Search

Access to early-stage equity financing is vital to the growth of high-potential new ventures. To understand how entrepreneurs obtain external financing, researchers have studied the effectiveness of different signals that entrepreneurs send to investors. In this paper, we provide an overview of current research that uses signaling theory to study the likelihood and success of obtaining funding from angel investors and venture capitalists. The content analysis reveals that empirical research has well explored the signaling value of grants, prior investments, and the human and social capital of the firm to early-stage equity investors. However, we find that the literature on signaling effects on early-stage equity investors is fragmented and undertheorized. We note that while there has been an increase in the number of studies using signaling theory to explain success in obtaining early-stage equity financing, the theory remains underutilized, despite its suitability for this particular area of research. We describe the core ideas of signaling theory and how researchers have applied them in the context of venture capital and angel investing. We discuss how this stream of research can build on and extend signaling theory and highlight promising avenues for future research.

The assessment of the socio-economic disparities at the regional level is one of the priority development topics. In particular, in formerly socialistic-planned countries, the development driven by the transition period, the accession to the European Union and the economic crisis, the regional disparities are present. The main aim of the research has been to identify the most competitive and the most cohesive Development Regions in Romania by computing, mapping and analysing two secondary indexes (Territorial Competitiveness and Territorial Cohesion). Overall, the investigation shows that economic performance is more consolidated in central and western regions based on their mature and innovative industries, better-developed services and urbanisation/suburbanisation processes, while the eastern and southern development regions, with predominantly rural traits, experienced a significant industrial decline and social deprivation. The most competitive Development Region is Bucharest-Ilfov, given the advantage conferred by Bucharest Capital City, the main economic and social polarising centre in Romania. For reducing regional disparities, the Cohesion Policy should allocate increased funds for countries with least developed regions. The study provides the result of quantitative and qualitative analysis on the regional-level territorial disparities in Romania that could easily be considered as guidelines in the decision-making process while trying to achieve the competitiveness and cohesion goals. Ocena družbeno-gospodarskih razlik med regijam je ena izmed glavnih razvojnih tem. To še posebej velja za nekdanje socialistične-planske države, kjer smo priča velikim regionalnim razlikam, ki so nastale zaradi razvoja pod vplivom tranzicijskega obdobja, vstopa v Evropsko unijo in gospodarske krize. Glavni cilj raziskave je bil identificirati najbolj konkurenčne in najbolj povezovalne razvojne regije v Romuniji, in sicer z izračunom, kartiranjem in analizo dveh sekundarnih indeksov (teritorialna konkurenčnost in teritorialna kohezija). Rezultati so pokazali na bolj konsolidirano gospodarsko dejavnost v osrednjih in zahodnih regijah, kjer gospodarstvo temelji na zreli in inovativni industriji, bolj razvitih storitvah in procesih urbanizacije/suburbanizacije, medtem ko se regije na vzhodu in jugu s prevladujočimi ruralnimi območji srečujejo s krčenjem industrijske dejavnosti in družbenim pomanjkanjem. Najbolj konkurenčna je razvojna regija Bukarešta-Ilfov glavnim mestom Bukarešta, ki je glavno gospodarsko in družbeno središče Romunije. Za zmanjšanje regionalnih razlik bi moralo biti v okviru kohezijske politike več sredstev dodeljenih državam z manj razvitimi regijami. V študiji so podani rezultati kvantitativne in kvalitativne analize o teritorialnih razlikah med regijami v Romuniji, ki jih je mogoče uporabiti kot usmeritve pri sprejemanju odločitev za zagotovitev konkurenčnega in usklajenega regionalnega razvoja.

