Companies In Slovakia Research Articles

Employee Retention and Development in Pulp and Paper Companies

The aim of this paper is to present the opinions of professionals from the pulp and paper industry about employee development, as well as the necessity of competent employee retention. These opinions are different as a result of different expectations of employees and managers. The methodology of the paper is based on the following axiom: managers prioritize the processes of human resources management closely related to key employee retention improvement. To achieve the aim of the study, the largest pulp and paper companies in Slovakia were selected. Human resource managers and other professionals were asked about their opinions and attitudes about developing and retaining employees. Results of the research established that pulp and paper companies in Slovakia are significantly reflecting changes in technology and organization of work in the process of employee development. These companies also adopt the values and impacts of an intercultural environment in human resource management systems. The most important process affecting the development of employees is the possibility of professional training and development of competencies improving the performance. Due to changes in the external and internal environment, it is necessary to periodically review and assess the effectiveness of the policies and procedures affecting the development and retention of the employees.

Improving the Reverse Logistics Respecting Principles of Sustainable Development in an Industrial Company

Abstract Reverse logistics, the movement of materials back up the supply chain, is recognised by many organisations as an opportunity for adding value. The paper considers the theoretical framework and the conception of reverse logistics in literature and practice. The objective of the article is to propose tangible solutions which eliminate the imbalances in reverse logistics and improve the waste management in the company. The case study focuses on the improvement in the process of waste packaging in the context of sustainable development as a part of reverse logistics in the surveyed industrial company in Slovakia.

Sustainable Global Competitiveness Model as a New Strategic Opportunity for the Companies in Slovakia

Dealing with global competitiveness is nowadays the strategic issue for the Slovak companies in context of sustainability. It means for managers of company to define new future strategic goals, to identify current position in global market, primarily to focus the strategy on sustainable global competitiveness and to assess the competitiveness in new way regarding sustainability and social corporate responsibility. The aim of this paper is to present the contribution to holistic micro and macro economical view on competitiveness of company in context of sustainable development in global environment. The introduced sustainable global competitiveness model is based on our experiences within the research in manufacturing companies in Slovakia. It is a visualization of enterprise as a system with all relation performing in its environment. Sustainable global competitiveness model comprises the three pillar principle of the sustainable development, modified Porter´s value chain, and economical environment represented with Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and other factors of environment which influence the company.

The Relationship Between Farm Size And Productivity In Slovakia

Abstract The paper investigates the relationship between farm size and productivity on chosen sample of companies in Slovakia. The impact of farm size in hectares and credits per hectare in euro on the production per hectare are analysed. The ordinary least square (OLS) and fixed effect model (FEM) regression framework confirms the inverse relationship between farm size and productivity. Credits per hectare have positive impact on productivity of farms. The results of the models show increasing returns to scale in Slovak farms.

Experience Of Implementing The Integrated Management System In Manufacturing Companies In Slovakia

Abstract In corporate practice, the term of Integrated Management System means a system the aim of which is to manage an organization regarding the quality, environment, health and safety at work. In the first phase of the VEGA project No. 1/0448/13 “Transformation of ergonomics program into the company management structure through interaction and utilization QMS, EMS, HSMS”, we focused on obtaining information about the way or procedure of implementing the integrated management systems in manufacturing companies in Slovakia. The paper considers characteristics of integrated management system, specifies the possibilities for successive integration of the management systems and also describes the essential aspects of the practical implementation of integrated management systems in companies in Slovakia.

Metallographic and Acoustic Analyses of Sintered Sliding Layers

The aim of this contribution is to propose acceptable ultrasound diagnostic methods which should help discover products with excessive porosity of sintered sliding layer on bearing shells which causes low bearing durability by means of measuring of samples taken from bearing shells manufactured by commercial companies in Slovakia and Germany.

Quality Cost Monitoring Models in Practice of Woodworking Company in Slovakia

Abstract Since the 1950s, a considerable amount of attentions has been given on the cost of quality in theory and practice. Quality is now seen as an economic category, which can be measured. The paper is focused on the comparison of two models that monitor quality cost - the model PAF (prevention, appraisal a failure) and the process cost model in the selected woodworking company in Slovakia. There were evaluated advantages and disadvantages of these models, solutions and appropriate steps for improvement of management in the area of quality cost were proposed. The importance of this paper can be considered mainly from the point of view to pay attention to the monitoring the quality cost in practical conditions of enterprises. It can be concluded that both models have a great economic benefit for the business. Thanks to them, there were discovered gaps in the area of quality management of the woodworking company which defence the success of the company on the timber market of Slovakia. These gaps can be eliminated through setting the administrative measures and solutions in the investigated area.

