3,839 research outputs found
Internet functions in marketing: multicriteria ranking of agricultural SMEs websites in Greece
ÎÎ·ÎŒÎżÏÎčΔÏÏΔÎčÏ ÎŒÎ”Î»ÏÎœ--ÎŁÎÎ--Î€ÎŒÎźÎŒÎ± ÎογÎčÏÏÎčÎșÎźÏ, 2013The invasion of new technologies combined with the high cost for running shop force
enterprises to search for new sales methods. Network applications and ICT (Information
and Communication Technology) can help achieve e-commerce goals. In Greece, many
enterprises in the agro-food and drink sectors are already present on the internet. This
paper studies the adoption of e-commerce on websites that support e-commerce activities
within the agro-food and drink sectors. Therefore, the paper aims to identify and evaluate
their qualitative and quantitative content characteristics, rank them according to 6 content
characteristics/criteria using the multicriteria method of PROMETHEE II and classify
them in groups of similar adoption. The findings of this study reveal the rate of adoption
of e-commerce in the sectors and can serve as a valuable model for the designers of
websites that promote e-commerce activities within the wider areas of food and drinks
Strategic planning and decision support in small-medium wood enterprises using database technology
As the enterprise management plays vital role in the overall performance of a company, it is recognized the need for application of quality improvement tools and techniques such as database technology. A DataBase Management System (DBMS) is an IT application, which contains information about the company in various levels. Enterprises can use DBMS to plan and standardize their practices and increase overall efficiency in the company. It is an essential management tool for Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because in such companies the entrepreneur-owner is personally responsible for managing the activities of the company without being an expert. This modern information technology tool is the basis of the application of marketing principles and techniques via electronic media and more specifically the internet. The purpose of this paper is to explore how implementation of modern information technology tools, such as DBMS, simplifies SME management. That DBMS design approach can be a useful tool while designing similar applications in SME in wood sector and also in various issues in primary and secondary production sector
EDI and intelligent agents integration to manage food chains
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a type of inter-organizational information system, which permits the automatic and structured communication of data between organizations. Although EDI is used for internal communication, its main application is in facilitating closer collaboration between organizational entities, e.g. suppliers, credit institutions, and transportation carriers. This study illustrates how agent technology can be used to solve real food supply chain inefficiencies and optimise the logistics network. For instance, we explain how agribusiness companies can use agent technology in association with EDI to collect data from retailers, group them into meaningful categories, and then perform different functions. As a result, the distribution chain can be managed more efficiently. Intelligent agents also make available timely data to inventory management resulting in reducing stocks and tied capital. Intelligent agents are adoptive to changes so they are valuable in a dynamic environment where new products or partners have entered into the supply chain. This flexibility gives agent technology a relative advantage which, for pioneer companies, can be a competitive advantage. The study concludes with recommendations and directions for further research
How do SME networks evolve? Investigating network context, features and outcomes amongst Agrifood SMEs in Greece
This thesis aims to examine the dynamics and interplay between contextual factors and
network features and their role in SME network evolution, with a view to building a
theory of how context and features affect SME network performance outcomes. Given
the complexity of the phenomenon under investigation, a case study methodology was
employed. Specifically, four cases of Greek agrifood SME networks were selected of
which two exhibited strong performance and two relatively weak performance.
Following literature review, the influence of three categories of contextual factor
{market conditions, social cohesiveness, external institutional support), and three types
of network feature {member profile, competencies, network governance) were examined
empirically via the case studies. The research found that all six had some individual
influence on performance, but beyond this, certain patterns of interplay between factors
could be distinguished. In particular, certain positive .factors were found to counteract
the negative influence of other existing (or lacking) factors. Specifically, in terms of
network features, governance structure was found to have a countervailing effect over
negative performance outcomes produced by diverse member profile and lack of
competencies. In addition, the competencies of the constructor of the governance
structure were also important in overcoming deficiencies in other features. In terms of
network context, social cohesiveness seemed to have a countervailing effect over
contextual disincentives for network strengthening, such as unfavourable market
conditions or lack of external institutional support. Overall, the research finds that
network features are key to explaining the variability in performance displayed by SME
networks operating in a very similar context, since they moderate the impacts of external
forces on the evolution and performance outcomes of those networks. The research
concludes with a proposed framework to explain how context, features and outcomes
interact in SME networks
Top barriers and drivers to SME internationalisation
This report presents the main findings of work undertaken in 2007-2008 by the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship in the framework of its activity on SME Internationalisation. Internationalisation and international entrepreneurship among SMEs is a topic of considerable relevance, principally owing to the observed growth effects of cross-border venturing, and the demonstrated capacity of SMEs to drive economic development at national, regional and global levels. A new report presents an in-depth analysis of the top barriers to SME internationalisation identified in previous OECD-APEC research, and offers deeper understanding of the measures aimed at addressing top barriers. It also reviews recent work on the factors that drive the internationalisation of SMEs
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
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