In this paper, we address insufficiently explored indirect relationships between market orientation (MO), organizational strategic resources and business outcomes. Previous studies have identified MO as a key strategic asset that contributes to competitive advantage and ultimately to business performance. However, the extant research is at best partial in addressing the contingencies that might uphold these relationships. The goal of this study is to extend the existing knowledge by showing that MO complements with other strategic management processes that are relevant for business success. To address the research question, a conceptual model with three hypotheses was developed. Data was obtained with a survey questionnaire on a sample of 265 medium and large-sized firms from Croatia. The findings indicate that MO influences competitive advantage stronger at higher levels of VRIN resources. Also, findings suggest that competitive advantage mediates the relationship between MO and business performance. In the end, the theoretical and managerial implications are presented along with future research directions in light of the limitations of this study.

In this paper, market orientation in Croatian higher education (HE) is discussed within the context of stakeholder-oriented management. Drawing on existing studies, the 'classical' empirical model, describing the market orientation of generic nonprofit organisations, has been adapted to the contingencies of the Croatian HE sector. Empirical testing of the model, based on primary data drawn from the majority of public institutions of higher learning in the country, reveals inadequate market orientation toward the relevant stakeholders. Although social market orientation currently does not exist in Croatian HE institutions, the empirical results confirm that it might be possible to initiate a 'virtuous circle', in which relevant market orientation and stakeholder management practices, directed toward one or other of the stakeholders, simultaneously enhance orientation toward the other stakeholders. Unfortunately, the current situation in HE is not satisfactory, which could hinder the implementation of development of knowledge society in Croatia.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

This paper analyzes how the different forms of available development tools enhance the Croatian primary school principals' competence to bal-

No abstract

In this paper, we discuss if the current educational management practices in Croatian schools are in line with the constructivist prescriptions and what is their relationship with the available principal support tools. Our research is based on previous empirical results, related to the perceived needs of school principals for training and support. Namely, in 2011, the surveyed school principals required additional competencies to be developed in the fields of school marketing and management. At that time, the primary school principals are being surveyed, related to their managerial practices and the obtained results are interpreted in the context of the already announced, comprehensive school reform in Croatia, designed according to the constructivist educational theories. The empirical results demonstrate that the managerial practices of Croatian primary schools are not compatible with the constructivist theory of education. One group of principals (27.6%) have adequate delegation skills and focus on the specific fields of project management and school marketing, while the majority demonstrate one (or several) forms of ineffective practices. There is limited empirical evidence of the statistically significant differences in the usage of principal support tools/approaches, although the specific usage patterns have been identified.