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A Research Team for Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development

Submitted by Senka Borovac Zekan on
University
University of Split
Faculty/school/department
University Department of Professional Studies, University of Split
Size of the team
from 0 to 3
number of researchers
2
number of supporting staff
1
number of PhD students
0
Composition of Joint Unit of Research

Senka Borovac Zekan, PhD

Antonija Roje, PhD

The research group Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development focuses on advancing interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of leadership theory and practice, organizational communication, and the development of soft skills critical to employee performance and well-being.

The group’s research agenda emphasizes the evolving nature of human capital in contemporary organizations, with particular attention to the role of emotional intelligence, motivation strategies, nonverbal communication, and intergenerational management. We aim to foster innovation in human resource development by exploring how leadership styles, communication practices, and competency-building programs impact engagement, resilience, and productivity across sectors.

The group actively collaborates with European partners in the SEA-EU Alliance to support evidence-based research, joint publications, and educational innovation in the field of organizational behavior.

PI
PI name
A Research Team for Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development
PI email
sborovac@oss.unist.hr
PI bio

PhD Senka Borovac Zekan is Senior Lecturer at the University of Split, University Department of Professional Studies, Split, Croatia. She received her PhD in Business and Management Organization Studies –University of Split. She participated in several international SEA EU projects and supervised several master students. She has published over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, proceedings, and international scientific conferences. She is a member of numerous domestic and professional associations. She has been awarded for promoting and participating in virtual mobility at the University of Split. She is a member of the Program Board and Organizing Committees for some Scientific Committees of International Conferences and has collaborated as a reviewer with several journals. Her current research interests are in Negotiation Skills, Leadership, Crisis Management, Event Management and Soft Skills. She is married and has four children.

Contact person and e-mail
Contact person
SENKA BOROVAC ZEKAN
Contact person e-mail
sborovac@oss.unist.hr
Short description of research profile

Research Areas: Human Capital Management in the Context of Digital and Technological Change The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Modern Leadership Employee Motivation and Engagement in Hybrid Work Environments Nonverbal Communication and Negotiation in Managerial Practice Leadership Styles in Crisis Situations and Uncertainty Development of Soft Skills for 21st Century Organizations Innovation in Teaching and Serious Games in Business Education Employer Branding and Talent Attraction in Public and Private Sectors Cross-generational Communication and Collaboration in the Workplace Strategic Communication and Crisis Management in Tourism and Trade Psychological Safety and Team Resilience Digital Transformation of HRM Practices in Higher Education Competency Development through Experiential Learning and Coaching Work-Life Integration and Employee Well-being Organizational Culture and Psychological Safety Career Development and Retention in Gen Z and Gen Alpha Intergenerational Team Management and Knowledge Transfer Strategies for Motivation in Knowledge-Based Organizations The Role of Purpose-Driven Leadership in the Non-profit Sector

Research area
SOCIAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SCIENCES » Economics and business
Scientific Themes (keywords)
behavioral economics
ORGANI
human resource management
Publications

