Vol.42, No 6 (2009)

Blaž Rodič

Faculty of Applied Social Studies in Nova Gorica, Kidričeva 9, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Gozdana Miglič

Ministry of Public Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Tržaška 21, 1000 Ljubljana

Goran Vukovič

Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor, Kidričeva cesta 55a, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Bruno Završnik

Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, Razlagova 20, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: After the fall of the Berlin wall, the public administrations in Central and Eastern European countries have had to adapt to an enormous number of changes in a relatively short time. Their civil servants are still facing a constantly changing regulatory framework which needs implementation and enforcement, as well as new demands from the growing private sector and the citizens. These challenges can only be met if the civil servants are highly qualified and constantly updating their qualifications. A sound system of in-service training is therefore crucial to keep the public servants on equal footing with the rapidly changing environment. The research presented in this paper analyzed the practices of training evaluation as an information feedback in a branch of Slovene state administration. We analyzed the attitudes of employees towards evaluation with the assumption that there probably are notable differences between the attitudes of public servants depending on their demographic qualities. The results of the research, that 414 public servants have participated in, show that the position in the hierarchy has the strongest influence on their attitude towards evaluation. Empirical data also show that most of the employees are willing to participate in a continuous and objective training evaluation, but the leading public servants are less involved in the evaluation than expected.

Iztok Kopriva

Zalog 18 A, 1291 Škofljica

Mojca Bernik

mojca.bernik@fov.uni-mb.si

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The room to reach a competitive advantage in today’s dynamic world, companies have in unutilized and even unknown human abilities of own employees. Treatment of people at work in large organizations is well analyzed, but little focus is directed at small and medium-sized enterprises. This is particularly true for family businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises are largely owned by individual families and are an extremely important part of developed economies. Complexity of internal relationships and interplay between the two systems: families and businesses, which often lead to conflicts in interaction, however, is the reason that many managers and professionals are not willing to work in family businesses. It is justified to set the research question; Are we obligate to treated family businesses as a special case when considering the management of people at work? This paper presents the need to address the family businesses as a special case. In a successful and long living family businesses undoubtedly are closely and carefully working with the employees. It is little known about dealing with people in a Slovenian family businesses and how management practices differ from non-family firms. Based on the study of literature and conclusions from a qualitative empirical study the differences are presented in this article. There are also presented differences in practices of dealing with people at work in foreign and Slovenian non-family and family businesses. At the end there are exposed a good practices of each type of business and recommendations for their use.

Mladen Tomašič

Fañabe Mar Canarian Investments S.L., Avda. Amsterdam 20, ES – 38650 Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the research work made whilst studying the presence of corruption in the operations of Slovenian micro-enterprises. Our study builds on research which we carried out in 2005 and compares the findings of both studies. We wish to present our findings to public experts for a professional assessment and provide a basis for further work. We hope that in this way we can contribute to the development of new guidelines for the preparation of further analysis, the causes and elimination or at least limitation of corruption in business operations. Notable studies, which address corporate corruption in Slovenia, are non-existent. The results have confirmed the basic research hypothesis that the presence of corruption in the micro-business environment compared to a previous study in the last five years has increased.

Srečko Zakrajšek

Inštitut in akademija za multimedije Ljubljana, Leskoškova 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: This article presents the results of comparisons between investment into ICT and the current state of equipment in Slovenian high schools compared to similar schools in the EU member states. Extensive research is based on surveying and interviews with the headmasters of 10 Slovenian high schools, jointly representing a typical sample of schools, as well as the different aspects of using ICT in their schools. The research results have shown that Slovenian high schools are substantially worse equipped with ICT than similar schools in the developed countries of the EU. This is evident in the lack of modern forms of organization, operation and education based on ICT. Slovenian high schools can only modernize their organization and operations if the Slovenian government starts investing substantially more into purchasing equipment, teacher training and the promotion of the knowledge, skills and competences that can only be developed using ICT.

Marko Šetinc

Merčnikova ulica 1, 1000 Ljubljana

Heda Hočevar

Miro Gradišar

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In this paper a method for optimization of cash flows in the construction and management of road network is presented. On the basis of the last official National highway Construction Program (NPIA) update, in 2004, the methodology and a computer program that simulate and optimize the cash flow with genetic algorithm were designed. The computer program contains the model that simulate the cash flows, and the optimization algorithm, which runs through the delayed construction of individual road sections. For criteria the maximized net present value (NPV) and minimized the time deviation from the original plan were used. Multi-criteria optimization is discussed by using different weights. The optimization results were the optimal values of selected financial and time parameters, which are shown on the Pareto curve.

Marko Rajter

BMR inženiring in storitve d.o.o, Niška ulica 9, 2000 Maribor

Štefan Bojnec

stefan.bojnec@fm-kp.si

Abstract

Background/Purpose: We have empirically analysed connection between the use of business advising services and the efficiency in business performances of the Slovenian small- and medium-sized firms. The empirical evidence is gathered with surveys using the written questionnaire. The obtained dataset is used in the quantitative empirical analysis. With the statistical methods, correlation and multivariate factor analysis we have shown a strong positive influence of business advising services on business efficiency in the sample of the Slovenian small and medium-sized family firms. The economic efficiency of the analyzed family firms is determined strongly by entrepreneur’s satisfaction considering consultant’s work, quality of gained advisory solutions, consideration and implementation of gained advices into professional family run businesses. The obtained results of the quantity analyses show opportunities for the greater impact of the business advising services assisting small and medium-sized family business to improve economic efficiency.

Miro Jeraj

Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za logistiko Celje – Krško, Mariborska cesta 7, 3000 Celje

Željko Kralj

Ministrstvo za obrambo, Direktorat za logistiko, Vojkova cesta 59, 1000 Ljubljana

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The model for the business system organization, which is based on ISO/IEC 15288 standard specifically defines the composition of coordinated processes. This model can be used in order to create connection between a business system and other organizations by choosing the main activity groups, which should be carried out by an individual organization. These activity groups create and control the programmes of the life cycle system, establish the life cycle system, support the life cycle system and remove or recycle the system. This model does not define the sequence according to which these activities should be implemented, however, it does present the starting points for the early (in the concept phase or latest in the development phase) classification of coordinated relations between the business system and other companies and scientific institutions when using the proposed organization model in practice. This early definition of the activity groups (processes) will contribute to the cost reduction during the life cycle and increase the system efficiency during the usage, whereas the business system shall be forced into international integration and grouping and shall lower the reliance of the company on domestic market.

Maja Zaman Groff

Tacenska cesta 125 c, 1133 Ljubljana

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The article focuses on different approaches of selected European Union countries to regulate the three accounting-related professions: accountancy, auditing and tax consulting. Among these professions only auditing is closely related to public interest. As the result, the common EU regulation only relates to the auditing profession, whereas the regulation of other accounting-related professions is left entirely to the Member States. In the article, the EU countries are classified in four distinctive groups, each group representing the EU countries with similar regulation of the three professions. From each group, one representative country is selected and an analysis of its national regulation of the three professions is demonstrated.

Andreja Križman

Višja prometna šola Maribor, Preradovičeva ul. 33, 2000 Maribor, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The article deals with the variables of logistics outsourcing relationships. Variables such as trust, commitment, communication, cooperation, proactive improvement, organizational learning, opportunism, and conflicts are crucial for developing successful partnerships in logistics. A substantial body of research has made contributions to the question of which variables should be included in relationship research between partners. First, definitions of chosen marketing variables are introduced on the basis of the existent literature in the logistics outsourcing. Then, by offering the most useful definitions, the first step for the research and the empirical testing in logistics outsourcing performance model is set.