scholarly journals SoLoMo marketing as a global tool for enhancing awareness of eco-innovations in Slovak business environment

Equilibrium ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Zaušková ◽  
Monika Rezníčková

Research background: Thanks to globalization, a number of new possibilities and available technological solutions have emerged, thus modernizing marketing communication activities and bringing a broad spectrum of business opportunities to the single European market which enterprises may use to their benefits. Changes are much more frequent than ever before. Therefore, it is important to search for innovative solutions which contribute to more effective fulfillment of goals, generate positive changes or increase value for customers and as a matter of fact, enhance innovative performance and business competitiveness. Purpose of the article: The paper deals with the presentation of eco-innovations in the business environment using creative tools of online marketing communication. Eco-innovations are a phenomenon which is present across all business activities and processes including marketing communication. The authors study such marketing activities of businesses which are part of corporate social responsibility, generate business growth and finally help to improve the global environment. The authors also present the partial results of their own quantitative marketing research in order to describe the application of SoLoMo marketing tools in the presentation of eco-innovations in the Slovak business environment. Methods: The authors prepared a standardized questionnaire on a sample of 300 Slovak businesses. To test the dependence or independence of the variables, a Chi-squared test and Fisher´s exact test were used. Findings & Value added: Despite the generally growing trend of the use of mod-ern online marketing tools, the research showed that Slovak businesses do not inform sufficiently about their eco-innovation activities, do not address all prospective target groups and do not make enough effort to enhance environmental awareness of the wider public. The results of the research will serve as basic information for the following specific studies, the main aim of which is to spread awareness among consumers and to eventually provide them with practical recommendations. In addition, the given theoretical part of the paper represents a valuable summary of information about the modern SoLoMo marketing concept while providing a detailed overview of other relevant research studies in the given field. Therefore, the paper portrays an overview of opportunities for the implementation of digital tools of marketing communication in small, medium-sized and large enterprises.

2019 ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
etiana Prokopenko

The purpose of the article is to carry out a comprehensive study on the peculiarities of theoretical and economic aspects of tourism industry development in Ukraine. Methodology. The complexity and specificity of the problems under study led to the use of a set of methodological tools, including general scientific and specific research methods, based on dialectical principles of objectivity and consistency, validity and comprehensiveness, logic and criticality. The descriptive (monographic) method made it possible to illuminate the discourse field of the chosen problems. The structural-functional method allowed to reveal the leading factors, factors and components of the formation of rapid tourism development in Ukraine. The comparative method made it possible to compare statistics on the visit of foreign tourists to Ukraine and the departure of Ukrainian citizens abroad. Results. The author also carried out a comprehensive analysis of the statistics of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine and determined that there is a tendency to increase the tourist flow outside Ukraine due to the introduction of a visa-free regime for entry into the EU and a decrease in the flow. foreigners to Ukraine due to amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine, which significantly complicates the duty-free crossing of goods across borders. It is justified that the market for tourist services is considered to be quite flexible because it is able to respond flexibly to changes in the external environment (economic, socio-demographic, political factors) and to changes in tourist demand and supply. The tourism sphere is one of the of the most effective sphere of Ukraine's economy because it not only contributes to the development of regions, but also accelerates the process of formation of the middle class in our country. Also, the tourism industry envisages an increase in the incomes of the population and an increase in the welfare of the nation, as a whole, through attracting foreign investment. This, in turn, increases part of the budget revenues through direct and indirect taxes (value added tax, import duty), the volume of which is one of the determining indicators for the existing business environment. In order to meet the growing demands of clients, travel agents and agents need to constantly research the market. Marketing research of the tourist services market and correction of the direction of tourist activity should be conducted in many directions. The scientific novelty of the work is that the systematization of scientific researches of the experience of forming the potential of the tourism industry, which distinguishes four main varieties of tourism products, namely: excursions, sports competitions, cultural and mass events and cultural festivals, the development of which promote economic development, is improved. , family-related, moral, ethnic and legal ties in conducting tourism business in Ukraine. The practical importance of the work lies in the possibility of further use of the proposed developments of the author for faster reproduction of labor resources through rest, improving the health of citizens and guests of the country, as well as for turning the resort business into a significant source of funds for the state and local budgets.


