Competitive Advantage In Terms Research Articles

Value Chain Analysis and Its Importance in Reducing Cost and Improvement of the Processes’ Performance : Applied Study

The research aims to analyze the value chain of the economic unit and indicate the importance of this in reducing the cost of non-value added activities to both the economic unit and the customer, in addition to improving the processes’ performance in order to achieve competitive advantages in terms of improving indicators of cost, quality and time in a manner that is commensurate with the requirements of the modern manufacturing environment and the accompanying rapid and successive changes and developments. The research dealt with the knowledge bases of the value chain and the importance of analyzing them in economic units, as the focus was on reducing the unnecessary costs associated with non-value added activities in addition to improving the performance of processes by eliminating defective and unjustified stops while carrying out various production processes in the economic unit, and the research was applied in Al-Mothanna Cement Factory for the financial years 2015, 2016 and 2017. The research reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which was that there is a possibility to analyze the value chain of the plant, the research sample, with the possibility of using this analysis to reduce cost in addition to improving the process’s performance.

Analysis of the regional technological and cluster environment

This study presents an analysis of the cluster environment in contemporary Russia: review of cluster initiatives and current situation. The methodology of cluster mapping by the European Cluster Observatory was modified according to the Russian conditions. In the frames of the study, this methodology was applied in the case of the Sverdlovsk region. Identified cluster groups were distributed according to different levels of development, taking into account the region's competitive advantages in terms of critical mass and revenue. The results of the analysis can be used to form and implement cluster policy in the region. On the basis of the developed methodology, it is possible to identify promising cluster groups in the region, to track the level of cluster initiatives development and the effectiveness of various support tools, using the developed criteria for monitoring the cluster environment.

Habitat Segregation Patterns of Container Breeding Mosquitos: The Role of Urban Heat Islands, Vegetation Cover, and Income Disparity in Cemeteries of New Orleans.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are important pathogen-carrying vectors that broadly exhibit similar habitat suitability, but that differ at fine spatial scales in terms of competitive advantage and tolerance to urban driven environmental parameters. This study evaluated how spatial and temporal patterns drive the assemblages of these competing species in cemeteries of New Orleans, LA, applying indicators of climatic variability, vegetation, and heat that may drive habitat selection at multiple scales. We found that Ae. aegypti was well predicted by urban heat islands (UHI) at the cemetery scale and by canopy cover directly above the cemetery vase. As predicted, UHI positively correlate to Ae. aegypti, but contrary to predictions, Ae. aegypti, was more often found under the canopy of trees in high heat cemeteries. Ae. albopictus was most often found in low heat cemeteries, but this relationship was not statistically significant, and their overall abundances in the city were lower than Ae. aegypti. Culex quinquefasciatus, another important disease vector, was also an abundant mosquito species during the sampling year, but we found that it was temporally segregated from Aedes species, showing a negative association to the climatic variables of maximum and minimum temperature, and these factors positively correlated to its more direct competitor Ae. albopictus. These findings help us understand the mechanism by which these three important vectors segregate both spatially and temporally across the city. Our study found that UHI at the cemetery scale was highly predictive of Ae. aegypti and strongly correlated to income level, with low-income cemeteries having higher UHI levels. Therefore, the effect of excessive heat, and the proliferation of the highly competent mosquito vector, Ae. aegypti, may represent an unequal disease burden for low-income neighborhoods of New Orleans that should be explored further. Our study highlights the importance of considering socioeconomic aspects as indirectly shaping spatial segregation dynamics of urban mosquito species.

Management commitment and corporate sustainability integration into small and medium-scale enterprises: A mediation effect of strategic decision-making

Corporate sustainability practices are vital to business survival. Hence, the need for targeted sustainable actions and corporate strategies capable of stimulating competitive advantage in terms of profitability and long-term existence of business entities. To this end, the study examines the influence of management commitment as an organisational factor on corporate sustainability integration in Ghana using corporate strategic decision-making as a mediating variable. Primary data was collected from SME owners and managers in Ghana; and the Warp partial least squares (PLS) estimation technique of the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was adopted for the analysis. The study makes a significant contribution to theory and knowledge in the context of SMEs within the corporate sustainability discourse. The study is situated on the empirical literature on the relevant concepts. This is followed by the methodology, analysis, discussions, findings, conclusions, contribution to knowledge, managerial implications, recommendations and limitations, followed by direction for future studies.

