Fostering Czech firms? innovation performance through efficient cooperation

Research background: The business climate development and the stage of innovation systems? transformation are very similar in many Central and Eastern European countries, making it necessary to study these specific economies. These economies are at a different level of transformation, and their governments are trying to support the development of a knowledge-based economy, the creation of innovation systems, and collaboration among different types of entities. These governments need feedback in the form of research into the impacts of public funding on innovation activities through the influence of basic research and cooperation-based resources in individual countries. Purpose of the article: This paper focuses on the examination of (i) the influence of national and European subsidies on innovation performance in manufacturing firms in the Czech Republic and (ii) impacts of knowledge- and cooperation-based resources on innovation activities in Czech manufacturing. Methods: The latest available data from the Community Innovation Survey was used for analyses realized by different regression models. The proposed research models were gradually created to verify the influence of pro-innovation factors (expenditures on in-house and external R&D and on the acquisition of external tangible and intangible sources, cooperation with different partners and innovation) and public (national and/or European) funding of firms? innovation performance within the Czech manufacturing industry. Findings and value added: The results have showed that there is a need to focus on direct and indirect effects of selected innovation determinants; we have also identified the crucial role of cooperation (specifically with government, public, or private research institutes) as a mediating variable within innovation processes. The results have also evidenced that public funding affects the efficiency of knowledge- and cooperation-based resources and amplifies the impact on firms? innovation performance differently. Whereas subsidies from national budgets do not significantly influence the innovation performance of Czech manufacturing firms, European subsidies, on the other hand, significantly increase firms? innovation performance. A long-term contribution of this paper is the significant completion of the theory of policy implications that may be applicable in a broad international context beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. This study significantly contributes to the ongoing discussion about (i) the significance of public financial subsidies from both national and European funds and (ii) the effects of cooperation and R&D on firms? innovation performance within ?catching-up? in Central and Eastern Europe.

Download Full-text

Do Human Resources and the Research System Affect Firms’ Innovation Activities? Results from Poland and the Czech Republic

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062519 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2519

Author(s):

Aleksandra Zygmunt

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Human Resources ◽

Diffusion Processes ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Innovation Performance ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Research System ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Innovation Activities ◽

Research Organisations

Strong relationships between innovation of firms and sustainable development of regions and countries have priority in issues related to firms’ innovation performance. In this paper, particular emphasis is given to Poland and the Czech Republic as countries with similar innovation performance. Specifically, it seems interesting to identify the extent to which human resources and the research system in these countries matter in firms’ innovation activities. Thus, the aim of the paper is to test whether human resources and the research system affect Polish and Czech firms’ innovation activities. The data were sourced from the European Innovation Scoreboard (2018, 2019) for the period of 2010–2016. A set of variables concerning human resources and the research system were employed. The hypotheses were tested with the Cobb–Douglas function. This paper contributes to the existing literature by adding to studies that seek to identify determinants of firms’ innovation activities. The findings indicate the statistical significance of such a variable related with human resources, as lifelong learning for innovation activities of firms from Poland and such a variable connected with the research system, as the top 10% most cited publications on Czech firms’ innovation activities. The paper has practical and policy implications. There is a need, among others, to strengthen knowledge diffusion processes between firms and universities, research organisations, and institutional environments in order to improve innovation activities of firms.

Download Full-text

The impact of LFA payments on FADN farms in the Czech Republic

Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika) ◽

10.17221/275-agricecon ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 54 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 489-497 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Štolbová ◽

T. Hlavsa

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Current System ◽

Value Added ◽

Farm Income ◽

Family Farm ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Data Network ◽

Farm Accountancy Data Network ◽

The Impact ◽

Net Value Added

This paper analyses the impact of the LFA payments on farms economic results on the basis of the Farm Accountancy Data Network in the Czech Republic. Firstly, the approaches are compared to the structure of farms based on the LFA type. Secondly, the share of the LFA payments on economic results of farms is evaluated. The evaluation considers the LFA type, share of grassland, size of the eligible area of farms. Basic economic indicators are being monitored, such as Gross Farm Income, Farm Net Value Added, Family Farm Income, current subsidies, of which in particular the LFA payments. The share of the LFA payments in economic results of agricultural holdings is compared. As a result of the analysis, the winners and losers of the current system were defined.

