Competitive Environment Research Articles

Trans-aconitic acid assimilation system as a widespread bacterial mechanism for environmental adaptation.

The ability of bacteria to use natural carbon sources greatly affects their growth and survival in the environment. Bacteria have evolved versatile abilities to use environmental carbon sources, but their diversity and assimilation pathways remain largely unexplored. Trans-aconitic acid, a geometric isomer of cis-aconitic acid involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, has long been considered a natural carbon source metabolizable by bacteria. However, its catabolism and ecological role in linking bacterial interactions with the environments remain unclear. Here, we identify a regulatory system in Bacillus velezensis FZB42 that is capable of sensing and catabolizing trans-aconitic acid. The system consists of a tar operon, an adjacent positive regulatory gene tarR, and a shared promoter. After receiving the trans-aconitic acid signal, the TarR protein interacts directly with the promoter, initiating the expression of the membrane transporter TarB and aconitate isomerase TarA encoded by the operon, which function in importing the trans-aconitic acid and isomerizing it into the central intermediate cis-aconitic acid. Subsequent soil colonization experiments reveal that trans-aconitic acid assimilating ability can give its coding bacteria a growth and competitive advantage. Bioinformatics analyses coupled with bacterial isolation experiments further show that the assimilation system of trans-aconitic acid is widely distributed in the bacterial domain, and its assimilating bacteria also extensively distributed in nature, indicating an important role of trans-aconitic acid metabolism in bacterial carbon acquisition. This work emphasizes the importance of metabolic adaptation to environmental carbon sources for bacterial survival and may provide inspiration for engineering microbes with enhanced environmental competitiveness.

Inventory Management Practices and Their Impact on Operational Efficiency: A Case Study of MGSSK Sugars Ltd.

In today’s highly competitive business environment, effective inventory management is vital for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring long-term sustainability. Proper inventory control reduces excess stock and prevents stock outs, leading to cost reduction and improved cash flow. By utilizing precise forecasting and strategic replenishment methods, companies can enhance their adaptability to market changes and sustain a competitive advantage. This research provides a thorough examination of inventory management metrics spanning five years. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of inventory management. The data was primarily collected from secondary sources, including five years of company inventory records. To analyze the data, the ratio analysis method was applied. The results demonstrate notable improvements in the company’s operational efficiency. Key performance indicators include a steady rise in the inventory turnover ratio and a reduction in average stock levels, showcasing effective inventory control aligned with increasing demand and minimizing surplus stock. Moreover, the study reveals a decreasing trend in inventory as a proportion of current assets, indicating a strategic shift away from relying on inventory for revenue generation. Additionally, variations in raw material values, coupled with consistent material consumption, suggest fluctuations in raw material usage efficiency. Furthermore, the relationship between the raw material turnover ratio and inventory holding period highlights the company’s proficiency in optimizing inventory management. The declining inventory conversion period indicates successful transformation of inventory into sales, boosting cash flow and operational efficiency. This improvement is attributed to advanced forecasting and stock replenishment strategies.

Fostering Teamwork Satisfaction in Competitive Project-Based Learning Environments

This 10-week study investigates the relationships between diversity beliefs, teamwork satisfaction, perceived classroom competitiveness, and attitudes toward project-based activities among 105 marketing students. Findings indicate that diversity beliefs enhance teamwork satisfaction, whereas performance-approach goals reduce it. Classroom competitiveness negatively moderates the impact of teamwork satisfaction on project attitudes, whereas teammate competitiveness has a positive moderating effect. These insights can help educators balance competition and collaboration to optimize learning environments.

The empirical measurement of competition and digitalization for the banking sector of Kyrgyzstan: Impacts of efficiency, profitability, and stability

This study investigates the competitive dynamics and digitalization within Kyrgyzstan's banking sector. The study analyzes the interplay between bank competition, digitalization, profitability, and stability using the two-step Generalized Method of Moments. Banking competition is assessed from 2012 to 2022 via the Lerner Index and the Boone Indicator. Furthermore, a novel method is employed to estimate the bank digitalization index based on the System Dynamics Approach. Findings indicate a competitive landscape marked by monopolistic competition, where digitalization enhances operational efficiency and competitive advantage. However, increased market power inversely affects digital adoption, suggesting monopolistic banks innovate less than their competitive peers. Further, the study highlights that intensified competition and digital adoption may encourage riskier bank behaviors, aligning with competition-fragility theory. Digitalization improves profitability, advocating for banks to adopt innovations to surpass competitors and improve financial performance. Policymakers are advised to foster a balanced competitive environment that encourages innovation without compromising bank stability.