Odpowiedzialność spoleczna i relacje z pracownikami w kontekście firmy rodzinnej

The main aim of the article is to present a theoretical reflection, based on theliterature on the subject, on the development, opportunities, and threats of social responsibilityin the family business sector (small and medium-sized enterprises sector). The articlefocuses on Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth. In practical terms, based on empiricalresearch, including those conducted by the Responsible Business Forum, good practicesin the area of employees and CSR solutions in the family business sector were assessed.The study also took into account other results of previous research on aspects related togood practices for employees and CSR in SME enterprises. As part of the study, specificopportunities and threats were identified in the aspect of implementing CSR solutions inthe area of employees and towards sustainable development. The results of the survey showthat many entrepreneurs in the SME sector still implement too few solutions in the fieldof CSR strategies towards sustainable development and the area of employees. The articleindicates many useful and practical solutions that may affect the implementation of specificCSR strategies towards sustainable development and the improvement of the conditionand good practices in the area of employees.The article presents selected research results concerning various aspects of human capitalmanagement in the SME sector. Recommendations for improving good practices in termsof employees were indicated, which may also improve economic results and create a competitiveadvantage in terms of sustainable development.

Explaining the business case for environmental management practices in SMEs: The role of organisational capabilities for environmental communication

The preservation of the natural environment demands engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises in terms of the rethinking of their operations and aligns their efforts with the implementation of environmental management practices by the development of organisational capabilities for environmental communication. By performing Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling using data from 112 Danish small firms in the printing and graphic industry, the study suggests that environmental management practices can boost competitive advantage in terms of lower costs and improved reputation following from the development of organisational capabilities for environmental communication. Thus, the study provides some insight in regard to the strategic significance of environmental management practices and the related communication mechanisms among small firms.

ANALISIS DAYA SAING DAN DAMPAK KEBIJAKAN PEMERINTAH PADA KOMODITAS KOPI ARABIKA KABUPATEN SOLOK

This study aims to analyze the competitiveness of Arabica coffee commodities and analyze the impact of government policies on Arabica coffee commodities in Solok Regency. This research data analysis method using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). The results showed that the Arabica coffee plantation business in Solok Regency has competitiveness both in terms of competitive advantage and comparative advantage, where the value of the ratio of private costs and domestic cost ratios obtained is less than one, namely 0.65 and 0.48. For the impact of the Arabica coffee output policy, the private price of Arabica coffee is lower than the social price. The impact of the production input policy causes the private price of tradable input to be higher than the social price, and the impact of the input-output policy causes a decrease in the producer surplus, meaning that there is no economic incentive to increase Arabica coffee production. The suggestions from this research is expected that farmers can increase the productivity of Arabica coffee than the government is expected to expand the planting area and facilitate the provision of superior seeds. The government is also expected to stabilize the selling price of Arabica coffee at the farmer level.

Impact of Disruptive Technology on Sustainable Enterprise Resource Planning (S-ERP)

In the 21st century, we face the disruptive technology in several ways; meanwhile, the business industry still needs a sustainable system for their ultimate goal as a competitive advantage in terms of differentiation focus or cost focus. This research provides the impact result once business utilizes emerging technology in their company. For the methodology, we use factors in technology adoption from the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) for new-technology selection. In the case study, we use simulation robotic process automation (RPA) installation in the routine business process to estimate business impact. Accounting tools such as payback method (PP), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) are used to estimate cost savings and return on investment. RPA is one of many technologies that can work collaboratively with the existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, new technology, and business process improvement (BPI) process. The experience results show that the RPA provides time-saving 14 times in total processes with payback result in 3.6 years and 52% IRR.

An alternative AMSR2 vegetation optical depth for monitoring vegetation at large scales

Vegetation optical depth (VOD) retrieved from microwave observations has been found to be useful to monitor the dynamics of the vegetation features at global scale. Particularly, many applications could be developed in several fields of research (ecology, water and carbon cycle, etc.) from VOD products retrieved from the SMOS and SMAP observations at L-band, and from the combined AMSR-E (2002−2011)/AMSR2 (2012-present) observations at C- and X-bands. One of the main difficulties in retrieving VOD is that the microwave observations are sensitive to both the soil (mainly soil moisture) and vegetation (mostly VOD) features. The AMSR-E/2 sensors provide only mono-angular observations at two polarizations. These dual-channel observations may be strongly correlated so that retrieving SM and VOD simultaneously can be an ill-posed problem. Here, to overcome this problem, we proposed and evaluated a new retrieval approach from AMSR2 observations at X-band to produce a new X-VOD product. The X-VOD retrievals were based on the inversion of the X-MEB model, an extension of the L-MEB model (L-band microwave emission of the biosphere) to the X-band. The main originality in comparison to previous algorithms is that (i) only VOD was retrieved while SM was estimated from a reanalysis data set (ERA5-Land); (ii) model inversion was based on an innovative approach to initialize the cost function; and (iii) new values for the soil and vegetation X-MEB model parameters were calibrated. To evaluate the methodology, we performed the VOD retrievals over the whole African continent over 2014–2016, including a dry (2015) and a wet (2014) year. In a first step, we calibrated a set of three parameters: effective scattering albedo (ω), soil roughness (HR) and VOD first guess (VODini). Several datasets of vegetation indices as Above-Ground Biomass (AGB), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were chosen as reference data to optimize these model parameters. Globally-constant values (ω = 0.06 and HR = 0.6) were found to achieve high spatial and temporal correlations between retrieved X-VOD and the reference vegetation parameters. Comparison with other X-VOD products suggested IB X-VOD had competitive advantages in terms of both spatial and temporal performances. In particular, spatial correlation with three biomass datasets was found to be higher than for previous X-VOD products (R2 ~ 0.76–0.83) and temporal correlation with LAI or NDVI showed obvious improvements, especially in dense vegetation.

