Strategic networks of small hotels - evidence from Croatia

Most tourism theoreticians and practitioners agree that small hotels present one of the most vital segments of accommodation facilities arguing that they are able to react more promptly and effectively to market changes and capable of offering high-quality, differentiated and personalized services. They also agree that they are facing specific problems arising from their size which can concisely be summed in difficult access to all business resources. Thus, it is believed that their survival and long-term success depend upon their ability to strengthen their market position while preserving their core strengths - independency and flexibility. The main idea of this paper is that networking, especially in horizontal direction, is the solution. To support the idea, an empirical research was conducted with the goal of determining the extent of implementation and the features of networking i.e. cooperation in the small hotel sector in Croatia

Leading change post pandemic: belonging

Recent research reveals that creating a sense of belonging and collective loyalty is necessary for leadership success, risk-taking and innovation. Deborah Rowland and Paul Pivcevic explain the four ingredients leaders need for success: inner capacities, external practices, change approaches and ordering forces

Covid-19 pandemic: now is the time for emergent leadership

An emergent approach works with the collective intelligence of the system, guided by just a loose intention and a set of hard rules, write Deborah Rowland, Sytske Casimir, and Paul Pivcevic

Still moving: will we come out of the coronavirus crisis in a different place?

Leaders who know the difference between action and movement can build long-lasting change, write Deborah Rowland, Paul Pivcevic, and Phil Hadridg

Access to EU public financial support and commercialization of innovations: evidence from hospitality industries in Spain and Croatia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of public financial support to innovations provided through EU funds on success of innovation process in hospitality industries of two leading tourism countries in Europe, Spain and Croatia during 2012-2014 period. The paper investigates whether innovation push channels improve ability of firms to increase share of turnover generated from new products and services. We distinguish between commercialization of innovations which are new to the market and those that are new to the firm but have already been known to other competitors. Methodology – The study relies on data from the most recent round of Community Innovation Survey, a confidential dataset compiled by Eurostat on innovation activities of firms in EU member states. Treatment analysis is applied to assess whether EU funded public support creates additionality effects or it leads to quiet life behaviour. The model used also introduces number of firm specific characteristics such as previous innovation experience, pattern of innovation development, licensing behaviour, firm size, ownership and the quality of organizational human capital. Findings – Results of investigation point to the positive impact of EU funds in Spain when it comes to share of sales coming from radical innovations and positive in both countries when it comes to share of sales from innovations which are new to the firm but have been known to the market as well as unchanged or marginally modified products. This signals that in both countries firms exploit EU funds to apply solutions proven successful by others but do not engage in disruptive innovations required for stronger market differentiation and generation of above average returns. The ability to access EU funds for innovations is positively related to firm size and the quality of organizational human capital. Moreover, firms that are part of foreign owned groups have higher chances of accessing EU funds for innovations. Contribution – In development of innovations firms are often constrained with lack of knowledge, skills and financial resources. Public support is essential in such circumstances for firms that are interested in pursuit of innovations. There is longstanding discussion, however, whether public funds are efficient in facilitating innovation and this debate has particularly been pronounced at EU level. Our study thus provides direct inputs for formulation of future innovation policies that can help to improve performance of firms in hospitality industries

Existential Communication and Leadership

The aim of this article is to introduce and explain a number of important existentialist philosophers and concepts that we believe can contribute to a critical approach to leadership theory. Emphasis is placed on understanding the nature of communication from an existentialist perspective and so Jaspers' conceptualization of existential communication is introduced along with important related concepts that may be regarded as important facets of leader communication including Being-in-the-world, the Other, intersubjectivity, dialogue and indirect communication. Particular attention is paid to Buber's ideas on communication as relationship and dialogue. Throughout, reference is made to contemporary, and what is often regarded as orthodox, thinking regarding the centrality of communication to leadership practice as a means by which to highlight the salience of an existentialist analysis

Creating and knowing mathematics through language and experience

The radical constructivist assertion that the student constructs his or her own knowledge as opposed to receiving it ldquoready maderdquo echoes the classical debate as to whether the human subject constitutes the world or is constituted by it. This paper shows how the philosophical traditions of post-structuralism and hermeneutic phenomenology offer approaches to effacing this dichotomy and how this forces a re-assertion of the teacher's role in the student's constructing of mathematical knowledge. It is also shown how hermeneutic phenomenology provides an opportunity to ground constructivist mathematical thinking in the material qualities of the world

Quantification of Variables of the Information Model for Resolving Maritime Disputes through Arbitration

AbstractThe goals of this paper have been to explore and define the advantages of resolving maritime disputes through arbitration compared to their settlement in state courts, to emphasise the importance of arbitration in resolving maritime disputes, to encourage the parties to settle maritime disputes in this way, and to determine and quantify the values of the most relevant variables of the information model for resolving maritime disputes by means of arbitration versus state courts through the period 2008-2018. The research proves that arbitration clearly presents a faster, more creative and cost-efficient way of settling maritime disputes when compared to judicial proceedings. The advantages also include practical and economical aspects, flexibility and confidentiality. Due to these advantages, arbitration becomes the principal means of resolving disputes in maritime trade. Quantification of the values of the main variables of the information model for the period 2008-2018 proves that it is more beneficial to the parties involved in maritime issues to settle their disputes through arbitration than before state courts