External Market Conditions Research Articles

THE IMPACT OF CLOUD-BASED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON HRM EFFICIENCY: AN ANALYSIS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs)

Cloud-based management information systems (MIS) are becoming integral to the operational success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in enhancing the efficiency of human resource management (HRM) processes. This article, based on a comprehensive review of 75 peer-reviewed studies, investigates how the adoption of cloud-based MIS positively impacts critical HRM functions such as employee management, recruitment, training, and performance monitoring. The findings indicate that cloud-based systems significantly streamline these HR tasks by reducing time, costs, and the administrative burdens traditionally associated with manual or localized HR operations. Moreover, the integration of real-time data analytics through cloud-based platforms enhances decision-making capabilities, enabling HR professionals to make data-driven and timely decisions that improve overall workforce management. The reviewed studies also emphasize that cloud-based MIS are essential for improving strategic HR planning. These systems allow SMEs to access advanced tools for workforce analytics, employee engagement, and performance tracking, which were previously only accessible to larger corporations. The flexibility and scalability offered by cloud-based MIS enable SMEs to quickly adapt to changes in staffing needs, business growth, and external market conditions without the need for costly infrastructure. Furthermore, the review highlights the role of cloud technology in fostering innovation within HR departments by supporting predictive analytics and AI-driven decision-making, which can further enhance operational efficiency. In addition to operational benefits, cloud-based MIS facilitate a more seamless integration of HR functions across geographically dispersed teams, allowing for enhanced collaboration and communication. This capability is especially critical as SMEs continue to adopt remote and hybrid work models.

Export Dynamics and Performance of Tree Seeds in Tanzania: An Analytical Study of Tanzania Forest Services Agency

Purpose: This study investigates the determinants of export performance for tree seeds by the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) through an analytical framework grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. It aims to identify and analyze the influence of Foreign Market Characteristics (FMC), Export Competence (EC), and Business Environment (BE) on the export performance of tree seeds in Tanzania. Design/Methodology: The study adopted a longitudinal research design to analyze the export dynamics and performance of tree seeds in Tanzania over 14 years, from 2003 to 2016. Data was collected from TFS over 14 years, covering export volumes and values. The analysis examines the effects of FMC, EC, and BE on tree seed export performance. Findings: The findings indicate that FMC, EC, and BE significantly affect export performance. Foreign market characteristics enhance export performance by improving market demand and accessibility. Export competence contributes to success through superior production quality and logistics. A supportive business environment facilitates exports by reducing trade barriers and improving infrastructure. Thus, these insights suggest the need to foster internal competencies, improve export strategies, and enhance regulatory and economic frameworks to boost the export potential of tree seeds from Tanzania. Originality/Value: This study offers new insights into how internal capabilities and external market conditions jointly influence the export performance of tree seeds. It bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implications for TFS. The study provides actionable recommendations for policymakers to improve export strategies, optimize market access, and strengthen business conditions, thereby advancing Tanzania’s position in the global tree seed market.

Resource dependence in football clubs: An analysis of the interplay between capital gains from athletes and media revenues in Italian Serie A League

This study delves into the financial strategies of Italian Serie A football clubs, focusing on the relationship between revenues obtained through the sale of players' tags and those from broadcasting and media rights. Using Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) as lens, this research aims to understand how clubs strategically manage these two critical revenue streams amidst external pressures and dependencies. The analysis of balance sheet data, from nine clubs over eight seasons, reveals a significant negative correlation between the two variables for "long-lasting" clubs, suggesting a potential shift in strategies in response to external market conditions, while it finds different results from incoming and/or growing ones. The findings offer insights for stakeholders in the football industry, emphasizing the need for agile management and governance structures.

Exploring the Relationship between Market Expansion and Corporate Innovation: The Mediating Role of Corporate Investment

This research delves into the dynamic interplay between market expansion and corporate innovation, underscoring the critical mediating role of corporate investments. In the backdrop of globalization and informatization, we explore how expanding into new markets drives firms to innovate, enhancing their competitive edge and market reach. Utilizing a robust dataset from Wharton Research Data Services encompassing 3838 North American companies from 2013 to 2023, we employ quantitative analysis and empirical methods to dissect these relationships. Our findings reveal that while market expansion directly necessitates and benefits from innovation, corporate investments in R&D significantly bolster this process by efficiently allocating resources to foster innovation and market penetration. Moreover, the research examines various factors such as corporate governance, financial health, and external market conditions that influence these dynamics, offering a comprehensive understanding of the strategies that companies can employ to sustain growth and innovation in a competitive landscape.

