Results of trends research development

RESULTS OF TRENDS RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT 3HWU1PHþHN 1 Robert Zich 2 1 Pro I,QJ3HWU1  PHþ HN'U6F Faculty of Business and Management, Brno University of Technology, Kolejní 4, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic, tel: +420 5 4114 2693, fax: +420 5 4114 2696, E-mail: [email protected] 2 Ing.Robert Zich,PhD., Faculty of Business and Management, Brno University of Technology, Kolejní 4, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic, tel: +420 5 4114 2678, fax: +420 5 4114 2696, E-mail: [email protected] RESULTS OF TRENDS RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT 3HWU1PHþHN Robert Zich Abstract: Within the framework of determined basic objective was more specific focus on the field of management, ownership structure, financial control, logistics and manufacturing control, marketing, education and risk management. In defining of the individual objectives, stress was put to factual status and potential benefit. Therefore, from wide quantity of possible evaluated subjects is the attention paid mainly to business companies of joint-stock type and limited liability type. These usually represent larger business scope in comparison to companies with personal participation and trade. Considering the fact that business is influenced by local conditions and specific possibilities of their formation, the analysis was related to companies operating in South Moravia region. Such defined targets established pre-requisite for acquisition of rather large quantity of unique data, for extensive publication activity and first-rate scientific development of participating employees and whole investigation team as such. In this relation we can mention as important outputs the preparation of dissertation thesis. In the course of the research the areas to be solved were gradually made more specific with respect to our capacity and knowledge possibilities, and - above all - with respect to continuously reached results, which showed the need to solve certain specific questions. Taking into account these facts, solved areas are delimitated as following: • top management • marketing • environmental management • crisis management • logistics • finance RESULTS OF TRENDS RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT 3HWU1PHþHN Robert Zich 1 Objectives of research and strategy of their accomplishment On the basis of the elaboration of the analysis of contemporary status, the objective of the task is to outline possible trends of the development of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering companies. Focus on trade companies of the type jointstock company and limited liability company operating in the South Moravia region. The objective is to outline possible future behavior of especially owners and management with the output to the operation itself, expected requirements to conditions from the side of cities and towns and, moreover, requirements to profile and structure of university graduates. The point is to arrange competitiveness and long-term prosperity. The important part is represented by the preparation to the activity within the framework of EU and formation of Euro-regions. Objectives of research in year 2004 and anticipated results The main objective of further solution to research plan was to expand the matrix of so far solved fields with the question of the innovation potential, E-business and ISO certification. These areas are considered - with respect to findings in previous parts of the research - as important not only from the point of the strengthening of competitiveness of companies as such, but also (mainly in the first two cases) as so far underdeveloped from the point of theory and practice of mechanical and electrical engineering companies, resp. economicalmanagerial disciplines at all. Anticipated results can be characterized in general as development and evaluation of methods coming out from given fields and development of both theoretical and practical base of knowledge of economic studies. In our view, it is possible to draw up such procedures, which in a factual way can solve the particular issue. From the point of theory development they are touched with outputs from both theoretical and practical bases of knowledge of economic sciences, with further strengthening of publication activities as well as development of scientificresearch and pedagogic base. Detail characteristics of research objectives and method of their accomplishment Within the framework of determined basic objective was more specific focus on the field of management, ownership structure, financial control, logistics and manufacturing control, marketing, education and risk management. In defining of the individual objectives, stress was put to factual status and potential benefit. Therefore, from wide quantity of possible evaluated subjects is the attention paid mainly to business companies of joint-stock type and limited liability type. These usually represent larger business scope in comparison to companies with personal participation and trade. Considering the fact that business is influenced by local conditions and specific possibilities of their formation, the analysis was related to companies operating in South Moravia region. Such defined targets established pre-requisite for acquisition of rather large quantity of unique data, for extensive publication activity and first-rate scientific development of participating employees and whole investigation team as such. In this relation we can mention as important outputs the preparation of dissertation thesis. In the course of the research the areas to be solved were gradually made more specific with respect to our capacity and knowledge possibilities, and - above all - with respect to continuously reached results, which showed the need to solve certain specific questions. Taking into account these facts, solved areas are delimitated as following: • top management • marketing • environmental management • crisis management • logistics • finance Brief overall characteristics of