Business Intelligence for Small and Middle-Sized Entreprises

Data warehouses are the core of decision support sys- tems, which nowadays are used by all kind of enter- prises in the entire world. Although many studies have been conducted on the need of decision support systems (DSSs) for small businesses, most of them adopt ex- isting solutions and approaches, which are appropriate for large-scaled enterprises, but are inadequate for small and middle-sized enterprises. Small enterprises require cheap, lightweight architec- tures and tools (hardware and software) providing on- line data analysis. In order to ensure these features, we review web-based business intelligence approaches. For real-time analysis, the traditional OLAP architecture is cumbersome and storage-costly; therefore, we also re- view in-memory processing. Consequently, this paper discusses the existing approa- ches and tools working in main memory and/or with web interfaces (including freeware tools), relevant for small and middle-sized enterprises in decision making

The hidden face of electronic commerce between enterprises (La face cachée du commerce électronique inter-entreprises)

Does the development of new means of circulating and processing information (notably the internet) ensure an immediate and easy access to information by every economic agent? Strategic information, that which is essential to define and implement the technical and financial strategies of organisations, is in the centre of the global competition between enterprises and becomes a real economic good. The industry of information expands strongly, notably over the internet. Electronic transactions between enterprises are characterised by the buying and selling of strategic information. But the access capacity to information depends on the quantity of human and financial resources which permits to large enterprises to acquire, process and protect information. Electronic commerce is in the hands of large size's enterprises Le développement de nouveaux moyens techniques de diffusion et de traitement de l'information (notamment Internet) assure-t-il un accès immédiat et facile à l'information pour tous les acteurs économiques ? L'information stratégique, celle qui est essentielle à la définition et à la mise en oeuvre des stratégies techno-financières des entreprises, est au coeur de la concurrence mondiale et devient un bien économique à part entière. L'industrie de l'information se développe fortement, notamment via Internet. Les transactions électroniques interentreprises sont caractérisés par l'achat et la vente d'informations stratégiques. Mais la capacité d'accès à l'information dépend de la quantité des ressources humaines et financières qui permet aux plus grandes entreprises d'acquérir, de traiter et de protéger l'information. Le commerce électronique est entre les mains des entreprises de grande taille.Internet, Information, information stratégique, transactions électroniques/ Internet, Information, Strategic information, electronic transaction

Medium-Sized Cities and the Dynamics of Creative Services

This paper examines the development of “creative” services (research, information, art etc.), located in medium-sized areas. Insofar as urban dynamics lead to extend the advanced services outside metropolises, particular attention is given to issues concerning the definition of “medium-sized cities”, and their significance regarding urban systems; the approach in terms of creativity and metropolization clarifies the incidence of their economic contexts and their structuring role within spatial frameworks. The findings presented in this paper are based on the experiment of French cities. They precise the meanings and the limits of the urban size effect, which can play in favour of medium-sized areas growth, and to their detriment as well.medium-sized cities, metropolization, services, niches, France

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Dealing with Extreme Events: Challenges for Terrorism Risk Coverage in the United States

Les attaques perpétrées contre les Etats-Unis le 11 septembre 2001 ainsi que d'autres survenues le monde depuis posent la question de la responsabilité des gouvernements et du secteur privé dans la réduction du risque terroriste et, plus particulièrement, celle de savoir qui devrait payer pour les pertes économiques liées aux attentats. Suite aux événements du 11 septembre qui causèrent plus de 35 milliards de dollars de pertes assurées, les assureurs mirent en garde qu'une autre attaque de cette ampleur pourrait infliger des dommages irréparables à l'industrie de l'assurance, et que l'incertitude associée au risque terroriste en faisait, de fait, un risque non-assurable. Ainsi, début 2002, pas moins de 45 états américains permettaient aux assureurs d'exclure ce risque de leurs couvertures. En cette absence d'offre d'assurance par le secteur privé, la loi du Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), qui instaure une couverture nationale annuelle à hauteur de 100 milliards de dollars, fut votée par le Congrès américain le 26 novembre 2002 et signé par le Président Bush le mois suivant. Cette couverture, fondée sur un partenariat entre industrie de l'assurance et gouvernement fédéral, expire le 31 décembre 2005. A ce jour (juillet 2004), l'après 2005 demeure incertain aux Etats-Unis. Prenant en compte la réaction des marchés d'assurances américains depuis le 11 septembre 2001 et les caractéristiques très particulières du risque terroriste comme risque à grande échelle, nous soutenons que le gouvernement fédéral doit continuer à jour un rôle important de concert avec le secteur privé pour couvrir les pertes économiques résultantes d'éventuelles attaques futures. Néanmoins, TRIA n'est sans doute pas la meilleure manière de résoudre la question. Puisque l'existence d'un système de couverture financière est une composante clé de toute stratégie nationale de lutte contre le terrorisme, cet article entend proposer une analyse constructive au débat en passe d'être porté à l'agenda au plus haut niveau du pays. En outre, nous proposons un programme spécifique alternatif au système TRIA pour couvrir les entreprises opérant aux Etats-Unis quand celui-ci expirera.Assurance;Terrorisme;Evénements extrêmes;Etats-Unis;Programmes nationaux de couverture;Politiques publiques;Marchés financiers;11 septembre 2001

Technological national learning in France : from minitel to internet

In France, the development of the Internet has been influenced by the evolution of the inherited information technology. France had many of the elements needed for the Internet to flourish: excellent engineering schools, participation of scientists and academic researchers in data networks, financial markets with venture capital companies, supportive government, and high incomes. Thus, France had many of the components that constitute the American, or even the Silicon Valley, model. And yet, the internet economy did not begin until some years after the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Many have argued that the monopoly of France Telecom slowed the Internet's development in France. In this chapter, we shall show that it was instead France's early lead in electronic commerce that hindered this development.internet;politique économique;développement;technologies de l'information de la communication;évolution de la structure de marché;frontière public/privé

Concept of smart city and its practice in Poland. Case study of Łódź city.

