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1 – 10 of 15Kristijan Breznik, Saša Zupan Korže, Giancarlo Ragozini and Mitja Gorenak
This study aims to investigate the content of hotel brands’ mission statements (MSs) and their relationship with selected attributes of hotel brands.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the content of hotel brands’ mission statements (MSs) and their relationship with selected attributes of hotel brands.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis of hotel brands’ MSs was used to detect the MSs’ key words, which were further processed by methods of social network analysis, complemented by clustering techniques and correspondence analysis on the generalized aggregated lexical tables, a special type of correspondence analysis.
Findings
Hotel brands operating in luxurious markets more often emphasize experiences than those in midscale markets. Furthermore, hotel brands with longer traditions and those with a large number of controlled rooms communicate words in their MSs that represent a rather traditional approach to hospitality. Younger hotel brands with fewer controlled rooms chose words that indicate a more commercially oriented approach. Finally, cluster analysis revealed four dimensions of hotel brands’ MSs, instead of the nine most typically used in mission statement component models.
Practical implications
Understanding the frequencies and networks of keywords, and their relationship with hotel brand attributes, will help create more focussed MSs. This will strengthen hotel brands, raise their revenues and subsequently increase company performance.
Originality/value
The analysis provides valuable insight into MSs in the specific tourism context of hotel brands. The authors have achieved this with the use of a wide range of advanced network analytic methods. These insights can guide hotel brands to better position themselves in the competitive tourism accommodation market.
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Mario Karlovcec, Dunja Mladenic, Marko Grobelnik and Mitja Jermol
The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for conceptualizing science based on collaboration and competences of researchers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for conceptualizing science based on collaboration and competences of researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is conducted by exploratory analysis of collaboration and competences using case studies from humanistic, engineering, natural sciences and a general topic.
Findings
The findings show that by applying the proposed approach on bibliographic data that readily exist for many national sciences as well as for international scientific communities, one can obtain useful new insights into the research. The approach is demonstrated with the following exploratory findings: identification of important connections and individual researchers that connect the community of anthropologists; collaboration of technical scientists in the community of anthropologists caused by an interdisciplinary research project; connectivity, interdisciplinary and structure of artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and a community based on a general topic; and identifying research interest shift described with concretization and topic-shift.
Practical implications
As demonstrated with the practical implementation (http://scienceatlas.ijs.si/), users can obtain information of the most relevant competences of a researcher and his most important collaborators. It is possible to obtaining researchers, community structure and competences of an arbitrary research topic.
Social implications
The map for collaboration and competences of a complete science can be a crucial tool for policy-making. Social scientists can use the results of the proposed approach to better understand and direct the development of science.
Originality/value
Originality and value of the paper is in combining text (competences) and network (research collaboration and co-authoring) approaches for exploring science. Additional values give the results of analysis that demonstrate the approach.
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Mitja Garmut and Martin Petrun
This paper presents a comparative study of different stator-segmentation topologies of a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) used in traction drives and their effect on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents a comparative study of different stator-segmentation topologies of a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) used in traction drives and their effect on iron losses. Using stator segmentation allows one to achieve more significant copper fill factors, resulting in increased power densities and efficiencies. The segmentation of the stators creates additional air gaps and changes the soft magnetic material’s material properties due to the cut edge effect. The aim of this paper is to present an in-depth analysis of the influence of stator segmentation on iron losses. The main goal was to compare various segmentation methods under equal excitation conditions in terms of their influence on iron loss.
Design/methodology/approach
A transient finite element method analysis combined with an extended iron-loss model was used to evaluate discussed effects on the stator’s iron losses. The workflow to obtain a homogenized airgap length accounting for cut edge effects was established.
Findings
The paper concludes that the segmentation in most cases slightly decreases the iron losses in the stator because of the overall reduced magnetic flux density B due to the additional air gaps in the magnetic circuit. An increase of the individual components, as well as total power loss, was observed in the Pole Chain segmentation design. In general, segmentation did not change the total iron losses significantly. However, different segmentation methods resulted in the different distortion of the magnetic field and, consequently, in different iron loss compositions. The analysed segmentation methods exhibited different iron loss behaviour with respect to the operation points of the machine. The final finding is that analysed stator segmentations had a negligible influence on the total iron loss. Therefore, applying segmentation is an adequate measure to improve PMSMs as it enables, e.g. increase of the winding fill factor or simplifying the assembly processes, etc.
Originality/value
The influence of stator segmentation on iron losses was analysed. An in-depth evaluation was performed to determine how the discussed changes influence the individual iron loss components. A workflow was developed to achieve a computationally cheap homogenized model.
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Andrej Škraba, Miroljub Kljajić, Peter Papler, Davorin Kofjač and Mitja Obed
This paper aims to describe the development and application of a manpower planning system for the Slovenian armed forces using a system approach, system dynamics (SD) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the development and application of a manpower planning system for the Slovenian armed forces using a system approach, system dynamics (SD) and numerical optimization.
Design/methodology/approach
The model of the hierarchical manpower system was developed by SD methodology and formulated in discrete time space. The problem of tracking the goal trajectories in the eight topmost ranks at the prescribed boundaries was solved by application of the quadratic performance index and finite automata (FA) which was used for classification of acceptable strategies. Genetic algorithms (GA) as well as pattern search were compared at the numeric optimization.
