Acta Universitatis - Content of 7/2011

Obsah čísla 7/2011

Contents of 7/2011

Being mobile virtually

Abramuszkinová Pavlíková, E.: Being mobile virtually.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 9--16
The aim of this paper is to introduce the concept of virtual mobility, various types of virtual activities and the results of own research conducted within the MoreVM project. The new types of mobility, resp. virtual mobility are explored in EU context interpreting the research results and stressing case studies as examples of good practice. Virtual mobility among two or more educational institutions offers students a virtual trip abroad. There is an opportunity to acquire a number of ECTS-points at one of the foreign partner institutions or through a joint activity which are counted to the student's degree at his/her home university. This paper is based on the research conducted among ERASMUS coordinators within the EU. The research was part of the MoreVM project which aims at facilitating the virtual mobility, encouraging participation and enhancing efficiency of virtual mobility in higher education. The central focus was on the position of the virtual mobility coordinator, if such exists. There will be an overview of the main research findings reflecting the present situation in managing the virtual mobility. Sharing good experience, including the MoreVM project results, could increase the development of the virtual mobility and get similar attention and success as Erasmus physical mobility. Virtual mobility could be a valuable example also for countries outside of EU.
virtual mobility, management, e-learning, Erasmus mobility, case studies

Factors influencing consumer behaviour in market vegetables in Yemen

Al-Gahaifi, T. H., Světlík, J.: Factors influencing consumer behaviour in market vegetables in Yemen.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 17--28
The purpose of the research is to understand factors influencing consumer behaviour when buying vegetables in Republic of Yemen. Data collection was done by structured questionnaire administered through schools, universities, government offices, and markets from 13 provinces in 5 governorates. Random convenience sampling technique was used. Total sample comprised of 463 completed questionnaires which were used for analysis. The respondents were classified into five categories on the base of their monthly income, age, education, gender, and type of settlement. Authors present the factors that can influence significantly this behaviour, e.g. price, quality, the location of seller, habit, personal relationship between consumer and seller, occasions, discount, sorting, word-mouth, time of purchase, the way of products display, and recommendation of friends and families. From the obtained results, it is obvious that there was high influence on the behaviour of Yemeni consumer when buying vegetables for factors price, occasions, discontent, and time of purchase, while factors habit, display, sorting, and the location of seller suggests medium influence, and the influence was low for word-mouth.
consumer behaviour, marketing research, factors analyses, ANOVA

The influence of price endings on consumer behavior: an application of the psychology of perception

Asamoah, E. S., Chovancová, M.: The influence of price endings on consumer behaviour: an application of the psychology of perception.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 29--38
Price ending is an important pricing strategy that has been used by retailers over the years. The trend seems to be effective considering how consumers react especially to products with odd price endings. This review is aimed at providing an understanding of the psychological influences of price ending on buyers, using the theory of perception. It analysis theories and existing literature on the topic and brings out augmentative pricing strategies that retailers can adopt in consumer markets. Also, an exploratory study was conducted to identify the prevalence of odd prices in the Czech retail sector. The exploratory study was based on 16 different home-drop advertising material, short magazines and leaflets by retails shops in the Zlin region. These leaflets, short magazines and home-drop advertising material were collected and analyzed over 3 month period to identify the dominance of odd and even pricing strategy (total number of advertisements = 922). Also, in order to have a comprehensive coverage of the odd-even pricing phenomenon, opinions of some buyers were sought on their perception of odd-pricing and how the odd-pricing influence their buying decisions. Opinions of a total of 173 shoppers were sampled. The study found clear evidence of the predominant use and preference by shoppers for odd prices compared to even prices in different product categories, especially fast moving consumer goods. The paper concludes by providing the marketing implications and suggestions on when odd and even price ending strategies should be used and for what category of products this strategy can be used. Also, the implications of price endings on marketing communication are highlighted.
price ending, consumer behaviour, perception, psychology, price

Intelligence analysis -- the royal discipline of Competitive Intelligence

Bartes, F.: Intelligence analysis -- the royal discipline of Competitive Intelligence.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 39--56
The aim of this article is to propose work methodology for Competitive Intelligence teams in one of the intelligence cycle's specific area, in the so-called "Intelligence Analysis". Intelligence Analysis is one of the stages of the Intelligence Cycle in which data from both the primary and secondary research are analyzed. The main result of the effort is the creation of added value for the information collected. Company Competiitve Intelligence, correctly understood and implemented in business practice, is the "forecasting of the future". That is forecasting about the future, which forms the basis for strategic decisions made by the company's top management. To implement that requirement in corporate practice, the author perceives Competitive Intelligence as a systemic application discipline. This approach allows him to propose a "Work Plan" for Competitive Intelligence as a fundamental standardized document to steer Competitive Intelligence team activities. The author divides the Competitive Intelligence team work plan into five basic parts. Those parts are derived from the five-stage model of the intelligence cycle, which, in the author's opinion, is more appropriate for complicated cases of Competitive Intelligence.
Competitive Intelligence, work plan, intelligence analysis, team work, systemic application discipline, added value

Components of the financial performance of agricultural enterprises

Beranová, M., Basovníková, M.: Components of the financial performance of agricultural enterprises.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 57--68
Financial performance of agricultural enterprises is discussed mainly in relation to agricultural subsidies policy of the Government. Agriculture is undoubtedly a specific sector of the national economy because the market conditions do not ensure a settlement of production costs of agricultural commodities. Than the most of agricultural enterprises have negative financial performance measured with the Economic Value Added (EVA). The aim of this paper is to identify and determine the main factors influencing the value of the EVA indicator in agricultural enterprises while the analysis is focused especially on four variables directly entering the calculation of economic value added. But the fact that these four variables are functions of other variables has to be also taken into account. Constructed multi-dimensional regression model corresponds with the fundamental logic of the calculation of economic value added. It has been observed that the strongest influence on the value of EVA stands on the side of operating profit. But in agricultural enterprises, the important part of this profit consists just in the agricultural production subsidies. This way, these subsidies become the substantial part of the performance of agricultural enterprises.
agricultural enterprises, cost of capital, debts, economic value added, equity, financial performance, operating profit

The factors affecting competitiveness of companies: contribution and limits of the statistical pattern recognition methods

Blažek, L., Pudil, P., Špalek, J.: The factors affecting competitiveness of companies: contribution and limits of the statistical pattern recognition methods.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 69--80
The paper elaborates the methodical side of empirical research of factors influencing the economic success of companies. The analysis is based on the selective sample of more than 400 stock listed (share holding) companies and limited partnerships located in the Czech Republic. The main goal of the research is to verify, methodically and theoretically, the hypothesis that there is significant mutual dependency between certain types of economic success of companies and a certain typical configuration of values of selected characteristics which describe these companies. The paper concentrates on an analysis of applying the statistical pattern recognition methodology in the course of verifying this hypothesis. Our analysis confirms the potential gains connected with the method. Within the sample we identified group of potential factors of competitiveness which can characterize the interdependence between competitiveness and economic performance.
statistical pattern recognition, business economics, economic success, financial performance, empirical research

What does the implementation of IFRS for SMEs bring for agricultural enterprises?