Download Full-text

Research, development and innovations in Czech manufacture of electronic products

Equilibrium ◽

10.12775/equil.2015.041 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 163

Author(s):

Nina Bockova

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Research And Development ◽

Manufacturing Industry ◽

Primary Data ◽

Research Activity ◽

Electronic Products ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Innovation Activities ◽

The Impact ◽

Theoretical Issues

The paper deals with the topic of research and development investments and its use in small and medium-sized enterprises SME’s operating in the electronic industry. The aim of the article is to find out the impact of innovation activities on enterprises, especially the influence of the sources of funding for the research activity. The Czech Republic is the geographic segment to be explored. A chapter on theoretical issues is followed by a description of the current situation in the Czech Republic and abroad, and access to legal support for research and development in the business sector. Primary data collected from a survey are analysed in the analytical part. The statistical data processing was done using Statistica 12 software. Some SME’s of chosen group of manufacturing industry focus on research and development performed by their own means, and they searched for the possibility of financing the research from various sources.

Download Full-text

The Character of Price Transmission Within Milk Commodity Chain in the Czech Republic

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201563030887 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 887-892 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Barbora Dudová ◽

Věra Bečvářová

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Time Delay ◽

Value Added ◽

Price Transmission ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Commodity Chain ◽

Commodity Chains ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Butter Price ◽

The Impact

The article is focused on price transmission within milk commodity chain in the Czech Republic. The article distinct on milk products with low value added – cow milk/paper box milk and products with higher value added – cow milk/butter. Price transmission is measured by the coefficient of elasticity of the price transmission (EPT); price transfer is examined in demand as well as supply direction. Next part of the analysis measures price differences (by coefficient determination – R2) in supply direction. Last step in this analysis is the impact of time delay at the price transmission process (measured by R2). The price transmission is asymmetric in the supply direction on both parts of commodity chain (EPT = 0.29 and 0.62), in the demand direction is more symmetric (EPT = 0.31 and 1.02). The assumption of better transfer of positive price changes was confirmed. At the commodity chain of milk/dairy products the time delay is not so much important. With both tested commodity chains there was found higher power of downstream markets, proving demand driven behaviour of these commodity chains, and there was detected oligopsony market structure as well. The data represent monthly prices on both chosen vertical levels in the period of 1/2000–8/2013.

Download Full-text

Macroeconomic performance of the Czech Republic during the global pandemic crisis

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/202112901031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 ◽

pp. 01031

Author(s):

Jolana Volejnikova ◽

Ondrej Kuba

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Value Added ◽

Human Society ◽

Macroeconomic Performance ◽

Exogenous Shock ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Methods Of Synthesis ◽

Economic Analyses ◽

The Impact

Research background: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is unprecedented for human society. Despite the continuing uncertainty about the future, it is certain that the global consequences of the pandemic will have many dimensions. Among others, the economic impacts are extremely significant. However, the sudden slowdown in economic activity, the declared quarantines, and the state of emergency have many specific impacts in individual countries. The Czech economy (as well as other countries in the world) was exposed to an unexpected exogenous shock. The data confirm that, in 2020, the decline in the performance of the Czech economy was the deepest in its history. Purpose of the article: The primary goal of this article is to analyze the macroeconomic performance of the Czech Republic during a pandemic crisis. However, we also research the impact of the pandemic on individual sectors of the national economy in the context of government measures. Methods: The analytical part of the article is processed on the basis of publicly available statistical data, economic analyses, and economic forecasts of renowned institutions. The derivation and argumentation of the conclusions are based on an empiric-inductive approach, methods of synthesis, and comparison. Findings and value added: The article maps the direct and mediated macroeconomic effects of the pandemic crisis in the reality of the Czech Republic. At the theoretical level, the aim of the article is to bring new knowledge to current economic theory, especially in the field of macroeconomics and sectoral analysis as well as the theory of public choice.

