Inproforum, 2024 (vol. 18), issue 1

The bioeconomy involves the use of renewable biological resources such as crops, forests, fish, animals and micro-organisms to produce food, materials and energy. There is great optimism within the European Union about the benefits and opportunities that its development will bring. The path taken by the community of states towards sustainability involves creating a set of accessible indicators to measure the development of the bioeconomy at the EU member state level. The indicators should be largely identical to those of the green economy. The aim is to describe the development of the bioeconomy in the EU using a set of selected indicators. Furthermore, the paper should answer the question: Are there the same driving forces in the development of the bioeconomy as in the case of the green economy? The results showed that the bioeconomy is developing at the EU level. Additionally, correlations were found between several indicators. A question for future direction remains whether the indicators should be expanded, particularly to include socio-cultural or other factors.

This study builds on research presented last year on the application of advanced statistical methods in R software to analyze sustainability indicators in EU regions. Using R software, a widely used programming language for statistical calculations and data analysis, the study examines the availability of data from the Eurostat database necessary to calculate the Regional Human Development Index (RHDI) at various NUTS levels. The study evaluates missing data for the period 2000–2020 and explores the potential to impute these values using Amelia software in R, a specialized R package for multiple imputations. This method is used to estimate missing values, enhancing analytical quality. Furthermore, the study validates the methodology for setting limits for the Min-Max method used in the calculation of the subindicators of health, education and income. The data processing methodology recommended by the official RHDI guidelines was verified against actual Eurostat data. The objective was to determine whether Eurostat data could be used effectively to calculate indicators to assess the effectiveness of regional sustainability strategies within the EU.

Each national economy can be characterized by regional differences, with varying economic outcomes across different areas. These regional disparities are typically addressed through various tools aimed at achieving sustainable regional development. The governments of the Slovak Republic have implemented, and continue to implement, various forms of aid designed to elevate less developed regions to the level of more prosperous ones. One such tool is the provision of regional investment aid to investors entering these underdeveloped regions. The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the situation in the less developed regions of Slovakia, assess their level of development compared to more developed regions, and evaluate the regional investment aid provided to investors in these areas over last years. The paper uses available secondary data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic to identify regional disparities, as well as data from the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic on the aid provided to businesses during the selected period.

The transition to a circular economy is essential for addressing resource overuse and environmental challenges in Central Europe. This study examines the implementation of circular economy practices in six countries – Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, and Slovenia by analyzing key indicators, including waste generation, recycling rates, circular material use, and GHG emissions. Using comparative analysis of 2018 and 2020 data from EUROSTAT, along with sectoral analysis and a qualitative SWOT evaluation, the article identifies regional performance trends and sector-specific challenges. A development index quantifies progress across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, energy, and households, while comparisons with academic studies contextualize findings. The results reveal Austria’s leadership in recycling and innovation and Slovakia’s advancements in circular material use, alongside persistent challenges in Hungary and Poland related to declining recycling rates and weak infrastructure. While progress is evident, the study emphasizes the need for targeted investments in Innovation and infrastructure to fully realize the benefits of a circular economy in Central Europe.

This paper aims to explore the level of the sustainability commitment of early-stage entrepreneurs, recognizing that such commitment depends, at least in part, on supporting governmental programs and policies, cultural and social norms, perceptions of the priorities given to sustainability issues and quality of other components of the national entrepreneurial ecosystems. Datasets that feed into the k-means cluster analysis come from the adult population survey conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in 2023. The analysis of the data from 20 European countries that participated in the survey, shows that there are significant differences between two distinctive clusters of countries depending on the extent to which sustainability aspects and value creation goals are considered among entrepreneurs engaged in the early-stage entrepreneurial activity. Furthermore, the results show significant differences between these two clusters in terms of the quality of national entrepreneurial eco-systems. The results suggest that the quality of the national support has an important, yet not expected, influence on the sustainability considerations among early-stage entrepreneurial activity. A better understanding the complexity of the entrepreneurial eco-systems and their interactions with the extent of the sustainability considerations among new entrepreneurs may help to close the gap in the sustainability entrepreneurship research and fulfil the goals of the sustainable development agenda.

The existing literature reveals a significant gap in understanding how domestic politics influence stance on immigration policy. This study examines the impact of key domestic political factors on immigration policy stances within the Visegrad Group (V4) region, utilizing the Chapel Hill Expert Survey databases and applying Fixed Effect (FE) and interaction term econometric methods. The findings indicate that parliamentary power, ideology, and nationalism perspective of domestic political parties significantly contribute to restrictive stance on immigration policies, especially post-2015. At the country level, nationalism and ideology are crucial in Slovakia, while security concerns and parliamentary power dominate in Poland. In the Czech Republic and Hungary, a combination of ideology, security concerns, economic issues, and nationalism shapes their restrictive stances. The study highlights the complex interplay between political forces and immigration policy in the V4 region and advocates for more balanced and inclusive policies that address labor market inequalities and foster social cohesion, tailored to each country’s political and economic context. Acknowledging data constraints, the study emphasizes the need for further research on immigration policies and its labor market impacts.

