1. Organization, autopoiesis and human potential as paradigm of the future organizationTatjana Balažic Peček, Marija Ovsenik, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and purpose: Eternal challenge to researchers of organization theory is how to develop a suitable organization for increasingly more complex internal and external processes, and how to set a simple definition for it. Demanding environment of organization and civilization is under constant pressure of competition for profit. This dynamics of profit is blinding humans so that they are drawing away from themselves and from creativity in organizations. A human too often reacts automatically, meaning that they do not use all the potentials which is a paradox of organization. Therefore, the contribution of autopoiesis – as a complete intertwinement of processes of characteristic characteristiccontinuous movement in the area of creativity and holistic human culture – is important. When speaking about paradigm of tomorrow’s organization, we are speaking about a person in organization, interpersonal self/co-dependence and self/co-dependence on micro and macro level. The purpose of our contribution is to research-inside this more and more virtual organization – the position and role of an individual, humanity and human potential as a creative potential of organic-humane organization.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Research is based on qualitative approach. For more comprehensive study of autopoiesis in organization we used mixed methods. When forming the concept, we used the natural law as life circle and compared it with organization.
Results: We developed a concept of autopoietic building blocks as life circle, presenting a concept of organization of future. The concept can be a comparative tool for perceiving processes in an organization. With results we substantiated that organization is losing processes of emotions and thinking of a human.
Conclusion: Accepting autopoiesis on all levels of human activity and consequently increasingly more conscious organizations and society as a whole, results in processes, when autopoises influences the cultural development of society in the sense of connecting science, art, high technologies and spirituality. Results can serve as a guideline and challenge to humane organizations.
Keywords: organization, autopoiesis, human potential, concept of autopoietic building blocks
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 60; Downloads: 6
 Full text (707,14 KB) |
2. The transition of young people from study to employment in the light of student workVesna Novak, Anja Žnidaršič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: We are living in a time of accelerated globalization, which has a far-reaching impact for youth employment. Therefore, the paper presents the problem of the transition of tertiary educated young people into the working environment in terms of the importance of education and gaining work experience during their studies. The main purpose of the study was to analyze the attitudes and thinking of students regarding the selection of studies and work experience that young people are gaining during their studies with student work in connection with their job prospects.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The data used in our research come from a broader research on Slovenian Youths (SY) dating back to 2013. Among all the respondents of SY we selected those who classified themselves as students aged between 19 and 24, who filled out the part of the questionnaire pertaining to employment. The research hypotheses were tested with the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent samples t-test.
Results: We found that among students who chose to study for different reasons there were differences in the belief that they will immediately find employment after graduating. We also found that between those students who supported themselves during their studies and those who only studied there were differences in individual statements regarding their transition from education to employment. We concluded that work during their studies, especially in the field of the profession they were studying for, had a positive impact on the thinking of students pertaining to the transition toward employment.
Conclusion: The analysis of employment issues faced by young people with tertiary education was supported by empirical data, while in conclusion suggestions for improvement were presented. The article also deepens the understanding of the problems of youth employment in a broader perspective and the understanding of the observed developments in society.
Keywords: youth employment, tertiary education, work experience, job search
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 72; Downloads: 6
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3. Influence of entrance exams results on foreign students in economics studies at University of Economics, PragueMilos Maryska, Petr Doucek, 2018, review article Abstract: Background and purpose: The purpose of the article is to analyse results of entrance exams and of regularly exams for foreign students in the Czech language undergraduate study programs at four faculties of University of Economics, Prague (UEP) with the intention to investigate the dependency between the results of Entrance exams from English and mathematics and (1) results of regularly exams during the study and between (2) completion rate of the study.
Design/Methodology/Approach: We have analysed 4.381 records for applicants from foreign countries who applied for studies between years 2009 and 2015. We used standard statistics methods and the method of logistic regression in the form of logit model.
Results: We identified weak statistical correlation between entrance exam results from mathematics and results of regular exams. The correlation coefficient varies between 0.078 – 0.283 for investigated faculties of UEP. The same indicator for English language exams presents better values and it varies between 0.218 – 0.312. If an entrance exam result is higher by one point, the probability of successful completion of studies is multiplied by values between 1.017 - 1.042 for individual faculty per one additional point.
Conclusion: The results of the research in mathematics and English language show that excellent results in entrance exam cannot not guarantee successful regularly exams. Conclusion for the probability of completing studies is that the acceptable level of points for admission foreign students is between 150 and 170 points, depending on the faculty.
