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Volume 9, Number 2
DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR IMPROVING BUSINESS AND COMPETITIVENESS OF DOMESTIC ENTERPRISES
Mihalj BAKATOR, Dejan ĐORĐEVIĆ, Dragan ĆOĆKALO
Abstract: Competitiveness of domestic enterprises on the international market is practically non-existent. The majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties when it comes to obtaining and maintaining a competitive position on the market. Globalization and business within the domain of the fourth industrial revolution - Industry 4.0, bring challenges for SMEs. Without an adequate quality management system, without the application of ICT and the lack of modern manufacturing equipment, enterprises can’t compete on the international market. In this paper managers of domestic enterprises and customers of various products are surveyed. The two separate surveys included the analysis of quality management, product quality, human resource management, marketing strategy, promotional activities, customer satisfaction, perceived quality and brand development. The goal was to define the relations between the measured factors in order to develop a model for improving business and competitiveness of domestic enterprises in Serbia. The model provides significant insight on how could enterprises enhance their businesses and achieve a competitive position on the international market. Additionally, this present paper provides a solid basis for future research in this domain. Keywords: SMEs; Quality management; Marketing management; Customer satisfaction; Competitive-ness.
HARMONIZING BUSINESS AND DIGITAL ENTERPRISE STRATEGY USING SOA MIDDLE-OUT AND SERVICE-BASED APPROACH
Zoran DRAGIČEVIĆ, Saša BOŠNJAK
Abstract:The organization's agility represents its ability to respond fast to changes by the transformation and/or optimization of business processes. In the conditions of the ever-increasing use of digital technologies, the agility of organization can be compromised if the digital strategy and IT resources are not flexible enough to adequately respond to changed business conditions. Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) promotes better alignment of business goals and IT resources to faster respond to changes. However, given the challenges of the digital era, especially when it comes to distribution, complexity, scalability, and delivery speed, the success of the SOA initiatives increasingly depends on the choice of delivery strategy and implementation approach. The SOA middle-out delivery strategy is guided by business strategy, strategic vision and goals, with reuse of existing IT resources and focus on urgent requirements, tactical and operational goals. On the other hand, SOA evolves towards increasing agility and a simpler, service-based implementation approach that supports fast delivery. This paper, in general, discusses the ways of more efficient alignment of business and digital enterprise strategy, based on the implementation of SOA initiatives for the development of business software systems. Within the framework of the research, the significant challenges and best practices have been identified and clearly distinguished, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, which are related to the key architectural and methodological aspects of the SOA implementation using the middle-out delivery strategy and service-based approach. Keywords: SOA; Business strategy; Digital strategy; Middle-out; Service-based approach; Empirical research.
JOB SATISFACTION AND RELATIONS WITH THE LEADER ON AN EXAMPLE OF A DOMESTIC COMPANY
Nikola PETROVIĆ, Edit TEREK, Dragana SAJFERT, Zoran JOVANOVIĆ, Tamara PETKOVIĆ
Abstract:This paper presents a survey of job satisfaction and relation with the leader, ie the measurement of the quality of the relation between employees with superiors. Job satisfaction is an important factor in the quality of business. This research is important for the consideration of employee satisfaction and their relationship with the superiors in order to increase the business performance of the company. The aim of the research is to determine the state of the observed organizational performance, job satisfaction and the relationship with the supervisor in the observed company. The results will be presented through practical suggestions on what kind of relationship the superiors should develop with their employees, in order to achieve better performance of the company. Questionnaires were filled out by respondents, that is, employees in the observed company. Answers from a total of N = 33 employees were collected. The analyzed results of job satisfaction and the relationship with the superior shows that employees in the observed company are generally satisfied. Keywords: Job satisfaction; Leadership; Employees; Organization.