Acknowledging the vital role of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth and a contributor to the overall health and prosperity of societies, this study examines the motivations and value creation goals of entrepreneurs during their early stages. Previous research indicated a mix of motivations that drive or spurs entrepreneurial activity. Entrepreneurs may have numerous motivational triggers, starting from the desire for autonomy, self-expression and the desire to make their own decisions as the most common, to more advanced motivational orientations such as to accumulate the great financial or economic wealth, or affect the pressing social issues and provide new innovative solutions for social or environmental challenges. Entrepreneurs may also be driven by the desire to continue a family tradition, or simply to provide employment for themselves, because of the scarcity of the available jobs around them. The aim of this study is to explore which factors influence early-stage entrepreneurs and how these factors affect each of the motivations. These influencing factors include socio-demographic aspects as well as attitudes towards business opportunities, entrepreneurship, media, growth aspirations, and sustainable development. Data were collected within the GEM research for Croatia in 2023. A representative sample of 256 individuals who were engaged in owning or managing early-stage entrepreneurial activity is analyzed applying multivariate multiple linear regression is used (MMR). The results show that although there are similarities in attitudes about social status and long-term planning, significant differences stem from age, focus on social and economic impact, fear of failure. Those who want to make a difference in the world and those who want to create wealth have different priorities, while entrepreneurs motivated by continuation of the family business or necessity may make decisions that have less to do with business opportunities and more to do with available resources and experiences.

While much literary work is increasing in the tourism business, little attention is given to the service quality of wellness and spa centers. Therefore, the present work aims to assess the service quality of the wellness and spa centers in Luhačovice, the Czech Republic using the SERVQUAL scale model. The study, which is cross-sectional, and quantitative, consists of 90 randomly selected participants visiting Wellness and Spa centers during 2 months of the data collection period. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis indices to establish the modified SERVQUAL scale's reliability, underlying dimensionality, and convergent, discriminant validity. Results show a moderate negative quality gap for overall wellness and spa center service quality. It also indicates a moderate negative quality gap on each service quality scale dimension, especially in the 'Tangibility dimension'. The scope of the present work is limited to the Luhačovice wellness and spa centers due to time and other resource constraints. However, the study's major contribution is that it offers a general framework to assess the service qualities of the wellness and spa centers.

This study presents a systematic literature review to consolidate research on the link between consumers' social media engagement and buying behavior. The research from 2018-2024 focuses on key engagement metrics and their correlation with consumer purchase intention and buying behavior. Considering the increasing volume of available social media data, it has become increasingly essential for firms to understand how these interactions can shed light on consumer buying habits. In this paper, the research presents evidence that firms can harness information in consumers' social media interactions to derive valuable insights about their buying behavior. In the review, the paper proposes ways in which data resulting from social media engagement can be used to predict consumer-specific and less-specific buying behavior. The research also provides future research directions.

Tourism is a well-known services industry with multidimensional impacts on different stakeholders. Residents as one important stakeholder play important role in the sustainability of tourism. In this regard, residents' empowerment is a critical factor in fostering sustainable tourism development with resulting impacts on their quality of life (QOL). This research carries out a literature review to explain how residents’ empowerment plays role in the sustainable tourism development and quality of life. The study’s analysis focuses on the articles available in the web of science database to highlight the current status of the knowledge and explore the potential areas for further research. The explored knowledge gaps will provide guidelines for future research. The study concludes by highlighting key findings and offering recommendations for future research in the field. 

The sales environment is a space that needs the interplay of several elements to create a pleasant atmosphere. The space must create a shopping experience, only then will custom-ers remember it better. One of the components of a good sales environment is music. It can positively influence consumers' mood, memory, attitude towards brands and purchase in-tentions. To properly approach the creation of a quality music backdrop, in this study we will focus on the analysis of Slovak consumers' music preferences using the FaceReader tool. The latter allows measuring and analysing emotional reactions to specific music stim-uli.  The aim is to investigate the impact of selected audio stimuli on consumers' emotional responses, recording and analysing expressions such as facial expressions and changes in emotional state. This implicit data is then compared with explicit feedback provided by consumers through Computer Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) questionnaire. The re-search results correlate the implicit feedback with stated preferences, offering a more com-prehensive view of music perceptions and preferences in the Slovak context

Nowadays, a strong competitive environment prevails, and businesses are forced to do their best to retain customers. Therefore, engagement marketing focuses not only on products or services offered but is characterized by building customer relationships via customer engagement. The research aims of this paper are to (1.) describe specific methods and tools used for customer engagement at a chosen sports club and (2.) find out customers’ preferences in the context of customer engagement. A mixed research approach was applied to obtain data: a mix of qualitative content analysis and a quantitative online survey. As for research results, the following activities boosting customer engagement were detected firstly: (i.) sports club’s profiles on social networks and its websites, (ii.) workshops, seminars, lectures, and courses, (iii.) special offers, promotions, and discounts, and (iv.) charity events and support towards the local community. Secondly, customers of the chosen sports club feel mostly engaged and appreciate activities organized by the sports club.

