Suchergebnisse

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the worst global crisis, having a considerable influence on the economy of individual states and whole regions. The present paper focuses on the evaluation of macroeconomic indicators influencing the economic development of selected EU countries due to the pandemic situation. The evaluation focuses on the Visegrad group countries through the TOPSIS method, providing a way to find out the best and the worst economic situation of the evaluated countries. Based on the results of the selected indicators in the countries, we found the trend of the economic development in the analyzed period, characterized by development disparities. According to the analyzed data, we constructed the order of the economic development in the countries. The results serve for the prediction of the economic development in the EU due to the pandemic situation from the perspective of the GDP and employment trend, as well as for the creation of future monetary and fiscal policies in the states. The results could also serve for possible scenarios of future pandemic impacts on the economies.

Mineral resources are life and driving force of the European Union. It is gaining awareness not only in the EU dependent on imports, but also in the world. In the context of the growing population and the growing demands of economies for natural resources, this type of material management has a significant negative impact on the environment. The main aim of the study was to justify the model of circular economy on the national level, based on the disparities between the regions of Slovak republic. To meet the objective, mostly one-factor analysis was implemented. The circular model, which is based on the partial replacement of primary raw materials by secondary ones, should, on the one hand, limit the depletion of natural resources and, on the other hand, reduce the amount of waste produced. The presented work focuses on the issue of sustainable development, which is closely related to the circular economy, and then explains the circular economy model, including the differences from the linear arrangement and possible obstacles to its implementation for the specific conditions of the Slovak republic. From the results, it is clear that the proposed circular model would be helpful to improve the inefficiencies and disparities on the regional and national level.

Funding information: International Visegrad Fund Grant Number IVF 22230264. This article presents the results of a survey conducted in the first half of 2023. A total of 812 questionnaires were obtained from current and potential consumers (individual and B2B) in the Visegrad countries. The survey's goal was to find out how consumers perceive and evaluate the quality and pro-ecological factors/challenges of the products of the electrical machinery industry, in the context of their declared personal purchases. Among other things, it sought to establish the actions consumers expect from manufacturers if they want to increase the market share of good-quality and environmentally friendly products. Improvements to the quality of products, with reductions in their negative environmental impact throughout their life cycle, were noticed most in Hungary and Poland. In all countries surveyed, consumers agreed most strongly with the statement that to increase the market share of good quality and environmentally friendly products, producers should enable recycling, disposal, and so on, and improve the availability of information.