Human Resource Management Innovation Strategy in Realizing Competitive Advantage

Human resource management is the most essential thing in an organization. Because superior human resource management can increase competitiveness, for this reason, management needs to study more deeply the resources that can be relied on to compete in a competitive business environment and place leverage on resources that can place the company in a competitive position in the long term. Therefore, human resource management innovation strategies have many managerial implications for business policymakers. The research used a qualitative approach with literature methods (library study), which are appropriate to the current problems. Namely the importance of human resource management strategies to realize superior competitiveness. The results of this research show that human resource management is the heart of corporate or organizational governance. Management strategies and innovations are needed to improve superior and competitive human resources. Steps or forms of innovation strategy for Human Resources (HR): Continuous training in stages and stages, Mastery of technology and digitalization, More active marketing, Forming a solid team, Establishing more comprehensive relationships, Transparency, Committed, Competent, Flexible, and Innovative integrated as a competitive quality.

Pizza Town Sukkur: sustaining in the current competitive environment

Learning outcomes After reading this case students will be able to understand the role of General Environment analysis in strategic decision-making; to understand the use of different models such as Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT and resource-based view; and to enable graduates to apply different strategies such as business level and growth strategies and environmental analysis to any company or industry on their own. Case overview/synopsis Pizza Town Sukkur, once a popular spot for delicious pizzas, was facing a tough situation. New competition was threatening its success, and the manager, Mr. Faisal Gul, was torn between sticking to old ways or trying new ideas. A surprise invitation to a special industry summit added excitement but also uncertainty. The restaurant, started by Honey Bhai in 2007, used to be a hit, but now it struggled with challenges like not having online ordering and falling behind in marketing. Other pizza places in Sukkur, like Pizza Mart, Pizza King and Pizza Grill, were giving tough competition. The story unfolded in the lively setting of Sukkur's food scene, with Pizza Town at a crossroads – whether to embrace change and technology or risk fading away in the face of new rivals. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and Graduate Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE CAREER DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

In today’s environment, managing employees’ career development is becoming a key factor for the success and sustainable development of organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this article is to investigate current approaches to career management in SMEs and provide practical recommendations based on theoretical research and empirical evidence. The novelty of the study lies in the integrated approach to analyzing career management practices using both quantitative and qualitative methods. This allows for a deeper understanding of the impact of career development on employee motivation and retention in a resource-constrained and highly competitive environment. The research methodology includes reviewing existing literature and analyzing case studies from different industries to identify best practices and success stories. The use of mixed research methods, such as surveys and in-depth interviews, provides a more comprehensive view of current practices and their impact on employees. The results of the study show that career development management is critical to improve employee motivation and retention, which is particularly relevant for SMEs. Pay attention to aspects such as training and development, performance appraisal systems, reward systems and their impact on employee motivation. Training and development help to improve employees’ skills and adaptability to changes in the market, while appraisal systems such as 360-degree feedback and regular evaluations help to identify achievements and areas for improvement, forming individual development plans. A fair and competitive compensation system motivates employees and promotes employee retention. The author’s personal contribution is the design and implementation of an integrated research methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative methods, which provided comprehensive data and offered practical recommendations for SMEs. The article also discusses the factors that influence employee retention and the creation of a positive corporate culture, which contributes to their long-term professional growth and enhances companies’ competitiveness in the market. In an environment of rapid change and globalization, SMEs must pay special attention to human capital development to maintain competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth. The article provides recommendations for the implementation of effective career management programs and examples of successful practices from different sectors.

A study of the effect of team diversity on employee innovative behavior: The mediating role of psychological capital

In today's extremely competitive market environment, employee innovative behavior determines the innovation ability of the enterprise, and the innovation ability of the enterprise determines whether the enterprise can survive and develop under brutal market competition; thus, enhancing employee innovative behavior becomes critical for the long-term survival and development of the enterprise.This paper delves into the theoretical mechanisms by which team diversity and psychological capital affect employee innovative behavior. It leverages social identity theory and conservation of resources theory to provide a comprehensive understanding of these research. The study suggests that psychological capital acts as a mediator in this relationship, serving as a key factor that connects the elements of team diversity with the outcomes of employee innovative behavior. To empirically validate the proposed research model, which connects team diversity, psychological capital, and employee innovative behavior, the study gathered data from a national survey, resulting in 387 valid responses. The analysis employed PLS-SEM to conduct reliability and validity assessments, as well as tests for direct and mediating effects. The research results show that team information diversity can directly and significantly affect employee innovative behavior, team underlying diversity does not directly influence employee innovative behavior; team informational diversity significantly impacts employees' self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience, team underlying diversity significantly affects self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience, but not hope; Self-efficacy and hope do not influence employee innovative behavior, resilience and optimism significantly influence employee innovative behavior. optimism and resilience play a partially mediating role between team information diversity and employee innovative behavior; and optimism and resilience play a completely mediating role between team underlying diversity and employee innovative behavior.

