The on-going changes--as both opportunities and threats--push companies to look for competitive advantages and differentiation from competitors by making the best use of certain strategic levers; they are mainly repre...The on-going changes--as both opportunities and threats--push companies to look for competitive advantages and differentiation from competitors by making the best use of certain strategic levers; they are mainly represented by intangible resources （as harder to imitate） such as trade marks, brands, intellectual properties, ethics, and social values. Values in particular become more relevant if taking into consideration the company as a set of ＂human beings＂; companies must be more integrated with its reference society and need to communicate with both external and internal audience covering different expectations, needs and cultures. In this sense, the traditional communication may be now defined as ＂integrated communication＂. Accordingly, ethical principles and corporate social responsibility values are fundamental drivers of this integrated communication policies and are more and more reflected into the company＇s mission. The aim of the present paper is to analyze--at both a quality and an empirical level--the effectiveness of ethics and corporate social responsibility values as drivers for integrated communication. A sample of Italian listed food and beverage companies has been considered to establish if and how ethical principles and sharing corporate values have been built and implemented during the last years; the expected results are to demonstrate the link between literature and empirical evidence concerning effectiveness of integrated communication and its impact on company＇s financial results and--in particular--on value creation for shareholders. Eventually, the study results show that there might be huge benefits in using an integrated communication; talking to people in a coherent way and sharing values constantly make firms achieve best results.展开更多
Facility management is the multi-disciplinary kind of work that covers a wide range of various activities, responsibilities, and knowledge. Facility management provides and manages a variety of support services in ord...Facility management is the multi-disciplinary kind of work that covers a wide range of various activities, responsibilities, and knowledge. Facility management provides and manages a variety of support services in order to prepare all the organisational functions, putting the accent on an integration of primary activities in strategic, tactical, and operational levels. In the final decade of the previous century, facility mmmgement industry emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors at the international level. Nowadays, the importance of the facility management is readily acknowledged in many companies worldwide, which recognises the necessity of properly managing elaborate and expensive support facilities. The tasks are multi-disciplinary and cover a wide range of activities, responsibilities, and knowledge, because every aspect of an organisation may come under the competency of the facility management. The main aim of the paper is to point out the well-founded applicability of the global facility management in companies, which in order to achieve the competitive advantage correctly strengthened the corporate core business and shift the support activities into the management of a specialist in this field. The paper also covers the scope of the facility management in the international context, and also in the Slovak Republic, considering the specificities of individual countries展开更多
The Kenyan apparel industry has played a major role in the country＇s economic development; however the sector＇s competitiveness has decreased due to inadequate industrial strategy and loss of global markets resultin...The Kenyan apparel industry has played a major role in the country＇s economic development; however the sector＇s competitiveness has decreased due to inadequate industrial strategy and loss of global markets resulting from elimination of quotas in 2005. China and other Asian countries＇ ability to produce quality products efficiently at lower comparative costs has been threatening apparel manufacturers in most developing countries in Africa. The purpose of this study is to analyse Kenya＇s apparel industry＇s current situation and to recommend some strategies for regaining business competitiveness in the apparel sector. This paper examines how apparel firms could develop competitive advantages in both local and global markets. It uses Porter＇s diamond and business value chain models as a basis of analysis for interpreting competitive factors within Kenya＇s apparel industry. In addition to extensive literature reviews, the paper provides in-depth overview of Kenya＇s apparel sector business dynamics and its relationships with local and global markets. Conclusions are drawn based on the analyses of Porter＇s theoretical models in relationship to Kenya＇s apparel industry business dynamics. Taking into account the global apparel business factors, recommendations are made on how the Kenya＇s apparel industry can regain business competitiveness.展开更多
According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an ar...According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an array of collaborating and competing services and providers that create a specialized infrastructure, which supports the cluster＇s industry. The economic cluster model, represents a synergy, a dynamic relationship and a network between not only the companies that comprise a cluster but also the successful partnering of the stakeholders. Today in all over the world, successful clusters have established a greater competitive advantage and wealth creation for their regions when compared to companies not in a cluster. Given this success more policy makers and regions are considering fostering cluster development as building blocks of regional economies. Research is planned and performed for understanding the clustering in SMEs （small and medium enterprises） industrial estate in Istanbul if it gives a competitive advantage to the cluster members or not. It is performed to determine and satisfy the lack of knowledge about the small and medium enterprises＇ issues, technologic systems, production quality standards, capacity usage ratios, interactions with other firms, habits of following the technologic improvements and clustering effects on the members.展开更多
