Vol.42, No 2 (2009)

Milan M. Martič

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Jove Ilića 154, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Marina S. Novakovič

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Jove Ilića 154, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Alenka Baggia

alenka.baggia@fov.uni-mb.si

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a decision making tool based on linear programming for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of comparable units. Besides the identification of relatively efficient and inefficient units, DEA identifies the sources and level of inefficiency for each of the inputs and outputs. This paper is a survey of basic DEA models. The comparison of DEA models is given. The effect of model orientation (input or output) on the efficiency frontier and the effect of convexity requirements on returns to scale are examined. The paper also explains how DEA models can be used to assess the efficiency

Karin Širec

University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, Razlagova 14, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia,

Barbara Bradač

University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, Razlagova 14, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia,

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Today’s market conditions are forcing companies to adapt to changes in order to survive, grow and be competitive. Such changes include inter-company cooperation and networks, which allow for competition and innovation in a dynamic environment. Today, almost all industries are affected by the evolution of networking relationships within and between firms; however, previous studies have revealed that companies differ in their competitive strategies, strategic and technological orientation, and methods of networking. Most of these studies have linked networking with performance, with less empirical evidence on linking networking in SMEs with company growth. Previous research has also shown that entrepreneurial potential in Slovenia is not fully utilized. For this reason, the presented paper investigates a networking in SMEs and its contribution to the companies’ growth.

Zvonko Sajfert

University of Novi Sad, Technical faculty “Mihajlo Pupin”, Zrenjanin, Serbia

Milan Nikolić

University of Novi Sad, Technical faculty “Mihajlo Pupin”, Zrenjanin, Serbia

Dejan Djordjević

University of Novi Sad, Technical faculty “Mihajlo Pupin”, Zrenjanin, Serbia

Predrag Atanasković

pedjaatanaskovic-@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The purpose of the paper herein is to define the different life objective structures of managers and specialists in public enterprises. Owners of private enterprises – entrepreneurs were analyzed as control group. Considering the data obtained by using random sampling method, one may come to conclusions concerning the characteristics of the observed population. The research concerned will prove that successful private owners-entrepreneurs, being the capital holders, have different structure of life objectives comparing to both managers and specialists in public organizations. The basic idea is that the said process can be considered as inseparable part of economic growth in any organization which is also reflects on management as well. Since the entrepreneurs invested the private capital to realize their ideas, it is logical that they want their capital to be increased. From the other side, managers and specialists in public enterprises do not have such a great sense for capital increment. They rather share the capital preferring to be sociable (clubs sponsors, great humanitarians). The reason of such acting can be found in a fact that Serbia was influenced by socialism which further resulted in poor education of managers and specialists to change their way of thinking. Managers as well as specialists should become knowledge workers who shall exchange the knowledge.

Mitja Gorenak

Ljubljanska 18a, 3000 Celje, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In this article author does a theoretical interpretation of competencies furthermore author focuses on managerial competencies, throughout the article author focuses on competencies of workers in tourism sector. Author studied a sample of 123 workers from for mentioned professions and found out that workers in tourism evaluate that they have enough skills and knowledge to perform good at their jobs and that workers actually use less skills and knowledge at their work that they actually have. Workers report that they have gained most of their managerial competencies through work and less with formal education. These findings can give broader view of a situation regarding managerial competencies of workers in Slovenian tourism and can serve as guidelines for managers at future development of human resources politics inside their organizations regarding managerial competencies.

Petra Mijoč

Šaleška cesta 2d, 3320 Velenje

Maja Meško

Ljubljanska cesta 27, 3000 Celje

Damir Karpljuk

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za šport, Gortanova ulica 22, 1000 Ljubljana

Mateja Videmšek

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za šport, Gortanova ulica 22, 1000 Ljubljana

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Organizational culture represents an ideology of the organization as well as the forms of its manifestation. The ideology of the organization includes beliefs, values and norms. It is manifested through symbols, language, narration and other activities. The aim of this study was to establish differences between managers and professional workers in their perceptions regarding the organizational culture. In this study 180 employees working in Slovene enterprises of random choice participated. Data were collected using the questionnaire for establishing perceptions regarding the organizational culture by Velko Rus and his co-workers. The questionnaire includes perceptions regarding the problems of leadership, decision-making and conflicts within the enterprise. The results of the study have shown that managers and professional workers employed in Slovene enterprises have an approximately equal perception regarding the organizational culture. Therefore we identified statistically significant differences between managers and professional workers in only four out of twenty-one variables (management, remuneration for work, development and business premises and building).

