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Design is a human-centered activity. Every design project starts with the analysis of user needs and preferences. This means that design orientation of a company should also be positively related to company’s business results. However, in most transitional countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), design environment is not supported, there is no clear national design policy, design implementation in companies varies, and there is no constant measurement of design impact. The main interest of this paper is to research the level of design implementation in Croatian companies related to the managerial approach and business results, because such research is usually undertaken in more developed countries. The study focuses on the perception of management. This quantitative research has been carried out using an Internet survey to examine managers and CEOs from Croatian companies in different industries. The results show positive relations between design environment and design orientation of a company and a significant impact of management.

The purpose of the VLE teaching/learning and assessment method analysis report is to investigate the status of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and related areas at institutional, national, and international levels in order to develop the VLE teaching/learning and assessment methodology. Erasmus+ K2 Project. European Union. Project Code: 2020-1-LT01-KA226-HE-094740, Erasmus+ K2 Project. European Union. Project Code: 2020-1-LT01-KA226-HE-094740

This paper aims to test the relationships between design orientation and its implementation with customer orientation and, consequently, company performance. Researched model and hypotheses were tested on the Croatian market. Data were collected using the computer-assisted web interviews on the population of Croatian companies with at least three employees. The hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The research results highlight the role of design as one of the important predecessors of customer orientation, and its indirect influence on company performance was confirmed.

Although market orientation has been investigated in numerous studies, its complex relationship with design orientation lacks research attention, especially in countries with transitional economies. Therefore, existing models of market orientation (MO) and design orientation (DO) have been investigated. The research has been executed in several stages, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first, qualitative stage, a series of face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted. In the second, quantitative stage, an Internet survey was conducted among managers and CEOs from Croatian companies in different industries. Partial Least Square and Structural Equation Modelling analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between variables of MO and DO. Results confirm the positive relationship between design orientation and market orientation. Further, results also confirm sub-hypotheses that customer orientation and strategic marketing are positively related to all dimensions of design orientation. The model could have implications for marketers, designers and managers in practice. Both concepts, MO and DO, are very complex and multidimensional, so it was not possible to investigate all the aspects of the constructs. Another limitation of the study was the sample size, as a result of a low response rate as well as a relatively high drop-out rate. The research contributes to theory highlighting the role of design as an important element of market orientation.

Disability is not only a medical problem, but rather a complex phenomenon that reflects the interaction between the features of the body and the intellect of a person on the one hand, and the characteristics of the society in which he or she lives, on the other. Overcoming the disadvantages faced by people with disabilities requires interventions that will remove all kinds of barriers, from avoiding social prejudices to architectural adaptations and redesigning products. The paper deals with the problem of developing public, with special emphasis on Croatia, which in this case involves not only increasing the number of potential associates and end-users in the cultural industry process but also sensitising general public for others, focusing attention on its invisible, forgotten or ignored part of the disabled. Disabled people do not have special needs; their needs and their right to culture are equal to the needs and rights of all – they just need to be adjusted., Invaliditet nije samo medicinski problem, već složeni fenomen koji odražava interakciju između obilježja tijela i intelekta osobe s jedne strane te karakteristika društva u kojem on ili ona živi, s druge strane. Prevladavanje nedostataka s kojima se suočavaju osobe s invaliditetom zahtijeva intervencije koje će ukloniti sve vrste prepreka: od izbjegavanja društvenih predrasuda do arhitektonskih prilagodbi i redizajniranja proizvoda. Rad se bavi problemom razvoja publika, s posebnim naglaskom na Hrvatsku, što u ovom slučaju podrazumijeva ne samo povećanje broja potencijalnih suradnika i krajnjih korisnika u procesu kulturne industrije, već i senzibiliziranje javnosti za druge i drugačije, s naglaskom na nevidljivi, zaboravljeni ili zanemareni dio osoba s invaliditetom. Osobe s invaliditetom nemaju posebne potrebe; njihove potrebe i njihovo pravo na kulturu jednake su potrebama i pravima svih - samo ih je potrebno prilagoditi.

