Economics and Management 6 (2) 2014

The development of small and medium-sized enterprises is influenced by many factors of a different nature. These include external factors derived from the environment (macro-, meso-and micro-environment), as well as internal factors (related to the person of the owner and referring to the characteristics of the enterprise) that determine capabilities of the given company. These factors can be stimulants or barriers to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. In particular when they become barriers, a policy of support for this sector provided by business environment institutions seems to be justified. How-ever, as indicated by numerous studies, activities undertaken by these institutions are in-sufficient. The aim of this paper is the identification and evaluation of support for the de-velopment of small and medium-sized enterprises provided by business environment insti-tutions in the Lodz region, illustrated with the example of logistics service providers.

Keywords:
business environment institutions  small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)  SMEs' sup-port instruments  development of small and medium-sized enterprises  determinants of SMEs' development  logistics service providers 

Chains linkages between and within industrial enterprises are considered as one of the key determinants of innovative activity of enterprises, exercised through the prism of institutional cooperative relations. Therefore, the authors of this article, took the issue of the importance of the relationships between businesses in the supply chain and their impact on innovative activity in the regional system of Podlasie. The main hypothesis of the research is that innovation processes in industrial systems in territorial terms are conditional nature of the vertical relationship with suppliers and customers. The primary objective of the study was to assess the significance of the number of industrial relations that exist between the companies and the nature of these linkages in the supply chain and their impact on regional innovation system in podlaskie voivodeship. Tests were carried out on the basis of prepared for this purpose survey, on a group of 190 industrial companies in the Podlaskie region.

Keywords:
innovativeness  industry  industrial system  region 

Intelligent transport systems are part of an intelligent transportation infrastructure. Sup-port capabilities using ITS are very large. The use of intelligent transport systems also brings a number of benefits ranging from economic, through an increase in the level of safety in transport and ending on environmental issues. The purpose of this article is to identify the conditions and possibilities of using ITS to balance economic development of regions. Takes into account both the current state of planning and construction of intelligent transport systems for road, rail and air transport as well as national and EU policies and legal regula-tions in this field. In addition to already known and discussed in a number of domestic and foreign publications ITS applications and their benefits authors recognized the possibility of their use to support the process of sustainable economic development. The article de-scribes the identified legal and infrastructural construction and expansion of ITS and the possibility of their use for balancing the economic development of regions.

Keywords:
sustainable development  intelligent transport systems  transport infrastructure 

The aim of the paper is to indicate the main aspects of the information processes and ana-lyze the category of quality. To achieve the established aim the observation process and decision-making process were analyzed in terms of information aspects. First of all, the no-tion information was conceptualized and the factors which influence the observation qual-ity were listed. Secondly, the observation process was defined and the quality of the obser-vation process was indicated. Thirdly, the correlation between the observation process and the decision-making process was related. Then the decision-making process was defined. Finally the main aspects of the processes were distinguished and the issue of the quality was discussed. The career and educational counseling system was analyzed as the example which indicate the possibilities to support the observation and decision-making processes and increase the quality of the decisions.

Keywords:
information quality  decision-making  decision support  labour market 

The article aims to present current directions of activities improving the effectiveness of innovation implementation in manufacturing enterprises of SME sector and propose solu-tions for the enhanced use of the company's resources and potential. The authors have analyzed the definitions of innovative enterprises present in reference books. Practice im-plies that the occurrence of innovation in the SME sector causes various problems, which effectively discourage a particular entity from introducing this type of activity. Thus, this publication indicates in detail the barriers preventing further development of the compa-nies connected with innovation implementation. The discussed objectives improving the effectiveness of innovation implementation create development prospects for Polish SME entities as well as Polish economy.

Keywords:
innovation  manufacturing company  the SME sector  consolidation 

Nanoparticles, such as nanosilver, nanogold, nanosilica or nanohydroxyapatite hydroxyap-atite can be applied in dentistry as components of composite materials, impression masses, binding systems, anticaries preparations, as well as toothpastes. Products enhanced with nanoparticles are used in almost every dental office. Dentists appreciate several properties of these preparations, such as improved performance, easy polishing, better color matching and long-lasting effect. Considering the direction of the development of nanotechnology in dentistry in the future, these are areas such as implantology, diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and dental nanorobots. The use of nano-preparations in dental practice is much more widespread than one would expect on the basis of Polish literature and popular sci-ence and general knowledge about nanotechnology in society.

Keywords:
nano-dentistry  implants  nanorobots 

The article discusses the subject of value based management and the particular role of so-cial capital in this process. Social capital acting as factor of changing the organizational en-trepreneurship context contributes to multiply the company value. Social capital converts existing resources to create the new one of a higher value. The author also presented the results of research on social capital in the context of achieving a competitive advantage in the international market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the Wielko-polska region (study conducted in 2011-2012).

