Journal of
Engineering Management and Competitiveness
(JEMC)

Impresum

DETERMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND LEADERSHIP NEEDS IN SAUDI CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES
Nasser Abdulkarim ALBAHALI, Abdelnaser OMRAN

Abstract:Effective leadership is demonstrated by influencing and guiding the activities of the team toward achieving its goals. This study attempts to determine the relationship between leadership practices and leadership needs in construction companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted to achieve the main aim of this research. Questionnaires were mailed to 155 construction companies in Jeddah city between September and October 2012. Of these, only 138 questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Significant associations were found among all variables. It was found that the two dimensions’ personal competence (B=0.370, t=4.393, p<0.01) and professional competence (B=0.312, t=3.05, p<0.01) as leadership needs were significant towards leadership practices. This study suggests that the company leader, director, executive and non-executive should give direct reports autonomously and encourage others to face challenges, solve problems, and develop their own accountability which could significantly increase the effectiveness of company leaders in the construction industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Keywords: Leadership, Practices, needs, Personal, Professional, Construction companies.

INFLUENCE OF ADVERTISING ON CONSUMER-BASED BRAND LOYALTY
Mihalj BAKATOR, Slađana BORIĆ, Mina PAUNOVIĆ

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between advertising and brand loyalty. Further, mediating dimensions are included in the research: brand trust and perceived quality. The data was collected via online survey. The data processing included a t-test analysis, regression analysis, and correlation analysis. Next, the findings have shown moderate influence of advertising on brand loyalty. Overall, satisfactory results are achieved. Certain limitations with online surveys didn’t affect the results of the research. Furthermore, the findings in this paper contribute to future research, offering a solid basis for a more complex investigation of the marketing environment.
Keywords:Advertising, Brand trust, Perceived quality, Brand loyalty.

NEW VIEWS ON STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
Srđan BOGETIĆ, Miloš VORKAPIĆ, Snežana LEKIĆ

Abstract: Globalisation is the only economic way for national economies all around the world. The globalisation process is marked by the following characteristics: uneven industrial development, intensive application of information and communications technologies (ICT), the development of innovations, the improvement of productivity, and the need to increase the level of competitiveness. As a result of increased ICT application in business, a new business model – sharing economy - has been established and it is increasingly present in practice. However, these changes have significantly influenced the end users themselves who are more and more demanding when using the Internet, smart phones and tablets while shopping for goods or services. With a view to developing competitiveness, developing countries have to follow the changes of the global market, but they also have to create their own national economy growth models. Alongside national economies, companies also have to adapt to new trends. Companies today face great challenges set to them by both the market and the end users.
Keywords:Strategic management, Competitiveness, Globalisation, Information and communications technologies, Business strategies.

ANALYSIS OF POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVING ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG PEOPLE – RESEARCH RESULTS IN CENTRAL BANAT DISTRICT
Dragan ĆOĆKALO, Dejan ĐORĐEVIĆ, Milan NIKOLIĆ, Sanja STANISAVLJEV, Edit TEREK

Abstract: Unemployment, especially among young population, represents one of key economic problems. All important institutions have to be included in overcoming these problems, with the aim of stimulating young people to be involved in entrepreneurial processes. In this paper, global and European trends and trends in the Western Balkans are shown, related to unemployment of young population (aged 15-24). The central part is dedicated to the analysis of possibilities for improving entrepreneurial behaviour of young people in the Central Banat District, on the basis of trends, statistical indicators and the results of conducted research on attitudes of young people towards entrepreneurship and starting their own business. The research sample conducted in 2016 consisted of 350 respondents. The young are often unmotivated to get involved in entrepreneurial processes – they wish to start their own business, but most frequently claim to be distracted by: lack of funds, lack of experience in running a company, lack of knowledge, as well as lack of the right idea. Factors, which distract respondents from starting their own business, represent the result of non-existing adequate environment for supporting young entrepreneurship.
Keywords: Unemployment, Entrepreneurship, Young as entrepreneurs, Self-employment, Regional development.

THE IMPACT OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AND LEADERSHIP ON THE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES
Nikola PETROVIĆ, Dragana SAJFERT, Dragica IVIN

Abstract:This paper gives an overview of the impact of intellectual capital, leadership and knowledge, as values significant for a company which intends to develop and improve itself and be as competitive as possible on the market. Intellectual capital is each individual's asset and an aspect of inexhaustible source of knowledge which cannot be taken away by anyone. One's knowledge should constantly be improved in order to be more competitive on the market. Leadership is one of the processes in which one man, with his influence on the working group, achieves common goals and it represents a way of managing a modern organization. Modern business requires that there is a team of leaders who will transfer their knowledge to employees within the organization.
Keywords:Intellectual capital, Leadership, Knowledge, Organization, Information.

