Číslo 4
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Číslo 4 by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemMarket orientation and strategic behaviour at high-tech companies(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Kaňovská, Lucie; Tomášková, Eva; Ekonomická fakultaThe paper is focused on market orientation with a special emphasis on strategic behaviour at high–tech companies in the Czech Republic. Market orientation is based on marketing conception and is described by many researchers as a method that helps to contribute to the better management of a company. The perception of the implementation of market orientation is evolving. However, the main principle is still the same – market orientation has a positive impact on business performance. Nowadays, a lot of authors deal with the implementation of market orientation. From this reason, we have undertaken research entitled: “Research on implementation on market orientation in Hi-Tech Firms” (GA 402/07/1493). The paper deals with market orientation and strategic behavior at hi-tech firms. The objective of the paper is to assess relationships between market orientation and strategic behaviour at high-tech companies. The data was acquired via a New Method questionnaire, which measured market orientation in a company. The New Method questionnaire, containing a 7-point Likert scale created by Tomaskova [54] was used for the research. The complete database was analyzed by using standard statistical methods (correlation analysis, Spearman correlation coefficient, chi-square) as well as other sophisticated techniques (Cronbach alpha). The main results of the research show that the level of market orientation at hi-tech firms in the Czech Republic is high and confirms the importance of obtaining information and using this information inside the company for market orientation. The main results of the research findings show that market orientation has a significant influence on strategic behaviour. It is possible to say that strategic behaviour is a part of market orientation. This strategic behaviour can be divided into two parts: Firstly gaining information for strategic company decision-making and, secondly, ways of using the information obtained in a company. Both these parts have a significant influence on business performance.
- ItemIdentification and prioritization of key stakeholder groups in marketing communication of colleges(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Slabá, Marie; Štarchoň, Peter; Jáč, Ivan; Ekonomická fakultaThis paper shows the possibility of using the Stakeholder Circle Methodology for the identification and prioritization of key stakeholder groups for the purpose of marketing communication in colleges. At the beginning, we emphasize the necessity of the use of marketing communications in the context of the changing market situation of tertiary education in the Czech and Slovak Republics, then we present basic steps of the Stakeholder Circle Methodology and methodology of the research. The selected research results are compared and subjective priorities are assigned based on professional judgment and, at the end, objective priorities are identified by Stakeholder index and subsequently key stakeholder groups are identified. Particular individual departments, faculty and staff, the media, potential and present students, and marketing and public relations departments belong among the most important target groups of stakeholders in marketing communication of universities. Based on the research results, the importance of internal communication has to be supported by universities’ marketing communication, followed by media relations forward to increasing a positive image and goodwill.
- ItemImpacts of selected NACE industries´ foreign ownership on the czech economy(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Roubíčková, Michaela; Heryán, Tomáš; Ekonomická fakultaThe aim of the current paper was to estimate whether the Czech companies’ equity increasing and returns on equity’s development have an impact on GDP’s development in selected Czech business sectors. Contribution of our study to foreign direct investment and firm performance the matters is using quarterly frequency data to examine relationship between foreign ownership and quarterly economic growth in selected NACE business sectors. Hanoušek et al. [9] argue that Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) have some several impacts at the Czech microeconomic level. We argue then, it could be interesting to compare domestic and foreign ownership with weighted GDP growth rate in the Czech Republic. If foreign equity in the country and rentability of foreign owned companies affect GDP more than rentability of domestic companies, foreign ownership is more efficient for the Czech economy. From our point of view, microeconomic data in pooled sample could influence macroeconomy of the country. It motivates recent study. We are estimating panel regression models with cross section weights. Our endogenous variable is weighted GDP growth rate in pooled data of all our selected business industries. Our exogenous variables are average equity growth rate and growth rate of return on equity (ROE), both in pooled sample of selected Czech industries. This study proved positive impacts of foreign ownership on GDP in the Czech Republic. Foreign-owned companies have a positive impact on GDP growth rate through both increase in equity and increase of ROE of Czech firms. In the case of domestic-owned firms the positive impact of ROE change was not demonstrated.
