2026.pdfAs part of the STAT-KONK project, three workshops were held with first-year students of the integrated undergraduate and graduate university study programme in Business Economics at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, on the topic “Prerequisites and readiness of Croatian enterprises for the application of artificial intelligence in statistical analysis”. The first two workshops were held on Monday, 23 February 2026, while the third workshop was held on Friday, 27 February 2026. In addition to actively participating in the workshops, the students also completed a short anonymous survey aimed at examining their previous experiences, attitudes, and perceptions regarding statistics and the application of statistical methods in practice.
We are proud to highlight that Dajana Barbić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business – Zagreb and a member of the research team for the project Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia (STAT-KONK), was appointed on February 10, 2026, as the National Financial Literacy Ambassador within the European Union initiative aimed at enhancing citizens’ financial knowledge and resilience.
The appointment decision was made by the Minister of Finance, Tomislav Ćorić, and the ambassadorial mandate will last until the end of 2027. Through public, professional, and media activities, Associate Professor Dajana Barbić will actively contribute to the development of financial literacy, empower citizens in making informed financial decisions, and represent the Republic of Croatia within the European network of financial literacy ambassadors.
Her appointment is directly connected to the research objectives of the STAT-KONK project, in which she participates through the research component focused on the analysis of fiscal policy and fiscal instruments in strengthening economic competitiveness and citizens’ financial resilience. Within the project, she leads a research segment dedicated to the analysis of fiscal policy and the tax system in the context of long-term economic development, financial resilience, sustainability, and citizens’ behavior, applying advanced regression and panel models.
This appointment further confirms the scientific and social relevance of the research conducted within the STAT-KONK project and emphasizes the importance of linking academic excellence, public policy, and citizens’ financial education.
We congratulate Associate Professor Dajana Barbić on this significant appointment and thank her for her contribution to strengthening the scientific foundation and societal impact of the project.
On Monday, 19 January 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a meeting of the heads of institutional research projects with the Committee for the Evaluation and Selection of Project Proposals and the Monitoring of Selected Projects was held in the Congress Hall of the Faculty of Economics – Zagreb. The meeting focused on processes and procedures related to project implementation. The meeting was also attended by the project leader of “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berislav Žmuk.
On Thursday, 18 December 2025, at 12:00 p.m., the first coordination meeting of the project team for “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK” was held online.
With this meeting, the project was formally launched. The project leader, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berislav Žmuk, presented a project summary, the project team members, the project objectives, as well as the implementation plan and the financial plan.
The work plan for the first year of the project, covering the period from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026, was presented, along with individual work plans for each project team member. The procurement needs for 2026 were also discussed, as well as the administrative aspects of project implementation.
The next coordination meeting of the project team for “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK” is scheduled for March 2026.
The ceremonial signing of the grant agreement for the implementation of institutional research projects under Call IIP-581-2025 took place in the Library of the Faculty of Economics – Zagreb on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
On this occasion, the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics – Zagreb, represented by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Sanja Sever Mališ, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berislav Žmuk, in his capacity as project leader of “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK”, signed the grant agreement for the implementation of the institutional research project “Statistics for Competitiveness in the Republic of Croatia – STAT-KONK”.
The project will be financed from Source 581 – the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, under Call IIP-581-2025 of the Faculty of Economics – Zagreb, i.e., with funding from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.