Backward linkages of foreign subsidiaries with their local suppliers prove to be one of the main channels of knowledge spillovers via foreign direct investment. This paper analyses the potential of...

From its early stages, the discussion on Slovenian independence included the clear ambition to join the European Community/Union. This objective was achieved in 2004. The support of membership was very high among Slovenians and has remained so ever since. Various domestic and external factors have affected the level of public support, but the country has never questioned its belonging to the EU. In fact, as the authors show, trust in EU policymaking has often been above EU average. There were instances when Slovenia expected a higher level of support from European institutions, but among all social groups, from politicians to businesspeople to NGOs to the wider public, there was no real alternative. This, however, does not suggest that understanding of the intricate functioning of the EU is at a sufficiently high level that the small country could effectively shape EU policies.

Tourism is the most important export sector in Montenegro, with a share of 22% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a strong tendency toward growth. Tourism revenues contribute substantially to both the current account balance and employment. However, the current level of the tourist sector suffers from serious limitations. The switch from the current approach to tourism in Montenegro to a more sustainable tourism is only possible by becoming more innovative. Highlighting the importance of innovation in all its forms has been the motivation for our research. The application of the organizational, marketing, and design innovations of the Montenegrin tourism industry actors was examined in a survey, based on the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), with some necessary adaptations. The sample covered more than 70% of available tourism actors. The authors also analysed the experience from Slovenia, in particular the Slovenian example of the Bank of Tourism Potentials, finding this innovation potentially suitable for transfer to Montenegro. Based on the survey and analysis, the team designed certain recommendations for policy action that can be used as guidelines for policy makers.

Accession to the European Union (EU) also meant (re)entry into the donor community for the new member states from Central and Eastern Europe. Human resource constraints seem to be one of the important drawbacks in the government-led cooperation programmes of many of the new member states. This is where, civil society, in particular the national civil society, can play an important role. It can help in the design and implementation of the programmes, in overall awareness raising as well as in keeping ‘watch’ on government policies. This paper examines the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in development cooperation, focusing on the case of Slovenia: how they have integrated themselves into the development cooperation programmes of Slovenia, what the good practices are and where the difficulties that inhibit cooperation with the government lie. Special attention has been paid to stakeholders' participation in policy design and priority selection as well as to the organizational framework put in place. In Slovenia, the Presidency of the Council of the EU increased the level of the government's cooperation with the non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) significantly. The ‘Europeanization’ process has been significant in shaping development cooperation content and delivery in Slovenia, including the participation of NGDOs.