- ItemMedia portrayals of regions in the Czech Republic: selected issues(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Sucháček, Jan; Seďa, Petr; Friedrich, Václav; Koutský, Jaroslav; Ekonomická fakultaAmount of information provided by media is growing virtually every day. Surprisingly, attention devoted to the spatial implications of media information is far from sufficient. Existing researches bring ample evidence that TV coverage embodies media agenda in a satisfactory manner as it has rather profound impact on the public on the one hand and is representative enough on the other. Our paper deals with TV news reporting related to NUTS III regions in the Czech Republic. The main perspective adopted in this article is a qualitative one, which facilitates the evaluation of TV news contents. We are deliberately focusing on national TV broadcasting, which is the most influential one. Individual contributions we evaluate appeared in the framework of news reporting in public Czech TV and private Nova and Prima. In spite of severe limitations in media data, our paper covers the period between the years 2004 and 2011, which helps to underpin our conclusions in a sufficient way. Contributions, which are related to individual NUTS III regions and resonate at the national level, constitute the focal point of our research. TV reflection of material reality is of intangible character; nonetheless similarly to material categories, one can identify spatial as well as thematic differentiation and even patterns also in the sphere of TV news reporting. There are only little doubts that media landscape and closely associated mental maps have been largely underestimated so far. Thus, these topics represent one of pivotal theoretical and practical challenges in the field of spatial sciences, which holds true for post-transition country even more.
- ItemImpact of group interactions on farmers’ entrepreneurial behaviour(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Abeyrathne, H.R.M.P.; Jayawardena, L.N.A.C.; Ekonomická fakultaGroup interactions form an important component among the many factors influencing the entrepreneurial behaviour of farmers. Understanding group interactions provides insights to foster entrepreneurial activities. Matale district, which is among the top 4 districts producing high amount of vegetables in the Sri Lanka was selected for the study. Two successful farmer organizations, one of them farming in both seasons (throughout the year), and the other farming only a single season per year, were selected for the study. Overall objective of the study was to examine the impact of group interactions on entrepreneurial behaviour of vegetable farmers. Stratified random sampling was used to select an overall sample of 60 vegetable farmers, having two samples consisting of 30 each from the two farmer organizations. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using the SPSS software package. Results indicated a significant relationship between the group interactions and entrepreneurial behaviour of farmers. Study revealed effective entrepreneurial behaviour involving high planning ability, and decision making ability. Majority of the farmers were at a moderate level of innovativeness, risk orientation, coordinating ability, opportunity seeking behaviour, self-confidence, achievement motivation, and cosmopolitanism. Group interactions were moderate at seasonal planning, and in selecting of crops. Group interactions were low in land preparation, pest and disease controlling, harvesting, irrigation water distribution, participating in training programmes, and selling. Entrepreneurial behaviour of farmers has enhanced with group interactions. The two farmer groups had significant differences in group interactions and entrepreneurial behaviour due to group characteristics. It is recommended to improve group interactions through awareness programmes, and small group formation activities.
- ItemHypotéza permanentního příjmu v zemích visegrádské skupiny(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Pánková, Václava; Ekonomická fakultaConsumption following a permanent income hypothesis (PIH) is a theoretical concept the validity of which in a given economy during a given period can be confirmed or non-confirmed by the help of an econometric approach. Mathematical formulation of PIH following adaptive expectation technique given by Friedman and the ways of testing the validity of permanency are recapitulated. Two alternative approaches are established: (a) Model published by Campbell and Mankiw [4] looking for an appropriate econometric technique starting by permanent income hypothesis; based on the results of Hall and Flavin, the model allows to reflect an existence of both PIH and non – PIH consumers and to quantify their proportion. (b) Model of error correction mechanism as a theoretical concept bringing a solution of problems arising by dealing with non – stationary time - series (e.g. [15]) which happened to suite PIH as an application. Possible influence of financial and economic crises is proposed to be measured by introducing relevant dummies in the models. Using the actual data of the Visegrád group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) and comprising Austrian economy to provide a comparison, both models are estimated. Small discrepancies according to model in question are evident by following individual economies. Treating Visegrád as a panel, both models provide an identical result. PIH cannot be applied to whole economies, nevertheless, as it is shown about 50% of households in the four Visegrád economies consume according to PIH. Critical years 2008–2012 (end of the data sample) do not change this result significantly.
