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2. Time-money segment differences in ideation and collaboration readiness in sustainable tourism educationDejan Križaj, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study examines whether tourism students’ self-reported time–money use patterns are related to their readiness to collaborate on idea development, and whether sustain- ability emerges spontaneously in their tourism innovation ideas. Using an anonymised dataset of open-ended questionnaire responses from Slovenian higher education tourism students (N = 597; 2019–2025), we applied deterministic rule-based coding to classify the presence of actionable ideas and sustainability framing, as well as collaboration readiness and conditions. Actionable ideas were common (53.4%), but sustainability framing was uncommon (7.5%). Most respondents were unconditionally willing to collaborate (69.3%), while 30.7% expressed conditional willingness or unwillingness. Time–money behavioural segments were significantly associated with collaboration reservations, whereas segment differences in ideation and sustainability framing were not significant. Among students expressing reservations, topic match and perceived team quality were the most frequently stated conditions. These findings indicate that sustainability-oriented tourism education should support both sustainability integration and low-risk collaboration through clear project briefs, topic-based matching, and team-process supports. The conclusions should be interpreted with reasonable caution as they are context-specific evidence based on self- reported, rule-coded responses, particularly for sustainability framing, where positive cases were rare. In this context, segmentation should be regarded as a diagnostic tool for course design rather than as a basis for labelling students.
Keywords: tourism education, sustainability, collaboration readiness, behavioural segmentation, time–money trade-offs, project-based learning, open-ended survey, clustering
Published in RUP: 04.05.2026; Views: 110; Downloads: 5
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3. Enhancing knowledge and technology transfer : determinants and indicators of successful university–industry collaborationJana Hojnik, Štefan Bojnec, Simona Kustec, Vaida Zemlickienė, Zenonas Turskis, 2026, review article Abstract: Both universities and companies create value and innovation to maintain their position and remain competitive. Different, but still similar, with two goals that are shared. With their collaboration, they can enhance their pursuit of sustainability and as well corporate social responsibility by creating and delivering value and thus contributing to the well-being of society. This paper thus examines the determinants and indicators of successful university–industry collaboration (UIC) in the context of knowledge and technology transfer. The purpose of the research is to identify key factors that drive effective UIC and to establish measurable indicators for evaluating the performance of this collaboration. The paper aimed to understand not only what drives UIC but also how to measure its effectiveness. So, an exploratory, theory-building approach, adopting a systematic literature review is applied. By focusing on the determinants and measurable outputs of UIC, the paper provides insights into the strategic importance of measuring knowledge and technology transfer for a wide range of stakeholders involved in it. UIC for universities is a part of their third mission and their CSR, while with respect for companies, UIC is a result of practicing open innovation and pursuing corporate social responsibility. While consolidating these dimensions, the study also develops a holistic input–output indicator framework that not only clarifies how collaboration is initiated and structured but also how it can be evaluated in practice.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, indicators, innovation policy, knowledge and technology transfer, sustainability, technology transfer office (TTO), university–industry collaboration (UIC)
Published in RUP: 13.04.2026; Views: 227; Downloads: 8
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4. Sustaining accommodation SMEs : drivers and pathways of sustainable transition in the Mediterranean tourist accommodation sectorEmil Juvan, Guido Capanna Piscè, Federica Murmura, Giada Pierli, Alessio Travasi, Massimiliano Rumignani, Gian Andrea Paolo Garancini, Manos Ligerakis, Jana Čakardžić, Dino Mujkić, 2026, scientific monograph Keywords: Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, environmentally significant behaviour, accommodation sustainability
Published in RUP: 08.04.2026; Views: 267; Downloads: 8
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5. Corporate social responsibility practices, managerial attitudes toward artificial intelligence, and AI adoption in micro and small restaurant SMEsMarko Kukanja, Tanja Planinc, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: In hospitality SMEs, digital transformation is increasingly linked to sustainability goals. However, evidence on how corporate social responsibility (CSR) relates to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in owner-managed firms remains limited. This study ex- amines CSR practices, managerial attitudes toward AI, and AI adoption in micro and small restaurant SMEs in a small European Union (EU) economy. Using survey data from 157 Slovenian restaurant SMEs and structural equation modelling, CSR is conceptualised as an enacted, practice-based orientation. At the same time, managerial attitudes toward AI are modelled as the key mechanism preceding adoption. Results reveal an asymmet- ric relationship between CSR and AI. Employee-related CSR practices, which are mainly institutionalised, do not significantly influence managerial AI attitudes. In contrast, en- vironmental CSR practices are negatively associated with AI attitudes, indicating more cautious evaluations among environmentally responsible managers. Managerial attitudes toward AI are positively and significantly associated with AI adoption, confirming their central role in adoption decisions. Financial performance, measured by objective revenue data, does not emerge as a direct outcome of AI adoption but rather operates as a contex- tual condition shaping how CSR practices relate to managerial attitudes and how those attitudes translate into adoption decisions. Overall, the findings indicate that CSR does not uniformly translate into managerial attitudes toward AI and subsequent AI adoption in restaurant SMEs.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, artificial intelligence adoption, managerial attitudes, restaurant SMEs, sustainability, financial performance
Published in RUP: 23.03.2026; Views: 344; Downloads: 10
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6. Slovenia’s social sustainability achievements : an examination of local perspectives and satisfaction levelsVinod Sasidharan, Dejan Križaj, Drenicka Quiogue, Justin Aquino, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Slovenia is regarded as a nation which has prioritized green innovations, social responsibility, and its commitment to sustainable development. Although Slovenia’s environmental achievements have received national visibility, local awareness of its social sustainability initiatives has been limited. This study examined perspectives and satisfaction levels among residents regarding Slovenia’s social sustainability achievements and associated sustainable development goals (4, 10, and 16). Utilizing a survey, these perceptions were assessed among respondents from three distinct regions–Ljubljana, Novo Mesto, and Koper, respectively. Frequency tests indicated that quality education, ethnic integration, and effective governance/partnerships were perceived as being important to achieving social sustainability. From a Chi-square analysis, a positive correlation was revealed between educational level and knowledge of national sustainability initiatives. A Spearman’s rho test showed that age had an influence on satisfaction with ethnic integration. The study provides insights into the social sustainability perspectives of Slovene society and offers implications for future research.