The Covid 19 pandemic had an impact on the behavior of individuals and households. The article first presents the general characteristics of the course of the Covid 19 pandemic in Slovakia, then explains the concept of sustainable consumption and its transfer to the sphere of behavior and practical activity of consumers during the Covid 19 pandemic. The starting point of the investigation is formulated research questions. The analysis of knowledge from empirical research is based on mathematical and statistical methods in order to answer research questions. From the data from the survey of various cities in Slovakia at the level of individuals and households, we identify four different clusters of consumers based on five groups of factors influencing their attitudes, which made it possible to define the main characteristics of consumers who have similar behavioral changes. Next, we illustrate which selected practices of sustainable consumption are most used by households and how the practices are related to the psychological and sociodemographic characteristics of consumers. The overall analysis shows that the structure of changes and actions of consumers, as well as the application of sustainable practices, differs in different social groups and also according to psychological and sociodemographic characteristics.

Online marketing is crucial for companies in the healthy eating sector, where increasing competition demands effective communication and strong brand building. This study highlights the importance of marketing strategies on online platforms and evaluates their impact on consumer behavior. It analyzes both rational and emotional factors that influence consumer preferences when choosing healthy food products and explores how businesses can leverage these factors to optimize their online marketing strategies.To confirm the research hypothesis, the study employed methods that analyze digital marketing strategies, including the use of advanced analytics, personalized content, and engagement through social media to better understand consumer needs.The results show that businesses can improve their online presence by creating visually appealing, authentic content, engaging influencers, and utilizing consumer feedback. These findings offer a guide to effectively applying digital tools in the competitive healthy food industry

The use of mobile apps in retail has become an inherent part of today’s consumers’ shopping experience, not just for groceries. Loyalty is what links the name of the grocery chain very closely with the loyalty member (shopper) and what the retailer prides itself on. Our study focuses on consumer perceptions and the effectiveness of retail chains ‘use of loyalty programs, with close attention to the aforementioned mobile applications. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) and System Usability Scale (SUS) metrics were used to assess consumer satisfaction and loyalty. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness and perception of loyalty applications of selected retail chains from the perspective of their active users. The analysis further highlights the importance of user experience when interacting with apps and their impact on long-term customer loyalty. The results provide insight into how differences in app design and functionality can affect the success of loyalty programs.

Tourism is a well-known services industry with a significant impact in the economy. However different risks are hindering its share in countries' sustainable development. This study attempts to examine prevailing risks and the way forward towards safe and resilient tourism for sustainable development in Ethiopia. The document analysis was used to draw evidence and deeply analyze reports from international organizations, government, the World Travel and Tourism Council and internet sources. The study reveals that security is a dominant risk in the tourism sector. The study concludes that the Government should eliminate security risks and cooperate with stakeholders to make a change in the tourism sector. Finally, limitation of study, future research direction and implications for the way forward towards resilient tourism are specified in the study.

Subliminal audio stimulation: A theoretical overview of effects and mechanisms influencing perception Subliminal audio stimulation, which uses sounds at a level of consciousness unobserved, has the potential to influence perception, behavior and emotional response in individuals. This article offers a theoretical summary of the mechanisms, effects, and applications of subliminal audio stimuli. The review covers the historical development, basic principles, and neuropsychological mechanisms through which these stimuli can influence brain activity and decision-making. The article also examines various experimental studies and applications of subliminal stimulation in areas such as marketing, therapy, and cognitive performance, focusing on the ethical aspects and possible implications of this technique. The results of these investigations may contribute to a better understanding of the abilities of sound stimuli to improve human perception and decision-making processes. Objective: The aim of the article is to examine the theoretical mechanisms and applications of subliminal sound stimuli in various fields, with an emphasis on their influence on behavior, emotional reactions and decision-making. Methods: This review is based on an analysis of current research and experimental studies investigating subliminal sound cues in a variety of contexts, including marketing and psychology. Results: Research suggests that subliminal sounds can improve attention, emotional response, and decision-making, and may have significant applications in marketing and therapy. However, the ethical and moral issues surrounding their use require further attention.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) covering complex economic, social, and environmental issues requires an active partnership between multi-stakeholders. When cooperating, stakeholders can share knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources to approach sustainable development effectively. This paper aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the role of cooperative strategy in sustainable development. Methodologically, this research develops a systematic literature review based on existing papers published in the last five years and available in the Scopus and Web of Science academic databases.  As a result, 21 publications were selected and analyzed to identify patterns and gaps in understanding the cooperative strategy in the context of sustainability and propose directions for future research. Overall, this research provides valuable insights for practitioners and academics interested in cooperative strategies and sustainable development.

This paper examines the impact of digitalization on the competitiveness of small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia. In a rapidly changing business landscape, SMEs face many challenges and opportunities brought about by technological advances. The study analyses how digital transformation affects key competitiveness factors such as operational efficiency, market access, innovation capabilities and customer engagement. The data was collected through available stastistic data, providing insights into the current adoption of digital technologies and the barriers that businesses face in effectively using these tools. The findings suggest that SMEs which are using digital solutions show increased productivity, better market adaptability and improved customer satisfaction, which contribute significantly to their competitiveness. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited financial resources, lack of digital skills and inadequate infrastructure persist and hinder the wider adoption of these solutions. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy makers and business support organisations on how to create the conditions to foster digital growth, which is key to increasing the resilience and global competitiveness of Slovak SMEs.

