Vol.44, No 6 (2011)

Vladislav Rajkovič

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The paper discusses group decision making as a way of managing decision knowledge. Described are pros and cons of group decision making. Special emphasis is given to the leveraging of different interests and possibilities of formulating a joint decision. Available methods and techniques together with a properly organized group work can make a substantial contribution.

Valentinas Navickas

Kaunas University of Technology, Laisvės al. 55, LT -44309 Kaunas, Lithuania

Rima Kontautiene

Kaunas University of Technology, Laisvės al. 55, LT -44309 Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The authors of the article analyze the benefits of corporate environmental policy in pursuance of a competitive advantage in the global market. Corporate environmental policy described as a strategic business investment opens new possibilities for their relationships with stakeholders and contributes to the promotion of social activity and to the attainment of the competitive advantage. By emphasizing the positive environmental policy’s impact on competitive advantage of corporation in the global market the article treats of corporate environmental performance benefits, which are defined as improvement of relations with all stakeholders, intensification of corporation image, reputation development, business growth and customer loyalty. The paper deals with the development of Lithuanian corporate environmental policy in recent years and investigates the relationship between corporation activities and the improvement of relations with the stakeholders, which influences intensification of corporation’s image and thereby increases competitive advantage of corporation. Researching the impact of corporate environmental policy on increasing competitive advantage, the authors found that active environmental performance positively influences business relationships with stakeholder groups and increases their competitive advantage in the global market.

Jasmina Žnidaršič

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

Eva Jereb

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Innovation and knowledge are two of key factors for sustainable development of company or organization. Particularly in the current period of economic crisis it is crucial to promote lifelong learning and creativity to contribute innovative solutions to various problems. Lifelong learning makes a significant contribution to awareness of the importance of innovation and creativity for sustainable development of organization. In this paper we explore if respondents from Slovenian companies think that innovation and lifelong learning is important for sustainable development of company. Presented are the results of a survey conducted in 67 large and medium-sized enterprises in Slovenia where we upon respondents’ judgment examine the correlation between the innovativeness level and lifelong learning, investing in innovativeness and competitive advantage and the promotion of lifelong learning and competitive advantage of the organization. Also the answers to the questions if lifelong learning contributes to the sustainable development of organization and if more the organization takes care of sustainable development the bigger is its competitive advantage before equal bidders are given.

Maja Zajec

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

Matjaž Roblek

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In this article we will introduce the development of those organizational culture elements, which influence importantly on company successfulness in family companies. The research was performed in 24 Slovenian companies with 524 responded survey questionnaires from field of services, consultancy and computer equipment, trade counter, production, road freight traffic and civil engineering. With this analysis we found out the answer to the question in family loyalty to the company, management style, loyalty and mutual trust system, strategic emphasis, criteria for successful business operations, stimulation (rewarding), process of continuous improvement, business ethics of the company, organization, values of the employees, and satisfaction of the employees in those companies. The collected data are important from the aspect of the organizational culture influence on the future growth or eventually their stagnation.

Bojana Korošec

Ekonomsko-poslovna fakulteta Univerze v Mariboru, Razlagova 20, 2000 Maribor

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In this article, we highlight the relations between accounting or financial reporting respectively and corporate governance based on the role of accounting information as well as the role of the input in several corporate governance mechanisms, and the possible influences of corporate governance on the quality of accounting information. In the light of corporate governance, we also analyse the external financial reporting regulation and underline certain socio-economic implications of the relationship between accounting and corporate governance.

Mitja Ruzzier

Univerza na Primorskem, Fakulteta za Management Koper, Cankarjeva 5, 6000 Koper

Andreja Mlakar

Dolnje Impolje 1A, 8293 Studenec, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The paper analyzes the relationship between internationalization and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on the literature, we developed two main hypotheses to examine differences in innovation between internationalized and noninternationalized Slovenian SMEs, and the impact of a direct interaction between different levels of innovation and the degree of internationalization of SMEs. The results of the survey among 247 Slovenian SMEs have shown that companies, which are involved in international activities, are more innovative than those that focus only on the national market (H1). We have just partly confirmed H2, that SMEs in Slovenia, which are more innovative, are also more internationalized. For analyzes and hypotheses confirmation, factor analysis, and regression analysis have been used.

Janja Nograšek

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za upravo, Inštitut za informatizacijo uprave, Gosarjeva ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana

Mirko Vintar

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za upravo, Inštitut za informatizacijo uprave, Gosarjeva ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Relationship between technology and organisational changes in public sector has become the subject of increasingly intensive research within the last decade. Studies dealing with such relationship could be divided in two major groups – first group regards ICT in the e-government period as the key factor of organizational transformation, more or less independent factor of other organizational factors, and the second group regards ICT as an equal and co-dependent element in relation to other organizational factors. These two groups of studies could be further classified within two organizational theories that could be appropriate to formalise this relationship – Technological Determinism and Socio-Technical Theory. The aim of this paper is to critically analyse those theories particularly from the perspective of their applicability in the sense of formal theoretical framework to explain relationship between ICT and other organisational factors through the lens of Leavitt`s organizational model. On the basis of critical analysis and synthesis of available literature the draft of a new conceptual model for explaining such relationship will be proposed.

Marijana Sikošek

Univerza na Primorskem, Fakulteta za turistične študije Portorož – Turistica, Obala 11a, 6320 Portorož

Anita Trnavčevič

Univerza na Primorskem, Fakulteta za management Koper, Cankarjeva 5, 6000 Koper

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Promotional events are part of the marketing communication mix of higher education institutions. The aim of the article is to examine an open day as a promotional event that affects the decision-making of potential users of the services and their application for study programmes offered by a higher education institution. Research was conceived as a case study, in which we used an analysis of documents, observation with participation and a group interview to find out what meaning was ascribed to the open day by the participants of the event, what attitude they assumed towards it and how should the event be organized in order to be effective and attract candidates to apply. It was established that an open day as a promotional event represents an opportunity for a higher education institution to develop personal communication with potential users of the services and thus an opportunity for personal selling and ‘objectification’ of the educational service.

Silvo Lah

Novoles d. d., Na žago 6, 8351 Straža, Slovenija

Franc Brcar

REVOZ d. d., Belokranjska cesta 4, 8000 Novo mesto, Slovenija

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The research aims to establish the level of organization of quality area according to the type of organization: manufacturing or service-providing; its size: over 250 employees, less than 250 employees; and whether the organizational structure included a quality department. A survey was preformed involving 151 organizations. A data model was composed and data processed with χ2-Pearson’s test. The results show that the quality area is organized at a much higher level at manufacturing organizations than at service-providing organizations – this is true both for organizations with over 250 employees as well as for organizations with less that 250 employees and also for organizations that have a quality department and those without it. The managers are recommended to continue introducing the Total Quality Management in their day-to-day operations to increase competitiveness. The survey takes an original approach in the method used for establishing organization of quality and it is the first such survey in the Slovenian area.