How does the behavior of the entrepreneur affect the development and performance of the business venture? Why do some small business owner-managers remain small, when others wish to grow? In this dissertation the author tries to answer these questions by examining the importance of stable psychological characteristics of the entrepreneur on business performance and expected future performance. The author argues that the entrepreneurship research focus on the entrepreneurial personality is far too narrow, ignoring a crucial range of psychological factors such as intellectual ability and motivation that matter immensely in terms of how entrepreneurs act. Drawing on modern psychological and entrepreneurship research, the author shows how emotions, attitudes, values, IQ, and attribution affect the entrepreneurs’ behavior and subsequently the performance of the business. The author’s own research is presented and commented upon in six different research papers and in a comprehensive introduction chapter. / Inget spikblad

The thesis is focused on the Cost Management in the Relation to Business Performance. The aim of this thesis is analysis of the management costs, their evaluation and suggest some key performance indicators. There are defined cost, calculation, performance and key performance indicators in this thesis. The practical part was elaborated on the basis of data from the company MOTOR JIKOV. There were used methods of observation, exploration and communication with the company. There is an analysis of costing of the filial company and there are some key indicators suggested for the company.

M.Tech (Logistics: Faculty of Management Sciences) Vaal University of Technology / Effective supply chain management is largely contributing to the success of many companies around the world. From publicly owned companies to sole proprietorships, supply chain management is crucial in facilitating the effectiveness of all operations. In the food processing industry, supply chain management is regarded as important capital for both inbound and outbound logistical activities. However, implementation of supply chain management initiatives presents several challenges that hinder the effectiveness of the operations of most companies. The aim of this study was to investigate supply chain management challenges facing the food processing industry in South Africa and the effects of these challenges on business performance. Through a review of literature, seven challenges are identified, namely, human resources management, technology, facilities, supplier relationship management, customer relationship management, regulatory factors, logistics and transportation. A nine-section questionnaire was then developed using adapted measurement scales and distributed to 303 supply management professionals in food processing companies in Gauteng province. Respondents were selected using the non-probability convenience sampling technique. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (Version 23.0). After testing for validity and reliability, descriptive statistics were applied in testing perceptions of respondents towards the seven supply chain management challenges and business performance. Pearson correlations were used to test for the strength and direction of associations between supply chain management challenges and business performance. Regression analysis is applied in testing whether supply chain management predicted business performance. Application of Pearson correlations revealed negative associations between all seven supply chain management challenges and business performance. This implies that business performance decreases as the intensity of the challenges increases. Regression analysis indicated that, apart from regulatory factors, six of the supply chain management challenges predict business performance. Technology emerged as the strongest predictor of business performance. The study concludes by suggesting recommendations for limiting the impact of the identified challenges on business performance.