Financial health of agricultural enterprises in the organic farming sector

Brožová, I.: Financial health of agricultural enterprises in the organic farming sector.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 91--96
The present research was aimed at evaluating the economic performance of organic farm enterprises (legal entities) in the Czech Republic on the basis of their production base and financial health. The evaluation was carried out by means of specific financial indicators. The results recorded in the organic farming sector were confronted with those of the conventional agriculture. It stemmed from the analysis that conventionally farming legal entities, as opposed to the organically farming ones, tend to have higher average assets per hectare of farmland. Secondly, as for the structure of assets, fixed assets prevail substantially over current assets. Organic farms, on the contrary, have a significantly higher average value of external financial resources per hectare of farmland. In order to evaluate the financial health of organic farms, their economic results were used; firstly in absolute value (including per hectare calculation) and then within the individual ratios. The analysis showed that 84.4 % farms of the sample were profitable as long as subsidies were included in the yields. While excluding subsidies from the calculations, an overwhelming majority of enterprises (95.3 %) recorded a loss. Comparing the per hectare economic results, higher average profit rates were recorded for organic farms. Furthermore, financial health of the enterprises was analyzed by means of selected indicator ratios. Concrete results, including the respective commentaries, can be found in the present paper too.
financial health, financial analysis, economic result of an enterprise, organic farm enterprises, conventional farm enterprises, legal entities, ratios

Analysis of educational needs of student teachers at the Institute of Lifelong Learning at Mendel University in Brno

Danielová, L., Janderková, D., Horáčková, M.: Analysis of educational needs of student teachers at the Institute of Lifelong Learning at Mendel University in Brno.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 97--104
The paper is devoted to the results of the second stage of an internal research project, which has been implemented since 2008 at the Lifelong Learning Institute at Mendel University in Brno. Analysis of the educational needs of students undertaking the Bachelor degree in Specialization in Pedagogy was carried out by a questionnaire. The first part is devoted to the attitudes of student teachers to the graduate profile for the field of study, and the issue of the content of study programs is also addressed, with a focus on the practical component. The second part of the paper focuses on research into the professional skills of student teachers which are essential to the successful working life of graduates. This section describes in detail the significance of selected professional skills in relation to the graduate employment market. From a comparison of the results of the investigation, it can be concluded that students deemed the most important areas of professional competence to be proficiency in their own field and the ability to make meaning clear to others. The obtained data are interpreted and discussed in the context of similar studies performed in the Czech Republic and abroad. Based on the results of research, some substantive and methodological changes are proposed in the fields of teaching vocational subjects (UOP) and of teaching and training practical subjects (UPVOV).
internal scientific research project, teachers of vocational subjects, teacher training, research work, educational needs, professional competence, teaching and training practical subjects

Mass layoffs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Duda, J. Hrubová, K.: Mass layoffs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 105--110
The paper describes the legislative framework for mass layoffs. Among the important obligations of the employer in case of mass layoffs there belongs a previous announcement of the intention to employees, unions and the Labour Office. The paper analyzes particular cases within selected companies. Companies tried to avoid mass layoffs by reducing costs such as an elimination of selected employee benefits, shortening working hours, abolition of recruitment, etc. Businesses have also reduced employee training. When analyzing the process of mass layoffs, authors have built certain assumptions. Assumptions were divided into five groups dealing with the reasons for layoffs, employee selection criteria, layoff process itself, help for laid-off employees, and building a good reputation. The analysis proved correct approach of the employer and an effort to handle the challenging situation to everyone's satisfaction. The paper identifies the most common mistakes done in the lay-off process, which include specifically formal errors, like not defining the reasons of layoffs, absence of employer's representative signature, etc. Very important mistake can be considered insufficient communication of employers with employees. Problems in communication can cause useless nervousness of employees and subsequently also a lower performance of the whole business.
mass layoffs, financial crisis, employee

Determinants influencing consumer behaviour in organic food market

Frýdlová, M., Vostrá, H.: Determinants influencing consumer behaviour in organic food market.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 111--120
This is a treatise of consumer behaviour in the Czech foods market, respectively, organic food market. This concerns comprehensive analysis of consumer behaviour, which places great emphasis on the motivating factors and barriers, which substantially influence the individual consumers when deciding between conventional foods and organic foods and are operationally broken down into a set of empirical indicators. The database comes from a questionnaire survey to ascertain the trends in the development of the consumption of conventional foods and organic foods including the shopping behaviour of the individual consumers. The results of the questionnaire survey were evaluated by analysis of the qualitative features and other sophisticated statistical methods were also used. Based on the results obtained, the influence of the individual factors on the decision-making behaviour of the consumers when purchasing foods. The main factors that influence consumer behaviour were considered to be the income of the consumers, price of the foods, attitudes that influence the purchase of foods.
analysis of qualitative data, barriers to consumption, organic foods, eco farming, motivational factors, consumption behaviour, theory of planned behaviour

Corruption in the Czech and Slovak Republic: Did the EU pressure improve legal framework and its enforcement?

Grochová, L., Otáhal, T.: Corruption in the Czech and Slovak Republic: Did the EU pressure improve legal framework and its enforcement?Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 121--136

Did the EU pressure improve legal framework and its enforcement in the Czech and Slovak Republic? The paper analyzes the current state of the Czech and Slovak quality of legal framework and its enforcement in the context of the European Union accession. We looked at a variety of corruption indicator data, such as statistics of revealed and clarified malfeasance connected with corruption per 100 capita and the composite indexes. These indicators suggest that the quality of the legal framework and its enforcement in the Czech and Slovak Republic has not improved after joining the European Union. More precisely, it can be argued that in spite of implementation of anti-corruption public policies proposed by EU institutions, perceived corruption of public officers has remained the same. This means that trustworthiness of legal framework and enforcement authorities responsible for deterrence and reduction of corruption remained the same as well. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of the legal framework and its enforcement, reduction of barriers to entry and more profound legislation reforms is suggested.
anti-corruption public policy, corruption, Czech Republic, EU accession, Slovak Republic

Design of methodology for incremental compiler construction

Haluza, P., Rybička, J.: Design of methodology for incremental compiler construction.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 137--146
The paper deals with possibilities of the incremental compiler construction. It represents the compiler construction possibilities for languages with a fixed set of lexical units and for languages with a variable set of lexical units, too. The methodology design for the incremental compiler construction is based on the known algorithms for standard compiler construction and derived for both groups of languages. Under the group of languages with a fixed set of lexical units there belong languages, where each lexical unit has its constant meaning, e.g., common programming languages. For this group of languages the paper tries to solve the problem of the incremental semantic analysis, which is based on incremental parsing. In the group of languages with a variable set of lexical units (e.g., professional typographic system TEX), it is possible to change arbitrarily the meaning of each character on the input file at any time during processing. The change takes effect immediately and its validity can be somehow limited or is given by the end of the input. For this group of languages this paper tries to solve the problem case when we use macros temporarily changing the category of arbitrary characters.
parser, incremental analysis, compiler, programming language, TEX

The legal regulation of information and communications technologies as specific forms of a production factor for capital in the food industry

Hes, A., Šálková, D.: The legal regulation of information and communications technologies as specific forms of a production factor for capital in the food industry.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 147--156
Information and communications technologies (ICT) are usually given attention primarily from the standpoint of the technical aspects. However the legal aspects of this specific area cannot be forgotten, as they significantly influence the efficacy and usefulness to entrepreneurial subjects i.e. the conditions for making business transactions. ICT are one of the factors that markedly influence agricultural primary production and the food industry as well as all other branches of the economy. Therefore it is necessary to analyse the effect Community legal regulations for electronic transactions have on resource utility. The aim of the paper is to analyse the state of the legal regulation of information and communication technologies in the food industry in the CR in comparison with Community law. Currently a basic overall source of law for the ICT area does not exist in the CR in an integral form. This branch of law is regulated complementarily in a whole number of varying legal regulations. With regards to the specifics of the media used in the ICT framework it is essential to resolve certain issues differently from the general regulations. The paper has resulted from the institutional research intention MSM 6046070906 "The Economics of Resources from Czech Agriculture and their Efficient Use in the Framework of Multifunctional Agri-food Systems".
legal regulations, ICT, food industry, production resources, capital

Integration of economic, environmental, social and corporate governance performance and reporting in enterprises

Hřebíček, J., Soukopová, Štencl, M., J., Trenz, O.: Integration of economic, environmental, social and corporate governance performance and reporting in enterprises.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 157--166
Current trends of corporate performance evaluation, i.e. the measurement of environmental, social, economic and governance performance of company and corporate sustainable reporting are discussed in the paper. The relationship between company performance and reporting its key performance indicators is important, therefore, the development of modern and advanced methods and metrics to identify these indicators mainly based on the quantification with the possibility of utilization of information and communication technology are discussed.
performance evaluation, ESG performance, key performance indicators, sustainability reporting, GRI, UN Global Compact, UNEP FI, OECD, ISO 26000

