New Doctors of Science at DOBA Business School – Current Research Topics Demonstrate the Quality of the Doctoral Programme

At DOBA Business School we are delighted to announce that two of our doctoral candidates have successfully defended their PhD dissertations within the Innovation and Sustainable Business in the Digital Society programme. Their chosen topics highlight current relevance, interdisciplinarity and a strong link to the challenges and opportunities of a digitalised society.

On Tuesday, 8 July 2025, Marijana Ribičić successfully defended her dissertation “The Role of Intellectual Property in Real-Estate Technology.” Supervised by Assist. Prof. Dr. Ana Hafner, her research examined the importance and role of intellectual property in the technology-supported real-estate sector, connecting legal, technological and business aspects of digital solution development.

On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, Vatroslav Gorše defended his dissertation “Individual Work Performance and Digital Competences of Older and Younger Employees in Remote Work.” Guided by Prof. Dr. Mirjana Pejić Bach, the study tackles the timely topic of remote work, analysing generational differences in performance and digital competences—crucial for the future of work in the digital age.

Through their results, DOBA doctoral students make a significant contribution to new knowledge in digitalisation, innovation and sustainability, actively shaping the future of business and society. Their research underpins solutions that support a sustainable and digital transition in both the private and public sectors.

Both dissertations are an important contribution to understanding contemporary digital challenges and confirm that our doctoral programme fosters research directly connected to practice and global trends.

Our sincere congratulations to the two new Doctors of Science!

Photo 1 (from left to right): Assist. Prof. Dr. Ana Hafner (supervisor), Dr. Marijana Ribičić (doctoral graduate), Prof. Dr. Borut Bratina (committee member)

Photo 2 (from left to right): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lea Bregar (committee member), Prof. Dr. Mirjana Pejić Bach (supervisor), Dr. Vatroslav Gorše (doctoral graduate), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Veingerl Čič (committee chair)