1. Improving Entrepreneurial Journey2025 Abstract: The scientific monograph Improving Entrepreneurial Journey brings together research contributions from ten authors exploring contemporary approaches to the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Central and Southeastern Europe. The publication is based on the Improving Entrepreneurial Journey Initiative (IEJI), which bridges academic research, entrepreneurial practice, and sustainability-oriented development. The chapters address key themes such as psychological dimensions of entrepreneurship, mentoring and support mechanisms, business incubators, and case studies from Slovenia, Montenegro, and Hungary. The monograph contributes to a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship as a complex social phenomenon that integrates personal, organizational, and systemic perspectives while promoting the creation of resilient, inclusive, and sustainability-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Keywords: IEJ iniciative, entreprenurship, business management, organization, management, human resources
Published in DKUM: 09.12.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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2. Navigating success : how decision–making transforms software performance into business performance in the logistics industry from an emerging countryBukra Doganer Duman, Gültekin Altuntaş, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background/Purpose: This study investigates the mediating role of decision–making performance in the link between software performance and overall business performance in the logistics sector of an emerging economy. As logistics companies increasingly rely on digital infrastructures, understanding how advanced systems contribute to strategic outcomes is critical for sustaining competitiveness. Methods: A conceptual framework was developed integrating ERP systems, big data analytics, and IoT applications. In this model, software performance is positioned as the independent variable, decision–making performance as the mediator, and business performance as the dependent variable. Data were collected from medium- and large–scale logistics firms and analyzed using regression and bootstrapping methods through SPSS and the PROCESS Macro. Results: The findings reveal that software performance significantly improves decision–making performance (β = 0.552, p < 0.01), which in turn has a strong positive effect on business performance (β = 0.817, p < 0.01). The mediation analysis confirms that decision–making performance mediates the effect of software performance on business outcomes. Conclusion: The results highlight the strategic importance of aligning digital capabilities with organizational decision processes. By demonstrating the mediating role of decision–making, the study highlights that the effective use of advanced analytical tools is crucial for optimizing performance and achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in logistics.
Keywords: software performance, decision–making performance, business performance, TMS systems, logistics industry, emerging economy
Published in DKUM: 14.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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3. Business analytics and digitalization as drivers of startup evaluation : the experience of the Baltic statesValeriia Shcherbak, Oleksandr Dorokhov, Kadri Ukrainski, Deniss Djakons, Olha Kovalyova, Liudmyla Dorokhova, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: This study is motivated by the importance of startups in economic growth and the need for methods to evaluate their success, considering risk and uncertainty. The objective is to analyze factors that influence startups, using factor and cluster analysis. The hypothesis that advanced business analytics in startup evaluation can enhance the quality of investment decision-making was tested. Methods: The combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques was used. Statistics about 20 startups from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia over five years were processed to identify success drivers and to group startups by similarity. Machine learning and social media sentiment analysis were applied to assess non-financial indicators. Results: The results showed that indicators such as projected profitability, social media activity, and innovativeness are significant for startup ranking. The share of traditional methods in the Baltic states was 55%, while modern tools were 45%, highlighting the role of digitalization in risk assessment. Startups with high clustering coefficients and positive mention sentiment demonstrated superior performance. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that integrating business analytics and digitalization enhances startup evaluation. The model combines financial metrics with network and sentiment analysis, offering a comprehensive framework for investors. It confirms that data-driven methods improve decision-making, reducing investment risks.
Keywords: startup evaluation, business analytics, digitalization, economic potential, Baltic states, social engagement
Published in DKUM: 14.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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4. Business model Canvas of a company for organizing cultural experiences and presentations in hotel lobbies : 1st cycle professional bachelor's studies graduate thesisVasilisa Nesterova, 2025, undergraduate thesis Abstract: This thesis explores how art exhibitions and cultural events held in hotel lobbies can become a successful business model. The concept combines hospitality and cultural tourism to create unique experiences for hotel guests while generating financial benefits for hotels. The study applies the Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010) to develop a clear business plan, which analyses customer segments, value propositions, revenue streams, and cost structures. The primary customers are hotels and tourists. Hotels benefit from increased guest loyalty and additional revenues, while tourists enjoy a richer cultural experience. A financial comparison of two event formats shows that both can be profitable. A small setup model has a higher profit margin (27.06%), while a medium setup model with a lower profit margin (19.24%) offers a broader range of services. Interviews with hotel managers, artists, and tourism experts confirm strong interest in these events highlighting, however, marketing, logistics and budgeting challenges. The thesis concludes that incorporation of cultural events into hotel services attracts more guests, strengthens hotel branding, and supports local artists making it a promising business opportunity.
