1. Enhancing knowledge and technology transfer : determinants and indicators of successful university–industry collaborationJana Hojnik, Štefan Bojnec, Simona Kustec, Vaida Zemlickienė, Zenonas Turskis, 2026, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: 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. Ključne besede: corporate social responsibility, indicators, innovation policy, knowledge and technology transfer, sustainability, technology transfer office (TTO), university–industry collaboration (UIC) Objavljeno v RUP: 13.04.2026; Ogledov: 230; Prenosov: 8
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2. Corporate social responsibility practices, managerial attitudes toward artificial intelligence, and AI adoption in micro and small restaurant SMEsMarko Kukanja, Tanja Planinc, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: 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. Ključne besede: corporate social responsibility, artificial intelligence adoption, managerial attitudes, restaurant SMEs, sustainability, financial performance Objavljeno v RUP: 23.03.2026; Ogledov: 350; Prenosov: 11
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3. Slovenia’s social sustainability achievements : an examination of local perspectives and satisfaction levelsVinod Sasidharan, Dejan Križaj, Drenicka Quiogue, Justin Aquino, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: 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. Ključne besede: Slovenia, residents, perceptions, social sustainability Objavljeno v RUP: 19.03.2026; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 9
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4. Universities as Drivers of Social Innovation and Circular Economy : Insights from the University of TriesteRubina Romanello, Salvatore Dore, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: 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. Ključne besede: university, social innovation, circular economy, sustainability, higher education Objavljeno v RUP: 11.03.2026; Ogledov: 319; Prenosov: 7
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5. The Impact of Ecological Sustainability on Job Selection Preferences among Young EmployeesChristine Ebner, Peter Brandstaetter, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Opis: 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. Ključne besede: CSR, Sustainability, Corporate social responsibility, Employer branding, Recruiting Objavljeno v RUP: 04.03.2026; Ogledov: 323; Prenosov: 3
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7. Integrating Happiness Research into Endpoint Indicators of Social Life Cycle AnalysisStefan Mann, Melf-Hinrich Ehlers, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Endpoint indicators for social life cycle analysis (S-LCA) are still less consolidated than those for environmental LCA. There is a broad consensus that human well-being should be the overarching goal of social sustainability and therefore also of S-LCA. However, to date the two major databases for S-LCA are restricted to a multiplication of working hours with a quality- or risk-adjusted factor. This paper aims to evaluate the congruence between this technical pragmatism and well-established findings of happiness research. The analysis starts with the argument that evidence and consequentiality are necessary criteria for any variables used. It is then shown that some of the variables such as poverty are not consequential, while the unit of working hours lacks any evidence about a relationship with subjective well-being. The analysis concludes that a simple pointbased endpoint indicator would be more appropriate for S-LCA than the current hour-based indicator.
Ključne besede: social sustainability, life cycle analysis, indicators, endpoint Objavljeno v RUP: 18.12.2025; Ogledov: 416; Prenosov: 0
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8. The social construction of environmental reality : an analysis of life cycle assessment in the food industryPedja Ašanin Gole, Karolina Babič, Vida Sruk, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This article offers a critical sociological-philosophical-communicological review of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method in the context of the food industry. While LCA has been established as a standardized tool for quantifying environmental impacts, this study analyses it not merely as a technical method but as an epistemological construct that actively shapes societal understanding of sustainability. Drawing on the theory of social construction of reality, situated knowledge, and critical theory, the article explores how methodological choices within LCA (e.g., system boundary definition and indicator selection) are not neutral but reflect specific social and political priorities. The findings reveal that standardized LCA approaches oſten lead to epistemological reductionism by homogenizing complex ecological processes and neglecting local contexts and environmental justice issues. Furthermore, the article examines the instrumentalization of LCA in sustainability communication and green marketing, where quantitative data are frequently used to legitimize existing business models rather than to drive systemic change. The discussion emphasizes the need to transcend instrumental rationality and shiſt toward transdisciplinary and deliberative approaches. The article advocates for integrating Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and broader Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) frameworks to address sustainability challenges in the food industry more holistically, incorporating social justice and cultural sensitivity. Ključne besede: life cycle assessment (LCA), social construction of reality, situated knowledge, sustainability environmental communication, epistemology of ethics, sociology of responsibility Objavljeno v RUP: 10.11.2025; Ogledov: 699; Prenosov: 12
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9. Different approaches to early childhood education for sustainability from the preschool teacher’s perspectiveAleksandra Šindić, Adrijana Višnjić-Jevtić, Jurka Lepičnik-Vodopivec, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: education for sustainable development, early childhood education, social sustainability, preschool teachers, macro-level approach, micro-level approach Objavljeno v RUP: 11.09.2025; Ogledov: 824; Prenosov: 2
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10. The limited role of socio-ecological indicators in temporary use of space—deficits in revitalization of degraded urban areasMatjaž Uršič, Tina Cotič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Temporary use of space in degraded areas is gaining significance in spatial planning due to limitations and conflicts stemming from traditional models that overlook social (soft) environmental components. This article addresses the lack of socio-ecological indicators in contextual analyses that precede planning processes in degraded areas. Using a plural case study approach across sites in Portugal and Slovenia, it combines primary data from semi-structured questionnaires and terrain analysis with secondary sources. The findings reveal that only specific types of temporary uses foster dynamic and adaptive social networks among stakeholders. These networks enhance the social and environmental sustainability of urban areas, particularly when socio-ecological indicators are refined to account for informal practices, community engagement and cultural value. Furthermore, the study highlights how these practices contribute to social sustainability by supporting inclusive governance models and stimulating local economies. A key finding of the study is the identification of a strong link between social networks and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need to incorporate updated socio-ecological indicators into spatial planning for degraded areas. Temporary uses are not merely stop-gap solutions but also strategic tools for cultivating sustainable urban areas. Ključne besede: temporary spaces, temporary use of space in degrated urban areas, socio-ecological indicators, social sustainability, urban redevelopment Objavljeno v RUP: 12.06.2025; Ogledov: 1093; Prenosov: 16
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