Keywords:
goodwill  Value Based Management  social capital 

The current business world requires HR department to be agent change and business part-ner. From personnel managers requires both knowledge of advanced techniques of HRM, as well as participation in the value creation of the organization. HR functions most effec-tively when it is part of the leadership team, focusing on overall business strategies rather than just personnel issues. HR managers with the ability to understand employee needs and to contribute to the business priorities as a whole are the true managers. The purpose of this article is to provide consideration about the role of HR specialists in measuring human capital. The study from which this paper reports included empirical data collected through the answer was given by 107 personnel managers of companies.

Keywords:
personnel functions  role of HR department  human capital measurement 

In the time of globalization, almost all companies are forced to "open up" to foreign mar-kets. There is an unequivocal statement presented by the representatives of the various economic trends that there are positive effects of participation in the international division of labor through foreign trade. The phenomenon of internationalization is not common in Poland, in particular the number of small and medium-sized enterprises which undertake internationalization process is unsatisfactory. In connection with this problem the main aim undertaken in the article is to identify the degree of internationalization of small and me-dium-sized enterprises from food sector and the conditions governing it in the first stage of this process, which concerns international trade. The given results may become an im-portant clue for businesses that are considering the activity on international markets, as well as institutions whose purpose is to promote economic activity on foreign markets.

Keywords:
internationalization process  export  food sector 

The concept of a comprehensive support of companies’ development has been presented in the study, which at the same time illustrates the current situation of those, together with some progress forecast with particular emphasis on SME sector as its elements are the key link in market economy. In this article some factors influencing SME dynamic progress have been introduced where because of their characteristic features specific solutions are needed. Among some significant elements of the support development system that have impact on promoting competitiveness and improving both regional and global social and economic situation might be companies cooperation development, for example in clusters, business network as well as the proper ICT and external financing use.

Keywords:
progress conditions  cluster  network  system  SME system 

Conflict analysis and their management showed that during the past decades its scientific understanding changed from the social sciences to interdisciplinary management fields. Conflicts are examined and defined in their own way by management, psychology, politics, law, economics and other sciences. Solutions of conflicts are an integral part of business negotiations – in negotiations are solved various inconsistencies, conflicts of both negotiating parties. Conflict resolution techniques can change in dependence on the culture of the country. In negotiations with the representatives of other countries is necessary to know the dominating conflict management styles in the relevant country and how it is possible to adjust own behavior. A significant number of modern business negotiations are interna-tional, so it is proposal to use mediator in negotiations of another culture who is an individual having the same cultural experience as business partners. In process of preparation for negotiations with other country is necessary to take into account the characteristics of relationships prevailing in that country. This paper reviews the process of conflicts in negoti-ations and their prevention in the interaction of different cultures. Also this paper analyzes the impact of exchange of information and management of expectations for the prevention of conflicts in the negotiations. In order to manage the expectations of the other side of the negotiations is necessary to find out in the preparation phase the values of partner, and try to manage information in negotiations, understanding the values and the context of the other side of negotiations, in order to form useful for us expectations from the other side, which would help to avoid further conflicts in the negotiating process.

Keywords:
business negotiations  conflict  conflict prevention  information exchange  management of expectations  cross-cultural communication 

Paper relates to people with disabilities professional development in the context of quali-fied personnel need in small and medium enterprises. Quantitative empirical research among people with disabilities and among small and medium enterprises were presented. Original model of people with disabilities professional development (which was verified and applied) was shown. In summing up conclusions and further research directions were given.

Keywords:
small and medium enterprises  people with disabilities employment  professional development 

The concept of open innovation is an essential condition of a competitive advantage crea-tion. Only the mutual cooperation between enterprises in the environment is able to create competitive advantage by transfer of their knowledge and development based on new technologies and innovative solutions. This thesis is applied particularly to SMEs, because their resources are limited to run own R & D activity. The necessity of use the open innovation concept is the reason of following factors: dynamic environment and changes customers preferences or excessive costs associated with maintaining knowledge only and exclusively available to one entity in the market. Hence, the aim of this short paper is to assess the relationship between openness to innovation (open innovation) and the competitiveness among small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland on the basis of their own research. They are carried out in framework of the research project (OPUS) funded by NCN.

Keywords:
open innovation  close innovation  competitiveness  small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)  the cooperation of enterprises 

Customer loyalty is an important element, which influence the decision to buy the product, and, according to marketing orientation, is the result of maintaining long-term customer satisfaction. Having a loyal customers is the goal of many companies operating on the mar-ket. Self-employed women, that have participated in the study presented in the article, be-lieved that achieving this aim is possible by recognizing and meeting customer needs. The presented results of the study apply as well to the use of advertising and to different forms of competition between companies. The purpose of this article is to present selected mar-keting activities undertaken by the respondents participating in the study.

Keywords:
women  self-employment  marketing  advertising 

The aim of the article is to present the essence and classification of the company's cost determining factors on the basis of Polish literature on accounting and to make an attempt to identify the key cost determining factors at commercial enterprises of the IT branch - groups of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. On the basis of the research it can be concluded that the descriptive elements of the annual report enable, after a very careful analysis of the content presented, identifying important cost creating factors: of strategic nature, mainly structural; at the level of the whole capital group and at the level of selected activities which are important in the optimization of costs of particularly signif-icant processes.

