Vol.43, No 5 (2010)

Vlado Dimovski

Faculty of Economics University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Barbara Grah

Faculty of Economics University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Sandra Penger

Faculty of Economics University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Judita Peterlin

Faculty of Economics University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The paper explores the authentic leadership in learning organization in Slovenian business environment. The purpose of the paper is to present relationship between authentic leadership and learning organization. Main research thesis is focused on characteristics of authentic leadership in company HERMES SoftLab. The main thesis of this paper is that authentic leadership in learning organization enables the growth of leaders in organizational surroundings through a constant dedication to authenticity and organizational learning that will be explored through the qualitative research method of case study research approach. Key research finding is that authentic leaders can be identified in company HERMES SoftLab and that there is a mutual influence between learning organization and authentic leadership. Therefore, the main research finding is that the learning organization leverages the authentic leadership, which in turn leverages the learning organization.

Dušan Gošnik

University of Primorska, Faculty of Management, Cankarjeva 5, 6104 Koper, Slovenia

Andrej Bertoncelj

University of Primorska, Faculty of Management, Cankarjeva 5, 6104 Koper, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Results of Six Sigma projects are related to company performance. Successful Six Sigma projects increase customer satisfaction and have many other positive effects on organisations. Success of Six Sigma projects is related to key management decision about how to identify potential projects and which projects to select for final implementation. This research is oriented toward the study of tools used in the phase of Six Sigma project identification and criteria used in the phase of Six Sigma project selection. The purpose of this research is to compare results from manufacturing sector in Slovenia and the UK. Results of this study indicate that management within the organisations tend to identify potential Six Sigma projects with the use of different tools, such as: brainstorming (Slovenia and UK.), followed by Critical To Quality tree (UK.), and interviews and customer visits (Slovenia). Further, the results show that the final decision about Six Sigma projects selection in the UK and Slovenia include different criteria, such as: customer benefit (Slovenia and UK), finance impact (UK) and connection to business strategy (Slovenia). Many companies in the UK as well in Slovenia combine the use of tools and balanced selection criteria at the same time.

Renáta Kunstová

University of Economics, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Department of Information Technology, W. Churchill sq. 4, Prague 3, Czech Republic,

Abstract

Background/Purpose: This paper reviews the development and changes in the processing of large volumes of unstructured information. Author focuses on Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system and identifies three periods of its evolution. During this time ECM evolved to be high-quality and widely available technology, but many organisations have still not implemented ECM systems. The paper contains findings of a survey about the barriers and benefits of adoption of ECM systems, conducted in February 2010 in various organisations in Czech Republic.

Karmen Rodman

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The article aims at identifying the roles of instruments for higher education institutions’ quality assurance. We define types and differences of the instruments and we present different theories of the instrument’s purposes. It was found that the instruments for higher education institutions’ quality assurance have just two roles in the institutional quality management: improvement and accountability. These two purposes are not interchangeable, but complementary and in the hierarchical position to one another. Besides, we discovered that the assessment of the higher education institution quality often does not include the applicability assessment of the higher education institution results. This is an external view on quality that is the most reliable, but in practice the most neglected.

Maja Uran

Univerza na Primorskem, Turistica, Obala 29, 6320 Portorož, Slovenija

Emil Juvan

Univerza na Primorskem, Turistica, Obala 29, 6320 Portorož, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The aim of the paper is to present the importance of the stakeholders for successful tourism development. A successful tourism development depends greatly on excellent cooperation and communication between all stakeholders involved in the tourism system, thus the tourism is a complex social system. The stakeholders in tourism destination are: local residents, local companies, media, employees, government, competitors, tourists, business associations, activists and tourism developers. The paper aims at analyzing and segmenting destination’s citizens according to their attitudes towards tourism. Analysis revealed that there are a strong supporters and neutrals among 601 local residents. Living environment, job position, living environment and education are important factors influencing individual’s attitudes towards tourism development.

Jože Kocjančič

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

Štefan Bojnec

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The conducted research investigates the impact of the dynamics of large enterprises in the wood industry on the dynamics of micro and small enterprises in the wood industry. In the quantitative analysis we use the data, which are based on a sample of micro and small enterprises, and the statistical evidence for the entire population of large enterprises in the wood industry in Slovenia. The conducted research using the selected analytical methods showed a relatively small impact of the dynamics and size structure of large enterprises on the dynamics of micro and small enterprises in the wood industry. On the basis of the empirical results we propose some possible solutions to investigated research, organizational, and policy problems. The proposed solutions are based on the organization of the state regulatory system in a way that will not restrict behaviour of the formal sector, and to use the positive examples and practices of the state institutions, which will promote more efficient economic operation and enterprise behaviour. In addition important is to facilitate an enabling environment for easier obtaining the necessary financial capital for micro and small enterprises at reasonable guarantees and at lower costs of financing, and to introduce additional non-formal forms of education, which would be based on acquiring and promotion of basic business knowledge and business skills.