Zvonimira Sverko Grdic
@fthm.hr
University of Rijeka, Faculty of tourism and hospitality management
Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
RESEARCH INTERESTS
economy, tourism, climate change, environmental economy, circular economy
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Zvonimira Šverko Grdić and Tatjana Špoljarić
Croatian Economic Association
Primjenom kružnog gospodarstva mijenjaju se poslovni modeli, navike i način razmišljanja te se novim dizajnom i izradom proizvoda produžuje njegov životni vijek. Cilj rada je analiziranje uspješnosti korištenja modela kružne ekonomije putem pokazatelja kružnog gospodarstva u zemljama Europske unije, te davanje pregleda postojećih mjera i mogućnosti koje gospodarstvima stoje na raspolaganju putem kojih se može jednostavnije uvesti ovaj koncept u gospodarstvo. Hipoteze koje se ispituju u radu su sljedeće: H1 - Postoji međuodnos između aktivnosti recikliranja i ekonomskog rasta; H2 – Investicije, zaposlenost i dodana vrijednost u domeni kružnog gospodarstva povezane su s ekonomskim rastom. Hipoteze su se ispitale uz pomoć ekonometrijskog modela koristeći podatke Eurostata za sve zemlje EU (EU 28) u razdoblju 2008-2016. U radu se koristila korelacijska i regresijska analiza. Kod korelacijske analize korišten je Pearsonov koeficijent korelacije, a kod regresijske analize univarijatni OLS kod kojeg je nezavisna varijabla bila postotak reciklaže, a zavisna varijabla logaritmirani BDP. Rezultati istraživanja kazuju da zemlje koje imaju veći BDP, odnosno, koje su ekonomski razvijenije, imaju i bolje pokazatelje korištenja kružnog gospodarstva.
Aleksandar Racz, Dora Smolčić Jurdana, and Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
University of Primorska Press
Nada Denona Bogovic and Zvonimira Sverko Grdic
MDPI AG
Following the global economic crisis of 2008, the concept of green economy has become a significant field of interest for scientific research as well as for specific development policies in various countries around the world. More recently, the transition towards green economy has been considered a desirable model and alternative approach to development encompassing all elements of sustainable development—economic, ecological and social. By adopting the 2019 European Green Deal, the European Union has explicitly opted for a new pattern of development that involves all European countries transitioning their economies, i.e., achieving economic growth while significantly reducing their negative environmental impact. The aim of this paper was to assess the possible effects of Croatian economy transitioning in accordance with the European Green Deal strategic framework and resources planned for Croatia in the following EU budgeting period (2021–2027). Based on the regression analysis results and two developed investment scenarios for the green transition, the authors have shown the potential positive effects of such a process on the gross domestic product and on total employment. These results were further supported by arguments based on examples for specific sectors and economic activities. The authors conclude that transitioning towards green economy, i.e., implementing specific green economy policies can serve to push sustainable development in the EU while simultaneously contributing to the implementation of the strategic goals of the European Green Deal.
Dora Smolčić Jurdana, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, and Marinela Krstinić Nižić
MDPI AG
Energy and environmental issues are nowadays becoming more prominent, and business subjects in tourism should dedicate more effort to energy management. This can lead to a reduction in energy-related expenses, and it shows social responsibility and concern for the environment. In order to determine the informedness of managers in tourism concerning energy issues, empirical research was conducted in all seven counties of Adriatic Croatia. The questionnaire was filled out by 254 managers in tourism in such a way that the research covered business management (hotel, villa, camp, and apartment managers), managers in tourist boards, managers in units of local self-government, and managers among other stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in tourism. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions answered using the Likert scale with 1 being the worst and 5 the best. The questionnaire’s reliability was tested using factor analysis and internal consistency analysis. The results showed that managers still have insufficient knowledge concerning the impact of energy and its link to tourism. Additionally, 66.4% of the participants considered their knowledge regarding energy issues in tourism to be poor or negligible. It can be concluded that continued education for managers is required as higher awareness leads to “greener” attitudes among managers in tourism.
Zvonimira Sverko Grdic, Marinela Krstinic Nizic, and Elena Rudan
MDPI AG
The need has arisen to implement a circular economic model that enables economic growth and prosperity in accordance with environmental protection and sustainable development because of the current unsustainable linear means of production in the economy. The aim of this paper is to determine the application of the circular economy concept in member countries of the European Union from 2008 to 2016. The purpose is to analyse whether economic development measured by GDP (gross domestic product) affects the analysed circular economy variables. Based on the hypotheses set, an econometric model was formed where GDP was identified as an independent variable, while the dependent variables were the production of municipal waste per capita, the recycling rate of municipal waste, the recycling rate of packaging waste by type of packaging, the recycling of bio-waste, and the recycling rate of e-waste. The first part of the statistical analysis conducted using the Stata software package shows the Pearson correlation between the abovestated variables, while the second part explores the univariate regression model. The results point towards the conclusion that the application of the circular economy concept can ensure economic growth and GDP growth while reducing the use of natural resources and ensuring greater environmental protection.
