Strategies for sustainable socio-economic development and mechanisms their implementation in the global dimension

The authors of the book have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to effectively use modern approaches to developing and implementation strategies of sustainable socio-economic development in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness of economic entities. Basic research focuses on economic diagnostics of socio-economic potential and financial results of economic entities, transition period in the economy of individual countries and ensuring their competitiveness, assessment of educational processes and knowledge management. The research results have been implemented in the different models and strategies of supply and logistics management, development of non-profit organizations, competitiveness of tourism and transport, financing strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises, cross-border cooperation. The results of the study can be used in decision-making at the level the economic entities in different areas of activity and organizational-legal forms of ownership, ministries and departments that promote of development the economic entities on the basis of models and strategies for sustainable socio-economic development. The results can also be used by students and young scientists in modern concepts and mechanisms for management of sustainable socio-economic development of economic entities in the condition of global economic transformations and challenges

A new model for continuous evaluation of suppliers with real execution data

Supplier evaluation is a significant work for a company in order to enhance productivity and profitability. When a well-managed supplier evaluation is developed, this has a significant impact on the competitiveness of the entire supply chain. By examining the literature, it was seen that a great deal of papers are related to evaluation during new supplier selection process. However, there is a scarcity of studies that evaluate performance depending on the difficulty. The purpose of this paper is to focus on performance evaluation of the suppliers that are being currently worked with. In this context, Enterprise Resource Planning usage is investigated in order to collect and track real-time data for supplier evaluation systems, especially examined small- to medium-sized enterprises. With this in mind, this study conducts a questionnaire on the small- to medium-sized enterprises. Subsequently, by referring to the results of this study, a new evaluation model with dynamic structure is developed utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning, which constantly reviews suppliers at each delivery. Moreover, the developed model has been implemented in a medium-sized machine manufacturing company, integrating it into the purchasing module of its Enterprise Resource Planning system. The managers of the company have confirmed the proposed model and the manufacturing company is continuously doing a systematic evaluation with this model, thus facilitating to attain the goals of supply chain management such as reduction of inventory cost, increasing profit margin and customer satisfaction

Studying RFID adoption by SMES in the Taiwanese IT industry

With the advent of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), organisations have the opportunity to rethink how their organisation will operate and integrate in the supply chain. Especially for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), that they have limited resources adopting such an innovative technology (i.e. RFID) can be daunting. Literature indicates that SMEs that deal with implementation have so far only a few guidelines regarding specific opportunities and risks. This research is therefore trying to fill the gap by employing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) techniques and utilising a questionnaire survey with the aim of exploring the factors that affect SMEs’ RFID adoption in the Taiwan Information Technology (IT) manufacturing industry. In doing so, the adoption factors which are classified into 3 different adopters categories named ready adopter (cost and management), initiator adopter (competitiveness and process efficiency) and unprepared adopter (IT management difficulties, IT implementation difficulties and cost of implementation) using EFA technique. A SMEs RFID adoption model is then proposed. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will not only enhance the research in RFID adoption in SMEs, but can also act as a reference for practitioners in the industry and researchers in the academic field

The use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management in South East Europe: Current status and future direction

This research aims to investigate the current status and future direction of the use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) in South East Europe. The objectives are threefold: (1) to identify major challenges and developments on the use of information systems for LSCM by enterprises, (2) to examine the actual level of satisfaction of current policy on LSCM, and (3) to reveal the actual need of enterprises in South East Europe on effective use of information systems for LSCM. Mixed methodology of literature review and questionnaire survey is adopted in this research. Data collected from 79 enterprises are analysed using descriptive analysis in SPSS. The findings suggest that enterprises in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro, face similar challenges but all are in different stages of developments of LSCM. Their use of information systems explains their heavy focus on supply chain partnership and weakness in demand chain partnership. Major findings suggest that companies and governments alike in that region do not seem to be ready for playing a significant and demanding role in global supply chains. Current deficiencies, including limited abilities in building valuable forward relations, weak strategic planning and organisation, and infrastructural problems, are major obstacles for fast development in LSCM. At the same time though, traces of changing mentalities do exist, setting the ground for improved performance and ultimately for a better position in global business

Clusters and supply chain management: challenges and obstacles

Purpose: This paper provides an insight into cluster supply chain (CSC) management by identifying challenges and obstacles in the design, implementation and improvement of CSC. This evaluation aims to propose future research directions for the management of CSC. Research Approach: A systematic review of published research on CSC management between 2006 and 2013 is conducted in order to round up previous research in this area and identify the gaps in the design, implementation and management of CSC; up on which the paper closes with a proposed agenda for future work. Findings and Originality: There is a limited understanding of the supply chain cluster concept and the implementation of its practices in addition to the lack of studies that focused on how to model, manage and improve the performance of CSC. Therefore, this paper would contribute to knowledge by providing an insight into CSC management and identifying future research directions for developing SC cluster theories in order to maximize the integration of supply chain and accordingly improving the performance of firms. Research Impact: A limited number of studies have been conducted to demonstrate the potential impact of CSC. The previous research did not provide a comprehensive review focusing on the evolution and the development of CSC idea. The review in this paper will summarise the research up to now in CSC area in order to identify challenges and obstacles in the design, implementation and improvement of CSC and propose future research directions. Practical Impact: This paper helps companies to understand benefits that can be raised from creating CSC and gives them directions for improving their capabilities to create CSC and select SC partners, which consequently help in increasing their competitiveness in terms of enhancing performance and increasing sustainability

Concept, Measurement, and Ideology of "National Competitiveness"

The author of this paper reviewing the perceptions of competitiveness reveals the origin and ambiguity of the concept of “national competitiveness” which is mostly confused with that of development of countries and competitiveness of their enterprises. He investigates the role of transnational companies and governments in shaping the world economic position of countries, presents a critique on the measurement of “national competitiveness” of countries, and heavily opposes the ideological use of the latter for justifying antisocial measures

Food chains and value system: the case of potato, fruit, and cheese

The aim of the paper is to analyse patterns of value system sharing along food chains, so to explore the agro-food enterprises capacity to be competitive and sustainable. The research focused on three food chains: potato, fruit, and Grana cheese of Emilia Romagna region. The paper adopts the value system approach. The methodology is aimed at creating a consolidated financial statement for each food chain so to re-create the chain operating profit and identify how this is shared among the different food chain stages. The analysis is carried out on 189 enterprises for the potato chain, 187 for the fruit chain and 203 for the cheese chain. The number of enterprises was invariable over the 5 year 2003-2007, leading to some 2,900 financial statement analysis. The chains analysed show differences. In the potato and fruit chains 35% of value is created by distribution, whereas in cheese chain only 13.6%. Over the five years value decreases 5% in fruit and potato and 9% in cheese. The lack of adequate strategic food chain partnership allows an increasing retail market power over the whole chain at the expenses of the primary sector entailing a declining sustainability for all chain actors.food chain, value system, profitability, potato, fruit, cheese, Agricultural and Food Policy,