The article discusses the critical role of project management in the success of team-oriented tasks. The study explores how personality tests, particularly the Belbin Team Roles test, optimize team composition and improve team performance. The article distinguishes between groups and teams, highlighting that effective teams possess shared goals, complementary skills, and strong collaboration dynamics. The article also presents a study comparing two project teams: one formed naturally and the other structured based on Belbin test results. Through the analysis of performance metrics such as productivity, adherence to budget, and communication efficiency, the research demonstrates that diverse and well-balanced teams perform better, as identified through personality tests. The conclusion recommends that organizations integrate personality assessments into team formation processes to enhance efficiency and collaboration in project-based environments. The main contribution of the paper is to highlight the importance of the variety of methods used in the formation of work teams, as after the study was conducted, the use of solely the Belbin test was proved to be limiting. The article also supports the importance of the combination of methods in monitoring team performance. Likewise, the article considers it important to emphasize the continuous deepening of knowledge of communication, collaboration and enabling career growth in leadership positions.

This article focuses on the analysis of demographic indicators in the Czech Republic, with an emphasis on South Bohemia. The main objective is to evaluate changes in the old-age dependency ratio (ODR) and young-age dependency ratio (YDR) in different regions and to identify critical factories that affect it. The results show that areas with high ODR, such as Jindřichův Hradec, Písek, and Hradec Králové, face significant challenges, especially in connection with labour shortages, which can negatively affect the sustainability of local businesses. On the other hand, regions such as Prague East, with low ODR and high YDR, have a younger demographic structure, which supports their economic growth and attractiveness to young families. The article also concludes by outlining how these demographic differences may affect the ability of companies to adapt to changing market conditions and maintain competitiveness.

Currently, the cement industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions and as such faces severe environmental constraints despite its importance for infrastructure development. Manufacturing of cement, including in the Republic of Iraq, will have a significant role to play in post-conflict economic recovery. Profiling of strategic management practices to improve sustainability and efficiency in the cement factories of Iraq: A focus group study to assess the level of implementation of sustainability practices and their associations with operational efficiency (e.g., CO2 emissions reduction, energy usage). This study used a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis of data from 19 cement factories and qualitative interviews with key decision-makers. Quantitative data was collected on sustainability performance, energy outcomes, emissions, and operational efficiency, while qualitative insights were provided through semi-structured interviews exploring participants' attitudes towards sustainability as well as barriers to strategic implementation. The potential prevalent usage of waste management systems (100%), energy efficiency measures (79%), and alternative fuel usage (63%) is shown in the results. There are water conservation strategies in only 37% of factories. Improved energy efficiency was highly correlated (r = 0.72) with the adoption of sustainability practices. Manufacturers that continued investing in energy-saving features, such as heat recovery systems and alternative fuels, are now using significantly less electricity and producing fewer greenhouse gases per manufactured unit. While these sustainable practices are meant to clear a path for improvements regarding environmental and operational outcomes, challenges exist in the forms of high implementation costs and lack of technical expertise that hinder worldwide adoption. There needs to be a concerted effort between key players in industry and government to tackle these problems head-on if Iraq's cement industry is to remain sustainable for the long term.

Employee burnout has become a global issue with significant implications for both individuals and organizations. With the emergence of new work arrangements, the question of how these new work models and increased levels of employee autonomy affect burnout rates has become a focal point for businesses. Understanding the relationships between these factors is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent burnout, promote well-being, and enhance job performance. This paper provides a systematic review of the literature on the impact of hybrid work arrangements and the degree of autonomy among employees working in these arrangements on burnout. Based on a systematic review of the literature, we identified and examined three main areas of current research: (1) the impact of work arrangements on employee burnout, (2) the impact of autonomy in performing employee tasks on their burnout, and (3) methods and tools to reduce employee burnout rates. This systematic literature review provides a framework for future research in this area and identifies gaps that require further attention, such as examining the direct impacts of autonomy in multiple areas on employee burnout, as this area has not been sufficiently explored.

The study provides a systematic review of theory surrounding corporate culture as an employee retention tool. We define corporate culture as an informal institution characterized by behavioral patterns reinforced by people and events. The research focused on theoretical approaches and concepts related to corporate culture. It explores how different concepts and tools influence employee retention in companies. The primary objective of the study is to examine how corporate culture can influence employee loyalty, satisfaction, commitment and job performance, and how it can be used in mitigating employee turnover. The analysis includes theoretical models highlighting factors such as values, behaviors, communication, or interactions across the enterprise and their relationship to employee motivation and retention. The systematic approach covered the analysis of scholarly and professional articles, various academic databases and publications that contained relevant information within the field of corporate culture and its impact on the work environment. The results indicated that the existence of a strong corporate culture in a company, in the context of building a positive work environment, promotes employee satisfaction and increases employee loyalty to the company. The study concludes with a framework for future research in the area and recommendations for managers in the need to strategically build a strong corporate culture that acts as a tool for achieving higher employee engagement, satisfaction and performance. In turn, it minimizes human capital turnover.

