Mladen Čudanov

Student Perception of Moodle Learning Management System: A Satisfaction and Significance Analysis.

This research study addresses differences in student perception of the significance of Moodle learning management system (LMS) quality characteristics and differences in student satisfaction in regard to such characteristics. Therein, it has been proven in this study that male and female students are equally satisfied with Moodle LMS quality characteristics and that there is a difference in the significance that students give to these characteristics. When students were observed in regard to their age and year of study, it was found that these groups assigned different significance levels to quality characteristics and were not equally satisfied with them. It was also found that there is a substantial statistical difference in the significance students gave to quality characteristics and in student satisfaction itself, according to how much time they spent using the Moodle application, which is also noted as one of the most important aspects of the research conducted. A further analysis of the variables demonstrated that the following components of quality characteristics were more important to female students: average waiting time for a response, feedback quality, material thoroughness, material clarity, website user-friendliness, cooperation diversity, and material quantity.

Adoption of information and communication technologies and dominant management orientation in organisations

The purpose of this research was to contribute to the efforts in the research of organisational factors of information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption. We have studied dominant management orientation, researching whether there is a significant difference in the adoption of ICT between organisations where dominant management orientation is towards results and organisations where dominant management orientation is towards people. Research was conducted using case studies for 71 organisations, which yielded quantitative data used for statistical analysis. Empirical research has shown significant difference between two mentioned groups of organisations, and organisations where dominant management orientation was towards results had much better ICT adoption. Also, composite index of ICT adoption, which we have used in previous research, was checked again as a tool for ICT adoption measurement in a different context. Results can provide guidelines regarding desired changes in dominant management orientation for organisations adopting ICT and contribute to improving theoretical framework of factors in ICT adoption.

Different Successful Patterns for Implementing Holding Model in Public Sector

Abstract Background: Transitions in the modern business environment cause significant organizational changes not only in private companies, but also in the public sector. Introduction of an adequate organizational model for the public sector could improve the quality level of public services. Objectives: This article aims to present general benefits of the application of the holding organizational paradigm in the public sector through a parallel analysis of several cases that were observed individually in our previous research. The goal is to suggest possible restructuring directions to policy makers in cities where the public sector has not been adjusted to the changes in the modern business environment. Methods: The case study research based on the documentation analysis, interviews and direct observation using the standard management consulting practice provided an additional and deeper insight into the functioning of public enterprises in one European capital and one small municipality. Results: The examples presented in this paper showed that the application of the holding institutional solution in the public sector leads to an improved command, an increased level of control, reduced management costs, better allocation of city resources and decreased overheads in the public sector. Conclusions: Switching from a functional towards a network model of the organizational structure improved the performance of public enterprises and increased the quality of public services

Correlation between soft organizational features and development of ICT infrastructure

This paper aims to research interrelationships between management style as soft organizational trait and development of ICT infrastructure in company as a prerequisite for corporate ICT adoption. Among large set of factors influencing rate of corporate ICT infrastructure development and adoption, factors of organizational nature are neglected in literature and from practical focus. In particular, soft organizational factors like managerial styles, skills, shared values or staff traits gain less attention than hard factors like organizational structure, processes or strategy, though existing research shows positive correlation between ICT adoption and soft organizational factors. Empirical background for our research is coming from case analysis of 78 enterprises in the Balkan countries. Theoretical background in gained from previous research of connections between managerial styles, dominant management orientation and other organizational traits and adoption of ICT. Quantitative data extracted from that analysis is calculated through Composite indicator of ICT infrastructure, advanced version of Composite Index of ICT Adoption.

Interest in Currency Trading Learning – Preferred Methods and Motivational Factors

Abstract Background and purpose: This paper analyzes the interest of potential users for learning in the field of currency trading or foreign exchange (forex, FX). The purpose of our article is a) to present currency trading, b) to present different options, methods and learning approaches to educating in forex, c) to present the research results discovering the interest of potential users for learning in the field of currency trading. Methodology: For gathering data, an online questionnaire was used. It was distributed so that the survey sample covers socio-demographic variables (gender, age, working status, relationship status, financial status of credit and educational level). Interest in learning in the field of currency trading was assessed. Descriptive statistics, t-test, paired samples test, homogeny test of variances, and ANOVA were used. Results: It was determined that people are interested in learning about currency trading, especially younger ones (< 30 years), who prefer e-learning as their learning approach. Obtaining and possessing the right information is the strongest motivation factor and fearing not having enough necessary prior knowledge is the strongest discouraging factor for learning about currency trading. Conclusion: Education of users in the field of currency trading is becoming increasingly popular with the development of e-learning.

Social Media and Employee Affiliation: Networks of Practice as New Supra-Organizational Entities

Through social media, companies can apply new forms of communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Employees rely more and more on web communities of practice that share the same experiences and interests, instead of getting input from colleagues. This paper discusses perceived changes in employee affiliation as caused by social media usage by company employees. An empirical evaluation surveyed 316 employees from 49 companies in southeastern Europe. Results indicate that employees who use social media regularly have greater perceived changes in affiliation, with this affiliation more related toward online communities of practice. Our findings can contribute towards developing a more elaborated model of the relationships between employee sense of affiliation and social media usage. This study is among the first to discuss organizational changes caused by social media in companies, namely their influence on changes in affiliation.

Proposed framework for gamifying information retrieval: case of DART - European research theses portal

This paper proposes framework for gamifying interactive information retrieval portal. Research is based on review of literature in the field of gamification, interviews with users of IIR systems as well as documents and insights provided by the DART portal. Paper illustrates the system where collaborative community of PhD candidates, supervisors, alumni and institutions interact in more effective and efficient way. Possible targets and guidelines for gamifying generic interactive information retrieval system in the context of academic research are presented, as well as general recommendations for DART and similar portals.

Development of Co-Operation-Based Company Standards: The Case of Innovative Practice in Public Service Companies

“I don’t like standards” — we have heard this statement from all kinds of managers — experienced or beginners, domestic or multinationals, from large or small companies, production or service oriented. Much of the negative attitude that managers have towards standardization is based on their experience with ISO 9001 and the organizational work standardization and the problems with “over routined” documented quality management systems. The negative attitudes towards standards are predominantly based on the lack of understanding about how much freedom an organization has in order to find its own successful way to fulfill ISO 9001 requirements and the forced implementation of ISO 9001. The research related to ISO 9001 and other standardized implementations of management systems show that the benefits are predicated on efforts well beyond the minimum requirements of the standards (Gotzamani, 2005) and encompass other approaches, initiatives, and tools (Mijatovic and Stokic, 2010). On the other side, innovation and standardization are often considered as mutually exclusive for corporate management because the remaining space for innovative work is reduced along with the progress in work standardization — many cases confirm that they are complementary to each other (Kondo, 2000).