The Management International Conference (MIC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary of continuous operation this year. The jubilee conference, titled “Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: Business and Policy in a Complex World,” is being held at its home institution, the Faculty of Management of the University of Primorska, from 3 to 6 June 2026. In addition to the Faculty of Management of the University of Primorska, this year’s conference was co-organized by the Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Trieste and the Knowledge Development and Transfer Centre of the UP Faculty of Management.
The event began with a pre-conference day primarily dedicated to doctoral students and the presentation of their research ideas. Eight innovative research proposals addressing a variety of current management challenges were presented. Students introduced their ideas through short “elevator pitch” presentations, which stimulated lively discussion and the exchange of opinions and feedback in an academically supportive environment. The Best Student Paper Award was presented to Flavia Rolli for her presentation, “Innovation Intermediaries Addressing the Sustainability Grand Challenge: An Integrative Review and Typology.”
This was followed by a professional workshop led by Katarina Košmrlj Muha, Head of Research at the Mediana Institute for Media and Market Research. The workshop, titled “From Interviews to Insights: A Practical Workshop on Qualitative Research and Analysis with the Help of Artificial Intelligence,” introduced participants to the key stages of qualitative research through practical examples—from research design and conducting interviews to data analysis. Special emphasis was placed on the use of artificial intelligence in processing and interpreting qualitative data, as well as on reflecting upon its limitations and ethical considerations.
In the afternoon, doctoral students also took part in a guided tour of Koper, which enabled them to explore the city’s historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks. The day concluded with a social event for doctoral students, designed to encourage informal networking, the exchange of experiences, and the strengthening of international academic connections.
The pre-conference day successfully launched the 25th edition of the MIC conference and created a stimulating environment for the exchange of knowledge, research ideas, and international collaboration, which will continue to shape the conference activities in the days ahead.
The conference was also supported by two business partners: Luka Koper and Atlantic Grupa’s Barcaffè brand.
MIC 3. 6. 2026
