scholarly journals Study of SMEs from electrical engineering industry providing smart services in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 05013
Author(s):  
Lucie Kaňovská ◽  
Veronika Bumberová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Electrical Engineering ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
And Performance

Research background: A buzzword such as industry 4.0, digitalization and smart services are tracking economic news in recent time. The world has changed over the last decade from a mainly physical to software controlled economy. Many manufacturers provide a lot of accompanying services to their products. However, not all of them supply smart services with the expectation of achieving better performance, portfolio expansion and long-term cooperation with their customers. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to find out differences between providers and non-providers of smart services and across subcategory of smart service providers in cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility in product and accompanying services and performance. Methods: A quantitative research was held among 112 electro-technical SMEs in Czech Republic. The analysis is based on descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to compare the differences in electrical industry and across providers of smart services in key areas. Findings & Value added: The findings show that the differences are statistically significant. The results in the field of electrical engineering suggest that the found diversity (patterns of behavior) could also help managers in this field and policies aimed at supporting the development of small businesses in this context.

scholarly journals The Differences in the Propensity of Providing Smart Services by SMEs from the Electrical Engineering Industry with Regard to Their Cooperation and Innovation Flexibility

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5008
Author(s):  
Lucie Kaňovská ◽  
Veronika Bumberová
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Electrical Engineering ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
Smart Technologies

There is still a lack of empirical evidence about smart service in general, and more particularly, in small and medium sized firms (SMEs). For SMEs, where the implementation of smart technologies is more demanding, the importance of cooperation with other business partners and innovation flexibility increases dramatically. The purpose of this article is to determine how the cooperation and innovation flexibility of SMEs affect the propensity to provide smart services in the electrical engineering industry. This paper also contributes a deeper insight into the intensity scale of collaboration within SME providers of smart services regarding the types of smart services offered. The empirical evidence is based on quantitative and firm-level data gathered through an email questionnaire which yielded 112 SME companies from the electrical engineering industry in the Czech Republic. The analysis is based on factor analysis, non-parametric tests, and binary logistic regression to identify the differences and effects of collaboration and innovation flexibility. The results of the factors affected confirmed external cooperation flexibility with customers and innovative flexibility in relation to the products as significant with inverse relationships between external collaboration with customers and the propensity to provide smart services. It is evident that weak ties in external customer cooperation flexibility operate as incentives or driving forces in the provision of smart services to establish closer relationships. The deeper research insights as well as the theoretical and practical implications are discussed at the end of the paper.

The Lifestyles of Blind, Low Vision, and Sighted Youths: A Quantitative Comparison

1997 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wolffe ◽  
S.Z. Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Daily Living ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Time Diary ◽  
Vocational Experiences ◽  
And Performance

In this quantitative research study, 16 blind students, 16 low vision students, and 16 sighted students aged 15–21 and their parents were interviewed by telephone using questionnaires designed to examine four areas: academic involvement and performance, daily living and personal care activities, recreation and leisure activities, and work and vocational experiences. A time-diary protocol was also used to obtain data from each student in three telephone interviews during the calendar year. Similarities and differences among the three groups, as well as implications of the findings for service providers, are discussed.

scholarly journals Realtionships between Fiancial and Learning and Growth Perspectives in BSC

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 1841-1850
Author(s):  
Ilona Berková ◽  
Markéta Adamová ◽  
Kristýna Nývltová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Financial Perspective ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is one of the methods for measuring of the company’s performance, strategy formulation and subsequent management leading to improving competitiveness. Nowadays company performance has an important role because the competitive environment is much more changeable and more difficult to predict because of the influence of globalization. BSC is worldwide used both in large, medium and small businesses regardless of the field of business. According to Knápková, Homolka and Pavelková (2014), this model is used only by 13 % of the enterprises in the Czech Republic. BSC monitors business performance from four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Process, Learning and Growth. The main aim of this paper is to verify whether there is a correlation between Learning and Growth and Financial perspective. Data were obtained from the database Albertina Gold and from quantitative research in companies in 2015. As sample small and medium enterprises in Czech Republic were chosen by random selection. Data were analysed by using regression analysis. Based on the analysis the dependence of some financial indicators on the attitude of the company to the risk and on long‑term or short‑term orientation was proved. BSC is spread in 30 – 50 % companies all over the word, in Australia this method is used even in 88 % companies (Al Sawalqa, Holloway and Alam, 2011). Due to proven dependence it would be appropriate to raise Czech companies’ awareness of advantages of this method.