One of the assumptions of economic sustainability in industrial enterprises is the effective management of material resources necessary to produce their own goods. Procurement risks can seriously threaten the sustainability of production. The aim of this contribution is, through the qualitative and quantitative data analysis, to point out the importance of procurement risk management in the procurement process and also to show the most commonly perceived risks in a period of uncertainty.

Gender role stereotypes in our society assign typical characteristics to men and women, which often complement each other as opposites, determining our expectations of individual women and men and our actions towards them in specific situations (Karsten, 2006). Gender inequality has been linked to humanity since ancient times. Sociological research at the beginning of the third millennium (CVVM Research November 2006) found that "gender conservatism", clinging to traditional views and gender roles, still prevails in the Czech Republic.
At the same time, empirical findings suggest that the Czech population is now generally in favour of gender equality in the area of reconciling work and family (i.e. an egalitarian model). But is this really the case in our Czech conditions and withinin Czech universities?
This paper is about the issue of future managers. Generations influencing or contributing to gender equality or inequality. The results summarize ideas about what men and women managers should be, what qualities they should have and what values they should cherish.
The data obtained through a questionnaire survey among students of bachelor's and master's degree programs of the Faculty of Economics of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice were evaluated using the semantic differential technique. It was found that the students' view of the female manager as well as the male manager is very balanced. The curves are around the mean values. There was a very slight disparity in creativity, charisma, leadership and planning and activity skills in the evaluation of women managers. On the other hand, there is a marginally noticeable improvement in the view of traits for control ability, tolerance and empathy. For male managers, there was a slight negative trend for some traits. These are control ability, empathy and loyalty, humility, openness and assertiveness, sense of humour and motivation. Slightly positive developments occur for composure, charisma and communication. It was found that students are not influenced by stereotypical ideas about the managerial position. The overall view reveals the balance of opinion of students in all the necessary characteristics of a manager.

The success of the company is created primarily by managers. To achieve prosperity, profit, and development, it is necessary for everyone to show a great deal of effort and use it to achieve the set goals. For the best cooperation between employees, a key element is needed, and that is the manager. The manager is the one who gives the company the right direction, sets goals, controls, and makes decisions. The article aims to evaluate managerial impact on the success of agricultural enterprises for sustainable growth and to evaluate the personality of the manager in the selected agricultural enterprise by compares of realized researches in the world and case study from the Slovakia. The point of running a successful agricultural business is to do things for people and with people. Only with such cooperation, support, communication, regular information, and acceptance of individual actors is it possible to create a successful agricultural enterprise on the market.

Generation Z is entering the workforce with distinct expectations that challenge employees. Some companies implement trainee programs to deliver specific learning activities for university graduates, such as job rotation, project management, mentoring or other methods for employee development in a form of a trainee program However, the relevance of these programs for Generation Z remains in question. A pilot qualitative research study was conducted using a literature review and a mixed-methods approach. The article aims to contribute to the theory of employee development as it relates to Generation Z. Additionally; it offers practical recommendations for companies on how to design training programs that are suitable for today’s university graduates, along with identifying key elements of a successful training program for Generation Z in a business environment. Findings from semi-structured interviews, supplemented by Computer-Assisted Web Interviews (CAWI), highlight the motivations of Generation Z and the critical aspects of training programs, particularly in onboarding and their participation during the first year. These findings raise further research questions regarding training methods for Generation Z employees.

The article's main aim is to identify the reverse transfer of knowledge from business centers in CEE to their parent companies. The article uses case studies of selected business centers in CEE. The study includes 4 business centers in selected CEE countries. These countries are Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. Business centers are currently an important source of information and knowledge for parent companies. Based on our research, it can be concluded that there is no single model of knowledge transfer from business centers in CEE to their parent companies. It can be concluded that there is a transfer of knowledge not only to the parent company but also to other centers within the group. A limitation of our research is the limited number of research objects. In the future, our research can be extended to other centers operating in Slovakia as well as in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

This study explores the impact of digitalization on the sustainability of creative industries in Slovakia and the Visegrad Group (V4), focusing on ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Through a mixed-method approach combining qualitative trend analysis and quantitative correlation studies, the research identifies digitalization as a driver of resource efficiency, innovation, and economic independence. However, challenges such as increased energy consumption, e-waste, and digital inequities persist. The findings highlight the need for green technology adoption, improved digital infrastructure, and inclusive policies to ensure balanced and sustainable development, leveraging digitalization's transformative potential for the creative sector.

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 created many challenges to the society. In order to protect the health of individuals, governments introduced many restrictions. One of the most common ones was social distancing. As a result, the consumption in physical stores was very limited and thus shifted into the e-commerce sector. This study aims to analyze the development of e-commerce sector in Finland in comparison to Sweden based on the available urbanization segmentation on Eurostat. The research method involves collection and analysis of data available at Eurostat. The results of the study suggest that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government restrictions, there was a different development of the e-commerce sector in Finland than in Sweden. Finland recorded a greater increase in e-commerce turnover in suburb and rural areas whereas Sweden noted more significant increase in the e-commerce sector in individuals living in cities. Moreover, the outcome indicates that even after the most significant pandemic times has passed, the number of purchases performed via e-commerce platforms has remained at a higher level than during the pre-pandemic times. Hence that, there is an increasing tendency in the number of purchases performed via e-commerce platforms, which is the case for both investigated countries. Consequently, it could be assumed that due to the change in the customer purchases which were at first performed via online platforms due to the necessity of protection of health, created a new habit in customers who prefer to perform purchases via e-commerce platforms even in the present.

