Libuše Svobodová

Internet Use by Elderly People in the Czech Republic

The number of information technology users increases as fast as new information technology develops. This paper aims to analyse Internet users older than 65 years and focusing on the Czech Republic, the Visegrad group (also referred to as V4) and the European Union. Elderly people use the Internet the least from all age groups. The partial aim of this paper is to analyse whether, since 2009, there has been a constant increase in Internet users in the elderly age group in the Czech Republic and also the EU. The second scientific issue deals with the confirmation that the number of Internet users in the 65+ age group is similar to the EU-28 and V4. The analysis showed that the number of 65+ users has been steadily increasing since 2009. In the Czech Republic only 28.4% elderly people used internet in 2015 and 26.7% in 2014. According to Eurostat methodology the Internet is used in the 65–74 years age group by 33% of users. More than one third (38%) of elderly aged 65–74 used the internet at least once a week in the EU-28.

Benefits and Pitfalls in Utilization of the Internet by Elderly People

The role of advanced technologies is being discussed in public, academic and government environments. The paper deals with the current issue of computer literacy in the elderly people with focus not only on benefits but also on pitfalls connected with their use. The paper brings an insight into the technical literature review. It strives to summarize key beneficial outcomes and contrary unexpected obstacles which elderly people face when they use information and communication technology. A set of examples as practical demonstrations of real computer usage by elderly people illustrates the issue on the national scene. The research was run to explore the computer literacy in elderly people from three perspectives, roughly corresponding to three kinds of elderly people reflecting their physical and mental state. Findings from the surveys which were conducted with a group of elderly respondents in the senior homes and findings from the interview with a young lector teaching old generation show the issue in the local city environment. A question on benefits of organized course for the elderly from the questionnaire explores the survey from four perspectives and brings enriching findings. Findings from literature review correspond to findings gained from the research. Positive attributes of active utilization of the Internet contribute to active ageing, to the combat of the feelings of social isolation and loneliness.

Technological Readiness of the Czech Republic and the Use of Technology

Since 1993, modern technologies have been growing in the Czech Republic like there are in many other European Union countries. This article aims to analyse the current technological readiness of the Czech Republic and compare its current position with other EU countries (especially on the Visegrad Four). The reasons for the growth of spending on ICT investments consists in the expansion of modern technologies, the requirements for speed of information as well as the execution of operations. The ICT boom has brought about not only an increase in overall efficiency and productivity growth, but is also contributing to GDP growth. Using official data obtained from the Czech Statistical Office and statistical methods, the article analyses the situation of technological competitiveness and readiness in the Czech Republic for the years 2008–2015 and evaluates the use of modern technology. Regarding technological readiness the Czech Republic is doing better than the other Visegrad countries.

The Use of the Social Networks by Elderly People in the Czech Republic and Other Countries V4

In the article we will focus on the elderly people in the connection with the utilization of social networks in the Czech Republic, countries of Visegrad Group and the EU 28. Individuals use social networks for sharing materials, photos or videos, communication or posting messages. Very important is also a topic of social isolation that will be discussed in the article. The results of the statistics show that the share of seniors in the Czech Republic has an increasing trend. The utilization of social networks by elderly people has in the Czech Republic also increasing trend except for the second quarter of the 2015 year when a slight decrease was recorded. In comparison with other countries from Visegrad group and the EU 28 the Czech Republic reached lower results in the utilization of social networks. In two evaluated criteria from three the Czech Republic was comparable to Poland. The age groups show that with increasing age there is a declining trend for the use of social networks. 10.1% of the population from 55 to 64 years and 3.3% of the population over 65 use social networks in the second quarter of 2015. Data show that almost half of the elderly people that use social networks get connected almost every day.

Use of Smart Technologies in the e-Learning Course Project Management

Modern technologies have entered into all area and levels of education. This paper aims to introduce the Project Management e-learning course which was primarily designed for public administration. The paper describes the current situation and the specifics of public administration and also focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the application of project management in public administration. The practical demonstration of the course describes the smart technologies that are used in the course, SWOT analysis of the course and then, according to the questionnaire, the evaluation of the success of the course and its possible ways of improvements.