Findings
Employing SD and a system approach increases the understanding of the system control. The definition of an optimum strategy, which would consider only target values for ranks within prescribed parameter boundaries, could provide an undesired oscillatory solution. Inclusion of rules by FA to determine acceptable strategies based on the time response of a strategy provided acceptable, nonoscillatory solutions. GA and pattern search were considered where pattern search was shown to be significantly more suitable for the task of control strategy determination.
Practical implications
The developed system and methodology was applied by the Slovenian Armed Forces in the process of restructuring.
Social implications
The developed approach permits a moderate transition to the new desired structure. Restructuring without a clear understanding of the system structure and dynamics might result in undesired social impacts such as strikes and riots.
Originality/value
Provision of the systemic view of the hierarchical manpower system and application of FA to determine the proper control of a complex system.
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Mitja Ruzzier, Robert D. Hisrich and Bostjan Antoncic
The purpose of this paper is to understand the similarities and differences in the internationalization of SMEs and MNEs and the specific factors affecting them.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the similarities and differences in the internationalization of SMEs and MNEs and the specific factors affecting them.
Design/methodology/approach
The relevant literature was reviewed particularly in the context of the major theories of internationalization.
Findings
The positive and negative aspects of each theoretical approach to internationalization are present to form the basis of a new model of international entrepreneurship.
Research limitations/implications
The newly developed conceptual model has not been empirically tested.
Originality/value
A redeveloped theoretical integrative conceptual model of international entrepreneurship is proposed based on four internationalization properties (mode, market, product, and time), internationalization performance, and key antecedents and consequences of the internationalization process.
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Doris Gomezelj Omerzel, Boštjan Antončič and Mitja Ruzzier
The purpose of this paper is to use a structural equation modelling technique to verify a theoretically proposed model of knowledge management (KM).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use a structural equation modelling technique to verify a theoretically proposed model of knowledge management (KM).
Design/methodology/approach
Existing studies on KM were reviewed and their limitations were identified. Mailed structured questionnaire data for this study were collected from small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia (168 usable responses). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model.
Findings
The hypothesis on the multidimensionality of KM model were mainly supported.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to Slovenian SMEs, but can be generalised to other regions. The study offers important contributions for research (KM construct) and for practice (improvements in SME KM).
Practical implications
KM can have beneficial effects on the firm's growth and profitability. The findings can be used to guide entrepreneur in efficient management of different dimensions of knowledge.
Originality/value
This study proved latent elements of KM model in SME. It gives valuable information, which hopefully will help SMEs to respect more the meaning of knowledge and KM.
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Olli Kuivalainen, Sanna Sundqvist, Sami Saarenketo and Rod McNaughton
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the conceptual frameworks and concepts with which the research on internationalization patterns of small and medium‐sized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the conceptual frameworks and concepts with which the research on internationalization patterns of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) should be conducted.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive overview of concepts and a conceptual framework to study internationalization patterns of SMEs is offered.
Findings
The complexities of existing definitions and methodologies for researching internationalization patterns are highlighted, and a synthesis of the issues is provided. An integrative model of internationalization pathways, and their antecedents and outcomes is presented.
Research limitations/implications
It is recommended that future research focuses especially on the time dimension of internationalization patterns. Future research can contribute to the literature by adopting a longitudinal approach with larger samples and more detailed cases to capture the dynamics of internationalization.
Practical implications
Practitioners might map their positions, and look for challenges and opportunities with regard to their chosen internationalization pattern. They can also benchmark other firms’ pathways and fine‐tune their own approach to internationalization.
Originality/value
The paper integrates a large body of research in an important research area in international marketing. It also provides guidance on how to conduct future research in the area, and introduces the content of this special issue of the International Marketing Review.
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Amit Mittal, Archana Mantri, Urvashi Tandon and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
The study aims to develop a theoretical model that highlights the determinants of the adoption of online teaching at the time of the outbreak of COVID-19. This study adopted a…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to develop a theoretical model that highlights the determinants of the adoption of online teaching at the time of the outbreak of COVID-19. This study adopted a time-series analysis to understand the factors leading to the adoption of online teaching.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical data were gathered from 222 university faculty members by using an online survey. In the first phase, data were collected from those faculty members who had no experience of conducting online classes but were supposed to adopt online teaching as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. After two weeks, a slightly modified questionnaire was forwarded to the same group of faculty members, who were conducting online classes to know their perception regarding the adoption and conduct of online teaching.
Findings
Both the proposed conceptual frameworks were investigated empirically through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Significant differences were found in the perceptions of faculty members regarding before and after conducting classes through online teaching.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by presenting and validating a theory-driven framework that accentuates the factors influencing online teaching during the outbreak of a pandemic. This research further extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology by introducing and validating three new constructs, namely: facilitative leadership, regulatory support and project team capability. Based on the findings, practical insights are provided to universities to facilitate adoption, acceptance and use of online teaching during a health-care emergency leading to campus lockdowns or the imposition of restrictions on the physical movement of people.
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