This paper examines the impact of labor market institutions on unemployment rates in OECD countries during the period 2000-2019. Using panel data and fixed effects estimation, we analyze how institutional variables such as minimum wage, union density, wage bargaining coordination, unemployment benefits, and active and passive labor market policies affect overall unemployment rate, long-term unemployment, and youth unemployment. Our findings challenge the traditional deregulation paradigm by showing that most institutional rigidities, when examined in isolation, do not exhibit significant effects on unemployment rates. The only consistently significant relationship was found between passive labor market policies and all types of unemployment, suggesting a positive correlation. These results contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating that the relationship between labor market institutions and unemployment is more complex than often assumed and depends on broader institutional context and interactions. Our findings support the argument that a "one size fits all" approach to labor market reform may not be appropriate and that institutional arrangements need to be analyzed holistically, taking into account country-specific contexts and potential complementarities between different institutions.

The scientific study will focus on the digital era and its reflection in the theoretical background of employers' expectations of employees in the IT sector. At the same time, we will also present selected results of the research that was conducted as part of the project UK/1135/2024 Employers' Job Expectations of Employees in the IT Sector in the Digital Era.

The global economic environment offers extraordinary opportunities to leverage comparative and absolute advantages, leading to significant changes in labor productivity and the efficiency of economic cooperative links. Although all participants in global markets generally benefit from these processes, the distribution of benefits is uneven, provoking social resistance to globalization despite data confirming its overall contribution. The pressure to implement measures against climate change introduces a new factor that fundamentally impacts the existing economic order.
The article compares statistical data on labor productivity growth, environmental measures, and their impact on international trade. It considers the differences in wage levels, exchange rates, raw material availability, transportation costs, and regional tax policies. The research focused on identifying key factors influencing changes in the division of labor and industrial sectors among global regions.
The results show that support for renewable energy sources and the varying pace of climate measure implementation significantly disrupt the existing economic balance. There are only two possible paths: either developed countries abandon key industrial sectors with potential strategic and defensive consequences, or it will be necessary to adopt new rules for foreign trade, such as through ecological tariffs and restrictions, or to relax climate goals. This analysis highlights the need to balance environmental requirements and economic stability.

The urgency of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is evident, yet progress remains insufficient in key areas such as decent work and economic growth, reducing inequality, and responsible consumption and production. This paper explores the systemic obstacles hindering progress in these areas, with a focus on factors such as low wages, constrained consumption, and inefficient resource allocation. The study seeks to examine these barriers through an analytical framework aimed at identifying their root causes and implications. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of economic and social dimensions of inequality, consumption, consumption footprint and circularity and offer insights for addressing these challenges. By synthesizing the results, the paper provides a foundation for future policy recommendations and highlights the need for targeted interventions to ensure sustainable development.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and risks for sustainable development. AI has the potential to transform industries, enhance resource efficiency, and tackle environmental challenges. However, it also poses significant risks, such as higher energy consumption and growing socio-economic inequality through job displacement. Without proper regulation, AI may further contribute to environmental degradation and social disparities. This paper employs a qualitative comparative policy analysis approach to examine AI strategies in Visegrad Group countries, focusing on environmental sustainability and labour market protections. The findings reveal that the Czech Republic leads with a comprehensive strategy, integrating measurable ecological targets and clearly defined responsibilities for implementing these objectives across relevant government bodies. Slovakia, by contrast, is the only country in the Visegrad Group without a dedicated AI strategy, relying instead on a broader digitalization framework that fails to address the specific challenges and opportunities associated with AI. Poland and Hungary demonstrate notable strengths, such as promoting energy-efficient AI technologies and implementing detailed reskilling programs; however, their goals remain overly general and vague, lacking clear specificity. It is unclear who holds responsibility for achieving these objectives or how their implementation will be monitored. By identifying key policy interventions, this study offers insights into aligning AI development with sustainability objectives to foster a more equitable and environmentally responsible future.
 

The aim of the contribution is to provide an explanation of the mechanism of the functioning of the shared economy in social agriculture projects through an interdisciplinary approach of interested social sciences (economics, economic and social policy theory, sociology, etc.). Orientation to the issue of creating shared work to support employees with the stated needs in rural and suburban areas is considered the main priority. In essence, it is about supporting families in raising children, caring for close people with disabilities, etc. The importance of employing seniors and people in pre-retirement age as a result of the phenomenon of population aging is also not negligible.

Capital productivity is one of the factors that can influence the cost structure of firms. Firms are interested in using their capital as efficiently as possible to achieve higher productivity and reduce the cost per unit of output, thereby improving their competitiveness and profitability of the firm. The aim of this paper was to assess if the change in capital productivity has an impact on the cost structure in terms of personnel costs and material costs for manufacturing firms (textile industry) in EU 27 countries. An empirical study of 1407 textile firms showed that capital productivity is affected by the amount of tangible and intangible fixed assets acquired. It was found that over the period under study, as the size of fixed assets increased, firms were able to increase capital productivity and to use newly acquired assets more efficiently to increase firm revenues. The impact of the change in capital productivity of enterprises on the change in the share of personnel costs and share of material costs has not been found.