SIMLATION OF LINEAR BUSINESS PROCESSES
Branko POPOVIĆ, Ljiljana Z. MILETIĆ

Abstract: Business processes are applied in business organizations, with interconnected and interactively working activities, which convert input into output elements. These are sets of linked and structured activities or tasks that create a specific process outcome. Characteristics of business processes are: definition, orderliness, user knowledge, identification of additional values for users, connection in the organizational structure and functionality of the activity. In a business activity, it is usual to differentiate business processes, production and service processes. Business Process Management focuses on workflow optimization and business process optimization, which usually includes any combination: modeling, simulation, automation, execution, verification and optimization of business activity flows to achieve the goals. Business processes in the new Six Sigma System apply process simulations, which enable rapid checking of the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, with certain levels of trust and risk. Simulation is the imitation of physical and abstract processes or systems, in the real world over time, with a developed model that represents the system itself, with the application of certain analytical and computer techniques. The best known is the computer simulation technique of linear business processes, which is quite detailed here so it can be routinely applied in practice of compressed air flow.
Keywords:Business process. Simulation, Linear business simulation.

THE CHALLENGE OF GOING DIGITAL
Marijana VIDAS-BUBANJA, Iva BUBANJA

Abstract:Modern business environment changes under the influence of the second wave of disruptive digital technologies such as mobile applications, social networks, cloud computing, big data analytics and Internet of things. The specificity of these digital innovations defined as The Fourth industrial revolution is that they bring about changes in the complete industry sectors becoming in this way a key condition for further competitive business operations in the global market. This paper analyses the contribution of new digital technologies to economic growth of national economies and higher productivity and competitiveness of companies. In order to maintain competitiveness level, modern enterprises have to start the process of digital transformation that requires new organization models, redesigned business processes and new ways of communication with partners and customers. According to some authors this is the biggest transformation in business the world has seen in over a century. The untapped potential here really is enormous and it represents big challenge for all industries and national economies. EU experiences in the development of digital entrepreneurship are analyzed, as well as challenges of digital change in domestic companies.
Keywords: Information-communication technology, Growth, Productivity, Innovation, Competitiveness.

Impresum

PERSONNEL SELECTION USING GROUP FUZZY AHP AND SAW METHODS
Ali Reza AFSHARI, Milan NIKOLIĆ, Zahra AKBARI

Abstract: Personnel evaluation and selection is a very important activity for the enterprises. Different job needs different ability and the requirement of criteria which can measure ability is different. It needs a suitable and flexible method to evaluate the performance of each candidate according to different requirements of different jobs in relation to each criterion. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of Multi Criteria decision making methods derived from paired comparisons. Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) is most frequently used multi attribute decision technique. The method is based on the weighted average. It successfully models the ambiguity and imprecision associated with the pair wise comparison process and reduces the personal biasness. This study tries to analyze the Analytic Hierarchy Process in order to make the recruitment process more reasonable, based on the fuzzy multiple criteria decision making model to achieve the goal of personnel selection. Finally, an example is implemented to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed method.
Keywords: Fuzzy AHP, SAW Method, Personnel selection, Fuzzy decision making.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCE AND THE ROLE OF PROMOTION ON THE MOBILE DEVICE MARKET
Mihalj BAKATOR, Slađana BORIĆ

Abstract: In this study, the influence of promotion and product quality on customers’ satisfaction was analyzed. The research was conducted via a survey. The goal of the paper was to define and analyze the correlation between variables such as advertising, product quality, brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. The data was statistically processed with a t-test in order to present the data as statistically significantly different. The t-test included the Pearson Correlation, which in all four auxiliary hypotheses was positive. The research provided an insight and strengthened the theory of advertising influence on consumer behavior as well as the concept of brand loyalty and product quality. Further results are presented in the paper.
Keywords:Promotion, Customer satisfaction, Influence, Brand, Mobile phone.

FLEXIBLE EMPLOYMENT FORMS IN DIFFERENT COMPANIES LOCATED IN BUDAPEST
Ildiko CSAPÓ, József POÓR, Tímea JUHÁSZ, Andrea VISZTENVELT

Abstract: Today, atypical employment, such as flexible forms of employment, has gained more important substantiality within work science researches. As a result of the economic crisis, the flexible employment form has appeared as an alternative solution, as it has cost reducing effects. The authors examined how the different companies -operating in the Hungarian capital- react to the economic crisis. Do they prefer the flexible employment forms as a possible and effective way of employment? In 2013 and 2015, the researchers also carried out a survey that tested the results of the current study and some results of the quantitative survey of the organizations were presented in Budapest. Based on the analysis in 2015, the organizations were more optimistic, and this is one manifestation of the willingness to expand employment as showed. The authors’ aim with this study is to supply relevant answers regarding the new prospective methods of flexible employment.
Keywords: Atypical work, Flexible employment form, Economic crises, Alternative solution.