Equilibrium ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-857
Author(s):  
Paulina Nowak

Research background: Cooperation is an indispensable element of innovation activities of enterprises. Undertakings in innovation, by nature, require not only significant expenditures or creative human capital, but also cooperation with other enterprises, scientific institutions, and the business environment. Cooperating companies have a greater chance to compete in the international arena while building the innovative potential of the regional environment. Stimulating the permanent cooperation of enterprises operating in the region, in its various forms, is a key challenge for central government authorities, local government authorities, and other actors in social and economic life. The existing literature on the cooperation of enterprises focuses on the motives of cooperation and their effects, but to a lesser extent on the spatial similarity of these processes, i.e. in individual regions of the country. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the article is to diagnose and evaluate regional differences in the level of cooperation between companies conducting innovation activities in Poland. The study used data on innovation activities published by Statistics Poland and data on enterprises participating in cluster cooperation published by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. Methods: The cluster analysis was used, allowing to identify voivodeships that are similar to each other in terms of the analyzed phenomenon. The spatial classification of voivodeships was performed using the Ward method, which is classified as hierarchical and is often used to group objects. The result is a hierarchical tree that groups the regions in increasingly larger clusters. Findings & value added: The results indicate a low level of cooperation and the existence of significant differences in the cooperation of enterprises as part of innovation activities in Polish regions. The low level of cooperation between companies in individual regions corresponds to the number of marketed innovations. There are similarities between some regions in terms of cooperation on innovation activities. The results of the analysis may provide an indication for national and European Union economic policy entities in the field of creating instruments to support the cooperation of companies on innovation activities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Belas ◽  
Beata Gavurova ◽  
Martin Cepel ◽  
Matus Kubak

Research background: Improving business conditions and SME development are signs of a country’s macroeconomic stability. The issue of identifying and removing barriers to the development of firms in the SME segment is a priority in all countries with developed economies and its importance is currently increasing. Purpose of the article: The main aim of this paper is to explore possible differences in entrepreneurs’ perception of the business environment based on the industry in which the company operates. The analysis contains also a national view, where a comparison between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic is performed. Methods: Correspondence analysis was used to achieve the research objectives in order to examine the relations between the categorical variables. Its application is beneficial in cases where the graphic output is clearer than the numerical one. Findings & Value added: The presented research makes it possible to identify problematic aspects of doing business in each sector and to create support mechanisms for the creation of effective structural policies. Entrepreneurs from the Czech Republic’s Production and Transport sectors agree with the statement that the business environment in the country is suitable for starting a business. As for business environment’s suitability for doing business, neither Slovak nor Czech entrepreneurs sector-wide agreed with the given statement. Czech entrepreneurs from the Services, Trade and Construction sectors, respectively, agree, fully agree with the statement that the business environment in the country is reasonably risky and allows for doing business. In the case of entrepreneurs from Slovakia, no significant correspondence is observed. Findings regarding the statement that the business conditions in the country have improved over the past five years are the following: In the Czech Republic, there is a perfect correspondence of the Transport sector and the agreement with the given statement. In the Slovak Republic, agreement was found with the given statement in the Transport sector and neutral position in the Production sector.


Equilibrium ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Kiseľáková ◽  
Beáta Šofranková ◽  
Erika Onuferová ◽  
Veronika Čabinová

