Economics of Software Engineering in Slovenia

Information technologies (IT) and its software engineering branch are an important part of the modern economy and its ongoing digitalization. At the same time, they are influenced by the economy as well and have formed their own economic and business fields with plenty of specifics in the recent past. However, this area still remains risky for investments and, in some areas, poorly studied. Especially one of the economic principles, models, techniques, and their specifics in some local national environments like the Slovenian one. Understanding them can significantly improve the operation of the area and work there as well as reduce the number of problems and issues arising. For this reason, it is important to conduct structured studies of the theme both on the global and national levels. The research presented is of a consecutive qualitative nature. The first part is represented with a scoping literature review of global software engineering economics, its trends, and specifics. Then following the second part: a narrative literature review of the selected topics in the Slovenian environment based on the findings of the first part. The results has shown both similarities and deviations in national economy. Some of the latter, like public sector-related specifics, need additional particular consideration on the local level, and some of them, like digital piracy- and sustainability-related cause worries and identify challenges for the future of the software engineering sector in the country. The findings of the research can be utilized by professionals employed in the sphere to improve their understanding and knowledge about the economics of the business area both globally and locally. Also, they can be used for the promotion and improvement of the studied concepts in Slovenia and as a good starting point for continuing research works on the topics analyzed.