VGTU Journals (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University - Vilnius Tech)
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The impact of market orientation on marketing performance: exploring the moderating role of competitive advantage
No full textThis research analyses the influence of market orientation and competitive advantage on MSMEs’ marketing performance, with competitive advantage as a moderating variable. The research methodology employs path analysis using Smart PLS software version 4.0 and involves 397 MSME owners in Jambi City, Jambi Province, Indonesia. The analysis results indicate that market orientation and competitive advantage significantly influence MSME marketing performance. Additionally, competitive advantage moderates, strengthening the relationship between market orientation and marketing performance. These findings have practical implications for MSME owners, suggesting that focusing on developing market orientation and competitive advantage can enhance their marketing performance. Furthermore, this study contributes to the theoretical understanding of factors influencing MSMEs marketing performance and encourages further research on elements that most impact competitive advantage. It also provides recommendations for policymakers to support enhancing MSME marketing performance through various supportive policies. However, this research has limitations, such as the lack of specific elements of market orientation with significant impacts and a need to better understand the moderation mechanism between market orientation and marketing performance through competitive advantage, which could be subjects of future research
Organisational commitment and organisational cynicism as feedback signals: from zero to substantive CSR
No full textCorporate social responsibility (CSR) declared by organisations can be understood as a specific signal sent to stakeholders. However, social responsibility can vary from its complete absence to symbolic or substantive CSR. There is still a lack of knowledge on how employee feedback, manifesting itself by organisational commitment or organisational cynicism, varies depending on the nature of CSR and employee seniority. Therefore, this exploratory study examines how organisational cynicism and organisational commitment manifest themselves in organisations in different situations with regard to CSR. The study was conducted in Lithuania, surveying 981 employees from public and private sector enterprises. Organisations are divided into three groups showing the corresponding level of social responsibility: substantive, symbolic and not CSR. Organisational commitment was tested using two different instruments: Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) by Mowday et al. (1979) and an instrument created by Allen and Meyer (1990). Organisational commitment (as in the cases of affective, continuance and normative commitment) was the strongest in the substantive CSR group; and the weakest, in the not CSR group. Employee cynicism showed the opposite result. The same consistency was observed separately in the public and private sectors, with stronger commitment and weaker cynicism found in the public sector. Organisational commitment and cynicism demonstrated by employees emerge as reactions to corporate social responsibility and as a kind of feedback signal sent to persons responsible for organisational management. The results are discussed considering the signalling theory, and their implications for practice are highlighted
Fostering performance management by identifying key performance indicators for human capital in integrated reporting
No full textHuman capital is widely recognized as a pivotal factor in driving economic development and ensuring the sustained success of organizations. In efforts to enhance transparency in reporting and elucidate the mechanisms through which organizational value is generated, businesses might turn to the integrated reporting framework, encompassing six key capital dimensions, including human capital. However, a notable gap exists in the standardization of essential performance indicators within this framework. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to identify the fundamental concepts underlying key performance indicators specific to human capital within integrated reports. These identified indicators not only enhance the usability of integrated reporting frameworks but also resonate with the perspectives of economic theory on human resource management, delving into various facets of employee performance and well-being. Moreover, the study delved into how transformational and benevolent leadership styles can harmonize with both the integrated reporting framework and the suggested key performance indicators of human capital, offering insights into effective organizational management and sustainable value creation
Tram-train system as a potential transport solution for the Olomouc Region
No full textThe article is focused on the frequently discussed topic of suburban and regional railway system modernization comparing different approaches to consider by local authorities. To make a precedent and to better contribute to practical problems, a middle-sized city of Olomouc (Czechia) is chosen to demonstrate the upgraded regional transport system design with respect to the regional specifics and utilizing of the current railway and tramway infrastructure. With a new, innovative approach to the potential tram-train implementation in the Olomouc Region, the technical and operational features of the current tram-train systems and vehicles are analysed. By implementing the most suitable ones, the regional tram-train system proposal in the conditions of Olomouc may serve as a guide for similar planned systems in the countries with limited legislative and technical experience regarding the tram-train systems (especially in Central Europe), their suitability for the region, their design, and introduction. For the qualitative assessment of the different relevant approaches, a comparative analysis is used. As a result of the analysis, a tram-train system is recommended for the further transport planning stages as it significantly improves both urban and suburban public transport in the Olomouc Region by increasing their average speed and accessibility. For better financial and technical implementation, the project is divided into several stages. Unlike the already presented solutions, it combines shorter travel times of the regional rail and the populated area coverage reached by regional buses and serves as both an attractive and financially sane extension of a regional public transport system
Sustainable mobility and electric vehicle adoption: a study on the impact of perceived benefits and risks
