The Role of Digital Marketing in Achieving Sustainable Competitive Advantage

Digital marketing is a growing trend day by day, with internet marketing concepts becoming a powerful medium for digital marketing and electronic devices such as cell phones, digital billboards, tablets and laptops, portable game devices, and many gadgets that help in digital marketing. In this chapter, the role of digital marketing in assisting companies to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage was analyzed. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has put an end to companies' sales and business growth predictions, and digital marketing is no exception. Digital marketing will be at the forefront as many marketers might be looking for creative ways to sell online, reduce lead costs, increase click-through rates and conversion rates, and seek out what's new in digital marketing. This chapter focuses on understanding digital marketing concepts and how firms can achieve a competitive edge using various examples. This chapter reviews the different digital marketing concepts and strategies adopted by major global companies.

Advancement of the Entrepreneurial Mindset as a Driving Force for the Creation of a Successful Born Global Strategy

The Doctoral Thesis is devoted to the field of entrepreneurial mindset and its interaction with the process of the creation of a successful born global strategy. Entrepreneurial mindset is the research object of the Doctoral Thesis, it refers to a specific state of mind, which orientates a human towards entrepreneurial activities and outcomes. Successful born global strategy is considered as the outcome of the dynamic process of entrepreneurial mindset. The present Doctoral Thesis covers research on the role of the individual level characteristics of entrepreneurial mindset as basis for running born global companies.

Depreciation Capital as a Source of Financing of Mining Companies Activities

The issue discussed in the paper is highly relevant and topical in economic practice because of changes in the recognition of certain assets and their depreciation. The author’s research established that depreciation write-off in financial terms constitute capital comprising two components: depreciation and the tax shield effect. The non-tax shield is more important relative to other tax shields because the vast majority of entities in the raw materials industry own assets which are depreciated for the purposes of balance sheet accounting and tax accounting. As a cost depreciation, on the one hand, reduces the financial result and on the other, generates additional operating cash flows. Depreciable assets account for a large portion of coal companies’ assets. In addition, due to the implementation of IFRS 16 on leasing their share increased as did the amount of depreciation. Hence, its share in operating cash flows in Polish coal companies is slightly higher than in global companies. An overwhelming part of the additional depreciation arising from the inclusion in the assets reported in the balance sheet of assets used based on contracts of lease, lending or rental does not reduce the tax basis and does not constitute a tax shield. Consequently, it creates a disparity between the gross profit/loss and taxable income, thereby increasing the effective tax rate. An increase in the depreciation level in coal companies facilitates maintenance of liquidity and provides financing for investment projects and improves debt servicing, especially in times of declining financial result when coal prices are low.

Features of implementation and development of circular economy in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of circular economy, its concept; the main circular business-models, their essence and advantages in the practical application based on the analysis of researches of their introduction and use in the world and domestic companies are analyzed; features of the development of circular economy in Ukraine in disclosure of researches of sources of financing of innovative activity and a share of innovative enterprises in general scale are revealed; the expediency of introduction of energy-efficient and energy-saving technologies at the enterprises within the limits of socially responsible production is substantiated. The results of the study showed that the development of the circular economy in Ukraine is at a much lower level compared to the world, due to negative factors such as ignorance of the population and entrepreneurs the necessity of circular economy transition, lack of full and perfect legislation, the unpreparedness of enterprises change in favor of environmental friendliness. However, it is still an enterprise that is ready to act and change by implementing environmental solutions, such as energy-efficient technologies, thus contributing to its competitive position. In the context of the need to move to a circular economy, scientists, politicians, businesses, consumers, public and international organizations are increasingly studying the basic principles and models, as well as their possible implementation and features of use. In addition, both domestic and international companies are trying to be socially responsible and implement energy-efficient technologies that reduce the consumption of energy resources, economic resources, increase the competitiveness of production. This means that both foreign and domestic companies, at the same time, must clearly understand the methods, ways, and opportunities to achieve the most competitive position as a socially responsible enterprise. Therefore, based on examples of implementation of methods and solutions in the field of circular economy in global companies, as well as using their experience, knowledge and skills, Ukrainian companies will be able to achieve at least the same level of social responsibility. However, it should be understood that these actions should be legally protected, which should serve as a regulatory framework developed by the state. Only with such bilateral work can Ukrainian enterprises and Ukraine in general become an example to follow for other countries.

