Jure Kovač

Project management in strategy implementation—experiences in Slovenia

Abstract The implementation of business strategy has been the subject of increased study and search for solutions, especially since the process from strategy formulation to strategy implementation is not efficient and is, certainly in the present business environment, inadequate. The article deals with project-based strategy implementation, the focus being to demonstrate the improvement of efficiency of the entire process of strategic management. By introducing the project plan of business strategy implementation, the efficiency of management activity in the whole company is increased. Applied concrete solutions are demonstrated on the basis of case studies from Slovenia.

The Connection between Trust and Leadership Styles in Slovene Organizations

In leadership, trust between superiors and subordinates plays a very important role. This article presents the results of empirical research covering the connection between the level of trust within an organization and leadership styles, which were defined in a dichotomous way (democratic vs. non-democratic). In order to understand the mutual connection between trust and leadership on a deeper level, we selected delegation, communication and control as important elements in the leadership process. The results obtained in the analyses indicate the connection between the level of democracy in leadership styles and the level of formalisation in delegation, communication and the control of the tasks of one’s subordinates, as well as the democracy in leadership and the level of trust.

Competency management in Slovenia: Paradoxes between development trends and drivers of change*

This paper investigates the employment growth of small and medium-sized firms that survived the transformation process of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). We find that firms founded in the later period of the GDR’s existence have especially low growth prospects, even 10 years after German reunification. The later phase of the GDR was marked by tightening measures intended to enhance political influence on the planned economy, accompanied by a sharp economic decline. Thus, organizations were more deeply embedded in planning structures that were more rigorous than those present in the first years of the GDR’s existence. We argue that these organizations therefore developed less appropriate practices for coping with a market economy than organizations founded in other periods.

Competency Management in Central Europe: A Comparison of Czech, Hungarian and Slovenian Competency Needs

Abstract After a strong focus on transition processes in Central East European countries (CEE), this topic has been displaced by more dramatic merger and reorganization processes or the recent financial crisis. This obscures the fact that we know almost nothing about the management competencies in these countries, which is an important building or stumbling block for future development. Therefore, we will examine the individual competencies of almost 300 top and middle managers in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia, and we will compare the different sets of competencies and interpret them according to the given economic situation in these countries

Values and leadership styles of managers in Slovenia

In den Prozessen der Umstrukturierung und Umwandlung der wirtschaftlichen Strukturen in den Reformlandern nehmen die Manager eine Schlusselrolle ein. Es uberrascht keineswegs, dass sie im Mittelpunkt des Interesses sowohl der fachlichen als auch einer breiteren Offentlichkeit stehen. In diesem Beitrag sind die Ergebnisse der 1998 und 2003 durchgefuhrten Untersuchungen uber die Wertorientierung dargestellt, die mit der Lebensfuhrung, der Arbeit, den Unternehmen und Fuhrungsstilen einzelner Manager zusammenhangen. Besonderes Augenmerk wird der Verlagerung der Wertorientierung im besagten Zeitraum von funf Jahren und der Wechselwirkung der Wertorientierung und der jeweiligen Fuhrungsstile gewidmet.

Key Factors for the Successful Operation of Clusters: The Case for Slovenia

Abstract Background and Purpose: Companies are increasingly specializing and developing those key areas with which they can compete on the global market and are linking in clusters that are ingredient of territorial competitiveness. Clusters can play a competitive role in global value chains but once being successful, they may decline. For this reason, researching key factors for the successful operation of clusters in Slovenia is beneficial. Methodology: This study is based on an extensive review of scientific literature. Theoretical findings are tested by a study of clustering in Slovenia. In practice, we determine the number of operating clusters fifteen years after they were initiated by the institutional environment with help of web pages, e-mails and telephone calls. Using interviews, we determine reasons for the cessation of operations on the part of former directors and factors of successful operations with directors of successful clusters. Results: The institutional environment initiated start-up processes of creating clusters in Slovenia. After the termination of institutional financial support, Slovenian clusters, which have failed to develop their own financing system, ceased operation. Directors of still operating clusters confirmed that trust between cluster members is the most important success factor in the operation of clusters. Conclusion: The institutional environment in Slovenia adopted cluster policy and successfully leveraged the establishment of clusters using start-up financing. Less than half of these clusters continue to prosper under their own stream after policy retreatment. Clusters were not prepared for a dramatically different way of working. Trust has become a major driving force of adjusting to new conditions.

The Impact of Demographic Changes on the Organization of Emergency Medical Services – The Case of Slovenia

Abstract Background and Purpose: The modern environment requires that organizations (profit and non-profit) continually harmonize their organizational models with changes in their respective environments and with their own visions and strategies for further development. The organizational structure of Emergency Medical Services (hereinafter EMS) is currently a very topical issue in Slovenia, given that a project to establish a new organization of EMS is currently underway at the national level. By examining the case of one region in Slovenia, this article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the number and types of EMS activities and depicts a forecast of future trends for the requirement of EMS. The analysis presents the initial phase of a strategic planning process for the mentioned activity and consequently, a starting point for the formation of an organizational EMS model. Methodology: This article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the formulation of an EMS model on the basis of research carried out for one geographical region of Slovenia. For the previous period, data was collected from 2002 to 2014. The software tool used for the analysis was STATA 13.0. For the purpose of forecasting a five-year period trend we used statistical package RStudio and Hyndman’s Forecast package given that this package contains algorithms for forecasting univariate time series including exponential smoothing using automated spatial models and ARIMA modelling. Results: The research has confirmed a correlation between social/environmental factors and the rate of increase in the demand for EMS. A population’s age structure has been identified as the key social factor that increases the need for EMS. On the basis of this finding, this article presents a model for forecasting growth trends in the scope of EMS activities. Conclusion: The research study has identified some important elements that are imperative to take into consideration when formulating an EMS network at the prehospital level. Population ageing has emerged as a key social factor. In the accordance with forecasted trends, an increase in the burden placed on EMS activities may also be anticipated in the future.

Why European subordinates trust their managers

Abstract This article addresses the problem of why subordinates trust their managers based on the responses from 108 subordinates of seven Slovenian managers and from 138 subordinates of eight Swedish managers. The subordinates of these managers responded to a 20-item instrument tested for reliability and validity. In both samples the managers enjoyed different degrees of trust. The level of trust vested in Slovenian managers was higher than in Swedish ones. The kinds of managers’ actions that enhanced trust were similar amongst Swedish and Slovenian subordinates. Different socio-cultural contexts may theoretically explain why some other kinds of actions had contrasting effects between the samples. On the whole, the actions of managers explain trust in both countries. Subordinates’ trust in managers declines with the increasing hierarchical distance in both national samples. Managers need to show in action that they trust their subordinates, promote their interests, demonstrate appreciation of their subordinates, and solve problems.

STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (SIS) OF VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION (VO)

In the modern business world, the networked organizational connections tend to become prevailing organizational form. However, virtual organizations represent a special form of network organization. The backbone of virtual organization is its information system. To obtain successful and efficient operating of virtual organization, its strategic information system is of key importance. Strategic Information System (SIS) is a type of Information System that is aligned with business strategy and structure. SIS is designed to support and increase the competitive strength of a VO. We have upgraded Anthonys paradigm, and taken into consideration the changes in the field of organization and management of modern network companies. This includes also the aspect of assuring the suitable information support to corporate management, which has to provide, at different levels and areas of operation, successful and effective management of corporate business processes in virtual environment. In the paper the aspect of defining possible fields of application of the SIS and the study of their characteristics are discussed. The theory is supported and illustrated by the LENS (Laser Engineered Net Shaping) Living Laboratory case study.