Framework of performance measurement system for Czech small breweries

Chmelíková, G.: Framework of performance measurement system for Czech small breweries.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 167--176
In spite of increasing interest on performance measurement systems during last 30 years, there is not visible any significant deviation from widely used financial measures in Czech business environment. These are generally criticized on account of several reasons: lag information content, bad fitting with information age competition and difficult communication to employees. Shift from the financial perspective to the non-financial one within the performance management invoked genesis of different performance measurement systems. The aim of this paper was therefore to establish the status of current knowledge in the area of performance measurement systems for small and medium enterprise. This theoretical phase of the research was based on the study of up-to-date reviews and it focused on the description of the most recent performance measurement systems. Further after considering Czech business specifics suitable base for performance measurement system was chosen and the framework of whole performance measurement system not dissimilar to Balanced Scorecard was designed. After considering the circumstances of the micro-brewing segment in the Czech Republic this article resulted in designing an example system suitable for usage among Czech micro-breweries. performance measurement system, financial measures, non-financial measures, performance management

Monetary policy implementation and money demand instability during the financial crisis

Kapounek, S.: Monetary policy implementation and money demand instability during the financial crisis.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 177--186 The author focuses on the money endogeneity in the context of common monetary policy implementation in the euro area. The empirical analysis shows money demand function instability during the financial crisis. The instability is described by decrease in credit money creation and money velocity changes. The cointegration tests identifed long-run positive relationship between monetary aggregates and economic activity. Concurrently, the economic activity is treated to be weakly exogenous in the model. The conclusions are discussed with Postkeynesians' assumption, that central banks cannot fix the stock of money in a country. The causality is directed from economic activity to money demand.
money endogeneity, cointegration, money velocity, weak exogeneity

Methodological aspects of journaling a dynamic adjusting entry model

Kašparovská, V., Gláserová, J.: Methodological aspects of journaling a dynamic adjusting entry model.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 187--194
This paper expands the discussion of the importance and function of adjusting entries for loan receivables. Discussion of the cyclical development of adjusting entries, their negative impact on the business cycle and potential solutions has intensified during the financial crisis. These discussions are still ongoing and continue to be relevant to members of the professional public, banking regulators and representatives of international accounting institutions. The objective of this paper is to evaluate a method of journaling dynamic adjusting entries under current accounting law. It also expresses the authors' opinions on the potential for consistently implementing basic accounting principles in journaling adjusting entries for loan receivables under a dynamic model.
accounting, expected loss, banking regulation, impairment, business cycle, specific impairments, dynamic impairments

Competitiveness of firms, performance and customer orientation measures -- empirical survey results

Klapalová, A.: Competitiveness of firms, performance and customer orientation measures -- empirical survey results.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 195--202
The purpose of this paper is to presents results from two empirical surveys concerning selected factors which can be connected to customer orientation, performance and competitiveness of firms. The purpose of the surveys was also to reveal potential differences between sectors arising from not only the different influences of internal but as well as external environment. A survey instrument was developed to analyse the relationship between several variables measuring customer orientation of surveyed firms and between these factors and level of financial performance. Several statistical methods were applied to analyse the data, specifically descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc test using financial performance for clustering firms and for assessment of potential differences of customer orientation criteria evaluation and Spearman rank correlation coefficients to assess the linear bivariate relationship between customer orientation variables. The results of ANOVA show that only the innovativeness is distinctive distinguishing criteria in conformity with the indicators of financial prosperity and that there are some differences between companies from two groups of sectors within the managers' perception of customer orientation criteria performance.
competitiveness, competitive advantage, performance, customer orientation measures

Corporate sustainability: environmental, social, economic and corporate performance

Kocmanová, A., Dočekalová, M.: Corporate sustainability: environmental, social, economic and corporate performance.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 203--208
The article deals with corporate sustainability and environmental and social issues of the integration of corporate performance measurement that may lead to sustainable economic success. Sustainability is a strategy of the process of sustainable development. Sustainability of businesses and sustainable performance can be defined as an integration of environmental, social and economic performance. First and foremost, businesses will want to know what indicators can be used to measure environmental, social and economic performance. What is the mutual relationship between environmental, social and economic performance? How can firms arrive at a comprehensive assessment of their performance in relation to sustainability? The aim of this paper is to analyze corporate environmental, social and economic performance and to analyze their mutual relationships. The final part of the article is an assessment of the contemporary situation and draft Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for assessment of corporate sustainability that will be the subject of further research in a selected NACE-CZ sector and in accordance with Corporate Sustainability Reporting. KPI provide businesses with a means of measuring progress toward achieving objectives.
corporate sustainability, environmental performance, economic performance, key performance indicators, corporate sustainability reporting, small and medium-sized enterprises

Dynamic aging chain of the Czech Republic population

Krejčí, I., Kvasnička, R., Švasta, J.: Dynamic aging chain of the Czech Republic population.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 209--216
System dynamics is a method enabling simulation and subsequent analysis of various socio-economic problems. Even though it was founded about fifty years ago, it is relatively new and little used in the Czech Republic. It has a good practice to make use of molecules, standard partial modelling structures which make the modelling processes easier and more effective. The objective of this article is to introduce and provide such molecule of an aging chain for the Czech Republic population. To increase its usefulness the aging chain is disaggregated and divided into two chains, one for each sex. The aging chain molecule consists of stock and flow diagram, a system of differential equations and parameters quantified on the basis of demographic data for Czech Republic. Proposed model of aging chain also capture a special phenomenon of the Czech population -- the postponing of motherhood and thus the increase in average age of mothers. This fact led to special model structure that is uncommon for existing aging chains of different populations. The model is constructed on the basis of official demographic data of the Czech Statistical Office and the results of the simulation are compared with the surveyed data. The intersection of data sources resulted into disaggregation of population into twelve age cohorts. The chain is created to serve as a molecule for more complex models. Therefore, variables functioning as interface for implementation into such models are indicated in the text.
system dynamics, population, aging chain, mortality rate, fertility rate, life expectancy

The income situation of the private households and its impact on the food consumption in the Slovak Republic

Kubicová, Ľ., Kádeková, Z., Nagyová, Ľ., Stávková, J.: The Income situation of the private households and its impact on the food consumption in the Slovak Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 217--224
Accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU in 2004 opened up the new opportunities not only in the formation of incomes but also in changes of consumer habits of the population in Slovakia. The basis for these changes were given before 1989, since when it has been possible to monitor realization of reforms. After 1989 have been observed the changes in the evolution of the household income and expenditure structure. The analysis confirms the significant differences and unbalanced right-inclined distribution of income. Households in the fourth income quartile had 2.8 times higher incomes than families in the first income quartile ( Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic). Analyzed were the food groups that in terms of expenditure on food and food consumption took more than 6% share. The results confirm that income differentiation of households is also reflected in their different behavior on the food market. Most sensitive to changes in demand reacts income households with the lowest incomes. In terms of living standard, when satisfying the living needs of population, the disposable monthly income is highly crucial. In meeting the basic needs of households play an important role expenditures on food, housing and energy. The Slovak households have high expenditures on food in comparison with other EU countries. In the structure of consumption expenditures the expenditure on food has decreased in recent years but still represents the highest share (in 2009 it was 21.95%) in comparison with expenditure on housing and energy (19.54% share in 2009). Assessment of the standard of living of the population and its development is effected by several indicators. The key indicators that allow assessment of the standard of living and its development are the money income, consumption and expenditure for food, housing, culture, education and healthcare. Data on the household incomes and the household expenditures for the stated needs point at the standard of living of the population as well as various social groups. Important is also the reciprocal comparison of the differences in expenditures for basic living needs of the household. During the transformation process expanded the variability types and groups of households. Downtrend is spotted in the average size of the households and growing pluralism of the various forms of coexistence.
income and expenditure of the households, elasticity of demand, bread and bakery products, meat and meat products

