ISBN online: 978-80-7509-820-7 | DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7
10th International Conference on Management
10.–10. 6. 2021 Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
- Hana Stojanová (Ed.), Helena Chládková (Ed.)
Published: 2021, online: 2021, publisher: Mendelova univerzita v Brně
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Conference papers
A CONTENT OF HEAVY METALS IN E-WASTE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VARIOUS LIGHTG SOURCES
Barbora RANTOVÁ, Martin ŠOTNAR, Milan GERŠL, Jan MAREČEK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0016
Demand for light sources increases with the increasing energetic, technologic, and economic requirements of society. The lifetime hours of lamps are longer; however, such a waste still makes up a portion of waste production. The content of toxic metals is one of the factors that influence the environmental impact during their life cycle. Discharged light sources are separated, recycled or disposed. The sorted material can be reused as a secondary raw material, or the waste can be energetically recovered in an incinerator. One of the most disadvantageous options is landfill deposition. The separated fractions of such waste can be reused in terms of lowering the amount of waste and enhancing the circularity. Although compact fluorescent lamps and LEDs are energetically more convenient, their material requirements are more demanding. Purpose: The aim of the study, was to evaluate the heavy metal composition regarding environmental factors, considering the lifetime hours and luminescence. Design/methodology/approach: The content of heavy metals of fluorescent lamp, LED lamp and incandescent light bulb was studied using the XRF analyser. The illuminance of the light sources was measured by a lux meter. Findings: Based on the results, the LED light sources seem to be the most convenient. From the analysis, these light sources contain the lowest amount of copper and lead, also from the perspective of the lifetime hours and already existing collecting system.
A NEW TYPE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE DERIVED FROM FORESTRY
Luboš STANĚK, Radomír ULRICH, Ladislav ZVĚŘINA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0022
In forestry, dendromass for energy purposes can be obtained in the form of firewood. Alternatively, it can be sourced as so-called logging debris, which remains in the forest after logging trees, among other things, as stumps or roots. Stumps and roots are difficult to transport and contain a large proportion of soil and stones. One of the possible ways of stump extraction is with grubbing heads.
Therefore, a new prototype of a grubbing head has been developed and it will be used to obtain logging waste from forest clearance areas. The advantage of this grubbing head is that it is possible to move the stump after it has been torn out, so that the soil is separated from the stump. The surface is then adjusted and aligned with the head. With the help of the excavator boom, parts of the stump are stored in piles, from which they are transported to the dendromass storage. After reaching 30% moisture, they are pulverized into energy chips, which are then taken to an incinerator or power plant. The resulting wood chips have an optimal calorific value and are presented as a renewable energy source produced from logging debris.
After processing all the data, which are based on several field measurements undertaken, the average processing time of one stump was found to be three minutes. In one hour, an experienced operator is able to process up to 20 stumps on average.
A SENCE OF SAFETY AS AN ELEMENT OF MEDICAL WORKERS RELATIONS MANAGEMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Anna ALBRYCHIEWICZ-SŁOCIŃSKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0029
Ensuring a sense of safety at the place of work is definitely one of the priority aspects of managing medical workers in a crisis situation formed as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Furthermore, care for good employee relations is a special challenge for the managerial staff, taking into consideration the intensity of stress and possibility of conflicts.
Purpose: The aim of the article is to present the views of medical personnel on their sense of safety at work during the COVID-19 pandemic as an element shaping relations among employees.
Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in December 2020 on a representative sample of Polish medical workers. It focused on learning their opinions on functioning in the workplace in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using the CATI method.
Findings: Research results show relations between the sense of safety at work of medical personnel and relations among employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research limitations: The COVID-19 pandemic situation, affecting organizations and society, is unprecedented due to its increase, resources or solutions involved, and the lack of existing literature.
Practical implications: The presented research results emphasized the importance of the sense of safety at work during the COVID-19 pandemic and also indicated the important role of the human resource management in shaping good relations among employees in this crisis situation.
ACTUAL CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SPILLOVERS WITHIN ACTIVITIES OF FOODBANKS: FOCUS ON THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Andrea MARTINČIČ, Lukáš POLÁČEK, Jan VAVŘINA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0038
Purpose: The sectoral point of view regarding food production and distribution determines food banks within intentions to reduce food waste by helping people in need. The growing trend in the use of food banks is mainly associated with changes in the living standards of the population, especially in connection with the current COVID-19 crisis.
Design/methodology/approach: In the current crisis, we can expect a growing need for help from food banks and the visibility of hidden problems in their operations. This article aims to identify the common factors for sustainable services provision of food banks and focuses on the situation in the Czech Republic
Findings: There are provided results of a questionnaire survey conducted among representatives and members of the Czech Federation of Food Banks, revealing identified common factors for sustainable services of food banks in the Czech Republic.
Research limitations: Although the current state of financial support for ensuring the activities of food banks by the state is assessed by food banks positively, the effort to change the scheme of financing food banks in the Czech Republic persists and it is even intensifying. The survey conducted among food banks also pointed out at the need to ensure non-financial support for the activities of food banks, including information support on the operations side.
Social implications: Partial results point out at the field of public awareness and a need for advisory support within operational activities of food banks in the Czech Republic. Food banks are intended to assist people in material need through charitable and humanitarian organizations acting as a cooperating organization within a respective region.
ANALYSIS OF GREEN GROWTH IN FOREST CONDITIONS
Iveta HAJDÚCHOVÁ, Stanislava KRIŠŤÁKOVÁ, Christian MIKLER
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0047
The aim of the work is the analysis of green growth in the conditions of forestry. Based on the analysis of green growth indicators, we compiled a questionnaire focused on the current situation of LH. The purpose of green growth is to use indicators to implement a strategy in forest companies that, on the one hand, will bring economic growth and, on the other hand, reduce the impact of increasing performance on the environment. Green growth in the conditions of the Slovak Republic deals with increasing economic growth and at the same time tries to minimize the influencing effects of environmental problems such as air quality, the level of recycling, and environmental protection on natural capital. Based on the analysis of secondary sources aimed at approaching the issue of green growth and its indicators, a questionnaire survey was prepared. The questionnaire consisted of openended and closed-ended questions and was divided into four main areas of study of green growth. Based on a questionnaire survey, the situation in forestry in the conditions of the Slovak Republic was mapped. The results show that the introduction of a green growth strategy into forestry is important in terms of long-term economic growth and minimizing environmental impacts.
APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF FRAMES IN ORGANISATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Leszek CICHOBŁAZIŃSKI
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0056
This article deals with the use of Frame Analysis in research and organisational conflict. The first part of the study includes the theoretical foundations of the frame analysis in its classic form presented by Erving Goffman. The following sections include a discussion of the concepts in the area of management sciences that allow the incorporation of frame theory into organisational studies. The empirical section includes an analysis of the cases of parties' behaviour during mediation in collective disputes, which were interpreted in light of the frame theory.
Purpose: The aim of the paper is examine how the Frame Analysis can be useful for the organizational conflict resolution.
Methodology: The analysis is based on the assumptions of the methodology of qualitative research in sociology. The article ends with theoretical and practical conclusions regarding the explanation of the course of an organizational conflict and the role of the mediator in resolving it.
Findings: Not only Interest Based Approach is applicable to the organizational conflict resolution procedure but also Humanistic Approach is very effective in this scope.
ARE SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES REALLY INTERESTED IN IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABILITY ORIENTED INNOVATION?
Monika ZAJKOWSKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0064
Purpose: In view of the ongoing economic transformations and growing environmental threats, one of the directions of innovation development is sustainability. In this approach, the focus is shifted from understanding innovation not only as an economic benefit, but also to increase social welfare and protect the environment. Innovations taking into account economic, social and environmental factors are referred to as Sustainability-oriented Innovation (SOI). The development of SOI for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is of particular importance, as they play a key role in economic development mainly due to quantitative dominance, employment and contribution to GDP. SMEs are entities with a weaker market position than large companies, because they are not only more susceptible, but above all more exposed to changes in the environment. Literature highlights SMEs’limitations e.g. resource constraints, lack of formalized planning, difficulty to attract finance, which may prevent them from engaging proactively in the innovation process. Due to the necessity to quickly adapt to the changes taking place, these organizations are highly mobile and flexible. SMEs are not simply smaller versions of their larger counterparts (Tilley, 2000) and they will innovate differently for sustainability (Moore & Manring, 2009). The view that sustainable development is becoming one of the competitive priorities for smaller enterprises is more and more communicated. The purpose of the study was an attempt to answer the question of whether SMEs are really interested in implementing SOI into their innovative activity strategies and to identify the selected opportunities and challenges related to this process. The theoretical aspects of SOI were discussed, taking into account economic, social and environmental dimension.
