scholarly journals The Influence of Competitiveness on Start-up in SMES Segment

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-117
Author(s):  
Ján Dvorský ◽  
Martin Čepel ◽  
Mihaela Simionescu ◽  
Pavol Ďurana

The paper aims to identify important factors for competitiveness (CF – Competitive environment, FF – Narrower business environment), which impact start-up in a segment of SMEs. In regards to the defined aim, survey-based research was conducted with enterprises operating in the SME segment. Three 312 enterprises in the Czech Republic and 329 enterprises in the Slovak Republic were approached during this research. The multiple linear regression was used: (a) to quantify the relationship between the variables, (b) to identify the most critical indicator of QBE, and also to verify the scientific hypothesis. The competitive environment has a significant impact on the quality of the business environment in the SME segment. The authors found that the selected factors (CF and FF) were statistically significant. The competitive environment (CF) has a greater impact on the quality of the business environment than the narrower business environment (FF). Human capital represented by employees and the adequacy of supplier prices are indicators that have a significant impact on the quality of the business environment in the SME segment. The most critical CF indicator is that the suppliers of SMEs demand reasonable prices for their products and services. On the contrary, the least significant indicator is the intensity of competition in the sector. The most important indicator of a narrower business environment is the contribution of employees in achieving business goals. On the opposite, the least important indicator of a narrower business environment is the support of suppliers to meet the business goals of SMEs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1451-1465
Author(s):  
Jan Dvorsky ◽  
Tomas Kliestik ◽  
Martin Cepel ◽  
Zdenek Strnad

The impact of significant competition factors on the riskiness of business risk in the SMEs sector in the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. The empirical research was constructed on the basis a questionnaire. The attitudes from 641 entrepreneurs from two countries were collected during the year 2018. The statistical hypotheses were evaluated using quantitative methods. The multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the competitive environment and of the narrow business environment on the perception of the riskiness of business risk according to entrepreneurs. The conclusions ofthe research showed an interesting finding. The authors found that the competitive environment, as well as the narrower business environment, affects the perception of the riskiness of business risk. It has also been shown that my customers accept the prices of my products and services. This is the most important indicator of a competitive environment. The most important indicator of a narrower business environment is that my customers support me in doing business. The authors believe that the article has brought several interesting findings and new incentives for the further research and discussion regarding to the perception of enterprise risk not only in the selected countries this research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kotaskova ◽  
Zoltan Rozsa

Abstract The paper’s aim is to examine the dependence of the quality of the business environment on defined technological factors (availability of human capital and research and development infrastructure) and to define and quantify significant technological factors that create the quality of the business environment in the SMEs segment. Part of its goal was the comparison of the defined factors between the Czech Republic (CR) and the Slovak Republic (SR). In connection with the stated research goal, a questionnaire survey was conducted among businesses operating in the SME segment. Through this research, 312 companies were surveyed in the Czech Republic and 329 companies in the Slovak Republic. To achieve the primary goal of the article, methods such as correlation analysis and multiple linear regression modelling (t-tests, F-ratio, adjusted coefficient of determination, and so on) were applied. The results of the research have brought interesting findings. Research and development infrastructure, as well as the availability of human capital are important factors that have a positive impact on the business environment in both countries.


Author(s):  
Ján Dvorský ◽  
Martin Čepel ◽  
Gabriela Sopková ◽  
Anna Kotásková

The aim of this paper was to examine university students’ propensity for entrepreneurship in the context of the evaluation of the quality of macro-environment and business environment. A part of this aim was a comparison of defined factors in the Czech and the Slovak Republic. In relation with the research aim, a survey-based research was conducted with university students in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. 409 students in the Czech Republic and 568 students in Slovakia were approached during this research. To verify the defined scientific hypotheses, the regression analysis was used. The research results brought interesting findings, namely that the present macroeconomic environment does not prevent students from starting their own business, and that the present level of basic macroeconomic factors (GDP, employment, inflation) determine the students’ propensity for entrepreneurship in both countries. In Slovak Republic, the administrative workload is seen by the students as a factor discouraging them from entrepreneurship after graduating from college. The students feel that the conditions for doing business have improved in the last five years. Students in the Czech Republic think that the conditions for doing business have improved over the past five years, and consider the business environment to be reasonably risky and of good quality.   


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ján Dvorský ◽  
Martin Čepel ◽  
Gabriela Sopková ◽  
Anna Kotásková

Abstract The aim of this paper was to examine university students’ propensity for entrepreneurship in the context of the evaluation of the quality of macro-environment and business environment. A part of this aim was a comparison of defined factors in the Czech and the Slovak Republic. In relation with the research aim, a survey-based research was conducted with university students in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. 409 students in the Czech Republic and 568 students in Slovakia were approached during this research. To verify the defined scientific hypotheses, the regression analysis was used. The research results brought interesting findings, namely that the present macroeconomic environment does not prevent students from starting their own business, and that the present level of basic macroeconomic factors (GDP, employment, inflation) determine the students’ propensity for entrepreneurship in both countries. In Slovak Republic, the administrative workload is seen by the students as a factor discouraging them from entrepreneurship after graduating from college. The students feel that the conditions for doing business have improved in the last five years. Students in the Czech Republic think that the conditions for doing business have improved over the past five years, and consider the business environment to be reasonably risky and of good quality.


