<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Corruption is a widespread phenomenon in all countries undergoing market transition. However, the Czech Republic stands apart, with its incredible entanglement of corruption, politics and business. Although corruption on the firm level in the Czech Republic is heavily criticized, the results of our in-depth interviews conducted with Czech SMEs showed that almost every firm has encountered some form of corruption and even used corruption to either increase sales, help negotiations, or increase production. Most of our respondents admitted that corruption was useful for day-to-day business. This article aims to obtain information about the state of corruption in enterprises in the Czech Republic and map the behaviour of entrepreneurs in companies. Our results offer ways to fight corruption: apart from highlighting the negative traits of corruption, emphasis should be made on determining to what extent corruption would be acceptable for firms and their clients. This could be useful for designing various state policies that might influence system change and market development in CEECs and both directly and indirectly influence the volume of corruption.</abstract>

Department of marketing communication and PR, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Smetanovo nábreží 6, 110 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Department of marketing communication and PR, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in Prague,Smetanovo nábreží 6, 110 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Corruption and System Change in the Czech Republic: Firm-Level Evidence

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In order to boost students’ entrepreneurial activities, it is essential to identify the factors that form entrepreneurial intentions and to investigate how the development of these factors can be influenced. This paper attempts to explore the main drivers of entrepreneurial intentions and to examine national differences in students’ entrepreneurship by using the database of the GUESSS research project related to the Visegrad countries, namely Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. This paper adopts Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour, according to which attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control influence entrepreneurial intentions.The results of this research confirm the significant role that attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control play in shaping students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Differences can be experienced not only in the level of intentions, but also in the strength of each factor across Visegrad countries, which suggests that there is a need for solutions tailored the students’ needs in different Visegrad countries. Neither the age nor the gender that are frequently investigated in the literature can significantly increase the explanatory power of the Ajzen’s model. Their effect may be perceived in different attitudes and different behavioural control.</abstract>

Entrepreneurial Intention in the Visegrad Countries

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Most quantitative studies deal with the costs of transparency lobbying and give little or no attention to quantifying the benefits. The aim of the article is to determine options for increasing lobbying transparency and their evaluation and comparison from the viewpoint of direct and indirect benefits. Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) isused. Five basic options are identified. Option I is the possibility of increasing the transparency of lobbying by measures introduced on lobbyists. Option II represents an increase of transparency in terms of lobbying targets. Option III is defined as an increase in lobbying transparency by means of sunshine principles and the increase of lobbying transparency by monitoring and sanctions is included in Option IV. All five options are evaluated from the perspective of realized direct and indirect benefits. The selection of the most suitable option will be carried out in relation with the presupposed incurred regulatory costs of lobbying transparency increase.</abstract>

What Benefits Does Transparent Lobbying Bring

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Digitization has changed economic activity in many ways. While digitization has contributed to a very dynamic development of markets and competition, concerns are also being expressed about powerful positions of some companies. The digital transformation poses new challenges for companies, consumers, politics and society. Competition policy is also required to address these developments and to adapt existing competition law, if necessary. The following analysis of digital markets showed that it is not possible, in general, to make concrete competition policy statements or even to give detailed recommendations for the antitrust analysis. The aspects are to be considered separately and in detail when examining search engines, social networks, trading platforms and other business models. On the other hand, data (and data analysis) should stand in the centre of competition law analysis due to their importance for the economic success of digital market companies.</abstract>

Economic and Legal Features of Digital Markets

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The purpose of this article is to study the connection between corporate respect for human rights and corporate social responsibility. The author argues that business entities have a responsibility to respect human rights and that this responsibility forms part of their corporate social responsibility. The author defends the view that business and human rights issues are distinct from corporate social responsibility issues in their legal nature and content, while the strategic approach in the implementation of these concepts is the same. The author further examines whether voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives include human rights, and how society understands the connection between the two. The conclusions of the article shed light on the interconnection between these two terms.</abstract>

The Connection between Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Respect for Human Rights

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In May 2007, the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic approved the National Program for Learning Regions. It states that the long-term strategic objective for the development of Slovak regions is the gradual reduction of disparities in living standards in regions and to improve regional economic performance. One of the tools for achieving this goal is considered the learning region concept. The main aim of this article is to streamline the presentation and monitoring of the partial progress made in achieving the objectives of the National Program for Learning Regions in the Slovak Republic to policy-makers and to make this relatively complex issue accessible to a wider audience through one aggregated index and two partial indices; the PCA method was used. The results showed relatively large differences between regions. The highest value of the aggregated LR index was reached by the Trnava region, followed by the Bratislava region; these two regions seems to be in accordance with reaching the objectives of the National Program for Learning Regions. The lowest values were found in the Banská Bystrica, Prešov and Košice regions. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between aggregated and economical-innovative indices with average GDP during the years 2008–2014 at the NUTS 3 level.</abstract>

Assessment of National Program of Learning Regions in Slovakia – Design and Testing

