This study contributes to the understanding of linkage between ecological sustainability and production network evaluation of the automotive supplier industry. Existing frameworks fail to sufficiently capture complex interdependencies between ecological sustainability criteria and production location assessments. With a systematic literature review a transparent and in-depth analysis is performed to identify, select and analyse existing literature related to the topic of interest. Jstor, Google Scholar, and Cochrance Library are the chosen key databases. The fundamental discoveries in the literature review are that ecological sustainability is a principal and critical factor in the automotive supplier industry, influenced by natural resource scarcity, environmental regulatory pressures, and consumer demands for environmentally responsible brands. That said, the automotive supplier industry must be willing to incorporate emerging technologies into the production network evaluation models to guarantee their effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance in the ecological sustainability-driven world.
Artificial intelligence has had a positive impact on the finance sector by increasing the efficiency and accuracy of functions that were previously manual, and also by providing customized services to clients. AI offers numerous possibilities for banks to improve operations and drive innovation. Earlier research shows that banks have already recognized the potential for cost reduction and the generation of new revenue streams through the improvement of their operational processes, for instance, in areas such as lending, security services, compliance, and improvements, as well as the introduction of new services and fraud detection. Furthermore, it has also offered various solutions and services to customers, including tailored investment plans, wealth management approaches, and robo-advisors. Today, AI is used to support decision-making, to monitor processes and assets in real-time, and to create value. The above picture will become even brighter in the future. As the nature of banking competition and technological disruption continues to progress at a rapid pace, leveraging AI to support decision-making is an opportunity to achieve a higher level of financial performance. Indeed, there are several reasons for conducting this research, such as the’ lack of trust among honorific individuals in AI systems’ functionalities and their demand for openness and responsibility from AI systems. Most articles in the past had a local view on the topic of compliance in the financial sector. As this topic is crucial, especially for international companies, I will close this gap by providing an international view on the overall topic and giving a future outlook. This research employs bibliometric analysis to investigate the role of AI in compliance within financial institutions and to map the knowledge landscape of the literature on AI. To conduct a detailed bibliometric analysis, two premier academic databases were selected: Scopus and the Scientific Citation Index (SCI/SSCI). These databases are renowned for their comprehensive international coverage and precise indexing of peer-reviewed publications.
This study examines the impact of daily fluctuations in financial and commodity markets on sugar returns. Using a multi-market Structural Equation Model (SEM), three latent constructs are identified: Fundament (a proxy for risk sentiment), Stock (equity market), and Commodity (commodity market). The analysis employs daily log-returns from 2005 to 2025, with missing observations treated using Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) and parameters estimated via robust Maximum Likelihood with Robust standard errors (MLR). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrates satisfactory model fit, indicating that the commodity factor is primarily shaped by energy contracts, whereas the association between equity indicators and the Stock factor is less pronounced. Standard validity tests (HTMT, Fornell–Larcker) confirm the discriminant validity of the latent constructs. In the structural equation, the commodity factor emerges as the dominant short-term driver of sugar price fluctuations, while the effects of equity sentiment and fundamental risk factors diminish once this channel is considered. The model explains a moderate but economically meaningful share of the variance in daily sugar returns. These findings highlight the interconnectedness between energy and agricultural markets and underscore the relevance of cross-market linkages in commodity price formation. From a practical perspective, they suggest that sugar risk management and hedging strategies should be primarily aligned with the dynamics of energy markets rather than with broader financial sentiment indicators.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), enacted by the European Parliament and Council in 2022, aims to enhance corporate transparency by extending mandatory sustainability reporting to a broader range of companies. The directive establishes more stringent reporting rules to enhance the disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in commercial operations. This enhances the openness and comparability of the information firms provide, enabling investors, consumers, and other stakeholders to more effectively evaluate the company's sustainability impact. This paper examines the legislative background, the companies affected, and the expected outcomes of the directive. This paper evaluates the legislative context, scope, and expected outcomes of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) as an integral part of the Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Our research focused on the forms of state support designated for entrepreneurs affected by the September 2024 floods. Our aim was to compare the approaches of selected Central European states, specifically focusing on Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The results of the research show that there is agreement among the examined countries in some areas of support, in particular in the extension of deadlines for filing tax returns, the payment of taxes or advances, and also in the provision of support for the payment of wage costs. At the same time, the analysis pointed to substantial differences in the approaches of the individual countries, which manifested themselves especially in the setting of limits for the tax deductibility of donations and in the different regime for the application of value added tax to donations provided to flood victims. In this area, Poland's approach was absolutely groundbreaking, as it introduced a zero VAT rate on donations provided to persons in areas affected by a natural disaster. A clearly different approach was also taken to the scope of deductibility of depreciation for newly acquired tangible assets. Particularly instructive are the measures adopted in Austria, which made it possible to increase tax-deductible depreciation for newly acquired assets, thereby accelerating the renewal and modernization of assets necessary for the conduct of business activities.
