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The success of the company, among other things, depends on proper access to the market, the ability to collect information about customers, competitors and markets. In order to increase sales and reputation, companies need to know how to attract customers, and digital media today play a significant role in this. Furthermore, digital media have a significant, broad and complex impact on society and culture, therefore the application of digital media is important in improving the company's operations. Today, companies using digital media approach their advertising strategies in a different, simpler and better way. The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of digital media in gathering information about the products of companies in the field of wood processing and furniture production as important tool towards circular economy principles.
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Digital solutions are the basis of the future development of the insurance industry. The implementation of electronic tools for insurance also causes serious controversy, because as insurance is very sensitive and conservative about any change. In practice, there are still significant obstacles to the entire insurance process happening entirely online. The restrictions are of a different nature, as most are concentrated in the regulatory framework, and the rest are purely technological – both on the part of the insurers and on the part of the insured. Despite the difficulties, insurers on the Bulgarian market offer various forms of digital platforms for insurance. There is no insurance company that has not digitized individual processes or its entire activity to varying degrees. The present report examines the digital capabilities of 34 non-life insurance companies and 14 life insurance companies operating on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The purpose of the research is to outline the main problems in the digitalization of insurance services and to propose possible solutions. To achieve this, the customer satisfaction of the users of digital insurance services was studied through short surveys. Expert opinions of company employees who test and approve new digital solutions in insurance companies are presented. The most common problems that arise when using and servicing a digital insurance service are outlined – technological, regulatory and time-related. Statistically, the share of insurance services that the Bulgarian market has digitized is still not taken into account. Very few companies offer a completely online insurance product, and mainly in the field of “Accident” insurance, in the category of those occupying the largest market share – Automobile insurance, it is not yet possible to fully digitize
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One of the main problems of modern society is the excessive, inefficient and insufficient use of resources, a significant part of which are non-renewable and/or slowly recovering, which leads to the disturbance and pollution of the ecological environment. The use of the linear consumption model still predominates, where products that have used certain resources to be produced instead of being recycled after use are thrown away. This requires a transition to a new model that optimizes the process of using resources and leads to a sustainable state of nature and society, which is the basis of the circular economy. The understanding of the problem by the entrepreneurs and the implementation of specific measures to solve it is particularly important. A significant factor for the adoption of the new model may be the digitization of entrepreneurial activity using digital tools and solutions to accelerate and scale the circular economy. This Digitalization Process, as a prerequisite for sustainable development and the realization of the principles of the circular economy, can be considered in this case from two sides - from the point of view of business, and from the point of view of the culture and behaviour of society and specifically of consumers. Purpose: This publication aims to examine the entrepreneurial's mindset towards adopting the principles of the circular economy and sustainable development through the digitization of business and the opportunities that digitization provides for solving this problem. Methods: In order to investigate the degree of entrepreneurial attitude regarding business digitization and the possibilities for sustainable development through digitization, a quantitative research approach has been applied. The sources that were used include a questionnaire survey and the analysis and evaluation are based on statistical methods. Findings and novelty. The findings presented in this paper include entrepreneurs' understanding of the benefits of the circular economy and business sustainability when using digital technologies.
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The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) era is marked by the advent of artificial intelligence and the breakdown of traditional boundaries between different spheres of life. This creates a demand for the unification of different ideas and fields, such as “One Health” (OH) and “Circular Economy” (CE). Although these may seem divergent, they share common philosophical roots and can work together to create a healthy green future, supporting sustainable development and well-being. The aim of the present report is twofold: 1) to introduce the OH paradigm and the possibilities provided by the interaction with the ideas of moving from a linear to a CE; 2) to present successful policies, pathways, and practices uniting the pursuit of a healthy life and the principles of the CE. The interrelationships between the concepts of OH and CE are analyzed from the positions of a medical doctor, a public health researcher, educator and a participant in several initiatives related to the integration of health impact assessment as a strategic goal of the CE. The distinct concepts: Every academic field has its theories and terms. In public health, OH is a planetary movement that recognizes the fundamental connection between the environment, human and animal health. In this sense, OH finds support in the holistic approaches of the CE, which are a practical opportunity to study the integrated influence of all environmental factors on health. Resilient collaborations: The World Health Organization has been supporting research in the scientific field of "circular economy and health" for decades. There is empirical evidence to support the success of European models that link health and ecology. Conclusions: The potential of intersectoral collaborations to promote health and build a green future is undeniable. This need is recognized in the field of public health and at the national level. In the 4IR era, swift action is necessary to ensure that overall societal development does not lag behind EU member states.