Author(s):  
Anna Kotaskova ◽  
Zoltan Rozsa

The paper’s aim is to examine the dependence of the quality of the business environment on defined technological factors (availability of human capital and research and development infrastructure) and to define and quantify significant technological factors that create the quality of the business environment in the SMEs segment. Part of its goal was the comparison of the defined factors between the Czech Republic (CR) and the Slovak Republic (SR). In connection with the stated research goal, a questionnaire survey was conducted among businesses operating in the SME segment. Through this research, 312 companies were surveyed in the Czech Republic and 329 companies in the Slovak Republic. To achieve the primary goal of the article, methods such as correlation analysis and multiple linear regression modelling (t-tests, F-ratio, adjusted coefficient of determination, and so on) were applied. The results of the research have brought interesting findings. Research and development infrastructure, as well as the availability of human capital are important factors that have a positive impact on the business environment in both countries.


Author(s):  
Helena Chládková

This article shows first of all opinions of SME managers on the changes in the quality of the Czech business environment. The article contains the views of managers identified in 2017 and 2015 and compares them with the detected results in 2010 and 2004. It is interesting that managers reported more opportunities than threats in all years. Because the most of respondents (SME managers) were active in a municipality of up to 2000 residents in villages in southern Moravia their views on the quality of the business environment can be used to assess the competitiveness of the region and to reflect on the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises and regional development. The paper also documents the applicability of the situational analysis of the external environment in SMEs. But the quality of business environment is evaluated also based on the results of the World Bank and Transparency International for purposes of international comparison in this article. To assess the quality of the business environment was used Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. Czech Republic ranked 37 place with the score 56 in 2015 (score 51 in 2014). Also, World Bank in its results “Doing business 2016” shows improve conditions for business in the Czech Republic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339362093002
Author(s):  
Susanne Winther ◽  
Mia Fredens ◽  
Marie Brund Hansen ◽  
Kirstine Skov Benthien ◽  
Camilla Palmhøj Nielsen ◽  
...  

Proactive Health Support (PaHS) is a large-scale intervention in Denmark carried out by registered nurses (RNs) who provide self-management support to people at risk of hospital admission to enhance their health, coping, and quality of life. PaHS is initiated with a face-to-face session followed by telephone conversations. We aimed to explore the start-up sessions, including if and how the relationship between participants and RNs developed at the onset of PaHS. We used an ethnographic design including observations and informal interviews. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological–hermeneutical approach. The study showed that contexts such as hospitals and RNs legitimized the intervention. Face-to-face communication contributed to credibility, just as the same RN throughout the intervention ensured continuity. We conclude that start-up sessions before telephone-based self-management support enable a trust-based relationship between participants and RNs. Continuous contact with the same RNs throughout the session promoted participation in the intervention.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-178
Author(s):  
Özlen Onurlu ◽  
Suna Karataş

In a highly competitive environment, the meeting of customer demands and expectations in an effective way is highly crucial for companies that want to have a competitive advantage and to keep on existing in the long run. The main objective of companies is making profit in a sustainable way and this is possible by assuring customer satisfaction. The quality of the services that companies offer their customers is closely related with the performance of the employees. This has made it necessary that marketing activities for employee satisfaction be developed prior to customer satisfaction. Feeling more motivated, workers start working more eagerly as a result of these marketing activities which are called internal marketing. So, companies make their profitability sustainable by means of keeping their customers satisfied and loyal. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between internal marketing activities applied to employees and employee motivations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Wasike Shadrack Mayende ◽  
Owino Odhiambo Joseph

Competing favorably in the market requires finding a perfect fit between a firm’s resources and the business environment. Strategy is the stewardship by top management that aligns organizational resources and capabilities to the environment with the ultimate goal of achieving superior and sustainable performance. The current study was designed to determine the influence of competitive environment on the relationship between top management team characteristics and strategy implementation. The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data was obtained by administering structured questionnaire mailed to top managers in tea factory companies in Kenya. The moderation test was carried out using the product term of the standardized scores for top management team characteristics and competitive environment respectively. Data was processed through regression analysis. While we demonstrate that top management team characteristics had significant influence on strategy implementation, the results of moderation tests were not statistically significant. Consequently, our hypothesized moderating influence of competitive environment on the relationship between top management team characteristics and strategy implementation was not supported. Our findings raise theoretical questions on whether competitive environment is more relevant during strategy formulation process or execution stage. We conclude that companies implementing strategy in stable competitive environment have predictable implementation of planned strategy. We further conclude that external insulation from competition by umbrella marketing agency reduces the influence of factors within the competitive environment on the relationship between top management team characteristics and strategy implementation. However, the temporary insulation of the firm from competition exposes it to competitive disadvantage in the event that the marketing agency is destabilized by forces both from within and external to it.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 187-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Šoltés ◽  
Katarína Repková Štofková

The structure of the business environment, as part of the socio-economic situation, indirectly affects a citizen’s quality of life. A “friendly” business environment has a positive effect on job formation, thus helping with employment. A country encourages formation and development of large enterprises through various incentives that reduce regional disparities, especially in less-developed regions. Nevertheless, a huge majority of enterprises in the European Union are small- and medium-sized. Self-employed persons are considered a specific form of business. Their activity is strongly influenced by state policy. This paper analyzes the business environment in regions of the Slovak Republic. Its principal aim is to examine the development of regional disparities and the related quality of citizens’ lives. An evaluation of statistical data of the structure of the business environment in the Slovak Republic indicated a change in legal units in relation to business. Although the number of legal units are stable, the number of legal persons has increased and that of natural persons-entrepreneurs decreased. Deepening of regional disparities was not observed across regions of the Slovak Republic.


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