Keywords: knowledge, foreign student, university, english language, mathematics
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 56; Downloads: 7
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4. Performance indicators of management buyouts using the analytic hierarchy process methodPetra Grah, Vesna Čančer, Borut Bratina, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: In Slovenia, few management buyout (MBO) studies have been carried out. The focus was mostly on the motives for acquisition of companies and the success rate of the acquisitions. This paper aims to analyse the indicators which suggest an impending bankruptcy or financial restructuring of companies and explore how these indicators are different for successful and unsuccessful MBOs.
Methodology: In the survey, we included 23 selected MBOs in Slovenia between 2005 and 2008, using the following financial and non-financial indicators: profitability, performance, solvency and liquidity, using the analytic hierarchy process method. The key aim of the survey was to use financial and non-financial indicators to study if target companies where bankruptcy or financial restructuring has not yet been initiated prevalently have higher aggregate values compared to those in which bankruptcy or financial restructuring procedures have already begun. Thus, we used the selected indicators to demonstrate one of the possible methods to predict the success of a particular MBO.
Results: We found that in most examples of unsuccessful MBOs, target companies have poorer results in terms of performance, solvency and liquidity, when compared to successful MBOs. Based on the selected areas, we divided the results into four quarters. We found that most target companies where MBOs had been unsuccessful are ranked in a lower quarter than most of the target companies where the MBOs had been successful.
Conclusion: The papers main contribution is the finding that the selected financial and non-financial indicators differ in cases of successful and unsuccessful MBOs. This knowledge helps us to find ways of avoiding these situations in the future.
Keywords: management buy-outs, management, bankruptcy models, financial and non-financial indicators, the analytic hierarchy process
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 57; Downloads: 7
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5. The online communication of corporate social responsibility in subsidiaries of multinational companies in HungaryRichard Szanto, 2018, review article Abstract: Background and Purpose: Many studies have explored the differences in the management of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of multinational companies across the globe. The main question of the study was, are there differences between CSR practices between home country and host country operations?
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study investigates the differences in online CSR communication between global corporate websites and the webpages of local subsidiaries in Hungary. The sample contains 70 multinational companies (MNCs) and their Hungarian subsidiaries. All the subsidiaries of the sample are listed amongst the largest 200 companies (based on turnover) in Hungary. Both the local (Hungarian) and the global internet sites of these MNCs were visited, and pre-defined categories were sought on the corporate websites. The presence/lack of these CSR themes and topics on the websites were recorded.
Results: The findings show that online CSR disclosure of the subsidiaries is usually more limited than the global communication. Moreover, distance from the headquarters seems to matter, the farther the headquarters of the MNC is located, the narrower CSR presence on the websites of the local subsidiary can be observed.
Conclusion: The paper’s main contribution is to deepen our knowledge about the CSR strategies of the multinational companies across their operations. It was confirmed that their CSR practices significantly differ between the host and home countries.
Keywords: CSR, local subsidiaries, multinational companies, online communication
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 56; Downloads: 6
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7. Impact of fear of identity theft and perceived risk on online purchase intentionGašper Jordan, Robert Leskovar, Miha Marič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: Online activities are present in almost every aspect of people’s daily lives. Online purchases are also increasing each year and therefore it is important to investigate what influences online purchase intentions. Online purchase intentions are among everything else, influenced by the fear of identity theft and perceived risk. Design/Methodology/Approach: The online survey was conducted among 190 participants from Slovenia. The relations between the constructs of fear of financial losses, fear of reputational damage, perceived risk and online purchase intention were investigated. Results: The research showed that the relations between the constructs of fear of financial losses, fear of reputational damage, perceived risk are positive and the relation between the constructs of perceived risk and online purchase intention were negative. All of the relations were statistically significant. Conclusion: Understanding the impact of fear of identity theft and perceived risk on online purchase intention can be helpful for online sellers, because with these findings they can manage this fear and perceived risk to increase online purchase intention and address the risks accordingly. Online sellers should therefore regard new findings from the field of online sales. If an online store wants to have success in sales, they should consider all sides of customers’ desires as well as their restraints.
