Zvonimira Sverko Grdic

@fthm.hr

University of Rijeka, Faculty of tourism and hospitality management
Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Zvonimira Sverko Grdic


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https://researchid.co/zvonimirasverkogrdic

RESEARCH INTERESTS

economy, tourism, climate change, environmental economy, circular economy
19

Scopus Publications

678

Scholar Citations

12

Scholar h-index

16

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Living on the margins in Istria: Navigating the complexities of a just transition
    Tanja Fatur Šikić, Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
    Just Transition and the European Green Deal Regional Perspectives, 2025
    This chapter examines the social dimensions of the green transition in Istria, Croatia—one of the country’s two regions most affected by decarbonization—by centering the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities. Drawing on empirical research conducted within the EU-funded BOLSTER project, including interviews, multi-actor forums and local alliance meetings, the chapter explores how marginalized groups—particularly women, youth, and citizens from post-industrial areas—perceive and experience the transition to a low-carbon economy. Findings suggest that while there is widespread awareness of environmental change, immediate concerns such as access to jobs, education, and mobility dominate local narratives. Structural barriers—economic precarity, poor public infrastructure, limited educational attainment, and weak policy communication—undermine community engagement and the perceived fairness of the transition. Moreover, the Croatian Territorial Just Transition Plan, while aligned with EU decarbonization objectives, lacks clear mechanisms for addressing local social inequalities or integrating citizen initiatives. This chapter argues that for a transition to be truly just, it must be grounded in the lived realities of affected communities, ensuring equitable participation, redistribution of benefits, and responsive governance. The case of Istria offers important insights into how local voices can inform the design of inclusive and context-sensitive green transition strategies across Europe.
  • POSSIBILITIES OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT IN FRAMEWORK OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY
    Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, Tatjana Špoljarić
    Ekonomski Pregled, 2022
    Primjenom kružnog gospodarstva mijenjaju se poslovni modeli, navike i način razmišljanja te se novim dizajnom i izradom proizvoda produžuje njegov životni vijek. Cilj rada je analiziranje uspješnosti korištenja modela kružne ekonomije putem pokazatelja kružnog gospodarstva u zemljama Europske unije, te davanje pregleda postojećih mjera i mogućnosti koje gospodarstvima stoje na raspolaganju putem kojih se može jednostavnije uvesti ovaj koncept u gospodarstvo. Hipoteze koje se ispituju u radu su sljedeće: H1 - Postoji međuodnos između aktivnosti recikliranja i ekonomskog rasta; H2 – Investicije, zaposlenost i dodana vrijednost u domeni kružnog gospodarstva povezane su s ekonomskim rastom. Hipoteze su se ispitale uz pomoć ekonometrijskog modela koristeći podatke Eurostata za sve zemlje EU (EU 28) u razdoblju 2008-2016. U radu se koristila korelacijska i regresijska analiza. Kod korelacijske analize korišten je Pearsonov koeficijent korelacije, a kod regresijske analize univarijatni OLS kod kojeg je nezavisna varijabla bila postotak reciklaže, a zavisna varijabla logaritmirani BDP. Rezultati istraživanja kazuju da zemlje koje imaju veći BDP, odnosno, koje su ekonomski razvijenije, imaju i bolje pokazatelje korištenja kružnog gospodarstva.
  • Urban Waste: Challenges and Opportunities in Tourism Destinations
    Waste Forum, 2022
  • Managers’ perspectives about the relationship between tourism and climate change: Case of the Republic of Croatia
    Aleksandar Racz, Dora Smolčić Jurdana, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
    Academica Turistica, 2021
    Assuming a two-way relationship between climate change and tourism, it is very important to know the beliefs and attitudes of tourist managers. Research of beliefs and attitudes of tourist managers is a key problem of this research. Beliefs and attitudes of tourist managers are affected by different factors such as: sociodemographic characteristics, especially gender; level of education; length of service in the tourism sector; membership in ecological ngos; and beliefs and attitudes about climate change. To investigate managers' opinions, the authors created a survey which focused on all managers who manage categorized facilities by type in the Republic of Croatia. The results have shown significant differences in the beliefs and attitudes about the interinfluence of climate change and tourist accommodation. Managers who are female, who have completed tertiary education, who are members of ecological ngos and who consider themselves activists, and those who have more years of work experience, showed stronger pro-environmental attitudes and higher levels of ecological awareness.