Design/methodology/approach: To develop the conclusions presented in the article, data from a study conducted by the Polish Agency for Regional Development (PARP) in December 2020 using the Computer Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method on a group of 370 enterprises from the SME sector (start-ups), which operated not longer than 5 years, was used. The study...
ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AS A FORM OF SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ON SOIL
Roman RÉCKY, Jarmila HORVÁTHOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0071
Agriculture is a process which should provide a sufficient quantity and quality of foodstuffs for the domestic or foreign market. During its development it has undergone many changes which originated predominantly from the scientific-technical progress in the society and climatic changes. Apart from the foodstuff production, the agriculture executes also the ecological, landscape and social function. Agriculturalists have a significant impact on the environment in which they operate. This impact can be both positive and negative. The negative effect on the natural environment is caused by the excessive utilization of pesticides and commercial fertilizers, production of greenhouse gases, or the excessive irrigation and other interferences into the environment. The ecological agriculture constitutes the alternative to the conventional farming on soil. It represents one of the forms of the sustainable entrepreneurship in agriculture. Apart from the production of fresh and healthy foodstuffs, the ecological agriculture strives to eliminate the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment. The priority is not the quanity, but quality. The ecological function is superior over the economic one. In our paper we analyse the selected aspects of the ecological agriculture in the Slovak Republic.
FAST FASHION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Šárka STOJAROVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0083
Approximately half of the world's clothing production is made from cotton, the cultivation of which irreparably damages the planet. In today's hectic times, when business processes are gradually accelerating, the concept of fast fashion is increasingly appearing in the textile industry. The consequence of this trend is the above-average production and consumption of clothing. To find out the results, qualitative research was carried out, indepth interviews as well as quantitative research. The questionnaire survey was performed. The quota feature for data collection was age in generations X, Y, Z according to current data from the Czech Statistical Office for 2019. Generations are defined according to Kotler. The questionnaire survey took place in the first quarter of 2020 using an electronic questionnaire in the Umbrella system. For Czech consumers, the most famous representatives mass retailers of fast fashion are H&M, New Yorker, Zara, C&A, Takko, and Pepco. Part of the quantitative research was also testing hypotheses depending on the generation, awareness of fast fashion, frequency of clothing purchases, and clothing recycling. Knowledge of the term fast fashion depends on the generation; this term is understandable especially to the youngest Z generation. The frequency of clothing purchases does not depend on the generation. Also clothing recycling is not generation dependent according respondents. Slow fashion has become a sustainable consumption movement that is the opposite of fast fashion. But the current lifestyle of most people does not lead to slow fashion. In fact, there is a big difference between the ideas of sustainable development and the actual shopping behaviour of the consumers. Based on the result, the attitude of customers and society to the purchase, recycling and disposal of clothes is discussed. The issue of waste over time is also described in the article. These topics are a great challenge for the future of economic entities, the efforts of political representation and, above all, the quality of our lives and the quality of lives of future generations.
HOUSEHOLDS' WASTE MATERIAL MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING: HOW MUCH CONCEIVABLE TO SUPPORT A ZERO-WASTE MANAGEMENT
Arif Ibne ASAD, MD. Sohanur RAHMAN, Samira AKTER
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0091
Purpose: The paper aims to understand household waste material management and recycling in Rajshahi City Corporation in Bangladesh and how much the city dwellers can support zero-waste management in the future.
Design/methodology/approach: The investigation was based on a primary survey between 2019 and 2020. Researchers arbitrarily chose 120 family units; respondents were asked to answer a structural questionnaire on households' waste management (HWM), recycling and Perception to attain a zero-waste management goal. The analysis was done through descriptive statistics and logistic regression models.
Findings: The respondents have a sound understanding of the health consequences of waste-related pollution. The logistic regression models demonstrated that education and awareness of households are positive and significantly related to recycling
Research limitations: Difficulties in looking at a randomly chosen holding number and the unwillingness of the household members to clarify their genuine pay level were the few troubles in the research.
Practical implications: The study reveals that 88 % of the respondents were known to HWM beforehand, and 54% concurred to see a moderately vibe of local ambience compared to the past five years.
Social implications: Our study would motivate to attain zero-waste management in the Rajshahi city in future as the households welcomed an approach of recycling, reducing or refusing to buy things with lots of packaging.
CHOOSING THE TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THE SALE OF ELECTRIC CARS IN RUSSIA
Svetlana BOZHUK, Nataliia KRASNOSTAVSKAIA, Inga NIMENIA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0100
Purpose: The prospects for the Russian electric vehicle market substantially depend on the awareness of representatives of the younger generation, those who will choose their own cars in the near future, about the advantages of these vehicles. The main aim of this research is to explore the possible links between the factors that determine the process of choosing an electric vehicle and the intention to purchase it.
Design/methodology/approach: The source of the data was the results of a survey of young people aged 17–30 who are potential consumers of electric vehicles. For determining design features of respondents who intend to purchase an electric vehicle, the multiple correspondence analysis was applied. The results of the multiple correspondence analysis corelate with those from the paired association analysis and the ordinal regression estimation, which makes research conclusions more confident.
Findings: Males aged 21–24 who own cars and decide either independently or taking their mothers advise to purchase a car for the family are most likely to purchase an electric vehicle. Females aged 17–20 who own cars and whose decision was influenced by their fathers are the least likely to purchase an electric vehicle. In Russia, the general public is not aware of those technological advances that have allowed car manufacturers to significantly improve the consumer properties of electric vehicles. All other things being equal (car class and price), choosing an electric car is still unlikely. Consumer prejudice is prevalent about unfavourable weather conditions, which allegedly impede the operation of electric vehicles.
Research limitations: It should be noted that the study was of a pilot nature. To obtain more reliable and accurate conclusions and build a high-quality model suitable for practical use (for example, in targeted marketing), it is necessary to increase the number of observations by at least 2.5–3 times.
Practical implications: Expanding the presence of electric vehicles in car-sharing companies would significantly improve the experience of using electric vehicles for young users seeking high mobility who have not yet...
NON-FINANCIAL REPORTING OF LARGE UNDERTAKINGS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Iva HASÍKOVÁ, Radka NESVADBOVÁ, Kateřina BATELKOVÁ, Milena OTAVOVÁ, Jana GLÁSEROVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0109
Directive 2014/95/EU was implemented in Czech accounting legislation with effect from 2017. It introduced an obligation for certain undertakings to report non-financial information. The paper deals with non-financial information and its reporting by large undertakings in the Czech Republic. It defines the theoretical basis of non-financial reporting and the degree of implementation of the Directive in Czech accounting legislation. The analytical part of the paper is based on the content analysis of annual reports or separate non-financial reports of the large undertakings, for which the reporting of non-financial information is mandatory, for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 according to the GRI methodological procedure. On the basis of the comparison of annual reports in the years analysed, the impacts of the implementation of the Directive on the reporting of nonfinancial information and the approach of the undertakings concerned to its reporting are identified. Furthermore, the relationship between the size of the undertaking within the category of large undertakings with more than 500 employees and the reporting of nonfinancial information for 2018 is examined. In total, annual reports or specialized nonfinancial reports of 568 undertakings were studied.
Purpose: One of the aims of this paper is to answer the question of whether there has been a qualitative or quantitative change in the non-financial reporting of enterprises for which disclosure is mandatory. It also deals with the answer to the research question whether the size of a company in the category of large companies affects the willingness of companies to report non-financial information.
Methodology: A comparison of reported non-financial information was made for 2016 and subsequently for 2017 and 2018, i.e., for the years before and after the implementation of the Directive. On the basis of comparison, it was examined whether the legislative measure adopted contributed to higher quality non-financial reporting. The total number of undertakings is 15. The content analysis of a total of 45 reports for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, which was performed manually, enabled to assess the approach of the...
PATTERNS OF SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION IN HIGH CONSUMPTION SOCIETIES. CASE OF POLAND
Felicjan BYLOK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0119
The aim of this paper is to identify the patterns of sustainable consumption and the barriers that emerge during their implementation.
Methodology: The assumed aim was executed thanks to the application of the method of critical analysis of both national and international literary sources associated with sustainable consumption, while also the analysis of the findings of empirical research in the scope of occurrence of the patterns of sustainable consumption.
Findings: The findings of the empirical research indicate the relatively widespread application of the patterns of consumer behaviour that are characteristic of sustainable consumption on the part of consumers in Poland. Their dispersal is certified to by the increase in behavioural traits such as: the segregation of waste, the use of multi-use bags, partial restraint from driving cars, avoidance of the purchase of products that are harmful to the environment and the increase in the consumption of vegetables in the household. Barriers to its development would include the increasing use of utilities (electricity, water) in households, while also the increase in the indicator of motoring and the rising air pollution.