PRODUCT AND SERVICE RELIABILITY ESTIMATION
Branko Z. POPOVIĆ
Abstract: Some manufacturers in Europe neglect to determine the reliability of products and services, although reliability is a very significant magnitude of the quality of process results (semi-finished product, product, documentation, service). They usually declare the amount of reliability the way their competitor did, not realizing the real differences between the individual process results, which certainly causes unnecessary costs. When they declare higher reliability, then losses occur due to the high cost of customer complaints, and when they declare lower reliability, then losses arise due to large losses in demand for the results of market processes. In America, a different approach is taken to consider reliability, which involves designing, planning, and verifying the reliability of process results, using special computer programs and electronic computers. Reliability design allows defining the reliability of systems and components of process results, according to the requirements of critical quality characteristics, thereby achieving the required level of quality. Reliability planning enables the preparation of reliability checks by developing a test plan, reliability and warranty plan, a forecasting plan and a product or service guarantee plan. The reliability check makes it possible to determine the true reliability of the results of the process after experimental testing, under long-term real conditions or under short-term accelerated conditions, with the application of certain higher loads. This paper discusses the elements of stability and reliability and proposes the necessary procedure for selecting the design, planning and checking the reliability of process results. Using this selection, the procedures for designing, planning, and verifying the reliability of certain process results are shown here. Keywords: Systems engineering; Reliability engineering; Reliability.
A LIGHTWEIGHT INDUCTIVE METHOD FOR PROCESS ASSESSMENT BASED ON FREQUENT FEEDBACK: A STUDY IN A MICRO SOFTWARE COMPANY
Željko STOJANOV, Jelena STOJANOV, Dalibor DOBRILOVIĆ
Abstract:Software process assessment is the most important phase in process improvement projects since it enables identification of all process issues that need to be improved. Small and micro software companies suffer from several restrictions that do not allow them to apply standards and best practice guidelines for process assessment. These companies rather implement lightweight assessment methods that can be easily tailored to their needs. This article presents a lightweight inductive process assessment method that can be adapted to specific needs of small companies. The method is based on active participation of company employees and assumes frequent exchange of information during feedback oriented working sessions in the assessed company. The method is implemented in an indigenous micro software company in Serbia for assessing software maintenance process. Four potential improvements were identified, while the best ranked one was implemented. Benefits for the company, as well as implications for practitioners from industry and researchers from academia are discussed. Keywords: Process assessment; Process improvement; Feedback; Software maintenance; Micro software company.
5S ELEMENTS AS STEPS TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN TRANSMITTER MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Miloš VORKAPIĆ, Srđan BOGETIĆ, Dragoljub TANOVIĆ, Mohammad Sakib HASAN, Aleksandar KOVAČEVIĆ
Abstract: In this paper, GAP analysis and 5S tool are applied in the case of realization of a compact pressure transmitter. GAP analysis, combined with the 5S tool, can qualitatively indicate the critical points in the manufacturing, assembly and quality control of a finished transmitter. Existing errors lead to the appearance of possible risks in the realization of production processes, from the input of raw materials to the assembly of the finished product. In order to eliminate the existing errors, the main steps of the GAP analysis are described in detail. Guidelines are provided on how to improve the workplace manufacturing process through certain improvements by applying all 5S elements. According to the implemented action plan, the main causes of risk occurrence in the GAP analysis were: human factor and processing technologies. The human factor was characterized by poor control in the workplace (there is no discipline), poor training and incompetence of employees for the given tasks. Processing technology involves obsolete machines, which can introduce deviations of dimensions and tolerances from the prescribed values. Keywords: GAP Analysis; 5S; Risk; Manufacturing process; Transmitter; Improvement.
THE EFFECTS OF EMPLOYEES DOWNSIZING ON ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Nemanja BERBER, Zlata BRACANOVIĆ
Abstract:The main objective of this paper is to explain the concept of downsizing and the way of its implementation in enterprises. Also, the aim is to point out the inevitable negative consequences that occur in the company, related to employees and their behaviour. Under pressure from the global economy, businesses are in a constant race for high-level competitiveness and profitability. In most developed and developing countries, restructuring processes are intense and often present in companies. Downsizing, as one of the possible organizational restructuring strategies, can be implemented in several ways. The idea is mainly to reduce the number of employees, which reduced the cost of doing business, but at the same time, several negative consequences affected employees and organizational behaviour. Keywords: Organizational behaviour; Downsizing; Employees; Human resource management.
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