  • EFFECT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CULTURAL TOURISM (CROATIA)
    Elena Rudan, Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
    Ekonomia I Srodowisko, 2021
    Circular economy is a developmental concept promoted by the European Union and applied in practice by its member countries. When looking at the circular economy process, it is most commonly observed from the industry’s point of view and its related processes. Tourism is less frequently observed, but in recent years, the circular economy application has become significantly more present in tourism, both in the hotel industry and in all types of tourism overall. This paper focuses on the issue of sustainable cultural tourism, emphasising supporting the protection and/or reuse of heritage, where the entire cycle is based on the principles of the circular economy. Sustainable cultural tourism should be founded on circular economy principles wherever applicable (heritage tourism, gastronomy, urban tourism, etc.). In this paper, we take a look at cities in Croatia that apply circular economy to sustainable cultural tourism. This paper’s scientific contribution lies in the proposed guidelines for taking further action to create a “new” cultural tourism by adopting the circular economy’s principles.
  • Transitioning to a green economy—possible effects on the croatian economy
    Nada Denona Bogovic, Zvonimira Sverko Grdic
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2020
    Following the global economic crisis of 2008, the concept of green economy has become a significant field of interest for scientific research as well as for specific development policies in various countries around the world. More recently, the transition towards green economy has been considered a desirable model and alternative approach to development encompassing all elements of sustainable development—economic, ecological and social. By adopting the 2019 European Green Deal, the European Union has explicitly opted for a new pattern of development that involves all European countries transitioning their economies, i.e., achieving economic growth while significantly reducing their negative environmental impact. The aim of this paper was to assess the possible effects of Croatian economy transitioning in accordance with the European Green Deal strategic framework and resources planned for Croatia in the following EU budgeting period (2021–2027). Based on the regression analysis results and two developed investment scenarios for the green transition, the authors have shown the potential positive effects of such a process on the gross domestic product and on total employment. These results were further supported by arguments based on examples for specific sectors and economic activities. The authors conclude that transitioning towards green economy, i.e., implementing specific green economy policies can serve to push sustainable development in the EU while simultaneously contributing to the implementation of the strategic goals of the European Green Deal.
  • Managers' informedness of energy issues in tourism
    Dora Smolčić Jurdana, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, Marinela Krstinić Nižić
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2020
    Energy and environmental issues are nowadays becoming more prominent, and business subjects in tourism should dedicate more effort to energy management. This can lead to a reduction in energy-related expenses, and it shows social responsibility and concern for the environment. In order to determine the informedness of managers in tourism concerning energy issues, empirical research was conducted in all seven counties of Adriatic Croatia. The questionnaire was filled out by 254 managers in tourism in such a way that the research covered business management (hotel, villa, camp, and apartment managers), managers in tourist boards, managers in units of local self-government, and managers among other stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in tourism. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions answered using the Likert scale with 1 being the worst and 5 the best. The questionnaire’s reliability was tested using factor analysis and internal consistency analysis. The results showed that managers still have insufficient knowledge concerning the impact of energy and its link to tourism. Additionally, 66.4% of the participants considered their knowledge regarding energy issues in tourism to be poor or negligible. It can be concluded that continued education for managers is required as higher awareness leads to “greener” attitudes among managers in tourism.