Communication of organisations on social media with their customers and prospective customers is now an effective marketing channel, even in the restaurant sector. The research study was conducted in the context of the Czech Republic, with data for the year 2024 mainly from Facebook and Instagram. The detailed content analysis focused on the Facebook profile of four restaurants in the city of Pilsen. The data shows the frequency of communication and the engagement rate achieved. The types of posts are also evaluated, but we mainly focus on their content concerning the given industry and subsequently according to the Uses and Gratifications Theory. The results are presented graphically using correspondence analysis. This study provides evidence on the use of Facebook by these entities and offers suggestions for marketers responsible for promoting these brands on social media. The study thus extends our understanding of the use of social networks for maintaining and developing so-called brand communities on social media platforms. It brings ideas and knowledge for application in hospitality marketing.
The concept of employer branding has in recent years become one of the key tools of human resource management and the strategic development of organizations. A research study was conducted at Škoda ICT s. r. o., a company operating in the field of information technology, an industry characterized by intense competition for potential employees. The research was conducted from the perspective of students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia. Using multivariate regression analysis, the results reveal the benefits and communication channels that influence the attractiveness of the company. The study provides insights into which communication channels and benefits are important for potential employees in the field. It also broadens the perspective on employer branding and can be particularly useful for companies focusing on students of faculties of electrical engineering.
The article deepens the understanding of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive rural tourism by examining legislative measures available to local governments in the Czech Republic, with a focus on the Pálava tourist region. Initial research conducted in 2021 assessed the perceptions of tourism among residents of Dolní Věstonice. A follow-up survey in 2024 evaluated the effectiveness of the measures implemented, based on residents' perceptions, and analyzed their impact on short-term accommodation businesses in the village. The qualitative research was based on primary data collected through questionnaires. The 2021 survey results indicated a notable decline in residents' quality of life. In response, changes to the village's zoning plan were proposed and enacted, limiting the expansion of accommodation capacities in specific areas. Additionally, providers of short-term accommodations were required to secure on-site parking spaces, and an increase in property tax rates for recreational properties was suggested. The 2024 survey results showed that 75% of respondents perceived a calmer and improved situation, with tourism no longer viewed as negatively as in 2021. Most respondents attributed these improvements to the implemented measures. Feedback from business owners indicated that the zoning plan changes did not impact bed occupancy rates, though shifts in client preferences were observed.
This paper examines cross-border economic integration through the lens of economic geography. Drawing on three empirical case studies—the cheese industry in the German-Austrian-Swiss (D-A-CH) region, the timber sector along the Bavarian-Czech border, and tourism in the Salzburg–Berchtesgadener Land area—the study identifies distinct constellations of integration, ranging from seamless cooperation to back-to-back patterns of limited interaction. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines descriptive statistical mapping and 21 expert interviews, the research reveals that the permeability of borders is highly context-dependent. In the D-A-CH cheese sector, integration is strongest between Germany and Austria within the EU’s single market, while the Swiss border acts as a semi-permeable membrane marked by asymmetrical trade and regulatory barriers. In the timber industry (BY DZ), cross-border cooperation intensifies temporarily during crises such as bark beetle infestations but otherwise remains limited due to institutional and linguistic barriers. In tourism (AT BY), consumer mobility transcends the national boundary, creating a de facto integrated visitor space, yet institutional collaboration between Salzburg and Berchtesgadener Land remains limited. Overall, cross-border integration in Europe appears in this study as a selective, multi-scalar process influenced by sectoral logics, historical path dependencies, and the agency of individual actors.