Vsako podjetje za poslovanje potrebuje svoj poslovni model. Z njim načrtujejo svoje delovanje, ki skupaj z izvedbo predstavljata vrednost podjetja. Ohranjanje vrednosti pa predstavlja uspešnost podjetja. Z rastjo podjetij nastajajo tudi novi poslovni modeli, zato morajo podjetja, da bi ostala konkurenčna na trgu, svoje poslovne modele spreminjati v skladu z novimi trendi in se prilagajati trgu. Obstoječi poslovni modeli so postali ogroženi, saj se na trgu pojavljajo nova podjetja s prenovljenimi inovativnimi poslovnimi modeli. Namen diplomskega dela je pokazati, kako podjetja ohranjajo svojo konkurenčno prednost na trgu in s kakšnimi izzivi se soočajo. Na podlagi literature sem proučila vrste poslovnih modelov in njihove gradnike, pomen trajnosti za podjetja in kako se podjetja prilagajajo oz. spreminjajo z namenom doseganja trajnosti v konkurenčnem okolju. V empiričnem delu sem zato med seboj primerjala pet podjetij in na podlagi njihovih poslovnih modelov in trajnostnega delovanja prišla do sklepnih ugotovitev. Every business company needs its own business model. With the business model, companies plan their operations, which together with the implementation represent the value of the company. Maintaining value, however, represents the company's success. With the growth of companies, new business models are emerging. Therefore, in order to remain competitive in the market, companies must adapt their business models in line with new trends and adapt to the market. Existing business models have become jeopardized as new businesses emerge with innovative business models redeveloped. The purpose of this diploma is to show how companies maintain their competitive advantage in the market and what challenges they face. Based on the literature, I will examine the types of business models and its building blocks, the importance of sustainability for companies and how companies adapt of change in order to achieve sustainability in a competitive environment. In the empirical part, I will therefore compare five companies and come to conclusions based on their business models and sustainable operation.

Z vedno bolj razširjeno rabo interneta in mobilnih pametnih naprav ter vse lažjim dostopom do spleta je uporabnikom omogočen nenehen dostop do mobilnih aplikacij. S pomočjo mobilnih aplikacij lahko lociramo, prepoznamo, upravljamo in nadzorujemo tudi gospodinjske naprave. Uporaba mobilnih aplikacij prodira v vse segmente vsakodnevnega življenja, zato je prav, da jih izkoristimo in si olajšamo vsakdanja opravila in obveznosti. Glede na to, da uporaba mobilnih aplikacij nenehno narašča, jih lahko inovativno izkoristimo tudi na področju upravljanja klimatskih naprav. V Sloveniji obstaja veliko potencialnih uporabnikov mobilne aplikacije za upravljanje klimatske naprave. Veliko objektov je že klimatiziranih, prav tako naraščata tudi uporaba pametnih telefonov ter vgradnja klimatskih naprav. Veliko uporabnikov klimatskih naprav sodi tudi v segment uporabnikov mobilnih aplikacij, zato smo si za cilj zastavili analizo potenciala umeščanja mobilne aplikacije na slovenski trg. Pri umeščanju mobilne aplikacije so ključne naloge vzpostavitev stika s potencialnimi in obstoječimi uporabniki klimatskih naprav, predstavitev prednosti uporabe mobilne aplikacije, analiza potreb uporabnikov, njihove želje in zmožnosti ter izdelava poslovnega načrta. Mobilna aplikacija za upravljanje klimatske naprave je produkt, za katerega je treba oblikovati poslovni model, katerega temelj je raziskati povečanje vrednosti za stranke. Potencialne kupce lahko k nakupu pritegnemo z ustreznimi prodajnimi strategijami in s tem utemeljimo prihodke in dobiček. Ko nov produkt izdelamo, pa ne smemo pozabiti na njegovo nadgradnjo, na primer obdelavo podatkov o delovanju naprave, servisiranje na daljavo, optimizacijo delovanja, zniževanje stroškov in iskanje novih rešitev. Mobilna aplikacija bi požela pravi uspeh šele ob ustreznem tržnem pristopu in strategiji, ki bi temeljila na sinergiji, večdisciplinarnosti in povezovanju interesov različnih deležnikov, od dobaviteljev, proizvajalcev klimatskih naprav, inštalaterjev interneta in klimatskih naprav, do oseb v digitalnem marketingu, ki zajema tako področje informatike kot bolj družboslovna področja, od psihologije, antropologije, sociologije in oblikovanja. Menimo, da je velik potencial umeščanja mobilne aplikacije za upravljanje klimatskih naprav pri slovenskih uporabnikih zaradi predpostavke brezplačnosti mogoče izkoristiti le, če je zagotovljena uspešnost umeščanja, ki po našem mnenju temelji na pogoju sodelovanja kadrov različnih strok. S tem pa se nam tudi odpirajo vrata v nadaljevanje raziskovanja, katerega namen bi bilo ugotoviti, ali obstaja interes povezovanja deležnikov različnih strok in znanstvenih smeri. Raziskali in analizirali bi možnosti, izzive in predpostavke uspešnosti modela večdisciplinarnosti in interdisciplinarnosti, saj predpostavljamo, da bi omogočal nadgrajevanje mobilne aplikacije, s katero je možno dosegati dobre poslovne rešitve vseh povezanih deležnikov, ne le rešitev za uporabnike klimatskih naprav. With the ever-increasing use of the Internet and mobile smart devices, combined with easier access to World Wide Web, a constant access to mobile applications can be guaranteed to users. Mobile apps allow users to locate, recognize, manage and control household appliances. The usage of mobile apps is penetrating all segments of our everyday life and we use them wisely to facilitate our daily tasks and duties. Since the usage of mobile apps is spreading rapidly, we might take advantage of this innovative technology also for effective managing of air conditioners. The number of potential users of a mobile app for air conditioner managing in Slovenia is rather substantial. Many facilities are already air-conditioned, the use of smart phones and installation of air conditioners are also on the rise. Many users of air conditioners also use mobile apps, and that is precisely why we have made it our objective to analyse the potential for introducing a mobile app on the Slovenian market. The crucial tasks for a successful introduction of a mobile app are the following: establishing contacts with existing and potential air conditioner users presenting advantages of a mobile app use analysing the users' requirements, wishes and capabilities developing a business plan. Air conditioner mobile app is a product that requires a business model, based on a research of added value for users. Adequate sales strategies must be developed to attract potential buyers and thereby achieve income and profit. When a new product is developed, we must not forget its upgrade, which in our case, might be: air conditioner operating data processing remote servicing operation optimization cutting costs and search for new solutions.