THE IMPACT OF LIFE VALUES ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF STUDENTS IN SERBIA
Milan NIKOLIĆ, Dragan ĆOĆKALO, Edit TEREK, Sanja BOŽIĆ, Aleksandra NASTASIĆ

Abstract: In this study, the relationship between life values, the enterprise potential and the entrepreneurial intentions were researched. The survey was conducted in Serbia, and the respondents were students. A total of 380 valid questionnaires were collected. For the data processing, the following statistical methods were used: descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. The main research results are as follows: 1. Correlations between life values items and enterprise potential dimensions and entrepreneurial intentions dimensions, for the most part are not statistically significant, but there is also a significant number of correlations that are positive and statistically significant. The most powerful, significant and positive correlation achieve the following life values dimensions: LV3 - Self actualization, then LV5 - Love and affection. 2. The regression analysis indicates the presence of a statistically significant predictive effect of certain life value dimensions on the dimensions of enterprise potential and entrepreneurial intentions. Predictive effect is not so strong, but it is present at certain life value dimensions: LV3 - Self actualization and LV5 - Love and affection. These are the same dimensions having the strongest correlations, so it can be said that the results of these two analyses are consistent. 3. Dimension EI - Entrepreneurial intention has a statistically significant and positive correlation with the following dimensions of life values: LV5 - Love and affection, LV3 - Self actualization and LV2 - Personal gratification. 4. Individuals may examine their own life values, and on that basis examine their opportunities and potentials for entrepreneurial ventures. They can also implement appropriate adjustments in their value system, if they choose to run their own business.
Keywords: Life values, Enterprise potential, Entrepreneurial intentions, Students, Serbia.

OPERATIONAL AND EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE OF SERBIAN INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES WITH ISO 9001 CERTIFICATE
Vesna SPASOJEVIĆ BRKIĆ, Zorica VELJKOVIĆ, Nada STANOJEVIĆ, Snezana PAVICEVIĆ

Abstract:Business performance is manifested through key performance indicators, which show the actual state in business enterprises and possible deviations from the business objectives that have been set. Due to new practices in transitional economies it is necessary to track business performance measures on company level. The most frequently studied types of performance in the available literature are quality, operational, market and financial, employee performance, innovation, project, aggregate firm performances, and customer satisfaction. This study empirically examines operational and employees performance on a sample of 113 Serbian industrial companies. After data collection through questionnaire usage, descriptive statistics, factor and reliability analysis were used to check if description of examined performances could be done using dimensions proposed according to results of the previous research in a statistically significant way. Examined operational and employees performances provided, have proved valid and reliable dimensions of Serbian industrial companies as a construct. The obtained results comply with previous research done in other countries and contexts. Future research could consist of a longitudinal study but as an examination of operational and employees` performance measures in other Serbian industrial sectors, too. Also, the relationship between operational and employees performance measures could be explored.
Keywords:Operational performance, Employee performance, Companies, Serbia.

IMPLEMENTATION OF 5S TOOLS AS A STARTING POINT IN BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING
Miloš VORKAPIĆ, Dragan ĆOĆKALO, Dejan ĐORĐEVIĆ, Cariša BEŠIĆ

Abstract: The paper deals with the analysis of elements which represent a starting point in implementation of a business process reengineering. We have used Lean tools through the analysis of 5S model in our research. On the example of finalization of the finished transmitter in IHMT-CMT production, 5S tools were implemented with a focus on Quality elements although the theory shows that BPR and TQM are two opposite activities in an enterprise. We wanted to distinguish the significance of employees' self-discipline which helps the process of product finalization to develop in time and without waste and losses. In addition, the employees keep their work place clean, tidy and functional.
Keywords: Reengineering, TQM, Lean concept, 5S, Production improvement.

ANALYSES AND OPTIMIZATION OF LEE PROPAGATION MODEL FOR LORA 868 MHZ NETWORK DEPLOYMENTS IN URBAN AREAS
Dalibor DOBRILOVIĆ, Milan MALIĆ, Dušan MALIĆ, Srđan SLADOJEVIĆ

Abstract: In the recent period, fast ICT expansion and rapid appearance of new technologies raised the importance of fast and accurate planning and deployment of emerging communication technologies, especially wireless ones. In this paper is analyzed possible usage of Lee propagation model for planning, design and management of networks based on LoRa 868MHz technology. LoRa is wireless technology which can be deployed in various Internet of Things and Smart City scenarios in urban areas. The analyses are based on comparison of field measurements with model calculations. Besides the analyses of Lee propagation model usability, the possible optimization of the model is discussed as well. The research results can be used for accurate design, planning and for preparation of high-performance wireless resource management of various Internet of Things and Smart City applications in urban areas based on LoRa or similar wireless technology. The equipment used for measurements is based on open-source hardware.
Keywords: Outdoor radio propagation, Path loss, Lee propagation model, LoRa technology, Open-source hardware, Smart cities.