The State of Competitive Intelligence within New Zealand Private and Public Sector Organisations: a Comparison Study of Competitive Intelligence within New Zealand in 2009

<p>Globalisation and rapid technology advancements are having a profound change on the competitiveness of local and global markets, and shaping the New Zealand marketplace. New Zealand companies are not just competing against other New Zealand companies, but are also competing against global companies. Competitive intelligence is critical for informing vital business decisions and potentially for the viability of a company. The purpose of this study was to research the state of competitive intelligence within the New Zealand private and public sectors and benchmark them against a similar study by Trengrove and Vryenhoek (1997). This research report further explores the relationship between knowledge management and competitive intelligence by examining the culture of competitive intelligence in an information (knowledge) economy through the analysis of competitive intelligence attitudes (Rouach and Santi 2001), 'Strategic Protection Factors' (Rothberg and Erickson, 2005), value and mindset of managing knowledge, and competitive intelligence within New Zealand companies.</p>

The State of Competitive Intelligence within New Zealand Private and Public Sector Organisations: a Comparison Study of Competitive Intelligence within New Zealand in 2009

<p>Globalisation and rapid technology advancements are having a profound change on the competitiveness of local and global markets, and shaping the New Zealand marketplace. New Zealand companies are not just competing against other New Zealand companies, but are also competing against global companies. Competitive intelligence is critical for informing vital business decisions and potentially for the viability of a company. The purpose of this study was to research the state of competitive intelligence within the New Zealand private and public sectors and benchmark them against a similar study by Trengrove and Vryenhoek (1997). This research report further explores the relationship between knowledge management and competitive intelligence by examining the culture of competitive intelligence in an information (knowledge) economy through the analysis of competitive intelligence attitudes (Rouach and Santi 2001), 'Strategic Protection Factors' (Rothberg and Erickson, 2005), value and mindset of managing knowledge, and competitive intelligence within New Zealand companies.</p>

How to engage the crowd for innovation in a restricted market? A practice perspective of Google's boundary spanning in China

PurposeTechnological firms increasingly depend on open innovation to compete in hypercompetitive markets. To openly engage the creativity of a multitude of private actors, firms can rely on crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing challenges global companies as they span organizational boundaries to attract multiple local partners. Global companies must engage in boundary spanning to successfully communicate and create a sense of community with smaller local partners despite status and cultural differences. The collaboration between Google and developers in China deserves to be studied in particular, because it operates within a restricted market.Design/methodology/approachThis paper argues that crowdsourcing for innovation on a global scale requires effective boundary spanning capabilities. These boundary-spanning practices ensure smooth cooperation with the crowd and solve problems relating to differences in status and organizational contexts. This study applies Bourdieu's theory of practice including the concept of capital (economic, intellectual, social and symbolic) to understand the social relationships between Google and a growing community of Chinese developers. It also draws on a case study including ten semistructured interviews, which have been triangulated with internal documents and data from selected websites.FindingsFour types of capital (symbolic, intellectual, social and economic) have been identified as important devices to understand the sources of power and the stakes of Googlers and developers in the joint field. These types of capital contribute to structure the social fields in which developers and Google cooperate and their practice. The success of the collaboration between Google and Chinese developers can arguably be attributed to Google's ability to create boundary-spanning activities in order to reduce the endowment differential in the four types of capital and improve their communication. Therefore, this research provides a deep and conceptualized description of boundary-spanning practices, as well as providing a useful contribution for managers involved in crowdsourcing via platform in culturally different markets.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study is methodological in nature, relating to the absence of interviews with board members of Google China who are reluctant to speak about Google activities in China for political raisons. This restriction is partly counterbalanced by the analysis of publicly available secondary data such as news and communications.Practical implicationsThis research has generated practical recommendations for managers of organizations, which require optimal boundary spanning for crowdsourcing. Managers must understand the different sources of social boundaries between their organization and the crowd. The crowd should be segmented into smaller groups with distinctive identities, and organizations should systematically design boundary-spanning activities to address each boundary of each segment. The boundary-spanning activities involve a specific set of tools, programs and platforms to address the target group. Efficient boundary spanning depends on the necessity to select boundary spanners with high cultural intelligence and communication skills.Social implicationsThis paper draws on Bourdieu's theory of practice to investigate the role of boundary spanning in crowdsourcing for innovation, specifically in the joint field between Google and Chinese developers. This research reveals how boundary objects such as developer documents, websites, programs and events are essential for developers to be able to participate on Google's platform. Companies should be prepared to invest in the design and delivery of boundary-spanning activities and objects, knowing that these are also a locus for negotiation with local partners.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature by applying the boundary-spanner theory to Google crowdsourcing practices within a restricted market. Bourdieu's theory of practice has proven to be a potent perspective with which to better understand the positive role of boundary spanners in the joint field between Google and Chinese developers. Moreover, this practice perspective has not been used in prior research to highlight power relations in crowdsourcing for innovation. This study has shown that, in addition to boundary objects, boundary spanners can also contribute in the transfer of intellectual capital, which is the pivotal resource for boundary spanning in this field.