No full textThe shift towards sustainable transportation is becoming increasingly important as the negative impact of traditional fuel-powered vehicles on the environment becomes more evident. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are considered a viable solution to this problem, and understanding the factors that influence consumer intention to purchase EVs is crucial for their widespread adoption. This study investigates the factors that influence individuals’ intention to purchase EVs. 4 independent variables were considered: Perceived Environmental Benefit (PEB), Perceived Performance Benefit (PPB), Perceived Performance Risk (PPR), and Perceived Financial Risk (PFR). A survey was conducted with 398 respondents, and the data collected were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicate that PEB, PPB, PPR, and PFR have significant effects on Purchase Intention (PI). Specifically, PEB and PPB positively affect PI, while PPR and PFR negatively affect it. These findings suggest that improving the PEBs and PPBs of EVs and reducing perceived performance and financial risks could encourage more individuals to purchase them
Modification of the sickle insert of an internal gear pump
No full textThe reduction of the weight of high-pressure components and systems (including hydraulic) is especially important in aircraft or mobile machinery. An interesting trend that began in the first half of the 20th century in the aviation industry is the weight reduction of structures by using components made of composite materials in place of those made of conventional materials. This trend is not only not diminishing, but is actually increasing year by year. This paper investigates the effect of modifying the design of the sickle insert on the volumetric efficiency of the pump. Moreover, this work presents the replacement of the sickle insert of an internal gear pump made of bronze with plastic materials, reducing its weight by 80%. To ensure similar performance, its design was modified, increasing the pump’s efficiency while additionally reducing its weight. This material substitution allows the reduction of weight, but it can adversely affect the performance of the hydraulic component, this also applies to the displacement pumps. For this reason, the design had to be changed to obtain similar operational parameters after changing the material
Machine learning methods as applied to modelling thermal conductivity of epoxy-based composites with different fillers for aircraft
No full textThe thermal conductivity coefficient of epoxy composites for aircraft, which are reinforced with glass fiber and filled with aerosil, γ-aminopropylaerosil, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, respectively, was simulated. To this end, various machine learning methods were used, in particular, neural networks and boosted trees. The results obtained were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. In particular, the correlation coefficient in the test sample was 0.99%. The prediction error of neural networks in the test samples was 0.5; 0.3; 0.2%, while that of boosted trees was 1.5; 0.9%
Analyses of European terminal aerodrome weather forecasts in 2022 and 2023
No full textTerminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) are essential components of aviation meteorology, providing critical information for flight safety and operational decision-making. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of TAF for European airports during the years 2022 and 2023, leveraging Python functions accessible via a dedicated GitHub repository. The complexity inherent in TAF, characterized by diverse change groups, header formats, and regional variations, presents challenges for accurate interpretation. The analysis focuses on key parameters within TAF, including the count of corrected messages and the frequency and types of change groups. The count of corrected messages serves as a metric for evaluating the quality of service provided, while the examination of change group utilization reveals distinct patterns and tendencies specific to each airport. The findings underscore the significance of regional regulations, meteorologist decision-making, and adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in shaping TAF. The GitHub repository and associated Python functions presented in this study provide valuable resources for meteorologists, researchers, and aviation personnel to conduct in-depth analyses and derive insights from TAF. Ultimately, this study identifies local differences and inconsistencies in the publication of TAF, laying the groundwork for enhancing their consistency and uniformity
Improvement of fatigue management methodology related to flight crew
No full textThis research focuses on flight crew fatigue and the improvement of a fatigue management methodology that helps in reducing fatigue for flight crew members, aiming to improve their well-being and overall aviation safety of flights. A thorough literature review established a foundation for understating fatigue and the available methodologies for fatigue management for flight crew members. To make the picture clearer, an empirical study was conducted, and it included surveys and interviews with flight crew members. The gathered data underwent detailed statistical and thematic analysis to identify key factors influencing fatigue among flight crew members. Findings revealed multiple contributors to the flight crew member fatigue. Using these insights, a fatigue management methodology is proposed, integrating real-world experiences with evidence-based strategies. The proposed methodology and the recommendations that were formed are relevant for a company management which is facing flight crew fatigue management issues
Analytical calculation approach for rocket nose cone structure with orthotropic material
No full textThe Authors of this research developed an analytical calculation method to estimate the strength of nose cone structures made of orthotropic materials, which were crucial components in aircraft and spacecraft. Strength analysis of nose cones had been comprehensively addressed for isotropic materials; however, the lack of efficient approaches for orthotropic materials presented a challenge. In this research, a new analytical method was proposed, combining membrane stress theory for isotropic materials with classical laminate theory for orthotropic materials. This approach enabled the determination of stresses on the nose cone shell structure in both meridional and circumferential directions in an efficient and straightforward manner. The analysis results indicated that the developed analytical method exhibited stress distribution trends similar to those obtained using the Finite Element Method. Stresses in the +45° and –45° direction, as well as in-plane shear stress and Tsai-Wu failure indices, showed trend similarity between the two methods. Despite specific numerical differences in the calculation results, these consistent trends suggested that the analytical method could serve as a tool for the preliminary design of a nose cone structure with a similar configuration analyzed in this study