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PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has caused stress for everyone and impacted the lives of people globally. Such stress increases troubles for the employees. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to identify symptoms of health problems that employees face during the COVID-19 epidemic. Also, the aim of the paper is to examine if there are statistically significant differences in the physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms of health problems among employees before the COVID-19 epidemic and employees during the COVID-19 epidemic.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a survey of 950 employees in Slovenian companies. The factor analysis and the t-test for two independent samples were used to test the hypotheses of the research.FindingsThe results show that physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms of health problems of employees during the COVID-19 epidemic are intensified as compared to the before COVID-19 epidemic era.Originality/valueThe results highlight the measures with which companies can reduce the problem of different symptoms of employees during the COVID-19 epidemic. The results can be useful for employers and for managers who want to create an adequate working environment for employees during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the organoleptic characteristics of cherry tomatoes from three different geographical areas, and to compare the differences/similarities of Slovenian tomatoes which are cultivated by utilising an innovative technology and have altered organoleptic characteristics, with other cherry tomatoes that are available on the Slovenian market and are of different geographical origin (Dutch and Spanish tomatoes). In an experimental study the authors determined the impact of price and organoleptic characteristics as a whole on the choice of tomatoes by young consumers. Design/methodology/approach – This experimental study is based on a sample of 27 young consumers, and it examines three hypotheses using three different quantitative methods: one-way ANOVA, χ2 and logistic regression. Findings – The authors found that there were statistically significant differences between the perceived organoleptic characteristics of tomatoes grown in three different geographic areas. Young consumers assessed the organoleptic characteristics of the Slovenian tomatoes as the best, followed by the Dutch and Spanish tomatoes. The authors have found that there are statistically significant correlations between the organoleptic characteristics and the price, except for the firmness of tomatoes, which does not significantly affect the price. This cannot be said with regard to price, since there is no statistically significant relationship between this variable and the choice of tomatoes. Originality/value – The scientific contribution of this study is reflected in the evaluation and comparison of tomatoes from three different geographical regions, and in linking the perceived organoleptic characteristics of tomatoes with the price, and the final selection of tomatoes by the young consumers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish the level of internet financial reporting (IFR) of Slovenian companies, including the contents as well as the presentations of online financial information. The second objective was to explore the opinions of users towards newer methods of online financial reporting. Design/methodology/approach – IFR was evaluated on the basis of the IFR index composed of 32 contents-related and 18 presentations-related elements. By means of regression analysis, the authors have established the intensity and direction of impact of six factors on the IFR index: size, profitability, the company's legal form, ownership concentration, age and sector. Findings – During the first research phase, the authors established that 110 (52.64 per cent) of large companies disclose its financial information on its web site. Factors which impact the IFR are as follows: company size, ownership concentration, legal form and sector of operation. Larger companies, companies with a lower ownership concentration, public limited companies and financial sector companies disclose financial information to a greater extent compared to other companies. Practical implications – This research will enable the comparison of the annual level of IFR in Slovenia and in other countries where such research has already been performed. Originality/value – Through the disclosure of financial information online, companies will be able to improve the possibility of attracting foreign investors who often rely on the internet as the only source of information.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish whether succession problems in family businesses contribute to more modest growth aspirations compared to family businesses where succession solutions are gained. It aims to focus especially on transition countries, where studies on this topic are very rare.Design/methodology/approach – The main data source for the study was a telephone survey of 350 small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia. To obtain population estimates, 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated. To test the differences in the case of two independent samples, the t‐test and χ2‐test were used. The general criterion for accepting the hypothesis that differences exist was the statistical signification at the 5 percent level (p< 0.05; two‐tailed).Findings – The research shows that a high proportion of family enterprises in Slovenia are going to face the problem of succession in the near future. Research results also suggest that anticipation of an increase in the number o...

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess whether environmental management systems (EMS) according to ISO 14001 requirements have contributed to the implementation and adoption of new technologies and to the issues related to technology performance in industrial enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on the questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of ISO 14001 certified Slovene manufacturing companies.FindingsThe results revealed that ISO 14001 certified manufacturing companies still mostly used the combination of partly adopted and partly modified technologies in order to reduce environmental impacts. ISO 14001 was considered as a very useful tool for the promotion of technological modernisation. It was shown also that ISO 14001 standard can play a significant role as a support tool for the acceleration of technological innovation activities regardless of the origin of the technology.Research limitations/implicationsThe research surveyed only industrial ISO 14001 certified enterprises in the Republic of Slovenia. Differences among industrial branches exist as well as among small, medium and large enterprises. These facts must be further studied.Practical implicationsISO 14001 certification proved to be an important driver for technological modernisation in industrial practice. Some environmental indicators are still underestimated or nonsufficiently included into firms' environmental policies and must be certainly improved. Since adoption of new technologies and EMS were rarely covered together the findings are interesting for wider community.Originality/valueThe paper covers a subject on how adoption of ISO 14001 influences technological changes and related activities. Not many information and in‐depth case studies have been available until now.