Keywords: Cultural Tourism, Hotels and Hospitality, Business Model Canvas, Art Exhibitions, Event Planning
Published in DKUM: 27.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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5. The impact of artificial intelligence in business communication on social networks: a case studyBlaž Kovač, 2025, undergraduate thesis Abstract: Artificial intelligence has revolutionised the way we communicate in recent years, especially on social networks, where communication is fast and large-scaled. Companies are also using artificial intelligence to communicate with customers, including automating messages intended for customer acquisition, which raises a key question: how effective are messages created with artificial intelligence compared to messages written without artificial intelligence? This thesis analyses the impact of artificial intelligence on business communication using the example of company X. The research compares the effectiveness of messages created with artificial intelligence with messages written without artificial intelligence in the form of LinkedIn outreach, focusing on two key performance indicators: the response rate to the messages and the number of video calls made with potential customers. In addition, the time efficiency of preparing content for messages with and without artificial intelligence was also analysed.
The results show that messages created with artificial intelligence were not only faster to prepare but also achieved higher response rates and a higher number of scheduled video calls with customers compared to messages written without artificial intelligence. This thesis contributes to a better understanding of the role of artificial intelligence in modern business communication and offers insights into its value in connecting with potential customers via social networks, using a practical example.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, business communication, social networks, comparison.
Published in DKUM: 03.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 18
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6. Role of hotel management crisis in Covid-19 and Post-Covid-19 period : a case study of Opatija riviera micro-region in CroatiaRomina Alkier Radnić, Vedran Milojica, Vasja Roblek, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The paper includes an exploratory qualitative research study on the impact and consequences of Covid-19 on business and organisational changes in the hotel industry in the Opatija Riviera area, which will have a medium- and long-term impact on the design of resilience and sustainable growth policies. The disruption caused by the pandemic is also important for hotel managers and management from the point of view of introducing crisis management processes, the results of which can be seen in the protection of the well-being of guests, employees and the general reputation of hotels. Therefore, hotel management needs to emphasise the importance of identifying business strategies and practices in business strategies and thus form the basis for effective crisis management.
Keywords: business models, Covid-19, hotel industry, Opatija Riviera, strategies, risk management, tourism micro-region, Tržič, tržiški avtor
Published in DKUM: 25.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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7. Applications of AI-driven tools in translating and drafting commercial correspondence : a Slovenian-English perspectiveNataša Gajšt, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The recent emergence and the widespread use of AI-driven tools have significantly affected various aspects of human communication, including business-related professional communication. This pilot study explores how AI-driven tools can be used in drafting commercial correspondence by considering its genre conventions. To this end, we carried out a small-scale study to assess AI-driven tools for translating and drafting commercial correspondence. We used ChatGPT, Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Gemini 2.0 Flash to translate 15 letters from Slovenian into English and to draft 10 letters in English based on the prompts in Slovenian. Our key findings show that although the translations are similar, slight differences occur mainly at the level of formality and the scope of formulaic expressions. Concerning the drafts, the AI-driven tools produced adequate letters which might sometimes need light human editing.
Keywords: Business English, commercial correspondence, translation, drafting, AI-driven tools, English, Slovenian
Published in DKUM: 22.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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8. Oblačne rešitve ERP: študija primera malih podjetijNika Kampuš, 2025, undergraduate thesis Abstract: V diplomski nalogi smo obravnavali oblačne rešitve ERP na primeru dveh rešitev – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in Odoo – z vidika njihove uporabe v malih slovenskih podjetjih. Rešitve ERP omogočajo povezovanje poslovnih funkcij v enoten sistem, oblačne različice pa prinašajo dodatne prednosti, kot so nižji stroški, hitrejša uvedba, enostavno vzdrževanje in dostopnost kjerkoli in kadarkoli.
