Application of system archetypes in practice: an underutilised pathway to better managerial performance

Current dynamic business environment forces managers to apply various tools in order to improve organisational performance and effectiveness. System archetypes enable to cope with complexity and make appropriate decisions. This study is theoretically grounded in the field of economic cybernetics and system archetype analysis. It applies qualitative research on the sample of 54 managers with the high level of seniority. The aim is to reveal whether system archetypes are effectively used in practice. Two hypotheses focused on both knowledge about and application of system archetypes are tested. The results prove that there are inconsistencies tied to forms of system archetypes insight and knowledge. Moreover, there is an inadequate level of attention identified in investigated organisations. Results imply various potential research pathways that are outlined in the final section of the paper. Hence, the manuscript offers a unique insight into the current state of practical system archetypes utilisation and contributes to the explanation of the role of system archetypes in the economic cybernetics framework

Sharing of resources: Theoretical background and a case study

Abstract Sharing of resources is connected with several issues needed to be managed appropriately. Therefore, possibilities of sharing of information, knowledge, technologies and other items in various organisations and particularly in economic clusters are introduced. The advantages, disadvantages and the potential of sharing for the competitiveness and efficiency enhancement are discussed. Based on brainstorming, semi-structured interviews and statistical analysis, the case study compares the real processes within the particular cluster with theoretical assumptions. The results reveal that the potential of sharing is not effectively used. Moreover, these confirm the differences between participants considering the specific attributes. The findings in form of recommendations for improvements are provided

THE TOYOTA PRODUCTION SYSTEM – CZECH AND NIPPON CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

This text focuses on the cultural relationships between Czech nationals employed at Japanese subsidiaries located in the Czech Republic. The paper analyses the possibilities of implementation of Toyota Production System within Japanese subsidiaries in Czech Republic. Moreover, it explores both the fi t between the cultural values of Czech and Japanese management and the values incorporated in the Toyota Production System, and the various relationships of employees of both cultures at a managerial and operational level. In order to conduct the study, 79 companies were contacted, and survey responses from a total of 108 Czech and Japanese employees were collected. Using a self-administered questionnaire created in Czech, English and Japanese language, the fi ndings of both common and divergent culturally-induced perspectives are analysed. Due to consistency with other cross-cultural studies Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are used as foundation. The discussion correlates the results to the extent that they are deemed appropriate. Hall’s low and high context models supplement the discussion, where applicable, to further explain issues relative to perception and communication. The dialogue is rich in the knowledge of Japanese methodologies of quality and overall management practice known in this case as the Toyota Production System. Data from the survey show that both Czech and Japanese employees have similar values related to work and neither job satisfaction nor number of confl icts is connected with TPS training. The manuscript concludes with both the list of existing research limitations that can be overcome in next studies, and an analysis of the need for further research within other crosscultural frameworks

Body indices and basic vital signs in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative persons

It has been hypothesized that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection may contribute to reduced stature, risk of hypertension or obesity. The aim was to evaluate body indices in Hp positive and negative persons. A total of 2436 subjects (4–100 years old) were tested for Hp status by 13Curea breath test. Data on height and weight were collected for 84%, and blood pressure for 80% of the study subjects. The prevalence of Hp infection was 41.6%. The odds ratio for a 10-year increase in age was 1.21 (95% CI 1.17–1.25, p-value <0.001). Statistically significant negative association of Hp positivity with body height was most pronounced in the younger age groups, while a positive association of Hp positivity with body mass index was only seen in those aged 15+ years. There was a negative effect of Hp positivity on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects below 25 and a relatively strong positive effect on blood pressure in subjects over 65 years. Residual confounding by social characteristics as a possible explanation for the associations of Hp positivity with height and blood pressure cannot be excluded. Unmeasured factors related to social and family environment may cause the apparent association between Hp positivity and children’s growth and blood pressure

The deficit and debt in the United States during the presidency of Ronald Reagan - more likely problem of federal revenues, or federal outlays?

