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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Zdenka Zenko and Valentina Sardi

Socially responsible innovative behaviour should reduce the incidence of one-sidedness in the behaviour of persons employed or active in tourism organizations. People with…

1298

Abstract

Purpose

Socially responsible innovative behaviour should reduce the incidence of one-sidedness in the behaviour of persons employed or active in tourism organizations. People with disabilities are often poorly integrated, even in the advanced societies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

With a requisitely holistic approach in dialectical systems theory and an overview of relevant literature, the common characteristics of tourists with disabilities are briefly described. A dialectical systemic analysis was used to determine whether people with disabilities want to travel and what their requirements are. A questionnaire was used to identify their recent travelling experiences; tourism organizations were interviewed about their experiences, too. A model of a travel agency, specialized for people with disabilities, is presented.

Findings

The usual approach to people with special needs is too one-sided. A more requisitely holistic approach to understanding their needs in tourism, based on existing literature and an empirical analysis, is presented. A more innovative management of tourism organizations is proposed, increasing social responsibility (SR).

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to the integration of people with disabilities in society, focusing on innovation in the management of tourism organizations.

Practical implications

This new, more systemic and socially responsible innovative management in tourism is widely applicable. Tourists with disabilities, their family members, and their travelling companions could become more included in tourist activities and represent a potentially significant share of the market. A requisitely holistic approach can provide advantages for tourists with disabilities and tourism organizations.

Originality/value

The concepts were not found in available literature neither is the selection of viewpoints of dialectical systems thinking and SR in tourism. They support understanding, designing and managing activities in tourism for people with various limitations or specific needs.

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Article
Publication date: 18 October 2011

Zdenka Zenko and Matjaz Mulej

Development or existence of human society depends on innovations and the end of one‐sidedness of behavior. The complexity of innovative processes has been widely studied, yet the…

2547

Abstract

Purpose

Development or existence of human society depends on innovations and the end of one‐sidedness of behavior. The complexity of innovative processes has been widely studied, yet the success rate is still low. The purpose of this paper is to identify by the dialectical systems approach how some concepts, important for development of inventions into innovations can better support requisitely holistic innovative behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

System theory, theory of innovations and social responsibility are used to understand diffusion of innovations as part of the innovative processes.

Findings

Many established theories, methods, procedures and standards support innovation management, but its economic success remains poor. Invention‐innovation‐diffusion processes (IIDP) remain poorly managed, especially the non‐technological. The usual approach is too one‐sided. Invention and innovation phases received more attention than the requisitely holistic consideration of the diffusion phase. Social responsibility can help.

Research limitations/implications

The paper adds to requisite holism of IIDP management. It focuses on diffusion and its link with social responsibility.

Practical implications

The new approach to IIDP is widely applicable for requisitely holistic rather than one‐sided political or strategic decisions and actions. ISO 26000 can increase success of IIDP.

Originality/value

The concepts presented here are not detected in literature and offer great value for further research and understanding, designing and managing of IIDP. The selected dialectical system of viewpoints is original.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 40 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2006

Zdenka Ženko and Jure Marn

In this paper we tried to apply some system theory in the complex problems of intellectual property management by presenting some relevant current issues regarding standards and…

558

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper we tried to apply some system theory in the complex problems of intellectual property management by presenting some relevant current issues regarding standards and possibilities of computer software protection. Systemic approach to involvement in lucrative business of software is examined, from the point of innovations incorporated within standards and software.

Design/methodology/approach

Two competing concepts are confronted: public accessible standards, and public exclusionary patents, both in the area of software development and software patenting. Actual examples of controversies are presented, and commented.

Findings

Patents are legalized monopolies. Monopolists exact higher prices than free market enterprises. Our results indicate that there needs to be balance between public interest in free access to technological information and monopolies. Owing to the lack of system theory applied in this problem solving processes the issues remain unsolved and also unclear to many involved in the process.

Research limitations/implications

More research in different fields of specialization and selected view points would be needed to present, understand and excellently manage this area of intellectual property to balance the advantage of general public benefits versus inventors. In this paper only some economic and legal views are presented.

Practical implications

Implications for managers strategies are discussed. Managers should take active role in standard setting, and software patenting. Public interest should be in influencing these developments and regulations.

Originality/value

The subject of standards and software is a less studied one and is becoming more important.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 35 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2004

Matjaz Mulej, Vojko Potocan, Zdenka Zenko, Stefan Kajzer, Dusko Ursic, Jozica Knez‐Riedl, Monty Lynn and Jozef Ovsenik

Ludwig von Bertalanffy created general systems theory in an effort to counter the oversight and endangerment of humankind by disciplinary specialization. Bertalanffy desired for a…

1751

Abstract

Ludwig von Bertalanffy created general systems theory in an effort to counter the oversight and endangerment of humankind by disciplinary specialization. Bertalanffy desired for a holistic worldview and openness to replace overspecialization. Although widely cited and regarded, his concept prevailed only at a fictitious level, mostly as a tool inside specialization, which many scholars are neither able to overcome nor complement with interdisciplinary, creative co‐operation. Similarities (isomorphisms) are not enough. Here, a system of seven groups of systems thinking principles, which serve as a framework for restoring Bertalanffian systems thinking without his exaggerations is presented.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 33 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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