Research limitations: The research findings acquired, with regard to their varied nature (survey research, quantitative research) constitute the basis for limited conclusions.
Practical implications: The research findings provide knowledge on the magnitude of sustainable consumption and its barriers to development, which may serve the purpose of preparing new solutions in the policies of sustainable development.
Social implications: The research findings illustrated in this paper indicate changes in the attitudes of consumers with regard to the choice of products and the forms of consumption that are characteristic of sustainable consumption.
THE PERSPECTIVE OF CIRCULAR FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE COMBINED CASE OF BAKERY AND BREWERY
Alan DYMCHENKO, Milan GERŠL, Tomáš GREGOR
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0129
This work is focused on issues related to the circular economy of gastronomic waste, namely the reuse of residual products from bakeries in beer production in order to reduce the amount of waste from bakery leftovers and their use as a substitute for malt in brewing. The main aim is to verify the possibility of using bakery leftovers with the help of fermentation technologies (the production of alcoholic beverage from the bakery leftovers). Bakery leftovers in the form of ordinary bread are obtained from the bakery pilot plant. After the analyses, these leftovers are used for beer production.
Conducting research on the proposed topic will allow us to look at the production of beer from the perspective of the circular economy in the food industry and to promote more environmentally friendly food use.
In conclusion, after the sensory evaluation, we can say fullness and saturation weaken with the increasing concentration of bread and decreasing amount of malt. And there some defects of taste such as salt, kvass/yeast, diacetyl, which are caused by the composition of bread.
As a first sample, lager beer without bread substitute was used. Its lower results in total rating indicate that the evaluators have their preferences in other types of beer. Sample 5 (40:60), 6 (50:50), and 7 (60:40) with the higher concentration of bread were rated the lowest in the total rating.
Sample 2 (10:90) and 3 (20:80) with the lower concentration of bread were rated the highest in the total rating.
POSSIBILITIES OF WASTE REDUCTION IN GASTRONOMY AND FOOD INDUSTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Petr STUDNIČKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0136
The aim of the article is to propose approaches to waste reduction in gastronomy and food industry in the context of the White Paper for Hospitality in Europe: 2019–2024 EU Mandate and the circular economy. White Paper presents the industry´s top five priorities – Collaborative economy, Better regulation, Digital, Food Policy and Social Affairs. The priority Food Policy shows that voluntary measures, as the ones which took the European hospitality industry together with the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) to reduce food waste and develop food donations, are proving their effectiveness and therefore favourably replace European-wide legislation in this case. Waste in gastronomy and food industry can be classified into two areas, organic and inorganic waste. Organic waste constitutes a percentage of purchased but unused food and directly translates into the finances of customers. Inorganic waste is more dangerous because it is associated mainly with the packaging necessary for packing food to go. The possibilities of reducing waste in gastronomy are summarized based on own primary and secondary research. Better knowledge of options of residual foodstuffs disposing/management could be achived not only by explaining legislation and real options of disposing waste but also by providing various recommendations and ideas to restrict residual foodstuffs and food waste.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR BANKING INSTITUTIONS
Anna BERÁNKOVÁ, Jana BLAŽKOVÁ, Jana GLÁSEROVÁ, Milena OTAVOVÁ.
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0144
The paper is focused on the evaluation of the impacts of the implementation of Directive 2014/95 / EU in terms of the introduction of non-financial information into Czech accounting legislation, specifically the Accounting Act with effect from 2017. The subject of this research are financial institutions, specifically commercial banks based in the Czech Republic. Banks such as public interest entities must operate not only monitor and manage credit risk, which results from their active subject matter, but along with it the risk of longterm sustainability in a comprehensive and consistent. This requirement is fulfilled by the regular reporting of non-financial information by banks. Transparent disclosure of this information should help to eliminate banking risks and creating greater credibility, which is crucial for banks. Trendy sustainability should be fully consistent with the principles of business and commercial activities.
Purpose: The aim of the paper is to evaluate the benefits of the implementation of the Directive in the Accounting Act on the quantity and quality of reported non-financial information by banks operating in the Czech Republic. The paper evaluates and compares approaches to this fact not only for banks that have this obligation, but also for banks that do not have this obligation. There was also a comparison of the reporting rate of nonfinancial information by banks within the Visegrad countries.
Methodology: Based on Directive 2014/95 / EU and the EUKI 2020 database, key indicators in the area of non-financial reporting were identified, for which the level of their reporting by the monitored banks was subsequently monitored. It has established five basic areas, ie. The environment, social issues, employees, respect for human rights and the fight against corruption and bribery. Within individual areas, partial indicators were defined and subsequently monitored. The starting point was the content analysis of banks' annual reports. All banks in the Czech Republic (a total of 48 banks) were analyzed, which were then divided into three basic groupsThese are banks with an obligation to disclose nonfinancial information, banks that are defined...
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ITS CHALLENGES IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL ECONOMY
Robert JANIK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0153
The environment has been ravaged and overexploited by human beings almost from the dawn of civilization. However, no sooner that in the course of the industrial revolution did the extensive exploitation of the Earth 's resources, combined connected with the destruction of nature on a really great scale being a side-effect of economic activities, commence.
Along with the globalization process, and the spread of the business philosophy of ’’profit at any cost’’, the situation was becoming ever more serious. This as well as many ecological disasters caused by human activity made mankind aware of the ’’shape of dangers to come’’ and the need to counteract the degradation of the environment, which gave rise to various environment protection concepts. Among them, ’’sustainable development’’, offering a well-balanced approach to the relationship between mankind and the environment, plays an essential role.
Sustainable development, which, meanwhile, has become a sui generis universal doctrine, is based upon three main pillars: social inclusion, economic growth and environment protection. According to the majority of public opinion, it is an adequate response to many contemporary challenges. However, it is not easy to implement its goals nowadays as there are many challenges, most of which are connected with the effects of catastrophes connected with climate changes, the scarcity of resources, soil and air contamination, social inequalities, political tensions, at times leading to wars, or business' selfish attitudes and nationalistic ’’sacro egoismo’’.
To be effective, sustainable development must cover several key areas of mankind aktivity such as education, economy or health care. Decision-makers like entrepreneurs and managers can play an important role in this endeavour.
The purpose of this article is to holistically present the possibilities of implementing sustainable development concept in the context of relevant previous experiences and the current threats. This article fills the existing gap in research evidenced by the content of the literature of the subject.
Methodology...
TEN CENTS DO NOT BUY A MEAL – WHY RETAILERS SHOULD NOT LIMIT DONATIONS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS
Jens-Markus HORN
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0162
Rounding up the shopping bill in retail stores is usually restricted to a certain amount, such as a maximum of ten cents. Since customers do not all exhibit the same willingness-to-pay (WTP), some of them would obviously contribute more if they had the possibility, so the arbitrary limitation does not fully utilize the total sum that could be collected if customers were able to choose the size of their donations.
This paper aims to examine whether a free choice for customers to which amount they could round up their shopping bill does result in higher intended donations than various fixed limits or than a selection out of five options. Data collection has been conducted through an online survey of adult customers of German food retail stores. Subsequently, t-tests for dependent samples and analyses of variance (ANOVA) have been employed.
The study reveals that a free choice leads to a significant increase in the sum of customer donations to more than six and a half times, compared to rounding up to the next ten cents. Moreover, the framing of prompting for a contribution has a considerable impact on the willingness-to-donate of customers as well: If specified as a percentage of the shopping bill, donations are significantly larger than if they are stated in terms of an absolute amount or as a share included in the total payment.
The scenarios investigated in this paper constitute a more flexible way of rounding up the shopping bill and therefore are a highly effective means to support a good cause and care for society, e.g. by reducing poverty. Hence, they prove to be an eligible Cause-related Marketing (CrM) concept for food retail companies in the context of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, results refer to intended donations, so in reality amounts might be lower due to an attitude-behaviour gap. Additional research in this area is suggested regarding other retail formats, online shopping, and other countries, as well as involving settings with actual donations.
THE BUSINESS OF PARADOX: CLASSIC METHOD SUSTAINABLE
Martin PROKEŠ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0172
Purpose: The basic paradox and research question in the beginning was the combination of luxury wine marketing of sparkling wines and sustainability. The main research objective is to define and evaluate the benefits of establishing and developing wine cluster for sustainable sparkling wine producers. Very important research objective is how to increase motivation to start new businesses providing sustainable development in the region.