Kajian Hukum Perbandingan Kemudahan Investasi Asing di Singapura dan di Kota Batam, Indonesia Beserta Legal Standing OSS Dalam Penerapannya

Investment is one of the first steps in moving the wheels of a country's economy. In the city of Batam itself is strongly identified with the investment climate. With its strategic location, Batam City is located adjacent to its neighboring countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia. The OSS (Online Single Submission) system emerged as one of the steps aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the global region and encouraging investment growth. However, in the OSS system there are still many obstacles both in terms of regulations and implementers of regulations that are considered less than optimal in applying electronically integrated business licenses. This is also worsen by the dualism of authority in managing the region. Looking to neighboring countries, Singapore is a favorite destination for global companies wishing to expand their business in Asia. The ease of obtaining a business license has become the main focus for this Lion Country. This study uses a normative legal research method with a comparative law approach and a statutory regulation approach. The purpose of writing this article is to study the ease of foreign investment in Singapore compared to Batam City and the legal standing of OSS in its application. Based on the research conducted, the ease of investment is examined from various factors, namely in the areas of legal certainty, taxation, employment, and licensing of the Indonesian OSS system including Batam City which still does not fully support a conducive investment climate in doing business compared to Singapore.

Corporate Glocalization Strategy of Nongshim in America: The “Pendulum Theory” of Globalized Localization

This study examines how Nongshim, a Korean instant noodle manufacturer, has expanded its operation globally within the concept of “open innovation” through its glocalization strategy, and how this strategy differs from the existing glocalization method enforced by global companies. The study shows how Nongshim used its unique glocalization strategy of “globalized localization”, outlining the three stages by which the company switched its “glocalization focus”, starting with “localizing”, moving through “globalizing”, then back to “localizing”, while retaining its ultimate purpose of globalization. From the basis of the case analysis, the study proposes a “pendulum theory” that can be applied to local companies that are planning to expand their business in a global market.

Exosomes Engineering and Their Roles as Therapy Delivery Tools, Therapeutic Targets, and Biomarkers

Exosomes are becoming increasingly important therapeutic biomaterials for use in a variety of therapeutic applications due to their unique characteristics, especially due to the ineffectiveness and cytotoxicity of some existing therapies and synthetic therapeutic nanocarriers. They are highly promising as carriers of drugs, genes, and other therapeutic agents that can be incorporated into their interior or onto their surface through various modification techniques to improve their targeting abilities. In addition, they are biocompatible, safe, and stable. The review focuses on different types of exosomes and methods of their preparation, including the incorporation of different kinds of cargo, especially for drug delivery purposes. In particular, their importance and effectiveness as delivery vehicles of various therapeutic agents for a variety of therapeutic applications, including different diseases and disorders such as cancer treatment, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, are emphasized. Administration routes of exosomes into the body are also included. A novelty in the article is the emphasis on global companies that are already successfully developing and testing such therapeutic biomaterials, with a focus on the most influential ones. Moreover, a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of exosome production is summarized for the first time.