The Use of LMS Blackboard Tools by Students in “Enterprise Accounting” Subject

Education and the use of technology have seen a substantial positive trend over the last 17 years in the Czech Republic. Students have currently advanced technologies at their disposal, but they also have the ability to access online study materials at a vast majority of universities. The Faculty of Informatics and Management of the University of Hradec Kralove is one of the major institutions that has influenced the Czech environment. This article analyzes the utilization of the Learning Management System Blackboard and related tools in connection with subject Enterprise Accounting as it is taught at the Faculty of Informatics and Management at the University of Hradec Kralove. At the same time, the subject, conditions of study and basic information about students will be introduced. The main part of the article is focused on statistical data aimed on the use of individual tools within the subject by the students. The results shall be compared for full-time and part-time studies. The final part is focused on student feedback after completing the subject by blended learning. It has been established that full-time students use LMS tools more and they log in more often. Results shows that the time spent in LMS by students is very similar on average. Learning modules and assignments are the tools that are used the most.

Use of the Managerial Tools in the Czech Companies

The presented article is based on the questionnaire survey, which was conducted in 2014. There were almost 300 Czech enterprises in the study. Questionnaire investigation was focused on the tools used in the managerial accounting in the interviewed enterprises. Specifically, there were questions involved on the monitoring of costs, the use and creation of calculations, plans and budgets, capacity utilization and efficiency, efficiency evaluation and monitoring of economic results and evaluation of financial analysis. In the evaluation there were involved physical persons and also legal entities. It is expected that individuals use less the tools of managerial accounting. It is also expected that SMEs use less the tools of managerial accounting than large companies. The last hypothesis is dedicated to the efficiency of the company. It can be expected that firms that prepare and monitor calculations, plans and budgets are aware of the importance of financial analysis and evaluate it. A detailed research together with the analysis and critical assessment of accessible materials will enable to identify the main objectives in the field of study. The analysis of the initial state will consequently enable to identify the key factors and knowledge.

Doing Business in the Countries of Visegrad Group

Abstract Entrepreneurial activity and business environment are two of the closely watched areas. World Economic Forum makes comparison of the countries all over the world in the Doing Business. Nowadays are involved 189 countries into the overall evaluation. The article proposes to describe the Ease of Doing Business in the Czech Republic and countries from the Visegrad Group. We will concretely focus on Starting of Business and Paying taxes. The first part of the article contains the description of indexes Starting of Business and Paying taxes. Main part and goal of the article is devoted to the results of the development in the evaluation in the Czech Republic and countries from the Visegrad Group. Those two indexes have the impact on business entities in starting of the business and on the economic situation. The article is based on results the Doing business report from World Bank Group, other professional sources and knowledge of the initial state. Czech Republic is in the compared states on the last place with sub indexes Starting a business and also Paying taxes. Differences in ratings of countries from the Visegrad Group are not considerable, only Starting a business is better in Hungary.

Use of Smart Technologies for Hybrid Learning as a Way to Educate People Became Full Smart Cities Residents.

Use of new technologies and students skills and competencies in the connection with hybrid learning are solved in the article. Authors focus on the students in the Czech Republic. Students use modern technologies not only for communication and leisure time but also in the process of education that is one of the element of SMART cities. The results of the statistics show that the use of modern technologies has an increasing trend not only in the Czech Republic. The age groups show that with increasing age there is a declining trend for the use of modern technologies. Almost 90% of students can use text processor. Table processor is used by 80.1% of students and presentation software is less used tool in this group by 67.2% of students. Internet is the most often used by students. Results from network readiness index that are presented in the article corresponds with results focused on the computer skills and usage of technologies by students.

Project Management Model with Designed Data Flow Diagram: The Case of ICT Hybrid Learning of Elderly People in the Czech Republic

The paper deals with the intergeneration municipality project on the development of computer literacy in the elderly people with focus on the management of conducted courses. The aim of the paper is to design and propose a model of the project management. The sub-goal is to identify which computer skills attendees of computer literacy courses have and which computer skills they would like to gain or develop. The next issue is to find whether pupils that give lectures to the elderly people have necessary computer skills. The main purpose of the research is to gain current data needed for the updating phase of the long-term project. Key data and findings are collected from own questionnaire investigation and interviews with the municipality, directors of elementary schools, teachers, pupils and attendees which were conducted during computer courses for elderly people. Results and recommendations will be used for the next run of courses that are organized twice a year by municipality in cooperation with primary schools. The biggest ratio of participants can use the Internet followed by email and Skype. MS Excel and Instagram represent the smallest ratio of applications that pupils can use. All other followed applications are used by more than 85%. Results are important for the project team so that they could monitor and evaluate the progress of the project and work out its updated phase.