Use of Investment Controlling and its Impact into Business Performance

We analyzed issue of investment measurement and management in companies and we focused on investment effectiveness evaluation methods applied in investment projects or business plans. In mentioned area we especially interested in using of investment controlling indicators in tested companies. Valuation based on investment controlling is only one of several ways of approaching valuation, however, as the results show, this approach has its benefits. Aim of our research was to detect if companies in Slovakia apply investment controlling in their management and use certain investment valuation methods. Consequently, the goal was to find out if using of investment controlling has the impact into company's performance. We have collected data trough questionnaire. Research sample consisted from 164 firms from Slovakia. We applied certain statistical methods appropriate for tested variables. Results of our research confirmed our assumption and we concluded that use of investment controlling has an impact into better business performance.

Evaluation of Investment Management and Business Performance in Wood Processing Industry in Slovakia

The aim of this paper was to analyze certain parameters of investment measurement and management of companies in Slovakia, especially in wood processing industry compared with other industrial sectors. Statistical analysis was made of relationships between investment trends and performance given by the indicator Return on Equity. The goal was to identify differences in investment management of analyzed industries and consequently defi ne relevant determinants as critical areas with the impact on performance of wood processing companies. In the results of research, special interest is focused on crucial investments with the emphasis on the preparation of investment projects.

Improving Project Management Performance through Capability Maturity Measurement

Abstract Nowadays, more and more organisations change their organisational culture towards project orientation. There is a big challenge for each organisation to continually improve its project management processes to increase quality of outputs and satisfaction of customers. Measuring project management implementation maturity can assist in this effort by providing a valuable framework for performance improvement. In this article, we aim to provide results of the research performed in the ICT sector in Slovakia using a standardised methodology. Results of the research show that typically, ICT companies in Slovakia have a standardised project management methodology in place and try to improve their project management processes. However, there is quite a big space for improving their attitude towards continual improvement. In the article, factors of insufficient performance in several areas are being analysed and solutions are being proposed to minimise their impact on project and company outputs. Finally, a framework enabling continual improvement of project management performance through capability maturity measurement is introduced.

Decision Making and its Importance in Production Planning within the Woodprocessing Company, Respectively in the Whole Supply Chain

Abstract We can say that planning is the first and one of the most important managerial function because of its specification the business goals and description of relevant tasks to meet those goals. Within the all managerial functions but mainly in planning, there is also necessary to deal with the decision making process and its elements. We have done an investigation of decision making and planning processes in particular wood processing company in Slovakia. We have found that this company doesnt use appropriate decision making methods what results in complications in other related processes and finally in complaints from the customers. Production can be characterised as a system with inputs and outputs. Transformation process is the most effective when it runs under optimal costs, under optimal amount of consumed inputs and by spending optimal time. It must be chosen suitable decision making, monitoring and calculating methods which allow to quantify and to compare particular alternatives and to choose the best one. All these above mentioned is very topical just now, in the time of financial and economic crisis.

Strategic Business Performance Management System in Wood Processing Industry in Slovakia

Measuring and managing of business performance is a complex and difficult process, which at the present time passes through signifi cant changes in theory and practice. Previously used indicators, methods and models were mainly based on fi nancial indicators and methods of financial management. The problem of proving and relatively accurately quantifying the impact of financial indicators for the overall business performance in theory and practice of management has been fairly well solved. However, to identify and quantify the impact of qualitative non-financial indicators and methods of the management on the overall performance has so far been an issue that requires further scientific research in specific conditions of Slovak wood-processing industry. Based on statistical results of our research, wood processing industry enterprises should apply the selected methods and models of strategic business performance management. By applying the selected strategic methods and models, such as Balanced Scorecard, Business Intelligence, strategic planning and controlling, innovations and others, wood processing companies in Slovakia will achieve a better performance

Supply Chain Management in Condition of Production Company

Contribution presents application of logistic access, solved through Supply Chain Management (SCM) with orientation mainly to the capacity planning of production with aim to increase flexibility and productivity of production process. Such changes are necessary to be realized by change of company strategy, as well as by project’s preparation and change of investment’s aims for realization of transition to new system of production management. Discussion is orientated to concrete conditions of polygraph company in Slovakia, orientated to production, refinement and sale of flexible foils for packages.

Complex Logistics Strategy for Industrial Companies in Slovakia

Abstract Presented paper is a part of the dissertation thesis titled as “A proposal to develop Complex Logistics Strategy for industrial companies. The result of the thesis will be a methodology for developing a Complex Logistics Strategy for industrial companies in Slovakia. The main aim of the paper is to present some trends and strategies in Logistics and clarify the need of resolving the issue of Logistics Strategy based on the theoretical knowledge, case studies and analysis of current state of Logistics Strategies in industrial companies in Slovakia and other European countries.