The paper first introduces the concept of core competence. Based on that, it proposes that small and medium enterprises （SMEs） should actively implement management innovation and describes the contents of management...The paper first introduces the concept of core competence. Based on that, it proposes that small and medium enterprises （SMEs） should actively implement management innovation and describes the contents of management innovation. The conclusion is that SMEs should build the core competitive advantages through management innovation, in order to achieve better performance in the fierce market competition.展开更多
The shipbuilding industry in Europe is in crisis due to the recent economic recession and competition from countries with low labour costs. Greek shipyards have been forced to make a series of structural changes which...The shipbuilding industry in Europe is in crisis due to the recent economic recession and competition from countries with low labour costs. Greek shipyards have been forced to make a series of structural changes which have resulted in lower employment levels. Although these changes were gradually creating the conditions for shipyards profitably to re-enter international markets, the current economic crisis and the consequences to the shipping sector have created major problems to the shipyards employment. Perama shiprepair zone, an industrial zone mainly consisted from SMEs （small and medium enterprises） in shipbuilding and shiprepairing sector, has faced major problem for its survivability. In this article, a new approach is presented. Green offshore structures are expected to create competitive advantages in the zone and be a way to utilize available facilities and recover from the existing situation. International experience through case studies is presented followed by economic and technical feasibility for offshore windturbines construction and wave energy devices in shipyards. Finally, a general model shows that sustainable development is possible and shipyards have the adaptability and resources required tbr the production of renewable energy offshore structures.展开更多
The market environment and the competition characteristics between the enterprises is different from the traditional competition, the competition between individual enterprise is displaced by the comprehensive strengt...The market environment and the competition characteristics between the enterprises is different from the traditional competition, the competition between individual enterprise is displaced by the comprehensive strength of alliance supply chain which formed by upstream and downstream suppliers and customers whose main body is core enterprise, whether production enterprise or retail business are inevitably to form as chain so that to obtain the relative cost advantage and quick reaction advantage in the fierce market competition. Combining the theory and practice comparison of enterprise supply chain management at home and abroad, we can find that the theory and practice of Chinese enterprises supply chain management are falling behind developed countries In the new economic background, research and discussion of China＇ s enterprise supply chain management theory and practice, is helpful to promote the enterprise comprehensive competition ability and improve the economic benefit of enterprise.展开更多
This paper examines the critical role of innovations as a driver for sustainable competitive advantages. A quadruple model of global strategy is introduced. The model is based on the introduction of an innovation-base...This paper examines the critical role of innovations as a driver for sustainable competitive advantages. A quadruple model of global strategy is introduced. The model is based on the introduction of an innovation-based perspective of strategy. This is in addition to the other three but well-known perspectives of global strategy （industry-based, resource-based, and institution-based views）. Thus, the four perspectives of strategy could lead a complete set of factors that need to be analyzed for the formulation of global strategy. The model could assist organizations in sustaining their competitive advantages. It is proposed that the introduction of the innovation-based view represents the fourth perspective of a strategy quadruple, thus overcoming a long-standing criticism, namely, the global strategy may lack adequate attention to innovation in developing a firms＇ global competitive strategies. This paper presents a set of four hypotheses. When tested, these hypotheses could result in a better understanding of the link between the innovation and the global strategy domain. Furthermore, the quadruple model could be useful in understanding the relationship between innovativeness and business performance. It is anticipated that this paper could assist researchers, business management, and analysts in developing global innovation strategies.展开更多
文摘The on-going changes--as both opportunities and threats--push companies to look for competitive advantages and differentiation from competitors by making the best use of certain strategic levers; they are mainly represented by intangible resources （as harder to imitate） such as trade marks, brands, intellectual properties, ethics, and social values. Values in particular become more relevant if taking into consideration the company as a set of ＂human beings＂; companies must be more integrated with its reference society and need to communicate with both external and internal audience covering different expectations, needs and cultures. In this sense, the traditional communication may be now defined as ＂integrated communication＂. Accordingly, ethical principles and corporate social responsibility values are fundamental drivers of this integrated communication policies and are more and more reflected into the company＇s mission. The aim of the present paper is to analyze--at both a quality and an empirical level--the effectiveness of ethics and corporate social responsibility values as drivers for integrated communication. A sample of Italian listed food and beverage companies has been considered to establish if and how ethical principles and sharing corporate values have been built and implemented during the last years; the expected results are to demonstrate the link between literature and empirical evidence concerning effectiveness of integrated communication and its impact on company＇s financial results and--in particular--on value creation for shareholders. Eventually, the study results show that there might be huge benefits in using an integrated communication; talking to people in a coherent way and sharing values constantly make firms achieve best results.