Elasticity of demand of the Czech consumer

Luňáček, J., Feldbabel, V.: Elasticity of demand of the Czech consumer.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 225--236
The price elasticity of demand enables to set the real "correct price" to the seller guaranteeing the highest income. Despite the fact that the price elasticity of demand is very important in the economic practice, no work that would deal with it in greater details seems to be elaborated till now. The available sources show practically only and exclusively coefficients of the price elasticity of demand in the United States. These coefficients can naturally be utilized, but for certain goods only (e.g. salt, etc.), where the demand is the same irrespectively of where we find ourselves globally. There are certain products and services where the demand is determined by the socio-cultural aspects following from certain traditions of the country in question. The values established for conditions of the Czech Republic are certainly available nowadays, but with respect to expensiveness and scope of these researches we cannot consider them comparable with the results from the USA. Objective of this paper is to draw curves of demand of 20 commonly used commodities in the Czech Republic and to determine coefficients of the price elasticity of demand afterwards, from which the basic recommendations for their sellers will follow. In light of the facts above comparison of these coefficients with the data from the USA would be very interesting to be able to create the picture about dissimilarities in demand of the average Czech and American consumer.
demand, elasticity of demand, statistics evaluation, questionnaire investigation, modelling

Analysis of the impact of Common Agricultural Policy on plant production in the Czech Republic

Malá, Z., Červená, G., Antoušková, M.: Analysis of the impacts of Common Agricultural Policy on plant production in the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 237--244
Common agricultural policy has fundamentally projected itself into the business management of individual agricultural businesses. The submission addresses the assessment of the effects of subsidy policy on the production, costs and profit of agricultural businesses that engage predominantly in plant production. At the same time, it determines the effects of subsidy policy on demand for the production factors of labour and land. To the research questions more than 100 agriculture businesses were analyzed. The date from financial statements enabled to construct production function model, to quantify the cost function, the function of demand for land, the demand for the production factor of labour and finally the profit function was constructed. The results of research evidence the fact that direct payments have a negative effect on the production of agricultural businesses, but on the other hand they initiate demand for agricultural land and increase the profit of agricultural producers. The results also show direct payments do not motivate agriculture businesses towards increased production. The direct payments also increase the demand for production factor of land and they have also a significant effect on the value of profit.
common agricultural policy, subsidies, plant production, production factors

Summation comparison theorems for half-linear second order difference equations on finite interval

Mařík, R.: Summation comparison theorems for half-linear second order difference equations on finite interval.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 245--248
In the paper, new comparison theorems for the half-linear difference equation are derived. We show that if a solution of this equation has a generalized zero on the discrete interval [a, b], then the same holds for a solution of its majorant. The main tool used in the paper is the variational technique which relates nonexistence of a solution with a generalized zero with nonegativity of the p-degree functional defined on the suitable class of admissible functions.
difference equation, second order, focal point, half-linear equation, p-degree functional, free end point

Economic modelling under conditions of exploitation of cohesive construction minerals

Mikoláš, M., Vaněk, M., Černý, I., Kučerová, L., Žoček, F.: Economic modelling under conditions of exploitation of cohesive construction minerals.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 249--260
Managers of mining companies use for decision-making on optimization of manufacturing processes advanced modelling methods and simulations on computers. The article proposes and analyses the model of a mining company production cycle consisting of a three-dimensional quarry model, technology model and economic-mathematical model. Based on the latter model an economic simulation model of a quarry has been created in the MS Excel program currently available on all personal computers, which measures outputs in the form of changes in total and unit costs according to the generic classification of costs in response to changes in inputs in the form of parameters of technology equipment and other operating parameters. Managers use the economic simulation model of quarry as decision support to increase profitability or improve competitiveness of their product from the sector of construction minerals.
decision-making, simulation methods, economic modelling, construction minerals

The impact of foreign direct investment on unemployment in Japan

Palát, M.: The impact of foreign direct investment on unemployment in Japan.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 261--266
The flow of foreign direct investment is one of the indicators of economic interconnection with the rest of the world. The paper is aimed at evaluating of inward FDI flows into Japanese economy and unemployment development. For many decades, Japan has attracted considerably lower levels of inward FDI compared to other developed countries of the world. Also the rate of unemployment in Japan was relatively low which is caused by a specific attitude of the active population of Japan towards employment issues. Methods of regression and correlation analysis (including testing the statistical significance) were used in the analysis of FDI and unemployment. The correlation has been approved between FDI and the rate of unemployment.
inward FDI, unemployment, Japan, correlation

Assessment of subjective aspects of the quality of life in the various regions of the Czech Republic

Poláčková, J., Jindrová, A.: Assessment of subjective aspects of the quality of life in the various regions of the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 267--274
The paper is focused on the methodological approaches to assess subjective aspects of the quality of life in the various regions. Besides, directly measurable indicators, which may not always correspond with the quality of life of the individuals in the regions, the subjective aspects of well-being are also in the spotlight. The pilot analysis examined the answers to questions such as: Are you satisfied with the health and social services, the cost of living, safety of public spaces, affordability of housing, or your personal job situation? These answers were used for an assessment of the quality of life in the different regions of the Czech Republic. We used multivariate modeling to explicitly account for the hierarchical structure of respondents within the Czech Republic, and for understanding patterns of variation between regions. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the general analysis of regional differences. The overall goal of principal component analysis is to reduce the dimensionality of a data set, while simultaneously retaining the information present in the data. The differences were illustrated by cartographic visualization and by scatter plots of the first three principal components. The cluster analysis was used to discover similarities and differences of the quality of life within various regions of the Czech Republic.
quality of life, regional disparities, cartographic visualization, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, SAS

Knowledge, flawlessness and failures in processing of public procurement documents at the state administration

Pomazalová, N.: Knowledge, flawlessness and failures in processing of public procurement documents at the state administration.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 275--282
The objective of this paper is to generate insights into the process of establishing examination of failures in additional documents of specifications of public tenders using archival data. The study is conducted in the public sector procurement practice of public sector organizations -- organizational units in the Czech Republic. Overall, the study adds a piece to the mosaic of preparation of public procurement specifications and additional documents arranged in line with the guidance of public procurement in years 2007--2010. The data set contained failures in specifications and additional documents processed in fifteen organizational units. The key research question is, if the failures developed in processing specifications and additional documents depend on obligatory guidance used in observed years. According to the findings this expectation has not been rejected ( = 0.05). The other expectation, saying that in observed years failures appear in 5 % of processed documents, has been rejected (α = 0.05).
public sector, public procurement, knowledge, failures

Comparison of methodological approaches to identify economic activity regularities in transition economy

Poměnková, J., Kapounek, S., Maršálek, R.: Comparison of methodological approaches to identify economic activity regularities in transition economy.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 283--292
Presented paper focuses on consideration and evaluation of methodical approaches to analyze cyclical structure character of economic activity in transition economy. As a starting point, work in time domain is applied, which is followed in frequency domain approach. Both approaches are viewed from methodical as well as application point of view and their advantage and disadvantage are discussed. Consequently, time-frequency domain approach is added and applied on real data. On the basis of obtained results recommendation is formulated. All discussed methodical approaches are also considered from the perspective of capability to evaluate behaving of business cycle in time of global economic crisis before/after year 2008. The empirical part of the paper deals with data of gross domestic product in the Czech Republic in 1996/Q1--2010/Q2.
cyclical structure, time domain, frequency domain, time-frequency domain, business cycle

production in the Czech Republic and their economic context

Prášilová, M., Severová, L., Chromý, J.: Subsidies of agricultural production in the Czech Republic and their economic context.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 293--300
An important part of evaluating common economic politics of countries in the European Union (EU) is the observation of microeconomic consequences of governmental subsidies in agriculture. This article mentions some basic theoretical and practical connections regarding subsidies in agriculture and of agricultural products on the Czech market, and regarding consequences of implemented price intervention programs. If a subsidy is directed to large-scale producers as well as to geographically unfavourably situated small-scale producers, it can not only miss its own target, but even deepen the existing problem. It is now becoming apparent that prospering large companies have an overall bigger profit from each crown of the subsidized price than small farms, which were originally the reason to implement the subsidies. The size structure of agricultural companies in the Czech Republic has so far been relatively favourable with respect to subsidies. After 2013, a reform of the Common agricultural politics of EU is planned and the amounts of direct payments for agriculture from the EU budget will be newly set. However, the European Parliament supports a proposal of limiting subsidies according to size of farms. Along with that, there is a real threat of growing prices of agricultural products on the market. Results of statistical analyses of source materials have revealed the largest proportion of subsidies in the outputs of Czech agricultural companies in the last years as compared to our neighbours, and also in up to now balance of subsidy level and aid in terms of economic size of the companies. The European Parliament's support of limiting direct payments for agriculture from the EU budget based on size of companies is unfavourable for the Czech Republic and will impact the price level of agricultural products.
subsidy, price intervention, European Union, Agricultural Policy, European Size Unit, agricultural product, equilibrium, long-run costs, short-run costs