The Quality of Relationship with Stakeholders, Performance Risk and Competitive Advantage in the Hotel, Restaurant and Café Market


 
 
 While emerging markets have become an opportunity for companies in the less populated and saturated markets to expand their business, they also impose challenges for foreign partners’ competitive behavior. To offer the value that would be competitive in emerging markets, companies need to improve the quality of their relationship with business partners. Relationship quality may enhance the probability of continued interchange between companies and their stakeholders, leading to increased attractiveness for the emerging markets’ economy. This research explores antecedents (communication and relationship longevity) of relationship quality with stakeholders (suppliers, customers, and employees) and how the relationship quality with three stakeholders impacts the company’s performance risk and competitive advantage in the Lithuanian hotel, restaurant, and café market. The findings suggest that communication and relationship longevity have a positive effect on relationship quality with all three stakeholders. A higher level of relationship quality with stakeholders has a more positive effect on competitive advantage and a more significant negative effect on performance risk. The study expands the understanding of relationship quality antecedents (communication and relationship longevity) and relationship quality with customers, suppliers, and employees in terms of competitive advantage and performance risk in the less populated and saturated hotel, restaurant, and café market seeking expansion to emerging markets.
 
 

An Experimental Factor Analysis Study Using SAW and TOPSIS to Select and Rank Organic Agriculture Cities in Turkey

The agriculture sector supports Turkey’s GDP portfolio economically and helps establish a sustainable labor force. Turkey has certain competitive advantages in terms of the organic production of agricultural goods like figs and hazelnuts. We conduct a factor analysis using Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods combined with a 3-level set (export volume, export value, and adequacy rate) to rank 32 candidate cities of Turkey where organic agriculture activities should be given more emphasis to support overall production and export rates. 18 different sets of importance values were used for this purpose and their combinatorial effects on candidate cities were analyzed. The factor analysis results show that the cities Izmir, Aydin, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Agri, Mus, and Van have the highest potentials among all Turkish cities in both methods, while Sanliurfa also shows high potential for organic agriculture in the TOPSIS method.

015 Modulating melatonin dynamics at transcription level using virtual knockout approaches: an advanced perspective in sleep medicine

Abstract Introduction Sleep disorders, the most neglected public-health issues, are threatening overall health. It is tightly associated with the individual’s exposures to the light/dark (LD)-cycles linked to their circadian rhythms. Lifestyle, shift-work, frequent travels, and post-pandemic-stress lead unintentional compromise of sleep, thus circadian homeostasis. Melatonin (MT), a pivotal natural hormone for circadian and sleep health, attains acrophase in the dark. MT mediates LD-triggered circadian rhythms through its dynamic expressions. Circadian phases are greatly reflected by MT-dynamics. Dim-light-MT-onsets (DLMO) act as a marker, reporting internal circadian-timing in mammals. Estimating this is essential in therapeutic-designing against misaligned circadian conditions. Despite many experimental approaches, there is still a slit hacking the MT-dynamics from molecules to systems. Inclusive perspectives on endogenous factors affecting MT’s synthesis, secretions and bioavailability over time-course are not extensively exposed. MT-dynamics has multiplexed stochastic interactions across numerous genes, TFs, and regulators, and they are coupled non-linearly. Small changes used to compound through the genetic networks and reflected in systems-wide events marking distinct signalling response dynamics. Understanding such responses is challenging yet imperative. A robust quantitative model is inevitable to investigate such stochastic intricacy. Methods We proposed a quantitative framework to model MT signalling networks using diverse kinetic parameters linked in its genetic circuits and perturbing them must alter the MT-dynamics. We used a robust computational approach, LogicTRN to decode the systematic controls of the MT-dynamics. It combines multi-layered transcriptome-wide data as input. Computing this returned the regulatory TF-logics in the transcriptional regulatory networks for MT. We developed transcriptional simulations with virtual-knockout mutants and performed genetic network perturbation study. Results The results showed the reconstruction of robust quantitative regulatory networks decrypting transcriptional controls for MT-dynamics to estimate the influence of the multiple kinetically distinct inputs affecting those dynamics. This offered competitive advantages in terms of scalability, robustness, and iterations to characterize the effective molecular-targets to modulate the genetic circuit of MT-dynamics effectually. Conclusion Quantitative reconstruction and characterization of the regulatory interactome of MT may facilitate us to strategize the adjustments of regulatory controls to effectively modulate MT-dynamics. This foundation may enhance the advancement of circadian and sleep medicine in future. Support (if any):

