Marko Ferjan

Educational Institution's Image: A Case Study

Educational Institutions Image: A Case Study This article presents our findings about the factors influencing educational institutions image. Based on the literature review we composed a web questionnaire which was send to all current students at University of Maribors Faculty of Organizational Studies. Based on our research results we found out that eight factors influence educational institutions image which have various amounts of influence on the educational institutions image. The factor with the most influence is the quality of professors and of their lectures and the second most important factor is the learning content. These two factors come before all of the others in the matter of influencing the educational institutions image. Our basic recommendation is to build on these factors starting with the most important ones first.

Social Classes and Social Mobility in Slovenia and Europe

Social Classes and Social Mobility in Slovenia and Europe In closed social systems the social position of an individual is determined by the social position of the family into which he or she was born, whereas in open social systems mobility from one social class to another is possible. This paper concerns the relationship between the class position an individual actually occupies and the class into which he or she was born. First the concept of social class is described and different types of social mobility are presented. Than the research methodology is described and the results are presented and discussed. At the end of the paper certain comparisons to other European countries are made. Družbeni razredi in družbena mobilnost v Sloveniji in Evropi V zaprtih družbenih sistemih je družbeni položaj posameznika določen s položajem družine že ob človekovem rojstvu. V odprtih družbah pa prihaja do vertikalne in horizontalne družbene mobilnosti, katera je predstavljena v prispevku. V Sloveniji je v času tranzicije mnogo ljudi, zaposlenih v industriji izgubilo službo, po drugi strani pa so se mnogi zaposlili v storitvenih dejavnostih. Stopnja družbene mobilnosti je bila zato zelo velika. V prispevku predstavljamo družbene razrede, različne vrste družbene mobilnosti ter raziskavo družbenih razredov v Sloveniji. Na koncu rezultate primerjamo tudi s stanjem v Evropi.

Organizational Flexibility, Employee Security, and Organizational Efficiency – a Case Study of Slovenian Public and Private Sector Organizations

Abstract Background: Literature defines different types of flexibility and security with regard to work. Regardless of which type of flexibility or security is discussed, the consequences for individuals, organizations or employers and society are significant. Purpose: The purpose of the research was to compare and analyse the correlation between the different types of flexibility and security in work and organizational efficiency. Methodology: Data was gathered using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method. A link to an online questionnaire was e-mailed to randomly selected organisations across all economic sectors in Slovenia that had a published e-mail address, either in business directories or on a company website. We asked them to forward our e-mail to their employees. The correlation between different variables was used for data analysis. Results: The results of our research show that there is a low positive level of correlation between different types of flexibility and security in the context of work and also between different types of flexibility in work and organizational efficiency. The correlation between different types of security in work and organizational efficiency is positive and medium strong. Conclusion: It is recommended that the legislators be aware of the importance of their correlation with organizational efficiency when preparing legislative amendments regarding introduction of the flexibility and security in the field of work.

Country’s Development as a Determinant of Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity

Our study is built on the dependence of early-stage entrepreneurial activity on GDP per capita, GDP real growth rate, unemployment rate, inflation rate, investments and public debt of different countries. We divide the early-stage entrepreneurial activity into necessity-driven and improvement-driven opportunistic entrepreneurial activity. To establish the dependencies we have conducted the regression analyses. Our three main findings are: (a) early-stage entrepreneurial activity does depend on our predictors; (b) necessity-driven entrepreneurial activity is negatively correlated to country’s development; and (c) improvement-driven opportunistic entrepreneurial activity is positively correlated to country’s development.

Introduction of a Lesson: A Guarantee of Motivation? The Significance of the Lesson Introduction for Learners’ Activation Level in Business and Economics Teaching at German Vocational Colleges