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In the report, we follow a descriptive research strategy, historicalchronological approach, Case Study method, matrix method, etc. This study is divided into three parts. Part one: It uses a historical-chronological approach. It covers the period from BC - 100 years before Christ to the 60s of the XX century. The ancient experience of China, the Medieval of an Italian province is presented. For Bulgaria, the application of mathematical methods, implementation of product diversification for the use of waste is emphasized. In more recent times, the clustering for the full utilization of raw materials, solving problems related to the restoration of the natural environment. Part two: The systemic legislative and organizational aspect of the circular economy from the beginning of the 1970s to today is presented - China, Japan, etc. The high-tech approach of the USA is included. In this part of the research, a case study of Italian women entrepreneurs is developed. They develop fabric production technology, reaching haute couture. Part three: In this part of the research, a matrix of the asymmetric interaction in the circular economy is constructed. It includes two main vectors: circular economy orchestration level and circular economy scope. They are multiplexed with specific dimensions. In conclusion, it has been established that we have not yet witnessed the joining of the beginning and the end of the line, which would give grounds for forming a closed circle.
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Historically, the use of wooden structures in residential, public or industrial buildings in Bulgaria is most often associated with low stores - up to two or three floors, as well as the construction of the entire supporting structure of the building or partial application in certain narrowly specialized parts such as floors, walls, roofs. Many historic residential buildings, built from the end of the 18th to the end of the 19th century, have been preserved with all-wooden or mixed - wood-massive constructions, stone in the ground floors (partially in the upper ones as well) in combination with wooden elements in the upper one’s floors when the height of the buildings is two or three floors, even four, with a large unevenness of the terrain in mountainous areas. In public buildings, wooden structures are mainly used for the intermediate supporting elements – the floors and ceilings of the buildings to lighten the structure and overcome larger support distances and achieve the monumentality of the different types of spaces. In rarer cases, there are examples of three-story, all-wood constructions or those combined with stone and wooden supporting elements. In industrial buildings, the use of different types of wooden structures is also widespread in cases of low total load on the structure, for example, in tobacco warehouses in Plovdiv, but most often for roofs and intermediate floor elements. Historically, the use of wooden bearing structures in our country has been limited, due to the large annual temperature amplitude and the not very high density of local wood species, which would hardly provide the required longevity and general durability of the buildings. Today, many of these challenges are more easily solved with the use of high technologies in the preparation of wooden structures, for example in glued timber or with additional treatment for preservation against pests and moisture.
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The effective implementation of business models to optimize costs and reduce loses, to increase the competitiveness of the enterprise are the key to long-term success and sustainability during economic crisis. Lean is a concept that has proven its capabilities in manufacturing and now also in the service sector. Implementation also as a comprehensive management system is a large-scale and innovative project for the organization. The team is particularly important for its successful implementation. It is necessary to mobilize efforts and involve people from all hierarchical levels of the organization. For each participant, their role, functions and responsibilities and the necessary competencies must be clearly defined. In this line of thinking, continuing training and improvement of human resources for competent and effective implementation of Lean principles in the organization is a guarantee of success. The purpose of the study is to clarify and analyze the roles, tasks and responsibilities that personnel should perform for the effective implementation of the Lean concept in the organization. The programs of personnel training are discussed depending on the tasks that employees perform in the Lean organization. On this basis, conclusions are formulated regarding the role of continuing professional training and development of the organization's human potential for building the necessary Lean competencies.
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The article presents my personal views and cannot be interpreted as the position of any body, entity or institution. The article presents the legal status as of 3 March, 2023. The article will be based on the results of quantitative empirical research Eurobarometer 495, Eurobarometr 467 and qualitative empirical research based mainly on official documents of European Union and Polish Government. The article will discuss the European Union's plans to change the regulation of short-term rental (or short-time rental) and a comparison to Polish regulations. The advantages and disadvantages of the currently functioning solutions and proposals for the future will be presented. It is also important that the relationship between the sharing economy (Eurostat 2019) and short-term rental will be shown. Examples of the sharing economy and the changes that have taken place in this area will also be presented (Schor 2014). According to the Act of 29 August 1997 on accommodation services and services of tour leaders and tourist guides, accommodation services are short-term, commonly accessible services consisting in the rental of houses, apartments, rooms, bed places as well as plots for putting up tents or for parking caravans, and in the provision of related services at the facility. Therefore, the Act, due to its nature, contains solutions that apply also to entities operating in the STR market. Naturally, Short Term Rental as a human activity has its advantages and disadvantages, and creates both benefits and opportunities for local communities. Short Term Rental (STR) is becoming an increasingly important part of the tourism sector (Eurobarometr 495, 2021), as confirmed e.g. by the interest in the area on the part of EU bodies. At present, STR accounts for nearly a quarter of the overall supply of tourist accommodation services in the European Union (EU) (Eurobarometr 2021). The increase in the share has been caused, in particular, by the emergence of online platforms, so-called Online Travel Agencies (OTA). One in four EU citizens uses STR via such a platform. I will use the following methods: dogmatic-exegetical method, empirical method with qualitative and quantitative research.
