Dubrovnik to Host Conference on Contemporary Corporate Governance Challenges
Organised by the Croatian Corporate Governance and Management Society and the University of Dubrovnik, the conference “Challenges of Corporate Governance in State-Owned Enterprises: Between Accountability, Efficiency and Social Value” will take place on 20 March 2026 in Dubrovnik. The event will be held at Academis and will bring together representatives of academia as well as the public and private sectors.
The conference will address key issues such as the professionalisation of management, the separation of the state’s ownership and managerial roles, strengthening the accountability of supervisory boards, and the creation of long-term social value. Particular emphasis will be placed on standards of good corporate governance, transparency, and efficiency in managing organisations that have a significant impact on the economy and society. In addition to the academic segment, a professional programme will also be organised.
The quality of corporate governance in state-owned enterprises is one of the key issues for Croatia’s economic development. The state remains strongly present in strategic sectors, and the way it manages these assets directly affects productivity, public finances and the investment climate. An efficient and professional governance structure therefore represents an important prerequisite for the long-term competitiveness of the economy.
This topic gains additional importance in the context of Croatia’s accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Croatia’s entry into the OECD is not merely a formal foreign policy objective but also a strong incentive to improve institutional standards. The OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises set clear requirements regarding transparency, accountability and the professionalisation of governing bodies.
The successful completion of the accession process and Croatia’s full membership in the OECD will also depend on the country’s ability to demonstrate credible reforms in the governance of state assets. Discussions at the conference therefore have broader significance, as they contribute to shaping standards that will bring Croatian companies and institutions closer to the highest international practices and strengthen the confidence of both domestic and international stakeholders in the quality of Croatia’s economic system.
The conference programme will include several thematic discussions. Special attention will be given to the challenges of implementing corporate governance standards in small and medium-sized enterprises, where formal governance mechanisms often give way to entrepreneurial agility and ownership concentration. Discussions will also address the specific features of governing state-owned enterprises in the Croatian context, including the relationship between politics and management, appointment criteria, operational efficiency, and the role of the public and the media in overseeing the work of state-owned companies.
One thematic session will focus on the construction sector, which faces regulatory pressures, major infrastructure projects and significant market risks, including discussions on project management, risk management, and the responsibility of management and supervisory bodies.
The final part of the programme will feature a conversation on money in the digital age, opening questions about digital currencies, regulatory challenges and the transformation of the financial system in the context of the technological revolution.
Participants at the conference include representatives from academia, business and public institutions: Darko Tipurić, Nebojša Stojčić, Ivana Kovač, Lana Cindrić, Lana Lovrenčić Butković, Radoslav Barišić, Anita Bota, Anamarija Idžojtić, Davorko Obuljen, Sandro Viškanić, Dalibor Brnos, Karolina Kokot, Darija Prša, Zlatko Žuro, Gorki Bratim, Dinko Čondić, Dominik Skokandić, Ivan Augustin, Zoran Balkić and Linardo Marinčević.
