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The phenomenon of alternative food networks is becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of changes in consumer behavior and business sustainability. The distribution channels of some products place a disproportionate burden on the environment. In this context, the issue of local food production and the use of local distribution channels are becoming increasingly important as counterbalances of international trade processes in the context of globalization. New food-specific forms include alternative food networks. Sustainability is a topical issue, especially among young consumers, who are sensitive to environmental issues and like all new things. This consumer target group will shape the future of the current globalized world. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the general level of awareness among young people aged 20 34 in the Czech Republic about alternative forms of purchasing food and to identify knowledge of different forms of this sale. Primary research data was used to evaluate preferences in 2019. The total number of participants was 519 respondents. The results show that more than half of the respondents have ever encountered the concept of an alternative food network. Most often, respondents said they had personal experience of selling on farm markets and selling organic food.

The development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is formed by several cultural, economic, social, political and institutional factors which have an impact on setting the priorities and advancement of CSR practices. The aim of this study is to assess CSR performance at the country level. In order to achieve this aim, the main drivers and barriers of CSR initiatives were identified and systematized based on literature review. The policies to address these barriers were analysed and discussed. The framework for the assessment of CSR performance was developed based on the analysis and assessment of the quality of political-regulatory, economic and social environment, implemented public policies to promote CSR and successes that were achieved by countries in implementing recommendations for public policy advancement. The indicators from Venture Capital and Private Equity Country Attractiveness Index, CSR policies areas reviews and EU recommendations for the improvement of public policies linked to the CSR were applied for assessing the CSR performance. The empirical analysis and the assessment of CSR performance in the Baltic States was performed based on the developed framework and policy recommendations that were developed for other countries, taking into account the priorities of "The Belt and Road" project that was initiated by the Chinese government and aiming at sustainable development and global risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the history of mankind, energy security has been always seen as a means of protection from disruptions of essential energy systems. The idea of protection from disorders emerged from the process of securing political and military control over energy resources to set up policies and measures on managing risks that affect all elements of energy systems. The various systems placed in a place to achieve energy security are the driving force towards the energy innovations or emerging trends in the energy sector. Our paper discusses energy security status and innovations in the energy sector in European Union (EU). We analyze the recent up-to-date developments of the energy policy and exploitation of energy sources, as well as scrutinize the channels of energy streaming to the EU countries and the risks associated with this energy import. Moreover, we argue that the shift to the low-carbon production of energy and the massive deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) might become the key issue in ensuring the energy security and independency of the EU from its external energy supplies. Both RES, distributed energy resources (DER) and "green energy" that will be based on the energy efficiency and the shift to the alternative energy supply might change the energy security status quo for the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is characterized by constant spatial expansion and diversification. It is one of the fastest growing global economic sectors. Local economic fluctuations undoubtedly have a significant influence on the development of tourism. The aim of this study is to highlight the crucial importance particularly of stimulating and realisation presumptions, which greatly influence the demand for tourist activities on a global scale in recent years with implications for the Czech Republic. The theoretical base of the paper consists of an overview of concepts of market performance, and multi-criteria competitiveness of tourism destinations is introduced here. The analytical part of the study examines major shifts in the distribution of tourism on a global scale and the impact of changing assumptions of development and determinants, such as information technology, transport, political factors, environmental factors, demographic factors and the degree of urbanisation, travel security, as well as a whole range of social and economic impacts. A special emphasis is devoted to the consistence of the tourism industry with economic fluctuations and recessions. Global trends are then applied to the tourism sector in the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to assess the changing positions of the tourism regions in the contemporary era of global economy. The focus is put on a dynamically developing region of Asia and the Pacific. The text is therefore analysing the regional distribution of income and arrivals in international tourism and the average ranking of regions within the of competitiveness rankings of the World Economic Forum. The emphasis is placed on the current expansion of the subregion Northeast Asia, where there are, taking into account the economic development, materialized deployment preconditions for the development of tourism and are being developed conditions for the actual implementation of the tourism industry. The solution-seeking methodology is based on the assessment of factors of competitiveness of tourism and changes in the regional distribution of international tourism using a deployment analysis factoring also the approach of geographic determinism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Polish SMEs are the key aspect for the development of Polish economy. They can be a solution to reducing the unemployment, improving the economic situation, soothing social tensions and increasing the quality of life in Poland. SMEs provide employment opportunities for Polish citizens, and engage in local issues and contribute to sustainable economic development. Therefore, they are crucial for helping Polish economy by cushioning the impact of institutional changes caused by Poland's transition to a capitalist economy. The aim of this research is to identify factors influencing the success of Polish SMEs in tourism sector (measured by the gross profit per employee). Our results show that being a middle-aged owner/manager who established an enterprise because he or she wanted to achieve self-realization or experience risk and run a oneperson, or sole-trader enterprise that had certificates for its products, used Broadband Internet connection and was located in the province in the proximity of large cities increased the probability of achieving enterprise success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union faces many challenges, which may in the next few decades, change its geo-economic and geopolitical position. Among these challenges we can include, inter alia, the ongoing population changes (slow population growth and namely population ageing). The aim of this paper is to assess current population trends and prospects for the development of the population of the European Union and to outline possible effects and tools to address the aging of the population. We focus here not only on the European Union as a whole, but also on the comparative profile of the member countries. The study is based on an analysis of statistical indicators and projections of the European Statistical Office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economies of the new EU Member states have, in the past two decades, undergone marked changes, which substantially manifest themselves even at regional level. The transformation of the economies of the Central and Eastern European states was on the regional level, very significantly connected with differential tendencies. In all new EU Member states there has been from the beginning of the 90s to date a continuous deepening of regional disparities on the economic level. Besides changes in the location of GDP, there has also been a great shift in the structure of business structures. Grouping firms into the developing sectors of industry and services has largely changed the structure of regional structures on the territory of the new EU Member states. The goal of this study is to clear up the current situation and trends of regional differentiation and agglomeration (regional clusters) of the new EU Member States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]