Design/methodology/approach: The most of all the research and scientific resources were obtained with cooperation of Austrian Wine Producers Associations and specialised academic experts at the Universities in Austria. The wine industry in Austria has experienced dynamic development and intensive cooperation in wine clusters has led to worldwide fame and significant export successes. Examples, principles and models of successful cooperation within associations and clusters can lead to a generalization of the theoretical approach and inspiration for other clusters in neighbouring countries. The special emphasis to innovative approaches and principles leading to sustainable development in cluster research. The source of research are interviews with cluster managers, and research among winemakers and winegrowers. Further research of trends in target markets.
Findings: The values relating to the environment and society are of particular importance in the eyes of the consumer, who acts as a responsible citizen. Moderate regular drinking of classic sparkling wines creates space for education in the areas of sustainability and circular economy of their producers. Sustainability, Certified organic wine, Certified biodynamic wine, Natural wine or raw wine have become part of complex modern business management and marketing of wine clusters specializing in the production of classic sparkling wines. Findings of the research is devoted in detail to the organization the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne), the Comité Champagne is trade organisation representing interests of independent producers (vignerons) and Champagne Houses. Champagne to be a fully sustainable region by 2030. The point of view of the organization of a new...
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMICS OF REVITALIZATION PROCESS OF CONCENTRATED WATER RUNOFF PATHS AND RETENTION RESERVOIRS
Petr MARADA, Jan MAREČEK, Eva KRČÁLOVÁ, Tomáš KRAJÍČEK, Lubor LACINA, Ivo HORÁK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0182
The problem of erosion and degrading soil in an agricultural landscape is very significant. It is most evident in the areas of the concentrated water runoff paths, particularly on the parts of the land blocks, where they are extremely exposed to the form of erosion furrows, through which the water flushes the arable topsoil from the surface. As an effective agri-environmental and climate defence tool, the grassing of these concentrated water runoff paths on arable soil. During this period of climate change, the intensity of heavy rains increases, which causes extreme erosion events. At the same time, it causes unacceptable soil loss from neighbouring land and burdens grassy tracks of concentrated water runoff paths with sediment. This reduces subsequent functionality of concentrated water runoff paths because of a violation of grassland compatibility. The absence of grass in these critical places during repeated torrential rains promotes erosion and subsequent degradation of the soil, as the water drains on it faster than on a properly grassed area. In order to achieve the desired functionality of the measure, for instance, the anti-erosion function, the grassland must be maintained at a reasonable condition, height, and must be above all continuously free from sediment deposits from previous erosion events. For this reason, it is necessary to remove colluvim and accumulated sediment from grassland after erosion events by revitalizing the grassland.
Purpose: The main objective of the paper is to propose a solution to diversification of economic activities - production of different commodities, soil protection, sustainable management and by-products with possible economic effects. Part of the research is the product development from soil sediment, like organic matter demanded by agricultural operations for subsequent recultivation including related economic analysisi of the whole process).
Methodology: Authors analyzed the Rural Development Program and related indicators from the period 2016-2020 and at the same time a literature review of selected demonstration objects. Authors also analyzed the procedure with selected techniques, technologies and agricultural...
THE FOOD LOSSES AND FOOD WASTE IT´S IMPACT AND INITIATIVES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Zuzana KAPSDORFEROVÁ, Petronela ŠVIKRUHOVÁ, Mária DOBIŠOVÁ, Mária MEDVEĎOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0198
Although there are no accurate data in the world on food losses and waste, according to the FAO, globally about one third of the food produced is lost or degraded as waste along the food chain, from production to consumption. The large scale of food losses and waste leads responsible politicians and strong economic players not to see this as a coincidence, but as an integral part of food systems. Successful reduction of food losses and food waste will save natural resources for future generations and has the potential to improve food security and nutrition by meeting the goals of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goal n. 2: No hunger and Goal n. 12: Responsible consumption and production. We are witnessing a growing support for methods of sustainable agricultural production, which include e.g. also agroecology, sustainable intensification, climatefriendly agriculture, or smart technologies. Sustainability means the long-term ability of food systems to provide current food security so as not to threaten the environmental, economic and social ecosystems that generate food security and nutrition for present and future generations.
Purpose: Goal of the article is to point out on sustainable agriculture, food losses and waste in terms of environmental requirements in relation to food safety and nutrition. Sustainable agriculture and sustainable access to natural resources play an important role in securing current and future generations of food production.
Design: In order to obtain primary data there were 5 surveys were carried out in the Slovak republic. Surveys were carried out in agricultural enterprises, food processing enterprises, retail, distribution and catering establishments and in Slovak households in the period from September 2019 to August 2020.Based on results of the surveys article presents overal summary of obtained data.
Findings: Climate change is affecting agriculture, including lower yields and productivity, drought and water scarcity, extreme temperature stresses, lower forest productivity, weed growth and new diseases caused by viruses and foodborne diseases. All this leads to rising prices, has a negative impact on health, food...
THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Iveta UBREŽIOVÁ, Mária JANOŠKOVÁ, Anna DIAČIKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0210
Purpose: The main attention of the submitted abstract is pay to the evaluation of the internationalization of the business activities from the point of view of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in selected company. We have been determinated the partial goals to achieve the main goal as well as the hypothesis.
Design/methodology/approach: The primary and secondary data were used. In the first part of the article, we are focused on the analysis of the term corporate social responsibility and related concepts. We set the objectives and used methodology. Second, practical part is dealing with evaluation established hypothesis and questionnaire survey, which was filled in by the sample of the company´s employees. At the end we summarize the obtained data and findings and based on that, we can express our opinion and recommendations for the future development. The questionnaire was anonymous and was performed on a sample of 50 respondents. We used method of analysis, deduction and method of chi-square contingency test. It is a non-parametrical test by which we can verify the representativeness of the selected sample. The main part of this article includes the description of the questionnaire evaluation and statistical evaluation of our three set research hypotheses. In conclusion, we evaluate the overall results of our practical research and propose recommendations for the future.
Findings: The results show that the CSR in relation to the internationalization of the business and assessment has affected the behaviour of company, stakeholders and employees.
Research limitations: There are no limitations in our research.
Practical implications: There are some recommendations for further practical application of results like the teambuilding activities, corporate events, cooperation with environmental organisations, continuous innovation and implementation of new environmentally friendly production methods and cooperation with environmental organisations for the knowledge transfer to the raise of an awareness about the good practises of the company.
Social implications: Based on obtained results, it depends on the perception of the CSR from internal...
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & TOP MANAGEMENT TEAM GENDER DIVERSITY IN EUROPEAN COMPANIES
Tomáš MICHALIČKA, Drahoslav LANČARIČ, Xénia SZARKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0219
Purpose: In recent years, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a strategic issue for many companies, which do not hesitate to invest a lot of their resources into this concept in order to do their businesses alongside with the positive influence on the society they are part of. One of the areas where the legacy of CSR is continuously increasing is also human resources management (HRM). As a result, diversity, and inclusion together with gender and racial equal career opportunities are areas, which are now very often part of official goals especially of international corporations. The focus of our paper is on gender diversity and equal career opportunities as part of CSR activities in HRM. Using data about 247 large European companies we analyse board of directors and top management team gender diversity. In more details, we review gender diversity of positions within top management and identify leadership roles with highest share of women representatives. We also evaluate leadership gender diversity from different aspects like country, industry, ownership structure, year of the establishment and other. Based on the results we propose a hypothetical profile of ideal company, in which the career growth of women and their chances to become member of board of directors or top management team should not be limited by any type of gender discrimination or prejudice.
Design/methodology/approach: Data used in this research were retrieved from TP Catalyst Database. To analyse raw downloaded data, data-mining methods like classification, clustering and summarization were used. To identify leadership gender diversity structure, percentage of male and female representatives within board of directors and top management team was calculated. Results were then sorted, ranked, and compared using selected criteria like country, business activity, ownership structure, year of the establishment and other.
Findings: This study provides valuable information for company and government decision makers about board and top management gender diversity and equal career opportunities from the perspective of CSR activities in HRM within large European companies. Identified are countries,...
CONCEPT OF TALENT MANAGEMENT IN ENTERPRISES OF SLOVAKIA: FACTORS INFLUENCING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Radovan SAVOV, Pavol SKOČDOPOLE
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0229
Purpose: As a result of the dynamic environment and changes the concept of talent management has become very important topic in business organizations today. Company with talent management should meet better economic results. Talent management in business environment integrates strategy of the company, HR strategy, identification and recruitment, assessment, development, and retaining talents into complex process. Main objective of this research is to explore the current state of the concept of talent management realized in all phases of talent management in companies operating in Slovakia. According to the results main strengths and weaknesses are identified in the process of talent management.