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Foreigners from third countries are not entitled to participate in the Czech public health insurance system unless they have either permanent residence in the Czech Republic or a Czech employer. This article aims to analyse the economic impact of the possible inclusion of such foreigners into the public health insurance system in the Czech Republic. First, we estimate the size of the group of foreigners concerned and follow with the estimation of contributions paid and the cost involved. The analysis is based on publicly available data that entail simplifications. The conducted research shows that the inclusion of foreigners from third countries into the public health system of the Czech Republic would positively impact the economic balance of the system in that the estimated contributions would surpass the estimated costs.
</abstract>

Participation of Foreigners in Public Health Insurance in the Czech Republic

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of the paper is to prove a hypothesis concerning the dependence of the political polarisation of the European Union on recent developments in labour market structure. The labour market is undergoing changes that stem from technological progress as well as outsourcing of low-skill activities, which are causing an increase in labour market and wage polarisation. The premise is that the depopulation of the middle class is increasing political polarisation. The hypothesis is tested on a sample of 27 European Union countries from 1990 to the present using OLS with fixed effects regression analysis. Political polarization is represented by an own constructed political polarization index based on the ideological division of political parties’ data of the ParlGov project (2022). The index is constructed by combining the election results and four ideological spectrums. In conclusion, the dependence of political polarisation on labour market polarisation and wage polarisation is rejected.
</abstract>

The Mutual Influence of Labour Market Polarisation, Wage Polarisation and Political Polarisation in the European Union

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This paper intends to assess the feasibility of introducing a lawyer’s monopoly in Kazakhstan. The main purpose of the study is to analyze the current legal provisions of the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding judicial representatives authorized to provide legal assistance on behalf of civil proceedings. The work examines foreign experience from the point of view of the applicability of best practices. The study notes the shortcomings of the recently adopted legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of regulation of advocateship. Attention is focused on the fact that it is the legal profession that should serve as the key to the effective implementation of the constitutional right of citizens to receive qualified legal assistance. An advocates’ monopoly on judicial representation will contribute to the establishment of a single ecosystem that consolidates special professional groups and independent lawyer associations capable of providing qualified legal assistance.
</abstract>

Advocates and Legal Advisers in Civil Proceedings in Kazakhstan: Is Advocate Monopoly Required?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of this article is to analyze the utilization of alternative approaches for resolving tax disputes across various countries worldwide in order to evaluate the feasibility of introducing such approaches in Ukraine. It provides an overview of mediation, which is considered one of the most efficient methods for alternative dispute resolution. The article also presents a classification of mediation mechanisms employed in different countries. Furthermore, it examines the trends in the feasibility of introducing tax mediation in Ukraine. Lastly, the article suggests a roadmap for implementing judicial mediation as the most comprehensible and effective method for resolving tax disputes.
</abstract>

Mediation in the Resolution of Tax Disputes: Advantages, Application Experience, Prospects for Implementation in Ukraine

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In 2015 refugee crisis, Hungary’s strict border controls and legal reforms drew international criticism, straining EU relations. This article employs the qualitative legal historical methodology to investigate the historical dynamics underpinning Hungary’s shifting refugee policies. The analysis uncovers a significant shift in Hungary’s approach to refugees. Following World War I, the Trianon agreement, which led to territorial loss and population displacement, posed migration challenges that Hungary addressed on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, after 1989, Hungary aligned its legal systems with international standards. It ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, marking the first official regulation of refugees under Decree 101. In 2007, upon EU accession, Hungary enacted the Asylum Act 2007, aligning it with the Dublin regulation and relevant EU directives, which formed the foundation for refugee crisis legislation in 2015. The study also examines the 2011 constitutional amendment, indirectly creating sociocultural barriers between Hungarian society and refugees.
</abstract>

Hungary and Refugee: From Historical to Legal Development

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The discovery of epigenetics as hidden external influences on genes could in the future affect all aspects of our lives. This includes also legal life, both in terms of its different application or enforcement of liability and the understanding of law itself. Epigenetics is a path towards personalised medicine, and with this to personalised and transgenerational justice. The aim of this paper is – based on the literature review and the critical evaluation of the material – to present epigenetics as a new legal perspective that allows a more personal perspective on issues of individual and transgenerational justice which brings to the fore intergenerational solidarity. The result of this is the increased awareness of the importance of changes in genetic profiles that can affect a person’s actions and thoughts, which can affect the way cases are handled. As epigenetics is focused on actual rather than chronological age, new discoveries on rejuvenation give us a new basis for a different interpretation and application of legal provisions. If the law changes during use and its violation (as proteins patch the DNA chain), thereby lowering the rule of law, an epigenetic view of the rejuvenation or reprogramming, resetting, and restarting of the DNA backup may offer a new-old, i.e. always baseline, perspective on the understanding of law.
</abstract>

