Economics and Management 8 (1) 2016

The aim of the study is an assessment of the Amoeba Management System (AMS) introduction advancements in some European companies. The study takes the practically focused research approach. The approaches, achievements and phases whilst introducing the AMS principles by companies are observed and critically assessed. First insight into the challenges of AMS introduction is taken basing on critical study of the literature output. The scientific studies and managerial publications are taken into consideration. The empirical part of the study is based on the qualitative approach. A multiple case study methodology is employed. The research objects are three companies, one of them operates in Sweden, the next two in Poland. Each of them have different experiences in AMS implementation, they also manifest different management styles and habits. The study demonstrates that AMS is a very prospective management methodology which can support companies in employees commitment during their journey towards operational excellence. The analysis results show different motivations for AMS introduction as well as different development paths, these are harmonized with different management styles in companies and culture occurring in countries. The study is particularly valuable because this is one of the first empirical investigations of AMS implementation in European companies. In the field of theory the study proposes the four level scale for amoebas system maturity. This scale allows to classify companies following AMS principles and, at the same time, this scale is also the kind of path of AMS implementation. The study points out basic tools for companies which support AMS implementation. These tools are already known in management literature, but experience of investigated companies shows that they are fundamental for successful AMS implementation.

Keywords:
Amoeba Management  Kyocera  self-governed units  autonomous teams  employees engagement  employees productivity 

The article presents identification of problems during the implementation of Lean concept in small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. Although the Lean methodology is recognized all over the world as one of the best and most effective ways to improve the functioning of enterprises, in Polish conditions exist serious problems with its implementation. Development of small and medium-sized enterprises is regarded as one of the measures of economic growth and a sign of healthy competition. The needs of the economy and the limited resources characterizing this enterprise sector imply the need to adjust its capacities to the requirements of the turbulent environment. In the analysis of problems there were used the results of questionnaire surveys conducted among representatives of the companies participating in the largest Lean conference in Central Europe.

Keywords:
Lean  SMEs  improvement  questionnaire survey 

In this study the question of innovation and information management in supply chain is addressed. We assume that innovation and information management are interrelated in supply chains and that the relationship is crucial for their success on the market. Considerable attention was given to the issue of outsourcing which is now a commonplace in supply chain management. In particular, we examined how approaches to managing information and knowledge in the supply chain differ according to ICT outsourcing. The deduction is based on a data set of 426 companies located in Poland, representing a variety of industry sectors. Two stages of the research were realised. The rationale behind this was to identify enterprises that utilise a welldeveloped system of information and knowledge management to determine the scope of possible in-depth analyses. This helped to receive valuable responses. We find what information and knowledge management is mainly driven by. We show the similarities and differences in information and knowledge management between entities that use ICT outsourcing and those that do not. We discuss the research results and draw conclusions.

Keywords:
innovation management  information management  supply chain management 

Motivating to perform remains a very inspiring field of scientific studies. In spite of extensive research in this field, some areas, of niche nature, that require exploration can be identified. Motivating the managers is one of such areas, less popular but of tremendous importance in the process of managing a contemporary organisation. This article is theoretical and empirical. It was written to present the original results of empirical research focused on assessment of the motivation impact of 47 financial and non-financial tools by several hundred Polish managers. The research tool used in the study process was the questionnaire prepared by the author of this paper. Key preferences of the group of employees are an important source of information required in the process of optimising the effectiveness of managing the human capital and an entire organisation.

Keywords:
motivation  manager  motivation system  leadership  quality 

Nanotechnology is a very vast field which includes a range of technologies at the nano scale, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genomics, neuroscience, robotics and information technologies. Nanotechnology is the latest technological innovation in global debates on risk regulation and international cooperation. Regulatory bodies have started dealing with the potential risks posed by nanoparticles. Since 2004 the UE has been developing a regulatory policy to tighten control and to improve regulatory adequacy and knowledge of nanotechnology risks. Currently, specific provisions on nanomaterials have been introduced for biocides, cosmetics, food additives, food labelling and materials in contact with foodstuff. The statement that nanotechnologies do inevitably imply ethical questions. The main problems are public trust, potential risks, issues of environmental impact, transparency of information, responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. The aim of this article is to analysis the main problems regulating nanotechnology and some aspects of ethics.

