Factors leading to the success and competitive edge of Barum continental, Czech republic

Abstract

The causes of the success or failure of the development of manufacturing and commercial enterprises in countries with transitive economies is a great-and often overlooked problem. The solution of which could serve as a multi-faceted enlightenment and guidance not only for domestic enterprises, but also for those enterprises and institutions abroad, which have an interest in cooperating with, and doing business in, the Czech Republic. Research carried out during 2000-2003 by the Faculty of Management and Economics at Tomas Bata University in Zlin sought the answer to the question, "Which factors and to what degree did Competitive Advantages and Competitive Ability play in the success of the tyre manufacturing enterprise Barum Continental a.s.? The perspective and starting point of the case-study herein presented is based on the characteristics and current level of Barum Continental, and its place within the Continental Group of companies and among the enterprises within the Czech Republic. Further, it continues to deal with the discovery and determination of what methods can be used to uncover influential factors, and in what way did the individual methods applied demonstrate their causality in the recognition of success factors? The Conclusions section presents a preliminary evaluation and the synthesis of objective observations about these relevant success factors and competitive abilities.