Naslov
Environmental Scanning and Early Warning Systems: Empirical Evidence from Croatia

Autori
Labaš, Davor

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
EBES 2011 Conference - Zagreb Program and Abstract Book / - Istanbul : Sazak Ofset, 2011, 583-599

ISBN
978-605-61069-3-4

Skup
Eurasia Business and Economic Society Conference 2011

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 13.10.2011. - 15.10.2011

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Environmental Scanning; Businesss Strategic Early Warning Systems; Early Signals

Sažetak
Primary purpose of this paper was to explore the current state of environmental scanning practices as well as characteristics of early warning systems, and to assess the importance, influence, and main categories of environment which are in focus of the surveyed companies. The aim is to evaluate the present capacity and differences between Croatian companies regarding the use of early warning systems and external environment scanning. The statistical analysis proceeded to give answers to the following questions: to see whether there are statistically significant differences present regarding the level of implementation of early warning systems, with respect to different company sizes, exporting capacities, and the types of ownership. This paper explores company’s use of early warning systems and its benefits in improving competitive advantage ; and therefore draws on theoretical antecedents from secondary scientific sources. Furthermore, empirical data was collected through e-mail survey questionnaire, from a random sample (N=150), where the employees designated for answering the questionnaire were upper management, CFO’s, Controlling and IT officers, which possess insights into companies information gathering and dissemination practices. In total, 47 fully answered questionnaires were collected (rate of response 31%). For statistical data analysis a PASW18 statistical software was used for descriptive statistics and ANOVA analysis. The results of empirical research are as follows: Croatian companies are fully aware of the importance of continuous external scanning and its influence on the company’s business activities. Companies mainly track the events in their closer external environment. Main categories of interests are buyers/ markets, followed by legal conditions. Only 13% of companies have fully implemented early warning systems. Furthermore, useful gathered external information is often not entirely utilised in strategic planning. Conducted tests show statistically significant differences between the levels of early warning systems implementation, and different sized companies, as well as between different types of ownership structures, whereas a statistically significant difference was not proven between various levels of exporting companies and levels of implemented early warning systems. The findings indicate a presence of strong external environment scanning awareness and use ; however results display the need for further improvements in development and implementation of early warning systems. This research intends to provide insights, better understanding of the current trends and standings of competitors and how they perceive the tasks of environmental scanning, as well as motivate managers to further improve and expand the horizons of the external environment scanning practice.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

POVEZANOST RADA