Browsing by Author "Stefko, Robert"
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- ItemExtended model of mobile shopping acceptance: An empirical study of consumer behaviour(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Stefko, Robert; Gavurova, Beata; Olearova, Maria; Bacik, Radovan; Nebesky, Lubomir; Ekonomická fakultaAlthough the popularity of mobile commerce is on the rise, mobile shopping is still not widely accepted in Slovakia. Therefore, research and knowledge in this area is insufficient. Based on two research models which explain human behavior (theory of reasoned action) and how the user accepts new technologies (technology acceptance model), the presented study proposes and tests a conceptual model combining the mentioned models and new, stimulating factors (customized offers and price benefits) in order to design a holistic model for predicting consumer behavior with regard to the acceptance of mobile shopping. In the first step of the research, we used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to extract the predicted factors and verify the validity and reliability of the research tool – a questionnaire. The main research was conducted on a sample of 627 students from Slovak universities (part-time study). Using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we performed a measurement model evaluation, and then, using the structural equation modeling – partial least squares (SEM – PLS) method, we evaluated and quantified the expected effects of the investigated factors. These new, stimulating factors, integrated into the theoretical framework of existing models, have been shown to act as direct and indirect predictors of the intention to mobile shopping. However, perceived usefulness proved to be the strongest predictor. The intention to mobile shopping is also significantly influenced by the attitude to mobile shopping, which is also determined by the new factor customized offers. The results the research arrives at may be beneficial for businesses, as they may reduce the costs associated with the creation of mobile shopping channels from an economic point of view and may increase their market competitiveness.
- ItemOn competition and transparency in public procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Kubak, Matus; Nemec, Peter; Stefko, Robert; Volosin, Marcel; Ekonomická fakultaGovernment expenditures on acquiring services, goods, and work through public procurement represent a substantial proportion of the EU’s GDP. Competitive and transparent tendering procedures are generally believed to promote achieving the primary goals of public procurement: maximising value for money and reducing corruption. However, during the crisis, procurement rules allow a temporary departure from transparency standards toward fast and more discretionary procurement procedures justified by force majeure, possibly restricting competitiveness and information availability in the whole procurement process. The presented paper examines emergency response procurement measures by EU countries in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak in the spring of 2020 and their impact on competition. Using an extensive dataset of contracts for medical supplies and PPE obtained from Tenders Electronic Daily, we document the rapid increase of direct and negotiated contracts in the first two months of the pandemic outbreak. We found that firms, in general, were more likely to participate in procurement procedures with a prior call for tenders, such as open procedure and restricted procedure. On the other hand, the significant share of contracts obtained by small and medium enterprises without competition, hence by single bid procurement, suggests that public authorities tend to use their discretion in favour of SMEs. Moreover, overall emergency procurement setting and its effects on competition vary across countries regardless of how intensely the pandemic hit, indicating an institutional context for the increased discretion effects on procurement outcome.