Czech small and medium-sized enterprises and the success in foreign markets

Procházková, L., Hubený, J.: Czech small and medium-sized enterprises and the success in foreign markets.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 301--306
The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in national economies has been growing. For these reasons, SME's are paid more attention. The paper deals with the success of Czech SME's activities in the foreign markets. These enterprises exploited the opportunity of extensive European Union market without internal borders and extended its activities to foreign markets. The objective of this paper is to determine characteristics related to activities carried on by small and medium-sized Czech companies in the foreign markets and then to describe those that fundamentally affect the success of these entities in the foreign markets. The characteristics are divided into five groups (a group of characteristics relating to the company, product, management, international experience and a group of characteristics relating to the target market). The enterprises' success in foreign markets is assessed by aggregate indicator of success. This indicator is monitored by multi-dimensional indicators of corporate success and evaluation of both objective and subjective. At the last part of the article due to analysis of relationship used, there are identified characteristics affecting the success of Czech small and medium-sized enterprises in foreign markets.
small and medium-sized enterprises, foreign markets, success, the characteristics of the company

Private equity and venture capital financing in the Czech republic and other european countries -- development, opportunities and limitations

Rajchlová, J., Brož, Z., Baranyková, M., Polák, M.: Private equity and venture capital financing in the Czech Republic and other european countries -- development, opportunities and limitations.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 307--316
Financing by means of private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) offers businesses the resources required to finance their future growth and bring prospective business plans and innovative ideas to reality. This form of financing is relatively new and even though it offers clear advantages it is not frequently used in the Czech Republic and other European countries in the CEE region. This paper addresses current and very relevant issues related to this form of financing. The purpose of this research is to identify opportunities and limitations for this type of financing based on benchmarking analysis. This analysis observes the development of PE/VC financing in the Czech Republic and compares it with several other countries in the CEE region. This paper discusses several factors that influence the development of PE/VC financing. Several conclusions can be drawn from this research. The Czech Republic is in 10th place in the utilization of venture capital from the selected 22 countries covered in this research. The time frame for this research is between 2004 and 2010. After thorough analysis of development and conditions in other countries a list of recommended changes that have proven positive impact on the whole economy is formulated. The relatively low level of utilization of the venture capital in the Czech Republic may be due to several things for example by a lack of knowledge of this form of financing and the inability of the management to formulate a business plan that is interesting for the PE/VC investor. The managers are often afraid of the administrative complexity and also the investor expects relatively high profitability of the investment. Another possible limitation is that the public issuing of stocks is used rarely in the Czech Republic. Another cause for the low level of utilization is the absence of public and institutional support for this form of financing. Venture capital has clear and measurable positive impacts on the whole economy and it is therefore important to support and research the use of this method of financing.
venture capital, private equity, financing, firm, GDP, benchmarking

Proposing changes in legislative and institutional conditions for private equity and venture capital financing in the Czech Republic -- a comparative study with Poland

Rajchlová, J., Baranyková, M., Polák, M., Brož, Z.: Proposing changes in legislative and institutional conditions for private equity and venture capital financing in the Czech Republic -- a comparative study with Poland.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 317--324
This paper discusses the conditions of private equity and venture capital financing in the Czech Republic and Poland. Especially the related legislation, taxes and support of this type of financing are discussed in detail. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the conditions, to find factors that have positive influence and to formulate recommendations that would improve the conditions for both PE/VC investors and firms with new business ideas. Improving the conditions for PE/VC financing helps small businesses get the needed capital that cannot be obtained from banks and other institutions. This form of financing has a proven positive effect on whole economy. Identifying and removing obstacles is therefore important and helps the government to promote economic growth. This form of financing is used frequently in other European countries. In the central and eastern Europe it is not used as frequently but the situation is improving according to (Zinecker & Rajchlová, 2010). According to the study made by EVCA an array of legislative shortcoming were identified in the Czech Republic. Poland and Hungary have better conditions for PE/VC financing. According to EVCA studies made in 2004 and 2006 Poland shows that the conditions improve each year. Therefore Poland was chosen in this research for a comparative study with the Czech Republic.
private equity, venture capital, tax, legislation, support, SMEs

Multiculturalism at Czech universities as a predictor of diversity work place. The case of students from former Soviet Union.

Rašticová, M., Senichev, V.: Multiculturalism at Czech universities as a predictor of diversity work place. The case of students from former Soviet Union.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 325--336
The study is focused on the problematic of spreading multiculturalism at universities in the Czech Republic. The number of immigrants mostly from regions of Eastern Europe coming to work and live in the country keeps growing. From previous research, it is apparent that success in dealing with immigrants at Universities and in the work places is conditioned by the perception of minorities and vice versa. Whereas most of the research is focused on the perception of minority groups, there is a lack of research data regarding the perception of majority groups. The current study is concerned with the perception of a majority group by foreign students from former Soviet Union studying at Czech universities. The methods were chosen to achieve the research objectives. We used free associations, which are best to explore the perception dimensions. A group of foreign students from the former Soviet Union (N = 55) studying at Czech universities were interviewed via the Internet. The research results proved the validity of Susan Fiske's Model of Stereotype Content of inter-group perception based on agency -- communion dimensions. Moreover, the findings showed how different cultures and social backgrounds change the patterns of judgment. These data are considered to be highly important for work in diversified groups. Practical applications of the research outcomes and future directions are discussed.
multiculturalism, universities, diversity, perception, free associations

Development of mergers and acquisitions in the conditions of the Czech economy 2001--2010

Sedláček, J., Křížová, Z., Hýblová, E.: Development of mergers and acquisitions in the conditions of the Czech economy 2001--2010.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 337--346
This paper presents the first results of a research project which has the aims to identify the problems appearing during the preparation of mergers in compliance with valid Czech regulations and to analyze economic causes and consequences of mergers. At the first stage it was necessary to compile a basic dataset in a structure needed for a statistical analysis. The aim of the analysis presented in this paper is to ascertain, both theoretically and empirically, how the external environment affected the development of mergers of trading companies in the conditions of the Czech economy. The covered period is the past ten years, i.e. 2001--2010, when the development of the global economy was affected by the bank crisis in the USA and the economic recession. The analysis of the development of mergers and acquisitions focuses on three groups of factors affecting activities in the field of company combinations. These are mergers and acquisitions which are subject to approval by regulatory bodies, the effect of new regulations of financing (financial factors) and the effect of the macroeconomic situation in the form of GDP indicator and PX index. Macroeconomic indicators are related to mergers whose development has not been published or explored within scientific research. The results of the analysis allowed us to describe the dependence of activities in the field of company mergers which took place in the Czech Republic in the past decade on the selected factors of the external environment.
company transformations, types of mergers, merger development, affecting factors, macroeconomic environment, measurement methods

Selected aspects of GDP value and structure development in sub-Saharan Africa

CFC rules in the context of the proposed CCCTB directive

Sobotková, V.: CFC rules in the context of the proposed CCCTB directive.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 363--370
In the proposal for a Council Directive on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) there have been introduced a specific anti-abuse provisions, CFC rules. These rules are aimed at tax evasions and tax avoidance. The basic principle is the protection of the tax base against erosion through practices of artificial income shifting. Generally, CFC rules prevent tax avoidance in a state of a shareholder by denying the deferred taxation of profits generated by its controlled company, which is a resident in a tax preference jurisdiction. Even thought the CCCTB directive would be aided easier and low-costs cross-border business as well as it would be restricted the harmful tax competition there are questions whether it is advisable to introduce these rules into such system of the CCCTB, whether these rules are compatible with the CCCTB and whether it is regulated properly. So, the focus of this paper rests on the interaction of the proposed CCCTB directive with existing CFC rules in the European Union. The paper deals with pros and cons, economic and legal perspectives these rules in the context of the proposed CCCTB directive.
anti-abuse provisions, anti-avoidance rules, CCCTB, CFC rules, tax evasions