Barriers to Entry for New Entrants into Kandahar Industrial Park

Entry barriers are one of the dangerous powers that helps with incumbent firms in terms of competitive advantage over new participants and helps to promote the oligopoly market structure. The objective of this study is to consider barriers to entry of new entrants into Kandahar industrial park and to recognize some remedial business strategies where it’s application make the entry easy into Kandahar industrial park. To conduct this study a mixed method research design is used. The qualitative technique is completed over semiorganized interviews where prepared questions are used (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). To obtain quantitative data a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire is utilized, which was sent out to senior and middle workers, managers and owners. Results shows that there are entry barriers into Kandahar industrial park which influence new entrants negatively. And the importance level of the entry barriers to new entrants is significantly different. Yet, there are economics strategies that helps entrepreneurs to enter Kandahar industrial park.

Lifecycle Design of Disruptive SCADA Systems for Waste-Water Treatment Installations

Capacity to remotely monitor and control systems for waste-water treatment and to provide real time and trustworthy data of system’s behavior to various stakeholders is of high relevance. SCADA systems are used to undertake this job. SCADA solutions are usually conceptualized and designed with a major focus on technological integrability and functionality. Very little contributions are brought to optimize these systems with respect to a mix of target functions, especially considering a lifecycle perspective. In this paper, we propose a structured methodology for optimizing SCADA systems from a lifecycle perspective for the specific case of waste-water treatment units. The methodology embeds techniques for handling entropy in the design process and to assist engineers in designing effective solutions in a space with multiple constrains and conflicts. Evolutionary multiple optimization algorithms are used to handle this challenge. After the foundation of the theoretical model calibrated for the specific case of waste-water treatment units, a practical example illustrates its applicability. It is shown how the model can lead to a disruptive solution, which integrates cloud computing, IoT, and data analytics in the SCADA system, with some competitive advantages in terms of flexibility, cost effectiveness, and increased value added for both integrators and beneficiaries.

The role of negative entropy within supply chain sustainability.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains are today confronted with more uncertainties than ever before. In the face of unanticipated disruptions, being resilient and sustainable has been rewarding for supply chains in terms of competitive advantage. However, literature is still far from possessing an encompassing sustainable supply chain framework (SSCF). As a contribution to the extant literature, the present study expounds a prominent concept termed negative entropy and explores its role in the SSCF. To accomplish this goal, the effect of negative entropy on supply chain sustainability is tested. Following the open systems theory and drawing from the collaboration and information management aspects of the negative entropy, co-creation, open innovation and network governance concepts which are considered to be relevant in this context are selected to be the antecedents of negative entropy. The empirical research is conducted on prominent logistics service providers and firms from various sectors with approved research and development departments in Turkey. The obtained data were subjected to covariance-based structural equation modeling analysis via Lisrel program. According to results, negative entropy is found to be a robust element in explaining supply chain sustainability. Furthermore, whereas co-creation and network governance reflected significant effects on negative entropy, surprisingly, open innovation demonstrated no substantial impact. This paper opens up a new front in sustainable supply chain management studies with a notable empirical study introducing negative entropy in the context of open systems theory.

Measuring the Creative Capital and its Development in the Regions of France

Since the publication of the highly cited book of Richard Florida (“The Rise of the Creative Class. And How it's Transforming Work, Leisure and Everyday Life”), creativity has been considered as a new paradigm for economic development of cities and regions. In this context, evaluating the creative class and the creative capital has become an increasingly important concern. At the same time, measuring creative capital, in European countries in particular, remains underinvestigated. This paper is aimed at redressing this gap by evaluating the creative capital index for several regions of France. A multi-method research design was based on the Creative Capital Index project by PwC Russia. It was used to analyze both primary and secondary data on five main variables – “Regional development”, “Population”, “Business environment”, “Government” and “Brands” – from several French regions (Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bretagne, Occitanie and Pays de la Loire) obtained from European, national and regional open databases, official websites of governmental and non-governmental organizations and other online resources. The analysis of the results of creative capital index estimation and the investigation of creative projects, strategies and programs that were implemented in the regions under study has shown that each region has its competitive advantage in terms of specific aspects of creative capital. The results of the study may be of use to economists and policymakers by enabling them to recognize the key factors of creativity in their regions.

