Round table: Developing Managerial Responsibility and Strengthening Executive Competence in State-Owned Enterprises

Organized by the Croatian Corporate Governance and Management Society (CCGM) in collaboration with the Croatian Economic Association, a round table entitled: „Developing Managerial Responsibility and Strengthening Executive Competence in State-Owned Enterprises ” was held in Zagreb’s Business Club 5. The event brought together a number of experts from academia, supervisory boards, management boards and public institutions with the aim of promoting responsible, transparent and professional corporate governance in state-owned enterprises.

Darko Tipurić, PhD, President of CCGM, opened the conference by emphasizing that the management of state-owned legal entities must be guided by a clear vision, expertise and a deep awareness of responsibility towards society. He emphasized that it is necessary to carry out a thorough professionalization of supervisory boards, separate ownership and political functions, and ensure full transparency in management processes. “State-owned enterprises manage resources that belong to all of us. Therefore, the management of these organizations is not a mere technical function – it is a public responsibility of the highest rank,” said Tipurić.

In the introductory presentation, Ana Aleksić Fredotović, PhD, emphasized the importance of a long-term ownership strategy based on clearly defined goals and ethical principles. Managerial responsibility, as pointed out, also includes legality, compliance with public policy goals, and responsibility towards citizens as final stakeholders.

Participants of the round table – Boris Tušek, PhD, Zlatko Žuro, PhD, Dino Ivan Dogan, PhD, Vladislav Veselica and Miro Skalicki – emphasized the importance of expertise, meritocracy and depoliticization of appointments in state-owned enterprises. Special attention was paid to the role of supervisory boards, which must take on the proactive function of strategic supervision, protection of the interests of the owner – the state – and guarantees of professional and ethical management.

CCGM insists on the position that a clearly defined ownership policy, along with the adoption of international standards, especially OECD guidelines, is the basis for strengthening efficiency, accountability and trust in the management system of public companies. In the context of Croatia’s accession to the OECD, the reform of the corporate governance system is not an option, but a necessity. In conclusion, the need for transparency, accountability and professionalism to become the basic rules of operation in state-owned enterprises was highlighted. Citizens’ trust is built exclusively through concrete actions and measurable results, and our Society will continue to actively encourage the processes of reform and professionalization of the public sector through dialogue, education and strategic initiatives.