A. PROJECT MANAGER

Name and surname: Ines Kersan-Škabić

Academic position: Full Professor with permanent tenure

Faculty: Faculty of Economics and Tourism “Dr. Mijo Mirković”

Scientific field and discipline: Social sciences, Economics

Email: ines.kersan-skabic@unipu.hr

B. PROJECT INFORMATION

Category of support: FET-FNP-2026 project application for financing scientific research at FET

Project title: Open Strategic Autonomy of the European Union: A Multidimensional Approach to Strengthening Resilience in the Context of Geopolitical Turbulence

Planned duration: 2 years (12.5.2026.-12.5.2028.)

Requested funding amount (EUR): 5,000 EUR

Summary (up to 300 words)

The project examines the EU’s “open strategic autonomy” as a multidimensional framework for strengthening resilience in the context of geopolitical turbulence, with particular emphasis on the interplay between economic policies, green and inclusive transformation, and geostrategic resources.

It starts from the fact that the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, disruptions in global supply chains, and technological rivalries have exposed structural vulnerabilities in the European economy and created the need for a new development approach that combines openness, competitiveness, security, and resilience.

The general objective of the project is to theoretically and empirically explain how different dimensions of open strategic autonomy contribute to reducing vulnerability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the EU.

The research is structured into three thematic units. The first focuses on the economic dimensions of strategic autonomy through patterns of foreign direct investment, especially in the service sector, EU state aid policy, and the adaptation of Western Balkan countries to the European regulatory framework.

The second explores the contribution of green and inclusive transformation to strengthening resilience, analyzing the effects of the green transition on supply chain vulnerability, energy security, and social cohesion.

The third evaluates the effectiveness of mobilizing Croatian geostrategic resources, particularly maritime, transport, and energy corridors, in the function of regional stability and infrastructure connectivity.

Methodologically, the project is based on a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative part includes comparative analysis, panel data analysis, multivariate regression analysis, and secondary data processing from Eurostat, OECD, JRC, WIIW, and the State Aid Scoreboard databases.

The qualitative part includes content analysis of EU strategic documents, SWOT and PESTLE analysis, the Delphi method, and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.

The expected outcomes include new empirical insights, policy recommendations for development and investment strategies, and contributions to the academic debate on resilience, sustainability, and regional integration in the European context.

Keywords (up to 5)

Open strategic autonomy, foreign direct investment, state aid, green and inclusive transformation, infrastructure connectivity

C. PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS (if applicable)

D. EXPECTED RESULTS AND CONTRIBUTION

(Describe expected results, scientific contribution, and potential applicability. Include planned publications.)

The expected results related to specific objective 1 include the publication of two scientific papers: one on FDI topics in a Springer monograph and one article published in a WoS or Scopus-indexed journal (Q2 category).

The paper on foreign direct investment in Croatia will contribute to the literature by critically examining a growth model based on investment in the service sector, showing to what extent such a model can generate economic growth without deeper structural transformation, technological upgrading, and strengthening of the production base. Its scientific contribution lies in linking the analysis of FDI sectoral structure with issues of long-term resilience, development sustainability, and the limitations of a peripheral development model in a small open economy.

The paper on state aid policy will contribute to understanding the dual nature of state intervention, simultaneously highlighting its necessity in mitigating market disruptions and the risks it may generate in terms of distorting competition, fiscal sustainability, and asymmetries among EU Member States.

The expected results related to specific objective 2 include the publication of at least one scientific paper in a WoS or Scopus-indexed journal or in a monograph by a reputable publisher. The scientific contribution lies in moving beyond the traditional understanding of autonomy as solely a military-technological issue and introducing a holistic model of “sustainable resilience,” in which social security and environmental health are necessary preconditions for geopolitical strength rather than merely its by-products.

In addition, the research provides initial empirical evidence on how European sustainability objectives are reflected in the resilience of a small Member State. It will define recommendations for aligning economic competitiveness with sustainable development goals, particularly by linking industrial policy, social cohesion, and the green transition into a unified framework of long-term EU resilience and sustainability. This fills a gap in the literature, which has so far mainly focused on major powers.

The expected results related to specific objective 3 include the presentation of a scientific paper at an international scientific conference (UACES) and the publication of a scientific paper in a WoS or Scopus-indexed journal or a monograph by a reputable publisher.

The research will contribute to the literature by linking the concept of EU open strategic autonomy with Croatia’s geostrategic, transport, and energy role, offering an interdisciplinary framework for analyzing national resource governance in function of resilience, supply security, and regional connectivity.

Its scientific contribution also lies in a more systematic understanding of Croatia’s position as a bridge between the EU and the Western Balkans, especially in the context of infrastructure integration and the implementation of the Connectivity Agenda.

The research results may have practical applications in shaping development and investment policies, defining infrastructure priorities, and strengthening Croatia’s role in European policies on economic security, regional stability, and long-term strategic planning.

Overall expected project results are:

• Publication of one paper in a Springer monograph edited by Paskal Zhelev (University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria). This collaboration represents the foundation for establishing institutional international cooperation with this university in Bulgaria (the cooperation agreement was initiated on 17.11.2025).
• Two scientific papers published in journals indexed in WoS or SCOPUS databases (Q2). The project leader has previously published numerous papers (including on foreign direct investment) in Q2 journals and has experience publishing in high-ranking journals. The FDI topic is highly relevant, and this paper takes a critical approach, examining implications from different perspectives, which provides strong potential for publication in high-ranked journals.
• Presentation of research results through participation (paper presentations) at two international conferences (one of which is UACES 2026; the other will be selected during 2027).
• Organization of an international inter-departmental meeting within the framework of the FET international conference (October 2026), including consideration of joint KA2 Cooperation Partnerships project applications under the Erasmus+ programme in 2027 with institutions: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Economics, Skopje; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics; and Faculty of International Economics and Politics; University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia, Bulgaria. Initial ideas were discussed in November 2025 during the Jean Monnet conference in Skopje. Cooperation (signing of agreements with these universities) was initiated by Prof. dr. sc. Kersan-Škabić in November 2025, but agreements have not yet been signed (see appendix). The beginning of cooperation is reflected in the inclusion of Prof. dr. sc. Predrag Bijelić (University of Belgrade) and Prof. dr. sc. Katerina Toševska-Trpevska (Skopje) for the first time in the Programme Committee of the FET conference (October 2026), while Prof. dr. sc. Ines Kersan-Škabić has joined the Programme Committee of the international scientific conference organized by the Faculty of Economics, Skopje (https://ebtsf.eccf.ukim.edu.mk/).
• Development of cooperation with the European University Institute, Italy – Assoc. Prof. dr. sc. Nataša Urošević delivered guest lectures at this institution and agreed on cooperation in the area of EU project applications (EUI has extensive experience in EU programmes, e.g. Horizon Europe).
• Initiation of cooperation with the business entity Siscia consulting (letter of intent attached).

The expected results contribute to the objectives of the program contract, namely:

• Strategic objective 1: increasing scientific excellence, specifically 1.3 strengthening international scientific cooperation and scientific activity;
• Strategic objective 2: strengthening cooperation with the economy and developing national and regional identity and culture, specifically 2.1 encouraging applied scientific activities, including cooperation projects with the economy.