V teoretičnem delu smo predstavili značilnosti računalništva v oblaku in rešitev ERP, v empiričnem pa primerjalno analizirali Odoo in Business Central glede funkcionalnosti, arhitekture, možnosti integracije ter primernosti za mala podjetja. Ugotovili smo, da je Business Central posebej primeren za podjetja, ki že delujejo znotraj Microsoftovega ekosistema, medtem ko Odoo izstopa po svoji prilagodljivosti, odprtokodnosti in modularnem pristopu.
Študiji primera podjetij IC Elektronika in Valens potrjujeta, da ERP v oblaku pomembno prispeva k večji preglednosti, avtomatizaciji ter splošni učinkovitosti poslovanja. Obe rešitvi sta primerni za mala podjetja, končna izbira pa je odvisna od specifičnih poslovnih potreb, proračuna ter razpoložljivih tehničnih znanj v podjetju.
Keywords: ERP v oblaku, mala podjetja, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Odoo, digitalizacija poslovanja, študija primera
Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 14
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9. 8th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy : Book of Abstracts2025, proceedings Abstract: The 8th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy (TBMCE) was organized by the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor in collaboration with the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership - Networks for the Transition into Circular Economy (SRIP- Circular Economy), managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska. The conference was held in Portorož, Slovenia, at the Grand Hotel Bernardin from September 3rd to September 5th, 2025. EIT RawMaterials RIS Hub Adria, SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency and Pomurje Technology Park (as part of the GREENE 4.0 and CI-Hub projects) have joined us as co-organizers. TBMCE 2025 was devoted to presentations of circular economy concepts, technologies and methodologies that contribute to the shift of business entities and society as a whole to a more responsible, circular management of resources. The conference program included panel discussions, plenary and keynote sessions, oral and poster presentations on the following topics: Sustainable Energy, Biomass and Alternative Raw Materials, Circular Business Models, Secondary Raw Materials and Functional Materials, ICT in Circular Economy, Processes and Technologies. Panel discussions addressed following topics: Circular Economy Transition in South East Europe, The transition to carbon neutrality in energy intensive industry, Valorization of used and contaminated wood, Circular economy trends in construction, Critical raw materials and circular economy transition, Industrial Symbiosis and its opportunities for industry, AI and circular economy. The event was under the patronage of Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development.
Keywords: circular economy, sustainable development, processes and technologies, circular business models, research and development
Published in DKUM: 01.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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10. Aligning business solutions and business requirements for digital transformation – case research : V.Uroš Zabukovšek, Simona Sternad Zabukovšek, Samo Bobek, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: This study explores how Business and IT Alignment (BITA) influences business performance (PERFO) and corporate sustainability (SPACS) using a mixed-methods case study of an international manufacturing enterprise. The quantitative analysis (PLS-SEM) indicated BITA affects PERFO indirectly through IT service quality (ITSQ), while remote work (EWORK), despite its relation to BITA, showed no significant impact. BITA strongly predicted SPACS by enhancing employees’ sustainability knowledge, confidence, and willingness to act. Qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews revealed a BITA maturity of 3.3 (on a 5-point scale), highlighting its role in sustainability via better decision-making, process optimization, and IT-enabled transparency. Notable discrepancies between managerial and employee perceptions of BITA maturity were identified. Results suggest successful BITA fosters sustainability-oriented behaviour and IT-driven performance improvements, though continuous reinforcement within organizations is required. The study emphasizes the value of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive insights into BITA's impact.
Keywords: business and IT alignment (BITA), IT service quality (ITSQ), business performance (PERFO), corporate sustainability (SPACS), remote work (EWORK), mixed methods research (MMR), PLS-SEM, organizational maturity, sustainability awareness, case study
Published in DKUM: 29.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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