nÃo hà / A manutenÃÃo e o desenvolvimento da competitividade organizacional tÃm motivado diversas pesquisas no intuito de detectar, na inovaÃÃo, determinantes para o desempenho empresarial. Abordagens como a teoria da firma e a RBV atribuem à empresa o papel de gerar, contÃnua e endogenamente, melhores desempenhos para manutenÃÃo de sua vantagem competitiva no mercado. O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal analisar a relaÃÃo entre a capacidade inovativa, assim como de seus antecedentes, e o desempenho de empresas brasileiras inovadoras. As trÃs hipÃteses de pesquisa buscam confirmar a relaÃÃo entre os antecedentes da capacidade inovativa, a capacidade inovativa e o desempenho das empresas. A metodologia da pesquisa caracteriza-se como exploratÃria, com abordagem quantitativa, utilizando-se das tÃcnicas estatÃsticas de correlaÃÃo e regressÃo linear. A populaÃÃo da pesquisa, escolhida dentre as empresas de capital aberto, classificadas nos setores abrangidos pelos critÃrios do IBI, totalizou em 174 empresas devidamente analisadas e listadas para envio ao IBGE, onde se constatou haver o nÃmero de 73 que participaram das ediÃÃes de 2005 e 2008 da PINTEC, constituindo a amostra da pesquisa. Para mensuraÃÃo da capacidade inovativa e de seus antecedentes foram utilizados dados da PINTEC. As variÃveis componentes da capacidade inovativa foram compostas por inovaÃÃo de produto, processo, organizacional e de marketing. As variÃveis dos antecedentes da capacidade inovativa compreenderam os investimentos realizados pelas empresas em prol de aquisiÃÃo de conhecimentos externos, atividades com P&D (interna e externa), aquisiÃÃo de equipamentos e mÃquinas, treinamento, introduÃÃes de inovaÃÃes e novos projetos. O desempenho empresarial, mensurado a partir das dimensÃes econÃmica, operacional e de valor, teve como variÃveis o ROA, EBITDA e o MVAÂ, respectivamente, cujos valores foram obtidos por meio de variÃveis do EconomÃticaÂ. As relaÃÃes efetuadas consideraram a defasagem temporal de um ano entre as variÃveis de inovaÃÃo e as de desempenho, sob a perspectiva da maturaÃÃo dos investimentos e da capacidade inovativa nesse intervalo de tempo. Os resultados de H1 indicaram a existÃncia de uma relaÃÃo positiva entre os antecedentes da capacidade inovativa e a capacidade inovativa, sugerindo, contudo, investimentos expressivos nos antecedentes para a geraÃÃo de capacidade inovativa. Os resultados de H2 revelaram uma relaÃÃo positiva entre os antecedentes da inovaÃÃo e os desempenhos econÃmico e operacional, nÃo sendo significante na relaÃÃo com o MVAÂ. Sobre H3, nenhuma evidÃncia pode ser inferida sobre a relaÃÃo entre a capacidade inovativa e os desempenhos econÃmico e operacional, sendo possÃvel observar a sua relaÃÃo com o MVAÂ. Conclui-se que os desempenhos operacional e econÃmico das empresas analisadas sÃo ampliados quando hà investimentos em software e se inova em produtos completamente novos para a empresa e para o mercado nacional, direcionando aos preceitos da teoria da firma por se relacionarem com investimentos estratÃgicos para geraÃÃo de capacidade inovativa. A geraÃÃo de valor ao acionista à maximizada com investimentos que impulsionem as inovaÃÃes de processo e marketing, pois a capacidade inovativa medida por esses tipos de inovaÃÃo contribuem para a manutenÃÃo da diferenciaÃÃo estratÃgica das empresas, conforme propÃe a RBV. / The maintenance and development of organizational competitiveness have motivated several research in order to detect, innovation, crucial to business performance. Approaches such as the theory of the firm and RBV give the company the role of generating, continuous and endogenously best performances to maintain its competitive edge in Marketplace. This study is meant to examine the relationship between capacity Innovative as well as their background, and the performance of Brazilian companies innovative. The three research hypotheses seek to confirm the relationship between the background the innovative capacity, innovative capacity and the performance of companies. THE research methodology is characterized as exploratory, with a quantitative approach, using the techniques of correlation and linear regression statistics. The population research, chosen among public companies classified in the covered sectors the criteria of IBI, totaled in 174 companies properly analyzed and listed for dispatch IBGE, where it was found there the number 73 who participated in the 2005 and editions 2008 PINTEC, making the research sample. For measurement of capacity Innovative and its antecedents have been used data from PINTEC. The variables components of the innovative capacity were composed by product innovation, process, organizational and marketing. The variables of history of innovative capacity realized investments by companies in favor of purchasing external knowledge, R & D activities (internal and external), acquisition of equipment and machinery, training, innovations and introductions of new projects. Performance business, measured from the economic, operational and value, had as variables ROA, EBITDA and MVAÂ, respectively, whose values ​​were obtained means EconomÃtica variables. Relations made considered the gap time a year between innovation variables and performance, from the perspective of maturity investments and innovative capacity in the interval. The H1 results indicated the existence of a positive relationship between the background of the innovative ability and the innovative ability, suggesting, however, significant investments the antecedents for the generation of innovative capability. The results revealed an H2 positive relationship between the history of innovation and economic performance and operational, not significant in relation to the MVAÂ. About H3, no evidence It can be inferred on the relationship between the innovative capacity and economic performances and operational and are recording their relationship with MVAÂ. It is concluded that the operational and economic performance of the companies analyzed are magnified when there investments in software and innovation in completely new products for the company and for the domestic market, directing the precepts of the theory of the firm because it relates with strategic investments to generate innovative capacity. The generation of value to shareholder is maximized with investments that drive the process of innovation and marketing, because the innovative capacity measured by these types of innovation contribute to maintenance of strategic differentiation of companies, as proposed by the RBV.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a relação entre as orientações estratégicas de Miles e Snow (1978) com o desempenho organizacional nas pequenas empresas à luz de suas especificidades. O atual contexto econômico é marcado essencialmente pelo acirramento da competição entre as empresas. Neste ambiente dinâmico é fundamental que as empresas consigam formular e implementar estratégias que lhes confiram uma vantagem competitiva sobre seus concorrentes e, assim, maximizar seu desempenho. Apesar dessa importância, poucos estudos têm se dedicado a discutir os antecedentes da estratégica, especialmente a orientação estratégica seguida por uma firma e sua ligação com o desempenho da firma, sobretudo quando considerado o universo específico das pequenas empresas, o qual se mostra distinto do das grandes organizações. Através de um questionário aplicado em 35 empresas do setor metal mecânico dados foram coletados e analisados empiricamente utilizando técnicas estatísticas de análise de variância e teste de Fischer. A principal contribuição do trabalho é mostrar que em pequenas empresas a orientação estratégica seguida por uma firma, isoladamente, não tem relação direta com o desempenho organizacional, evidenciando que nestas empresas outros fatores além da orientação estratégica devem ser considerados ao analisar o desempenho organizacional. / The current economic context is marked primarily by stronger competition among enterprises. In this dynamic environment is vital for the companies be able to formulate and implement strategies that give them a competitive advantage over their competitors and, therefore, maximize their performance. Despite this importance, few studies have been devoted to discuss the background of the strategy and its connection with the firm\'s performance, particularly the strategic orientation followed by a firm and its connection with firm\'s performance, especially when considering the specific universe of small businesses. Thus, this study aims to analyze how the relationship between the strategic orientation and organizational performance occurs in small businesses. Throughout a questionnaire applied in 35 companies in the metal mechanic sector, data were collected and later analyzed empirically utilizing ANOVA and Fischer test. The main contribution of this work is to show that for small businesses the strategic orientation followed by a firm is not directly related to organizational performance, showing that for those kinds of companies other factors besides the strategic orientation should be considered when analyzing organizational performance.