The aim of this article is to examine the role of religious tourism in the context of the urban destination of Prague and to assess its relationship with visitors’ length of stay. The study is based on a large-scale questionnaire survey focusing on visitors’ activities and travel behaviour. Methodologically, the analysis combines descriptive statistics with linear regression analysis, allowing for the identification of factors associated with length of stay while controlling for other activities and visit motivations.In the first step, descriptive analysis is used to examine the prevalence of religious tourism among visitors to Prague and its differentiation by country of origin. Subsequently, regression modelling is applied to analyse the relationship between individual visitor activities and length of stay. The results indicate that participation in religious tourism activities is among the strongest factors positively associated with longer lengths of stay, even when controlling for other forms of visitor activities and travel motivations. In addition to religious tourism, visits to cultural heritage sites, wellness-related activities, and engagement in social life and entertainment are also linked to longer stays. In contrast, shorter stays are associated with hiking activities and visits to natural attractions. The findings suggest that religious tourism represents a selective but significant segment of urban tourism demand, contributing to longer stays and deeper visitor engagement with the destination.
The aim of the article is to define the key motives of non-profit organizations for cooperation with companies on socially responsible issues. The study was carried out in the form of qualitative interviews with non-profit organizations in the Czech Republic and then supplemented with focus groups for a deeper analysis of the attitudes of experts. The text focuses on the expectations of non-profit organizations from cooperation with companies, especially financial and material support, volunteering, professional consulting and long-term partnerships. For NGOs, long-term cooperation is important, which contributes to the sustainability of their projects. Companies see collaboration with NGOs as a way to improve reputation, strengthen community relations and increase employee engagement. At the same time, collaboration can open up new markets and bring innovative and sustainable solutions. The synergistic relationship between companies and NGOs enables more effective problem solving and ensures greater sustainability. The conclusions of this article are useful for NGOs, companies, government and public institutions, academics and researchers interested in private-nonprofit sector collaboration. They show how long-term collaboration can yield real results and support strategic planning and development for both nonprofits and companies.
: Nowadays, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a significant contribution to the economy of each country, and both their success and competitiveness in operations are among the criteria that attract much attention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of innovation and entrepreneurial competencies on the success of SMEs in the hospitality industry in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, with the mediating role of the competitiveness factor. This study utilized secondary data collected from previous related studies (through scientific articles, theses, legal regulations, etc.) to form research concepts, scales, and propose research models. Additionally, primary data was gathered through a survey of 263 respondents who are leaders of SMEs in the hospitality industry. Quantitative research methods, along with Structural Equation Modeling, were employed to analyze the structural relationship between variables using SMART-PLS software. The research results indicated that innovation and entrepreneurial competencies together have an indirect mediating effect on the success of SMEs in the hospitality sector in Ho Chi Minh City, with the competitiveness factor acting as a mediating variable. Based on the research results, to enhance the success of SMEs in the hospitality sector in HCMC, the author has proposed managerial implications for stakeholders to consider and apply. Furthermore, the study also presented the limitations of the research and directions for future studies.
The quality of a family business is built on the complexity of the family and its business practices and at the same time on having a suitable asset management structure for managing this complexity effectively. The aim of this paper is to compare the approach to training in a conventional family business against family businesses that have been judged as be well managed. The results of the research on the quality of management processes and their vocational training showed that family businesses have space for improvement in the area of vocational training. The authors concluded that while the topics of process quality assessment and vocational training in family businesses have been addressed separately by international authors, no research has yet been found that focuses only on the complexity of this issue. The novelty of this paper lies in the research it conducts on those family businesses whose processes were rated ‘excellent’ as part of the National Quality Award for Family Business in Czech Republic and where space for improvement was identified in training needs, primarily in the area of family governance, as well as in legal and tax aspects of succession.
