Project “TECH4USE” is implemented within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026 and is financed by European Union funds through the NextGenerationEU instrument.
Research team
Božidar Jaković graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb (FEB Zagreb), in 2004, completing the Business Economics programme with a specialization in Business Informatics. At the same institution, he obtained the academic degree of Master of Science in 2007 after completing the postgraduate programme in Information Management. He earned his PhD in 2012 within the postgraduate university (doctoral) programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from the MIT Sloan School of Management’s lifelong learning programme. Over the years, he has pursued professional development through numerous workshops, training programmes, and conferences in countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and many European Union member states.
He has published extensively in scientific journals, conference proceedings, and books. His research, scholarly, and teaching interests include digital business, mobile business, business document management, digital technologies, digital business transformation, and IT management.
He is registered in the Register of Scientific Researchers of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports under identification number 286533. He was a member of the Croatian Science Foundation research project Process and Business Intelligence for Business Excellence – PROSPER, and a collaborator on the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia research project Intelligent Systems of Controlling, Finance and Accounting for the Digital Enterprise. He has also collaborated on projects that received short-term research funding support from the University of Zagreb.
He is the course leader for several courses closely related to the research area of the proposed project (IT Management, Digital Business Transformation, Innovative Information Technologies in E-Business, and Sustainable Computing and E-Business). He is the author of numerous publications directly related to the project’s research field. A list of Professor Božidar Jaković’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/26713.
Role in the project – To analyse the scientific literature and conduct a bibliometric analysis of the application of selected digital technologies in service industries. To investigate best practices for implementing selected digital technologies across different service-sector settings, critically assess advantages and disadvantages as well as the benefits and risks of adoption, and disseminate the most effective solutions through a set of recommendations and scientific publications. To participate in all other project activities, including designing the questionnaire for the initial study, conducting the research, reviewing the scientific literature, carrying out structured interviews with representatives of service-sector companies, and disseminating research results through scientific papers and conferences.
Competencies – Professor Mario Spremić, PhD, is a tenured Full Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, and Vice-Chair of the National Committee (Matični odbor) in the field of Social Sciences, specifically within Information and Communication Sciences. At the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, he teaches in Croatian and English across different study programmes (integrated, postgraduate, and doctoral) in areas such as Digital Business Transformation, Digital Business Models, E-business, and Cybersecurity. He is a visiting professor at a number of national (FER, FOI) and international faculties and universities (Sapienza University of Rome, Imperial College London, School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, etc.), where he regularly teaches in the above disciplines. He has published 17 books as an author or co-author, including the first scholarly book on Digital Business Transformation in the Republic of Croatia (published in 2017), and more than 100 scientific papers in journals and conference proceedings. He has published research on digital business transformation and the application of digital technologies in business in Q1 and Q2 Web of Science and Scopus journals such as IEEE Engineering Management (Technology/Engineering Management), Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, and Technology Innovation Management Review, among others (according to Google Scholar, he has 2,800 citations and an h-index of 27). Prior to his academic career, he built a successful corporate career (developer, project manager). In the areas covered by this project, he frequently collaborates with companies as a consultant for digital transformation and cybersecurity, and as an information systems auditor. A list of Professor Mario Spremić’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/4179.
Role in the project – Within the project, the contribution of Associate Professor Ljubica Milanović, PhD, is focused on analysing and interpreting the application of digital technologies in the service sector. Particular emphasis is placed on researching best practices for the implementation of digital solutions, identifying benefits and risks, and formulating recommendations to support successful digital transformation. She will participate in the design and implementation of research instruments. She will also be involved in the analysis of collected data, dissemination of results through scientific papers and conferences, and other project activities aimed at advancing digital transformation in the service sector.
Competencies – As an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, and Vice-Dean for Study Programmes, Communication and Digitalization, she has extensive experience in the areas of information systems, business process management, and digital transformation. At the Faculty, she teaches courses such as Informatics, Business Information Systems, Knowledge Management, and Business Process Management in a Digital Environment. Her scholarly research focuses on knowledge management, business process modelling, and digital communication, with a particular interest in the application of digital technologies in education and business. She is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional papers published in national and international journals, including work on social media communication during crises in Croatian oil companies, analyses of the relationship between social computing and business communication, and examinations of the link between organizational performance and business process orientation. She has participated in research projects funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, as well as in numerous professional projects focused on the application of information technologies in business. Her experience in developing and improving study programmes, implementing digital tools in educational processes, and actively participating in various faculty committees and teams further demonstrates her capacity to contribute to this project through analysis, research, and dissemination of results. A list of Associate Professor Ljubica Milanović’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/22230.