Vsaka država mora poznati kazalnike, na podlagi katerih se merijo gospodarski razvoj, gospodarska rast, konkurenčnost in globaliziranost posameznega gospodarstva. Rezultati, ki jih dobimo s pomočjo omenjenih kazalnikov, nas lahko včasih pozitivno presenetijo, kar je znak, da je gospodarstvo uspešno. Kadar nas rezultati omenjenih kazalnikov presenetijo negativno, pa je potrebno povzeti ukrepe za izboljšanje razmer na posameznem področju. Za proučevanje omenjenega področja smo si izbrali kazalnike bruto domači proizvod, indeks človeškega razvoja, globalni indeks konkurenčnosti in indeks globalizacije KOF. Omenjene kazalnike smo analizirali na primeru izbranih držav, ki smo jih razvrstili med zelo razvite, srednje razvite in manj razvite države. Analiza kazalnikov globalnega indeksa konkurenčnosti je za manj razvite države pokazala, da manj razvite države spadajo med najbolj konkurenčne države, saj imajo najvišjo vrednost globalnega indeksa konkurenčnosti. Za vsako državo smo prav tako poiskali dejavnike, ki najbolj ovirajo njeno poslovanje. Ob pregledu vseh dejavnikov smo ugotovili, da se največkrat kot ovira pri poslovanju pojavita korupcija in neučinkovita vladna birokracija. Osnovni namen tega dela je raziskati, ali globalizacija vpliva na gospodarsko rast v posamezni državi oziroma ali gospodarska rast vpliva na globalizacijo v državi. Narejena analiza je pokazala, da ta vpliv v nekaterih državah, zajetih v vzorec, obstaja. Each country should know the indicators that represent the basis of measuring economic development, economic growth, competitiveness and globalisation of a certain economy. The results obtained by these indicators can sometimes agreeably surprise us, which is a sign of a successful economy. On the other hand, when the results of the aforementioned indicators are shocking, we need to take measurements in order to improve the situation in a certain area. To research the abovementioned area, we chose the following indicators: gross domestic product, Human Development Index, Global Competitiveness Index, and KOF Globalisation Index. We analysed these indicators on a selection of countries that were classified into highly developed, medium developed and less developed countries. The analysis of the Global Competitiveness Index indicators of less developed countries showed that these countries are the most competitive ones, since they have the highest Global Competitiveness Index. For each country, we also identified the most common factors that hinder its business operations. After examining all the factors, we established that the most common obstacles to business are corruption and ineffective government bureaucracy. The main goal of this thesis is to determine whether globalisation affects the economic growth in a certain country or economic growth is influenced by globalisation in this country. The performed analysis showed that this influence does exist in some countries included in our sample.

