Gergana Tsankova
University for National and World Economy
https://doi.org/10.53656/str2025-1s-5-int
Abstract. The real estate sector in Bulgaria plays a key role in economic stability but faces significant challenges stemming from the lack of legislative regulation and professional standards. This absence creates risks for the quality of services and client trust, emphasizing the need for effective mechanisms to professionalize the sector. In this context, the study examines training programs integrated with intellectual property (IP) management as a strategic tool to address regulatory gaps and establish sustainable competitive advantage. The primary research problem focuses on identifying the effectiveness of training programs in developing human capital and their impact on the competitiveness of real estate agencies. The study‘s thesis posits that investments in structured training and IP management can enhance professionalism, economic efficiency, and the innovation capacity of agencies. The research aims to evaluate the impact of training programs on key aspects such as competence, satisfaction, and financial return while providing guidelines for leveraging IP as a strategic resource. The following tasks were defined to achieve this objective: analysis of training effectiveness, investigation of economic returns, and assessment of IP‘s impact on organizational development. The methodology employs quantitative and qualitative methods, utilizing data from four leading agencies – LUXIMMO, SUPRIMMO, STONEHARD, and BARNES Bulgaria. Applied economic tools such as return on investment (ROI) analysis and SWOT analysis provide a systematic approach to evaluating the impact of training initiatives. The findings reveal that training programs significantly improve employee competence and motivation while achieving high financial returns. IP integration contributes to innovation, organizational development, and the long-term sustainability of agencies. The study offers practical recommendations for enhancing competitiveness through structured training and strategic IP management, providing valuable contributions to academic literature and real estate sector management practices.
Keywords: Real estate competitiveness, training programs, intellectual property management, human capital development, organizational sustainability