Milena Alič

Mercator, d.d., Dunajska 107, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

Borut Rusjan

Univerza v Ljubljani, Ekonomska fakulteta, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, 1000 Ljubljana

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The paper presents the relations between an internal audit as a demand of ISO 9000 quality standards and company efficiency. The relations were developed upon studying of literature and different international and domestic research about the topic. On this basis two hypotheses were developed and analytically proved. It was assumed that in properly motivated companies internal audit has more positive than negative effects upon business performance of a company. It was also assumed that in those companies internal audit considerably contributes to the achievement of the company goals and this way to better company efficiency. As a result of the research conceptual models were built. On the basis of relations between ISO 9000 management systems and other well-known management systems the models showed some key relations among quality management systems, internal audits and business performance (achievement of the company goals). A placement of an internal audit among analytic tools of the strategic management was presented, too. These theoretically grounded and analytically proved findings were supported by studied previous empirical research, too. The empirical part of our research, carried out in the biggest Slovenian company Mercator, gave a significant support to these hypotheses, too. The findings of this paper could help quality managers at implementation and development of their quality management systems and at development of the internal audit into an effective management tool. This research sets a basis for further empirical investigation of presented expected effects of an internal audit.

Davorin Kralj

Univerza na Primorskem, Fakulteta za management Koper, Cankarjeva 5, 6104 Koper

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Asserting the requirements of SIST EN ISO standards (14001:2005) points to the capability of enforcing organizational novelties, however, it does not provide a real picture of actual environmental performance and environmental management. The purpose of this research is to establish the actual role and performance of environmental management. Moreover, the research aims to establish the role and significance of environmental system indicators (showing the state of the environment or a phenomenon) as the data on a specific feature or state of the environment and indicators (relative number) as the comparison of the state or development of environmental management in the operations of Slovenian enterprises and their efforts towards sustainable development. Inlets for measuring environmental management performance are presented by measurable results of environmental management in an enterprise. The results were compared by the organizational environmental policy, indicative environmental targets and other requirements that are given in EFQM directions in achieving business excellence. Survey was conducted in 120 Slovenian enterprises. The results of this research provide the guidelines and platform or principles for further discussion and research in the field of environmental management. Our hypothesis, which provided that the manner of management in an enterprise and environmental management are interrelated, should also contribute new knowledge to research issues in the field of organization management and environmental management

Metod Šuligoj

Grgar 165-i, 5252 Grgar, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The research in the field of the hotel industry has been focused on the so-called technical quality, which comprises according to its characteristics the classification accommodation facilities. The author shows a diversity in classification systems globally and the reasons for it. Following a more detailed definition of the Slovene system, which is formal (however much less than it was before the adoption of the new classification regulation in 2008), there is also a benchmarking study of differences among national systems of Austria, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and Italy, all the countries considered tourist developed. Various essential organisational and conceptual differences have been identified which show through authorship and custody over the system, membership obligation, control and financing. A diversity among systems means a diversity of hotel products, which is advocated also by organisations such as UN WTO, IH-RA and HOTREC, influential international branch organisations. There are also presented trends connected to quality and classification, such as cessation of law regulation, cessation of administrative procedure, transfer of custodianship to professional organisations, etc. The conclusion emphasises (a) that copying classification systems among countries is not appropriate and useful, (b) that diversity of systems is welcome and (c) that without developed so-called functional quality also quality hotel products cannot be expected.

Sabina Jančar

Trg Rivoli 7, 4000 Kranj

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In this paper model for choosing a web shop provider is presented. To gather key parameters of web shop selection, the survey was conducted. Based on gathered parameters the model was built. The model was built by a multiparametric decision support programme DEXi. The test of the model is offered for three case studies. The model was evaluated by SWOT analysis. The model offers an effective presentation of results and adjustment tool regarding importance to certain criteria given by the user. The presented model is of great value for everyone that decides to sell online and needs to choose the right web shop provider.