Attila Chikán

National and firm competitiveness: a general research model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for connecting macro‐ and micro‐level research on competitiveness.Design/methodology/approach – Based on some major international survey research reports (by the WEF, IMD, OECD, and the EU) and research experience, a gap is described between national and firm level competitiveness studies. A reasoning why filling this gap is discussed and a general research model connecting the two levels by using Porters diamond model is developed.Findings – By using appropriate definitions of national and firm competitiveness and the diamond model a meaningful connection of the two levels can be created, which is useful both for connecting recent research results and as a foundation for further research.Research limitations/implications – Though the model is based on actual research experiences, its real value will become apparent after having it applied in concrete projects. This process is ongoing.Practical implications – The model is a very useful tool in...

Cross-national comparison of production--inventory management practices

Abstract The results of an evaluation of a set of surveys carried out in South Korea, China, Western Europe and Hungary is presented. The questionnaire included the following areas of company operations: sales forecasting; production planning and scheduling; shop floor control; purchasing and materials management. Market policy, methodology and organizational issues are discussed and conclusions regarding the impact of the market and cultural environment of companies are drawn.

Integration of production and logistics — in principle, in practice and in education

Abstract Integration of material processes within and between companies is one of the most fundamental trends in business these days. An integrated view of these processes includes all traditional areas of supplier–buyer relationships and the production of goods and services: generally (and somewhat loosely) speaking, production and logistics. In the paper the issue of integration of production and logistics will be examined from three different but connected points of view. In the first part the conceptual background of the integrated processes will be analyzed, mostly based on the approach of new institutional economics. In the second part an analysis of the actual state and level of integration in practice will be examined, using several recent company surveys. In the third part of the paper a discussion of the current contents of university and management development programs will be given. Finally, conclusions about the connection of handling integration of production and logistics in the three spheres: theory, practice and education will be drawn.

Manufacturing strategies in Hungarian industry

Discusses those changes which can be observed at Hungarian manufacturing companies in the transition process from planned to market economies. The changes are illustrated with the results of a series of surveys, conducted in the framework of a research project on global manufacturing practices. Shows that the adjustment of Hungarian companies is rather fast, even though most of them still have a lot to do to be really competitive at the international level. Suggests that the processes which go on in the transition economies demonstrate the strength of those general “rules” which guide manufacturing management all over the world and which must be considered by all those who wish to be successful.

The origins of dynamic inventory modelling under uncertainty: (the men, their work and connection with the Stanford Studies)

Abstract This paper has a double purpose. First, it provides a historical analysis of the developments leading to the first “Stanford Studies”, a collection of papers which probably can be considered even today as the single most fundamental reference in the mathematical handling of inventories. From this point of view, the paper is about people and their works. Secondly, we give an insight into the interrelation of mathematics and inventory modelling in a historical context. We will sketch, on the one hand, the development of the mathematical tools for inventory modelling first of all in statistics, probability theory and stochastic processes but also in game theory and dynamic programming up to the 1950s. Furthermore, we report how inventory problems have motivated the improvement of mathematical disciplines such as Markovian decision theory and optimal control of stochastic systems to provide a new basis of inventory theory in the second half of our century.

The volume and structure of inventories

Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore the connection between the level of inventory investments and the structure of inventories in 16 countries with medium and high levels of development. The nature and problems of cross-country statistical analysis are discussed first and then a contradiction between the data on total and manufacturing inventories in national economies is exposed. The main part of the paper discusses two structural aspects of manufacturing inventories: structure by branches of industry and by stage of fabrication and their connection with the level of manufacturing inventory investments in the 16 countries.

Characterization of production-inventory systems in the hungarian industry

Abstract The paper reports the main characteristics of the production-inventory systems of Hungarian industrial companies. After a brief discussion of the general economic background some results of a survey are provided. We used a questionnaire developed from an international project aimed to carry out cross-national comparison. The results discussed here will be part of this project. The main conclusion is that the general character and relatively low level of development of the production-inventory systems in Hungary are direct consequences of the specific environmental challenges companies in our country must face. The level of production-inventory management can be — and should be — raised considerably but attempts aimed to improve the situation can be successful only if the environmental conditions are appropriately taken into consideration. More advanced systems with a chance of successful implementation must utilize many conceptual and methodological elements of the internationally known integrated systems efficiently operated in the Western world but efforts to simply copying them would definitely lead to failure.

A multi-country analysis of aggregate inventory behavior

Abstract The paper provides an analysis of macroeconomic inventory trends. Using eight different modes we have studied the connection between inventory intensity (ratio of inventory investment to GDP) and the various components of GDP, both as simultaneous and lagged variables. Data of 88 countries have been used for the analysis. The analysis supports previous studies according to which even though no strong connection can be disclosed, a few interesting consequences can be drawn, concerning the differences of inventory intensity in different groups of countries, the relation of effects of lagged and simultaneous variables and the significance of various components of GDP.

Joint micro and macro effects on inventories in transition economies

Abstract This paper examines how macro and micro level effects on inventory behavior interact in transition economies. We first analyze the general nature of changes; then some macro level phenomena will be discussed. In the main part of the paper the behavior of companies and its inventory consequences will be examined and a feedback to the macro level is made. The general conclusion of the paper is that in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary (the Eastern European countries included in the analysis) the manufacturing sector has moved towards the establishment of a market economy type inventory behavior faster than expected.

Services provided by manufacturing The Hungarian case

Abstract The paper is built on an empirical study of the service factory concept in Hungary. The importance of the possible service roles that manufacturing can play, and the general service features that a manufacturing company can posess are examined at Hungarian companies. The results show that service is still not the strongest competitive factor in Hungary, quality and costs get much more emphasis. Comparing the results with those of an English survey, the main tendencies are similar, except that the laboratory role seems to be more important in Hungary, possibly due to the relatively low capacity utilization.