Innovation and internationalization are quite often regarded as important strategies for companies to grow and succeed in the fast pacing market battlefield. Literature has deeply investigated these subjects, separately and together. However, papers on the relations of innovation capability and internationalization degree are still scarce and therefore, under researched. Moreover, although studies on the relations of the innovation capability of a company and business performance pop up quite frequently, they still lack conclusiveness. In order to deepen the understanding on those relations and unveil practical recommendations for managers, this study aimed at describing (1) the relations between innovation capability and internationalization degree and (2) the relations between innovation capability and business performance of companies operating in Brazil. Literature review encompasses concepts on innovation drivers, internationalization, and business performance as well as the relations of (1) innovation and internationalization, and (2) innovation and business performance. As innovation capability is not directly measureable, the conceptual model included a proposal of a construct of innovation capability as a weighted contribution of a set of innovation drivers. The conceptual model provided the foundations for the questionnaire and therefore, the whole field research, which included the delivery of questionnaires to students of graduate programs of three Business schools in Brazil. 528 questionnaires were filled out and they represented 386 different companies. Methodological procedures included a quantitative analysis that encompassed (1) descriptive statistics for demographics, (2) the non-parametric Wilcoxon test for mean comparison, (3) exploratory factor analysis for variable reduction, (3) cluster analysis to identify the association of importance and practice of drivers, and (4) multiple linear regression to identify descriptors of internationalization degree and business performance. Idea generation, people, leadership, and intellectual capital are considered the most important innovation drivers as opposed to funding and portfolio management. Regarding practice, although there was no evidence to distinguish most practiced drivers, structure, time, and reward system were considered the less practiced. When considering importance and practice at the same time, five clusters of drivers were depicted: (1) the most practiced, (2) the most important, (3) the least important, (4) the least practiced, and (5) not the most, not the least. Although drivers of cluster (2) are considered the most important, they are not the most practiced. As a result, in general terms, drivers pertaining to this cluster-- people, intellectual capital, generation, conversion, and leadership--should be prioritized while implementing innovation initiatives. Next, while identifying descriptors, funding and diffusion drivers explain 10.6% and innovation capability explains 6.8% of internationalization degree. Findings on the identification of descriptors of business performance are more promising: diffusion, values, strategic alliances, and technologies drivers explain 41.8% of the business performance variability while innovation capability explains 28.1%. Although literature has highlighted the importance of all innovation drivers, the results of this study provide managers with a prioritization when implementing innovation initiatives within their companies, depending on whatever internationalization or business performance output are pursued. / inovação e internacionalização são recorrentemente tidas como estratégias importantes para empresas crescerem e se sobressaírem no mercado em constante mudança. A literatura já se aprofundou na discussão desses dois temas, de forma separada e em conjunto. Por outro lado, artigos sobre as relações entre competências organizacionais para inovar e grau de internacionalização ainda são raros e, portanto, o tema merece ser mais explorado. Além disso, embora estudos sobre as relações entre competências organizacionais para inovar e desempenho organizacional apareçam com frequência, muitos não são conclusivos. De maneira a se aprofundar nos estudos dessas relações e propor recomendações práticas para gestores, este estudo pretende descrever: (1) as relações entre competências organizacionais para inovar e grau de internacionalização e (2) as relações entre competências organizacionais para inovar e desempenho organizacional de empresas que atuam no Brasil. A revisão da literatura incluiu conceitos de impulsionadores da inovação (innovation drivers), internacionalização, desempenho organizacional, assim como as relações entre (1) inovação e internacionalização e (2) inovação e desempenho organizacional. Já que o conceito de competências organizacionais para inovar não é mensurável diretamente, o modelo conceitual deste trabalho incluiu uma proposta de competências organizacionais para inovar como uma contribuição ponderada de um conjunto de impulsionadores da inovação. Tal modelo conceitual serviu de base para a elaboração do questionário e, portanto, para a pesquisa de campo: preenchimento do questionário por alunos de pós-graduação de três escolas de negócios no Brasil. 528 questionários foram preenchidos, representando 386 empresas diferentes. Os procedimentos metodológicos incluem análises quantitativas, como (1) estatística descritiva para parte demográfica de respondentes e empresas, (2) teste não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon para comparação de médias, (3) análise fatorial exploratória para redução do número de variáveis, (4) análise de agrupamentos para identificação da associação entre importância e prática dos impulsionadores para inovar e (5) regressão linear múltipla para identificação de descritores do grau de internacionalização e de desempenho organizacional. Geração de ideias, pessoas, liderança e capital intelectual são consideradas pelos respondentes como os impulsionadores para inovar mais importantes. Em relação à prática, não houve evidências para distinguir os impulsionadores: estrutura organizacional, tempo e sistema de remuneração foram considerados os impulsionadores menos praticados. Considerando importância e prática dos impulsionadores ao mesmo tempo, cinco agrupamentos de impulsionadores são apresentados: (1) os mais praticados, (2) os mais importantes, (3) os menos importante, (4) os menos praticados e (5) nem os mais e nem os menos. O agrupamento 2 de impulsionadores para inovar são considerados os mais importantes, mas não são considerados os mais praticados. Portanto, de maneira geral, impulsionadores desse agrupamento (pessoas, capital intelectual, geração de ideias, conversão e liderança) devem ser priorizados quando da implantação de iniciativas para inovar. A seguir, na identificação de descritores, os impulsionadores de financiamento e de difusão explicam 10,6% e a competência organizacional para inovar explica 6,8% da variação do grau de internacionalização. Já os achados na identificação de descritores do desempenho organizacional são mais promissores: impulsionadores de difusão, valores, alianças estratégicas e tecnologias explicam 41,8% da variação do desempenho organizacional enquanto que a competência organizacional para inovar explica 28,1%. Ainda que a literatura ressalte a importância de todos os impulsionadores para inovar, os resultados deste estudo fornecem sugestões de priorização quando gestores estão considerando implantar iniciativas de inovação em suas empresas, dependendo do resultado que se pretende alcançar: internacionalização ou desempenho organizacional.