Keywords: Slovenia, residents, perceptions, social sustainability
Published in RUP: 19.03.2026; Views: 263; Downloads: 9
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7. Universities as Drivers of Social Innovation and Circular Economy : Insights from the University of TriesteRubina Romanello, Salvatore Dore, original scientific article Abstract: Universities are main actors capable of fostering social innovation (SI) and advancing circular economy (CE) practices through education, research, community engagement, and internal governance practices. This article examines the University of Trieste (UNITS) as a case study to explore how universities can promote synergies between SI and CE. By analysing in-depth secondary and primary data, our study maps the activities implemented by the University to spread the two paradigms by specifically organizing them in four fields: teaching and student engagement; research and knowledge transfer; third mission and societal outreach; and sustainability practices. Through this mapping activity, this study identifies five benchmark activities that are considered highly impactful in spreading both SI and CE paradigms: the PhD Program in Circular Economy, the RUS Food Working Group, the AReTS water project, the adaptive reuse of the Ex-Ospedale Militare, and the Innovators Community Lab. Our results provide food for thought for policy makers and practitioners, showing some activities that might be replicable among higher education institutions worldwide.
Keywords: university, social innovation, circular economy, sustainability, higher education
Published in RUP: 11.03.2026; Views: 316; Downloads: 7
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8. The Impact of Ecological Sustainability on Job Selection Preferences among Young EmployeesChristine Ebner, Peter Brandstaetter, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In the modern employment landscape, sustainability has transitioned from a superficial term to a pivotal factor that significantly influences the career decisions of emerging professionals. This transformation is particularly pronounced among younger cohorts of job applicants, who are progressively placing greater emphasis on sustainability in their selection of employers. Additionally, when employees perceive a good fit between their values and those of the organization, their motivation is enhanced. This research explores the extent to which ecological sustainability shapes the perceived employer attractiveness among young workers, emphasizing the changing paradigm in job selection criteria. The study was conducted with a sample of 972 individuals, representing different professional and educational backgrounds, and the research provides substantial empirical evidence supporting the finding that ecological sustainability impacts their employment decisions. The methodology involved a comprehensive survey focusing on participants' priorities and values concerning ecological practices within potential employers. The findings indicate a strong preference for companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices, with such organizations being rated more attractive as employers compared to those that do not actively pursue sustainability goals. This heightened interest in sustainable employment was particularly pronounced among participants with higher educational levels and those from sectors directly impacted by environmental issues. Even though a significant proportion of survey respondents – more than 80% – asserted their commitment to an eco-friendly lifestyle and acknowledged the significance of adhering to ecological standards, this factor proved to be less pertinent when selecting a new employer. The data indicated that more than three quarters had never declined a job for this reason, only 4.75% reported having done so. One potential explanation for this phenomenon is that these considerations are already addressed during the application process by cultivating a positive corporate image and employer brand. However, this hypothesis requires further research. The present study contributes to the existing dialogue surrounding sustainability within the context of the workplace by emphasizing the critical necessity of embedding sustainable practices into the core business strategies and overarching corporate identity, which ultimately serves as an effective mechanism for appealing to the younger demographic.
Keywords: CSR, Sustainability, Corporate social responsibility, Employer branding, Recruiting
Published in RUP: 04.03.2026; Views: 320; Downloads: 3
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9. ESG, Risk Management and SMEs : What Are the Potential Links? An Empirical Analysis of Friulia S.p.A.’s Investment PortfolioTommaso Cortivo, 2015, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: This paper examines the determinants of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) financed by Friulia S.p.A., a privately managed institutional investor under public control of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Using data collected through a structured questionnaire, we build a synthetic indicator of ESG activation through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which captures the degree to which firms internalise sustainability practices. The first three principal components extracted through PCA represent distinct ESG dimensions and are used, separately, as dependent variables in Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions, with environmental certification and firm size as explanatory factors. Results show that the presence of an environmental certification is significantly associated with stronger ESG activation – particularly along the operational dimension – confirming its role as a key driver of structured sustainability practices. By contrast, firm size does not emerge as a significant predictor, suggesting that financial support (equity, specifically) from a professional investor may offset resource disparities across SMEs. Secondary ESG dimensions related to governance and residual social behaviours are not explained by structural variables, pointing instead to cultural and organisational factors. The findings contribute to the literature on SME sustainability by demonstrating that certifications serve as both signalling and learning tools, while also providing practical guidance for policymakers and public investors on how to design effective strategies to support the ESG transition of SMEs.
Keywords: SMEs, ESG, certification, PCA, risk management, sustainability, Friulia S.p.A.
Published in RUP: 04.03.2026; Views: 297; Downloads: 19
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