Search

Purpose: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in their operational and strategic activities. In order to properly prepare for the processes of AI implementation and to plan the path of digital transformation using the tools it supports, enterprises need to be fully aware of the factors that determine a successful implementation of the processes. The aim of this text is to identify the key determinants related to the adaptation of AI tools and technologies in business processes and operations of SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: In order to establish a catalog of adaptation determinants of artificial intelligence in SMEs, 24 deliberately selected academic texts indexed in the EBSCO database and published between 2021 and 2023 were analyzed. The research methods that were used are: an exploratory research approach and a single-step logical classification method, fulfilling the required criteria of exhaustiveness and separability in the selection. Findings: Using an exploratory approach to literature research, we identified 55 different factors impacting AI adaptation in SMEs, which we divided into the following seven categories, using a logical classification method: strategy and business model, culture and attitude, resources, support, entrepreneurship and innovation, competitive position and environmental conditions. Research limitations/implications: The research results have theoretical and practical implications. In the theoretical aspect, they can be a starting point for searching for methods to deal with identified determinants. In a practical aspect, the identified conditions may constitute a guide for SMEs planning to implement AI tools. A research limitation may be the fact that due to the dynamic development of the technological environment of SMEs, the identified catalog of determinants is certainly not closed. Originality/value: The added value of the conducted research mainly concerns the identification and categorization of adaptation determinants of implementing AI in SMEs, which can significantly contribute to increasing the awareness of the SMEs about the challenges they face on the path of digital transformation.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trend of changes in the landscape of global risks together with the implications of these changes for management in the SMART WORLD era. Design/methodology/approach: The research process was based on the triangulation of research methods. The main research method used was the analysis of the World Economic Forum’s “The Global Risks Reports” for the years 2018–2021. The other method used in the research were a􀁢comparative analysis and selected quantitative tools. Findings: The conducted empirical research allowed the authors: 1) to show the current global risks, taking into account the likelihood of their occurrence and impact, 2) to select the categories of global risks (from among economic, environmental, geopolitical, social and technological risks) that had the greatest significance in the periods under analysis, 3) to identify the five most important global risks in terms of their likelihood and impact in all these periods, 4) to identify changes in global risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, 5) to establish implications for business management in the SMART WORLD era, resulting from the observed trends in pandemic-triggered changes in global risks. Research limitations/implications: The results of the conducted empirical research may be applied in business practice, including the management of enterprises; firstly, those struggling with the changes caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and secondly, those simultaneously adapting to the requirements of SMART WORLD. Originality/value: The most significant value of the performed empirical research is the demonstration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global risk landscape and the formulation of implications ensuing from changes in global risks posed for management in the SMART WORLD era.

The article discusses the importance of remuneration systems in organizations using Total Quality Management (TQM) and presents the current state of knowledge regarding the role of remuneration systems in quality improvement. The main objective of this paper is to determine the role played by (rarely researched) bonus systems in the process of motivating employees to improve product and service quality. Firstly, the authors indicate to what extent quality criteria are included in the designing of remuneration systems. Secondly, they provide employee feedback on how motivating their pay systems are. Thirdly, they determine to what extent different pay solutions are assessed as fair. Findings: decisions on bonus granting are based on not only objective product/service quality criteria but also opinions such as assessments made by superiors and criteria such as zero work-related accidents, zero sickness absences, or customer satisfaction levels. Thus, it is difficult to assume that bonus granting criteria are completely fair. The conducted analysis shows that a considerable group of the respondents consider bonus awarding as a source of perceived injustice. The most important factors influencing employee motivation include commendations from superiors (in service enterprises) and the possibility of self-control in production enterprises. Contributions: the conducted research extends the knowledge of the role of bonus systems in processes aimed at improving the quality of services and products.

Risk management is now an important domain of management, often determining the probability of survival and development of enterprises. The main purpose of this article is to identify and categorize the risk management objectives adopted in the Polish enterprises representing the financial services sector, that were studied. Empirical research was carried out on a sample of 33 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, adopting the mixed methods research approach, using the inductive logic inherent in the empirical approach. The aim of the empirical research was realized through the use of triangulation of research methods and techniques. The main method used in the research procedure was analyzing the content of source documents of the group of enterprises studied, mainly: annual reports (financial statements, chairman’s reports), capital adequacy reports and other information subject to disclosure by entities listed on the WSE. The logic classification method, and the comparative analysis method along with quantitative tools were also used. The main research findings indicate that: 1) the primary objective of shaping risk management processes in the enterprises studied is, in most cases, ensuring compliance with the applicable external and internal requirements, 2) specific objectives (components of the primary objective) are determined mainly by the specificity of the financial services sector. The research results obtained refer to both the theory and the practice of risk management among enterprises in the financial services sector, and may serve as a source of knowledge for stakeholders of stock exchange entities (eg investors, contractors, business partners), which adds value to this work.

Aim/purpose - The main objectives of this article are to identify the major risks with a global dimension and to attempt to specify the potential consequences of their occurrence for organizational management. Design/methodology/approach - The article is based on an analysis of the literature on the subject and an analysis of the content of The Global Risk Reports published in the years 2013-2017, prepared within the scope of the World Economic Forum, and presenting the results of work performed by international experts. Findings - The major results of the research are the following: 1) becoming aware of how global risks are understood, 2) identifying the most significant present risks of a global character, as well as tendencies in changes in their importance, and 3) determining general possibilities of the identified risks' exerting influence on organizational management processes. Research implications/limitations - The research results are based on a selected group of reports illustrating the result of the work of experts performed within the scope of the World Economic Forum. Thus, there is a possibility of an alternative approach to global risks, e.g., in reports drawn up for the purposes of the insurance sector. However, the authors decided that the aforementioned reports were the most reliable and representative from the perspective of this article's objectives.Originality/value/contribution - The article shows global risks as a determinant of management processes and includes reflection about their significance.(original abstract)