Researchers from different fields of marketing, communication and management often see the role of design at the end of the process. However, design should be managed and involved in the decisionmaking process from the beginning, the same as other important components of any business. The main purpose of design is communication, whether it is visual communication design, product design or service design. No matter how complex, design should first send a message that is clear and understandable, whether it is a package or a product, a signage in public space or a website. The topic of this paper is (visual) communication design. The need for good communication design is greater than ever, because our everyday life depends on images and their interpretation, particularly with the fast development of communication technologies. Bad communication design can cause serious communication problems, pollute our environment, or even devalue the public space. However, strong personal presence is not desirable and necessary in communication designers’ work, as their main purpose and responsibility is to deliver the message from their clients to the target audience., Istraživači iz različitih područja marketinga, komunikacija i menadžmenta često vide ulogu dizajna na kraju procesa. Međutim, dizajnom treba upravljati i uključiti ga u proces donošenja odluka od samog početka, kao i druge važne komponente svakog poslovanja. Glavna svrha dizajna je komunikacija, bilo da se radi o dizajnu vizualnih komunikacija, dizajnu proizvoda ili dizajnu usluga. Koliko god složen bio, dizajn bi trebao prvo poslati poruku koja je jasna i razumljiva, bilo da se radi o paketu ili proizvodu, natpisu u javnom prostoru ili web stranici. Tema ovog rada je (vizualni) komunikacijski dizajn. Potreba za dobrim komunikacijskim dizajnom veća je nego ikad, jer o slikama i njihovoj interpretaciji ovisi naša svakodnevica, posebice s brzim razvojem komunikacijskih tehnologija. Loš komunikacijski dizajn može uzrokovati ozbiljne komunikacijske probleme, zagaditi naš okoliš ili čak obezvrijediti javni prostor. Međutim, jaka osobna prisutnost nije poželjna i nužna u radu komunikacijskih dizajnera, jer je njihova glavna svrha i odgovornost prenijeti poruku svojih klijenata ciljanoj publici.

Understanding and meeting consumer’s needs, wants and desires is of the key importance for success in the market. While market orientation is well researched, the role of design within marketing has been neglected. Therefore the main purpose of this study is to develop the initial conceptual model researching relationships between design and market orientation. The initial conceptual model based on theory is proposed as the starting point for future research. The preliminary qualitative research about the potentials of design orientation from the managers’, as well as the designers’ perspectives has been executed at this stage of the research. Results show that differences between the two groups of examinees exist, mostly in their perception of design. The proposed design orientation-market orientation model contributes to both marketing and design scholars, as well as marketers, designers, and managers in practice. The results of this study may provide a basis for future research on the topic.

Hotel industry is becoming a leading segment of tourism in Croatia, evident from the constant increase in accommodation capacities, number of overnights, and employees in the hotel industry. To succeed, hotel managers need to identify the needs of their clients and find creative ways to please them. Hence, the future of small family-owned hotels is likely in differentiation by design. It implies a wide spectre of areas of applicability. The design is implemented in marketing strategy in the primary stage of creative thinking during project planning. It is later followed by original name selection. Those are the foundations upo which visual identity is built and style of architecture is selected- traditional or modern, as well as stance towards energy consumption. Further education, especially for small and medium business owners, is needed for small family hotel owners in Croatia to choose a concept of sustainable development- alternative source of energy, waste-water treatment, conservation and refinement of natural environment. H1: Small family-owned hotels in Croatia are not adequately recognizable and do not reflect the uniqueness of Croatian tradition and cultural heritage in architecture, interior design, gastronomic supply, and other amenities (content). H2: State government did not create clear legal framework, education system or instruments to stimulate and support creative and original concepts of small family hotels. Hypotheses will be proven with the results of primary research as well as with the analysis of annual brochures from Association of Family and Small Hotels in Croatia