The proliferation of mobile money services within the Sub-Saharan region has been of great benefit to most economies as it has helped in bringing financial inclusion, especially to the less privileged. However, most of these economies for instance Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, etc. have implemented taxes on their mobile money services which have in some way affected the service. Just like these economies, the Ghanaian government decided to implement an electronic levy (E-Levy) on mobile money transactions as a way to increase revenue to aid in solving its pending financial issues. This created an uproar in the country as most people were against its implementation. The citizens were of the view that there were better alternatives than the imposition of a new tax.
This research was conducted to identify the financial implications that implementing this electronic levy would have on the economy of Ghana. In conducting the research, a questionnaire-based approach was used to find out from Ghanaians the kind of effects the implementation of the tax has had on their day-to-day activities. Most respondents confirmed that the implementation of the tax has been more of a bane than a benefit to them as individuals and the economy as a whole.
Even though the implementation of this tax is still in its early stages, this research concluded that even though the electronic levy can be a great avenue to increase revenue, its implementation was not properly planned and executed as it was implemented at the wrong time where the economy is already in shambles with inflation rates soaring over the roofs. The government should therefore revise their plan for implementation and re-strategize and inculcate the views of the citizens so that they can feel part of the process. This can bring harmony between the government and the citizens who are the taxpayers.

This paper conducts a case study comparing the effectiveness of a modified Continuous Rank Length (CRL) metric with the Stochastic Dominance approach in portfolio optimization. The modified CRL method, designed to assess portfolio performance across the entire time interval, provides a holistic evaluation of rank stability, while Stochastic Dominance offers a robust framework for comparing return distributions. The analysis of simulated portfolios demonstrates that SD consistently identifies portfolios with the highest returns and lowest risks, particularly in early periods of the dataset. Conversely, CRL excels at selecting portfolios with enhanced long-term stability but is less efficient due to computational demands and broader stock inclusion. These findings provide actionable insights into the trade-offs between maximizing returns, ensuring stability, and managing computational resources in portfolio selection.

Digitalization currently affects several aspects of fiscal policy, and financial administration must figure out how to deal with modern and progressive strategies to ensure their effectiveness in collecting tax revenues. The paper deals with the progress of digitalization in the context of value added tax (VAT). For EU Member States, the revenues from VAT influence the prosperity of their economy since it represents a significant part of their tax mix. A few years ago, the European Commission started discussing the modernization of VAT's approach in the context of digitalization. This resulted in the proposal of a new directive called ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age). The approach focuses mainly on e-invoicing, making reporting transactions easier and quicker. Furthermore, the proposal of the ViDA Directive represents a single VAT registration and regulation of digital platforms. The aim of the article is to introduce the reader to the ViDA Directive and highlight that each EU Member State needs to start preparing for the new EU legislation.

The paper deals with the evaluation of approaches to the ESG reporting used by chosen companies. Apart from companies that report by law or completely voluntarily, some companies are forced to create sustainability reports by their business partners and end customers, who are increasingly interested in this area. The evaluated group of companies also includes representatives of the TOP 10 large companies in the Forbes ESG rating 2023. The objective of the paper is to critically evaluate the approach of a selected group of companies to the creation of sustainability reports.

The aim of this paper is to assess the financial health of firms involved in an inter-firm network based on supplier-customer relationships. A real fragment of the automotive supply network was analysed. The financial health of each part of the network was assessed using a combination of the following bankruptcy and solvency models: IN01 model, Index Solvency, Taffler's model and Kralick's QT. The results of the bankruptcy models, K-means cluster analysis and functional analysis were complemented by core periphery analysis. By using these methods together, it was possible to identify the centre and periphery of the network and assess the differences in their financial health.

The aim of the article is to quantify the possible tax income from still wine for public budgets. The Ministry of Finance has evaluated the possibilities of introducing a higher than zero rate on still wines several times. Still wine is the only alcoholic beverage without excise duty. The Czech Republic applies a zero rate on still wines as well. The author assumes the same rate for still wines as the rate for sparkling wines and intermediate products. The tax will increase the price of a 0.7 l bottle of wine by CZK 18. The results of the article show a possible tax amount of around 4 billion CZK. The National Budget Council also presents a similar result. This revenue is much higher for public budgets than the tax on sparkling wine and intermediate products. However, tradition, popularity of the drink and pressure from producers are of great importance.

The long-term process of harmonization of Czech accounting legislation and elements of International Financial Reporting Standards should culminate in an amendment to the Accounting Act. Unfortunately, its final form and validity are constantly postponed, and so far, unofficial sources speak of a deadline of 2027. The paper will outline the main directions already incorporated into accounting legislation from 2024 and other breakthrough areas for the Czech accounting environment in which IFRS/IAS principles will be applied.