Download Full-text

The impact of global change - the COVID-19 pandemic on the evaluation of employee performance in companies in the Czech Republic

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/202112901006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 ◽

pp. 01006

Author(s):

Šárka Čemerková ◽

Pavla Pokorná ◽

Vojtěch Malátek

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Evaluation System ◽

Employee Performance ◽

Value Added ◽

First Year ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Personnel Planning ◽

Starting Point ◽

The Impact

Research background: Human resource management is a process that includes several consecutive phases. Employee performance evaluation is one of them. It is a starting point for rewarding employees as well as for several other personnel activities, such as personnel planning, job analysis, employee deployment, and more. The company may approach the evaluation of employee performance itself in different ways. Employee performance can be evaluated in different ways and with different frequencies. The setting up of the employee performance evaluation system is based on global and local conditions, corporate culture, and the needs of the company's management. Purpose of the article: The article aims discuss the approach of the companies in the Czech Republic to the evaluation of employee performance and to evaluate whether or not there have been any changes in this system due to the global pandemic COVID-19. Methods: The starting point of our research is quantitative data on companies in the Czech Republic, obtained by a questionnaire survey immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic and after its first year. Using the chi-square test the attitudes of these companies to the evaluation of employee performance and their changes as a result of COVID-19 are evaluated. Findings & Value added: Conclusions are drawn regarding changes in the system of employee performance evaluation, the method of implementation and frequency of evaluation, and its use in personnel work in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Are smart service manufacturing providers different in cooperation and innovation flexibility, in innovation performance and business performance from non-smart service manufacturing providers?

Engineering Management in Production and Services ◽

10.2478/emj-2020-0031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 105-116

Author(s):

Lucie Kaňovská

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Service Provision ◽

Business Performance ◽

Theoretical Implication ◽

Innovation Performance ◽

Manufacturing Companies ◽

Smart Services ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Smart Service ◽

The Impact

Abstract To overcome the challenges posed by increasing competition, many traditional manufacturing companies are moving from the mere production of manufacturing goods to the integration of services that are more or less integrated into the product, which is also due to the constant development of the industry. Moreover, many manufacturing companies offer products that use smart technologies. This paper focuses on the importance of smart service provision for cooperation and innovation flexibility, innovation performance and business performance in small and medium manufacturing companies. The paper aims to find out if smart service manufacturing providers are different in cooperation and innovation flexibility and innovation and business performance from non-smart service manufacturing providers. To better understand the issue, research was undertaken in 112 small and medium manufacturing companies of the Czech Republic. The problems of smart service provision were investigated in the first empirical research held among the electric engineering companies (CZ-NACE 26 and CZ-NACE 27) in the Czech Republic. The findings show that smart service manufacturing providers are better in internal cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility related to product and to accompanying services and in business performance than non-smart service manufacturing providers. Theoretical implication contributes in two specific ways: first, in the presentation of the interconnection of smart services and cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility, innovation performance and business performance; and second, in the identification of the impact of smart services in manufacturing SMEs and in finding out which areas affect the provision of smart services. The findings can have a positive influence in several areas; therefore, they can be important factors for many manufacturing companies which still need some persuasion to offer smart services.