Efficient regulatory mechanisms that induce innovation, co-operation and deter competition law infringements have recently been the subject of growing attention. Competition is essential to the innovation process which in general terms enables entrepreneurship. But so too is co-operation between firms which requires an exchange of information and may lead to inefficient collusive behaviour. The optimal trade-off between the provision of stable entrepreneurial incentives and the new European competition law’s reform with the self-assessment system has been largely missing from the current scholarly debate. This paper identifies the unintended, harmful horizontal side effects of this new European self-assessment system upon the entrepreneurial activity, offers a legal evaluation of the optimal entrepreneurial incentive mechanisms and provides legal and entrepreneurial arguments for an improved regulatory response.

Najboljše orodje, katerega lahko uporabljajo države za dvig konkurenčnosti gospodarstva, je davčna politika. S pomočjo vodenja davčne politike se dosega ravnotežje javnih financ in vpliva na BDP prebivalstva. Davčni sistem je v suverenosti posamezne države članice, zato mora vrh EU delati na ukrepih, ki privedejo do davčne usklajenosti. V Sloveniji vlada vsesplošno mnenje o preveliki davčni obremenjenosti, predvsem to velja za obdavčitev dela. Zato je bil namen magistrske naloge analizirati davčno politiko, ki naj bi vplivala na rast gospodarstva. Predvsem je bilo prednostno predstaviti ukrepe, ki jih je Slovenija sprejela za dvig konkurenčnosti ter te ukrepe primerjati z reakcijo Islandije, ki je dosegla javnofinančni presežek ter Grčije, ki je sprejemala preveč rigorozne ukrepe po nasvetu Trojke. Magistrska naloga izhaja iz trditve, da davčna politika pripomore k hitrejši gospodarski rasti in konkurenčnosti gospodarstva ter da izboljšuje davčni sistem, ki naj bi bil pregleden, fleksibilen, preprost in transparenten. Postavljene so bile tri hipoteze. Prva zajema vpliv davčne obremenitve na rast gospodarstva, drugi dve pa se nanašata na pomembnost reformiranja davčnih sistemov ter njihovo usklajenost z EU zakonodajo za dvig gospodarske rasti. Rezultati kažejo na vpliv davkov na stroške dela, kar posledično vpliva na gospodarstvo, saj to zmanjšuje uvoz in izvoz ter investicije. Ukrepi na celotnem področju EU stremijo k večji progresivnosti zaradi pravičnejše porazdelitve davčnega bremena. Veliko ukrepov je bilo sprejetih za preprečitev davčnih utaj in goljufij z namenom povečanja prilivov oziroma prihodkov iz naslova davkov. The best tool that can be used to raise the economic competitiveness is tax policy. It balances public finances and impacts the population's GDP. Given that every country has its soverignity over its tax system, EU must provide measures that ensure tax compliance. In Slovenia, a general opinion is that there is an excessive tax burden, especially in the taxation of labour. The purpuse of my master thesis is to analyse tax policy that is suppossedly has an effect on economic growth. The main objective is to present the measures Slovenia adopted to raise the competitiveness, and compare them to the reactions of Icelandic, which achived fiscal surplus and Greece, on the other hand, that after being counseled by the Troika, adopted measures that were too rigorous. My thesis is based on the statement that tax policy contribues to a faster economic growth and economic competitiveness and that it improves tax system which has to be clear, flexible, simple and transparent. It states three hypothesis. The first deals with the impact of tax burden on economic growth, while the other two are related to the importance of tax system reform and their consistency with EU legislation, concerning the rise of economic growth. The results of my thesis show the effects of taxes on the costs of labour, which consequently effects the economy as it decreases the import, export and investment. The measures EU has adopted strive to greater progressivness due to a fairer distribution of tax burden. A lot of these measures were adopted to prevent tax evasion and fraud, and to increase inflows and tax revenues.

