Background: In this paper, the focus is on the application of digital and mobile technologies as supporting tools for the implementation of gamification in the field of education of future economists. Objectives: The paper’s main objective is to explore whether educators and students are motivated and willing to apply additional technologies as main gamification components in their work and education. Moreover, the paper aims to assess how their more comprehensive application affects the quality of teaching, work flexibility, new learning opportunities, and outcomes. Methods/Approach: The survey method was used to collect answers from educators and students primarily interested in accounting, finance, trade and tourism from higher and secondary education institutions in Croatia, Poland, Serbia and Germany. Afterwards, the responses were compared using statistical methods. Results: Research results confirm that educators and students are willing to use gamification in teaching. Still, they also expressed the need for better administrative support in using particular e-learning tools. Surprisingly, educators are more eager to use gamification in their work than students. Conclusions: The study’s general conclusion is that educators and students are both aware of the advantages of using e-learning tools provided through digital and mobile technologies and are eager to implement more gamification in the teaching process. However, continuous education in applying new digital technologies is needed on both sides.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the extent and quality of voluntarily disclosed information regarding intellectual capital (IC) are correlated with certain characteristics of a company. IC is very important for IT companies. Therefore, financial and non-financial statements of 32 high-tech companies were investigated using the content analysis method. To test the influence of firm characteristics on the intellectual capital disclosure index (ICDI), the regression model was used. The size of the firm was the only independent variable that has had a statistically significant influence on the ICDI. The auditor type, as well as financial ratios, have not shown a statistically significant influence on the extent and quality of IC disclosures. This study reflects the state regarding the voluntary IC disclosures in Croatia and therefore the study may be a roadmap for further research and, more importantly, might promote awareness of the importance of transparent reporting.

Background: Prior studies have revealed a disclosure problem in financial statements, primarily in narrative reports. Three main problem areas have been identified: insufficient relevant information, too much irrelevant information, and low-level communication. Micro and small entities face the most difficulties. Objectives: The main objective of this research is to propose a solution to existing disclosure problems to contribute towards improving the quality of financial reporting of smaller entities. Methods/Approach: To improve the reporting model for smaller entities, a survey has been conducted using a structured questionnaire on a sample of non-financial entities registered in Croatia. Based on results interpretations, standardized notes have been proposed. Results: 167 respondents have shared their thoughts about current disclosure issues and possible improvements, showing their awareness of disclosure problems and willingness for change. Given their opinions, the proposal has been made. Conclusions: The main contribution of the paper is the creation of a proposal for standardized, integrated, and digitalized notes to the financial statements based on the principle of materiality, primarily addressed to micro but also small entities from the non-financial sector. The paper extends previous proposals which did not focus on their structure and digitalization.

This special issue of Business Systems Research (SI of the BSR) highlights the past, current and future perspectives of digitalization in teaching economic disciplines. The emphasis has been put on digital competencies, the quality of e-learning, e-exams, digital tools, gamification, and digital and mobile technologies used in the teaching process in the field of economics. The main focus groups of the research are teachers and students from the economic field of education at both university and secondary school levels. Seven papers selected for this SI of the BSR present the digitalization era’s impact on teaching economic disciplines. The conducted research and publication of the papers are funded under the project “Challenges and practices of teaching economic disciplines in era of digitalization” (project no. 2020-1-HR01-KA202-077771), which is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

Nowadays, more than ever, stakeholders are demanding that additional information are disclosed in addition to financial information as part of corporate reporting. This need is being recognized by regulators, who have begun to enact laws requiring large companies to disclose at least the required information and financial information. This study aims to examine some of the possible company characteristics that may influence the extent of information disclosure, particularly the direction of their influence and significance. The study was conducted on twenty (23.53%) listed companies operating in the real sector (non-financial sector) on the Zagreb Stock Exchange. Initially, the content analysis method was used to analyze the reports. In addition, multilinear regression was conducted to measure the influence of specific company characteristics. The research results revealed that the type of auditor, ownership structure, and size of the board of directors have a statistically significant positive influence on the quality of published financial and non-financial information. In contrast, the quotation days have a negative but not statistically significant influence at the 5% significance level. Finally, even though the overall results regarding the disclosure quality can be interpreted as satisfactory, there is room for further improvement regarding financial and non-financial reporting transparency.

This chapter provides a brief background to the state of sustainability reporting in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region and an overview of the research objectives, the research methods used, and the scope of the studies included in the current monograph. First, this introduction reviews the existing literature on sustainability reporting in the CEE region. It also provides an overview of different standards, frameworks, and guidelines for sustainability reporting that are in use in the CEE countries, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, or the most recent European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). In empirical terms, the monograph chapters coming after this introduction are based on the content analysis of sustainability reports (in a wide sense) issued by companies located in CEE. Therefore, we explain the overall concept in this chapter. Although the content analysis method bears a subjective note, we made it straightforward to compare the data collected from numerous researchers and conclude on the readiness for the new regulation requirements. The resulting material, based on the analysis of the content of 998 non-financial statements and sustainability reports of companies headquartered in 13 CEE countries and an analysis of the challenges the companies located in the two remaining countries included in this monograph face in preparing sustainability reports, contributes to the field of sustainability reporting in a European setting and represents relevant evidence for further improvements in the area. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->