Competitiveness of Sri Lankan Tea in the International Market: A Trade Flow Analysis

For more than 150 years, Sri Lanka has had a significant influence on the world market for tea. Sri Lanka is one of the world's top producers and exporters of tea. However, Sri Lanka's tea industry encounters a number of challenges due to internal and external market conditions, including governmental regulations, rising labour costs, and supply chain disruptions. These challenges can affect the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s tea exports in the global market. Therefore, it is important to understand how the competitiveness of Sri Lankan tea exports in the global tea market changed over time. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the relative contribution of Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the international market and to assess the level of competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s tea exports. Based on the positivist research philosophy and quantitative approach, this study adopted four indexes to assess the level of competition. These indices include export market share (MS), export unit price (EUP), revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and revealed trade advantage (RTA). The study's findings demonstrated that while the export unit price exhibited an upward trend, Sri Lanka's market share in the world tea market has decreased over time. According to the findings of the RCA and RTA indices, Sri Lanka's competitiveness in terms of international tea exports has continuously decreased. Kenya, on the other hand, has witnessed a rise in tea export competition, while China and India have seen a decline in tea export competition. This study emphasizes the need for implementing efficient production methods in order to provide Sri Lankan tea to the global market at a lower price. Additionally, government policies ought to focus on offering technical assistance to boost productivity in the Sri Lankan tea industry.

Global Managers, Local Workers: Wage Setting inside a Multinational Firm

How are wages set within a multinational firm? Combining cross-country data on wages and labor regulations with personnel records of a large multinational firm, I find that wage setting depends on the rank of the employee in the firm hierarchy. For managers, wages are set by the headquarters regardless of local labor market conditions. For factory workers, wages are adjusted according to country-specific wages and labor regulations. These results suggest that the multinational's internal labor market shields managers from changes in external market conditions, while the firm adapts to local labor markets for factory workers.

Deciding the Best Location for RM Bunut Sari to Open A New Branch in Greater Bandung

This research aims to support the Sundanese restaurant RM Bunut Sari in determining the optimal location for opening a new branch in the Greater Bandung area of West Java. Environmental analysis is conducted by assessing the internal capabilities of RM Bunut Sari and examining external market conditions in Bandung City, Bandung Regency, and West Bandung Regency. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) modeling is then utilized to evaluate which alternative location offers the greatest strategic advantages. Based on comparisons across decision criteria such as parking facilities, building size, visibility, distance from competitors, and property prices, Bandung Regency emerges as the recommended location. An implementation plan details the necessary launch activities spanning site selection, renovation, licensing and permissions, staffing, promotions, and eventual restaurant opening. The recommendations highlight leveraging RM Bunut Sari’s existing strengths in taste quality and service experience while closely monitoring operational and marketing outcomes from the new branch. Thus the analytical approach delivers an optimized location choice for RM Bunut Sari’s expansion, guided by environmental analysis and multi-criteria decision making.

Проблемы антикризисного управления компанией спортивной индустрии: экономические и правовые аспекты

This research seeks to address the developing anticrisis measures for a company in sport industry. Conclusions are based on the analysis of external macro-environment, market condi-tions, product portfolio and internal environment and the main output of this analysis is the ne-cessity to change the primary market and the product. On the basis of the policy measures, ob-tained from SWOT analysis, we have drawn up three-layer Memorandum of strategies, that provides three scenarios of crisis development.

Dynamic Capital Structure Adjustment: An Integrated Analysis of Firm-Specific and Macroeconomic Factors in Korean Firms

This research investigates the factors influencing the capital structure of 271 non-financial firms listed on the Korean Stock Exchange (KSE) over a broad period from 1995 to 2021, encompassing both stable and crisis conditions. Employing a dynamic panel data model and the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation, we address the endogeneity issue introduced by the inclusion of lagged dependent variables. Our research integrates firm-specific internal factors with macroeconomic external variables to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of varying economic environments on capital structure. Our study suggests that in times of economic stability, the capital structure decisions of a firm are more influenced by internal factors such as profitability. However, in periods of economic downturns, it is the external macroeconomic market conditions that tend to have a greater impact on these decisions. It is also noteworthy that both book leverage (BL) and market leverage (ML) exhibit quicker adjustments during stable periods as opposed to periods of crisis. This indicates a higher agility of firms in adapting their capital structures in stable, normal conditions. Our findings contribute to the existing literature by offering a holistic view of capital structure determinants in Korean firms. They underscore the necessity of adaptable financial strategies that account for both internal dynamics and external economic conditions. This study fills a gap in current research, presenting new insights into the dynamics of capital structure in Korean firms and suggesting a multifaceted approach to understanding capital structure in diverse economic contexts.