Tourism SME’s Competitive Advantages through ICT Based Community : The Role of GenPI in Eastern Indonesia

This article aims to describe the role of the tourism community in the utilization of ICT to market regional tourism destinations integrated with an increasing competitive advantage in Tourism SMEs. The perspective used is Community-Based Tourism Marketing (CBTM) and Resource-Based View (RBv) in the context of Collaborative Advantages (CA) towards the relationship of the tourism community with the regional tourism industry. This study was done in a qualitative manner using a case study approach. The data was collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and document studies. The regional tourism industry had a sustainable competitive advantage in terms of activities and resource profiles such as asset ownership, capabilities, and dynamic capabilities. This finding states that the regional tourism community at the district and provincial level encouraged the competitive advantage of the regional tourism industry through intensification of marketing the tourism industry products in advantageous collaborations. Keywords: Competitive Advantages, Eastern Indonesia, GenPi Community, ICT, Resource-Based View, Tourism SME.

A Guiding Framework for Levels of Sustainability in Marketing

Up to now, far more attention has been paid to assessing the environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability. However, what makes this paper distinct is that it proposes a guiding framework that can be employed as a useful tool for business enterprises and other related stakeholders in transforming the potential of marketing disciplines towards upper levels of marketing orientations and sustainable consumption patterns. This present paper follows a typological model that classifies the conceptual approximations that are relatively dispersed in the literature. In doing so, the authors trace back to Kotler’s distinction of positive and normative scopes of marketing, then based on this dichotomy, they propose five different sustainability marketing levels and tag them. This paper aims to provide a convenient roadmap for traditional growth-oriented and transitionary firms who are stuck in short-term positive marketing level and thus need to include sustainability and sufficiency as the most prospective options for long term competitive advantage.

Benefits and Risks of Introducing Artificial Intelligence Into Trade and Commerce: The Case of Manufacturing Companies in West Africa

With innovations in technology, the application of artificial intelligence (A.I) in the area of commerce is rising to the top with an expected growing number of business transactions not just for entrepreneurs but for consumers as well. It advances the understanding of how A.I. can be used to enhance businesses around the world by establishing their presence online to reach customers beyond borders. This study highlights the benefits and risks of introducing A.I. into trade in terms of how the commerce industry operates and revolutionize products shopping. Significantly, the primary aim of this paper is to explore ways A.I. is integrated into commerce to help understand its impact on existing/potential customers and its efficiency in sales processes. With a sample size of 2,903 manufacturing companies in four West-African countries, the empirical results show that value-based adoption of A.I. approach outperforms the traditional/human search of customers’ products delivery in both convenience, accuracy and profitability. Furthermore, A.I. approach within commerce achieved competitive advantage with several modernized customer service machine learning approach such as automated content creation, voice assistance, image search among others. Clearly, this shows that the application of A.I system into commerce introduces significant competitive advantages in terms of trust, quality, openness and security.

Accounting for innovations in value management of companies in the context of globalization

Research background. Given that innovations have a great impact on gaining competitive advantage and long-term growth of the company’s value, it is important to find ways to fully and correctly reflect them in the accounting and reporting system to provide users with the necessary information to make effective decisions. Purpose of the article is to characterize the accounting of innovations in the value management system of the enterprise and determine the form of integrated reporting on innovations to assess their impact on the value of the company and make effective decisions. Methods. The methodological basis of the study consists of informal content analysis of information, systematic approach, deductive method, comparison, abstraction, grouping and systematic generalization. Findings & Value added. The disadvantage of the current accounting system is the attribution of investment in intangible innovations to the company’s costs, which is not considered and is not reflected as a long- term competitive advantage. Thus, not taking into account the intangible non-accounting factors of generating the value of the company, which are associated with innovation, intellectual capital, can significantly underestimate the book value of the company compared to its market value. The value of the company stated in the financial statements may be significantly lower than its market value due to the failure to take into account in the system of accounting for the interaction of innovation with intellectual, environmental and social capital, which is the source of domestic goodwill. Innovation accounting requires the allocation of appropriate facilities and the formation of integrated reporting to provide comprehensive information for decision-making in the management of the company’s value.