PROJECT TYPE:

• Institutional research project

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:

• 31. 10. 2025. – 31. 10. 2029.

PROJECT LEADER AND ASSOCIATES:

• Dr. Sc. Marli Gonan Božac, full professor in permanent appointment, project leader
• Dr. Sc. Katarina Kostelić, assistant professor, deputy project leader
• Dr. Sc. Vanja Bevanda, full professor in permanent appointment
• Dr. Sc. Morena Paulišić, full professor
• Dr. Sc. Darko Etinger, associate professor
• Dr. Sc. Marlena Plavšić, assistant professor
• Dr. Sc. Ivan Lorencin, assistant professor
• Dr. Sc. Cristina Fleșeriu, associate professor
• Dr. Sc. Sandi Baressi Šegota, assistant
• Dr. Damir Matrljan, MBA, MABR, doctoral student
• Petra Ostojić, M.A. in Economics, postgraduate specialist study student

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project will analyze, through research in the areas of leadership, operations and business processes, and strategic decision-making, how digital maturity, internal sustainability, and inclusiveness with regard to the digital divide shape decision-making processes. Methodologically, the project will rely on a combination of literature searches, case studies and simulation experiments, controlled experiments, quantitative analysis of questionnaire data, and semi-structured interviews. Through the research, the project will result in validated questionnaires, guidelines, and instruments for managers and teams, intended for ethically informed decision-making in the context of digital transformation.

MAIN PROJECT GOAL:

• To provide scientifically based recommendations for ethical and effective decision-making in the context of digital transformation. 
• Research specific objectives:
• To provide scientifically based findings on the emotional impact of generative artificial intelligence: negative emotions and threat perception 
• To provide scientifically based results on the role of human judgment and data monitoring in assessing the quality of insights generated by artificial intelligence for strategic decision-making 
• To provide scientifically based recommendations on the knowledge and skills needed by managers in AI digital transformation of a specific industry 
• To provide scientifically based findings on the relationship between the application of GenAI and the level of stress, i.e. the emotions of managers 
• To provide scientifically based results on the role of emotional intelligence and cognitive bias in evaluating the quality of AI-assisted decision support systems 
• To provide scientifically based results on ways of coping with stress for healthcare workers.
• To provide scientifically based results on the relationship between different leadership styles and selected managerial approaches to motivation and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership 
• To provide scientifically based results on the skills and competencies needed to fill jobs given the challenges and opportunities that shape the business world of today and the future 
• To provide scientifically based results on the difference in perception of behavior between employees, work environments (teams) and superiors 
• Intervention guidelines for top management and HR management for building sustainable, resilient and inclusive human capital.

PROJECT HOLDER: Juraj Dobrila University of Pula