Cultural and creative industries (CCI) represent an important sector that combines economic, social and cultural contribution to the development of regions. As part of this article, a questionnaire survey was conducted among municipalities with more than 2,500 inhabitants in the South Bohemian Region, the aim of which was to determine the state and potential of cultural activities and facilities in these municipalities. The questionnaires focused on the availability of cultural events, the availability of cultural facilities, the involvement of different target groups, cross-border cooperation and further education opportunities. The results showed that most municipalities are trying to support cultural life but are struggling with a lack of funds and qualified personnel. Further education of cultural workers is perceived by the municipalities as a key factor for increasing the quality of the services provided. The study emphasizes the need for greater support of cultural infrastructure from regional and state institutions. The results provide important data for planning the development of the cultural and creative sector in the region. The questionnaire survey is thus a valuable source of information for future strategic decisions in the field of culture and creativity.

This study aimed to analyze the Harmonized Risk Indicator to study the potential risks for the pesticide business in the EU-27 (European Union-27). This study also focused on total pesticide sales to observe the progress of pesticide business in the EU-27 toward pesticide risk reduction. Data for pesticide sales for the EU-27 was obtained from the Eurostat database from 2011 to 2021. Data was analyzed for trends and regression using Microsoft Excel. The finding revealed that the pesticide market in EU-27 has grown significantly in previous years, and the trend has recently declined. Overall, pesticide sales increased in 2011 in EU-27 and decreased between 2012 and 2103. Sales increased significantly in 2014, 2016, and 2018. However, in 2019, sales saw a drastic decline; that could be a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, a rise in sales from 2020 to 2021 was observed, but in 2022, a remarkable decline was observed in the pesticide business in EU-27. This study also discussed the risk reduction index based on the type of pesticide used, and analysis of the harmonized risk indicator showed that EU-27 has been very concerned with reducing the risk to human health and the environment from pesticides since 2011 and is using low-risk active substances and microorganisms to combat pests instead of active and toxic chemicals. It was concluded that the EU- 27 pesticide business fluctuated significantly by 2022, and rising food production demands and sustainable agricultural practices drove the risk reduction index.

Agricultural subsidies are a key element of agriculture and have a major impact on international trade. In the European Union, the policy supporting agricultural incomes is called the Common Agricultural Policy, which is a complex system involving various instruments. The impact of this policy on the economic performance of farms is, therefore, an interesting topic, especially for policymakers. Czech agriculture has undergone major policy changes that have affected its position in the national economy and its importance at the regional level. Differences in natural conditions, as well as economic and social inequalities, continue to affect the level of gross agricultural production. Using a mixed-effects model, this study analyzed data from 10 South Bohemian farms (2012–2021). Results indicate that subsidies have a positive but statistically insignificant effect on economic performance, while assets positively and significantly contribute to profitability. Conversely, liabilities and investments in long-term assets negatively impact economic performance. These findings highlight the importance of asset management and cautious debt strategies for farm sustainability.

This study aimed to analyze growth trends of different European regions for organic crop production in the agriculture sector up to 2023. This study also focused on a comparative analysis of organic crop production in different countries in European regions. Data for organic crop production for different European regions was obtained from the Eurostat database from 2011 to 2023 and analyzed for trends and regression using Microsoft Excel. Our findings revealed Poland from Eastern Europe, France from Western Europe, Finland from Northern Europe, and Italy and Spain from Southern Europe with the most significant overall organic crop production in 2023. Typically, better yields in organic farming in the southern region than in the other regions of Europe are due to good weather, which affects overall output. This study concluded that organic crop production is becoming increasingly significant in Southern Europe compared to other regions, greatly enhancing the region's agricultural sustainability and biodiversity preservation and busting the regional economy by promoting organic farming business. While organic crop production is generally on the rise, obstacles still exist to overcome before obtaining consistent growth and support throughout Europe.

The presence of various market failures in placing foodstuff on market is a phenomenon that can also be identified across European countries. From an economic point of view, it is possible to discuss food safety in the context of the development and financial stability of the agro-food industry value chains. The given sector in some EU member states has faced and is still facing pressure to reduce food producers´ prices often below the level of production costs, which can negatively affect food safety standards. This relationship consequently touches the issue of wasting natural resources and related processed foods, which do not meet the minimum legal requirements for their safety. EU member countries use for these purposes a type of “safety net” via an information exchange instrument named Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASSF). This instrument is sharing information both with public authorities and also consumers. This article aims at identification of RASSF notifications provided by the Czech Republic during years 2023 and 2024 from the point of view of financial situation of respective food producers involved in this notification alerts. Based on the partial results of this article, it was concluded that the indicators of financial stability and revenue areas can be indirectly considered as proxy variables affecting the complex quality of food production. The comprehensive provision of information on the quality management of food production by individual producers can therefore be considered a fundamental aspect influencing consumer behaviour, which is related to the possibility of continuous improvement of the concepts of sustainable food quality assurance.

The paper assesses the economic viability of Czech agricultural enterprises and the connection between economic viability and the ability to create value. From the possible definitions of economic viability, we choose the concept of Farm Economic Viability and use IN99 to estimate the ability of the farm to create value. The empirical analysis was carried out on a sample of agricultural enterprises from the collected database from 2013 - 2022. Differences in the viability of enterprises were tested according to the enterprise's affiliation with disadvantaged areas. The results indicate a strong dependence of value creation on the economic viability of farms.