scholarly journals Online grocery shopping: the customers´ perspective in the Czech Republic

Equilibrium ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-695
Author(s):  
Ottó Bartók ◽  
Vratislav Kozák ◽  
Radka Bauerová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Statistical Evaluation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Correlation Test ◽  
Chi Square Test

Research background: Online shopping is becoming popular among most customers thanks to quickness and easy shopping, and also due the COVID pandemic. Companies are aware of the great interest of customers and, as a consequence, e-commerce is expanding. There has been a significant increase in online grocery purchases due to economic growth in the past few years. Online shopping attracts a lot of research interest, individual authors and this is a widely discussed topic. It should be borne in mind that online purchasing of food has its own peculiarities compared to the segment of electronics or fashion from the perspective of everyday needs. Purpose of the article: The aim of the study is to analyze specific consumer behaviour in online purchasing of groceries. This study takes into account the age and purchasing preferences of online grocery purchasers. Methods: The study was conducted using quantitative research. Data (n = 171) was obtained by using a questionnaire survey done in the Czech Republic. The questionnaire survey contained 17 questions. For the statistical evaluation, Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation test were used. For the statistical evaluation, Chi-square test and Pearson´s correlation test were used. Findings & value added: The results of the study indicate that there is a relationship between the age of customers and online purchase in the grocery field. However, customers who use the         e-shop for grocery purchase are still reluctant to buy perishable goods (meat, pastries) and prefer goods that are packed directly by the manufacturer. The study sheds light on understanding the customers? purchasing behaviour and their preferences in terms of quality of service, payment terms, delivery conditions, and range of assortment.

Barriers to smart services for manufacturing companies – an exploratory study in the capital goods industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Michael Klein ◽  
Sebastian Simon Biehl ◽  
Thomas Friedli
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Capital Goods ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Service Businesses

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate non-technical barriers for smart services in the capital goods industry. Design/methodology/approach A multiple methodology approach is adopted. First, qualitative workshops and interviews were conducted with 14 experts from five companies. The findings generated subsequently provided a basis for a large-scale quantitative survey of manufacturing company service representatives in the capital goods industry, the data from which were analyzed using explorative factor analysis. Findings In total, 25 items that represent barriers to smart service businesses were identified, using qualitative research. Large-scale quantitative research revealed 24 items structured into four factors. Additionally, the respondents’ assessment of the individual barriers’ impact on their smart service businesses is presented. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on manufacturing companies in the capital goods industry, mainly, in the European countries. Caution should be exercised in seeking to generalize the results to other industries. The findings should be confirmed with subsequent confirmatory analyses using additional data. Practical implications The authors’ findings provide a comprehensive list and classification of barriers, as well as an assessment of their severity, serving as a practical guideline for managers. Originality/value This paper explores the barriers to smart services from a provider’s perspective. Its holistic approach and use of large-scale quantitative data qualify it as one of the first studies of this kind.

scholarly journals Global Emergency Impact to Latvian Micro and Small Enterprises

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 07056
Author(s):  
Iluta Riekstina ◽  
Rosita Zvirgzdina
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Micro And Small Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

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.

scholarly journals Are smart service manufacturing providers different in cooperation and innovation flexibility, in innovation performance and business performance from non-smart service manufacturing providers?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
Lucie Kaňovská
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Theoretical Implication ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
The Impact