Epigenetics as a New Challenge in the Legal Field

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Irrespective of the euro crisis, a European banking union makes sense, including for non-euro area countries, because of the extent of European Union financial integration. The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) is the first element of the banking union. From the point of view of non-euro countries, the draft SSM regulation as amended by the EU Council includes strong safeguards relating to decision-making, accountability, attention to financial stability in small countries and the applicability of national macroprudential measures. Non-euro countries will also have the right to leave the SSM and thereby exempt themselves from a supervisory decision. The SSM by itself cannot bring the full benefits of the banking union, but would foster financial integration, improve the supervision of cross-border banks, ensure greater consistency of supervisory practices, increase the quality of supervision, avoid competitive distortions and provide ample supervisory information. While the decision to join the SSM is made difficult by uncertainty surrounding other elements of the banking union, including possible burden sharing, we conclude that non-euro EU members should stand ready to join the SSM and be prepared for negotiations on the other elements of the banking union.</abstract>

Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels, Belgium; Corvinus University Budapest and Research Centre for Economic and Regional Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels, Belgium

Should Non-Euro Area Countries Join the Single Supervisory Mechanism?

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Various internet platforms have rapidly developed into central points of everyday life, for private individuals as well as for companies (often dominated by a single or a few companies). At the same time these internet platforms are advancing into more and more areas of business. This creates the risk of dependency, abuse of power, manipulation, concentration of power, centralization of data and information with corresponding effects on technological development, innovation, economy, society and politics. From an economic point of view, this article examines how the strong market positions of internet platforms arise and can be maintained. The dynamics of these technology and innovation-driven markets and the differences from conventional markets are also discussed. These internet markets have emerged from a series of innovations and are characterized by rapid technological development. Taking into account the economic peculiarities as well as knowledge from innovation and governance research, recommendations are drawn up on how these problems can be dealt with.
</abstract>

Some Economic Characteristics of Internet Platforms

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> This paper estimates the efficiency of Czech commercial banks during the period 2001 to 2011. We applied Dynamic Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to data from Czech commercial banks. The DEA measures the relative efficiency of a homogeneous set of decision-making units (DMUs) in their use of multiple inputs to produce multiple outputs. Dynamic Data Envelopment Analysis is a new approach which estimates the performance of a group of DMUs during several periods of time. The results of Dynamic DEA models showed that the average efficiency computed under the assumption of constant returns to scale reached a value of 86.7% and that the average efficiency estimated under the assumption of variable returns to scale was 95.7%. Efficiency slightly increased in the period analysed. The result of scale efficiency found that the main source of inefficiency is the inaccurate size of the biggest banks and also the excess client deposits managed by Czech banks.</abstract>

ESTIMATION OF BANKING EFFICIENCY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: DYNAMIC DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> In 2011, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia made a historical decision on the ‘Tito street’ case, thereby placing human dignity at the centre of the constitutional order. A few years later, some related doubts not resolved by the Constitutional Court remain. For instance, the Court argues that an exhaustive a priori definition of human dignity is impossible since the notion depends on the development of its historical and ethical substance over time. The question thus arises of why legislation states that human dignity is universal even though it can be perceived as being a product of time and place. In this paper, we strive to answer this question by arguing that human dignity has two dimensions, initial dignity and realised dignity, and interpret the Court’s decision from a new angle. Thereby, the aim of this paper is to build a conceptual framework of human dignity and discuss it from a fresh perspective as well as to prove its applicability by presenting Slovenian constitutional case law. The paper offers significant insights into the discussion and may therefore help to improve future interpretations of human dignity in the field of constitutional case law.</abstract>

Understanding the Different Dimensions of Human Dignity: Analysis of the Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia on the »Tito Street« Case

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Since its implementation in 1990, the human development index (HDI), the flagship indicator of multidimensional development, has attracted a great deal of attention and critics in academic, political and media circles. It initiated a new stage in the discussion of appropriate indicators to measure socioeconomic development. Until now, the vast majority of empirical work using the HDI concept has taken a cross-country perspective. The main aim of this paper is the application of the HDI at the sub-country level in small, highly developed and socioeconomically homogenous countries. For this undertaking we use a slightly modified version of the HDI, called the regional development index (RDI). For the components of the RDI - life expectancy, education and standard of living - we use recent cross section information for Austria at the level of districts. There exists considerable heterogeneity across districts in the RDI and its components. Our Theil-decomposition reveals that the overwhelming part of the observed heterogeneity is based on differences within provinces (96 percent), although the differences in life expectancy between the provinces explain a substantial part of the overall heterogeneity in this indicator (54 percent).</abstract>

University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, Andreas Hofer-Straße 7, 6330 Kufstein, Austria

University of Innsbruck, Department of Economics and Statistics, Austria

University of Innsbruck, Department of Economics and Statistics,Austria

Regional Development in Advanced Countries: a Within-Country Application of the Human Development Index for Austria

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DANUBE

 DANUBE is an international professional journal referring to the tradition of the humanities-oriented periodical of the same title, which was first published in Vienna as early as...

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 DANUBE is an international professional journal referring to the tradition of the humanities-oriented periodical of the same title, which...