The position of firms, financial institution and government in adapting to the common European economic environment

Based on a combination of methods (see below), the programme will create new knowledge, expose it to critical evaluation and verification at top international scientific conferences in areas covered by the programme (e.g., European Finance Association, American Accounting Association). A favourable critical evaluation leads to publications in high-quality academic journals. The group is committed to developing new knowledge, it has followed this commitment in the past (see pts. 5.1 and 5.2 of the form ARRS-ZV-RPROG-PP-04-EN) and intends to pursue this goal also in the future. Depending on the research question, the following methods will be used: (i) in studying institutions at the macro level, qualitative methods will be principally used (analysis, synthesis); (ii) in studying structural breaks at the micro level, empirical research on extensive archival data, questionnaire data and case studies will be used; (iii) in developing the microsimulation model and the DSGE econometric modelling will be used.

Direct importance: the research focuses on key elements of competitiveness and sustainable development of Slovene companies, institutions and the national economy (macro and micro factors, environmental considerations) and thus directly affects the economic position of these economic subjects. Economic activities are by definition social activities and hence any knowledge that helps the economic subjects to understand their and others behaviour in a competitive environment helps improve their socio-economic position. By taking into account the principles of sustainable development the economic subjects contribute to the long-term sustainability of their socio-economic position. Indirect importance: the programme members transfer all the new knowledge on students in academic institutions; by committing to high-quality research they also set the standard for future research projects; by being actively involved in international research and professional associations they signal quality, increase the recognition of Slovenia, Slovenian science and Slovenian economy; by taking into consideration the sustainability they signal the importance of long-term sustainable development.