The authors of the article analyze the benefits of corporate environmental policy in pursuance of a competitive advantage in the global market. Corporate environmental policy described as a strategic business investment opens new possibilities for their relationships with stakeholders and contributes to the promotion of social activity and to the attainment of the competitive advantage. By emphasizing the positive environmental policy's impact on competitive advantage of corporation in the global market the article treats of corporate environmental performance benefits, which are defined as improvement of relations with all stakeholders, intensification of corporation image, reputation development, business growth and customer loyalty. The paper deals with the development of Lithuanian corporate environmental policy in recent years and investigates the relationship between corporation activities and the improvement of relations with the stakeholders, which influences intensification of corporation's image and thereby increases competitive advantage of corporation. Researching the impact of corporate environmental policy on increasing competitive advantage, the authors found that active environmental performance positively influences business relationships with stakeholder groups and increases their competitive advantage in the global market. Avtorja analizirata pridobitve korporativne okoljske politike pri doseganju konkurenčne prednosti na globalnem tržišču. Korporativna okoljska politika kot strateška poslovna investicija odpira nove možnosti za odnose z deležniki in prispeva k promociji socialnih aktivnosti in s tem k doseganju konkurenčne prednosti. Avtorja se osredotočata na vpliv pozitivne okoljske politike na doseganje konkurenčne prednosti na globalnem tržišču. S poudarkom na vplivu pozitivne okoljske politike članek obravnava pridobitve okoljskega obnašanja na izboljšanje odnosov z vsemi deležniki, okrepljen imidž korporacije, razvoj ugleda, rast poslovne aktivnosti in lojalnost strank. Nadalje obravnava razvoj korporativne okoljske politike v Litvi v zadnjih letih in raziskuje odnos med aktivnostmi korporacije in izboljšanjem odnosov z deležniki, kar vpliva na okrepitev imidža korporacije in s tem izboljša njeno konkurenčno prednost. Avtorja ugotavljata, da aktivno okoljsko ravnanje pozitivno vpliva na odnose podjetja s skupinami deležnikov in poveča njegovo konkurenčno prednost na globalnem tržišču.

