Research background: Fluctuations in economic activity forced companies to change the traditional methods of organization and management and to search for new tools, knowledge, resources and competences in order to strengthen their positions. This has particularly intensified debates on corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only between business people, but also between pieces of research, industry leaders and government representatives. The ongoing global ecologic crisis quickened discussions about how the alternation of macroeconomic business environment influences the development of CSR. Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to investigate how the changes in macroeconomic business environment influence the development of socially responsible activities in Baltic Countries and Slovakia. Methods: A statistical analysis of secondary data was used in order to reanalyse the data for the purpose of gaining new insights. The objectives of statistical analysis in this paper were twofold: firstly, to identify the challenges in macroeconomic business environment; secondly, to explore the development of socially responsible activities in different countries. The research period covered the years 2006–2016. The choice of this period is determined by data availability. Findings & Value added: The authors found that economic conditions may diversely affect the development of different dimensions of CSR. Even in unfavourable macroeconomic conditions companies continue to be involved in socially responsible actions because of long-run CSR benefits. The analysis is useful at an international level because it justified the development of socially responsible businesses in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, and has provided an opportunity to assess the tendencies of CSR development during the different period of economic cycle.
Abstract. 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 profi tability. It must be emphasized that the role of clusterization is crucial in the development of SME sector, as small and medium-sized enterprises may benefi t 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 benefi ts that include know-how, cost-saving options, innovative solutions, etc. The authors of this scientifi c study have concluded that the competitiveness of SME sector is closely related to the spread and extent of clusterization processes.
The aim of this article has been to investigate the impact of supply chains on sustainable forest development. The results of the research carried out by the authors show that the supply chain ensures more sustainable use of forests and saves lumber from energy production. The article outlines the synergy between supply chain performance and the sustainable use of forest resources. With balanced supply chain processes, it is possible to achieve the sole usage of wood waste and non-productive wood for the production of energy. The authors of the article have compared the data on Lithuanian and Polish border regions and have developed a model for the supply chain effect on orests' preservation. The model demonstrates that supply chain reduces the amount of energy used in energy production and increases the use of wood waste to meet the energy needs of society.
New jobs will be created because of the Industry 4.0 concept implementation needs, employers will require new, especially digital skills and abilities from their employees. There is a need to change teaching and educational techniques in all types of schools, and instead of being specialized narrowly in one area, education should focus on a much broader overview, as people need to be educated in systemic and interdisciplinary thinking at all types of schools, including nontechnical ones. The main goal of the study is to identify areas on which the content of education should focused on in the future in terms to Industry 4.0. As research methods, a questionnaire survey was conducted in Slovak companies during the period of February – June 2019 along with statistical methods. The survey was carried out by random selection, 350 companies were contacted with a return of 220 responses. The research outcomes declare that changes in workforce qualification structure related to the Industry 4.0 concept implementation should have a positive effect on increasing the competitiveness of companies and increasing production effectivity. Based on the results it is proposed the expected positive changes should be transformed into enforcing the vocational training in companies and structural changes within the Slovak educational system.
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