  • Circular economy concept in the context of economic development in EU countries
    Zvonimira Sverko Grdic, Marinela Krstinic Nizic, Elena Rudan
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2020
    The need has arisen to implement a circular economic model that enables economic growth and prosperity in accordance with environmental protection and sustainable development because of the current unsustainable linear means of production in the economy. The aim of this paper is to determine the application of the circular economy concept in member countries of the European Union from 2008 to 2016. The purpose is to analyse whether economic development measured by GDP (gross domestic product) affects the analysed circular economy variables. Based on the hypotheses set, an econometric model was formed where GDP was identified as an independent variable, while the dependent variables were the production of municipal waste per capita, the recycling rate of municipal waste, the recycling rate of packaging waste by type of packaging, the recycling of bio-waste, and the recycling rate of e-waste. The first part of the statistical analysis conducted using the Stata software package shows the Pearson correlation between the abovestated variables, while the second part explores the univariate regression model. The results point towards the conclusion that the application of the circular economy concept can ensure economic growth and GDP growth while reducing the use of natural resources and ensuring greater environmental protection.
  • Towards circular economy implementation in European Union
    Zvonimira SverkoGrdic
    International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management Sgem, 2020
  • Towards sustainable cities in Croatia
    MARINELA KRSTINIÆ NIŽIÆ, MAŠA TRINAJSTIÆ, ZVONIMIRA ŠVERKO GRDIÆ
    Wit Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 2019
    Among the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are cities that provide social and economic progress for their inhabitants. Urban management and development face many challenges in the continuous creation of new jobs and prosperity without harming the environment and resources. Most cities in Croatia, especially in the coastal areas, are recognized as tourism destinations: tourism is the most important economic activity. The aim of this paper is to investigate, based on secondary available data, whether having tourism as a generator of the city's overall development is sufficient to make it an attractive place to live. In these times of intensive economic, sociological and cultural changes, tourism destination management needs to recognize and to define a suitable and feasible model, methodology and the means of implementing urban destination development strategy. The mere notion of a tourism destination implies the integral management of all key stakeholders. Faced with negative demographic processes, the underdevelopment of the urban settlements network, with its function and economy, we conclude that national policies need to give special attention to those urban areas that lag behind the national average. Based on that analysis and the conclusions drawn from it, our paper suggests a model of a sustainable transitional city that is economically independent, and which is an attractive place not only for visiting tourists, but also for its residents throughout the year.
  • Investigating the influence of tourism on economic growth and climate change - The case of Croatia
    Z. Grdić, M. Gregorić, M. K. Nižić
    Contemporary Economics, 2019
  • Winter tourism in Croatia: Is it possible?
    Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2018
  • Energy sustainability and its impacts on Croatian tourism
    Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, Renata Endres
    Croatian Economic Survey, 2017
  • Insolvency in the Republic of Croatia
    Zvonimira Šverko Grdić, Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Maja Mamula
    Economic Research Ekonomska Istrazivanja, 2017
  • Development of tourist demand in correlation with climate change in the republic of Croatia
    Ekonomski Pregled, 2016
  • Croatian tourism sector's adjustment to climate change
    Joze Peric, Dora Smolcic Jurdana, Zvonimira Sverko Grdic
    Tourism Management Perspectives, 2013
  • The prediction model of cash flow applied to the acquisition process
    Ekonomski Pregled, 2009
  • The solvency of companies in croatia and in european union
    Ekonomski Pregled, 2009
  • Economic instruments combating land-based marine pollution
    Ekonomski Pregled, 2006