Green finance is a financial system that supports sustainable development and environmental protection. It involves financial instruments and policies designed to fund environmentally friendly projects and reduce carbon emissions. International organizations such as the UN, EU, and World Bank are driving the adoption of green finance by setting standards, providing funding, and encouraging sustainable investments. These organizations are promoting a shift toward a low-carbon economy by supporting green projects, incentivizing sustainable practices, and mobilizing public and private finance for environmental initiatives. This paper aims to assess current economic research on green finance, focusing on bibliometric and thematic analysis. Two research samples are defined: a global sample and an EU sample, based on output data from the Web of Science publication database. The analysis confirms the novelty of the topic, with a primary focus on CO2 emission reduction, green bonds, sustainable development, and innovation. When comparing countries, China emerges as a leading research hub, while within the EU, France, Germany, and Italy are the main contributors. However, European research is also influenced by collaboration, particularly with China. The limitations of this research are rooted in the reliance on the Web of Science database. Further research could delve deeper into specific thematic areas, such as the utilization of green bonds in both European and non-European contexts, or exploring the application of Pigouvian taxes to address emissions.
Influencer marketing is a current phenomenon and a crucial part of digital marketing strategies for companies, particularly targeting Generation Y and Z, who are highly active on social media. The aim of this study is to identify the key factors influencing consumer decisions to follow influencers and to make purchases based on their recommendations, which is essential for optimizing marketing campaigns and better targeting potential customers. Through an online survey, we collected data from 337 respondents, which we then analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. The results show that the strongest factor influencing the following of influencers is the type of content they create (inspirational, entertaining, educational), followed by the influencer’s thoughts and opinions, and shared interests with their audience. Influencer credibility also significantly attracts users. In contrast, the number of followers and the influencer's background have minimal impact on consumer decision-making. For purchasing a promoted product, it is essential whether the influencer genuinely uses the product in their everyday life. The study concludes with recommendations for companies to focus on authenticity and the real usage of products by influencers in their campaigns, as this has proven to be more important than their popularity.
This article is related to the junior project entitled Performance Measurement of Construction Enterprises FAST/FP-J-24-848, which deals with the analysis of the performance of construction enterprises in the Czech Republic. Previous research has found that the Czech Republic is rather below the Eurozone average in terms of performance in the construction sector. To improve the situation, it is necessary to first become familiar with the style of performance measurement within construction firms themselves. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the status of the performance indicators currently used in the selected construction firms and to identify possible gaps in the performance measurement of the firms or to suggest a more appropriate performance measurement approach for the firms in question that would help to improve their resulting performance. This field finding was carried out through guided interviews based on the developed questionnaire in twenty selected construction firms. This article presents a mapping of the situation of individual size categories of construction companies in the sense of an initial identification of the situation, or pre-research. Due to the low return rate of questionnaire surveys, which is usually between 10 and 25%, a procedure using guided interviews was chosen. These interviews made it possible to obtain relevant responses, with each size category of enterprises adequately represented. The aim of this paper is not to generalise the results based on the data obtained from just twenty guided interviews, but rather to provide an initial mapping of the trends and direction of construction companies. The research will be further continued by sending out a questionnaire survey to a larger number of companies and the results obtained will be further examined. The research conducted revealed that most of the construction companies interviewed still rely mainly on financial indicators in the form of financial analysis and lack the use of other methods to measure company performance, including the analysis of non-financial indicators or at least the comparison of their results through benchmarking. Therefore, for a more in-depth assessment of the performance of the firms in question, it is advisable that they start observing non-financial performance indicators to a greater extent or introducing the use of comprehensive methods to measure business performance in the firms in question. It is also advisable for firms to start monitoring their competitive position within the sector, which can lead to an increase in the efficiency of the sector. Properly set up, monitoring the performance of construction firms can contribute to improving the overall performance of the sector relative to the Eurozone.