Representative publications

S Borovac Zekan, A Roje, I Tarle (2025). CRISIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES USING IMAGE REPAIR THEORY: A CASE STUDY OF PODRAVKA IN CROATIA, DIEM: Dubrovnik International Economic Meeting 10 (1), 39-50 https://doi.org/10.17818/DIEM/2025/1.4 S Borovac Zekan, A Roje, K Blažević Miše (2024). Sustainable Waste Management Practices in the Hospitality Sector: A Case Study of Restaurants in Split, Croatia, Economy Transdisciplinarity Cognition 27 (2/2024), 132. - 145. SB Zekan, A Roje, A Russo (2025). Integrating AI and Digital Marketing for Inclusive Governance. Global Perspectives on AI, Ethics, and Business Economics,   Vrdoljak Raguž, I., Borovac Zekan, S.; The Impact of authentic leadership style on knowledge sharing behaviour/New Governance for Value Creation - towards Stakeholding and Participation/Zagreb: CIRU, 2016., str. 615-623. SB Zekan, A Russo, A Roje (2025). Leveraging Gamification Using Escape Rooms to Improve Students' Motivation and Learning Experience, Developing Managerial Skills for Global Business Success, 203-218 A Roje, A Russo, SB Zekan (2024) THE GIG ECONOMY AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW IN CONSUMER STUDIES. Building Resilient Society (Book of Proceedings), 120th esd Conference, 147 Vrdoljak Raguž, I., Borovac Zekan, S.: The role of Leadership in organizational adaptation process, Management ‐ Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, (ISSN online: 1846‐3363), DIEM: Dubrovnik International Economic Meeting, Vol.2 No.1 Listopad 2015. University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Croatia, str. 596 - 610. Peronja, I., Šimić, D., Borovac Zekan, S.: Organizacijske strukture nogometnih klubova, Veleučilište „Lavoslav Ružička“ u Vukovaru 2. međunarodni znanstveno-stručni skup „Fizioterapija u sportu, rekreaciji i wellnessu“ 3. studenoga 2016. Borovac Zekan, S., Peronja, I., Šimić, D.; The role of Social Responsibility in Business  in Atlanitic group Inc., REDETE –Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies, Belgrade, Serbia, 28.-30., October 2016., University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics. Peronja, I., Borovac Zekan, S., Šimić, D.; Human Resource Management at the time of crisis in the case of Societe Generale - Splitska Banka d.d, REDETE –Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies, Belgrade, Serbia, 28.-30., October 2016., University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics. Dadić, M., Borovac Zekan, S., Peronja, M.; Organiziranje volonterskih aktivnosti, 4. Internacionalna naučna konferencija „Ekonomija integracija – izazovi ekonomije u kriznom okruženju“, str, 52., 3.-5. decembar, ICEI, 2015., Univerzitet u Tuzli, Tuzla Alfirević, A. M., Peronja, I., Borovac Zekan, S., Utjecaj prihvatljivosti poduzetništva i samodjelotvornosti studenata na namjeru kreiranja novih poduzeća, 5th South-East European Meeting & Scientific conference of Management departments, Entrepreneurial Society: Current Trends and Future Prospects in Entrepreneurship, Organization and Management, Book of full papers, 25. - 26. september, Varaždin, 2015. ISBN 978-953-6071-50-0, str. 244.-251. Alfirević, A., Plazibat, I., Borovac Zekan, S., Vrban. A.; Konceptualne postavke upravljanja kategorijama proizvoda, 4th South‐East European (SEE) Meeting & Scientific conference of Management departments: Management, Leadership, Organisation and Entrepeneurship in 21st century: how to develop managerial and entrepreneurial skills and competences in the see region 26 ‐ 27.  septembar 2014., Tuzla Peronja, I., Borovac Zekan, S., Peronja, M.; Specifics of management, financing and access to higher education in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Croatia, Academic Conference on Social Sciences and humanities in Prague 2015., Czech Institute of  Academic Education, 30-31.12.2015. ISBN 978-80-905791-7-0 str. 35.-49. Borovac Zekan, S., Peronja, M., Mikačić, H.;. Uloga i primjena digitalnog marketinga u strategiji izlaska na strana tržišta,., 5th South-East European (SEE) Meeting & Scientific Conference of mManagement departments Entrepreneurial Society: Current Trends and Future Prospects in Entrepreneurship, Organization and Management, Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Varaždin, str. 328., 25th - 26th September 2015., ISBN 978-953-6071-50-0
Technology Expertise

The Expert Research Team for Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development conducts interdisciplinary research focused on the dynamic relationship between leadership practices, organizational communication, and the development of soft skills essential for employee performance, engagement, and resilience. The team investigates contemporary challenges in human capital management, with particular emphasis on emotional intelligence, motivation strategies, nonverbal communication, and intergenerational workforce dynamics.Through applied and theoretical research, the group explores the impact of leadership styles and communication approaches on organizational outcomes, and develops innovative models for soft skills development in the workplace. The team collaborates within the SEA-EU Alliance and beyond to promote evidence-based knowledge, cross-cultural academic exchange, and the integration of research into higher education and professional practice.The Expert Research Team for Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development integrates advanced technological tools and platforms to support research, teaching, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of organizational behavior and soft skills development. The team’s technological expertise includes: Digital Learning Platforms (Coursera, Udemy, Moodle) for the design and evaluation of soft skills training programs Serious Games and Simulations (Fligby) for experiential learning in leadership and emotional intelligence. Data Collection and Analysis Tools (Google Forms, SPSS, NVivo) for conducting mixed-method research Virtual Collaboration Tools (Zoom, MS Teams) to facilitate online teamwork, focus groups, and intercultural exchanges Multimedia Content Creation (Canva, video editors, social media platforms) for communication research and dissemination of educational materials AI-assisted Writing and Editing Tools (ChatGPT) for academic content development and student support HR Tech Applications for analyzing recruitment practices, employee engagement, and digital talent management

Partnerships and Cooperation
UNIVERSITY OF GDANSK UNIVERSITY OF ALGARVE
Events and oportunieties
Event title
A Research Team for Leadership, Communication, and Employee Development
Event date
Event description
Research Areas: Human Capital Management in the Context of Digital and Technological Change The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Modern Leadership Employee Motivation and Engagement in Hybrid Work Environments Nonverbal Communication and Negotiation in Managerial Practice Leadership Styles in Crisis Situations and Uncertainty Development of Soft Skills for 21st Century Organizations Innovation in Teaching and Serious Games in Business Education Employer Branding and Talent Attraction in Public and Private Sectors Cross-generational Communication and Collaboration in the Workplace Strategic Communication and Crisis Management in Tourism and Trade Psychological Safety and Team Resilience Digital Transformation of HRM Practices in Higher Education Competency Development through Experiential Learning and Coaching Work-Life Integration and Employee Well-being Organizational Culture and Psychological Safety Career Development and Retention in Gen Z and Gen Alpha Intergenerational Team Management and Knowledge Transfer Strategies for Motivation in Knowledge-Based Organizations The Role of Purpose-Driven Leadership in the Non-profit Sector