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • PRIMJENA KONCEPTA KRUŽNE EKONOMIJE U TURIZMU APPLICATION OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONCEPT IN TOURISM
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Markasović
    SKEI–MEĐUNARODNI INTERDISCIPLINARNI ČASOPIS 7 (1), 88-102 , 2026
    2026
  • Living on the margins in Istria: Navigating the complexities of a just transition
    T Fatur Šikić, M Krstinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić
    Just Transition and the European Green Deal, 53-70 , 2025
    2025
  • Trgovanje dozvolama za emisije stakleničkih plinova kao alat klimatske politike
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Perić
    33. Tradicionalno savjetovanje Ekonomska politika Hrvatske u 2026. godini 1 … , 2025
    2025
  • Klimatske promjene, porast razine mora i turizam Jadranske Hrvatske
    B Blažević, Z Šverko Grdić
    Turizam i zaštićena područja: zbornik radova sa znanstvenog kolokvija, 203-225 , 2025
    2025
  • Regionalne i lokalne ekonomske neranvoteže na području Slavonije i Baranje
    M Krstinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić
    Zbornik radova Znanstvenog sabora Slavonije i Baranje 1, 1565-1589 , 2025
    2025
  • Will the goals of sustainable development be achieved in the European Union?
    M Krstinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić
    27th International Congress: Tourism and Hospitality Industry 2024: Trends … , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Provedba ciljeva održivog razvoja u Republici Hrvatskoj
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić
    ESG zahtjevi–izazovi i prilike za hrvatsko gospodarstvo, 71-97 , 2023
    2023
  • Energy - Climate Transition in Tourism Destinations in Croatia
    M Krstinic Nizic, Z Sverko Grdic, A Dekanic
    Tourism and Hospitality Industry 2022, 161-179 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 5
  • Towards Cicrular Economy - A comparative analysis of the countries of the European Union
    Z Šverko Grdić, A Racz, R Belas
    11 th International Scientific Symposium Region Entrepreneurship Development … , 2022
    2022
  • Urban Waste: Challenges and Opportunities in Tourism Destinations
    M Krsinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić, SK Dilenardo Zamlić
    Waste forum 2, 87-102 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 2
  • Mogućnosti održivog ekonomskog razvoja u okviru kružnog gospodarstva
    Z Šverko Grdić, T Špoljarić
    Ekonomski pregled 73 (1), 26-41 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 3
  • Klima i klimatske promjene kao izazov održivog razvoja
    A Racz, Z Šverko Grdić
    Zagreb: Zdravstveno veleučilište u Zagrebu, Sveučilište u Rijeci, Fakultet … , 2022
    2022
  • Financiranje tranzicije na kružno gospodarstvo
    Z Šverko Grdić
    Ekonomska politika Hrvatske u 2022- postpandemijski izazovi, 29 … , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 3
  • Managers’ Perspectives about the Relationship between Tourism and Climate Change: Case of the Republic of Croatia
    A Racz, D Jurdana, Smolcic Jurdana, Z Sverko Grdic
    Academica Turistica-Tourism and Innovation Journal 14 (1) , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 4
  • Linkage Between Tourism and Sustainable Development in Urban Areas
    M Krstinić Nižić, M Trinajstić, Z Šverko Grdić
    Ekonomski vjesnik 34 (1), 175-186 , 2021
    2021
  • Awareness of managers in tourist hotel facilities about the interaction of climate chante, tourism and traffic-preliminary report
    A Racz, K Rotim, Z Šverko Grdić
    Proceedings of the 5th International Scientific and Professional Conference … , 2021
    2021
  • Klimatske promjene i prevencija rizika u turizmu
    A Racz, Z Šverko Grdić, K Rotim
    Turistički razvoj i utjecaj na destinaciju, 189-207 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 2
  • Effect of Circular Economy on the Sustainability of Cultural Tourism (Croatia)
    E Rudan, M Krstinic Nizic, Z Sverko Grdic
    Ekonomija i Srodowisko 76 (1), 120-138 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 31
  • Transitioning to a Green Economy—Possible Effects on the Croatian Economy
    N Denona Bogović, Z Šverko Grdić
    Sustainability 12 (22), 1-19 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 71
  • Circular Economy Concept in the Context of Economic Development in EU Countries
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić, E Rudan
    Sustainability 12, 1-14 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 282