Download Full-text

The Impact of the Global Pandemic on Selected Aspects of Sustainable Tourism in the Czech Republic

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/20219201046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 92 ◽

pp. 01046

Author(s):

Jana Stuchlíková ◽

Milena Botlíková

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Sustainable Tourism ◽

Value Added ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Primary Data ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Tourism Sector ◽

Tourism Enterprises ◽

The Impact

Research background: The overall impact of coronavirus has some positives and negatives on the tourism sector and thus on other downstream sectors. The stagnation of tourism will make it easier for overcrowded tourist centers, which corresponds to the goals of sustainable tourism. On the other hand, negatives can be attributed to it. The Covid -19 epidemic caused the decline in business activities in tourism to almost zero, not only in the Czech Republic, but in the entire global area. If we consider with the intention that a large part of tourism enterprises is dependent on foreign clients, then the steps necessary to prevent the further spread of the epidemic were fatal for many enterprises and contribute to rising unemployment, reducing public budget revenues, etc. It is clear that the functioning of tourism will not return to pre-coronavirus and will be gradual. Businesses will need to adapt their services and find new ways to distribute them. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to map the effect of coronavirus on selected aspects of sustainable tourism in the Czech Republic. Methods: We used primary data obtained from controlled interviews with the operators of the monitored facilities and secondary data (EUROSTAT, CSO). Findings & Value added: The paper includes models of the impact of coronavirus in the field of tourism, focusing mainly on accommodation and catering establishments.

Download Full-text

External linkages and intellectual assets as indicators of firms’ innovation activities: results from the Czech Republic and Poland

Oeconomia Copernicana ◽

10.24136/oc.2019.015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 291-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aleksandra Zygmunt

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Institutional Environment ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Value Added ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Innovation Activities ◽

Time Period ◽

Intellectual Assets ◽

Research Organisations ◽

Practical Implications

Research background: Firms’ innovation activities play an important role in fostering firms’ competitiveness and enhancing economic growth of regions and countries. Regarding the significance of the issue, it is essential to explore indicators of firms’ innovation activities. Here, special attention was given to external linkages and intellectual assets. In the study, particular emphasis was put on firms from the Czech Republic and Poland as the countries distinguished by similar innovation performance. Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to explore whether external link-ages and intellectual assets impact on innovation activities of Czech and Polish firms. Methods: In the study, the Cobb-Douglas function was employed. The study used data from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2018 with regard to firms’ innovation activities. In particular, special stress was put on variables related to external linkages and intellectual assets such as: innovative SMEs collaborating with others, private co-funding of public R&D expenditures, PCT patent applications and trademark applications. The time period was 2008–2015. Findings & Value added: This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing new insight on issues connected with indicators of firms’ innovation activities. The results reveal statistical significance of selected variables connected with external linkages and intellectual assets on innovation activities of Czech and Polish firms. These findings have policy and practical implications. There is a need to further stimulate, among others, the linkages between firms and universities, research organisations, institutional environment.

Download Full-text

The impact of corporate social responsibility on business competitiveness

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/20219206017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 92 ◽

pp. 06017

Author(s):

Marcela Kožená ◽

Martin Mlázovský

Keyword(s):

Corporate Social Responsibility ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Open Economy ◽

Value Added ◽

Business Environment ◽

Global Market ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Corporate Social ◽

The Impact

Research background: The social and environmental problems of the current globalised world are primarily targeted on the South and Southeast Asian business environment. However, according to the idea “think global, act local”, practices of Czech local business also contribute to the global environment. Purpose of the article: The Czech Republic is classified as a small open economy in the final stage of a transformation into a market economy, and on the top of that, it is also a member of the European Union. Thus, the Czech Republic is very dependent on the global market. Firstly, this paper is focused on analysing the Czech businesses’ attitude to competitiveness with special emphasis on corporate social responsibility. Secondly, there is predicated the future approach of the Czech managers to CSR. Methods: Primary research is based on individual structured interviews with Czech managers on the top and middle level (n=15). The interviews were conducted from February to May 2020 via a combination of face to face and distance communication. Findings & Value added: The results indicate that the Czech business mostly does not perceive CSR as a key factor of corporate competitiveness. However, the significant part of the interviewees considers CSR as moderately important and what is more, they predicate the upward trend of this factor. In addition, corporate social responsibility is often associated with other factors of competitiveness – more precisely to customer loyalty and innovation capability. Moreover, all the corporations stated that they apply at least some of the CSR principles in their ordinary course of business.

Download Full-text