Model of cost and price relationships for municipal waste management of the Czech Republic

Soukopová, J., Hřebíček, J.: Model of cost and price relationships for municipal waste management of the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 371--378
Presented paper Model of cost and price relationships for municipal waste management of the Czech Republic introduces an integrated waste management model of the Czech Republic which was developed as a balanced network model for a set of sources (mostly municipalities) of municipal solid waste (MSW) connected with a set of chosen waste treatment facilities processing their waste. Model is implemented as a combination of four models including environmental and economic point of view. It enables to formulate the optimisation problem in a concise way and the resulting model is easily scalable. It can be used for waste management planning as a decision support tool. In this case, aggregated emissions of greenhouse gases expressed as CO2 equivalent have been minimised. Model involves composting energy utilization, material recycling, and landfilling. Its size (number of sources and facilities) depends only upon available data. Its application was used as a decision support tool in the case study of optimizing the planning allocation of potential facilities of waste management of the Czech Republic.
waste management, municipal solid waste, integrated waste management model, cost modelling

Efficiency of the current municipal waste expenditure -- methodology approach and its application

Struk, M., Soukopová, J.: Efficiency of the current municipal waste expenditure -- methodology approach and its application.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 379--386
The paper introduces methodology designed in order to evaluate and compare efficiency of chosen municipal waste expenditure via calculating efficiency ratings. First part of the paper briefly describes current situation around environmental protection expenditure in Czech Republic and explains reason why the area of current municipal waste expenditure has been chosen for the efficiency evaluation. Second part is dedicated to the idea of the efficiency evaluation methodology which is based on Cost-effectiveness Analysis (CEA). CEA is working with two aspects of efficiency. First aspect is efficiency of expenditure per capita and second is efficiency of expenditure per municipal waste ton. Data necessary for the analysis together with the sources where these data can be acquired are also introduced. The description of exact process of calculating efficiency ratings for each municipality then follows. Whole methodology is demonstrated on selected sample of municipalities together with the results of efficiency evaluation and their graphical depiction. Last part of the paper discusses problems that might arise while performing this efficiency evaluation together with possible expansions of the evaluation.
efficiency, current municipal waste expenditure, Cost-effectiveness analysis

State and development Analysis of human resources in Czech region South-West

Svatošová, L.: State and development analysis of human resources in Czech region South-West.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 387--394
Within determination of regional development strategies it is necessary to analyze the present development of all groups of indicators expressing the state and development of the region and especially to identify factors determining the region development, and to evaluate and quantify their significance. The state and development analyses of human resources in the region have the irreplaceable place here. Human resources are the determining resource of regional development; therefore it is necessary to give them appropriate attention because the further economic development and prosperity of the given territory depend just on them. The paper aim is to evaluate the state and development of human resources in a complex effect of all relevant factors in districts of the region South-West and on base of the analyses to set groups of districts with a similar development and to determine groups of districts or districts which can be marked from the given view-point as endangered. As the basic areas for the analysis the demographic indicators, an economic activity of inhabitants and unemployment of inhabitants were chosen. Besides the basic statistical dynamics indicators also multidimensional statistical methods were used for the analyses -- a principal component analysis and a cluster analysis. By their help indicators were selected whose influence showed themselves as the strongest in the given period, and further they served for establishment of homogeneous groups of districts with a similar state of human factors. It enabled to characterize from the given point of view particular groups of districts and to reveal strong and weak places of human potential development in them.
regional development, districts, statistical analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis

Multifactor productivity analysis in the sample of agricultural enterprises

Svoboda, J., Novotná, M.: Multifactor productivity analysis in the sample of agricultural enterprises.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 395--402
The assessment of Total Factor Productivity (TFP), i.e. inclusion of all factors of production seems to be an easy task. However, its calculation can meet with some difficulties. The calculation of inputs is complicated as different factors of production, which are processes to outputs, has to be transformed to a common factor. The aim of the paper was to analyse relations of efficiency of factors of production measured by factor productivity based on economic profit and returns (profitability) of enterprise measured by the most synthetic profitability indicator (Return on Assets, ROA). A partial aim was to consider risk analysed through ratio of cost to capital (Weighted Average Cost of Capital -- WACC) performed in the sample on agricultural enterprises in 2004--2008. The database used for the research consisted of 622 agricultural enterprises. The methodology of calculation was based on an approach according to Neumaierová and Neumaier (2002) considering the economic profit. This methodology suits well to conditions of Czech financial statements (a balance sheets and a profit and loss statement). The TFP assessment was connected to the return on assets and the correlation analysis revealed dependences of calculated indicators. The paper is a part of the MSM 6007665806 research project.
Total Factor Productivity (TFP), Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), Return on Assets (ROA), efficiency of production factor, correlation analysis, farms

Lease revenue reporting on the side of lessor in connection with transfer of right to use assets (RTU) to lessee

Svoboda, P. : Lease revenue reporting on the side of lessor in connection with transfer of right to use assets (RTU) to lessee.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 403--414
The paper analyzed some of the approaches whose application is eligible for the recording of lease contracts on the side of lessor so that this recording display as closely as possible the essence of the lease relationship and at the same time it would be symmetrical to the way of recording on the side of lessee resulting not from value of transferred physical assets but from the evaluated right to use this asset. Impacts of individual variants of approaches into the income statement and statement of financial position are analyzed. It turns out that apparently it is not possible to apply only one approach (as it is in the case of lessee), without gross distortion of the financial position of the lessor. Some of the options of derecognition approach truly shows the situation, especially in long-term leases and leases where the risks and rewards associated with the lease are transferred to the lessee, for the other leases it is recommended sometimes to use underecognition property from the assets of the lessor during the lease period, but rather report a liability to leave to lessee to use (performance obligations approach). Compared with the current method of recording an operating lease, this approach without taking into account the cost of maintenance leads to another course of reporting profits (rise in the early stages against the growth in the final stages), but also brings a more fundamental problem, and it is overvaluation of lessor's assets. In addition, it is possible to doubt about the correctness to report such liability as an unconditional liability. The approach is also not consistent with the IASB and the FASB project that is devoted to the recognition of revenues. The possible way, according to author's opinion, might be regulation of existing model of reporting operating lease or derecognition approach.
right to use, lessor, derecognition, performance obligation, revenue

Relationship between government spending and economic growth in the Czech Republic

Szarowská, I.: Relationship between government spending and economic growth in the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 415--422
This article aims to provide direct empirical evidence on business cycle relations between government spending and economic growth in the Czech Republic. Government spending plays an important role in a fiscal policy as a possible automatic stabilizer. We analyzed annual data on government spending in compliance with the COFOG international standard. We use cross-correlation on cyclically filtered adjusted time series over the period 1995--2008. The cyclical properties of GDP and government spending function were, in average, found as weakly correlated. However, we report considerable differences in correlations across the spending functions. The lowest correlation coefficient (0.06) was found for recreation, culture and religion and the highest average was reported for economic affairs (−0.51). As regards to using government spending as the stabilizer, total government spending, general public services, defense, economic affairs and education spending were negative correlated and it confirms countercyclical relation between these spending functions and GDP. It is in line with theory suggestion. On the other hand, the highest spending function (social protection) correlated weak positive and it expresses procyclical development. The results of Johansen cointegration test proved the existence of long-run relationship between GDP and total government spending, GDP and public order and safety spending and GDP and economic affairs spending.
government spending, cyclicality, economic growth, correlation, cointegration