文摘Facility management is the multi-disciplinary kind of work that covers a wide range of various activities, responsibilities, and knowledge. Facility management provides and manages a variety of support services in order to prepare all the organisational functions, putting the accent on an integration of primary activities in strategic, tactical, and operational levels. In the final decade of the previous century, facility mmmgement industry emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors at the international level. Nowadays, the importance of the facility management is readily acknowledged in many companies worldwide, which recognises the necessity of properly managing elaborate and expensive support facilities. The tasks are multi-disciplinary and cover a wide range of activities, responsibilities, and knowledge, because every aspect of an organisation may come under the competency of the facility management. The main aim of the paper is to point out the well-founded applicability of the global facility management in companies, which in order to achieve the competitive advantage correctly strengthened the corporate core business and shift the support activities into the management of a specialist in this field. The paper also covers the scope of the facility management in the international context, and also in the Slovak Republic, considering the specificities of individual countries
文摘The Kenyan apparel industry has played a major role in the country＇s economic development; however the sector＇s competitiveness has decreased due to inadequate industrial strategy and loss of global markets resulting from elimination of quotas in 2005. China and other Asian countries＇ ability to produce quality products efficiently at lower comparative costs has been threatening apparel manufacturers in most developing countries in Africa. The purpose of this study is to analyse Kenya＇s apparel industry＇s current situation and to recommend some strategies for regaining business competitiveness in the apparel sector. This paper examines how apparel firms could develop competitive advantages in both local and global markets. It uses Porter＇s diamond and business value chain models as a basis of analysis for interpreting competitive factors within Kenya＇s apparel industry. In addition to extensive literature reviews, the paper provides in-depth overview of Kenya＇s apparel sector business dynamics and its relationships with local and global markets. Conclusions are drawn based on the analyses of Porter＇s theoretical models in relationship to Kenya＇s apparel industry business dynamics. Taking into account the global apparel business factors, recommendations are made on how the Kenya＇s apparel industry can regain business competitiveness.
文摘According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an array of collaborating and competing services and providers that create a specialized infrastructure, which supports the cluster＇s industry. The economic cluster model, represents a synergy, a dynamic relationship and a network between not only the companies that comprise a cluster but also the successful partnering of the stakeholders. Today in all over the world, successful clusters have established a greater competitive advantage and wealth creation for their regions when compared to companies not in a cluster. Given this success more policy makers and regions are considering fostering cluster development as building blocks of regional economies. Research is planned and performed for understanding the clustering in SMEs （small and medium enterprises） industrial estate in Istanbul if it gives a competitive advantage to the cluster members or not. It is performed to determine and satisfy the lack of knowledge about the small and medium enterprises＇ issues, technologic systems, production quality standards, capacity usage ratios, interactions with other firms, habits of following the technologic improvements and clustering effects on the members.
文摘The paper first introduces the concept of core competence. Based on that, it proposes that small and medium enterprises （SMEs） should actively implement management innovation and describes the contents of management innovation. The conclusion is that SMEs should build the core competitive advantages through management innovation, in order to achieve better performance in the fierce market competition.
文摘The shipbuilding industry in Europe is in crisis due to the recent economic recession and competition from countries with low labour costs. Greek shipyards have been forced to make a series of structural changes which have resulted in lower employment levels. Although these changes were gradually creating the conditions for shipyards profitably to re-enter international markets, the current economic crisis and the consequences to the shipping sector have created major problems to the shipyards employment. Perama shiprepair zone, an industrial zone mainly consisted from SMEs （small and medium enterprises） in shipbuilding and shiprepairing sector, has faced major problem for its survivability. In this article, a new approach is presented. Green offshore structures are expected to create competitive advantages in the zone and be a way to utilize available facilities and recover from the existing situation. International experience through case studies is presented followed by economic and technical feasibility for offshore windturbines construction and wave energy devices in shipyards. Finally, a general model shows that sustainable development is possible and shipyards have the adaptability and resources required tbr the production of renewable energy offshore structures.
文摘The market environment and the competition characteristics between the enterprises is different from the traditional competition, the competition between individual enterprise is displaced by the comprehensive strength of alliance supply chain which formed by upstream and downstream suppliers and customers whose main body is core enterprise, whether production enterprise or retail business are inevitably to form as chain so that to obtain the relative cost advantage and quick reaction advantage in the fierce market competition. Combining the theory and practice comparison of enterprise supply chain management at home and abroad, we can find that the theory and practice of Chinese enterprises supply chain management are falling behind developed countries In the new economic background, research and discussion of China＇ s enterprise supply chain management theory and practice, is helpful to promote the enterprise comprehensive competition ability and improve the economic benefit of enterprise.
文摘This paper examines the critical role of innovations as a driver for sustainable competitive advantages. A quadruple model of global strategy is introduced. The model is based on the introduction of an innovation-based perspective of strategy. This is in addition to the other three but well-known perspectives of global strategy （industry-based, resource-based, and institution-based views）. Thus, the four perspectives of strategy could lead a complete set of factors that need to be analyzed for the formulation of global strategy. The model could assist organizations in sustaining their competitive advantages. It is proposed that the introduction of the innovation-based view represents the fourth perspective of a strategy quadruple, thus overcoming a long-standing criticism, namely, the global strategy may lack adequate attention to innovation in developing a firms＇ global competitive strategies. This paper presents a set of four hypotheses. When tested, these hypotheses could result in a better understanding of the link between the innovation and the global strategy domain. Furthermore, the quadruple model could be useful in understanding the relationship between innovativeness and business performance. It is anticipated that this paper could assist researchers, business management, and analysts in developing global innovation strategies.