- ItemProcesní management ve veřejné správě(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Řepa, Václav; Ekonomická fakultaThe article develops the idea of using the principles of business process-oriented management in public administration. Compared with the market-oriented organizations the area of public administration is more complex and abstract which makes the projects of process change in this field significantly complicated. On the other hand, the same characteristic creates the possibility to achieve significant benefits as also the “natural” degree of inefficiency in the area of public administration is order of magnitude higher than it is in regular market-oriented firms. The article introduces the long-term program consisting of a series of real analytical projects in this area. Basic principles of the approach as well as starting points of the methodology are explained. Four original principles are discussed in detail: Three source areas of the community management, Life events as essential triggers of key processes, Hierarchy of human needs as a general source of life events, and Life cycles of key objects as their general context. Main relevant outputs of the program are presented in the form of examples of key processes from each of three basic areas of the community management: physical, social, and economic environment. Each key process is discussed in terms of its main value as well as the substantial change which it brings in comparison with the current state. Extensive experience from the program is discussed, and the idea that the process change in the area of public administration is the only way to the effectiveness and meaningfulness of any IT investment in this area, i.e. e-Government, is elaborated in conclusions.
- ItemDeployment of cloud computing in small and medium sized enterprises in the Czech Republic(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Marešová, Petra; Hálek, Vítězslav; Ekonomická fakultaGlobalisation is a phenomenon that is reflected in all spheres of social life. Information technologies have a key role in globalisation. Thanks to them is possible to divide labour on a global scale, monitoring and use of comparative advantages (for the raw materials, cheap labour sources, effective demand) in their – that offer advantageous conditions. The technologies, which are predicting significant future growth in cloud computing. Cloud computing is a set of information and communication technologies in which IT resources are delivered in the form of services to external users via the Internet. The aim of this paper is to describe the use of cloud computing in Czech companies and compare its deployment to other countries. Characteristics of the use of cloud computing in Czech enterprises are based on surveys conducted by local and international agencies and on their own research. Their own research was conducted in the autumn of 2013. There were 200 respondents from small and medium-sized enterprises across all sectors of CZ – NACE. Enterprises were asked about their knowledge of the chosen technologies, the rate of utilisation, the expected benefits of these technologies, or if they are interested in its deployment in the future. As revealed from the results of this survey, many managers and business owners do not know the term cloud computing and do not know which specific services and benefits can be expected. Managers also do not feel the necessity to change the state of the IT department, so currently there IS only a small proportion of companies that plan to implement cloud computing. Implementation of cloud computing is supported ON a national and international level, savings and benefits from the deployment of this technology are also evident. In this context, lack of knowledge of this concept and low deployment of cloud computing in Czech enterprises is a negative phenomenon.
- ItemFinancial impact in case of investment to the forest property as a result of different tree species composition in the Czech Republic(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Köhler, Pavlína; Vala, Vlastimil; Ekonomická fakultaThe spruce covers the largest area 44.7% in the Czech Republic, but its natural representation was 11.2%. Forest owners and managers are motivated to change their species composition. But the change will have an economic impact on their property. The aim of this research is to create a model of dependency of total profit from forest stand depending on its composition and prove that if the species composition is changed in favour of beech, the financial impact will be significantly negative. The model has area 100 ha with 100 forest groups which differ in age of one year. All the silviculture and logging activities were done within one year for eleven site indexes. Total volume of cuts was used from the Mensuration and Growth Tables. Prices of contractors including their profit margin and wood price from the Czech statistical office were used for revenues and costs calculations related to the roadside. The profit from the pure spruce stand is higher than profit from pure beech stand. The costs for establishing plantation did not differ in absolute values so much. The difference between revenues is caused mostly by different price for species assortments according to their quality. The profitability of potential investment, which presents costs to the pure spruce stands with the highest site index +1 (36) is 234%, whereas profitability of beech stand in the same site index is only 151%. Profit is a linear function of changing species composition. The localities with the lowest site index was it the red.