Entrepreneurship within health care -- a dilemma of identity and profession

Šebestová, J.: Entrepreneurship within health care -- a dilemma of identity and profession.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 423--430
This paper focuses on specific area of entrepreneurship -- health care services. Insufficient commercial business knowledge by the managers of SME health care businesses and a lack of entrepreneurial skills relative to the medical care industry could also be considered barriers to growth or barriers to survival within a crisis environment. An analysis of the strategic elasticity of small a health care organisation could help find an answer to the question of how this specialised business segment, with its multi-faceted sources of finance, might deal with challenges from the external environment and what mixture of strategies might they use to achieve their goals. This will allow the organisations to be proactive with regard to market risk and to construct their own model of behaviour under the four pillars of crisis strategic behaviour -- marketing, financial, personal and plan of supply of services. How can one utilise the fundamental planning pillars within health care businesses when the behaviour itself is not predicable? What interactions support the dynamics and adaptability of the business in a positive way? Can different types of stakeholders (or other factors such as business age or interconnections) shed light on developing a better understanding of strategy making in health care services? This paper compares the original options of measurement based on modelling with ROC curves and reflects upon the possible problems of applying this option to the context. A detailed analysis of the data suggest the following results -- better understanding about health care management/business and how to strategically guide such businesses in a unique regulatory environment. And answer the question -- do physicians make good managers/businesspeople or would it be better for them to delegate this role to an experienced business manager. From a practitioner perspective, the paper will give feedback for entrepreneurial effectiveness in this specialized area of commercial activity.
entrepreneurship, identity, profession, health care, strategy

Partial equilibrium model -- Case study of the poultry market

Šobrová, L., Malý, M., Malá, Z.: Partial equilibrium model -- Case study of the poultry market.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 431--438
This paper deals with identifying the main determinants in the poultry agri-food chain in the Czech Republic and examines their relationships. The partial equilibrium model, defined as a seven-equation model in power form, is employed for this purpose. The analysis is based on both time-series and panel data of the main factors in the poultry market. The time-series as well as panel data contain annual data of selected variables for the period from 1995 to 2009. The analysis is focused on supply and demand of poultry meat, specifically on production, consumption and foreign trade in poultry meat in the Czech Republic. Firstly, the main factors influencing the poultry market are determined, then, an appropriate model is employed. The parameters of the model are estimated using the ordinary least squares method in statistical and econometric software. Estimated parameters confirm assumed relationships among the selected variables. Moreover, the long-term tendencies of the selected indicators are proven. Among other, the analysis proves an inertial consumption, the price level as the main factor influencing the consumption and one-way or mutual relationship among the selected variables. The statistical features of the model are satisfied as well -- the estimated parameters are statistically significant, the model does not contain, neither the problem of autocorrelation of residuals nor the problem of heteroskedasticity.
time series, panel data, partial equilibrium model, agri-food market, poultry

Suppliers in the wine sector

Šperková, R., Hejmalová, H.: Suppliers in the wine sector.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 439--446
Suppliers are an important part of business because they supply the company with sources for production. If a company relies solely on one supplier, it may interrupt the flow of production due to failure to deliver material. Suppliers can demonstrate its strength mainly by increasing prices or reducing the quality of supplied materials. In the wine sector, there are the following major groups of suppliers: feedstock suppliers (wine grapes), suppliers of chemical additives and other substances necessary for the production of wine, suppliers of manufacturing technology, suppliers of packaging materials, energy suppliers and other vendors. Highest bargaining power is currently available to suppliers of energy, because energy is an essential resource for the industry and there are few suppliers of this product. But their bargaining power gradually decreases depending on the liberalization of energy markets, supported by interest in this area. Overall, it can be stated that the bargaining effect is of medium importance.
wine-production industry, suppliers, packaging materials, bargaining effect, market

Barriers to development of the innovation potential in the small and medium-sized enterprises

Tabas, J., Beranová, M., Vavřina, J.: Barriers to development of the innovation potential in the small and medium-sized enterprises.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 447--458
It is a common fact, that innovations are the necessary prerequisite of economic development. With regard to the gradual globalization of the world economy, it is obvious that the strategic objectives of every country are directed to own economic wealth which is lead especially by the small and medium-sized enterprises. Due to the fact that these business entities are creating the most of economic growth of every country, the necessity of research, support and development of their innovation potential is obvious. The last and also the least that one could starve for is the building up the barriers to innovativeness of domestic companies, and to decrease competitiveness of the country. In the paper, the authors are focused on the determination of barriers to innovation potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. For this reason, the secondary research of recent studies on innovation barriers has been elaborated. Subsequently, the primary research has been realized on the statistical sample of 173 SMEs. Based on the data analyses, the authors have proved four statistical interactions between innovation potential and factors which stand as barriers to innovation potential development. This paper is based on the confrontation of outcomes of primary research with the secondary research on world-wide perceived barriers to innovations. Data obtained from the primary research had mostly the qualitative and categorical character. Due to this fact, especially Chi-square Test, normalized Pearson coefficient of contingence and Chuprov's coefficient have been applied.
barriers to innovations, Chi-square test, innovation, innovation potential, small and medium-sized enterprise

Cost indicators of common facilities of land consolidation

Tichá, A., Podhrázská, J.: Cost indicators of common facilities of land consolidation.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 459--468
Land consolidation can be defined as the spatial and functional arrangement of lands. By the process of land consolidation the ownership rights to land are settled and conditions for the rational management of land owners are created. The plan of common facilities is an important part of the land consolidation project. It is a set of measures creating conditions for access to lands (traffic network) and conditions for improvement of the environment (land resources conservation and development, water management, enhancement of landscape ecological stability). The costs of land consolidation are covered mainly by public resources. Considerable investment costs are necessary for the implementation of structures. The volume of investments is given by the estimation of construction costs. The cost indicator of a structure of common facility (CICF) can be used as a ratio. Among other things, this paper presents the catalogue of construction works for representative structure of common facilities, including the prices and a card of the cost estimation. These data may be used for a better orientation in the price level of particular items by both employees of land authorities and construction companies competing for contracts during the awarding of contracts for public procurement.
land consolidation, common facilities, cost estimate, cost indicators

Vectorised Spreading Activation algorithm for centrality measurement

Troussov, A., Dařena, F., Žižka, J., Parra, D., Brusilovsky, P.: Vectorised Spreading Activation algorithm for centrality measurement.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 469--476
Spreading Activation is a family of graph-based algorithms widely used in areas such as information retrieval, epidemic models, and recommender systems. In this paper we introduce a novel Spreading Activation (SA) method that we call Vectorised Spreading Activation (VSA). VSA algorithms, like "traditional" SA algorithms, iteratively propagate the activation from the initially activated set of nodes to the other nodes in a network through outward links. The level of the node's activation could be used as a centrality measurement in accordance with dynamic model-based view of centrality that focuses on the outcomes for nodes in a network where something is flowing from node to node across the edges. Representing the activation by vectors allows the use of the information about various dimensionalities of the flow and the dynamic of the flow. In this capacity, VSA algorithms can model multitude of complex multidimensional network flows. We present the results of numerical simulations on small synthetic social networks and multi­dimensional network models of folksonomies which show that the results of VSA propagation are more sensitive to the positions of the initial seed and to the community structure of the network than the results produced by traditional SA algorithms. We tentatively conclude that the VSA methods could be instrumental to develop scalable and computationally efficient algorithms which could achieve synergy between computation of centrality indexes with detection of community structures in networks. Based on our preliminary results and on improvements made over previous studies, we foresee advances and applications in the current state of the art of this family of algorithms and their applications to centrality measurement.
centrality, network flow, spreading activation, graph-based methods, recommender systems, data mining

The Czech labour market after the crisis of a real economy: negative development or return to steady-state?