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“Circular Economy” is focused on products and materials being used over and over, in a continuous loop, rather than discarded. In a circular economy, products are reused. Products that cannot be reused are recycled by chemical or mechanical processes, or through biological processes such as composting. Circular packaging solutions incorporate the principles of the circular economy and integrate seamlessly into sustainability efforts. The concept of a circular economy is built in opposition to the traditional linear model where raw materials are used, things are created from them, they are consumed and the leftovers are thrown away. This model relies on large quantities of cheap and accessible materials and energy sources. The purpose of the research in the report is to reveal better understand the relationship between a circular economy (the bigger picture) and circular business models (the smaller picture). No singular business is the circular economy. That is to say, the circular economy is not one single vertically-integrated business. The research methodology is based on theoretical, dialectical, sociological, comparative-legal and formal-logical analysis. The report reveals the main challenges of the transition to the circular economy and the benefits of the transition to the circular economy: to protect the environment, reduce dependence on raw materials, create jobs, and save consumers money.
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The concept of the circular economy goes beyond simple recycling, associating itself with the maxim that the circular economy is an economy of the reform, that waste is a resource through which we enable innovation to occur. Innovation, on the other hand, is a daily routine for business but with the thought of a future built on a reasonable economic development system. By valuing the circular tourism product, the plan for sustainable consumption can be further developed and we could design the product to the future requirements of the circular economy model. Cyclicality, on the other hand, does not close the innovative flow, but expands its sphere of action on more economic entities that strive for the longevity of their product – part of the current and future economic organism of the systemic sustainability plan. The purpose of this research is to outline mechanisms for innovation in tourism. The first part of the paper defines the understanding of a sustainable circular economic model in Bulgaria in its relation to innovative business practices in tourism. Тhe best practices are derived through value creation in tourism business models. Тhe second part sketches the need for the best practices through the introduction of the circular economic model in Bulgaria and analyzes the risks of introducing digitalization to Bulgarian tourism. Based on the research among representatives of the tourism sector in Bulgaria, it has come to a view that there is a shortage of good examples and studies in support of the promotion of the circular economic model among the tourism enterprises in Bulgaria. Any contribution in this area will lead to the improvement of knowledge and benefits from the introduction of the circular economy models in tourism.
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This chapter presents the issue of reverse logistics in omnichannel commerce, a sales strategy in the B2C segment based on the assumption that all available outreach, customer service and sales channels, at each stage of the transaction, should work together to ensure the convenience of the retailer's shopping experience. The authors aim to highlight the growing role of returns in e-commerce and to point out the logistical challenges of operating retail shops in an omnichannel model. The authors presented the evolution and development of sales channels, as well as focusing on the essence of the logistical handling of sales in the omnichannel model. The article also presents the formal and legal aspects related to the customer's return of purchased goods. The theoretical part, based on the literature on the subject, was enriched with the results of own research conducted both among customers of online shops and an analysis of the return handling processes at Decathlon Sp. z o.o.
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The problems related to the anti-corruption policy in health care are related to clarifying the main factors and characteristics of public health. Another important direction is the creation of conditions for improving people's quality of life. The existing system of health control of the manufacturers and distributors of medicines, consumables and medical equipment and of the providers of health services to the population, acquires special importance. It is necessary to observe the modern principles and a new modern approach of health care control.
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In the health system, economic methods are usually applied to analyze and evaluate and measure the role of the influence of health determinants. The application of economic methods using a set of tools in health care is the basis for economic analysis, which serves to evaluate the obtained results and to make management decisions when choosing priorities. This economic analysis supports the formation of health policy and is an indisputable empirical basis that, although insufficient, is necessary.
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The relationship between innovation, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs is absolutely proportional and in direct relation to both corporate and national security, especially with regard to the well-being of the individual and business as the basis of the stability of society in financial, economic, social and psychological aspects, conditioning high level of national security and in particular that of the population.