Проблемы уголовно-правовой регламентации организованных форм преступной деятельности в сфере нарушения антимонопольного законодательства

The relevance of the issues considered in this article is due to the need to ensure an appropriate level of criminal law protection of the competitive environment, the normal functioning of which is a necessary condition for the development of social relations in the field of economic activity. In particular, the problems of the technical and legal construction of certain offenses encroaching on this area are explored, the shortcomings of law enforcement practice are analyzed and measures to eliminate them are proposed. The novelty of the article is determined by the author’s proposals to ensure effective criminal legal protection of public relations in a competitive environment, the implementation of which will contribute to the optimization of the currently implemented government policy aimed at creating optimal conditions for the development of the economy in general and the sphere of entrepreneurial acti-vity in particular.

Textual Dimensions of Sustainability Information, Stock Price Informativeness, and Proprietary Costs: Evidence from Integrated Reports

We examine whether integrated report quality, IRQ, is negatively associated with stock price synchronicity, an inverse measure of firm-specific information, and the extent to which the relation between IRQ and synchronicity is attenuated by proprietary costs. We measure IRQ using machine-based textual analysis along four dimensions: textual attributes, topical content, integrated reporting capitals, and financial versus sustainability information. We find that measures of IRQ based on seven textual attributes are negatively related to synchronicity, which is consistent with higher quality text containing more firm-specific content. Using PhraseLDA to identify topics in integrated reports, we find that contents related to the three most common categories—governance, performance, and risks and opportunities—are negatively associated with synchronicity. We find similar results for all integrated report capitals, except manufactured capital. Further, we find that sustainability information has a larger negative association with synchronicity than financial information. We also find that proprietary costs stemming from product market competition attenuate the association between IRQ and synchronicity, which suggests the informativeness of integrated reports varies with a firm’s competitive environment. Our results may inform the International Sustainability Standards Board as it considers the role of the Integrated Reporting Framework in developing sustainability standards.

Fostering Environmental Performance through Green Supply Chain Practices: Empirical Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Pakistan

Achieving sustainable performance is a challenging but useful tool for firms in this competitive environment. The literature highlights several avenues to address sustainable performance, but there is a lack of emphasis on common practices and strategies. This study examines the role of green initiatives, specifically eco-design, green purchasing and reverse logistics, in addressing environmental performance. Practice-based view theory is used to evaluate the influence of these common green practices on a firm's environmental performance. A total of 214 participants were approached to participate in this study and data analysis was conducted using AMOS. The findings reveal a significant and positive impact of ecodesign, green purchasing and reverse logistics on environmental performance. This study provides implications for practitioners, policymakers and academics regarding environmentally oriented business operations that could better serve manufacturing firms. Additionally, firms are encouraged to focus on easily imitable, easy-to-transfer and easy-to-understand practices to address sustainable performance.

Thermoregulatory Responses, Athlete Preparation And Knowledge Of Elite Open Water Swimming Competition In Divergent Environments.

Thermoregulatory Responses, Athlete Preparation And Knowledge Of Elite Open Water Swimming Competition In Divergent Environments.

Physical stores versus physical showrooms: Channel structures of online retailers

To meet consumers’ expectations for experiential shopping, an increasing number of online retailers are expanding offline channels, with physical showrooms and physical showrooms emerging as the two most popular offline channel modes. Both channels can match consumers’ demand for on-site experiences. However, the two modes differ in terms of service cost, demand promotion efficiency, and channel differentiation generation. The article considers three channel structures: a single online channel, an online channel with physical stores, and an online channel with physical showrooms, as well as two scenarios: non-competitive and competitive. This study examines whether online retailers should integrate offline channels and which offline channel mode they should use by comparing the profit changes of themselves and rivals when three channel structures are adopted in two scenarios. It is found that: (i) If there is a significant difference between the online and physical store channels, providing physical stores help online retailer raise profits. If the physical showroom is highly effective at promoting demand, omnichannel retailers will dominate the entire online market, and expanding physical showrooms is always profitable; (ii) Whether in a competitive or non-competitive environment, online retailers should weigh channel differentiation and the efficiency of the offline channel modes in promoting demand to select the best channel mode; (iii) Due to channel differentiation, online retailers’ creation of physical stores, as well as increasing competition among physical stores, will have no impact on rival retailers. However, providing physical showrooms will result in lower sales volume and revenue for rival retailers.

ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION OF ISLAMIC BUSINESS ETHICS (CASE STUDY OF LOPO MANDHELING COFFEE PANYABUNGAN MANDAILING NATAL)

Purpose: This research aims to examine how the Islamic business ethics present at Lopo Mandheling Coffee align with Islamic business ethics, in which the author conducts a study titled “Analysis of the Implementation of Islamic Business Ethics at Lopo Mandheling Coffee Panyabungan Mandailing Natal.” Methodology: The method used is a qualitative approach. At Lopo Mandheling Coffee, good Islamic business ethics have been implemented in accordance with the principles of unity, balance, free will, and responsibility. Results: It can be concluded that Lopo Mandheling Coffee has implemented Islamic business ethics as a competitive advantage. It is as if we have implemented the obligation of performing the five daily prayers, providing assistance and support to orphans as a form of social and environmental concern, as well as responsibility. Limitations : The author's suggestion is that Lopo Mandheling Coffee Panyabungan is expected to remain steadfast in applying the principles of Islamic business ethics, improve the quantity and quality of Human Resource management, and enhance the company's capital by seeking investors. Contribution : Islamic-based business ethics must be applied in today's highly competitive business environment. Keywords: Islamic Business Ethics; Application; Lopo Mandheling Coffee Panyabungan.

Journalism in the Digital World: The Confl ict of Institutional Logics

With the entry of humanity into the stage of digital development, all social institutions are undergoing profound changes. Journalism as an institution that arose as a result of information technology development in the XVI–XVII centuries, as a result of the digital revolution, is losing its dominant role in the new media space. The main core of the media system’s existence, its institutional nature, is undergoing signifi cant changes in the context of increasing technological convergence and the development of the economic phenomenon of platform capitalism. The appeal to the problem is actualized by the need for updates in substantiating the ontological and functional characteristics of the institutionality of journalism in the context of rapid digitalization of the social environment. The purpose of the article is to study journalism as a transforming social institution in a competitive institutional environment. The methodology of the article is based on a dialectical approach in understanding the current state of the Institute of journalism, considering the existing contradictions and collisions as a moment in progressive development. One of the methods of analysis chosen is the direction of institutionalism, which is relevant to the sphere of functioning of social institutions – institutional logic. The system-structural and system-functional methods are used as an analysis tool. The results of the study indicate the identifi ed ontological and functional changes in the state of the Institute of journalism. It is established that the loss of the status of a monopoly entity by journalism is caused not only by the impact of exogenous factors: a technological explosion, the emergence of new institutional and non-institutional subjects but also endogenous ones: structural changes, as well as a crisis of normative and value foundations. The novelty of the article is revealed in the understanding of journalism as a convergent ontological model, which forms the basis of its changing institutional status at the digital stage of its development. Keywords: journalism as a social institution, institutional approach, institutional and non-institutional subjects, institutional logic, media system, functional complex, digital platform

Challenges and Perspectives of the Startup Ecosystem for the Development of Innovative Economy in Georgia

The processes of introduction of technology and innovation ecosystem in the economic development of the country have attracted special attention in the global world in the conditions of pandemic and post-pandemic. Accordingly, the research focuses on the formation and development models of modern start-up ecosystems, processes and determinants that ensure their transformation into innovations and the transfer of resources for economic development in the regions. The aim of the paper is to determine the main directions that will contribute to the development of startup ecosystems, taking into account global trends and state-specific practices; The research is based on the methods of grouping, comparison, analogy, analysis, generalization and systemic-structural approaches. As a result of the research, startup ecosystems were defined as an institutional mechanism that is open to the expansion of intersectoral networks and changes the competitive market environment in favor of the architecture of a stable innovative economy. The examples of Estonia, Spain, and Britain show the potential of developing a national startup ecosystem model that prioritizes long-term development, state technical self-sufficiency, and the ability to expand to new markets. Keywords: innovative economy, ecosystems, technoparks, startups, innovations, R&D, economic development