Role in the project – In this project, Assistant Professor Jasmina Pivar, PhD, will participate in assessing the current state of the research field, data analysis, the development of technology application models, and user education/training. Her experience in applying machine learning methods and techniques for data processing and analysis, PLS-SEM modelling, and patent analysis enables her to provide analytical and methodological support to the project. She can contribute to the dissemination of project results through scientific publications and workshops, and help ensure the project’s international visibility.
Competencies – Assistant Professor Jasmina Pivar, PhD, earned her doctorate with a dissertation entitled A Model of Big Data Technology Adoption in Smart Cities of the European Union, through which she developed specialized expertise in the application of advanced digital technologies in urban systems. During her academic career, she has published approximately thirty papers covering topics such as determinants of big data technology adoption in cities, the application of machine learning analytics methods, and patent research. Particularly noteworthy are her publications on the application of digital technologies in sectors such as the financial industry, human resource management, and video games. Her scholarly work in these areas provides a strong foundation for participating in a project focused on the use of drones, 3D modelling, and virtual reality. Dr Pivar teaches at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, in courses such as Business Information Systems, Informatics, Digital Transformation of Cities, E-Government, and Decision Support Methods, thereby addressing topics related to advanced information and communication technologies, including drones, augmented reality, and 3D modelling. In addition, she continuously develops her expertise in research methodology, particularly in data processing and analysis methods such as Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). She actively uses English and maintains up-to-date profiles on Google Scholar, ORCID, CroRIS, and Bib.irb. She is registered in the Register of Scientists of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia under identification number 353943. A list of Assistant Professor Jasmina Pivar’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/32977.
Role in the project – Assistant Professor Dalia Suša Vugec, PhD, will contribute to the project by conducting a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of the literature published on the application of selected digital technologies in service industries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. Based on the reviewed literature, she will participate in developing and designing the survey questionnaire and in mapping key trends in the adoption of selected digital technologies in the service sector. She will also actively contribute to the dissemination of project results through workshops, the publication of scientific papers, and conference presentations.
Competencies – Assistant Professor Dalia Suša Vugec, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, where she teaches at the professional and university undergraduate and graduate levels in Croatian and English. Her research addresses topics in business informatics, artificial intelligence, business process management and automation, digital and information literacy, and knowledge management. She continuously pursues further training in artificial intelligence, data visualization, structural equation modelling, research methodology, and information technology.
She participates in national and international research and development projects, including “PROSPER – Process and Business Intelligence for Business Performance” (Croatian Science Foundation; 2015–2019), “FOReSiGHT – Flexibility and Resilience in Digital Transformation and Intelligent Automation – Advanced Skills and Tools for Academia and Entrepreneurs” (Erasmus+; 2020–2023), “LightCode – Strengthening the Digital Transformation of Higher Education through Low-Code” (Erasmus+; 2022–2025), and “SpinIT – Fostering Smart Specialisation and Boosting IT Spin-offs across the Danube Region” (Interreg Danube; 2024–2026), as well as other projects focused on digital transformation, competitiveness, scientific productivity, process intelligence, and the labour market. She is the author and co-author of several book chapters and numerous papers published in international scientific journals and presented at international scientific conferences, and she serves as a reviewer for multiple international journals and conferences. She has received several awards and recognitions for her scientific productivity (Google Scholar: 1,325 citations; h-index: 18). A list of Assistant Professor Dalia Suša Vugec’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/32249.
Role in the project – Tamara Ćurlin, PhD, plans to be actively involved in all phases of the project implementation. In the initial phase, she will contribute to the preparation of the literature review and bibliometric analyses in order to ensure an in-depth and structured overview of the research field. During the implementation of the project, she will be involved in evaluating the application of selected technologies in service industries through scholarly and professional work, with the aim of identifying key advantages, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. She will also contribute to the development of good-practice examples and the identification of gaps and shortcomings that will serve as a basis for formulating recommendations and for further research. As part of the fieldwork component, she will actively collaborate with the organisations in which the research will be conducted to collect relevant data and to ensure that the results are applicable in real business settings. Finally, Dr Ćurlin plans to contribute to all outputs, materials, and reports that will help communicate the results and impact of the project to both the academic community and organisations.
