Czech premier faces difficult elections

Keyword(s):  

Headline CZECH REPUBLIC: Babis faces difficult elections

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-213
Author(s):  
Lucie Soucková ◽  
Dana Kominkova

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the historical pollution of the Hostivar Reservoir (largest reservoir in Prague) sediment by metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and identify the trends in pollution of aquatic environment. Design/methodology/approach Core samples, 140 cm long, recording the 45-year history of the reservoir, were separated to 5 cm width subsamples (approximately 1.5 years of sedimentation) and analyzed for metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Al), PAH and PCB. Following methods were used: US EPA 3051 for metals, US EPA 505 and US EPA 8082 A for PCB, and ISO 18287:2006 for PAH. Findings Most of the contaminants had the highest concentration at the beginning of the existence of the reservoir, suggesting that the contamination results from construction activities. Significant decrease of Pb occurred in the second half of the 1990s. It was caused by termination of the addition of lead as a detonation suppressant to the gasoline. Most concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and metals, except copper do not present eco-toxicological risk. Practical implications The results show the volume of priority pollutants removed from the reservoir by sediment extraction, and point risk to the terrestrial environment due to application of the sediment in the construction of a noise protecting wall. Originality/value The paper presents unique data about historical contamination of the largest reservoir in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. It shows how the watershed and the construction phase of the dam cause a pollution of the reservoir sediment and possible environmental risk for aquatic biota.


Keyword(s):  

Headline CZECH REPUBLIC: Vehicles may help growth in 2021


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Plaček ◽  
David Špaček ◽  
František Ochrana

PurposeThis paper discusses the role of public leadership and the strategic response of local governments to the external shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors examine the typical Czech response with regard to how the leadership of municipalities in the Czech Republic responded to this extremely negative external stimulus.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use qualitative research methods for this investigation. They have chosen the case study method (see Yin, 2009; Stake, 1995; Klonoski, 2013). The general case is the Czech Republic. Mini-cases consist of municipalities from the Znojmo region, municipalities of the Central Bohemian region and the municipal districts in the capital city of Prague. Furthermore, the method of participant observation was used.FindingsThe authors’ analysis of the problem of local government responses to the pandemic crisis shows that municipal leaders responded with a variety of (non-)adaptation strategies. It appears that certain framework factors influenced the various local governments' behavior.Originality/valueThe article examines the strategic behavior of Czech municipal leaders regarding the pandemic crisis based on the observation of the reactions of local governments in the Czech Republic to the pandemic crisis and strives to define their basic strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (15) ◽  
pp. e00227-18
Author(s):  
S. M. Colston ◽  
A. Navarro ◽  
A. J. Martinez-Murcia ◽  
J. Graf

ABSTRACT Species of the Aeromonas genus can be found in numerous environmental milieus, including various water sources, and some species cause disease in animals. We present here the draft genome sequence for Aeromonas cavernicola DSM 24474T, a novel species isolated from a freshwater brook within a cavern in the Czech Republic.


Significance A significant rise in Afghan refugees is unlikely over the coming weeks due to geographical barriers, but European governments are bracing themselves for a significant rise over the coming months. Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi says the EU is not prepared for another migration crisis. Impacts With upcoming elections, Germany and France will be wary of taking in large numbers of refugees. Division over immigration could damage EU cooperation in other areas, such as climate change or fiscal policy. The strongest opposition to migration burden-sharing is likely to come from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Konecný ◽  
Dominik Stroukal

Purpose – The main aim of this paper is to find whether homeownership can have detrimental effect on employment in The Czech Republic. Design/methodology/approach – Oswald’s conjecture is tested on the set of panel data across Czech regions between the years of 2005 and 2012. Findings – By testing a model similar to Oswald’s, this paper receives the similar result that the rate of homeownership leads to higher rate of unemployment in following years. The second model tested in the paper does not support previous findings that regional rate of homeownership has negative effect on individual’s probability of being unemployed. Research limitations/implications – Findings of this paper are valid only for The Czech Republic. Possible refinements to the model are presented as inspiration for further research. Practical implications – Results bring a powerful argument into debate about subsidization of homeowners through building societies. Originality/value – This paper is a first examination of Oswald’s hypothesis in The Czech Republic. It opens a debate about whether Oswald’s conjecture holds outside of the Western world.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-802
Author(s):  
Felipe Martinez

