The article explores the implementation of digital technology in small and medium-sized Slovenian enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on understanding existing trends, obstacles, and necessary support measures during their digitalization progress. The surveyed companies mainly rely on conventional technologies like websites and teamwork platforms, emphasizing the significance of strong online communication and presence in the modern business world. The adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain is limited due to the perceived complexity and relevance to specific sectors. This study uses variance analysis to identify potential differences in the digitalization challenges faced by companies of different sizes. The results indicate that small companies face different financial constraints and require more differentiated support mechanisms than their larger counterparts, with a particular focus on improving digital competencies among employees. Despite obtaining enhancements such as elevated operational standards and uninterrupted telecommuting via digitalization, companies still face challenges of differentiation and organizational culture change. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the different challenges and support needs of different-sized companies to promote comprehensive progress in digital transformation. Our findings provide important insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and SMEs to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies that effectively address the diverse needs and challenges of the digital transformation landscape.

At the end of the last century, digital technology emergence enabled millions of people to compete globally by remotely offering their knowledge and skills. In addition, business processes are becoming fragmented into smaller components, so-called short-term projects. These work arrangements are often carried out by so-called independent professionals (contractors), better known as freelancers. A literature review has shown that the research topic of freelancing from an entrepreneurial perspective is relatively new and has its assumptions and gaps. Different stakeholders and institutions connect, mediate and manage the services of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to support entrepreneurs. As freelancers belong to the self-employed entrepreneurial category, they are engaged in business activities and need support from their environment. To contribute to this topic, we have analyzed the relationships between freelancers’ job and career satisfaction, digitalization and entrepreneurial ecosystem factors, with the aim of making policy recommendations. Regarding the entrepreneurial environment, we analyzed the cultural and social norms and government programs that provide support, based on the measurement instrument, developed in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research. We surveyed 200 freelancers (respondents) in Slovenia. Using factor analysis and structural equation modelling, the empirical results suggest that digitalization and cultural and social norms are significant factors that promote the success of new careers as freelancers in terms of job and career satisfaction. The results show that both positively influence job and career satisfaction, while government programs indirectly influence the job and career satisfaction of freelancers. This explains how the entrepreneurial ecosystem, plays a special role in supporting freelancers on their career path.

Digital technologies are underpinning a wide range of products, services, processes, and business model innovations that are significantly transforming industries, organizations, and society. They are increasingly permeating every aspect of our daily lives. In this paper, we looked at the challenges of digitalization, leading to a new way of working in the market and new business models, such as the gig economy. Individuals are becoming more mobile and self-directed in their careers, as opposed to traditional careers. We investigated the demographic characteristics of the new, growing group of self-employed, so-called freelancers, at the national level in Slovenia and investigated the relationships between human capital and their subjective (job and career satisfaction, life satisfaction) and objective success (income satisfaction). The survey was conducted among 200 freelancers (respondents). The empirical results show that most Slovenian freelancers working from home work in professional, scientific, and technical occupations; are between 35 and 44 years old; have completed the second level of tertiary education; work more than 40 hours per week; and have 16 years or more of work experience. To explore the quality of life of freelancers, empirical analysis showed that human capital factors are important for the success of a new career as a freelancer. The results show that freelancers’ human capital factors (education and experience, skills, and training) positively influence subjective and objective success. Using structural equation modeling, we also confirmed that human capital has a greater impact on freelancers’ subjective success (life satisfaction, career satisfaction) than on objective success (income satisfaction), suggesting that job and life satisfaction should be considered an important resource that freelancers rely on to determine their quality of life.

This paper examines the opportunities and challenges of the gig economy within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on some environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It emphasizes the need for fair working conditions, income stability, and ethical considerations to foster an inclusive and sustainable gig economy benefiting workers and society. The gig economy offers environmental benefits through optimized resource utilization, and economic sustainability by generating in­come opportunities and supporting work-life balance. However, challenges in labor rights, social protection, and income stability persist. The study uti­lizes both global secondary data and primary data from a survey of 200 gig workers (freelancers) in Slovenia. Through analyzing gig economy data with­in the context of sustainable development, this study contributes to the on­going discourse on sustainable practices and inclusivity in the gig economy, urging policymakers and stakeholders to implement measures that promote fairness and sustainability, benefiting both workers and society as a whole.

This paper investigates the determinants of economic growth in EU member states that joined the Union in 2004 and later, focusing on institutional quality, competitiveness, and the green transition. Three composite indices are constructed using principal component analysis (PCA) and incorporated into a panel ARDL-PMG model, complemented by robustness checks with fixed-effects and system-GMM estimators. The results highlight competitiveness as the most robust driver of growth across specifications, while institutional quality emerges as an enabling factor, particularly under dynamic specifications that account for endogeneity. The green transition shows significant long-run benefits, although its short-run effects are weaker, reflecting the gradual payoff of environmental investments. Policy implications emphasize the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering innovation and productivity, and sustaining commitments to the green transition as pillars of sustainable convergence. The findings enrich the literature on EU integration and provide evidence-based insights for aligning cohesion policy and the European Green Deal with growth objectives.