Background: In this paper, the effects of four groups of factors on organizational performance are examined. Those are human resource management (HRM) policies and practices, financial and business indicators, location, and firm characteristics. A review of selected literature confirmed that a similar set of factors, through its positive effects on boosting organizational performance, may significantly improve competitive advantage of firms. Methods: An empirical analysis using firm-level data is conducted on the sample of enterprises operating in Serbia. A microeconometric approach is employed in order to specify and estimate empirical models. Two statistical models are applied. The ordered probit model is used for investigating organizational performance and the standard binary probit model for examining the decision of a firm to integrate the human resource development (HRD) department into its organizational structure. The goodness of fit measures confirmed the statistical reliability of estimated models. Results: Estimation results revealed that optimization of the number of employees, sales and revenues, firm age, increased market demand and competitive environment, as well as the ‘right decisions’ of the top management have significantly positive effects on boosting organizational performance. Significance of on-the-job training for boosting organizational performance was not empirically supported. In the same group of factors are firm size, industry and region. An auxiliary model shown that large- and medium-sized firms, firms with high level of revenues, privately owned, foreign and those located in or near to the capital city are more likely to have HRD departments. Conclusions: This paper provides a survey of the theoretical literature and explains empirical findings that are relevant for understanding to what extent on-the-job training, managing human resource, as well as some other internal and external organizational and financial factors are important for enhancing competitive advantage of firms. Ozadje: V članku preučujemo učinke štirih skupin dejavnikov organizacijske uspešnosti: upravljanja človeških virov, finančnih in poslovnih kazalnikov, lokacije ter značilnosti podjetij. S pomočjo izbrane literature smo potrdili, da podoben nabor dejavni­kov s svojimi pozitivnimi učinki na organizacijsko uspešnost, lahko pomembno izboljša konkurenčnost podjetij. Metode: Empirična analiza je bila izvedena s pomočjo podatkov podjetij, ki poslujejo v Srbiji. Uporabili smo dva statistična modela. Urejeni model probit smo uporabili za ugotavljanje organizacijske uspešnosti, standardni binarni probit model pa kot odločitveni model o pomenu integracije HRM oddelka v organizacijsko strukturo. S statističnimi metodami smo ocenili ujemanje obeh modelov. Rezultati: Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da imajo optimizacija števila zaposlenih, prodaje in prihodkov, starost podjetja, večje povpraševanje na trgu in konkurenčno okolje, kot tudi „prave odločitve“ vrhovnega vodstva signifikantno pozitivne učinke na povečanje organizacijske uspešnosti. Vpliva usposabljanja na delovnem mestu na povečanje organizacijske uspešnosti, z raziskavo nismo potrdili. V isti skupini dejavnikov so velikost podjetja, industrija in lokacija podjetja. Pomožni model kaže, da je večja verjetnost, da imajo v organizacijski strukturi HRM oddelke velika in srednje velika podjetja, podjetja z visoko stopnjo prihodkov, podjetja v zasebni lasti, tuja podjetja in tista, ki se nahajajo v prestolnici ali v bližini prestolnice. Zaključki: Članek predstavi empirične ugotovitve, ki so pomembne za razumevanje v kolikšni meri usposabljanje, upravljanje človeških virov, kakor tudi nekateri drugi notranji in zunanji organizacijski in finančni dejavniki vplivajo na krepitev konkurenč­ne prednosti podjetij.

Purpose: Commercialization is a step toward new products/services development. Due to high rate of product/service failure in ICT industry, the purpose of this paper is to study and evaluate commercialization methods implemented by companies that operate within ICT industry at the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodology of this study is of field research type. After examining commercialization methods presented in the literature and confirming methods found by the discipline elite, structured interviews were conducted addressed managers and experts of ICT companies. Results: Three methods of “joint research contracts”, “exhibitions” and “spin-offs” are among the most common commercialization methods used by companies. Conclusion: Due to uncertainties that exist in ICT industry, companies should consider different strategies in order to develop successful products and services. Finally, specific policies are determined to implement each commercialization method in knowledge-based companies. Namen: Komercializacija je korak v razvoju novih izdelkov in storitev. Ker je delež stopnje neuspešnih komercializacije izdelkov in storitev v IKT industrij na splošno zelo visok, smo se namenili preučiti in oceniti metode komercializacije, ki jih uporabljajo podjetja s področja IKT industrije v Tehnološkem parku Univerze za znanost in tehnologijo v Teheranu. Načrtovanje/ metodologija / pristop: Osnovni metodološki pristop naše študije je terenska raziskava. Potem ko smo proučili metode komercializacije predstavljene v literaturi in izbrali tiste, ki so bile ocenjene kot najboljše, smo opravili še strukturirane intervjuje z managerji in strokovnjaki v IKT podjetjih. Rezultati: Tri metode: “skupne pogodbe za raziskovanje”, “razstave” in “spin-off” so med najpogostejšimi metodami komercializacije, ki jih uporabljajo podjetja. Zaključek: Zaradi negotovosti, ki so vedno prisotne v IKT industriji, morajo podjetja uporabljati različne strategije, da bi razvili uspešne izdelke in storitve. Podjetja, katerih dejavnost temelji na znanju, morajo poiskati svoje specifične pristopi in politike za komercializacijo svojih izdelkov in storitev.