Tuleja, P., Tvrdoň, M.: The Czech labour market after the crisis of a real economy: negative development or return to steady-state?Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 477--488
This paper studies the Czech economy before, during and after the economic crisis. Consequences on the labour market, respectively on unemployment are also discussed in the paper. According to most economists the cause of the economic crisis was the financial crisis which was triggered by a liquidity shortfall in the United States banking system. It has resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, the "bail out" of banks by national governments and downturns in stock markets around the world. Real gross domestic product decreased in almost all EU countries including the Czech economy. Massive drop of gross domestic product led to increase in the unemployment rate. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to discussion about consequences of this crisis. The paper provides also an analysis of gross domestic product and its components. The empirical analysis also tried to answer the question if it is more a return to steady--state than the deterioration of economic performance in the case of the Czech economy. In other words, it means that economic performance of the Czech economy was above the level of potential output. Research in this study is based on basic macroeconomic quarterly data between the years 2000 and 2010 which were published by the Czech Statistical Office and Eurostat. We found out that the Czech labour market had to cope with the consequences of the economic crisis and now it is going to reach a long-term equilibrium.
gross value added, gross domestic product, potential output, unemployment rate, natural rate of unemployment, Beveridge curve

Impact of reference groups on the teenagers' buying process of clothing in the Czech Republic

Turčínková, J., Moisidis, J.: Impact of reference groups on the teenagers' buying process of clothing in the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 489--496
The main objective of our research was to suggest recommendations for Czech producers of clothing for brand building and marketing communication strategies with Czech consumers in age group 13 to 19 years, therefore, our goal was to analyze consumer behavior of Czech youth when buying and using clothing and to analyze factors influencing their behavior, with the emphasis on reference groups and these results are presented in this paper. The target group (consumers 13--19 years old) was selected because it's often been neglected in recent marketing researches. The research consisted of primarily qualitative research (n = 96) in the form of in-depth interviews and pilot quantitative research (n = 200) in a form of online survey. The data collection was conducted in time period March 17--April 22, 2011. On the basis of data analysis, authors suggested general recommendations for improving marketing communication strategy of fashion producers in the Czech Republic. The results hint differences in the buying behavior of clothing between respondents in the age 13--15 and 16--19 years. The group of 13--15 years old teenagers doesn't consider clothing brands as a very important criterion when choosing particular piece of clothing, while for the older group brands matter. The 16--19 year old ones are significantly more influenced by their friends and opinion leaders, while the for the younger group this influence comes not from their peers, but mostly parents.
buying process, clothing, Czech Republic, reference groups, teenagers, qualitative research

Development of agricultural producers' groups in the Czech Republic with focus on commodity area fruit and vegetables

Vavřina, J., Martinovičová, D.: Development of agricultural producers' groups in the Czech Republic with focus on commodity area fruit and vegetables.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 497--506
Groups of agricultural producers had been established in the former Czechoslovakia already in 1930s and with the transition to a market economy it is again relevant to think about the renewal of some type of economic partnership among agricultural producers. The need to establish a group of agricultural producers may occur in the broader context of increasing dynamics within current competitive forces' models with regard to even relatively less dynamic sector of agriculture. Further development of this kind of economic partnership among agricultural producers in the Czech Republic is eligible for support via public subsidies, namely by Common Agricultural Policy. Nevertheless many agricultural producers are still facing tougher foreign direct competitors after EU accession as single economic units instead of establishing new or joining existing producer groups, namely in production of fruit and vegetables. Authors identify and describe subsidies currently available for further establishment of economic cooperation within structures of agri-food complex and agricultural producers. This is followed by a framework economic analysis of the whole fruit and vegetables production sector within year period 2004--2009 using Farm Accountancy Data Network with the focus on established producer groups using financial statements issued in Business Register of the Czech Republic.
groups of agricultural producers, agricultural commodity, horizontal cooperation, public subsidy, Common Agricultural Policy

Czech trade integration over the last two decades

Žídek, L.: Czech trade integration over the last two decades.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 507--518 Development of international trade is (in our view) one of the greatest achievements of the transformation process in Eastern Europe. In the paper we illustrate this achievement by the example of the Czech Republic. We conclude that the economy has enormously changed from closed one with backward production and orientation towards the Eastern markets to one that is among the most open economies in the world, with nearly entire orientation towards the developed markets and with relatively advanced production. This development was partly a result of quick (and in our view brave) liberalization at the beginning of the transformation process. At the same time, we have to conclude that the level of dependency has enormously increased in the course of the respective period and the Czech economy is now highly dependent on the economic development of the main trading partners -- foremost the other European countries. This dependency is largely positive but can bring negative aspects in the periods of economic decline.
Czech Republic, international trade, economic transformation

Historical development of derivatives' underlying assets

Riederová, S., Růžičková, K.: Historical development of derivatives' underlying assets.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 521--526
The derivative transactions are able to eliminate the unexpected risk arising from the price volatility of the asset. The need for risk elimination relates to the application of derivatives. This paper is focused on derivatives' underlying assets themselves. With the plain description, supported by progressive summarization, the authors analysed the relevant theoretical sources, dealt with derivatives, their underlying assets and their development in centuries. Starting in the ancient history, 2000 BC, the first non-standard transaction, very close to today's understanding of derivatives, becomes to be closed between counterparties. During the time, in different kingdoms and emporiums, derivatives started to play a significant role in daily life, helping to reduce the uncertainty of the future. But the real golden era for derivatives started with the so called 'New derivative markets' and computer supported trading. They have extended their form from simple tools to most complex structures, without changing their main purpose hedging and risk -- reduction. For the main purpose of this paper it is impossible to split the development of derivatives from the very wide extension of underlying assets. The change of these assets was one of the main drivers in derivatives development. Understanding of the dynamic character of these assets helps to understand the world of derivatives.
assets, derivatives, forwards, futures, options, underlying assets

Intangible asset tax depreciation in the Czech Republic

Svirák, P., Brychta, K.: Intangible asset tax depreciation in the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 527--540
This paper aims to familiarize readers with the legislative development of intangible asset tax depreciation in the Czech Republic since 1993. The paper is divided into several basic chapters, of which the main chapter describes and analyzes the development of legislation in three thus-existing legal modes regulating intangible asset tax depreciation (the periods 1993--2000; 2001--2004; 2004--2011). A separate sub-chapter deals with each of these three modes, which fundamentally differ in the concept of determining tax depreciations. For better clarity, changes in the legislation in question are described using tables. Over the first mentioned mode, i.e. the mode valid for assets acquired in the period 1993--2000, intangible asset tax depreciations were determined by the same manner as tangible asset tax depreciations. This period is characterized by gradual establishment (specification) of legislation that may be partially attributed to the stormy development of social conditions and the need for them to be reflected in law. For the period 2001--2003, standard amendments were contained in accounting regulations. The Income Tax Act (hereinafter ITA) did not contain an amendment of intangible assets and its depreciations. It merely determined that accounting depreciations of intangible assets were a tax expense. Nevertheless, changes also occurred in this short time period, which this paper will later address. Effective from 2004, legislation on intangible assets and their tax depreciations returned to the ITA. Changes came in this mode of determining depreciations as well; nevertheless, one may consider the current legislative regulation to be stabilized. Later in this paper for the selected category of intangible assets (software), the authors describe and assess the dependence of the portion of the entry price entering tax expenses in the form of tax depreciations on the year of acquiring intangible assets. To achieve the stated objectives, the comparative method was applied (used mainly to describe and assess how legislation developed) and the modeling method (establishing models describing the impact of legislative regulation on the tax expenses of taxpayers). When elaborating this paper, the authors also chose to use so-called paired logic methods.
tax burden, intangible assets, depreciations, legislative regulation de lege lata, development of legislative regulation

Private equity and venture capital: investment fund structures in the Czech Republic

Zinecker, M.: Private equity and venture capital: investment fund structures in the Czech Republic.Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 541--552
A working private equity and venture capital market (PE/VC market) stimulates the business environment in a positive manner and impacts the level of economic growth of national economies. A study of the Austrian Private Equity and Venture Capital Organisation/AVCO (2004, p. 6) defines prerequisites for a correct operation of the PE/VC market. It views the legislative provision for suitable legal fund structures for PE/VC investments and their tax treatment as a key factor. In its publication, Private Equity & Venture Capital in the Czech Republic (2010, p. 14), the Czech Venture Capital Association/CVCA stresses that legal barriers are an important reason behind the limited scope of resources available to domestic PE/VC funds. Legal barriers prevent the establishment of a standard PE/VC fund in the territory of the Czech Republic, which fact in turn has a negative impact on the level of development of the domestic PE/VC market (fundraising, investment volumes, establishment of the infrastructure required for the operation of PE/VC funds). The purpose of this article is, based on an analysis of the relevant information sources, to assess how the current Czech legislation regulates the legal fund structures for PE/VC investments and their tax treatment. Proposals for a potential improvement of the situation are based on a comparison of the legislative framework applicable in the Czech Republic and the requirements defined by the European Venture Capital Association/EVCA, as well as the AVCO study (2004, 2006).
private equity, venture capital, tax and legal environment, private equity and venture capital fund structures