Keywords:
nanotechnology  regulation  risk  ethical issues 

Facing increasing business volumes and internationalisation, office lease issue is becoming increasingly relevant to business enterprises. They become an integral part of the business which determines the outcome of commercial activities. Current assessment methodologies for types of office leases are flawed because they lack comprehensiveness and they are not linked to the objective of a lease, that is improvement of business deliverables. The methods for quantitative assessment of lease types are flawed. The objective of this article is developing a hierarchical system of indicators in connection with commercial real estate (office) leases adapted for quantitative assessment using multi-criteria methods. As a result of the research, it has been obtained that such system contains three categories: economic, premises and environmental. 12 indicators fall into the first one, 24 – into the second and 16 – into the third one.

Keywords:
commercial real estate (office) lease  multi-criteria assessment methods 

The article concerns the comparative analysis concerning credit market situation on the background of economic growth changes in Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Hungary. The main objective of this article is to identify the similarities and differences in the economic situation of the whole economies and credits market conditions in individual countries. This relationship has been verified for each country. To determine the strength of the relationship between the dynamics of changes in the value of credits and GDP, Pearson correlation analysis was used. The basis of the analysis presented in the article was data from central banks, Central Statistical Office and Eurostat. Time horizon under investigation covered the period of 2004-2013. The results of analysis indicate that both the economic condition of entire economies, as well as the situation in the credit market remained diverse in all analyzed countries. Among the most significant similarities there was found that changes in the rate of economic growth in the analyzed countries remained at a moderate depending on the dynamics of changes in the credit market. Although the analyzed countries experienced a financial crisis, not all of them recorded a negative growth rate of GDP and credits.

Keywords:
gross domestic product  credit  convergence criteria  growth rate 

The article discusses the issues of development of aesthetic medicine tourism. Its aim is to identify the essence and scope of services related to aesthetic medicine tourism and its location within the health tourism. The article is based on the theoretical study of literature from the field of health tourism and aesthetic medicine as well as empirical research results. The article discusses the issues of conditions of social changes that contribute to the creation of new trends in the tourism market. Further, it characterises aesthetic medicine. The article presents the results of empirical research indicating the need to expand the segment of health tourism to include aesthetic medicine tourism. Then the differentiators of aesthetic medicine tourism were identified, which may qualify it as a separate segment of health tourism. The theoretical added value of the article is the indication of the development of a new trend in health tourism and the identification of traits that allow the isolation of a new trend – aesthetic medicine tourism.

Keywords:
aesthetic medicine tourism  health tourism 

The age of household members is an important factor for expenditures. The aim of the study is to investigate the level of expenditure on restaurants and hotels incurred in Polish households of the elderly in 2004-2013 and to identify the factors affecting such expenditures. The source of information used in the study was the household budget survey of the Central Statistical Office of Poland. The main methods used in this study were variance analysis and regression analysis. Restaurants and hotels expenditure increases every year together with their share in total household expenditure. The most important factors affecting the restaurants and hotels spending in Polish households of the elderly are: income per capita and the level of education of the head of the family. The study on consumption determinants at different groups leads to better understanding of consumer behavior circumstances and thereby ensuring a good quality of life for the people of the elderly.

Keywords:
household of the elderly  expenditure on restaurants and hotels  factors spending 

In the discussion of communication in management studies, more and more attention is being given to research on an image of a product as well as a brand of an institution. In times when the value of great corporations is mainly based on well promoted and maintained brands, any activity without care of reputation is unimaginable. This rule also applies to cities, communes or regions. Image is currently of strategic significance for these subjects. It can be stated that there is a type of relationship. When an image of a certain region is positive, achievement of complex goals is easier. Therefore, when the region fulfils its goals, it is easier to gain respect of current and potential citizens, tourists, and investors. Thus, a positive image is one of the greatest advantages that a region can have, as it is directly transferred into social and economic development. In the article, on the basis of the literature of the subject, the process of creating an image of a region is presented.According to the survey conducted among Polish and Czech respondents related to Euroregion Beskydy and Euroregion Cieszyn Silesia, by place of residence, workplace or place of education image of the regions appeared to be one of the most distinguishing of their features.

Keywords:
culture  image  Euroregion Beskydy  Euroregion Cieszyn Silesia  tourism