Nowadays, corporations run their business on dynamic markets with really harsh competition. If they want to survive, they need to manage their business effectively and increase corporate performance. Management is today highly supported by information and communication technologies that develop and bring new solutions and technologies continuously. One of these new solutions is Corporate Performance Management based on Business Intelligence technologies that enables complex and integrated view of business performance and its management. This thesis is devoted to this new developing approach in IS/ICT. Readers will become familiar with its basic principles, advantages, particular components and process of implementation. After this more theoretical part, follows the practical issue - realization of this solution for an existing organization in order to get expected results and effects. The solution is designed for a company that provides consulting and software development in Business Intelligence technologies. According to the cycle of CPM, firstly, a Performance Management method is chosen, after that the corporate strategy and concrete KPIs as they enhance the goals and strategy achievement. Afterwards data sources are identified and optimized as needed. On these data sources, all the visualization tools for Performance management are developed. In this case we are talking about interactive scorecards and dashboards. After this phase, the solution is ready for the developers to create it in the concrete application. In this case the Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007.

This master thesis is focused on the issue of financial performance of Farmet a.s., primarily using a benchmarking method. The first part of the paper consists of theoretical foundations to the given issue. Furthermore, the characterization of the chosen company and its strategic analysis follow. The main part of the thesis is focused on an execution of benchmarking – a comparison of the selected company with three competitors. Finally, the achieved outcomes and recommendations for the company are stated in conclusion.

The main aim of the thesis is to analyze the performance of the company providing economic services. The first part summarizes the basic information used to evaluate the performance of the company. Next part deals with comparison with competition and evaluation of profitability of selected orders by calculation method Activity-Based Costing. The final part proposes changes in cost management.

The diploma thesis is focused on evaluation of the performance of the company ALBIXON a. s. using the EFQM Excellence Model. The theoretical part of the thesis presents primary tools of economic and financial evaluation of companies, inluding the already mentioned EFQM model. The analytical part of the thesis describes the current situation of selected company and the evalution is performed through the START model questionnaire, which is based on the principles of the EFQM model. The final part of the thesis contains recommendations to increase the company’s performance and achieve a consistently high level of business excelence.