Design/methodology/approach: Paper is focused on the factors of talent management process such a foreign capital, size of the company, economic situation, ownership, and existence of the HR department. A scaled questionnaire used in previous researches was used as a tool for data collection in 381 companies operating in Slovakia. Questionnaire reliability was verified by Cronbach´s alpha and reached the level 0.799. To verify the existence of statistically significant differences between individual groups of respondents the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used.
Findings: We found that foreign capital, economic results, and the existence of HR department are very significant factors influencing the level of talent management proces in enterprises. Identification of strengths and weaknesses in talent management proces were used for suggestions to meet higher level of the processes in management of searched companies.
Research limitations: Research should be extended to more companies to meet the requirements of representative sample. Results should be compared with other similar researches in other countries worldwide.
Practical implications: Each company can use self-evaluation of talent management according to the issues used in questionnaire. Main strengths should be used as a basic stone for personal strategy in companies. Enterprises should avoid mistakes of several companies that lead to weaknesses in the organizations because they have negative...
CORPORATE APPLICATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE LIFE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES
Enikő KORCSMÁROS, Bence CSINGER
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0238
Purpose: The field of research of corporate social media is in many respects related to the topic of zero waste management and the circular economy, as by applying it a company can make a great contribution to environmental protection. The aim of our study is to examine the importance that small and medium-sized enterprises operating in two regions of Slovakia attach to corporate social media.
Design/methodology/approach: In the course of our research, we conducted a quantitative questionnaire survey in the examined SME sector. A research question was formulated on the topic: which is as follows: What importance do the leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises attach to social media in the life of their business?
Findings: The results of our study were evaluated based on responses from 359 companies. The results suggest that although there are more small and medium-sized enterprises present on social media than not, they do not make the most of opportunities inherent in social media.
Research limitations: One of the main limitations of the study was the ongoing health crisis situation, due to which there was an inadequate willingness to complete the questionnaire sent out.
Practical implications: The results explain the question of SME sector leaders as to whether it is still worthwhile to invest time and energy nowadays in the active presence of their business in social media.
Social implications: With the help of our research, the reader can get a comprehensive picture of exactly what small and medium-sized enterprises use social media and how they are able to influence their own target audience.
GREEN CONTROLLING IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES
Ľudmila DOBOŠOVÁ, Daniela HUPKOVÁ, Petronela ŠVIKRUHOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0245
The art of controlling consists in predicting changes within the company, evaluating the identified changes and then proposing appropriate processes and approaches. One of the changes to which controlling must respond is the constantly increasing importance of environmental aspects at the company level, which is becoming a cross-sectional element of every functional area of the company. In recent years, the term "green controlling" has become increasingly common. It can be defined as a management supporting function that leads to that planning, management and control in the company include the so-called "Green content”. The research study is focused on the evaluation of the approach of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Slovakia to the ecological aspects of business, which is promoted by green controlling. In order to obtain objective information, an empirical research was realized - a questionnaire survey supplemented by interviews with representatives of selected agricultural entities. The results of the research study indicate that although the topic of environmental sustainability in business has become increasingly important in recent years, environmental aspects are not really integrated into corporate management. Many green controlling tools are unknown to representatives of selected companies. Farms prioritize achieving economic goals and environmental goals remain aside. The limiting factor of the research is the considerable ignorance of the agricultural holdings representatives about the ecological aspects entering into the management of the company, as well as their negative approach.
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COVID-19 AS AN ELEMENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SATISFACTION MANAGEMENT
Aleksandra CZARNECKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0255
The experience in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic shows the difficult and sometimes dramatic conditions of medical professionals' work. For most of them, constant exposure to a dangerous virus undoubtedly affects not only their sense of security, but also their satisfaction in terms of functioning in the workplace. In the era of universal and instant communication channels in the form of the Internet and various types of communicators, citizens received various, mostly contradictory and false information about the virus, the situation of the pandemic and the rules of safe functioning within it. It seems, however, that the group of medical professionals, by virtue of their education and occupations, was and is one of the best prepared groups of employees in terms of information. In addition to their knowledge of the virus itself, these employees also have the knowledge of where to find reliable information on the latest scientific reports on the disease. These circumstances undoubtedly shape job satisfaction.
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present the views of medical professionals regarding their job satisfaction in relation to their access to knowledge and information about the COVID-19 pandemic and their functioning in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted in December 2020 on a representative sample of healthcare professionals with the aim to identify their opinions on functioning in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the research purposes, the CATI technique was applied with a Likert scale-based questionnaire. The following tests were used for the purpose of data analysis in the STATISTICA program: the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA on ranks test, the Mann-Whitney test and Pearson’s chi-square test. The strength of correlations between the variables was evaluated by means of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
Findings: The statistical analysis shown the relationship between the employee access to knowledge and information variables and the job satisfaction variable. Spearman's rank order correlations for the satisfaction index, with p
MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE SITUATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE SENSE OF THE MEANING OF WORK
Elżbieta ROBAK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0263
The healthcare sector is an interesting research area for various fields of science, including organization and management. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused additional issues and new challenges for organizations' managers. It is worth noting that when employees feel that what they are doing makes sense, their commitment to work clearly increases.
Purpose: The aim of this article is to present the healthcare personnel's opinions in terms of how COVID-19 pandemic affected the organization of their work and the sense of meaning of performing assigned duties.
Design/methodology/approach: In order to identify the opinion of healthcare personnel on functioning in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, a study was conducted in December 2020 on a representative sample of employees of this organization. The CATI technique with a Likert scale-based questionnaire was used for the research.
Findings: The research results show the relationship between the management of personnel in healthcare units in Poland and the sense of the meaning of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research limitations: The COVID-19 pandemic situation, affecting organizations and society, is unprecedented due to its increase, resources or solutions involved, and the lack of existing literature.
Practical implications: The presented research results highlighted not only the image of the work environment of Polish healthcare workers, but also show the way how it can be improved.
SUSTAINABILITY IN HEALTH SAFETY MANAGEMENT
Magdalena BSOUL-KOPOWSKA, Agata PRZEWOŹNA-KRZEMIŃSKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0271
In the face of today's pandemic challenges, human life and health is an asset of particular importance. The basic assumption of every modern state is to protect life by providing its citizens not only with adequate health conditions but above all with a sense of health safety. In addition to safety, health is a fundamental value that should be pursued throughout life. This article presents selected activities of public authorities concerning health policy in the field of health safety with the example of the Silesian Voivodeship. These activities take place in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The analysis of documents related to direct actions in the field of the discussed problems was used as a research method to explore the problems of health safety in the context of sustainability.
Purpose: This paper aims to analyze and the present selected activities of public authorities concerning health policy in the field of health safety with the example of the Silesian Voivodeship.
Design/methodology/approach: The research method was the analysis of documents.
Findings: The analysis of the existing materials, EU projects, and national health policy revealed that the improvement of population health strengthens sustainable development, whereas sustainable development improves health in a cycle supported by an efficient health system.
THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
Dorota JELONEK, Cezary STEPNIAK
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0279
Digital transformation is a specific organisational change resulting from the evolution of new information and communication technologies. The digital technologies that are most significantly changing not only business models but also innovation management are: social media, mobile technologies, analytics and Big Data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things. Over the years, innovation has become open, global, and collaborative in nature and involves diverse stakeholders and distributed innovation processes.
Purpose: The aim of the research was to find answers to the following research question: How does digital transformation influence the realization and effectiveness of the innovation processes? In addition, the digital technologies that have the greatest impact on the effectiveness of each stage in the innovation management process were identified.
Design/methodology/approach: An interview method with managers of large enterprises was used.
Findings: Research has shown that the use of appropriately selected digital technologies to implement particular stages of innovation creation increases the effectiveness of these processes. The study has proven that digital transformation facilitates the creation of collaborative innovations. The research also proved that focusing on customers and creating innovations that meet their needs allows companies to increase their competitiveness.
BURNOUT AMONG PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION EMPLOYEES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Łukasz SKIBA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0285
Burnout is an increasingly common phenomenon among employees. Its level is influenced, among others, by workload, competition, applying for promotion, higher salary, prestige or social respect. The recent pandemic and the widespread remote work in administration include: fear for the health and life of one's own and family members; fear of losing your job, and thus your source of income; the need to learn how to use new tools, applications, communicators; the need to reconcile many roles and the resulting responsibilities (e.g. caring for relatives - children and sick parents; caring for the home - shopping, cleaning, cooking, washing, etc.) professional work.