Research background: Under the current conditions of increasing competitiveness and interdependence, national economies are more influenced by the global business environment and its development. Constantly changing economic, social, political aspects, and many other factors, cause the differences in the global competitiveness of economies, so the economies are forced to analyze their competitive level more complexly. Despite that, there is a lack of research studies analyzing the international competitiveness of EU-28 economies from the point of view various multi-criteria indices. Purpose of the article: The paper investigates the relations between the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and other selected multi-criteria indices, namely the Global Innovation Index (GII), the Doing Business Index (DBI), the Economic Freedom Index (EFI) and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in the case of EU–28 economies. Methods: In order to investigate the relations between the global competitiveness and selected multi-criteria indices affecting the EU–28 economies, the multiple linear regression analyses were applied. The multiple regression model was quantified for every single year, as well as, the regression model using the average score of all analyzed indices. The secondary data concerning the scores of individual indices were collected based on annually published online reports over the period of 2014–2018. Findings & Value added: The research confirmed that there is a statistically significant dependence between the global competitiveness, corruption and the level of innovation potential within the EU–28 economies. Besides, we identified the worst results in the context of competitiveness evaluation especially in the area of corruption and innovation activities. In this regard, the issue of insufficient innovation development and inappropriate corruption perception is considered to be key determinants influencing the assessment of the global competitiveness of the EU–28 member states. In our opinion, to improve the competitiveness of these countries, targeted activities should be implemented in the frame of national competitive strategies, programs, and policies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Yasin ◽  
A Sugrue ◽  
M Van Zyl ◽  
A Ladejobi ◽  
J Tri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Slowing electrical conduction by cooling the myocardium can be used for defibrillation. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of a small cold device placed in oblique sinus (OS) in terminating atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the parameters needed to achieve effective atrial defibrillation are unknown. Purpose Assess effect of the size of cooled myocardium on frequency of AF termination in acute canine animal models. Methods Sternotomy was performed under general anesthesia in 10 acute canine experiments. AF was induced using rapid atrial pacing and intra-myocardial epinephrine and acetylcholine injections. Once AF sustained for at least 30s, either a cool (7–9°C) or placebo (body temperature) device was placed in the OS. Four device sizes were tested; ½X½, ¾X¾, and 1X1 inch devices and two ¾X¾ inch devices placed side by side simultaneously. Time to AF termination was recorded. Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the frequency of arrhythmia termination with cooling versus placebo. Results A total of 166 applications were performed (89 cool vs 77 placebo) in 10 animal experiments. Overall, AF terminated in 82% of the cooling applications vs. 67.5% of placebo (P=0.03, Figure 1). For the ½X½ inch device 88% of cold applications restored sinus rhythm vs. 63.6% for placebo (P=0.05). The frequency of sinus restoration for cold ¾X¾, 1X1 and two ¾X¾ side by side devices was 86.7%, 83.3% and 70% respectively. Time to sinus restoration when achieved was within three minutes was also not significantly changed. Conclusion Placing a cool device in the oblique sinus can terminate AF and efficacy is not affected by the size of device. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): MediCool Technologies


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Patey ◽  
Jeremy M. Grimshaw ◽  
Jill J. Francis

Abstract Background Decreasing ineffective or harmful healthcare practices (de-implementation) may require different approaches than those used to promote uptake of effective practices (implementation). Few psychological theories differentiate between processes involved in decreasing, versus increasing, behaviour. However, it is unknown whether implementation and de-implementation interventions already use different approaches. We used the behaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomy (version 1) (which includes 93 BCTs organised into 12 groupings) to investigate whether implementation and de-implementation interventions for clinician behaviour change use different BCTs. Methods Intervention descriptions in 181 articles from three systematic reviews in the Cochrane Library were coded for (a) implementation versus de-implementation and (b) intervention content (BCTs) using the BCT taxonomy (v1). BCT frequencies were calculated and compared using Pearson’s chi-squared (χ2), Yates’ continuity correction and Fisher’s exact test, where appropriate. Identified BCTs were ranked according to frequency and rankings for de-implementation versus implementation interventions were compared and described. Results Twenty-nine and 25 BCTs were identified in implementation and de-implementation interventions respectively. Feedback on behaviour was identified more frequently in implementation than de-implementation (Χ2(2, n=178) = 15.693, p = .000057). Three BCTs were identified more frequently in de-implementation than implementation: Behaviour substitution (Χ2(2, n=178) = 14.561, p = .0001; Yates’ continuity correction); Monitoring of behaviour by others without feedback (Χ2(2, n=178) = 16.187, p = .000057; Yates’ continuity correction); and Restructuring social environment (p = .000273; Fisher’s 2-sided exact test). Conclusions There were some significant differences between BCTs reported in implementation and de-implementation interventions suggesting that researchers may have implicit theories about different BCTs required for de-implementation and implementation. These findings do not imply that the BCTs identified as targeting implementation or de-implementation are effective, rather simply that they were more frequently used. These findings require replication for a wider range of clinical behaviours. The continued accumulation of additional knowledge and evidence into whether implementation and de-implementation is different will serve to better inform researchers and, subsequently, improve methods for intervention design.


Geoheritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pásková ◽  
J. Zelenka ◽  
T. Ogasawara ◽  
B. Zavala ◽  
I. Astete

AbstractHolistic interpretation of Earth heritage is one of the most important tasks of UNESCO Global geoparks. The ABC (abiotic, biotic, and cultural interconnections) concept is a potential interpretive approach used in Earth heritage popularization through geotourism. Apart of the deeper understanding of this concept, this study explores the application of this concept in selected geoparks. The Colca and Volcanoes Andagua UNESCO Global Geopark (Peru) and Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark (Japan) served as a case study in the frame of this qualitative research conducted during the summer 2019. Results show that the ABC approach is nearly perfectly understood by both geoparks, however there are both internal and external factors which influence the extent and form of how this concept is applied in practice. Except for specific geographical settings, different stages of geopark product development, and different managerial approaches, they mainly include the level of scientific knowledge and general education in the given geopark, as well as level of knowledge management and networking with another UNESCO global geoparks. The more experienced Muroto Geopark interpretation exhibits a comparatively higher level of visible ABC application, while the Colca and Volcanoes Andagua Geopark can benefit in the future from the natural inclination and ability of the local people to integrate the cultural aspects into their Earth heritage interpretation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Mollahoseini Ardakani ◽  
Seyyed Mohsen Hashemi ◽  
Mohammadreza Razzazi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose an applicable method for establishing the dynamic inter-organizational collaborations (DIOCs) based on the scrum methodology. Design/methodology/approach The scrum methodology embedded within the context of the DIOC project life cycle was used and adapted to being usable with specific characteristics of the project. Findings In order to succeed in the highly competitive, dynamic and changing business environments, the organizations need to change their view of business practices. The transition from the traditional status of manufacturing to the inter-organizational collaborations can be one of the fundamental changes in the modern business management. The proposed method has the capability to establish DIOCs effectively and efficiently whilst guaranteeing agility, competitiveness, and risk timely management. Originality/value Establishing collaborative alliances via association of various experienced and professional organizations and producing the value-added market’s need services is an effective and efficient solution for survival of SMEs in the current competitive, dynamic and changing business environment. So far, different frameworks, reference models/architectures, and many theoretical discussions have been presented for DIOCs context, but these representations are conceptual, empirical and generic. This paper aims to propose an applicable iterative and incremental method for establishing the DIOC which guarantees the agility and risk timely management of the establishment process and promotes competitiveness of partners.


Author(s):  
Beniamino Brunetti ◽  
Rosa Salzillo ◽  
Stefania Tenna ◽  
Bruno Brunetti ◽  
Mario Alessandri Bonetti ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Evidence in literature about the best reconstructive approach after melanoma resection is controversial, with some authors advocating that tissue rearrangement flap techniques might hinder the early detection of local relapses. The aim of the present study is to evaluate oncological, aesthetic, and functional outcomes following melanoma reconstruction using pedicled perforator-based flaps. Methods The authors reviewed all patients affected by melanoma treated during a 6-year period. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and operative variables were evaluated. Locoregional recurrence was assessed with clinical and radiological follow-up. One-year postoperatively patients rated on a 5-point Likert scale the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the procedure. Three blind observers examined preoperative and 1-year postoperative photographs and rated the aesthetic outcome of the reconstructive procedure. Results One-hundred sixty-five patients were treated with wide excision and delayed reconstruction, including pedicled perforator-based flaps in 70 patients (group A) and primary closure in 95 patients (group B). Mean Breslow thickness was 2.972 and 2.189 mm in group A and B, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in locoregional recurrence (chi-squared test, p = 0.8333; Fisher's exact test, p > 0.9999) between the two groups. Group A reported a higher satisfaction with both the aesthetic (mean rating 4.390 in group A and 4.094 in group B) and functional (mean rating 4.732 in group A and 4.170 in group B) outcomes of the procedure, the latter being statistically significant (p = 0.0006). Conclusion This series suggests that pedicled perforator-based flaps provide optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes in melanoma reconstruction without impairing the locoregional control of the disease.


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