Summary: The process of macroeconomic convergence is of the utmost importance for the long-term development of Croatia. The understanding of this process is crucial for the effective coordination of economic policies during the accession to the EU. Within this project we examine the aspects of structural, institutional, fiscal and monetary convergence, as well as the integration of financial markets. The main project hypothesis is that macroeconomic convergence in Croatia is not equally successful in all areas. While...
Summary: The research begins from the understanding that unemployment is one of the basic sources of poverty in European countries in transition (World Bank, 2005 Klugman, Micklewright and Redmond, 2002; Kolev, 2005). Croatia has a high rate of total unemployment, within which there is a particularly high rate of long-term unemployment and of unemployment amongst young people, whilst poverty and other indicators of social exclusion are within the range of the European average (Eurostat, 2005). It appears that the...
Summary: Croatian companies are lagging behind in the restructuring process and are losing sustainable competitive advantages. Restructuring in itself is not questionable, but the goals, contents and especially the manner of restructuring are. Structural, quantitative and qualitative analysis reveals the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Croatian companies in the convergence conditions. The EU accession process converges with the adjustment problem, i.e. market, technological, technical,...
Summary: The rise in competitiveness of the Croatian economy is becoming increasingly important for at least two reasons – one being the expected EU accession, and the other being the persistent and rather high current account deficits and increased foreign debt jeopardizing macroeconomic stability. This research is based on theoretical findings implying the importance of education, science and technology for the development of a competitive economy. The project builds around the hypothesis that more intense human capital...
Summary: Suggested research and main hypothesis are based on contemporary definition of sustainable development which is defined as socio-economic development which assures return of invested capital, does not disturb social cohesion and takes place within carrying capacity of the ecosystem. Social relevance of this development pattern is widely accepted and in EU it is acknowledged as main objective and long-term goal of socio-economic development policy. In this necessary interdisciplinary project critical determinants...