Purpose: The aim of this article (in the theoretical part) will be to present the essence of burnout syndrome, along with its most common causes, symptoms, as well as how to prevent and counteract it. On the other hand, in the empirical part of the study, the level of burnout of the described professional group during the partial lockdown during the covid- 19 pandemic will be determined on the example of research conducted in a local government administration unit.
Design/methodology/approach: The research method was a survey, a sent (e-mail) survey technique, and a survey questionnaire was the tool.
Findings: It has been reported that 27.3% of the respondents who are employees of a public administration unit are at the 5th (maximum) level of occupational burnout; 21.2% on level 4; and 30.3% at level 3 (feeling burned out). The main reason for burnout is: overwork + excess duties + professional stagnation = 78.8% of respondents' indications. On the other hand, the basic factors minimizing occupational burnout are: relaxation / rest (more often indicated by women), and hobbies / interests (favored by men).
Research limitations: The research was carried out using an electronic form sent by the secretariat via e-mail, to which only volunteers replied.
Practical implications: Counteracting burnout in the studied unit and helping to identify, prevent or counteract it in others.
Social implications: Work-live balance ("healthier" relationships in families); reduction of outlays for the treatment...
IDENTIFICATION OF THE ASSETS AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF FOREST ENTERPRISES IN SLOVAK CONDITIONS
Iveta HAJDÚCHOVÁ, Stanislava KRIŠŤÁKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0295
Long-term observations indicate that the impact of climate changes is adversely affecting the forest ecosystems, it changes the structure of forest stands, their tree species composition and the quality of wood raw material. Due to this fact, it is also possible to expect a change in the forestry enterprises efficiency. Forest enterprises can increase the efficiency by increasing their profits that is by revenue growth or costs reduction. This is quite problematic due to the high proportion of incidental fellings and the low average monetizing in recent years. The goal of this paper is to clarify some specifics which affect the management efficiency on forest land, assets and capital structure of forest enterprises efficiency and possible increasing of foreign sources funding, to enhance the forest enterprises efficiency. Our research is based on the rules of optimal financing and the relationship between profitability and debt on the principle of decomposition of profitability and leverage effect. The results of the paper identified an issue that forest enterprises losing an opportunity for development and economic growth because of the lack of foreign investments and foreign capital. Furthermore, an implementation of modern technologies is also insufficient, which means enterprises losing a competitive advantage.
IS GREEN A SUPER DEAL? GREEN ENERGY AND ITS REAL COST AND BENEFIT FOR CUSTOMERS
Klára HORNÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0304
Nowadays, the phenomenon of sustainability in a form of green energy is one of the most discussed topics in public as well as in government, especially in the European Union. A change of lifestyle, new trends in the industry, expanding e-mobility; all these factors increase the demand of electricity. On the other side of the equation is supply, which is highly influenced by the government decisions. New trend in Europe is to decrease amount of coal and nuclear power plants which are considered to be non-ecological, together with stimulation of growth in matter of renewable resources. The paper analyses one of the stimulation tools – the market of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin. The purpose of this analysis is to compare real impact of the guarantees with their marketing impact. Electricity is a specific commodity which cannot be stored, and its origin cannot be identified. Because of these specifics the market of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin exists along with the energy market. The number of guarantees depends on the total amount of MWh produced without further identification of the units sold. The initial price is given by the regulator of the market and the final price is given by the market. It must be noted, that in Europe there is one market with regional submarkets whose quality is guaranteed by the Association of Issuing Bodies IVZW (AIB) registered in Brussels, Belgium, and so international trade is possible.
Purpose: The paper analyses the framework given by law and regulators, the mechanics of both energy market and energy guarantees market. The outcome is compared with the marketing strategy of sales companies. The purpose of this analysis is to compare real impact of the guarantees with their marketing impact.
Methodology: Empirical analysis of the markets and their structures, questionaire.
Findings: Conclusion following the analysis is that the trade model of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin has negligible impact as growth stimulator of the industry. The guarantees are more likely to be only a marketing tool which could be considered a part of the greenwashing trend – so called green solution without real impact...
MOBILE APPS AS AN IMPORTANT MARKETING COMMUNICATION TOOL IN STARTUP BUSINESS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Soňa CHOVANOVÁ SUPEKOVÁ, Hana KRCHOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0310
The aim of this conference paper is to provide a perspective on the issues in startup entrepreneurship. Start-ups in the European Union represent a driving force for research and development in many areas, and therefore the authors have sought to obtain insightful information on the entrepreneurship of entities that consider themselves start-ups from the beginning of their business activities. Start-up business models are significantly supported by EU funds and in Slovakia by the Slovak Business Agency. Many of these ideas have become successful products and profitable business forms.
The main methods of research on start-up businesses were qualitative and quantitative marketing research methods. A questionnaire survey was sent to a selected sample of small and medium-sized enterprises in Slovakia based on data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. The return rate of the questionnaire was 638. Enterprises answered questions related to the focus of business activity, the area of start-up entrepreneurship, the innovativeness of enterprises, and the merit questions addressed mobile applications, patents, and trademarks of the surveyed enterprises. The data collected by the questionnaire survey was processed by advanced statistical methods, the method of artificial neural networks (ANN) was used to identify influential variables. Critical analysis is being used to identify specific factors and reasons that influenced the start-up enterprises' decisions to develop mobile applications and their subsequent use in marketing communications.
The paper brings empirical evidence of how locally based companies have been approaching the evaluation of mobile apps and how they incorporate the specific modern forms of marketing communications into their start-up development. The research yielded interesting findings that more than 36% of the companies studied started as start-ups and more than 24% of the entities still consider their activities as start-up activities. 17% of the surveyed enterprises have already developed a mobile app for both Android and IOS and more than 20 plan to develop mobile apps, more than 8% have mobile apps in the development phase.
The...
SHAPING AND MANAGING SELF-IMAGE AND MODULAR IDENTITY 2.0 – THE CASE STUDY OF POLISH LANGUAGE WIKIPEDIA USERSPACE
Sebastian SKOLIK, Anna KARCZEWSKA, Katarzyna KUKOWSKA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0318
The user pages of Wikipedia enable self-presentation and are used to build a personal brand. Managing self-image is possible, among others, by small banners called userboxes. Initially, they were supposed to be objective information about someone, not an element of self-presentation of one's personality. However, different types of userboxes were introduced.
Purpose: The aim of the research is to analyze the use of the userboxes in the context of managing one’s self-image and discussing the idea of modular identity 2.0.
Methodology: In the presented research, an attempt was made to characterize the course of the variability of userboxes as cultural elements that allow to shape and manage the image and determine the identity of the individuals posting them. For this purpose, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the content of the userboxes placed on the userpages was conducted, focusing primarily on the frequency of their occurrence and their modification over time.
Findings: The analysis of the content of over a thousand userboxes shows that after a short period of high variability at the beginning, the growth of new banners became smaller. As the results indicate, the most frequently replicated userboxes in Polish-language Wikipedia are those related to Wikipedia's digital environment, community identity and health. Moreover, the construction of self-image is becoming more and more reproductive, schematic and based on imitation.
Research limitations: Research has been conducted on one language version of Wikipedia. Some further comparisons with other language versions are recommended.
DESIGNING MONITORING TOOLS: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO EVALUATION OF REGIONAL BIOECONOMY STRATEGY IMPACTS
Filip TKÁČ, Danka MORAVČÍKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0328
Bioeconomy can be considered one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, which brings new opportunities concerning economic growth and profit maximisation and sustainability, environment protection, and appropriate use of limited resources. Monitoring bioeconomy status should be an essential task for policy-makers and other stakeholders as business entities, non-governmental organisations, and others. Bioeconomy data are often unavailable because there is an insufficient distinction between bio-based and traditional industry in national statistics, which necessitates conjugating many data sources. For these reasons, it is crucial to define methodologies, which allows comparability. Such tools can find application in evaluating environmental, economic, social progress in the field of bioeconomy by different groups of stakeholders and granting the possibility to compare differences between countries or regions to enhance policies and support mechanisms. An undeniable advantage of the correct setting of monitoring tools is the possibility of performing scenario analysis and bringing the best solutions for developing the bioeconomy sector.
Purpose: The paper's main aim is to compare different approaches to monitoring bioeconomy strategies and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages concerning the availability of data sources.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper compares attitudes and approaches of different researchers on evaluating bioeconomy status and progress supplemented by comments. We work with varying sources, including research reports and papers.
Findings: The paper presents selected approaches to designing monitoring tools intended to evaluate regional bioeconomy status and impacts. The authors also discuss the differences and advantages versus disadvantages of these methodologies.
Research limitations: The paper introduces methodological approaches into bioeconomy evaluation as the initial research stage focused on evaluating bioeconomy and ecoinnovations elements usage in European Countries.