Cultivating Innovative Work Behavior: Insights from HRM Practices Integration

Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) has a prominent space in various literature, but what cultivates it remains inconsistent and fragmented. This study posits that controlled Human Resource (HR) practices can foster Innovative Work Behavior (IWB). It used Reflective Thematic Analysis (RTA) to examine from the lens of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Learning Culture (LC) theories based on the insights of 10 expert-respondents across 8 industries. The findings revealed that the organization’s support and the synergy of HR practices such as Diversity Management (DM), Work Life Balance (WLB), and Training and Development (TD) significantly succeeded to cultivate IWB while Rewards and Recognition (RR) practices failed to cultivate the desired behavior. The study also showed that championing cultural diversity and observing employees’ balanced work-family time propelled innovative behavior. Likewise, Learning Culture (LC) as enhanced by TD, DM, and WLB practices escalated the employees’ IWB. The study recommends to strategize RR practices, focusing on intrinsic rewards that are linked to IWB and to enhance TD practices for sustainable learning. It further highlights the crucial role of organizational support through HRM practices and learning culture in cultivating IWB. Since IWB is multi-factored, an investigation on other factors not addressed in this study and longitudinal research must be conducted to ensure consistent findings. The future direction of this study should also focus on external factors such as technological advancement, market competition, and regulatory environment that shall redefine the organization’s core values and consequently frame employees’ Innovative Work Behavior. This study does not only contribute to the existing body of literature, but also offers significant insights for both HR and Innovation managers in their respective practices. Keywords: Innovative Work Behavior, HR Practices, Organizational Performance, Diversity Management, Work-Life Balance, Training and Development, Rewards and Recognition, Perceived Organizational Support (POS) Theory, Learning Culture (LC) Theory

Strategic decision-making of competitive manufacturers: Assessing the role of product substitutability in energy performance contracting

Maximizing benefits through optimized strategic decisions is a crucial concern in Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) arrangements among competing manufacturers, yet this area remains underexplored. This paper develops a model to examine EPC cooperation between two manufacturers producing substitutable products in a duopoly market. By applying game theory, the study investigates the strategic decision-making processes of these manufacturers, with a particular focus on product substitutability. The analysis of equilibrium outcomes reveals that when both manufacturers engage in EPC, total market output increases. Although EPC results in lower prices, it enhances overall consumer surplus due to the price reduction. Additionally, EPC contributes to a decrease in total energy consumption as the cost of energy-saving service rises. The study find that as product substitutability increases, the sharing ratio determined by the client in the EPC arrangement gradually decreases. Concurrently, the level of energy-saving service provided by the Energy Service Company (ESCO) increases. However, when the cost coefficient of energy-saving retrofitting services is relatively high and the sharing ratio falls within a certain range, the service level initially decreases before rising again. This research offers novel insights into the impact of product substitutability on EPC engagements between two competing manufacturers, providing valuable perspectives on strategic decision-making within a competitive market environment.

The Determinants of International Certification among Manufacturing Firms in Pakistan

This study investigates the factors that influence international certification among Pakistani manufacturing firms. About a third of such firms in Pakistan hold one or more certificates related to management or technical processes. The existing literature suggests that this demand is influenced by factors such as sector of activity, market competition, human capital and information environment, ownership type, and available resources. By analyzing a large, random sample of Pakistani manufacturing firms, we find strong correlations between these factors and international certification. We also discover that owner attitude, an aspect overlooked in previous studies, plays a role in the certification decision. While our statistical model does not fully explain the determinants of certification for small firms, we do find that certification is associated with increased profitability among small enterprises. This implies that small enterprise development agencies can improve the effectiveness of their programs by considering certification status as an additional criterion for allocating support funds. The results of our study have policy implications related to exporting, staff training, diffusion of firm ownership, and enhanced information access facilitated by modern technology tools.

The Impact Of Social Media On Consumer Behavior And Its Implications For Business Growth

Social media has had a significant influence on consumer behavior and corporate growth since its inception in the late 1990s. Mostly used websites like Facebook and Twitter, which transformed online communication and information sharing, were made possible by early platformes like Friendster and Six Degrees. Social media became even more accessible as smartphone usage increased in the 2010s, which fueled the growth of influencer culture and brand communities. Peer reviews and genuine voices are now trusted by consumers, which has shifted power away from brands and highlighted the value of real-time feedback and tailored marketing. Improved customer relationship management, better marketing techniques, and insightful data have all resulted from this evolution for firms. Through direct audience engagement, improved brand reputation management, and market exploration, businesses can propel growth in a highly competitive environment. The advanced function of social media in shaping consumer behavior and its ensuing effects on corporate success are examined in this article. Social media's ongoing development is changing how customers find, assess, and buy goods. Through an analysis of recent data and trends, this study demonstrates the ways in which social media influences brand loyalty, purchase decisions, and general consumer participation. According to the research, companies that successfully use social media can improve their market visibility, cultivate clientele, and increase revenues