Social behavior of Companies in Slovakia and their Support by European Union

Social responsibility in the business presents conception where firms take its responsibility for the situation and functionality of the whole society. According the conception firms fill their economical goals with goals, orientated to the environmental and social views and according such goals they modify their vision and strategy. In other years social responsible business had become decisive tool of business, as well as public policy of the European Union countries that support business by its strategic documents. Firms that want to be successful are demanded to be in great measure participating at the every stakeholder's participation to the social responsible business. In spite that successful firms in the world apply such conception yet several decades, in Slovakia it is different. Contribution points to the present experiences of conception CSR installment in the Slovakian firms. Acquisition of its principles by managers and employees is conceived as a base for increasing of life quality and sustainable development of the country.

Social responsibility of food companies in Slovakia – a selected tool of sustainability

Many environmental strategies relying on a mere improvement of resource productivity and eco-efficiency of processes and products are fully to address the environmental impacts induced by increasing consumption. In addition to these strategies, the concept of sustainable consumption calls for changing the levels and patterns of consumption, which require complimentary approaches. Consumer’s don´t realize the consequences of their own consumer behavior to the environment. The aim of the paper is analyze the selected tools of the sustainable environmental marketing that extends the traditional marketing approach of social responsibility. Globalization and sustainable development contributes to discussions about business in society and their roles. It is clear that the business community can have a positive impact on the achievement of the objectives of both concepts.

DECLARATION OF CORPORATE VALUES BY MANAGERS AS A TOOL FOR ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Care of corporate culture formation is a prerequisite for corporate values promotion. Cultural norms and system of values provide an orientation to company members during managing and reviewing their behaviour and decision-making with regard to business objectives. If managers will accept corporate culture and values, and exemplary declare adopted values, it will influence satisfaction and performance of employees and also company performance. The contribution is a part of research project VEGA 1/0787/12 “The identification of sustainable performance key parameters in industrial enterprises within multicultural environment”. It is based on research realized in conditions of business practice in Slovakia. Article focuses on how are set, reviewed and promoted corporate goals and values in companies in Slovakia. There are presented introductory information related to company and employees’ performance and their relation to the corporate culture. The research was focused on reviewing how managers, through they acting in compliance with company mission and vision influence attitudes of employees. The contribution discusses the effect, which company can have from such a declaration of corporate values by managers in company. Therefore, in the article are presented, not only outcomes of this research, but also experience and recommendations of authors. Key words: corporate culture, employees, performance, satisfaction.

The Application of the Intercultural Dimensions During the Transition Process in Slovakia

The business environment and management of the Central and Eastern countries has been continuously under crucial changes since 1989. Slovakia started the integration into the global world economy with the impact on the rapidly transforming mosaic of new managerial experiences and behavior which has been changed over time and varied from firm to firm. The aim of the paper is to describe the national culture in transition process focusing on the new managerial experience in the historical and comparative contexts. The management of the number of companies in Slovakia entered the multicultural environment where the new skills were developed mainly in the area of international marketing, competing in the global business, cooperating in the international projects and teams and face the new challenges of the continuously learning process.

Technologic, economic and exergoeconomic evaluation of proposed industrial heat and power plant revamp alternatives in an industrial company in Slovakia

Both European and Slovak legislation seek to promote efficient energetic media production with the support of old facilities, revamping being one of the embedded means. Based on our cooperation with Slovak industry, we analyzed several gas turbine based revamp alternatives of an industrial central heat and power plant of a paper mill in Slovakia from the technical, economic and exergoeconomic point of view, the latter being not yet applied in Slovakia to such a complex problem. The proposed alternatives exhibit a 45–55% marginal electric efficiency. However, at the given electric energy and natural gas prices and due to high fix production costs, individual project economics cannot ensure an attractive payback period unless providing ancillary services extensively. Overall and marginal results of the steam exergoeconomic costing procedure indicate that the proposed revamp alternatives are not able to provide cheaper electric energy than the existing configuration but they can produce cheaper low pressure steam for industry. The presented analysis provides a scheme and methodology for Slovak industry to properly cost the energetic media production.

The selected theoretical and practical viewpoints to managing cultural diversity in the international business

The paper is a contribution to the theoretical and applied research in the area of managing cultural diversity from the viewpoint of performing different managerial and marketing tasks. It includes the primary research results conducted during the period from 2007 to 2008 on the set of 200 agri-food companies in Slovakia, Spain, Poland and Austria. This study helps to understand the concept of the internationalization of business activities of the agri-food companies depending on the diversity of their external environment and market position. The main attention is devoted to the international trade links development with those businesses which for various reasons are considered as potential partners in the long run and include also the external EU trading partners.