Valentinas Navickas

The impact of clusterization on the development of small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) sector

The impact of clusterization on the development of SME sector has been analysed in this study. The cooperation of companies at national level and on a global scale is becoming more and more important as a tool of economic development. Companies tend to work together in order to share their competencies, reduce various costs, consolidate limited resources, and hereby increase their productivity, innovativeness, and profitability. It must be emphasized that the role of clusterization is crucial in the development of SME sector, as small and medium‐sized enterprises may benefit from economies of scale and extend the operation limits (size‐related limitations of operation are characteristic of most small businesses). Clusters (and similar forms of interorganizational structures) create the environment for innovation and technological advancement. Therefore, small and medium‐sized enterprises may gain additional benefits that include know‐how, cost‐saving options, innovative solutions, etc. The authors of this scientific study have concluded that the competitiveness of SME sector is closely related to the spread and extent of clusterization processes.

Relationship Marketing: Theorethical Aspects

In recent years relationship marketing has found its place in the practice of modern production and service busi- ness. In Lithuania this concept is yet in the first stages of its development. The article focuses on the concept of relationship marketing and its development within the context of various marketing theories. The main principles of application and methods of relationship marketing are analyzed. The key assumptions for using relationship marketing as well as factors of influence are disclosed. The article also examines the specifics of relationship marketing in the service sector, evaluates opportunities for adapting well-known forms and methods of relationship marketing in this field. The authors conclude that maintaining relationships and partnerships between countries helps in formulating company competency and competitive advantages. Actively used relationship marketing increases the value of a companys offerings in the modern market. Based on the finding of recent empirical research the authors claim that relationship marketing for service sector firms is a way of formulating competitive advantages that are important and difficult to replicate.

New Leverage over Macroeconomic Policy: the Phenomenon of Clusters

The impact of government on macroeconomic processes is pretty relevant. It manifests itself through various functions of governance and administration. The main mission of governing bodies is to assure both – economic and political stability. Government is also responsible for improving the microeconomic capabilities of companies by assuring efficient allocation of resources and stimulating productivity. The modern economic policy is based on the concept of clusters. The aim of the study is to analyze the importance of clusters in the context of macroeconomic policy. When a government implements a cluster-based economic policy, it actively participates in the process of creating and improving strategic relations inside and outside the cluster. That kind of policy is more efficient than any economic policy aimed at individual companies, as it enables a government to influence a great number of companies without distorting market-based competitive environment.

Strategical Perspective of Corporate Environmental Policy

Strategical Perspective of Corporate Environmental Policy The authors of the article analyze the benefits of corporate environmental policy in pursuance of a competitive advantage in the global market. Corporate environmental policy described as a strategic business investment opens new possibilities for their relationships with stakeholders and contributes to the promotion of social activity and to the attainment of the competitive advantage. By emphasizing the positive environmental policys impact on competitive advantage of corporation in the global market the article treats of corporate environmental performance benefits, which are defined as improvement of relations with all stakeholders, intensification of corporation image, reputation development, business growth and customer loyalty. The paper deals with the development of Lithuanian corporate environmental policy in recent years and investigates the relationship between corporation activities and the improvement of relations with the stakeholders, which influences intensification of corporations image and thereby increases competitive advantage of corporation. Researching the impact of corporate environmental policy on increasing competitive advantage, the authors found that active environmental performance positively influences business relationships with stakeholder groups and increases their competitive advantage in the global market.

The Concept of Digital Shadow Economy: Consumer's Attitude☆

Abstract The article covers a new topic in the sphere of digital shadow economy – consumers’ attitudes towards this phenomenon. Increasing transfer of transactions to electronic space determines the growth of the number of illegal digital operators and promotes consumers’ involvement in digital shadow trade. Scientific literature does not contain any universal definition of digital shadow economy. Hence, the variety of terms, interpretations and features relevant to this phenomenon is rather wide, which determines the necessity to define the precise concept of digital shadow economy from the point of view of consumers as active participants in this field. This article is aimed at definition of the concept of digital shadow economy from consumers’ position and identification of the measures would discourage potential consumers from participation in digital shadow economy. To increase the size of the survey sample, the method of “snowball” was engaged. The results of the research have revealed that consumers are inclined to distinguish criminal activities (drugs, prostitution, credential steals, etc.) from illegal economic activities, which also violate established legal norms and regulations. The participants of the survey perceive that the activities of digital shadow economy are performed exceptionally in electronic space without official registration of business and evading tax payment. Participation in digital shadow economy is voluntary and mutually beneficial to both transaction parties (a trader and a consumer). With reference to the results of consumers’ evaluation, definition of digital shadow activities as illegal ones, development of the efficient legal framework, containing clearly established criminal and/or administrative responsibility for a consumer as a party of digital shadow transaction, public announcement and availability of the information on illegal e-traders in e-space, availability of appropriate protection software, more intensive supervision and control, establishment of e-police department and assurance of the sufficient number of supervising officers can be considered the most efficient measures of digital shadow economy prevention.

MACROECONOMIC DIMENSIONS IN THE CLUSTERIZATION PROCESSES: LITHUANIAN BIOMASS CLUSTER CASE

Abstract The Future production systems’ increasing significance will impose work, which maintains not a competitive, but a collaboration basis, with concentrated resources and expertise, which can help to reach the general purpose. One form of collaboration among medium-size business organizations is work in clusters. Clusterization as a phenomenon has been known from quite a long time, but it offers simple benefits to researches at micro and medium levels. The clusterization process evaluation in macroeconomic dimensions has been comparatively little investigated. Thereby, in this article, the clusterization processes is analysed by concentrating our attention on macroeconomic factor researches. The authors analyse clusterization’s influence on country’s macroeconomic growth; they apply a structure research methodology for clusterization’s macroeconomic influence evaluation and propose that clusterization processes benefit macroeconomic analysis. The theoretical model of clusterization processes was validated by referring to a biomass cluster case. Because biomass cluster case is a new phenomenon, currently there are no other scientific approaches to them. The authors’ accomplished researches show that clusterization allows the achievement of a large positive slip in macroeconomics, which proves to lead to a high value added to creation, a faster country economic growth, and social situation amelioration.

The Pecularities of Formation and Development of Event Marketing Strategies

The necessity determined by the global economy - it is the ability to transform the flows of ideas into technologi- cal and commercial success. This process includes not only the creation of new products and services, but also the introduc- tion of new methods to stimulate and promote sales. Creativity and innovativeness tend to become the most important competencies that enable companies to gain and retain competitive advantage. The study shows that event marketing and other interactive forms of communication have developed as the answer to the challenges of mass-adaptation era. They ensure the direct dialogue between a company and its clients; they enable a company to modify its message according to the expectations of its target market. Moreover, new interactive marketing tools improve the image and perception of a company and stimulate the volume of sales.