Zvonimira SverkoGrdic
STEF92 Technology
MARINELA KRSTINIÆ NIŽIÆ, MAŠA TRINAJSTIÆ, and ZVONIMIRA ŠVERKO GRDIÆ
WIT Press
Z. Grdić, M. Gregorić and M. K. Nižić
A10, O20, Q50, Q58
Marinela Krstinić Nižić and Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
MDPI AG
Tourism in Croatia primarily relies on the “sun and sea” product as the main asset of its offering. The current lack of adequate infrastructure, an underdeveloped winter tourism offering and the lack of stakeholders’ interest in developing winter tourism products are only some of the problems facing winter tourism development in Croatia. Winter tourism development does not include only snow-related activities but all outdoor activities, where weather and climate play a significant role. This paper analyzes the relationship between average monthly climate indicators in summer and winter periods and the number of overnight stays in Croatia from 1977 to 2014. In the regression analysis, we used a multivariate model with first difference specification and ordinary least square (OLS) estimation, in which past period of the dependent variable was also included. Seasonality was controlled by using quarterly dummy variable. The analyses for coastal and continental Croatia were made separately. Using regression and correlation analyses, we prove that Croatian tourism in the coastal part is strongly related to climate parameters while that influence in the continental part is less significant. The main hypothesis of the paper is that, with the increase in temperature, the tourism season will be prolonged in both the coastal and continental part of the Republic of Croatia. However, other interventions in tourism (such as raising the quality, expanding the offering etc.) can also increase tourism results since climate parameters do not have the same effect on the continental and coastal part of the Republic of Croatia. The impending climate change will cause climate indicators to change, thus unlocking the potential for winter tourism development in areas not related to the sea, but also requiring the development of various forms of special-interest tourism. Winter tourism in Croatia represents a big potential not only because climate change will potentially make winters in Croatia milder but also because, with the right policies, there is a huge potential to develop the undeveloped region of continental Croatia with products that would diversify the Croatian tourism offerings.
Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, and Renata Endres
The Institute of Economics, Zagreb
Energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and environmental protection projects play a pivotal role in tourism. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) addresses resource management and energy use as one of the major issues. The main goal of the paper is to present the economic-financial analysis and the assessment of investment projects in the construction of a conventional mid-size hotel using fossil fuels and a mid-size hotel based on sustainable principles and renewable energy sources. Comparative analysis of conventional and energy-efficient hotels is used to calculate the key financial indicators in decision-making. Case study shows that the introduction of renewable energy sources meets the needs of modern guests and increases the hotel's competitiveness, while the effects of energy sustainability reflect on the environment and reduced CO2 emissions. Based on the results, the paper suggests measures for improving energy sustainability in hotels and other tourism facilities. The paper is intended for those who deal with theoretical and practical issues of energy sustainability in tourism, tourism certificates, renewable energy sources and investment costs-scientists, researchers, PhD candidates and students as a basis for further comparative studies and benchmarking. It can also be useful for a considerably wider circle of users-managers at all levels and other business decision makers, as well as proprietors, investors, and creditors.
Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, Marinela Krstinić Nižić, and Maja Mamula
Informa UK Limited
Abstract The issue of insolvency is significantly present in countries undergoing transition. In Croatia, there has been significant research on the possibilities of using the existing models for determining the domestic companies’ ability to maintain solvency. Likewise, no model based on business enterprises’ financial data has yet been proposed, which leaves an open space for this research. The purpose of this paper is to calculate and analyse solvency indicators; total debt to assets ratio, total debt to equity ratio, Altman Z-score, and the Kralicek Quick Test. This paper analyses the financial data for the period 1996–2014 and provides evidence that the insolvency of Croatian companies increased with the global financial crisis. Multiple regression analysis is used in order to show the relation between total debt to assets ratio as the dependent variable, and current assets and liabilities ratio and dummy variables as independent variables. The conclusions and recommendations for mitigating the impact of insolvency in this paper would be useful for managers, public policy-makers and all stakeholders in companies with financial problems, as well as for financially still-healthy companies.
Joze Peric, Dora Smolcic Jurdana, and Zvonimira Sverko Grdic
Elsevier BV
Abstract The modern world is characterized by various forms of social, economic, political and natural changes on a global scale. Among them, climate change poses a unique challenge to the entire human civilization and affects all aspects of human life, including tourism. Therefore, both people and the environment need to adapt to new conditions, a process that means accepting the fact that climate change is already happening. The earth has warmed by 0.7 °C since 1900. Even if all emissions were to stop today, the Earth would continue to warm by a further 0.5 °C to 1 °C over the next decade (Stern, 2006). Furthermore, adaptation will appear as a response to specific climatic events within the context of other socio-economic changes. The first step in adapting to climate change is bringing about a change in behaviour, while the second step includes preparing for climate change, by using flood resistant irrigation systems, developing sea defence systems in coastal areas, developing health care and methods to address new types of diseases, and implementing other measures.