Synergy of Stakeholders for Building a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Society - SIDRO

The CIDER It focuses on researching the factors that stimulate the development of entrepreneurial activity at the individual, organizational, and societal levels, with the goal of building a sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. At the individual level, it explores the role of entrepreneurial education in developing key competencies for personal and professional growth, with an emphasis on youth empowerment, promoting employability, and strengthening language skills as a prerequisite for mobility and participation in the global market.

The organizational aspect encompasses challenges in different phases of a company's life cycle – startup, growth (through acquisitions and entrepreneurial portfolio creation), and closure, as well as processes alongside internationalization and business transfer. Research also focuses on specifics of entrepreneurship for youth, women, seniors, and migrants, as well as the adaptation of business models through industrial symbiosis in the context of rapid technological development and market disruptions. Special focus is placed on ethical decision-making and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) into business practices.

On a societal level, the project examines the institutional and societal mechanisms that shape the entrepreneurial climate, including the role of educational institutions, support organizations, the business sector, and intersectoral cooperation. The research will cover topics such as the circular economy, cultural capital, the Triple Helix model of cooperation, demographic challenges, and entrepreneurship in sports as an innovative driver of social change.

The results will be used to shape public policy recommendations aimed at developing a sustainable economy.

1. Identify factors that affect entrepreneurial activity with an emphasis on multilevel analysis from individual competencies to social and organizational frameworks
2. Contribute to the scientific discussion in in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development by creating scientifically relevant, empirically based knowledge and publishing scientific publications
3. Strengthen researchers' capacity to identify relevant topics that contribute development of entrepreneurial society I implement high-quality scientific research in collaboration with international scientists.
4. Ensure the transfer of scientific results to stakeholders from public, private, and civil sectors, with the aim of formulating evidence-based recommendations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

The expected outcomes of the SIDRO project are aimed at strengthening scientific excellence, international visibility, and knowledge transfer in the field of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development, encompassing individual, organizational, and societal levels of analysis.

Within the project, a total of 35 scientific papers and three scientific edited books are planned for publication, which will contribute to the dissemination of research results among the scientific and professional public.

The project will actively promote international cooperation and knowledge exchange through the participation of 15 researchers in international scientific and professional conferences, thereby ensuring the visibility of the results and networking with stakeholders interested in the research topics that are the focus of the project. To strengthen research capacities, a longer international mobility (longer than one month) is also planned, as well as the participation of six researchers in specialized workshops for additional professional and scientific development.

The project also contributes to the development of young researchers through the completion of one doctoral dissertation related to the project's thematic areas. The international dimension will be further strengthened by the involvement of six foreign scientists in project activities through the publication of joint scientific publications.

For the purpose of disseminating results to the professional and general public, the organization of a roundtable/panel is planned, which will encourage dialogue between the academic community, decision-makers, and business representatives, and ensure the applicability of research findings in the development of a sustainable entrepreneurial society.

As part of the project, the following scientific publications have been released:

Sedlan Kőnig, L., Alpeza, M., & Mezulić Juric, P. (2026). Bridge Employment as a Post-Retirement Strategy: Insights from Croatian Entrepreneurs. Administrative Sciences, 16(3), 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16030153

Barković Bojanić, I., Erceg, A., Damoska Sekuloska, J. (2026). The Silver Economy. Osijek: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Economics in Osijek.

Sannegadu, R., Erceg, A., Pudaruth, S., Juwaheer, T. D., Damoska Sekuloska, J. (2026). The gig economy and employment creation in the digital era: exploring the opportunities and facilitating conditions for policy considerations. Sustainable development, culture, traditions journal, 3a, 41-60. https://doi.org/10.26341/issn.2241-4010-2026-3a-4-L02192

Perić, J., Oberman Peterka, S., Delić, A. (2025). Changing nature of entrepreneurship education – From starting a business to entrepreneurial competence. Reference Module in Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-26629-4.00161-1

Terpelle, C., Erceg, A. (2025). Strategic planning for micro-companies in the Netherlands – use of AI-based technology. Journal of Economics and Marketing Communications, 15, 2; 456-472. https://doi.org/10.7251/EMC2502456T