ENTERPRISE BANK RELATIONSHIP: ISLAMIC FINANCE AND THE FINANCIAL FAILURE OF COMPANIES IN MAURITANIA

Building a strong business-bank relationship involves clear communication, transparency about your company's financial needs, and understanding the services offered by the bank. Regularly review and update your financial strategy with your bank to ensure it aligns with your business goals. Islamic finance in Mauritania operates in compliance with Sharia principles, avoiding interest-based transactions. While it can provide ethical financial solutions, business failure can still occur due to various factors such as economic instability, mismanagement, or external market conditions. Evaluating risks, adhering to Islamic financial principles, and implementing sound business practices are crucial to mitigate the potential for failure. Financial failure can result from a variety of factors, including poor financial management, excessive debt, economic downturns, or inadequate market research. It's essential for businesses to maintain financial discipline, regularly assess their financial health, and adapt strategies to changing circumstances to minimize the risk of financial failure. Seeking professional advice, managing cash flow effectively, and maintaining transparency in financial reporting are key practices to safeguard against financial setbacks. This research addresses the bank-business relationship by emphasizing the role of Islamic finance in the fight against business failure. The outline of our article is as follows: 1) A literature review on microfinance and its role in financing SMEs and also its role in the fight against unemployment among young graduates. It will be a literature that sweeps from the regional context to an international context. 2) Identification of research hypotheses and development of a questionnaire 3) Analysis of quantitative data using SPSS software and validation of hypotheses. Proposal for a modeling for the relationship between microfinance and the fight against youth unemployment in Mauritania. 4) Discussions of scientific results and recommendations for future research avenues

PREDICTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION: ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC SERIES AND MODELING OF TRENDS

Sunflower production serves as an example of the close interaction between climate changes and the cultivation of technical crops, the replacement of cultivation of other crops with the cultivation of sunflower, taking into account such characteristics as its thermophilic nature, which in conditions of increased temperatures and drought makes it possible to maintain productivity. The conducted research indicates significant changes in the dynamics of production and yield of sunflower, in particular in connection with climate change and differences in weather conditions, which affect production and yield in different regions of Ukraine. The author singles out several periods in the growth of the sunflower market in terms of production and yield from 2008 to 2013 - a period of stability; slight declines in production and yield in 2009 and 2012; 2014 – a significant drop in production volumes and yields; 2015-2016 - the recovery period; 2017, 2020 and 2022 are periods of significant decline in production due to economic dynamics, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine; 2018-2019 and 2021 - growth in cultivation and harvest. The evaluation of the series of dynamics in the gross harvest of sunflower in Ukraine demonstrates a significant dependence of its production and yield on the external environment and market conditions. We will use a polynomial function of arbitrary order to model and forecast sunflower production and yield. Constructed polynomial trend models of sunflower production and yield with a high degree of reliability reflect the real dynamics of indicators and demonstrate both an accelerated reduction in certain periods of time in the production and yield of the crop, and growth in periods of economic recovery. The forecast of production volumes and yields of sunflower for 2023-2025 indicates stability in the dynamics of these indicators in the medium term.

EFFECT OF TACTICAL PLANNING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS IN NIGERIA

Purpose: The research aimed to examine the impact of tactical planning on the performance of mobile service providers in Nigeria. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework employed in this research is rooted in the Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory. RBV offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how operational planning influences the performance of mobile service providers by aligning internal resources with external market conditions and contributing to sustained competitive advantage. Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a survey research design, the study utilized a multistage sampling technique to gather primary data from a sample of 350 randomly chosen employees representing the workforce of the four major mobile network operators in Nigeria—MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9Mobile—comprising the study's target population. Findings: The result of the regression analysis established a positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) relationship between tactical planning and business growth in Nigeria's mobile communication sector. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that tactical planning is a substantial contributor to business growth in the telecom sector in Nigeria. Research, Practical & Social Implications: The study suggests that Nigerian mobile service providers should invest in refining their tactical planning processes, regularly assess their strategies, foster a culture of continuous improvement, engage in employee training, collaborate with industry peers, and stay updated with technological advancements. Companies should invest in comprehensive training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives to build the strategic capabilities of their teams, ensuring a more effective implementation of tactical plans. Originality/Value: The findings of this study are likely to have practical implications for mobile service providers, informing their tactical strategies and decision-making processes for improved performance and competitiveness in the Nigerian market.