Abstract To overcome the challenges posed by increasing competition, many traditional manufacturing companies are moving from the mere production of manufacturing goods to the integration of services that are more or less integrated into the product, which is also due to the constant development of the industry. Moreover, many manufacturing companies offer products that use smart technologies. This paper focuses on the importance of smart service provision for cooperation and innovation flexibility, innovation performance and business performance in small and medium manufacturing companies. The paper aims to find out if smart service manufacturing providers are different in cooperation and innovation flexibility and innovation and business performance from non-smart service manufacturing providers. To better understand the issue, research was undertaken in 112 small and medium manufacturing companies of the Czech Republic. The problems of smart service provision were investigated in the first empirical research held among the electric engineering companies (CZ-NACE 26 and CZ-NACE 27) in the Czech Republic. The findings show that smart service manufacturing providers are better in internal cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility related to product and to accompanying services and in business performance than non-smart service manufacturing providers. Theoretical implication contributes in two specific ways: first, in the presentation of the interconnection of smart services and cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility, innovation performance and business performance; and second, in the identification of the impact of smart services in manufacturing SMEs and in finding out which areas affect the provision of smart services. The findings can have a positive influence in several areas; therefore, they can be important factors for many manufacturing companies which still need some persuasion to offer smart services.

scholarly journals Does Provision of Smart Services Depend on Cooperation Flexibility, Innovation Flexibility, Innovation Performance or Business Performance in SMEs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
Lucie Kanovska ◽  
Karel Doubravsky
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Smart Service

Many manufacturers provide a lot of accompanying services to their products. However, not all of them supply smart services, because the move towards these is not easy, especially for SMEs, which often struggle with a lack of money, insufficient digital technologies or unskilled employees. The aim of this paper is to find out if smart service provision depends on cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility, innovation performance and business performance in SMEs. To fulfil the research aim, quantitative research was carried out among 112 Czech electrotechnical SMEs. The findings show that the higher the rating companies give to working with external customers, the less chance they have of providing smart services. Thus, SMEs who value cooperation flexibility with external customers as less important are more likely to provide smart services. The higher rating companies give to product innovation flexibility, the higher the chance for providing smart services. Thus, we can expect companies who value product innovation flexibility more highly to more likely deliver smart services.

scholarly journals COLLABORATION IN SMART SERVICES – THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Kanovska
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
The Right

Many current manufacturers provide not only tangible products to their customers, but also services which are accompanying their products. Moreover, manufacturers add smart services to their service offerings. Applying the change toward smart services is not easy, especially in SMEs where many of businesses struggle with lack of money, insufficient digital technologies or unskilled employees. The aim of the study mentioned in this paper explores current situation in SMEs and their attitudes related to collaboration with other subjects on their markets. To address the research objective, a qualitative multi-case study was conducted among seven Czech electrotechnical SMEs, which have already started with smart service development. The findings can indicate two approaches of collaboration based mostly on the owners’ enthusiasm for smart services, management’s age and the length of running their business. The study is unique in highlighting the problems of smart services in SMEs in the Czech Republic, where the industrial sector is still dominant in comparison to other European countries.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the sale of products and accompanying services to electrical engineering companies in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 01013
Author(s):  
Lucie Kaňovská ◽  
Veronika Bumberová
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Engineering ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Quantitative Survey ◽  
Positive Tendency ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Research background: The coronavirus pandemic and action taken by companies in response, necessarily led to a significant reduction in the performance of the Czech economy, and especially a downturn in industry. While in sectors it was easy to calculate the slump in production and orders, elsewhere the slowdown in the world economy is expected to be felt in the coming periods. Yet there were also companies that were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 situation. One of the options for maintaining a market position may be an emphasis on accompanying services, including smart services which, thanks to the limitations of COVID-19, could significantly alleviate the situation. Purpose of the article: The purpose of this paper is to find out whether COVID-19 will have an impact on the sale of products and accompanying services in the industry selected from the perspective of respondents' perceptions over time. Methods: This paper draws on a conjunctural research approach via survey and structural interview data collected in electrical engineering companies during the Coronavirus pandemic situation. The data obtained from the quantitative survey carried out in September 2020 is used to evaluate the results by summarizing the answers in the individual variants. The data obtained from qualitative interviews conducted in July 2021 are used both to illustrate the views of selected entrepreneurs from industry who were actively involved in the research, and to map the current situation. Findings and value added: The results of the quantitative survey show uncertain to more negative views on the impact of sales of firms’ own products and services in general, while current qualitative data collection on the present has a positive tendency to perceive further growth and recovery especially in the area of servitization which has helped in crisis resilience.

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