http://www.cjournal.cz Journal of Competitiveness Economy http://backend.userland.com/rss Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:38:15 GMT http://www.cjournal.cz/imgs/cjournal_logo.png http://www.cjournal.cz http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=72 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=72 With the advancements in the strategic management field, logistics management has changed considerably and logistics competency has emerged as a new and important area of research. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to find the core logistics abilities, which enable nations to achieve a competitive advantage in the logistics market. Two different data sets, one from World Economic Forum and the other from the World Bank were used. Cluster and discriminant analysis were used to answer the research questions. The results indicated that while the logistics infrastructure and the customs were absolute in determining a high-competitive country, the logistics competence and the tracking & tracing were the core logistics abilities needed to sustain the competitive advantage in long term. The implications of these results are also discussed. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=73 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=73 The aim of the paper is to create an econometric panel data model with techniques using dummy variables for simplification of regional competitiveness evaluation in selected EU 15 countries. The theoretical background of the paper is based on the knowledge of theoretical concept and issues of regional competitiveness and productivity in the context of growth theories. The empirical part of the paper is focused on the application of nonlinear panel data regression model for 35 regions at NUTS level 2 of selected EU15 countries. The level of regional competitiveness is analyzed by selected indicators that evaluate the performance of the objectives of the EU growth strategies. Selection of explanatory variables in the panel data model appropriately reflects the level of competitive potential in NUTS 2 regions of selected EU 15 countries in the reference period 2000 - 2008. The use of econometric panel data model seems to be appropriate, since it better captures the dynamics of changes and the fixed or stochastic effects that have occurred in the proposed explanatory variables. Based on the estimation of the panel data model, econometric and economic verification, the final part of the paper makes a comparison of results for all explanatory variables in NUTS 2 regions, which are cross-sectional and time used to determine the order of influence of each NUTS 2 region of selected EU 15 countries to the overall competitiveness of the European Union. For the purposes of the model, the overall EU competitiveness is approximated with the average volume of GDP per capita in PPS for 271 NUTS 2 regions in EU 27, in accordance with the NUTS 2006 classification methodology. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=74 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=74 The strategic behavior of companies in the globalizing and changing markets may be characterized by the extent to which a company’s strategy is adapted to its environment. The goal of this paper is to compare the strategies used by multinational and domestic companies in the Czech Republic in reacting to the environment and to ascertain which of the strategies is the most advantageous. Consequently, this study provides essential information for strategic decisions for both domestic and multinational companies. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=75 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=75 The purpose of this paper is to provide a basic overview of the application of Activity-Based Costing in an urban mass transport company which operates land public transport via buses and trolleys within the city. The case study was conducted using the Activity-Based Methodology in order to calculate the true cost of individual operations and to measure the profitability of particular transport lines. The case study analysis showed the possible effects of the application of the Activity-Based Costing for an urban mass transport company as well as the limitations of using the ABC methodology in the service industry. With regards to the application of the ABC methodology, the primary limitation of the accuracy of the conclusions is the quality of the non-financial information which had to be gathered throughout the implementation process. A basic limitation of the accurate data acquisition is the nature of the fare system of the transport company which does not allow the identification of the route that is taken by an individual passenger. The study illustrates the technique of ABC in urban mass transport and provides a real company example of information outputs of the ABC system. The users indicated that, the ABC model is very useful for profitability reporting and profit management. Also, the paper shows specific application of the Activity-Based Methodology in conditions of urban mass transport companies with regional specifics. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=76 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=76 In today’s competitive business world customers are considered to be kings. Customers have several choices to make among alternative products, and they exercise a high level of influence in the market with respect to product size, quality and price. Hence, it is important for producers to meet the needs of customers in order to stay competitive. One of the marketing communication tools that is used in attracting the attention of the customer and build their loyalty is sales promotion. The aim of this paper therefore is to determine the effect of sales promotion on customer loyalty in the telecommunication industry. In this study, the survey method was used in gathering information from the respondents. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample size of 310, while descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted with the aid of SPSS software. Producers spend a large part of their total marketing communication expenses on sales promotion. Hence, this paper attempts to find the effect of sales promotion on customer loyalty using a sample of customers of mobile telecommunication services. The paper found that, there is positive relationship between sales promotion and customer loyalty. More importantly, it was discovered that non-loyal customers are more prone to switch to competing products as a result of sales promotion than loyal customers. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=77 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=77 The aim of this study is to expand the base of knowledge and empirically test the relationship between the components of organizational culture and performance management practices. The study adopted the exploratory research approach to explore the impact. In this study, primary data was collected through questionnaires from 140 employees at the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology. The sample consists of both male and female faculty members. The regression and correlation statistical analysis were used. The results from the statistical analysis show that, involvement is highly correlated with consistency and adaptability. Similarly, the other dimensions of organizational culture have a positive significant relationship with the performance management practices. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=78 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=78 This article tries to reveal whether the cluster approach can really support human resource management to act as a driver for regional economic development so as to strengthen the firms’ competitive advantages for doing business. The analysis mostly relies on research on cluster activities and human resource strategies that enable a firm to achieve a competitive advantage. The study is based on some evidence of clusters from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, India and Developed Countries. This study reveals that, firms see the joining of clusters as a way of sustaining their competitive advantage and to enhance the regional economic development. Through clustering, they can share their strategic information, increase their innovative capabilities and find new market places, which broaden the competencies associated with individual professions. Finally, based on interview discussions with cluster managers in different countries, the results of this research confirms that, cluster activities support the Human Resource Management (HRM) of the cluster’s core firms to enable them to survive in this competitive world. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=79 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=79 Commercial banks generally use different methods and procedures for managing credit risk. The internal rating method in which the client has an important position in the process of granting credit provides a comprehensive assessment of client creditworthiness. The aim of this article is to analyze selected theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of internal rating models of commercial banks within the context of models that measures financial performance and to make a comparison of results of real - rating models which are used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The results of the chosen credit scoring and bankruptcy methods on selected companies from segments of small and medium-sized companies are presented. http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=80 http://www.cjournal.cz/index.php?hid=clanek&cid=80 Abstract In this article, the authors study the relevance of the market timing hypothesis of going public, which tends to explain the lower post-issue operating performance of Czech initial public offerings. The data collected under the conditions of the Czech capital market are compared with the performance of companies selected from the main European stock exchanges, when they decided to adopt the IPO strategy. Achieving the objective required an empirical survey that involved a collection of accounting data in companies that had completed an initial public offer in the Czech capital market. The data were evaluated by financial performance measures. The comparisons were made using descriptive statistical methods. The research results broaden and deepen the present understanding of the market timing hypothesis in companies going public, particularly in the Czech Republic.