Student VESNA LAVRIČ, enrolled in the study programme Innovation and Sustainable Business in a Digital Society, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The dissertation, entitled 'Predictors of Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Blended Learning as an Educational Innovation in Secondary Education in China', was completed under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr Marko Divjak.
The doctoral dissertation, 'Predictors of Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Blended Learning as an Educational Innovation in Secondary Education in China', examines how institutional, psychological and cultural factors influence teachers’ acceptance of blended learning. The research was based on data from 107 secondary school teachers and 15 in-depth interviews. The findings show that cultural factors have the strongest influence, particularly learner-centredness and certain traditional Chinese values, including the Confucian ethos, commitment to ideals and benevolence. Institutional support also plays an important role, especially support from school leadership and the organisation, while psychological factors as a whole have no direct influence, with teachers’ personal innovativeness standing out as an exception. The dissertation concludes that cultural values are not necessarily a barrier to pedagogical innovation, but can support it when new practices are embedded within the existing cultural framework. The findings provide important guidance for education policy, school leadership and teacher training in environments undergoing the digital transformation of education.
Sincere congratulations to the new Doctor of Philosophy!
In the first photo, from left to right: Assist. Prof. Dr Sandra Kučina Softić (Chair of the Committee), Prof. Dr Vlasta Novak Zabukovec (Committee Member), Dr Vesna Lavrič (doctoral graduate), Assist. Prof. Dr Marko Divjak (supervisor).
