Vladimir Bukvič

By Vladimir Bukvič and Metka Tekavčič

This paper, which is derived from comprehensive research based on the microeconomic theory of investment and the theoretical approach to measuring the financial performance of firms, presents a conceptual model to define, assess, and measure the impact of corporate investment on business performance. In terms of investment, the focus falls only on tangible fixed assets, whereas business performance is defined solely as performance measured by the relevant financial indicators. Several research hypotheses are tested on an extensive sample of Slovenian firms. A statistically significant correlation between investment and financial performance indicators is found for the period 2000–2017. This correlation is particularly strong with net sales revenues, added value, and operating cash flow (EBITDA). Since the global financial crisis occurring at the break of the last decade is also included in the designated period, the creditless growth of investment together with the simultaneous deleveraging that took place after the financial crisis is explored and compared with the growth of selected financial performance indicators.

Part of the book: Six Sigma and Quality Management

By Vladimir Bukvič

The author links together business analysis and business excellence as an ideal that all well-performing organisations wish to achieve while attaining and continuously maintaining superior levels of business performance. He leans on the EFQM model and uses it as an excellent tool for analysing the business of an organisation throughout all the phases defined by traditional business analysis. This entails setting up hypotheses and testing them by applying appropriate measures. After a short introduction, the author makes first a thorough literature review on business excellence in the last two decades. Further, the author presents the basic concepts and elements of the EFQM model of business excellence, with a particular emphasis on the RADAR matrix. He also presents the use of the model for analysing and assessing the business excellence of organisations in the public sector, specifically in the healthcare industry (hospitals). He presents the key attributes (select healthcare aspects) that define the quality of healthcare services for its key participants, i.e., patients and the payers of these services. The author rounds off his paper with a couple of recommendations regarding the identification of strengths and areas for continuous improvement, which he considers as the most important aspect of business excellence analysis.

Part of the book: Global Market and Trade