Konferenca o razvoju organizacijskih znanosti je konferenca z najdaljso tradicijo na Univerzi v Mariboru in vsako leto poveže studente, raziskovalce, gospodarstvenike in predstavnike javne uprave, ki delujejo na podrocju organizacije in managementa. Tema letosnje, že 36. mednarodne konference o razvoju organizacijskih znanosti, je Odgovorna organizacija in se nanasa na sirino organizacije v njenem notranjem in zunanjem okolju. Odgovornost do zaposlenih, poslanstva, strategije, procesov, tehnologije, razvoja so samo nekatera izmed podrocij, ki jim mora organizacija slediti. Identiteta organizacije se izkazuje z njenim vsestransko odgovornim ravnanjem in kaže vrednost navzven pri kupcih ali uporabnikih storitev. V casu, ki ga živimo, smo vpeti v preplet tehnoloskega in socialnega napredka, ki nenazadnje rezultira v posamezniku in družbi nasploh. Ravnanje organizacije se ravno tako ne veže samo na delovanje v lokalnem okolju temvec zaradi globalnih razsežnosti ucinkuje tudi v mednarodnih dimenzijah. S temo konference želimo odpreti polje vprasanj in poiskati odgovore, ki bodo doprinesli k napredku organizacijskih ved. Materialni vplivi, komuniciranje, znanje in postenje ter nenazadnje ideal odgovornega ravnanja lahko kot pomembni dejavniki obvladujejo pogosto nemirne situacije v in izven okolja nasih organizacij. Ker smo casovno in prostorsko vpeti v vzorce, ki mnogokrat ne sledijo vec nasim preteklim izkusnjam, je nasa želja, da s srecanjem na konferenci stopimo v korak s casom in prepoznamo dobre prakse, izoblikujemo nove metode in se seznanimo z aktualnimi trendi, ki jih organizacije vsakodnevno živijo.Konferenca o razvoju organizacijskih znanosti je konferenca z najdaljso tradicijo na Univerzi v Mariboru in vsako leto poveže studente, raziskovalce, gospodarstvenike in predstavnike javne uprave, ki delujejo na podrocju organizacije in managementa. Tema letosnje, že 36. mednarodne konference o razvoju organizacijskih znanosti, je Odgovorna organizacija in se nanasa na sirino organizacije v njenem notranjem in zunanjem okolju. Odgovornost do zaposlenih, poslanstva, strategije, procesov, tehnologije, razvoja so samo nekatera izmed podrocij, ki jim mora organizacija slediti. Identiteta organizacije se izkazuje z njenim vsestransko odgovornim ravnanjem in kaže vrednost navzven pri kupcih ali uporabnikih storitev. V casu, ki ga živimo, smo vpeti v preplet tehnoloskega in socialnega napredka, ki nenazadnje rezultira v posamezniku in družbi nasploh. Ravnanje organizacije se ravno tako ne veže samo na delovanje v lokalnem okolju temvec zaradi globalnih razsežnosti ucinkuje tudi v mednarodnih dimenzijah. S temo konference želimo odpreti polje vprasanj in poiskati odgovore, ki bodo doprinesli k napredku organizacijskih ved. Materialni vplivi, komuniciranje, znanje in postenje ter nenazadnje ideal odgovornega ravnanja lahko kot pomembni dejavniki obvladujejo pogosto nemirne situacije v in izven okolja nasih organizacij. Ker smo casovno in prostorsko vpeti v vzorce, ki mnogokrat ne sledijo vec nasim preteklim izkusnjam, je nasa želja, da s srecanjem na konferenci stopimo v korak s casom in prepoznamo dobre prakse, izoblikujemo nove metode in se seznanimo z aktualnimi trendi, ki jih organizacije vsakodnevno živijo.

Marketing Mix and Tourism Destination Image: The Study of Destination Bled, Slovenia

Abstract Background and Purpose: The aim of the research was to find out how business partners from the field of tourism estimate the dimensions of the image of Bled and the marketing mix used to promote Bled. Further on we were interested in evaluating the influence of image and marketing mix on the scope of sales measured in overnights. The following dimensions of image were explored: perceived uniqueness of image as a whole, perceived uniqueness of attractions and experiences, perceived quality of the environment (cleanness), perceived feeling of safety, as well as the dimensions of the marketing mix: perceived quality of products (accommodation, culinary offer, transfers, etc.), perceived price of services, perceived manner of sales for the promotion of Bled, perception of promotional channels, perception of residents (politeness, friendliness, multicultural and religious openness, etc.) and a positive experience of visiting Slovenia. Design/Methodology/Approach: The survey was dispensed among 400 incoming agencies, foreign tour operators, tourist agencies and associations that promote the product of Bled. 235 units were received, 164 of them were completed. The respondents come from 30 countries from all over the world. Results: The findings disclose how service quality, tourist provider competencies and environmental factors are estimated. Safety at Bled has the highest arithmetic mean and the lowest standard deviation. The lowest ranking is linked to traffic and tolerance towards other religions. It is alarming to find the service quality, as the core of tourism business, rated poorly during the main season. Conclusion: Having overviewed the available literature it might be concluded that the analysis can be regarded as the first research of the tourist destination Bled performed in this manner and scope.

Ski Jumping – Talent Battle in a Learning Organization

The concepts of learning organization and organizational learning have made a significant contribution to the development of some major global companies such as Nokia, Oracle, Microsoft and others. This article explores whether the learning organization concept has proved successful in sports, specifically in ski jumping. The study was conducted among ski jumpers who compete in the World Cup. The questionnaire was distributed to 130 ski jumpers, and 54 correctly completed questionnaires were returned. The study has indicated that ski jumping is a sport of distinct individualists. Individual talent is an extremely important factor for success in this sport. We can say with absolute certainty that all surveyed ski jumpers are able to take 16th to 50th place in a World Cup race. The differences between competitors are very minor, even in the biggest races. Therefore, when it comes to success, every single detail matters. We have identified a weak correlation between the best sporting achievement and collaboration in the testing of new equipment. In the past, some of the best results were achieved on the basis of experimentation, but contemporary coaches do not dare to over-experiment with the technique. Too frequent progress measurements place a burden on competitors. There is a positive correlation between the frequency of individual analysis and the success of a competitor, while the best achievement and variables from “team work” group are negatively correlated. The relationships within a team are obviously very complex.

Unemployment and Goverment's Subsidizing

Unemployment and Goverments Subsidizing Unemployment has become more and more pressing matter nowadays. Governments all across the world are implementing policies to increase the employment rates back to the levels before the economic downturn. One of the most important policies implemented by countries governments were employment subsidies, which means that companies got government funding when employing and also that private citizens had the possibility for entrepreneurship stimulus packages. The scope of our study was to determine how the gross domestic product and the governments subsidizing on a countrys level affect the number of unemployed on a country level. We have conducted the empirical part of our study on the case of Slovenia and found out that gross domestic product has a bigger effect on the number of unemployed than governments subsidies.