achieved results of research, contribution of solution to research In the theoretical-science field can be achieved results in a summary characterized from several points of view. Firstly, science-research base of the faculty resp. whole BUT was strengthened, both from technical and personnel point of view. Among others, by this fact was enabled intense development of international scienceresearch and pedagogical co-operation. Publication activity not only in national, but also international scope was increased accordingly. Moreover, Ph.D. study was improved as well, while inspiring elaboration of a series of dissertation theses, many of them already successfully defended. Factual outputs of the individual parts of the team aimed at the development of theoretical base of knowledge in research fields as well as development and evaluation of methods applicable in the area of economy and management of companies. By that was fulfilled the requirement regarding the co-operation with the company sphere not only in the stage of research, but also in the moment of the development of new methods and search for the procedures of their application. Complex base for further development and research was established, stressing the dynamics of contemporary business environment together with the need of multidiscipline development of economic disciplines in the broad context of further scientific fields. Demonstrable exactness of achieved results, acceptable predictable ability given by the number of respondents prove the credibility of task fulfillment and justification of the overall concept of the assessment. Applied co-operation with the industrial sphere represents the contribution beneficial to both parties, increases the trust in good preparation of graduates on the basis of factual focus of the research and subsequent development of pedagogical activity. Presentation of results in the science conferences and their feedback represent the form of the acknowledgement by the scientific community. Especially are appreciated focus, scope and depth of implemented research and its evaluation. There are established contacts with research teams both at home and abroad, and these contacts are still being broadened, there is an effort for the establishment of joint projects. International co-operation was within the framework of concluded contracts in the faculty level. Co-operation is especially with Nottingham Trent University in the Great Britain, University Whitewater Wisconsin in the USA, University of M. Copernicus in Torun in Poland, University Mainz. International cooperation was implemented also with Material Handling Industry of America in the form of annual five-day stays in the Czech Republic with the scientific lectures. International co-operation aimed in such a way so as to be able to evaluate influences in the individual countries has been initiated: • contract of co-operation in the area of research and pedagogy was concluded with Kaunas Faculty of Humanities from Vilnius University. • contract of co-operation in the faculty level was concluded with Yaroslav The Wise Novgorod State University, further co-operation with the University of M. Copernicus in Torun and University in Zaghreb. • ZLWKLQWKHIUDPHZRUNRIVWXG\VWD\RI3K'VWXGHQWLQJ3DYOD%HþNRYiZDV elaborated the study of British enterprises with the aim to prepare at least partial comparison of trends and expectations of these enterprises and enterprises in the Czech Republic. Important fact - in the light of future development - is also the fact that the research premises were equipped with adequate IT and office technologies. People participating in the project can communicate via E-mail, Internet. Moreover, laboratory for further assessment of achieved results, their presentation and for the training of new calculation methods and programs was established. Results from the point of VUT Team is managed by distinctive scientific person that continuously expands the radius of assistants, team capacity is sufficient with respect to assumed development, team stability is sufficient and there is a hope in its improvement. This year we are terminating the research plan, upon which the faculty members have been working since 1999. In year 2000 participated 24 members, in year 2001 – 25 members, in year 2002 – 28 members, in year 2003 24 members and this year 2004 - 21 members, see Graph no. 1. During the whole period of solution participated in the elaboration of research plan 18 members, out of them 3 professors and 4 associate professors. Graph no.1: Number of people co-operating in research in years 1999-2004 number of people vs. years Philosophy of the research guarantees considerable opportunity for the professional growth also to people standing on the beginning of their academic career and Ph.D. students. Consequently, the research represented the opportunity for development and broadening of the scientific base of the faculty. Ph.D. students (totally 70) participated in the research. Graf no. 2 specifies Ph.D. students co-operating in the research between the years 2000 – 2004. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 1 2 3 4 5 years Graph no. 2: Number of Ph.D. students participating in the research in years 2000 - 2004 20 2002 11 2004 28 2001 21 2003 12 Table 1: Overall survey of Ph.D. study in years 1998 - 2004 year no. of incoming Ph.D. students defended dissertation thesis 1998/99 14 4 1999/00 37 2 2000/01 33 3 2001/02 18 9 2002/03 29 21 2003/04 32 12 2004/05 31 11 Total 194 62 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 1 2 3 4 5 Graph no. 3: Number of incoming Ph.D. students in years 1998 - 2004 and total Graph no. 4: Number of accepted dissertation thesis in years 1998 - 2004 and total During the running of the research also applied for the start of habilitation procedure acc. to provisions of §72 law no. 111/1998 Coll., of universities, and submitted habilitation thesis following researchers: • ,QJ 0iULD 5HåiNRYi &6F - title “Strategic financial management of the company in the Czech Republic“. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8