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In today’s business world, marketers operate in a highly competitive and dynamic environment. Competition for consumer attention at the point of purchase has become more intense. Marketers are now fully aware that product packaging plays a critical role in a brand’s marketing strategy to influence shopping behavior at the point of purchase, where most buying decisions are made. Indeed, packaging has become a critical element in product marketing strategy to distinguish a company’s product and deal with the competition. The purpose of this study is to identify consumers’ attitudes toward the visual and verbal elements of food product packaging and to examine its impacts on their buying decision. The main findings indicate that the visual elements of packaging (Color – Design – Shape) affect positively consumers’ buying decisions for food products. However, no meaningful relationship was found between the consumer buying decision and the visual elements of packaging regarding size and materials. The results also demonstrate that the verbal elements of packaging (Product Information – Product Name) affect positively consumers’ buying decisions, While the element of (Country-of-origin) has no effect on their decisions.
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Management Science offers the most extensive account of leadership theory and practice. Business Schools around the world teach and educate leadership skills and practical advice on how to be a successful leader. In the wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical insights on leadership, to this day, however, our understanding of followership is limited despite the facts that not everyone wants to lead on a constant basis and it is technically impossible for everyone to lead all time long. In fact, most of our lives we spend being led and following the crowd. This article addresses followership in the finance domain. The importance of attention to followership in finance is underlined by the personal gain opportunities through strategic finance followership. Guidelines on how to enhance wealth through wise followership in the finance sector are provided. The article also gives practical examples of finance followership in the global governance domain of contemporary climate change redistribution strategies. The paper ends with a future prospect and research avenues to explore followership in finance, management, business and governance research and teaching.
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Unused food is discarded, lost, or uneaten; these are the three types of food waste. Despite their similarities, all three have critical differences within their definitions. Food waste or loss causes are numerous and occur at the production, processing, retailing, and consumption stages. Current estimates put global food loss and waste between one-third and one-half of all food produced. Loss and wastage occur at all food supply or value chain stages. In low-income countries, most loss occurs during production, while in developed countries, much food – about 100 kilograms (220 lbs.) per person per year – is wasted at the consumption stage. Everyday households around the world throw away tons of food while many people on the same planet are dying from hunger. Our reality is full of contradictory facts that we can ignore or not. For someone, this will be a good reason to get concerned and take care of their food waste, while others will need more reasons for that. A good reason would be the collection of data by local community to show the reality of the percentage of food waste in households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 130 billion pounds (about 58966960000 kg) of food is wasted in this country alone every year – an average of more than 200 pounds of food per person. It is a staggering number, and combined with the approximately 17 percent of food going to waste in the rest of the world, it has real consequences for people everywhere (embrace relief.org). The cost of food for the preparation of meals is the second largest expense in households, right after personnel costs. This study aims to explore ways to reduce food wastes and losses and establish a better management of food disposal in households. Data was colected through a survey of local households in New Jersey. An in-depth survey was conducted with the help of Survey Monkey and 1000 local households were contacted in November 2022, with a brief introduction to the research topic. 891 respondents replied and showed interest in sharing their views on the topic and ready to share the data of their household food waste. To maintain confidentiality, I have anonymized the respondents as a number. The purpose of the descriptive data analysis was to show how important food waste management is and what the several reasons are for household food waste. With single-family settings, I also try to analyze the amount of food waste per family. The results of my analysis show the amount of food wasted in this area every month. Based on the analysis, there are suggestions about how we can minimize food waste. To give lots of suggestions, I implemented the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model facilitated by Artificial Intelligence.
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The objective of this research is to explore the relationship between the cultural specificities of governance in the Moroccan context and the sustainability of unlisted Moroccan family businesses in times of crisis. To produce our results, we opted for a qualitative approach based on semi-directive interviews with 20 CEOs of unlisted Moroccan family businesses, 6 of which are large companies, 8 are SMEs, and 6 are VSEs. Our results explain that the search for sustainability by family governance in times of crisis is dependent on three cultural specificities, explicitly: family reputation, religiosity norms, and the logic of strategic imitation. These specificities drive the governance of Moroccan family businesses in terms of internal sustainability, external sustainability, family-enterprise interactions, emotional involvement, risk aversion, and innovation in times of crisis.
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Innovation is a key factor for the success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in today's dynamic and competitive business environment. In the world of constant economic and financial changes accompanied by constant financial innovations, the extremely rapid development of digital technologies that occur in the conditions of the global financial crisis, as a condition for the growth and development and above all the survival of SMEs, the need to introduce innovations arises. Therefore, in this paper, we will consider the importance of innovation for SMEs, highlight the advantages brought by innovation, the factors that influence the development of innovation, as well as some of the strategies and approaches that SMEs can apply in order to support innovation and achieve competitive advantages. We will also consider the challenges that SMEs face in relation to innovation and suggest guidelines for overcoming these challenges.
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