V práci se zabývám otázkou deficitu a dluhu, který v USA v 80. letech vzrostl během úřadování prezidenta Ronalda Reagana. Konkrétně je klíčová otázka, zda důvod onoho deficitu a dluhu je třeba hledat spíše na příjmové, či výdajové straně rozpočtu. V práci analyzuji vývoj federálních příjmů a výdajů, včetně jednotlivých podsložek, v rozdělení do dvou Reaganových funkčních období. Charakterizuji pravděpodobné hlavní příčiny a okolnosti, které vedly ke změnám v průběhu jednotlivých sledovaných rozpočtových položek. Výsledky z obou funkčních období jsou porovnány a i s pomocí analýzy statistických výstupů jsou vyvozeny závěry, že zatímco v prvním období deficit rostl z velké části kvůli poklesu příjmů a růstu mandatorních výdajů, ve druhém období se naopak deficit postupně snižoval především díky rychlému růstu federálních příjmů. Z celkového pohledu na obě funkční období se v konstantních dolarech, v historickém porovnání i s ohledem na Reaganovy cíle jeví jako více problematická spíše strana výdajů, což je také v souladu s názory mnoha ekonomů.In this work I focus on the issue of increased federal deficit and debt during the presidency of Ronald Reagan in the 1980's in the United States of America. The aim of this work is to try to recognize whether the main sources of increased deficit can be found among the federal revenues or among the federal outlays. In this work I analyze the course and progress of both sides of the budget and its subfolders in both terms of Reagan's presidency. I characterize main possible causes and circumstances, which led to changes in progress of key parts of the budget. The results of both terms are compared with each other and the conclusions are based on statistical releases. It shows that the deficit increased a lot in the first term, while declined in the second term. The most problematic parts of the budget in the first term were found more likely among federal receipts, which declined in comparison with the situation prior to Reagan's first term, and also mandatory spending, which grew rapidly. In the second term federal receipts grew much faster than outlays. From an overall perspective on both Reagan terms together in the expression in constant dollars, in historical comparison and taking into account Reagan's budget goals, the most problematic were more likely federal outlays

Crisis management

Bakalářská práce se zabývá popisem krizového řízení podniku. Toto krizové řízení, resp. jeho jednotlivé složky jsou podrobněji analyzovány z hlediska jejich možných příčin vzniku a zároveň dopadů na podnik. Tato práce vysvětluje a poukazuje na možná globální, ale i mikroekonomická rizika, která jsou uváděna jako možné faktory vzniku krizí podniků, a zároveň se snaží uvést přehled možných systémů včasného varování, které působí preventivně, tj. k identifikaci a předcházení negativních dopadů krizí.This thesis deals with the description of crisis management. This crisis management and its components are further analyzed in terms of their possible causes and impacts on business. This work explains and points to a possible global, but also microeconomic risks, which are offered as possible factors of firms crises, and also trying to provide an overview of possible early warning systems, which has a preventive effect, especially to identify problem and prevent negative impacts of the crisis.Ústav ekonomiky a managementuStudent nejprve představil zkoumanou firmu a posléze se zaměřil na prezentaci svých poznatků zaměřených na krizovou složku zkoumané firmy. Na závěr prezentace student přednesl dosažený závěr práce

Knowledge management: The Czech situation and approach

Recently, knowledge management (KM) has become a very popular business concept. Unfortunately, there are still problems connected with the incorporation of KM into particular organisations in the Czech Republic (CR).These problems can be identified at all knowledge levels, which are a supranational level, national level, organisational level and management of knowledge level.Examples of problems at an organisational level are a lack of utilizable methodologies of KM implementation in the CR that are described in sufficient details, different perception of KM by different people, where KM is mostly substituted by information technologies, etc. As a reaction to some problems described in this contribution, a new methodology of KM implementation was developed at the Faculty of Informatics and Management at the University of Hradec Kralove. This paper briefly describes the situation of KM in the CR and basic features of the methodology KM-Beat-It

Economic policies practised by Ronald Reagan in the USA

This work analyses the economic policies applied by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s in the United States of America. At first it deals with the characteristics of the main economic approach used in the 1970s and the reasons for its failure. Further it describes personality, political beginnings and the preferred economic direction of Reagan. Following this is the main part of the work, which concerns the characteristics of the most important areas of Reagan's unique economic policy. Remarks on foreign policy are also present. In the end the work examines and analyses the impacts of Reagan's policies on chosen economic indicators, in comparison with those that occurred under other American Presidents. It also presents the opinions of notable economists regarding Reagan's economic policies

A Method for Simplification of Complex Group Causal Loop Diagrams Based on Endogenisation, Encapsulation and Order-Oriented Reduction

Growing complexity represents an issue that can be identified in various disciplines. In system dynamics, causal loop diagrams are used for capturing dynamic nature of modelled systems. Increasing complexity of developed diagrams is associated with the tendency to include more variables into a model and thus make it more realistic and improve its value. This is even multiplied during group modelling workshops where several perspectives are articulated, shared and complex diagrams developed. This process easily generates complex diagrams that are difficult or even impossible to be comprehended by individuals. As there is a lack of available methods that would help users to cope with growing complexity, this manuscript suggests an original method. The proposed method systematically helps to simplify the complex causal loop diagrams. It is based on three activities iteratively applied during particular steps: endogenisation, encapsulation and order-oriented reduction. Two case studies are used to explain method details, prove its applicability and highlight added value. Case studies include the simplification of both original group causal loop diagram, and group diagram adapted from a study already published in a prestigious journal. Although the presented method has its own limitations, meaningfulness of its application in practice is verified. The method can help to cope with the complexity in any domain, in which causal loop diagrams are used