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Circular Economy Concept in the Context of Economic Development in EU Countries
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić, E Rudan
    Sustainability 12, 1-14 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 282
  • Transitioning to a Green Economy—Possible Effects on the Croatian Economy
    N Denona Bogović, Z Šverko Grdić
    Sustainability 12 (22), 1-19 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 71
  • The Importance of Energy for the Tourism Sector
    M Krstinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić, A Hustić
    Academica Turistica - Tourism & Innovation Journal 1 (2), 77-83 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 38
  • Effect of Circular Economy on the Sustainability of Cultural Tourism (Croatia)
    E Rudan, M Krstinic Nizic, Z Sverko Grdic
    Ekonomija i Srodowisko 76 (1), 120-138 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 31
  • Klimatske promjene i turizam
    J Perić, Z Šverko Grdić
    Fakultet za manadžment u turizmu i ugostiteljstvu, Opatija , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 25
  • Solventnost poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj iu Europskoj uniji
    Z Šverko Grdić, J Radolović, L Bagarić
    Ekonomski pregled 60 (5-6), 250-266 , 2009
    2009
    Citations: 19
  • Insolvency in the Republic of Croatia
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić, M Mamula
    Economic Research - Ekonomska Istraživanja 1 (1), 1693-1704 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 18
  • Energy sustainability and its impacts on Croatian tourism
    M Krstinić Nižić, Z Šverko Grdić, R Endres
    Croatian Economic Survey 19 (2), 83-104 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 16
  • Development of Tourist Demand in Correlation with Climate Change in the Republic of Croatia
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić
    Ekonomski pregled 67 (1), 27-43 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 15
  • Utjecaj klimatskih promjena na turističke tijekove–primjer Republike Hrvatske
    Z Šverko Grdić, T Špoljarić
    Zbornik Veleučilišta u Rijeci 6 (1), 51-66 , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 14
  • The Smart City Concept for Sustainable Development of a Tourist Destination
    M Krstinić Nižić, K Vodeb, Z Šverko Grdić
    Pomorski zbornik 58 (No.1), 111-123 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 13
  • Economic impacts of sea level rise caused by climate change
    J Peric, Z Sverko Grdic
    3rd International Scientific Conference Tourism in Southern and Eastern … , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 13
  • Povezanost klimatskih promjena i turizma: Multikriterijska analiza ocjenjivanja mjera prilagodbe
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić, M Mamula
    Ekonomska Misao i Praksa 26 (1), 171 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 12
  • Croatian tourism sector's adjustment to climate change
    J Peric, D Jurdana Smolcic, Z Šverko Grdic
    Tourism Management Perspectives 6, 23-27 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 12
  • Investigating the Influence of Tourism on Economic Growth and Climate Change – The Case of Croatia
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Gregorić, M Krstinić Nižić
    CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS 13 (2), 111-122 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 11
  • Towards sustainable cities in Croatia
    M Krstinić Nižić, M Trinajstić, Z Šverko Grdić
    The Sustainable City XIII 238, 443 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 10
  • Kružno gospodarstvo - model održivog ekonomskog rasta
    Z Šverko Grdić, M Krstinić Nižić, E Rudan
    8th International Scientific Conference "Knowledge and business challenges … , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 9
  • Turizam i klimatske promjene-dvosmjerna ulica i hijerarhijski model
    J Perić, Z Šverko Grdić
    Ekonomska politika Hrvatske u 1 (2008), 199-214 , 2009
    2009
    Citations: 9
  • Ekonomski instrumenti u zaštiti mora od onečišćenja s kopna
    M Šverko, M Črnjar, Z Šverko Grdić
    Ekonomski pregled 57 (7-8), 490-517 , 2006
    2006
    Citations: 8
  • Energy - Climate Transition in Tourism Destinations in Croatia
    M Krstinic Nizic, Z Sverko Grdic, A Dekanic
    Tourism and Hospitality Industry 2022, 161-179 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 5