The article demonstrates a public sector approach to business in culture and tourism. It reveals the pursuit of different goals in the private and public sectors and the approach to elaborating development strategies. Using a case study from Jihlava in Czechia, we show through content-causal analysis that the public sector does not pursue profit as its leading economic goal when doing business. The paper compares the research results using the focus group method (n=4+1) to determine the business plan of a cultural object from 2022 with the actual situation in 2024 (interview, n=3+1). Despite the deteriorated economic results, running a loss-making business does not represent a significant problem for the public sector if at least the operating cash flow develops positively. The business plan was prepared in three variants, both in 2022 and 2024, representing a unique research approach. The realistic variant, the basis for the demonstration of public sector management in the form of cash flow calculation, means a profitable activity in a cultural object in the form of an attractive exhibition. The other two variants are pessimistic (without an exhibition with admission) and optimistic when the exhibition is beautiful and widely visited, thanks to its involvement in the destination's tourism product. A comparative analysis of two business plans prepared in three variants two years apart confirmed that significant tourist attractiveness generating income is necessary for sustainable operation in a building oriented towards cultural and social activities. These, in multiplication, substantially improve the management of the entire object, even though it may be permanently unprofitable. At the same time, the article confirms the contribution of destination management organizations and tourism products to making the tourism destination more attractive.
Effective rainwater management is often associated with the implementation of blue-green infrastructure. The use of blue-green infrastructure is declared as a new rainwater management system supporting water retention and quality in the urban landscape along with benefits for public space, adaptation to climate change and biodiversity. Assessing the effectiveness of investments in the blue-green infrastructure is a topical issue for both public administration and private investors. On the cost side, it is advisable to include not only the cost of building the water management infrastructure in the optimization of the solution, but also the contributions of natural capital, which is reflected in the provision of ecosystem services. The paper presents possible criteria for the assessment of the blue-green infrastructure and discusses their relevance and mutual compatibility. Four parameters were used for comparison: (1) land use during the implementation of the measure, (2) maximum rainwater runoff, (3) blue-green infrastructure coefficient and (4) average implementation costs. Based on the calculations for the model area, differences in the evaluation of different elements of the blue-green infrastructure are demonstrated with regard to their price, hydrological function and other benefits for the urbanized area. As our results showed, the effectiveness of the investment depends on the preferred effect of the measure. Methodologically, the question of assessing ecosystem services so that the assessment is compatible with the financial level of investments remains open.
This article focuses on the Italian experience with metropolitan administration (governance) and analyses the possibilities of using this experience in the context of Czech administrative practice. Metropolitan governance has developed in Italy as a response to the need for more effective governance in fast-growing and complex urban regions that require coordinated solutions to cross-territorial problems such as transport, spatial planning, environment and economic development. The article provides an overview of the historical development of metropolitan regions in Italy, the legislative framework, competences and funding, and highlights the case study of the metropolitan city of Bologna as a successful example of integrated metropolitan governance. In Czechia, metropolitan governance is a relatively new topic, with the Prague-Central Bohemia metropolitan area being a key area of interest. The Italian experience can provide inspiration for the creation of metropolitan structures that would promote coordination between municipalities and regions and facilitate the efficient management of shared public services. The paper discusses the main obstacles that limit the direct adoption of the Italian model in the Czech context, such as the absence of specific administrative levels and the traditional structure of territorial subdivisions. The author recommends the use of elements of the Italian practice, such as metropolitan conferences and inter-municipal associations, which can strengthen cooperation at the level of metropolitan areas in Czechia and promote territorial cohesion and effective governance of urban regions.
The present paper represents a link between two research activities that were developed within the project "Evaluation of the possibilities of using planned linear structures to implement water transfers between basins and between water supply systems". The first activity was the evaluation of available land along transport corridors for the possible connection of water management infrastructure. The analysis was prepared on the basis of spatial data defining linear structures (roads, railways) and the land used by the state for the routing of these structures. The second activity presented is the preparation of a comprehensive overview of the drinking water balance in different regions of the Czech Republic, which is designed to provide users with a deep insight into the current status and future challenges related to the distribution and availability of drinking water. Linking the above results allows for follow-up analyses for emerging studies on the efficient management of water infrastructure from high-capacity to deficit areas, both in terms of drinking water and irrigation water. That is, with optimized costs when comparing routing along an existing or newly created transportation corridor vs. land acquisition and routing costs without using existing transportation corridor routes.