Impact of the Next Generation EU on rural areas: First lessons from the selected national plans
Jorge NÚÑEZ FERRER, Petr BLIŽKOVSKY
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0337
The purpose of the paper is to assess the national plans under the EU's Next Generation EU recovery plan and particularly the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The method is based on a qualitative review of plans of the largest EU member states. The focus is on evaluating the way the rural areas are being targeted by the plans and what instruments are proposed. The research limitations are represented by the lack of details in the plans and the lack of research on the link between the Recovery and Resilience Facility and rural areas. The European Union is facing numerous challenges in a rapidly changing integrated global economy. On the one hand to get the economy in motion after COVID, while on the other aiming to transform the economic system to a more sustainable one, with core objectives including the mitigation of climate change and mainstreaming circular economy. These changes will have substantial repercussions on the economic structures and the economic sectors of the member states, including agriculture. The vision for the rural areas can, however, be a neglected subject. The practical implications of the research are that it can contribute to prepare rural areas to the optimal use of the resources. Social implications of supporting rural areas are the decreasing of disparities within the EU and strengthening of social and economic cohesion.
PERCEPTION OF STAKEHOLDERS ON DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL BIOECONOMY STRATEGY: THE CASE OF NITRA REGION
Danka MORAVČÍKOVÁ, Filip TKÁČ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0348
Purpose: The bio-based economy is a powerfully emerging sector with huge potential and providing employment for many people across the whole Europe. There are still many European regions, including Nitra region in Slovakia, that do not take full advantage of their potential. The H2020 project POWER4BIO aims at supporting these regions in boosting the bio-based economy in their areas and analysing the transition from a realistic and competitive standpoint. Therefore, one of project goals was to ensure the critical mass beyond the consortium by involving additional stakeholders for fostering a dialogue between the consortium members and regional actors.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper introduces the implementation of POWER4BIO methodology for guiding development of regional bioeconomy strategy in Nitra region.
Based on the initial knowledge status of the regional situation and the regional stakeholder map, further methodological steps led to two-stage approach in selection of the group of relevant stakeholders. The workshop and questionnaire survey were realized within the POWER4BIO project in 2019-2020. All stakeholders were contacted firstly personally and then asked for their responses on an electronic survey translated in the Slovak language, and the respondents were provided with detailed explanations and instructions. The sample of stakeholders consisted of representatives of four different categories - practitioners/companies, associations of producers, providers and legal entities, policy makers, and academic experts.
Findings: Most of the responding stakeholders declared the appropriate knowledge of the state-of-art dedicated to bioeconomy issues. Responding stakeholders evaluated agriculture as existing, as well as the most promising sector from the point of view of current value chains. The survey has shown on the one hand a lack of private, local and regional financial schemes and funding mechanisms, and on the other hand a lack of knowledge of respondents about available models of public funding at the national and EU level. It has been also evident that the stakeholders mostly rely on public funds and government as a managing authority.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE (PA) SUPPORT OF INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY
Marco Javier SUÁREZ BARÓN, Angie Lizeth GOMEZ AGUDELO, Juana Valentina GARCIA ARIZA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0356
This work describes the increasing agricultural productivity challenges in the context of precision agriculture (PA) application in Colombia. To carry out the development of the research, we analysed the application of artificial intelligence (AI) projects in the country. So, performance evaluation metrics considered, both for efficiency, quality in the learning, classification and cost-benefit. Some contributions identified in the development in this work are: A high effectiveness in the precision agriculture system using artificial intelligence techniques in the detection of healthy and infected leaves and the notable decrease in time to detect healthy and infected leaves, increased food security and most likely higher profits to the farmer.
REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAM - INSTRUMENT FOR INVESTMENTS DEVELOPMENT - CENTRAL REGION, ROMANIA
Ionela GAVRILA-PAVEN
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0361
Maximizing the absorption of structural funds and their efficiency have to be considered in the general framework of the legislation and the economic effects generated in the national economy. The analyse presented in the article shows the results of the absorption of European funds in the financial programming period 2007-2013 for Central Region, Romania. The analyse includes also an overview on the economic evolution of the companies in sustainability period, analyse extended until 2019. European funds continue to be the main factor supporting the modernization of the Romanian economy and the implementation of structural reforms.
The analyse conducted is focused on Regional Operational Program. This program recorded one of the highest absorption rates in the financial programming period 2007-2013, having in the same time, good perspectives for the current financial programming period as well. The monitoring and implementation reports at national and regional level highlight the general program indicators, initially established and carried out during the implementation period, respectively later during their sustainability period. However, these indicators are predefined and follow the impact analysis of the Regional Operational Program at macroeconomic level. There is no information collected on the economic performance of the beneficiaries of funds under this program. This analyse naturally integrates in the area of researches that seek to bring new values, perspectives and configurations to the topic of investigating the role of the impact of non-reimbursable funds on business development. As in any scientific approach, the first step in the elaboration of research is the positioning in the sphere of knowledge, both of the general area of research and of the specific fields. The article provides also the quantitative analysis that will represent the basis for the qualitative research, which will be included in a wider analyse.
Companies that used non-reimbursable funds to support their business development, generated additional working places, increased their turn over generated through the economic activity and improved their efficiency.
THE POTENTIAL OF NON-WOOD PULP IN EUROPEAN CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY
Peter ŠEDÍK, Filip TKÁČ, Danka MORAVČÍKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0370
European Union is striving towards sustainability and circularity due to many serious reasons such as limited natural resources, climate change, degradation of ecosystems, biodiversity and lands etc. To address these challenges, the EU created in 2012 so called “European Bioeconomy Strategy” which aims towards innovative and sustainable use of renewable resources including the concept of circular bioeconomy and bio-based economy. Biomass and Bio-based products have great potential for production and recycling the raw materials including agricultural residues. The significant potential is in lignocellulose retrieved from agriculture and forestry residues involving waste, straws or other by-products.
Purpose: The aim of this research is to study and describe the potential of pulp from fibres other than wood in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on secondary data obtained from Faostat and various research studies. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics.
Findings: Results showed that the world production of pulp from fibres other than wood has decreasing trends. In total only 11,8 mil. tonnes were produced worldwide in 2019. Approximately 82% of overall non-wood pulp is produced in Asia, where the largest producer is China. The similar trend can be observed in European union as well. The major producers are Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, Poland and Hungary. Slovakia produced in 2019 only 1 000 tonnes. Pulp from fibres other than wood offers a huge potential for papermaking industry in countries that have no or limited access to wood fibres. Non-wood fibres can be produced from cereal straws, grasses and from other agricultural residues. Furthermore, the production of non-wood pulp provides opportunities for food sectors as it can used as raw material for degradable food packaging which will contribute to sustainable consumption. In addition, supporting the processing agricultural residues will indirectly foster bioeconomy in the rural areas.
Research limitations: The primary limitation to the generalization of these results is the character of this paper which includes only pilot study, therefore a further...
COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Sustainability of Tourism and Hospitality: The Impacts on SMEs in the Czech Republic
Petr JANEČEK, Petr ŠTUMPF, Lukáš PICHLÍK, Ida RAŠOVSKÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0377
Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of changes in socio-economic environment as well as the business environment. The hospitality and tourism industry suffers enormously from the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions in all countries. The behaviour of the whole tourism system in post-COVID-19 period is still unclear and the economic sustainability of the tourism sector is put at risk, not only due to the outflow of human resources from the industry. The tourism and hospitality service providers face to the biggest crisis of the industry in last decades. This paper focuses the impacts of the pandemic on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and compare their crisis behaviour in several segments, such as accommodation services, catering services, and tour operators (TO) / travel agents (TA) in the Czech Republic.
Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative survey was carried out from May to September 2020 and the sample consists of 208 valid responses, especially from SMEs owners and managers.
Findings: The results show how the enterprises in different segments reacted on the crisis, which measures they implemented in the first six months of the pandemic and what they planned to do in marketing, HR, and financial management.
Research limitations: Results are focused only on the hospitality businesses and tour operators and travel agents. There are only limited research sample covered in our research. Results are not general for all businesses in tourism industry.
FACTORS TO ENHANCE ECOTOURIST’S ECOTOURISM LOYALTY, MODERATING EFFECT OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP
Sinh Duc Hoang, Hung Viet Vo, Zuzana TUČKOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0388
Purpose: This study aims to provide novel insights via a joint investigation of the moderating effect of social influence and psychological ownership on ecotourism loyalty. It further explores and makes significant contributions to the Expectation Confirmation Theory.
