scholarly journals Remote certification processes during global pandemic times

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 01037
Author(s):  
Paweł Nowicki ◽  
Piotr Kafel

Research background: Conformity assessment as defined in the ISO/IEC 17000 standard shows that the specified requirements for the product, process, system, person or entity have been met. A special type of conformity assessment is certification, in which the assessment is carried out by independent organizations, which has been confirmed by an accreditation body. The current crisis related to the development of the COVID-19 global pandemic has forced many organizations to change traditional forms of operation and, where it was possible, switch to a remote mode of work. Purpose of the article: The need to adapt to new realities did not bypass the certification bodies that adapted to the emergency situation, using the possibilities of remote work, including as part of certification processes. The purpose of this publication is to indicate the context of the certification bodies’ operation and the impact of such proceedings on trust in the results of their work as well as to show the changes of the way of conducting certification audits by the certification bodies. Methods: For above mentioned matter, four certification bodies were analysed in the area of remote certification processes. The used methodology was a case studies including a direct interviews with certification bodies representatives. Findings and Value Added: The main findings are related to the following issues concerning that remote auditing processes ensure business continuity; there is an increased confidence in results among customers of certification bodies; changes in process costs.

Author(s):  
Alan Treadgold ◽  
Jonathan Reynolds

The retail industry globally is in an era of profound, perhaps unprecedented, change, change which has been further accelerated for many by the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and its attendant health and economic crises. This book is intended to serve as a wide-ranging, robust, practical guide to leaders of enterprises tasked with understanding and delivering success in the new landscape of retailing. Part 1 describes the major directions and drivers of change that define the new global landscape of retailing. Accelerating changes in technology, the rise to prominence globally of internet enabled shoppers and the rapid emergence of entirely new retail enterprises and business models are combining to re-shape the very fundamentals of the retail industry. The new landscape of retailing is unforgiving: success can be achieved more quickly than ever before but failure is equally rapid. Opportunities in the new landscape of retailing are profound, but so too are the challenges. Part 2 discusses the structures, skills and capabilities that retail enterprises will need to be successful in this new landscape and the skills and capabilities required of the leaders of retail enterprises. More than 25 detailed case studies of innovative, successful enterprises internationally and more than one hundred smaller examples, all updated and many new since the first edition, are used to illustrate the themes discussed. Frameworks are presented to provide practical guidance for enterprise leaders to understand and contextualize the nature of change re-shaping retail landscapes globally. Clear guidance is given of the capabilities, skills and perspectives needed at both an enterprise and personal leadership level to deliver success in the new landscape of retailing.


Author(s):  
Collen Tichaona Mahambo

Many businesses have suffered tremendously from the covid-19 pandemic through lost revenues and hence began to downscale. Most changed their business operations from office to remote work by employees. Business performance monitoring activities had not foreseen this global pandemic coming. Therefore, production and deadlines to meet work schedules have been disrupted especially for accounting entrepreneurs whose deadlines are usually imperative day to day discourses. Lockdowns that would come unprepared would drive management and staff in turmoil. These did not only affect internal operations but customers, regulatory bodies and most business stakeholders where in the same boat of reduced functionality. After looking into all these defies, the big question would be whether entrepreneurship would still be able to take advantage of opportunities when the problem is not focused on one country, area, business or sector; but cutting across the globe? Entrepreneurs are seen to be strategic opportunists, especially in times of a crisis like the covid-19 pandemic. In this research, entrepreneurs could be at start-up level, accounting graduates willing to start their own ventures or already functional businesses started by individuals who took the risk to get into their current ventures. Generally, the assumption is that most SMEs (Small-to-medium enterprises) are run by entrepreneurs even though this is not always the case. This research seeks to closely look at the opportunities available to accounting entrepreneurs after going through the challenges of a worldwide pandemic in Botswana. The main aim is to foster entrepreneurship business progressively against the outstanding odds of the covid-19 pandemic. A desktop research was applied to solicit suggestions for not only survival; but a positive forward-looking approach by taking advantage of the current crisis facing all businesses. A qualitative research has been used through journals, publications, discussion and opinion papers in order to explore suggestions for accounting entrepreneurs in the Botswana market. The findings and recommendations showed that accounting entrepreneurial capabilities can be elevated through employment of digital and virtual technologies in their day-to-day businesses and thinking innovatively against current market norms. Businesses therefore are seeking remedies to their financial calamities that have been posed by the covid-19 pandemic. Most “anti-digital” advocates have repented and now appreciate online services even in developing countries like Botswana where many generally shunned or were simply disinterested in digital discourses. The education sector, entertainment, retail and any business that you can think of, have in some way resorted to online alternatives. This combination of impending demand on financial advisory, the rise in appreciation of digital fraternities by all, government support and financing, all pose opportunities post the covid-19 and any other pandemics that may follow. Seetharaman, (2020) articulate how on one hand, the Covid-19 pandemic has imposed huge challenges on business organizations, but on the other hand, it has also compelled for innovations and new opportunities for new business models that will enable them to survive post this current crisis and other future crises