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an empirical research on the leanness of the home services sector in the Czech Republic. The automotive sector provides reference to argue the numerical outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a specifically designed assessment tool (Lean Index – LI) to determine the sector’s leanness level. Referring to the results from both sectors, the paper draws conclusions about the current leanness level of home services providers. Findings The proposed LI indicates a value of 69.50 per cent for home services providers, whereas the LI for the automotive industry suppliers is 82.88 per cent. This suggests that there are large opportunities for the implementation of lean management in the home services sector. However, the main challenge is to introduce a continuous improvement approach to these companies. Research limitations/implications The sample size limits the generalisation of the research results. However, this paper represents the first empirical attempt to implement a large-scale survey. The results are limited to the Czech Republic. However, parties from other countries have indicated interest to replicate the research. Practical implications This research provides first empirical findings on the possibilities of implementing lean in the home services sector. Future research projects in other sectors will have the opportunity to make use of the LI assessment tool. Originality/value The paper presents the first approach of lean management into the home services sector. It provides valuable information to specialised institutions in the sector about the possibilities of lean management in the sector. It also provides an overview of the sector for practitioners and academics willing to pioneer lean in the sector.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-104
Author(s):  
Dalibor Bartonek ◽  
Jiri Bures ◽  
Otakar Svabensky

Purpose This paper aims to deal with the formulation of the technological principle for precise positioning using global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in railway engineering during construction and maintenance of a railway line and its spatial position. Solution of optimal route is based on finding the shortest Hamiltonian path in the graph method with additional conditions in nodes. Design/methodology/approach The core of the algorithm is a dynamic data structure which is based on events list. The optimization of field measurement solves the time demands and brings economic effectiveness. Findings The technology enables to determine the precise position with absolute difference limit from 10 to 15 mm within GNSS CZEPOS permanent network in the territory of Czech Republic. Research limitations/implications Technology is the result of applied research. Practical implications This technology innovates the current procedure of geodetic control network determination used by Railway Infrastructure Administration (state organization) in Czech Republic. Originality/value The event means measurement at a given track point and time for a specified duration of observation. The algorithm was realized in Borland Delphi. The optimization of field measurement solves its time demands and increases economic effectiveness. The technology enables precise position determination with absolute difference limit from 10 to 15 mm within GNSS CZEPOS permanent network in the territory of Czech Republic. It has been verified in field selected electrified and non-electrified railway lines.


Subject QE’s influence on Central Europe’s bond markets. Significance Hawkish signals from the ECB are adding to recent strains on global bond markets, causing German ten-year Bund yields to shoot up to their highest levels since July. The sell-off is contributing to sharp outflows from Central Europe’s local debt markets, already under pressure as monetary tightening starts in the region; the Czech Republic, which has raised rates twice since August, is suffering the largest withdrawals. However, the absence of large inflows since the ECB started quantitative easing (QE) in 2015 could help mitigate the fallout from its end. Impacts As OPEC members reaffirm their commitment to production cuts, oil prices are shooting up to their highest level in nearly three years. Sales of speculative-grade US corporate debt have had their strongest New Year since 2014, a sign of enduring demand for high-yield bonds. The three-year low in the dollar index will help keep financial conditions loose and buoy up emerging market currencies.


Subject The implications of a sharp rise in foreign holdings of local currency-denominated government bonds in Emerging Europe. Significance A surge in capital inflows into the Czech Republic and Turkey is increasing the scope for a disorderly sell-off in financial markets, as both the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the ECB begin simultaneously withdrawing monetary stimulus. While international investors’ appetite for higher-yielding assets remains strong because of low (or in some cases negative) bond yields in advanced economies, emerging markets (EM) are still vulnerable to the removal of stimulus by the Fed and the ECB. Impacts Global stock markets are at record highs: the rally in the S&P 500 equity index is now the second-strongest bull run in US history. Price pressures in Central Europe, particularly core inflation, will be subdued, except in the Czech Republic. This will allow central banks to maintain loose monetary policies which in turn will support regional bond markets.


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