Narrow Results

This paper examines empirically the role of business intelligence (BI) in customer relationship management (CRM). Drawing on relevant literature on BI and CRM, the research model for the current investigation proposes that BI approaches of an organisation and its competition influence organisational business strategy which in turn impacts its customer strategy. The model is tested empirically using survey data of 165 respondents from 73 different private and state owned businesses operating in a transitional economy of East Europe. Empirical evidence confirms a key role of BI in CRM through its impact on organisational business and customer strategies development. Such findings make two important contributions. For research, they provide an improved understanding of the factors and processes involved in realising benefits from BI. For practice, they show managers how BI can be leveraged to achieve performance gains through competitive actions. Further research is recommended to confirm and extend the current investigation.

Globalization has often been suggested as a phenomenon that leads to terrorism due to the disruptions it causes. In the case of the former centrally planned economies of East Europe and Eurasia, however, greater levels of globalization have led to less terrorist incidents and casualties rather than more. Further, the terrorist attacks that did occur did not deter foreign direct investment in the region.

This study examines residential house price trends in the East European economies. The data are described and evaluated in terms of their quality and reliability; both official data from national statistical offices and that compiled by real estate companies are used. Current prices are evaluated in terms of the economic fundamentals in the region including GDP growth rates, interest rates, rental prices, alternative asset prices, and the availability of mortgages. The role of foreign currency mortgages is given special treatment given their importance in a number of countries and the vulnerabilities they introduce. For some of the markets a more detailed description of price trends by region or type of property is provided. Comparisons with western markets are made where appropriate. Generally it is concluded that price increases have been quite significant but any over appreciation is difficult to evaluate given the very positive changes in the economic fundamentals. In addition to price trends, the implications of the changing institutional structure of these mortgage markets are explained along with the implications of the housing market developments for consumer spending, fiscal and monetary policy. The possibility of a housing bubble and bust is examined along with its implications for the economy; policy options to minimize this likelihood and its consequences are also explored with due consideration of the limitations on macroeconomic policy options given the constraints imposed by euro accession in a number of the countries.