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 07056
Author(s):  
Iluta Riekstina ◽  
Rosita Zvirgzdina

Research background: 2020 will always remain a pandemic year in the world. A year that shook everyone including business. After the end of the emergency, many countries are planning business recovery measures. Many programs are planned for micro and small businesses. Due to the large number of micro-enterprises that the authors decided to conduct a study on the preparedness of micro and small enterprises for emergencies. About the areas in which small businesses operate, how and whether they are only able to operate in the domestic market or are ready for globalization. 65% of Latvian micro and small enterprises in surveys conducted by credit institutions showed that the impact of COVID19 on operations is noticeable and will be necessary for business recovery. At the same time, 47% of them confirmed that they plan to change their business model according to the new situation. Purpose of the article: The aim of the research is to identify the interaction of the activity structure of Latvian micro and small enterprises with emergency situations. To analyze the operating environment and the intensity of its impact on business. Methods: Quantitative research is based on official business data from several sources - Enterprise Register, Ministry of Economics, Re-Identifier of the Register of Enterprises Ltd. “Lursoft”, Central Statistical Bureau. The study will review data on the last 5 years by analyzing data for 2013-2017. The following research methods have been used for the research: quantitative data research approach, analytical study comparing data for five years and graphical method - visualization and analysis of visual information. Findings & Value added: As a result of the article, it is planned to group the directions of activities of micro and small enterprises based on the impact of the emergency situation on them. Thus, performing an analysis of the readiness of Latvian micro and small enterprises for emergency situations and the impact on operations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 01031
Author(s):  
Jolana Volejnikova ◽  
Ondrej Kuba

Research background: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is unprecedented for human society. Despite the continuing uncertainty about the future, it is certain that the global consequences of the pandemic will have many dimensions. Among others, the economic impacts are extremely significant. However, the sudden slowdown in economic activity, the declared quarantines, and the state of emergency have many specific impacts in individual countries. The Czech economy (as well as other countries in the world) was exposed to an unexpected exogenous shock. The data confirm that, in 2020, the decline in the performance of the Czech economy was the deepest in its history. Purpose of the article: The primary goal of this article is to analyze the macroeconomic performance of the Czech Republic during a pandemic crisis. However, we also research the impact of the pandemic on individual sectors of the national economy in the context of government measures. Methods: The analytical part of the article is processed on the basis of publicly available statistical data, economic analyses, and economic forecasts of renowned institutions. The derivation and argumentation of the conclusions are based on an empiric-inductive approach, methods of synthesis, and comparison. Findings and value added: The article maps the direct and mediated macroeconomic effects of the pandemic crisis in the reality of the Czech Republic. At the theoretical level, the aim of the article is to bring new knowledge to current economic theory, especially in the field of macroeconomics and sectoral analysis as well as the theory of public choice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 01018
Author(s):  
Crina Ionescu ◽  
Mihaela Iordache ◽  
Emilia Țițan

Research background: As COVID-19 is posing unprecedented challenges, the governments as well as the individuals have to adapt to the shift towards a new lifestyle. The preventing measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus has important consequences on economy sectors both at global and national level. In this regard, it is the right time to accelerate the development of the digital tools and technologies that can help neutralize or at least mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19. Purpose of the article: Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the current situation of digitization, focusing on the main transformations in recent months. Methods: Throughout the paper, there can be distinguished both qualitative and quantitative approach. The methods used include a secondary research from official information and primary quantitative research obtained from a conducted survey that explains the importance and the impact of digitization on economy in the face of a global pandemic. Findings & Value added: The article highlights the impact of digitization on the economy by comparing the findings from Romanian economy with other EU countries. It is noted that in areas where the digitization was more developed or where the adaptation to the new conditions imposed by the crisis generated by COVID-19 has been faster, the impact was significantly lower as well.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inese Abolina ◽  
◽  
Andzela Veselova ◽  

Global pandemic COVID-19 has increased the level of digitalization which allows public and private sector organizations in the world to employ people remotely outside office premises and crossing borders of the world. Remote work is one of the new employment forms caused by the impact of digitalization, which keeps conquering and strengthening the positions on our daily professional lives. It means extended use of different new employment forms, including the digital transition of administration processes and business management, improvement of digital skills and competences, contributing to development of areas of services and products with higher benefit (Breaugh, Farabee, 2012). Research aims to study basic principles and tendencies of remote work organization based on theoretical aspects, draw conclusions and elaborate proposals for improvement of remote work. In order to achieve the goal, the tasks are as follows: 1) provide the explanation of remote work organization; 2) describe secondary data from a conducted survey by Milasi, S., Fernandez – Macias, E., Gonzalez-Vazquez, I. 2020, European Commission; 3) conduct survey about remote work


