Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business
Special Conference Issue 2010
International Conference:
“An Enterprise Odyssey: From Crisis to Prosperity – Challenges for Government and Business”
Opatija, Croatia
May 26-29, 2010
ABSTRACTS
Transformation of Slovenia‘s Electricity Distribution System Toward Market Competition
Petra Došenović Bonča
Nina Ponikvar
Ksenja Pušnik
Maks Tajnikar
Abstract: In this paper the authors first analyse the readiness of electricity consumers for increased competition between the electricity suppliers and study their expectations regarding additional provision of electricity (non-)related services and products. The authors focus on such expectations of household customers and define main determinants of consumer choices by analysing demand and consumers’ willingness to switch electricity supplier and willingness to pay. The authors then analyse the ability of existing electricity distribution companies for operating in a more competitive environment. They show how the differences in performance and efficiency affect their ability to operate in a more competitive environment.
Keywords: electricity, market competition, electricity distribution, Slovenia
JEL Classification: K23, L94
Social Responsibility Management in Polish Companies
Adriana Paliwoda-Matiolańska
Abstract: Trends and changes occurring in the environment show that the social responsibility will play an increasingly important role in shaping the economic reality. The influence of non-material factors on the company’s value increases, as well as the social awareness. This article presents the evolution of the term of social responsibility, the model of social responsibility system and the practice of Polish companies with respect to CSR from the perspective of a survey among representatives of top management. As a result of the survey it has been determined that top management in Polish companies identifies social responsibility in the context of a model of business management as one of the elements which contribute to the achievement of desirable economic results, and attributes less value to voluntary social commitment in form of charity.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, stakeholders, social responsibility management, social and economic value
JEL Classification: M14
Exploring Determinants of International Sourcing: Captive Offshoring vs. Offshore Outsourcing
Anže Burger
Andreja Jaklič
Jelena Cirjakovič
Abstract: The growing significance of international sourcing has been well documented and has spurred the emergence of extensive body of theoretical literature analyzing the organization of firms’ activities on a global scale. Recent literature on integration strategies and global production sharing combines elements from international trade and industrial organization with the theory of the firm in order to explain endogenously the variety of organizational forms. Using the propositions of transaction costs and internalization, firm-specific advantages and location advantages, we examine the role of different factors as a determinant of the fragmentation strategy of Slovene firms. We evaluate how firm-level, industry-level and country-level characteristics influence the choice of sourcing mode (domestic sourcing, offshore outsourcing and captive offshoring) on recently conducted Eurostat survey.
Keywords: sourcing strategies, internationalization, captive offshoring, outsourcing, Slovenia
JEL Classification: M16
Business Ethics and Crisis Management: Circumstances for a Second Chance
Stefan Mayr
Abstract: Discourse regarding ethics and corporate responsibility arose in the last years linked with an increasing number of accounting fraud scandals. The recent financial crisis has had a lasting negative influence on corporate profits. Companies have had to satisfy the interests of several stakeholders, such as its employees, banks, customers and the community, and at the same time successfully manage the consequences of the crisis. An empirical qualitative study which was conducted in Austria in 2008 is presented in this paper aimed at investigating business ethics and crisis management. The stakeholder theory will be used as a reference framework. This paper concludes with lessons that can be learned and political recommendations and policies put forth to grant failed businesses a second chance.
Keywords:corporate responsibility, corporate restructuring, enterprise crisis, bankruptcy
JEL Classification: M14