In May 2025, the long-standing tradition of field trips to Sarajevo was successfully continued. From May 20 to 24, a group of master’s students visited the School of Economics and Business at the University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) as part of the proseminar Strategic and International Human Resource Management.
Led by Christian Hirt (Department of Human Resource Management) and Zijada Rahimić (University of Sarajevo), the students attended a lecture by Prof. Elvir Čizmić on “The Strategic Importance of Workplace Design Impact on Workers’ Job Satisfaction”. Afterwards, they engaged in discussions with Bosnian students on the context-specific challenges of HR management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Particular highlights of the field trip included company visits to Klas d.d. Sarajevo, one of the country’s leading food manufacturers, Addiko Bank Sarajevo, and the furniture company Inside Ećo Company d.o.o. Through conversations with company representatives, the students gained valuable insights into corporate practice and various HR strategies in a country undergoing economic and social transformation. The exchange offered not only fresh perspectives but also the opportunity to directly connect theoretical knowledge with practical business challenges.
The field trip was supported by the Office of International Relations at the University of Graz — our sincere thanks for their continued support over the years! We would also like to warmly thank our local partners for their great commitment, especially Emira Duratbegović (Vice President of HR, AS Holding), Suzana Tihi-Babić (Director of Human Resources Management Department, Addiko Bank Sarajevo), Jasmin Spahic (CEO, Addiko Bank Sarajevo), Suad Ećo (CEO, Inside Ećo Company), Elvisa Ećo (General Director Assistant, Inside Ećo Company), Hatidža Jahić (Vice Dean for International Cooperation and Business Relations, University of Sarajevo), and Prof. Elvir Čizmić (University of Sarajevo).
From June 16 to 20, 2024, Zijada Rahimić will pay a return visit to the Department of Human Resource Management at the University of Graz. Together with our students, she will discuss context-specific topics in international HR management and reflect on the experiences gained during the Sarajevo field trip.