Paper’s objective is to present the concept of “smart city” as an approach to urban development and, on this ground, to analyze urban practice in Polish city of Lodz. First part of the paper, therefore, will be dedicated to definitional aspects of the “smart city” approach, with focus on determinants and factors included in this concept of multidisciplinary growth. Some aspects of measurement of the concept will also be included. Having the conceptual base settled, concept of “smart city” will be confronted with urban practice of Lodz. The city was chosen based on its recent development: inclusion of multidisciplinary aspects in its growth strategy and good results of implementation of verified urban development programs. Analysis conducted in the practical part of the paper will use both qualitative and quantitative methods and both secondary and primary sources of data and information. Official strategic and program documents of the city will be researched and analyzed, as well as confronted with in-depth interview with policy-makers. Statistical data (regional, national and community) will be used for quantitative methods. Research will allow for conclusions regarding implementation of “smart city” concept in general, but also for verification of question whether this particular approach to urban development is suitable for countries and areas in different stages of economic development, as analysis will concentrate on a Polish city. In this light – the European Union’s single solutions for all Member States approach will be evaluated

The Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on the Health Status of the Managers of Small and Medium Enterprises in Morocco

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed serious threats to the physical and mental health of the managers of  small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco. The health capital of leaders is the first intangible capital of the SME, in addition, the physical and mental health of the entrepreneur is reflected in the health of the company. It has also triggered a wide range of psychological reactions such as panic, anxiety, and depression. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the health status of SME managers in Morocco, which will hopefully contribute to informing the intervention policies to address this challenge efficiently and effectively. So, the main question this study addresses is: what is the impact of the current crisis (pandemic Covid-19) on the health status of our entrepreneurs? In terms of methodology, two questionnaires were used, the first one concerns the measurement of the burn-out of SME managers during the covid-19 pandemic, using a version of Maslach burn-out inventory, and the second questionnaire ''The COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) '', the questionnaire was adapted from the Shanghai Mental Health Centre. The data processing was carried out by SPSS, using the method: Analysis in Principal Components. The results of our study show that the risks of burnout have increased during the Covid-19 crisis, which might lead to the failure of SMEs. The Covid-19 has an impact on SME managers' health, according to our research's main findings. The burnout scale reached a mean of 26.55, with 30% representing very burned-out leaders. We found that the average depersonalization score was 11.6, which means that 45 percent of managers have mild burnout. The results of burnout are confirmed by the high personal achievement score.   Keywords:  SMEs, Managers, Executive health, Pandemic Covid-19. JEL Classification: M20, M21, I10 Paper type: Empirical researchLa pandémie de COVID-19 a fait peser de graves menaces sur la santé physique et mentale des dirigeants de petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) au Maroc. Le capital santé des dirigeants est le premier capital immatériel de la PME, de plus, la santé physique et mentale de l'entrepreneur se répercute sur la santé de l'entreprise. Elle a également déclenché un large éventail de réactions psychologiques telles que la panique, l'anxiété et la dépression. L'objectif principal de cette étude est d'étudier l'impact de la pandémie de Covid-19 sur l'état de santé des dirigeants de PME au Maroc, ce qui contribuera, nous l'espérons, à éclairer les politiques d'intervention pour relever ce défi de manière efficace et efficiente. La question principale de cette étude est donc la suivante : quel est l'impact de la crise actuelle (pandémie de Covid-19) sur l'état de santé de nos entrepreneurs ? En termes de méthodologie, deux questionnaires ont été utilisés, le premier concerne la mesure de l'épuisement des dirigeants de PME pendant la pandémie de covid-19, en utilisant une version de l'inventaire d'épuisement de Maslach, et le second questionnaire ''The COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI)'', le questionnaire a été adapté du Centre de Santé Mentale de Shanghai. Le traitement des données a été effectué par SPSS, en utilisant la méthode : Analyse en Composantes Principales. Les résultats de notre étude montrent que les risques d'épuisement professionnel ont augmenté pendant la crise du Covid-19, ce qui pourrait conduire à la faillite des PME. Le Covid-19 a un impact sur la santé des dirigeants de PME, selon les principaux résultats de notre recherche. L'échelle d'épuisement professionnel a atteint une moyenne de 26,55, avec 30 % représentant des dirigeants très épuisés. Nous avons constaté que le score moyen de dépersonnalisation était de 11,6, ce qui signifie que 45 % des dirigeants souffrent d'un léger épuisement professionnel. Les résultats de l'épuisement professionnel sont confirmés par le score élevé d'accomplissement personnel.   Mots clés:  PME, Dirigeants, Santé des dirigeants, Pandémie Covid-19. Classification JEL: M20, M21, I10 Type de l’article: Recherche appliquée &nbsp