Competencies – Tamara Ćurlin, PhD, earned her doctorate on the application of technologies in service industries, with a focus on the hospitality sector, through which she gained an in-depth understanding of the implementation of innovative technologies and methodologies for assessing their effectiveness. Following her PhD, she continued her academic and professional work in the area of evaluating the quality of information technologies and systems. She has long collaborated in teaching on courses related to innovative technologies, particularly the course “Innovative Information Technologies in E-Business”, where she actively participates in teaching delivery and in the preparation of course materials. The course addresses precisely the technologies covered by this project—such as augmented reality, 3D modelling, and drones. Dr Ćurlin is the author of approximately thirty scientific and professional papers, around twenty of which directly address the application of information technologies in service industries, including work on technology evaluation, data processing, and data analysis and visualization. She regularly participates in methodological workshops and seminars to further develop her expertise, particularly in the area of data analysis and presentation. She has also been involved in several bilateral and international projects, providing her with experience across all aspects of project implementation—from planning to dissemination of results. A list of Dr Tamara Ćurlin’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/37278.
Role in the project – Assistant Ivan Jajić, PhD, will participate in all research phases, with a particular emphasis on operational support and the implementation of specific tasks. His role includes the analysis and synthesis of the scientific literature and the conduct of a bibliometric analysis focused on the application of drones, augmented reality, 3D modelling, and artificial intelligence in service industries and education. He will actively contribute to the development of research instruments, including the design and testing of the questionnaire and the preparation of a guide for conducting structured interviews. During the primary research phase, he will be involved in data collection, statistical processing, and qualitative analysis, including the analysis of case studies. He will also contribute to the preparation of scientific and professional publications and to the dissemination of results through scientific papers, conference presentations, and posts on the project’s website and social media channels. In addition, he will be involved in the organisational and communication activities of the research team, including support in the organisation of the final project workshop.
Competencies – Ivan Jajić, PhD, is an Assistant at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. He obtained his degree in Financial Management from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and earned his PhD in the field of Business Informatics at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. His areas of expertise include the digital economy, artificial intelligence, innovative technologies, and data analytics. He is the author of several scientific papers published in Web of Science and Scopus-indexed journals and has received an award from the Society of University Teachers for his scientific contribution. He contributes to teaching at both university and professional study programmes. He serves as Secretary for the English-taught programmes Master in Managerial Informatics and Bachelor Degree in Business. He is a member of the Faculty of Economics and Business—Zagreb Web Committee, the Social Media Committee, and the organising committee of the scientific conference Odyssey. In addition to his academic career, he has practical industry experience, particularly in the areas of revenue management and product management. He has been involved in international and national projects, such as the SpinIT Interreg Danube project, where he contributed to activities aimed at strengthening innovation capacity and digital integration. He regularly participates in international scientific conferences as a presenter, reviewer, and session co-chair. A list of Dr Ivan Jajić’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/45981.
Role in the project – The role of Ana-Marija Stjepić, PhD, in the project includes contributing to the review and analysis of the scientific literature related to the project topic, i.e., scholarly publications addressing the application of digital technologies in education and service industries, with a particular focus on technologies such as drones, 3D modelling, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. In addition, her role involves participating in the project’s primary research activities. Furthermore, Dr Stjepić will contribute to the publication of scientific papers on the project topic in journals and at conferences, the creation of the project’s social media profiles, and the organisation of the final project conference/workshop.
Competencies – Ana-Marija Stjepić, PhD, is a Senior Assistant at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. She contributes to teaching in project-related areas such as Innovation Management, Infrastructure and Models of E-Business, Innovative Information Technologies in E-Business, and Business on the Move and Mobile Applications. Her research and teaching focus on the application of information and communication technologies in business, with particular emphasis on the management of technological innovation, digital business transformation, electronic forms of business, business intelligence technologies, database modelling, and data warehousing.
She has participated as a researcher in several projects, including University of Zagreb support projects entitled “Digital Transformation of Croatian Enterprises” (2018 and 2019), the Croatian Science Foundation project “Process and Business Intelligence for Business Excellence”, and the Erasmus+ project “Strengthening the Digital Transformation of Higher Education through Low-Code.” In addition, she participated as a member of a BIP (Blended Intensive Programme) entitled “Digital Technology for Sustainable and Inclusive Business Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges,” where she delivered a lecture on business innovation and innovative business models. A list of Dr Ana-Marija Stjepić’s scientific publications is available at: https://www.croris.hr/osobe/profil/34371.