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.
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.
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
Representative publications
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