Zuzana Hajduová

Demographic challenges across the European Union Member States.

The Member States of the European Union are undergoing major demographic changes; these changes are slow but significant. The demographic picture in the EU-27 is clearer: population growth is mainly the result of immigration, fertility is far below the replacement ratio, and the population is growing older, which will be a key demographic challenge in many Member States. All the actual demographic trends will have consequences for health care systems.

Doing business abroad: utility function model for country selection in preliminary screening phase

The paper presents the utility function model applicable within the first stage of starting a new business abroad. An applied auxiliary mathematical model was constructed to assist in the preliminary screening phase of the country selection process. The model is based on a comparison of countries according to utility function. This paper also illustrates a short example, where selected economic criteria serve as input data for determining the utility values of particular countries. The suggested model is parsimonious, easy to understand and, within the above mentioned context, potentially suitable for entrepreneurs from various economic sectors.

CASE STUDY IN THE FIELD OF INNOVATION IN SELECTED COMPANIES IN SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Abstract Innovations are the source of competitive advantage and direction of the strategic choices are the most important factor determining the success of a business in the 21st century. In this context, the objective is to examine the contribution of the innovation process in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Slovak Republic, with the help of analysis we evaluate the benefits of the introduction of innovations, and search for the structure of the system and behaviour of systems archetypes. There is some evidence that might be used as advice to help with effectivity of innovation process in wider international spectrum.

Data Envelopment Analysis of Selected Specialized Health Centres and Possibilities of its Application in the Terms of Slovak Republic Health Care System

Scientific approach in health centres management does not have a long history in Slovakia. There exist only a limited number of articles devoted to methods of efficiency evaluation. The aim of this article is to point out the options and the readiness of particular Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models in the conditions in specialized institutions in Slovakia. This article records scientific approach using the DEA method and also practical approach from the management of the chosen specialized medical institution. It evaluates the suggestibility of individual models and their influentiability factor by the management of respective health institutions. By using the DEA bootstrap method, we indicated where the possible deviations/differences from the measured values could lie.