JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS

From Education to Employment: Impact of International Business Graduates in Liberec region

Zuzana Potužáková — 2026-04-30

This paper examines selected aspects of the career trajectories of graduatesfrom the Bachelor's degree specialization in International Business (IB)in the Liberec region of the Czech Republic. The region is characterized bybelow-average GDP per capita and a lower proportion of tertiaryeducatedindividuals compared to the national average. The primaryobjective of the article is to assess the contribution of the study program inthe Liberec region in terms of regional brain drain and education–occupation mismatch. In the first part of the study, we investigate whetherthe share of tertiary-educated individuals has a positive impact on selectedmacroeconomic indicators in the region. In the second part, drawing ondata from an electronic questionnaire distributed among graduates, weanalyze their integration into the regional labor market and assess theextent of potential education–occupation mismatch. Based on correlationanalysis, we find a strong relationship between the proportion of tertiaryeducatedindividuals and key economic indicators in the Liberec region.These findings suggest a clear policy implication: regional authoritiesshould prioritize attracting a highly qualified workforce to foster economicgrowth. The survey results support this recommendation, revealing thatthe largest share of graduates remain employed in the Liberec region, withnearly half working in roles directly related to international business..

Investigating the Financial Kuznets Curve with Innovation in G7 Countries: An Augmented ARDL Approach

Ahmet Baran Zeren — 2026-04-30

This study explores the Financial Kuznets Curve (FKC) hypothesis insix G7 countries by incorporating innovation, measured through R&Dexpenditure, into the finance–inequality nexus. Using annual time-seriesdata and the augmented ARDL bounds testing approach, we examinelong-run relationships among financial development,innovation, and income inequality. The results provide partial supportfor the FKC: France and the United Kingdom exhibit a significant inverted-U relationship between financial development and inequality,while no such pattern is found in the United States, Germany, Italy, orJapan. In contrast, innovation demonstrates a consistently significantand inequality-reducing effect across all countries. These findings suggestthat innovation may moderate the distributional effects of financialdevelopment and highlight the importance of integrating financialand innovation policies to promote inclusive economic outcomes in advancedeconomies.

The Role of digital workplace transformation in enhancing organizational sustainability: A post-pandemic analysis

Ljubiša Mićić — 2026-04-30

The increasing adoption of digital workplace technologies has significantlyreshaped organizational operations, particularly in the post-pandemicera. Digital transformation has become a key enabler of businesssustainability by improving efficiency, reducing operational costs, andfostering remote and hybrid work models. However, the relationship betweendigital workplace strategies and organizational sustainability remainsunderexplored, particularly in the context of long-termadaptation and resilience. This study examines how digital workplacetransformation contributes to sustainability by analyzing its impact onemployee productivity, collaboration, and environmental resource optimization.The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining asystematic literature review with case studies of organizations that havesuccessfully implemented digital workplace strategies. Secondary datafrom industry reports, academic publications, and surveys provide insightsinto the benefits and challenges associated with digital workplaceadoption. The findings reveal that digital workplace tools enhance employeeengagement and productivity while also contributing to environmentalsustainability by reducing office-related energy consumption andcommuting emissions. The study underscores the need for organizationsto integrate digital workplace transformation into their long-term sustainabilitystrategies. It highlights the role of artificial intelligence, cloudcomputing, and knowledge management systems in enhancing digitalcollaboration and innovation. The results offer practical implications forbusiness leaders and policymakers aiming to develop resilient and sustainableorganizations in the digital era.

Regulatory Pressure and Corporate Sustainability: How Policy Changes Influence Business Strategies and Profitability

Tuğçe Uysal — 2026-04-30

This study explores how evolving regulatory frameworks influence corporatesustainability strategies and financial performance. Against thebackdrop of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive(CSRD), the EU Taxonomy, and the German Supply Chain Due DiligenceAct, the research investigates how companies adapt strategicallyand operationally to increasing regulatory demands. Using a qualitativemethodology based on expert interviews across diverse industries, thestudy reveals that while regulatory compliance often imposes short-termfinancial and organizational burdens, it can also catalyze innovation,strategic repositioning, and long-term value creation. The findings highlightthe heterogeneity of corporate responses, shaped by internal governance,industry context, and leadership commitment. The studyconcludes with practical recommendations for both policymakers andcorporate leaders, emphasizing the need for clearer regulatory guidance,robust ESG data infrastructures, and the cultural integration of sustainabilitywithin organizations.

Unionization in Transition: Dynamics and Challenges in Post-Socialist European Countries

Branka Zolak Poljašević — 2026-04-30

The dynamics of unionization in post-socialist European countries remaina critical area of investigation, influenced by historical, economic, andsocial transitions. This study analyses union membership density and itsinfluence across sectors and industries in ten post-socialist countries. Theresearch is based on data from 1,076 organizations, collected throughthe CRANET survey during 2021–2022. Statistical methods, includingSpearman’s rank correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney U test,were employed to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrate a strongpositive correlation between union membership density and its influence,underscoring that higher union membership significantly enhances unions'negotiating power. Public sector organizations consistently exhibit higherunion membership and influence compared to the private sector. Whiletraditional industries, such as manufacturing and public administration,show stronger union presence and influence at an aggregate level, thistrend is only partially confirmed across individual countries, reflectingthe complexity of unionization dynamics. This study contributes to theliterature on labour relations by providing empirical evidence of unionizationtrends in post-socialist European countries. It underscores the necessityfor unions to modernize their strategies, including the adoption of digitaltools, engagement with non-standard workers, and advocacy for inclusivepolicies. These adaptations are essential to address challenges posed byemerging industries and declining membership rates. The findings offerpractical recommendations for strengthening union capacity.

Student Dropout in Higher Education: Exploring the Reasons Behind Student Attrition in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dragana Preradović Kulovac — 2026-04-30

Reducing tertiary education dropout rates is a critical concern forhigher education institutions (HEI) due to its significant social, financial,and personal implications. This study aims to initiate region-specificand national research by presenting, for the first time, an insight ofreasons of higher education attrition in Bosnia and Herzegovina(B&H) based on primary data. The data, collected from one of thepublic universities in the country, encompass students who withdrewvoluntarily between 2007 and 2019. A survey of 96 undergraduatestudents who discontinued their studies reveals that approximatelyone-third of the dropouts could have been prevented, as they werelinked to institutional factors. Among the identified reasons—private,institutional, financial, and pedagogical—the primary cause of attritionwas disputes or conflicts with faculty members. These findingshighlight the need for targeted interventions to improve faculty-studentrelationships and address institutional shortcomings to enhance retention.