Keywords: e-commerce, fear of identity theft, online purchase intention
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 70; Downloads: 6
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8. The challenges of SME business transfersMirela Alpeza, Juha Tall, Petra Mezulić Juric, 2018, review article Abstract: Background and Purpose: In the life cycle of a firm, business transfer represents the critical stage of development. Underestimating the complexity and longevity of this process can have negative implications for firms, their owners and wide network of stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to compare the attitude towards business transfer of entrepreneurs aged 55 and more in Croatia and Finland and provide policy recommendations for improvement of the national business transfer ecosystems.
Methodology/Approach: Both surveys targeted entrepreneurs aged 55 and more using the same questionnaire, with some adjustments to Croatian business transfer ecosystem. Finish barometer was conducted through webbased survey among members of Federation of Finnish Enterprises. Survey in Croatia was conducted with combination of CATI and CAWI collection method by a professional data collection agency. Data collected was compared based on a demographic criterion, industry background, experience in business transfer, expected future of the company, support needed and biggest challenges.
Results: The research results indicated a growing number of entrepreneurs in Croatia who will be interested in selling their firm once they withdraw from the business and less than expected family business successions. In Finland the most important challenges are related to business valuation and finding a successor or a buyer.
Conclusion: For further development of business transfer ecosystem in Croatia it is recommended to focus on awareness raising activities, channels for matching sellers and buyers, promotion of takeover entrepreneurship and consultancy support for micro enterprises. In Finland results indicate the importance of investing continuous efforts in raising the effectiveness of the measures implemented.
Keywords: SMEs, business transfer, business transfer ecosystem
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 46; Downloads: 6
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9. Factors affecting the intentions to use RFID subcutaneous microchip implants for healthcare purposesBorut Werber, Alenka Baggia, Anja Žnidaršič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: While there are many studies regarding the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), only a few of them deal with RFID subcutaneous microchip (RFID-SM) usage by individuals. After the first in vivo tests conducted on volunteers from 1998 to 2000, the use of RFID-SM in healthcare remains limited. This study examines the likelihood of adopting RFID-SM in healthcare from the end user’s point of view.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The aim of this paper is to develop and evaluate the model for analysing the acceptance of RFID-SM adoption. An extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for RFID-SM adoption is proposed and empirically tested in a cross-sectional study. Online survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 531 respondents. In addition to the three original components of TAM (Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Behavioural Intentions to Use), three external variables (Health Concerns, Perceived Trust, and Age) were also included in the model. The model was validated with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques.
Results: Perceived Usefulness has a significant impact on behavioural intentions to adopt RFID-SM in the future, while the influence of Perceived Ease of Use is not significant. The most influential external variable is Perceived Trust, indicating the lack of confidence in personal data security ensured by the state and other institutions. As expected, Health Concerns factor has a negative effect on the Perceived Trust and Perceived Usefulness of RFID-SM.
Conclusion: The results of the empirical study prove that all external variables considered in the model significantly influence the RFID-SM adoption. The Perceived Ease of Use is irrelevant to the attitude towards the RFID-SM adoption. In addition to the proposed model, the analysis of gathered data shows that the positive attitude toward the use of RFID-SM in healthcare is rising.
Keywords: healthcare, microchip, Slovenia, RFID, TAM, SEM, Slovenia
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 78; Downloads: 5
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10. The influence of teachersʼ perceptions of school leadersʼ empowering behaviours on the dimensions of psychological empowermentTina Vrhovnik, Miha Marič, Jasmina Žnidaršič, Gašper Jordan, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: School leader has an effect on teachers in divergent ways. If school leader wants their teachers to be successful and satisfied, he or she must have the potential to prompt work conditions that build up teachers’ psychological empowerment. Main aim of our research was to empirically test the relations between teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ empowering behaviours and all dimensions of psychological empowerment (meaning, competence, self-determination and impact).
Design/Methodology/Approach: We tested four hypotheses in one structural model by using structural equation modelling (SEM). The quantitative data was collected through an online survey on a sample of 525 primary school teachers in Slovenia by using two already validated questionnaires, The School Leader Empowering Behaviours (SLEB) and Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire (PEQ).
Results: Findings show that teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ empowering behaviours are positively and statistically significantly related to all dimensions of psychological empowerment (meaning, competence, self-determination and impact).
Conclusion: Knowledge of psychological empowerment can be beneficial for school leaders, because with this comprehension they can strengthen apprehension and potential in exercising empowering behaviours towards their teachers to maximize their psychological empowerment.
Keywords: HRM, leadership, psychological empowerment
Published: 10.10.2018; Views: 93; Downloads: 6
Full text (353,86 KB) |
