Vol.52, No 2 (2019)

Mitja GORENAK

University

of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism, Cesta prvih borcev 36, 8250 Brežice, Slovenia

Tomi ŠPINDLER

University of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism, Cesta prvih borcev 36, 8250 Brežice, Slovenia

Boštjan BRUMEN

University of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism, Cesta prvih borcev 36, 8250 Brežice, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The importance of soft-skills that managers can use to promote job satisfaction of em­ployees is well known. Previous research has shown several different ways how managers can influence job satis­faction of employees, mostly in the form of external factors. Very little research is available on internal factors. This led us to the following research question: How managers’ competencies influence job satisfaction of employees? Design/Methodology/Approach: We have performed a pencil-paper survey among employees in the hotel industry sector. The questionnaire asked respondents to evaluate the competencies of their supervisors; later, we asked respondents to evaluate what influences their job satisfaction, and, in the final part, we collected some demograph­ical data. Results: The results show a weak, but still detectable, positive correlation between the competencies of managers and job satisfaction of employees in the factor that we have labelled “work itself”. We have not found any correlation between the competencies of managers and job satisfaction of employees with regard to working conditions or pos­sibilities of career development. Conclusion: The competency of managers has an influence on job satisfaction of employees with regard to work itself. Although correlations that we have found are weak, they do exist, and have to be taken into account when it comes to discussing job satisfaction of employees. Managers who understand this core competency and promote it onwards to their employees will influence the job satisfaction of employees through this competency. Keywords: competencies, managers, job satisfaction, influence, hotel industry.  

Mohamed Dawood SHAMOUT

The American University in the Emirates, College of Business Administration

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Little are known about the nature of the interaction between supply chain analytics, supply chain innovation and robustness capability. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of supply chain analytics in enhancing firms supply chain innovation and robustness capability in the Arabian context. Design/Methods: Using knowledge-based view and survey data from line managers in supply and logistics depart­ments, the present study uses variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to diagnose the association between supply chain analytics, supply chain innovation and robustness capability. Findings: Results suggest that supply chain analytics exerted significant impact on supply chain innovation and not on robustness capability. It appears that supply chain innovation exerted a significant impact on robustness capability, in doing so, supply chain innovation mediates the link supply chain analytics and robustness capability. Conclusion: The outcome of this study points to the importance of supply chain analytics as a functional tool for supply chain and/or logistic routes stability and success. The paper concludes supply chain analytics can help man­agers have access timely and useful data for greater innovation; and that supply chain innovation is reliant not only on data, but also on firms’ analytic capabilities. Keywords: Big data, supply chain analytics, supply chain innovation, robustness capability 

Nestor SHPAK

Lviv Polytechnic National University, Bandery 12, Lviv, Ukraine

Nadiya SELIUCHENKO

Lviv Polytechnic National University, Bandery 12, Lviv, Ukraine

Viktoriya KHARCHUK

Lviv Polytechnic National University, Bandery 12, Lviv, Ukraine

Nataliya KOSAR

Lviv Polytechnic National University, Bandery 12, Lviv, Ukraine

Włodzimierz SROKA

WSB University, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cieplaka 1c, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The existing frameworks provide a superficial approach to the evaluation of product competitiveness which reveals the linkage between the level of product competitiveness and quantitative as well as qualitative factors that have the most significant impact thereon. Given this fact, the purpose of this paper is to elab­orate a model for evaluating the competitiveness of sunflower packaged oil, considering both quantitative and qual­itative factors that may alter it. Further, this model is being implemented to examine the most demanded Ukrainian sunflower oil brands in order to reveal possibilities for enhancing competitiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach: The general methodology of the research includes elements of theoretical, em­pirical, qualitative and quantitative analyses. The theoretical analysis aims to shed light upon a different under­standing of “the evaluation of competitiveness”, as well as approaches and tools for analysing it. Empirical analysis focuses on observing official statistical data of the export of sunflower oil and future trends. Qualitative analysis consists in the identification, systematization and description of factors that affect the competitiveness of sunflower oil packaged. In turn, quantitative analysis is based on usage of the Fuzzy logic tool in order to evaluate the impact of complex and partial factors on the level of product competitiveness. Results: This paper provides a business case for product competitiveness evaluation of a particular sunflower oil brand. Based on usage of the Fuzzy logic toolkit, the impact of complex and partial factors on competitiveness level was analysed. As a result, simulation of the competitiveness sensitivity of a particular oil brand on relevant complex factors that determine it competitiveness level was presented. This business case may help managers to channel their efforts and resources in the proper particular direction to increase product competitiveness and product posi­tioning on the market. Conclusion: The results of this research would be useful to practitioners in their assessment of product competitive­ness, modelling future levels, and understanding hidden possibilities for enhancing product competitiveness. The framework offered might be adopted for other types of products. Keywords: product competitiveness, general and partial factors, fuzzy logic.

Dmitriy KOPINA

University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Razlagova 14, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose:  Self-organization in teams and Business Process Orientation have been subjects of many separate researches, yet there is lack of research actually joining it within a common research. The purpose of our research is to define a research model for new type of service organization – called SOPO (Self-Organised Process Organization). This model sets research base to determine SOPO’s maturity level and a self-assessment tool, helping new emergence or transitions of existing organization toward SOPO. Methodology: We conducted a case researches in three ICT service companies, which were undergoing a transi­tion process towards SOPO. We conducted several in-depth, un-structured and structured part of interviews with employees holding three different positions in each organization. Hereby we present the researched organisation with most explicit case. Results: We defined the key elements of the model and tested it in a case research. Key elements are Self-Organ­ised Work Teams (SOWT) and Business Process Orientation (BPO). Both SOWT and BPO are positively affecting level of SOPO. Level of SOPO is positively related to both, enthusiasm of personnel to work in self-organised envi­ronment and perceived Quality of Service (QS). Conclusion: SOPO model can be used: (1) in existing companies as a blueprint for SOPO implementation, (2) to assess the maturity level of companies reinventing their organizational structure, and (3) helping SOPO organiza­tions to structure changes toward higher service quality. SOPO model is a viable starting point in further research. Further verification of the SOPO model by a quantitative research is needed. Keywords: self-organization, business process orientation, service quality, SOPO, reinventing organizations

Katarzyna TWOREK

Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw

Katarzyna WALECKA-JANKOWSKA

Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw

Anna ZGRZYWA-ZIEMAK

Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw

Abstract

Background/Purpose:  This article refers to the relation between information technology (IT) reliability and types of innovations. The main objective of the article is to identify the role of reliability of IT (mainly information reli­ability) in shaping organization ability to develop different types of innovations, according to Oslo Manual. Design/Methodology/Approach: Theoretical concept of IT reliability is proposed as a one of innovation determi­nants. Authors proposed four hypotheses and developed a questionnaire to measure the relation between four types of innovation (product, process, organizational and marketing) and IT reliability. The hypotheses were verified using data collected in 2017 from 400 SMEs operating in Poland. Results: Information reliability as the whole notion is statistically significantly correlated with all four types of inno­vation in organization. Searchability, accuracy and relevance of information have significant relation with product, process, organizational and marketing innovation. Conclusion: The performed empirical research should be treated as the first step of the analysis of innovation determinants, however allowing to draw a set of conclusions useful for the development of next steps of the study. Keywords: management, information technology, IT reliability, types of innovation