Abstract

In Slovenia eighty percent of companies have been privatized. The war in Bosnia is a war for privileges.  The Serbs were losing privileges because of decentralization.  The bureaucracy was losing privileges because of the "self-management" movement.  The saying was, "Only the Slovenes and the army can do things."  The decision was to induce hatred by recalling old times. There were mixed marriages in towns and cities but not in villages.  For centuries wars were fought in the Balkans on the basis of religion. The idea behind World Wars I and II was to monopolize markets, the privileges of commerce.  At the end of World War I, Germany was not allowed to export, but was required to pay reparations.  Big capital needed territory and markets to expand.
To make progress now, do not speak about innovation but rather what needs to be achieved.  Find examples to imitate.  Study the examples. Do not tell people what to do.  Instead, ask, "What are we doing to help or hinder?"  Change reward systems.  Pay attention to behavior, not cultural background. Persistence is needed.
 

Biography

Matjaz Mulej is a professor of systems and innovation theory at the School of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, Slovenia. He is a former dean and vice-rector of the University. He is the author of Dialectical Systems Theory and The Theory of Innovative Business (applied to transitional societies). He is a leading theorist on the transition from authoritarian, centrally planned societies to democratic, free market societies.