Impact of investments on labour productivity in the chemical and petrochemical industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Relevance. Currently, the petrochemical and chemical industries are one of the main areas in the international economy. That is why it is important to choose effective alternative networks by promoting investments in factories to achieve certain indicators in the field of labour. The relevance of this topic is conditioned by the fact that labour productivity in the modern environment plays a crucial role in the activities of various industries. Purpose. The purpose of the study is to assess the correlation of investment and labour productivity in the chemical and petrochemical industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methodology. The study used several methods of scientific research, specifically: correlation and regression analysis. Results. As a result, it was possible to explore the areas of activity responsible for the development of the chemical and petrochemical industry, namely: the development and production of oil, associated (petroleum) and natural gas, the production of chemical and petrochemical products, the production of coke and refined petroleum products, the development of rubber and plastic products. This allowed establishing the level of impact of investments on labour productivity of each of the above-mentioned sub-sectors. In addition, statistical data were investigated, based on which indicators were established reflecting the features of interaction between such components as investment, industrial development, and the improvement of professional personnel. The factors that qualitatively affect the efficiency of external market conditions for corporations are disclosed. Conclusions. The research shows that investments in chemical products, coke, and refined petroleum are more effective than those in crude oil and natural gas production. The practical value of the study is revealed in the possibility of using the results when developing development plans for specific chemical and petrochemical enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan, by attracting a specific type of investment. Keywords: energy efficiency; capital; infrastructure; productivity factors; innovation

Examining the dynamics of bargaining power in buyer-supplier negotiations: insights from a case study in the German automotive industry

ABSTRACT Buyer-supplier negotiations play a central role in supply chain networks regulating the conditions for the exchange of goods. This paper investigates the relationships between influencing factors and their impact on bargaining power. In a multiple case study, we triangulate secondary data from 12 German automotive suppliers. Following a structural equation modelling approach, bargaining power and the effects of those influencing variables are analysed. Four relationships can be found. (1) The availability of internal resources and the existence of strong buyer-supplier relationships have a positive effect on bargaining power. (2) A positive influence of buyer-supplier relationships on gaining access to internal resources can be identified. (3) External market conditions have a small negative effect on bargaining power. (4) No significant effect can be found looking at the impact of external market conditions on internal resources or buyer-supplier relationships. The findings support theory by showing that internal resources and strong buyer-supplier relationships positively influence bargaining power. Based on these results, managers are advised to prioritise strategic resource allocation, implement win-win strategies, and employ benchmarking techniques to enhance competitiveness and strengthen bargaining positions.

Benchmark and performance progression: Examining the roles of market competition and focus

AbstractAs the US healthcare system transitions from volume to value, various value‐based programs tie medical reimbursements to hospital performance relative to national top performers (i.e., benchmarks). However, prior studies report very limited results on how such benchmarks affect care delivery and patient outcomes across multiple performance fronts. This study examines how general acute care hospitals progress toward benchmarks measured by performance frontiers in technical efficiency, clinical quality, and patient experience over time, subjecting to external market conditions and internal focuses. Based on a panel dataset comprising hospitals in California from 2012 and 2019, our results find support for competitive‐distance‐driven progression rates, suggesting that hospitals' competitive positions measured by their distances to benchmarks drive performance improvements. Yet, the effect diminishes as they move closer to performance frontiers. In addition, we find that market competition reduces the progression rate of technical efficiency. Finally, our results also suggest that focus improves performance progression rates, yet its effects are curvilinear.

Barriers and countermeasures of construction and demolition waste recycling enterprises under circular economy

The rapid development of urbanization has led to a considerable amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, resulting in various environmental issues. While recycling of C&D waste is regarded as the most practical option in the circular economy framework, previous studies have mainly focused on macro analysis of C&D waste reduction and circular economy, while ignoring the business environment and conditions of C&D waste recycling enterprises (CDWREs). This research aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the barriers and develop countermeasures for C&D waste recycling enterprises from a circular economic perspective. This research employs several methods, including desktop study, semi-structured interviews, and onsite investigation, to examine the external market conditions and internal operations of CDWREs and analyze the internal and external environment of CDWREs by combining PEST analysis model (political, economic, social, and technological), Porter's five forces competition model, and value chain theory. The study discovered that construction waste recycling enterprises face various problems: (1) high costs, (2) limited channels for waste acquisition and residue treatment, (3) limited technological capabilities, (4) insufficient product competitiveness, and (5) lack of marketing strategies. Five countermeasures are proposed based on the results of the investigation, including building a closed-loop industrial chain, enhancing cooperation and communication, strengthening talent training and technological innovation, expanding product variety and market demands, and paying attention to market research and product marketing. This research provides practical guidance for the decision-making of CDWREs and contributes to the construction of the C&D waste circular economy industry chain.

