Researchers from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka (EFRI), members of the CROSS-REIS consortium, participated in the FEB Zagreb 17th International Odyssey Conference on Economics and Business, held from 20 to 23 May 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, the conference gathered researchers and experts from different countries to discuss contemporary challenges in economics, business, innovation, and digital transformation. The programme included plenary lectures, parallel scientific sessions, networking activities, and the FEB Odyssey Research Forum, dedicated to publication strategies, research development, and collaboration with leading international journal editors. Among the distinguished speakers and editors participating in the Research Forum were Prof. Wendy Loretto (University of Glasgow), Prof. Tazeeb S. Rajwani (University of Surrey), and Prof. Zoran Krupka (University of Zagreb), who shared insights into academic publishing, journal selection, and international research visibility.
As part of the session “Firm Dynamics, Innovation and Digital Transformation,” CROSS-REIS team led by prof. Saša Čegar presented the paper “Mapping the Research Landscape of Lean Management and the Circular Economy: A Bibliometric Analysis.”
The paper explored the evolving relationship between lean management principles and circular economy research through a bibliometric approach, identifying key thematic clusters, research trends, and emerging directions in the literature. The study contributes to a better understanding of how operational efficiency and circularity concepts are increasingly interconnected within sustainability-oriented business models and innovation strategies.
Participation in the conference provided an important opportunity for networking and scientific exchange with researchers working on digital transformation, regional competitiveness, innovation systems, and sustainability transitions. The event also strengthened the visibility of CROSS-REIS research within broader international discussions on regenerative and circular economic development.
Through contributions such as this, CROSS-REIS continues to support interdisciplinary research excellence and foster collaboration between academia, policy, and practice in the transition toward more sustainable and regenerative economic systems.