Researchers from the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš participated in the 20th International Symposium on Organizational Sciences – SymOrg 2026, held from 10–12 June 2026 at Kopaonik, Serbia. Organized by the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, SymOrg is one of the leading regional scientific conferences dedicated to management, organization, business transformation, and innovation.
This year's symposium was held under the theme “Resilient and Intelligent Organizations in Times of Permanent Disruption,” bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss how organizations can successfully respond to continuous technological, economic, environmental, and societal challenges. The conference programme included plenary lectures, thematic scientific sessions, doctoral colloquia, business forums, panel discussions, and networking activities focused on sustainable and resilient organizational development.
As part of the scientific programme, Professor Jelena J. Stanković, together with Bojana Novićević Čečević and Žarko Popović, presented the paper “What Influences Sustainability Reporting in the Republic of Serbia? An Empirical Analysis.” The study examines sustainability reporting practices among 92 of the most successful companies in Serbia and investigates whether reporting behaviour is associated with selected governance and organizational characteristics.
The findings indicate that slightly more than half of the observed companies prepare sustainability reports, while the presence of foreign nationals in governance bodies is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of sustainability reporting. In contrast, no statistically significant relationship was identified between sustainability reporting and either director gender or the region in which the company is established. The results contribute to a better understanding of the institutional and governance factors shaping sustainability practices in transitional economies and provide valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders seeking to strengthen corporate transparency and accountability.
The study directly contributes to ongoing UR-WISE project activities focused on evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development, institutional transformation, and the promotion of responsible governance practices.
Participation in SymOrg 2026 provided an important opportunity for the dissemination of research results, exchange of ideas with international scholars, and strengthening of cooperation within interdisciplinary research networks addressing contemporary challenges of organizational resilience, sustainability, and innovation.