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 01046
Author(s):  
Jana Stuchlíková ◽  
Milena Botlíková

Research background: The overall impact of coronavirus has some positives and negatives on the tourism sector and thus on other downstream sectors. The stagnation of tourism will make it easier for overcrowded tourist centers, which corresponds to the goals of sustainable tourism. On the other hand, negatives can be attributed to it. The Covid -19 epidemic caused the decline in business activities in tourism to almost zero, not only in the Czech Republic, but in the entire global area. If we consider with the intention that a large part of tourism enterprises is dependent on foreign clients, then the steps necessary to prevent the further spread of the epidemic were fatal for many enterprises and contribute to rising unemployment, reducing public budget revenues, etc. It is clear that the functioning of tourism will not return to pre-coronavirus and will be gradual. Businesses will need to adapt their services and find new ways to distribute them. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to map the effect of coronavirus on selected aspects of sustainable tourism in the Czech Republic. Methods: We used primary data obtained from controlled interviews with the operators of the monitored facilities and secondary data (EUROSTAT, CSO). Findings & Value added: The paper includes models of the impact of coronavirus in the field of tourism, focusing mainly on accommodation and catering establishments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-431
Author(s):  
Marta Kuc-Czarnecka

Research background: The problem of digital deprivation is already known, but the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its negative consequences. A global change in the way of life, work and socialisation resulting from the epidemic has indicated that a basic level of digital integration is becoming necessary. During the lockdown, people were forced to use ICTs to adapt to a rapidly changing reality. Current experience with coronavirus pandemic shows that the transition to these extraordinary circumstances is not smooth. The inability to rapid conversion to the online world (due to a lack of skills or technical capabilities) significantly reduces professional mobility, hinders access to public services, and in the case of children, exposes them to the risk of remaining outside the remote education system. Purpose of the article: This research paper is addressing new issues of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on deepening and increasing the severity of e-exclusion. The goal of the paper is to indicate territorial areas in Poland which are particularly vulnerable to digital deprivation due to infrastructural deficiencies. Methods: Raster data regarding landform, combined with vector data regarding population density and type of buildings as well as the location of BTS stations are used in so-called modelling overland paths (GIS method) to indicate areas vulnerable to the infrastructural digital divide. Findings & Value added: The research showed that 4% of Poles remain out-side the Internet coverage, and additional ten percent of them are out of the reach of the Internet, allowing efficient remote work or learning. The research indicated that digital 'accessibility gap' is underestimated. E-exclusion has become a pressing issue and requires urgent system solutions, in case of future lockdowns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 02063
Author(s):  
Mariana Usheva ◽  
Ladislav Vagner

Research background: The Covid-19 pandemic affects all areas of operation in almost every country, except for Slovakia. In Slovakia, radical measures were taken in the first phase of March, and the state of emergency required the closure of gastronomic establishments, service operations, restrictions on shops, stricter hygiene measures and restrictions on free cross-border as well as a national movement. The second phase is foreseen in the autumn, which should be much more demanding, and it will also be a great challenge for companies to be able to adapt their activities to the new standards. An important question for companies is how this will affect their financial results. Some companies were not affected by the disease; others had to be closed, did not generate any profit, eventually went bankrupt. Purpose of the article: The purpose of this article is primarily to examine the impact of coronavirus on earnings management and how it will affect further decision-making within the company. In our study, we focused on the impact that Covid-19 has or will have on the management of companies in Slovakia. A total of 172 companies in Slovakia operating in various sectors were interviewed Methods: The methodology used standard questionnaire survey procedures with scale answers. We addressed companies, despite the sector in which they operate. The overall return was 20%, and we obtained 172 responses. Findings & Value added: Because the consequences of the Covid-19 disease are not yet evident, managers within earning management will also count on reserves in the form of savings accounts more than before.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 05024
Author(s):  
Jarmila Šalgovičová ◽  
Peter Ušák

Research background: We are in a period when the society got into a global crisis. The main trigger was the arrival of a worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The European Union is responding and sending an unprecedented rescue package to help the economies of the individual Member States. In a short time, entrepreneurs are forced to drastically change their strategies to ensure a basic survival in the market. Under the influence of globalization in connection with the crisis, companies are under increasing pressure to base their business activities on the principles of the circular economy. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to analyze the external communication in a particular multinational company and to point out the advantages of applying the principles of the circular economy, used in the conditions of the global economic crisis. Methods: We will analyze theoretical knowledge from domestic and foreign authors. We will analyze external data that will provide us with information about the tools of external communication that are used in the standard period and we will compare them with the external communication used in the current crisis period. Findings & Value added: The contribution of the paper is in pointing to the fact that external communication and communication tools tend to change depending on the specific situation in which the company finds itself, how companies had to adjust their external communication depending on the pandemic in which the whole society found itself.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document