UP, Fakulteta za management - MIC conference as part of the International Week of the European University Transform 4 Europe

The Management International Conference - MIC was held for the 22nd time within the UP Faculty of Management, this time for the first time in the framework of the international week of the European University Transform 4 Europe (t4eu week), which took place this week at the University of Trieste, one of the partners of the European University, of which UP will be a full member from autumn. T4EU week was held on the theme of cross-border cooperation - "cross-boarder Europe", and this kind of joint organisation shows excellent inter-neighborly association.

The MIC 2023 conference, held from 7 to 10 June 2023, aimed to shed light on a green, digital, and inclusive society. We were joined by various researchers, experts, and educators who shared their ideas, research, and scenarios with the MIC community from different perspectives: management, economics, organisational studies, finance and accounting, education, or any other aspect that can contribute to a fruitful, challenging and exciting debate. The keynote speaker of this year's conference was dr. Wayne Holmes from the UCL Knowledge Lab at University College London, UK. The participants of the MIC conference were also welcomed by the Rector of the University of Primorska, dr. Klavdija Kutnar. This was followed by greetings from the Dean of the Department of Economics, Business Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics of the University of Trieste, dr. Donata Vianelli, the Dean of the UP Faculty of Management, dr. Tatjana Horvat, and dr. Roberto Zenzerović from the University of Juraj Dobrila in Pula, Faculty of Economics and Tourism "Dr. Mijo Mirković".

This year, for the first time, we organised a pre-conference day, designed as a one-day event for Ph.D. students at any stage of their doctoral studies. The aim was to create an inclusive environment for the exchange of questions, ideas, and feedback on some of the key issues that arise in the doctoral process. The pre-conference day allowed Ph.D. students to discuss their research problem, and methodological challenges, to give constructive feedback on the work of other participants, to receive feedback on their own work, and to meet experienced researchers and network with colleagues.

The pre-conference day also included presentations of participants' own research, with time for in-depth discussion with experienced researchers. The pre-conference day also included two workshops - Workshop on Quantitative Methodology: Case study - Measuring Illicit Financial Flows (Dr Bojan Nastav) and Workshop on Qualitative Methodology: Getting Started with Text Analysis (Dr Annamaria Tuan). This was followed by a hackathon on "The "1X3" Research Hackathon Project", moderated by dr. Guido Bortoluzzi. During the research hackathon, Ph.D. students worked on an empirical research proposal.

The second day of the conference was dedicated to various sessions, starting at 9 am. Among the performers were also UPFM lecturers:

Matevž Malej, Digitally competent teacher in 2023 - Yes or No and Why;
dr. Igor Rižnar, The promises of micro-credentials;
dr. Štefan Bojnec, Gender and the Intensity of Agri-Environment-Climate Scheme in Slovenia;
dr. Simona Kustec, Use and transfer of green and digital knowledge - policy and management perspective;
dr. Andreja Pegan, Third-sector delivering public services: Evidence from Europe and opportunities for Slovenia.

After the sessions, dr. Wayne gave a keynote speech on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is frequently hailed as a ‘solution’ to many of education’s core problems. However, such a claim is usually unsupported by evidence and oversimplified, as it does not cover issues such as representation, pedagogy, control, human rights, and ethics. In his speech, he discussed the use and teaching of AI in higher education from critical studies and human rights perspectives. He addressed many key myths, explored the elephant in the room (ChatGPT and similar tools), advocated for a new way forward, and raised more questions about AI and the future of learning than answers. It is essential that the development and use of AI in higher education is done with thoughtful planning and close collaboration with educators and students. In this way, AI can be used to enhance and support learning experiences.

The keynote speech was followed by a roundtable discussion on "Toward Green, Inclusive, and Digital Growth: Are Synergies Possible Among the Three?", held at the Sala del Trono, Castello di Miramare, and moderated by dr. Guido Bortoluzzi. The round table hosted the following distinguished guests:

Andreina Contessa, Director of Miramare Castle Historical Museum and Park, Italy;
Marcello Rita - Head of People, Organization and Facility Management for AcegasApsAmga HERA Group, Italy;
Andrea Santin - HR Director at Illycaffè, Italy;
Gianluca Tesolin - CEO at bofrost* Italia S.p.a., Italy.

The conference closed on Friday, 9 June 2023, with a number of sessions. UPFM speakers also delivered some of these:

dr. Štefan Bojnec, Rural Women Empowerment for Sustainable Development;
dr. Elizabeta Zirnstein, Open innovation and ownership of intellectual property rights in the digital society;
dr. Borut Likar, Open data and breakthrough innovations;
dr. Dušan Lesjak, Higher education employment policy measures.

In the afternoon there was a "Meet the Editors Panel" chaired by dr. Štefan Bojnec. The following journals were presented:

Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Danijela Križman Pavlović, Member of the Editorial Board;
E-mentor, dr. Małgorzata Marchewka, Editor-in-Chief;
Managing Global Transitions, dr. Suzana Laporšek, Associate Editor;
Micro & Macro Marketing, dr. Donata Vianelli, Member of the Editorial Board;
Review of Innovation and Competitiveness, dr. Katarina Kostelić, Managing Editor.

The conference gathered 140 participants from 26 countries. For the excellent organisation, outstanding effort, and dedication, thanks are due to the UPFM team, especially to the conference chair, dr. Anita Trnavčević, and the members of the organising committee, dr. Suzana Laporšek, mag. Suzana Sedmak and dr. Ana Grdović Gnip, as well as to all the expert colleagues and lecturers who contributed with their participation to the excellent conference.