Keywords:
cost-determining factors  cost optimization  structural cost-determining factors  executive cost-determining factors  commercial enterprises of the IT branch 

The results of analysis of existing industrial clusters in the world. Their role in the formation of ecological and economic sustainable development of countries. Present proposals for the creation of clusters in Belarus.

Keywords:
cluster  innovative  ecological and economic sustainability 

Increasing the innovativeness and competitiveness of small and medium business - one of the main objectives of the new EU economy. In this connection it is necessary to determine the effect on competitiveness and innovativeness of the business processes of knowledge management in a depressed region of Latvia. The processes of knowledge management in-tegrated indicators are used, constructed and calculated on the basis of correlation analysis according to the 2012 survey of managers and staff of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Latgale region of Latvia.

Keywords:
knowledge management  competitiveness  innovation  business  region  Latvia 

The performance of any organization must be evaluated from the perspective of both the economic and social position with efficiency. In recent years, increasing attention is paid to social efficiency. This article analyzes the aspects of socially responsible activities of an ed-ucational organization. The need for management of the organization based on the princi-ples of social responsibility implies first of all, from the fact that it performs one of the most important public functions - education the younger generation and transfer of experience. The 5 levels of social responsibility introduced in the article, which are specified to the ed-ucational organization and can be applied for management decisions.

Keywords:
social efficiency  social responsibility  voluntary response to social problems  long-term beneficial effects  responsibility to yourself  responsibility to future generations 

In practice, determinants of development of the company described extensively in the lit-erature since the mid-twentieth century are perceived subjectively. Own research con-ducted in 2012-2013 among 141 people with managerial education, employed in regional companies have revealed a discrepancy of perception determinants of enterprise development in groups of employees and managers, as well as a considerable diversity of ex-changed development factors.

Keywords:
enterprise development  determinants of development  perception of development condi-tions 

The concept of corporate social responsibility has become one of the most popular and most frequently studied phenomena in economics and management. For many years it has been considered as a phenomenon linked only with developed countries. Changes in the perception of the role and objectives of the company, as a part associated with the local community, which is the core of corporate social responsibility, penetrated also to developing countries, including India. India, being one of the fastest growing economies of the modern world and the largest democracy, have adopted this concept, adapting it to local characteristics and conditions.

Keywords:
social responsibility of business  management  corporate governance 

In the article was presented the idea of patron enterprises which had its beginning at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Development of the idea of work humanization resulted in creationg of patron enterprises taking care about workers, their housing conditions workers, health care, education (also for their children), entertainment and the culture, transparent criteria of their professional promotion. The model of patron enterprises wasn't universal both in the 19th century, as well as isn't universal at present. Intro-ducing of forms and areas in the realization is a purpose of this article: of idea of patron enterprises in today's Poland on concrete examples. Relationships between employers and employees resulting from the mutual responsibility were portrayed in this article. The con-temporary labour market didn't change the 19th eternal idea of patron enterprises, only action changed its realization.

Keywords:
humanisation of work  patron enterprises  human resource management 

The publication will focus on an alternative economic system based on natural resources. The author wishes to confront the current economic system of resource-based regime. Summary economic system based on the use of natural resources, renewable energy sources and working machines to meet the needs of humanity. The publication will outline our current level of technology and how we can use it to improve the global existence.

Keywords:
resource-based economy  the level of technology  natural resources  higher level of human life 

The subject of an investigation is the impact of government regulation of pricing in construction to implement value functions in the Republic of Belarus. The problems of state regulation of pricing and their influence on the industry development are defined. The need to revise the system of formation of value in construction is shown, and determining the estimated average of industry standards, taking into account the actual cost of construction and installation works, the transition to formation of cost on the basis enlarged guidelines. The concepts such as state regulation of pricing in construction, the formation of enlarged estimate standards, improving the pricing system in construction are considered.

Keywords:
price formation in construction  state regulation of proces  improving the pricing system  the formation of the construction cost 

Article is devoted to the study of international experience in construction pricing for im-proving the national system of pricing in construction services in foreign countries. The au-thors reveal the features of the current state of pricing in Belarus. The Article focuses on international experience in construction price. The ways of improving the system of pric-ing in construction in the Republic of Belarus identifies on the bases on the analysis of ad-vanced foreign experience.

Keywords:
pricing system  construction services  international experience  resource pricing method 

The problem of state support for large investment projects of public interest is discussed in the article in the context of public-private partnerships arrangements for their implementation. The article deals with the system of individual state support that exists in the Republic of Belarus at the moment, the necessity to improve it, indicates forward-looking direc-tions of its development. Introduces the concept of state support for large investment projects of public interest, which implies a differentiated approach to provide support, indi-cates a methodical basis for feasibility studies.

Keywords:
investment  public-private partnerships  public support