The article at hand illustrates how new types of coopetition emerge in the transformation of large technical systems. It builds on the latest literature on coopetition and highlights diverse institutional arrangements for coopetition, their effects on the actual innovation and the potential benefits for the firms involved. In contrast to many incremental innovations, the transformation of large technical systems requires the cooperation of many diverse actors as various resources are needed. This does not only open up the opportunity of new private-private or public-private cooperations but also brings about various new forms of commonly performed practices. Članek obravnava pojav novih oblik kooperativne konkurence (ang. coopetition) pri preoblikovanju velikih tehničnih sistemov. Izhaja iz najnovejše literature o kooperativni konkurenci in podaja pregled institucionalnih oblik kooperativne konkurence, nji­hovih učinkov na aktualne inovacije in potencialnih koristi za vključena podjetja. V nasprotju z mnogimi postopnimi inovacijami, preoblikovanje velikih tehničnih sistemov zahteva sodelovanje številnih in različnih akterjev in virov. To odpira ne le priložnosti za nova sodelovanja med privatnimi družbami in javno-privatna sodelovanja, ampak tudi prinaša različne nove oblike sicer splošno razširjenih praks.

Z razvojem tehnologije se povečuje delež in raznolikost iger na trgu. Ko govorimo o igrah, imamo v mislih računalniške igre, igre za konzole in mobilne igre (v nadaljevanju igre). Obstaja velik trg iger, kar povzroča združevanje oziroma uskupinjanje manjših in srednjih podjetij, ki se ukvarjajo z razvijanjem iger. Preučevana podjetja so iz Evrope, Združenih držav Amerike in Kitajske, saj v Sloveniji ni nobenega podjetja, ki se ukvarja z razvijanjem iger, organizirano kot delniška družba. Najuspešnejše slovensko podjetje, ki razvija igre Outfit7 (poznano po igrah Talking Tom), je organizirano kot družba z omejeno odgovornostjo. V diplomskem projektu bomo ugotavljali in primerjali učinkovitost in uspešnost organizacij razvijalcev iger glede na povprečje v panogi. Uspešnost in učinkovitost takšnih organizacij je v veliki meri odvisna od uspešnosti njihovih iger na trgu. Za proučevanje organizacij razvijalcev iger in njihovo primerjavo smo se odločili zaradi želje po ugotovitvi, katera podjetja poslujejo bolje ter kaj je razlog, da so uspešnejša. The proportion and variety of games on the market is increasing with tehnology development. When we talk about games, what we have in mind are computer games, console games and mobile games (hereinafter games). There is a large games market, causing aggregation or consolidation of small and mid-sized game organizations. Studied companies are from Europe, the United States of America and China, since there are not any companies engaged in game development that are organized as a limited company in Slovenia. The most successful game development Slovenian company Outfit7 (known by Talking Tom games) is organized as a limited company. In the graduation project we will be assessing and comparing the effectiveness and efficiency of game developing organizations compared to the average in the industry. The effectiveness and efficiency of such organizations is largely dependent on the success of their games on the market. We decided for game development organizations and their comparison owing to our desire to determine which companies conduct business better and the reasons for their success.

The development and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has particularly increased in the last two decades, while at the same time showing great potential to improve the efficacy of business processes, facilitate and drive innovations, and therefore increase competitiveness. Innovation activities represent an important factor for social and economic change as well as for increasing competitive advantages at both the national and firm levels. This paper focuses on the role that ICTs play in the innovation performance of selected European countries. Using data drawn from the Eurostat and Global Competitiveness Index (2007–2011) and panel regression analysis, research results indicate that ICTs have a significant impact on business innovation activities. Razvoj in uporaba informacijskih in komunikacijskih tehnologij (IKT) sta se povečala predvsem v zadnjih dveh desetletjih. V istem obdobju se kaže tudi velik potencial za izboljšanje poslovnih procesov, za pospeševanje in spodbujanje inovacij, torej za povečanje konkurenčnosti. Inovacijske dejavnosti so pomemben dejavnik družbenih in ekonomskih sprememb ter povečanja konkurenčnih prednosti na nacionalni in podjetniški ravni. V tem članku se osredotočamo na vlogo, ki jo imajo IKT v inovacijski uspešnosti izbranih evropskih držav. Pri raziskavi so bili uporabljeni podatki iz Eurostata in Global competitiveness Indexa (2007–2011) ter panelna regresijska analiza, rezultati pa kažejo, da imajo IKT pomemben vpliv na poslovne inovacijske dejavnosti.