Design/methodology/approach: Using longitudinal survey data gathered from 156 respondents before and after their travels, this research assesses the moderating role of social influence and psychological ownership on two of the well-established relationships in ecotourism loyalty.
Findings: Results show that social influence and psychological ownership have a strong moderation effect on the relationship between ecotourism satisfaction and ecotourism loyalty.
Practical implications: This study has two specific practitioner contributions. First, the study findings emphasize the importance of expectation management from the perspective of expectation management. Managers should exercise caution when providing false information about the location. There are dangers in setting unrealistic expectations for both travel planning and tourism management. Social media is regarded as a powerful ‘word-ofmouth’ source that can be used to exert negative influence from dissatisfied customers. As a result, proper social media management is critical. Second, researchers point out that vacationers’ cognitive-affective connection to a destination is critical, along with the intangibles mentioned earlier, as a sense of ownership, ambiance, and perception of the image of the place they have of the destination. When people want to identify with a destination, they feel ownership of it. The brand strategy needs to be embedded in the destination strategy to target different target tourism identity parameters, like image, style, and values. A destination’s connectivity to people’s values can be generated if the destination is viewed as a place that people identify with rather than a transient location.
IMPACT OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ON LOYALTY PERCEPTION
Andrea KRÁLIKOVÁ, Patrik KUBÁT, Kateřina RYGLOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0397
Purpose: The key objective of this study is to investigate whether the cultural and geographical differences are significant within the context of destination loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach: The perception of the Czech Republic as a tourist destination as well as the impact of American, Russian and Finnish nationalities on tourist loyalty towards the Czech Republic were examined. Multiple regression analysis (OLS method) was used in order to evaluate the impact of particular image factors on loyalty indicators and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the dependence of image factors on the respondents' personal characteristics.
Findings: Cultural monuments played the biggest role for the American and Finnish respondents. On the other hand, safety and food quality were the most important factors for the Russian respondents. Regardless of the nationality, there are four high-priority factors - cultural and natural attractions, safety, and acceptance by the locals. The closer attention should be therefore paid to factors of safety and acceptance by the locals, as they can be to some extent, altered by the government.
Research limitations: The data were obtained before the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the Czech Republic perception might differ from the pre-COVID-19 era.
Practical implications: The results of this paper can be used by various service providers in central European countries, that are mostly oriented on cultural and city tourism, for their marketing and management plans as well as campaigns. Service providers can also use these results to better target their visitors and their offerings to them.
SHARED ACCOMMODATION: CURRENT STATE AND POSSIBILITIES OF ITS DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND OF MADEIRA
Petr JANEČEK, Alena PUCOVÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0405
Purpose: The aim of the paper is to analyse the current state and identify the potential for the development of shared accommodation in Madeira Island. Next goal is to identify barriers of its development based on the results of research about this type of accommodation and reduce them.
Design/methodology/approach: The literature review offers the basic understanding about information about sharing economy, but bigger focus is then on shared accommodation. The literature review also targets on the regulation of AirBnB in the world and the situation with AirBnB in the world. The research itself was divided into two sections. The first section is based on online questionings and the second on individual interviews. Online questionnaire survey is split up into two parts, the first part is focused on visitors from all over the world, who use shared accommodation, trying to find out, how travellers evaluate this specific type of accommodation and the second part is focused on providers of shared accommodation on the island of Madeira. To find out more opinions about shared accommodation, 10 individuals were approached. The individuals were asked questions, which were similar to the first survey, but more in depth. Respondents were asked for reasons and any thoughts about AirBnB. The data from both surveys were processed in program PSPP and Microsoft Excel.
Findings: Based on questionnaires it turned out that in many ways, answers of demand and supply are similar. Most respondents found out about AirBnB on the internet, the majority of both groups think that AirBnB is better than hotels and that AirBnB helps to develop tourism in the area but also that AirBnB is turning mainly into businesses and does not meet the main purpose of shared accommodation. The results also show that people are greatly influenced by reviews and without them, the chance of booking the accommodation is getting lower. Other answers indicate that most visitors prefer separated accommodations and most providers provide the entire homes with full privacy, so it collaborates very well. The research did not show significant difference in answers between genders. Respondents of demand shared their...
STRATEGY OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AFTER COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RUSSIAN CASE
Larisa DESFONTEINES, Elena KORCHAGINA, Natalia STREKALOVA
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0418
The covid-19 pandemic affected all areas of the economy including tourism sector. In the tourism sector, the epidemic has led to a deep crisis associated with the closure of borders. The consequences will lead to significant changes in the directions of tourism and the forms of interaction with consumers of services.
Purpose: The main goal of the study is to identify new directions of domestic tourism in Russia after the removal of restrictions related to the covid-19 epidemic and to identify prospects for the development of tourism for the subjects of the Russian tourist market.
Design/methodology/approach: The study used data from legislative acts of the Russian Federation, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) data of opinion polls, scientific and practical periodicals on the development of the tourism industry.
Findings The crisis of the tourism industry has changed the strategy of tourism development in Russia. The players of the tourism industry market have to apply the advanced development strategy. The main directions of tourism development in Russia after the Covid-19 pandemic crisis are following: the development of new, innovative areas of domestic tourism; budget domestic routes, focusing on particular age groups and healthy lifestyle activities, increasing use of digital technologies in the both promotion and support of tourist products.
Practical implications: The comparative analysis of the preferences of Russian citizens in the tourism field allows creating the new strategy, forming new products and developing new directions in the tourism industry.
SUSTAINABILITY AND DESTINATION MANAGEMENT FROM CZECH PERSPECTIVES
Andrea HOLEŠINSKÁ
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0424
The aim of destination management is to deploy resources to be competitive, and to steward destination resources to be sustainable (Ritchie & Crouch, 2006). The former is about the ability to compete in the tourism market, and the latter is about the ability to maintain the quality of physical, social, cultural, and environmental resources while competing in the tourism market. Mowforth and Munt (2009) present key techniques in sustainable tourism, e.g. environmental impact assessment, carrying capacity calculations, limits of acceptable change, area protection or visitor management techniques. Concerning sustainable tourism, further technique is the elimination of negative externalities through their internationalization (Bieger, 2000). Nevertheless, the fundamental tool of destination management is the strategy of sustainable tourism development. This paper focuses on the application of the above mentioned techniques for managing sustainability in the Czech practice. The research identifies the most used techniques with respect to the impacts induced by tourism development in the destination. Moreover, the research reveals the obstacles to applying certain techniques.
Purpose: The reason for running the research is to discover to what extent the Czech destination management organisations (DMOs) reflect sustainability in their destination management. Thus, the research converges to the application of techniques and tools available to sustainable tourism development in practice.
Design/methodology/approach: To demonstrate the diversity of tourism impacts on environment, the sample of the research includes the Czech DMOs that are located in different types of destinations (urban, mountain, rural). Questionnaires are used for collecting data. Firstly, DMOs assess the social, economic and environmental impacts that occur in their destination. Then they identify these techniques and tools that they apply to eliminate the impacts. And furthermore, DMOs state the reason why they do not use a certain technique or tool. The gathered data are processed by statistical methods.
Findings: The key finding is that the most used visitor management technique is information...
RESEARCH ON GREEN LOGISTICS AND BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONTEXT
Thanh Van LUU
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-820-7-0433
Purpose: The coordination between green logistics activities and efficient business processes management is an extremely urgent task for the sustainable development of the Vietnamese economy in general as well as the logistics industry particularly. The main aim of this research is to propose an integrated research framework for green logistics (GL) and business process management (BPM) in the context of circular economy (CE) for the Vietnam logistics industry.
Design/methodology/approach: Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used in two stages. A qualitative methodology is used in the first stage to develop a literature review on green logistics business processes and circular economics. In the second stage, the research proposes a conceptual framework of green logistics and business process management in the circular economy context. An evaluation indicator system is also developed based on the proposed framework, including three levels of circular economy and eight indicators of logistics activities that can be applied in the Vietnam industry. The quantitative method is used to evaluate the proposed framework by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Findings: The research contribution is to produce a literacy on green logistics and business processes in the context of circular economy, and then propose a theoretical framework and its evaluation index system for green logistics development in Vietnam. Based on this framework, a future research agenda is outlined to evaluate green logistics practices in Vietnam.
Research limitations: Firstly, the study deals with data access problems primarily in SME case studies in Vietnam. Finally, since the scope of the study is focused on the logistics industry, there may be other Vietnam industry indicators in the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluation system that affect green activities that have been overlooked.
Social implications: The research framework benefits Vietnam’s logistics enterprises that can predict future development trends to enable logistics stakeholders for understanding the status quo as well as improving the controlling’s efficiency and effectiveness of government...