Use of plagiarism detection software in higher education: A case study of Croatia

The increasing incidence of academic misconduct among students in written assignments and final papers has prompted academic institutions to implement various measures, including using plagiarism detection software. In this paper, we present the experiences of the University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE) in conceptualising and establishing the technical prerequisites for a strategic approach to plagiarism prevention within the student population in Croatia's higher education system. Plagiarism detection software undoubtedly holds a prominent role in identifying and preventing academic misconduct today; however, its effectiveness largely depends on how well it is integrated into institutional policies and everyday practices. In Croatia, such software has been available to public higher education institutions for nearly six years and has become essential in promoting academic integrity. More recently, the widespread use of generative AI tools for academic writing has further emphasised the importance of plagiarism detection software. Accordingly, this paper discusses the use of plagiarism detection tools, focusing on the support provided to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in their adoption and examining the challenges and successes observed during implementation and use.