- ItemIntegrative model for evaluation of development potentials of regions and its application on an example of the Czech Republic(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Viturka, Milan; Ekonomická fakultaThe aim of this paper is to introduce a new model for the evaluation of development potentials of regions, including methodology, application and conceptualization of the obtained information. The main components of this model are the business environment quality, innovation potential of companies and use of human resources, interpreted using relevant factors or indicators. The model has been applied to the evaluation of Czech regions – 205 administrative districts (microregional level) and 14 NUTS 3 regions (mesoregional level). Information capacity of the model has been proved by the confirmation of the hypotheses assuming strong relationships among business environment quality and regional GDP and population size of regions. A synthesis allowed us to define the main regularities, evaluate the competitive positions of regions and create the spatial model of the economic development of the Czech Republic. Special attention has been given to the unique method for the identification of territorial systems of poles and axes of development and further to the hierarchy of integration processes (using the profile interaction method). Subsequently, we conceptualized the results from the perspective of regional policy creation using the method of development scenarios. This allows for a flexible optimization of the main priorities and tools of a regional policy (regions are defined and territorially specified by means of flexible sets of relevant measures). From a theoretical perspective, we extend the knowledge about the processes of polarization and integration as key anifestations of the principles of developmental and hierarchical differentiation of society in the conditions of increasing globalisation.
- ItemSelected issues of the minimum wage in the Czech Republic(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Pavelka, Tomáš; Skála, Marek; Čadil, Jan; Ekonomická fakultaThe minimum wage is one of the measures of economic policy, which raises contradictory reactions. The Czech Republic is one of twenty EU Member States that have implemented a statutory minimum wage. Since its introduction in 1991, the gross minimum wage was increased sixteen times by the government. In addition to increases in the gross minimum wage, the purchasing power of the minimum wage is affected by the development of price levels and also by changes in tax and social security and health insurance. In the Czech Republic three periods in the development of the minimum wage can be distinguished. In the first years after its introduction, the gross minimum wage did not increase significantly and its real value declined. The period 1999–2006 is a period of rapid growth in both the nominal and the real minimum wage. In the period 2007–2012, the nominal wage was constant and its real value gradually decreased. These three phases correspond to the political orientation of Czech governments. Leftist governments raised minimum wages faster than right-wing governments. The article also provides an analysis of the motivational function of the minimum wage. It compares the net minimum wage with the living minimum. It appears that the motivational function of the minimum wage has been reducing in recent years. This is true especially for persons with dependent children. The last part of the article includes an analysis of the relationship between the increase in the minimum wage and the unemployment rate in the Czech Republic. In addition to total unemployment, the impact of the minimum wage on unemployment of young people and people with low levels of education is analyzed. It shows that there is no clear relationship between the minimum wage and the unemployment rates in the Czech Republic.
- ItemBarriers of marketing effectiveness and efficiency within companies: a qualitative study(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Karlíček, Miroslav; Chytková, Zuzana; Tyll, Ladislav; Mohelská, Hana; Ekonomická fakultaMarket orientation can be defined as the company’s ability to systematically generate relevant information about current and latent customer needs, spread this information across all company departments and use this information in decision making and subsequent behavior. Current research proves that market orientation correlates strongly with profitability. Strengthening market orientation should therefore be the main focus of the marketing department. However, over the last years, marketers within companies have faced serious criticism coming from the top management as well as from other business functions. This criticism stems from the generally shared opinion that marketing expenditures tend to rise whereas marketing effectiveness and efficiency seem to decline over time, as proved by relatively low satisfaction and loyalty levels of customers and their resistance towards marketing activities. This study investigates the main barriers of marketing effectiveness and efficiency within companies. Based on two focus groups with senior Czech marketing managers we revealed several key themes that reflect how local marketers perceive their jobs. We identified that marketing departments differ diametrically in activities they execute, that marketers face image problem within their companies and that they are not able to prove return of their activities sufficiently. Furthermore, we individuated barriers specific for our context not found in the literature. However, companies of different size and sectors have specifics which are discussed in the text. Managerial recommendations are added. All of these findings should be of high importance for both CEOs (resp. owners) and marketers, because increasing effectiveness and efficiency of the marketing function is their common goal.