Research on Compensation Incentive Mechanism of State-Owned Enterprises - A Case Study of Chinese Enterprises

The sudden change in the global economic situation has brought about changes in internal and external market conditions. In this context, China's state-owned enterprises continue to use the traditional salary management model in the salary system, which has many shortcomings in the degree of market openness, distribution mechanism and supervision, which is not conducive to our economic development. It is very important to establish and improve the salary incentive mechanism of state-owned enterprises. A scientific and perfect incentive mechanism can effectively stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of employees and play a vital role in the healthy and sustainable development of public enterprises. However, with the progress and development of the times, the traditional wage incentive mechanism has exposed some problems that cannot fully function. To this end, this paper analyzes the problems in the current salary management model of state-owned enterprises and finds that performance-based salary incentives actually reflect the wealth created by employees for their work. The consistency of goals among employees, managers and shareholders. Finally, from the existing problems, measures are proposed to improve the current wage management model of SOEs in order to enhance their economic development.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ENTERPRISE IN ADAPTATION TO MARKET CONDITIONS

The article is devoted to the analysis of the innovative environment of the enterprise and the importance of its improvement during adaptation to market conditions. Achieving and maintaining the competitive advantages of the enterprise is possible with the effective use of innovations. Innovative processes at the enterprise are described, which are a complex and multi-stage phenomenon that includes the use of not only financial, but also human resources and are aimed at improving not only the enterprise's activity itself, but also the entire innovation environment. The innovation process takes place according to the development scenario at the enterprise: there is a significant personnel potential, a gradual increase in the educational level of employees, but outdated equipment, low financial support for innovative activities. The key points of the organization of innovative activities at the enterprise are presented, where success, like failure, depends on many factors and, mainly, on the correct identification of the prospects for the introduction of innovations with consideration of adaptability to internal and external market conditions. The innovative potential and its features are considered due to the introduction of the corresponding innovation department based on the principles of corporate management to improve the innovative environment of the enterprise.

МЕТОДИКА ФОРМУВАННЯ СИСТЕМИ ВНУТРІШНЬОГО ФІНАНСОВОГО КОНТРОЛЮ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The article systematizes and expands the main methodological provisions of the internal control system of an enterprise, including a methodical approach to the formation of an internal financial control system as a mechanism for adapting an enterprise to the dynamic conditions of the external environment, namely: the stages of formation of an internal financial control system (from identifying the need to adapt an economic entity to changing market conditions before the development of its specific resistance); the expediency of transforming the sequence of logically interconnected actions within the framework of the functioning of the internal financial control system in order to achieve cross-tolerance to the effects of external market conditions is proved. The conditions for the development of the internal financial control system are substantiated based on the application of inertial and crisis scenarios for its adaptation to the permanently dynamic conditions of the external and internal conjuncture, in particular: general and particular algorithmic models for implementing the scenario approach to the development of the internal proactive financial control system are developed, which allow balancing profitability and liquidity of an economic entity; the necessity of differentiation of the calculated individual values of the standards of such indicators as the current liquidity ratio, the financial independence ratio and the net working capital for economic entities of various types is argued, which will allow taking into account the specifics of the activity of a particular economic entity when making financial decisions in a situation of uncertainty. Тhe essence of the study involves the development of methodological provisions for the formation of a system and substantiation of directions for its practical implementation in a dynamic economic reality. The practical significance is realized through the use of its results in the process of building a system of internal proactive financial control in a particular economic entity and creating within it, based on the scenario approach, an adaptation mechanism to ensure the financial stability of the activities of this economic entity in a volatile market environment.

External Market Conditions, Competitiveness, Diversification, and Pakistan’s Export Performance

Pakistan’s exports evolve broadly in line with total world imports. Accordingly, Pakistan’s share in world imports was remarkably stable during the last 20 years, ranging between a minimum of 0.12 percent in 1980 and a maximum of 0.18 percent in 1992. In 1999-2000, the share was 0.15 percent. This would suggest that Pakistan’s export performance was not worse than that of the world on average. Compared to regional competitors, however, the performance was unimpressive, especially when compared to China and Thailand throughout the 1980s and 1990s or compared to Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka during the 1990s. All these countries succeeded in achieving sustainable market share increases in total world imports (Figure 1). In light of the growing awareness about the importance of exports in the overall economy of Pakistan and in view of the unimpressive export performance of Pakistan vis-à-vis other countries in the region it would be interesting to study the export performance of Pakistan and analyse the possible reasons for this poor performance and see whether it is due to demand deficiency or is it something to do with the supply side of the issue.