Papers by Keyword: Competitive Advantage

Abstract: The case study of Valerius, a Portuguese knitwear company that built its competitive advantage developing internal resources, such as horizontal management organization based on dedicated teams with high independence, responsibility and flexibility to better deal with the business environment change in a fast moving market and R&D and Design Department which works in macro trends and anticipation of consumer behaviour launching disruptive projects. Those capabilities allowed Valerius to differentiate its services’ offer and can be characterized as the state of art in private label model of business in the Portuguese textile and clothing industry.

Abstract: Energetics is one of the leading sectors of the Ukrainian economy, which provides vital interests of the country, its economic security, social and cultural standard of living of the people. At the present stage of the transformational processes that dominate the world, when innovation, efficiency and competitiveness become the main tasks and signs of economic development, еnergetics becomes a key factor in technological modernization of the economy.The current state of industrial development in Ukraine is characterized by a drop in investment processes and a lack of production. The industry has an advantage in industries with a low technological level, final consumption products are largely uncompetitive in foreign markets, and a significant gap in socio-economic development levels is slowing down the growth of the economy both in general and in the sectors of the national economy. Author's contribution consists in providing the most effective management tools of business competitiveness at present. The article deals the features of formation of competitive advantages of power enterprises.

Abstract: The precast construction industry is associated with a lot of activities, vast effort, many parties and numerous processes. The parties involved in the precast supply chain including the planning, design, manufacturing, transportation, installation and construction should have efficient communication and access to precise and latest information contributing to the enhanced collaboration, sustainability and improving the integration. The aim of this study is to explore the collaboration tools with proposing the cloud system architecture for the precast supply chain management. The research findings are according to the comprehensive review of the literature on supply chain management, precast construction industry and cloud computing. Findings demonstrates the major problems within the precast supply chain phases comprised of poor planning, ineffective communications among designers and manufacturers, incompetent employees and damage to raw materials, large size and heavy precast components and the poor on-site coordination. These major problems within the precast supply chain phases could contribute to negative consequences on the efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of precast delivery. Therefore, to mitigate and overcome these major problems within the precast construction, the cloud computing implementation as the valuable alternative could be delivered to enhance the efficiencies and effectiveness of the collaboration systems. This research propose and establishes the concepts of valuable collaborative tools, for instance the Cloud Computing Information Systems (CCIS), for assisting the processes, activities, information and networks within the precast supply chain management through increasing the opportunities to attain higher competitive advantages. Initially, it is anticipated that this research will result to the enhanced collaboration in order to deliver more competitive advantages and increase the opportunities for the globalisation of the construction industry. Secondly, it proposes an effective technique to establish innovative visions, enhanced productivity, increased effectiveness, improve integration and sustainability leading to efficient collaboration within the construction industry.

Abstract: In view of broad and deep economic impact of economy and society from business ethics enterprise can not avoid the existence of ethics, as values, spirit, pursuit of ideal ,behavior habits, morality and so on reflecting in economic activity, its orientation to economy and the dominant role of economic behavior is very obvious. In this paper, ethics analysis of Marxist economics, institutional economics, welfare economics and ecological economics demonstrate necessity of the business ethics for sustainable development of enterprises.

Abstract: Our project cost management information deficiencies reviewed, on how to improve project cost management information systems , project cost management information to continuously improve service levels , fully tap the value engineering cost management information services and enhance core competitiveness of enterprises , analyzed .

Abstract: The paper elaborates theories on industrial clusters and sums up the advantages of automobile industry development in Wuhan: convenient transportation, large scope of radiation, rich technological and intellectual resources, as well as solid foundation of relevant industries. The paper analysis existing problems of automobile industry cluster in Wuhan, such as poor market competitiveness of core enterprises, obvious weak links in the industry chain, lack of technical innovation ability, and proposes some recommendations in the purpose of promotion the competitive advantages of Wuhan automobile industrial cluster.

Abstract: This explanatory research explores the relationship among environmental uncertainty, knowledge transfers mechanisms, dynamic capability, and competitive advantage. A total of 235 project managers employed by energy companies in Thailand were invited to participate in the study. The findings indicated that (a) through knowledge transfer mechanisms, project teams could develop an energy enterprises core competence and build its competitive advantage, (b) the relationship between environmental uncertainty and knowledge transfer mechanisms is negative, and (c) dynamic capability and competitive advantage have a positive relationship. The limitations of the study regarding generalization, and recommendations for future research to replicate the study in other countries, are also included.

Abstract: Service quality is crucial to the continued and successful functioning of any business. The purpose of this paper is to assess the service quality delivered by a telecommunication firm (located in Navrongo, upper east region of Ghana) to its customers. The survey questionnaire which was based on a universally accepted perceived service quality survey model (called SERVQUAL) for measuring service quality was used to collect data from the firms subscribers. The SERVQUAL consists of twenty two items measuring the five essential dimensions of service quality (Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy). A total of 100 subscribers of the telecommunication firm were conveniently sampled. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0. Using the gap analysis technique (which measures the difference between the subscribers perceptions and expectations of the service rendered by the firm), the results shows that the firm needs to improve their service in all the five dimensions of service quality covered in this study (a negative value of service quality was obtained in all the five dimensions).

Abstract: China and India are two of the worlds largest countries, sharing between them some 40% of the worlds population. They are also two of the worlds fastest growing economies. However, while China and India shared similar rates of growth into the 1990s China has pulled away and sustained significantly higher growth rates over the last two decades. This disparity is especially reflected in the growth rates for the Chinese and Indian construction and construction services sectors. Thus, the ability of China to consistently outperform India in construction is of interest. Theories on the determinants of national competitiveness suggest sources of sustained advantage. A list of factors was compiled and developed as a survey. Eighteen experts familiar with the construction industry in China and India responded to the survey. Overall, China and India are shown to have their own unique advantages, yet the number and strength of Chinese advantages is greater. While a survey instrument of this nature has its limitations, the findings offer practitioners and policy makers insights into the sources of national competitive advantage in construction for China and India.

Abstract: Existed literature of competitive advantage mainly focus on organizational and strategic changes, whereas this study focus on how Chinese SMEs from manufacturing industry can win competitive advantage while confronting exogenous competitive disadvantage. Results show that competitive advantage influenced by dual system:endogenous competitive elements and exogenous competitive elements. Interaction of two elements could affect the outcome of competition. Exogenous competitive elements were uncontrollability, so structural competitive advantage which is based on endogenous competitive elements could keep firm to gain a competitive advantage, when exogenous competitive elements under the disadvantage conditions. Endogenous competitive elements are comprised of firm culture, dynamic capabilities, and complementary assets. At the strategic level, firm culture influence firm decisions; at the organizational level, dynamic capabilities create the core competence of the corporation; at the practice level, complementary assets erect a barrier to competitors. Thus, this paper analysis Sayyas, which have faced structural changes of competitive elements several times in last 15 years, and eventually resolved crisis favorably and become most dominant firm in the field of wooden windows industry, when exogenous competitive elements under the disadvantage conditions, to show that, in dynamic competition, exogenous competitive elements are the resource leading firm to gain a competitive advantage.