Central Europeans Research Articles

Migrant Perceptions of Their Social Inclusion, Social Networks, and Satisfaction with Life in Northern Spain

This paper aims to analyse the individual perceptions of belonging to social networks among migrants living in northern Spain, exploring various dimensions such as perceived inclusion and life satisfaction. A quantitative analysis was employed with data collected through a survey of 373 migrants from different ethnic backgrounds. The findings indicate that (1) women have higher levels of perceived satisfaction with their life and social networks; (2) young migrants have higher levels of friendship networks; (3) the highest levels of perceived inclusion were found among Central Europeans, followed by individuals from Latin America, Asia, Africa and, finally, Eastern Europe; and (4) each social network under analysis was positively correlated with perceived inclusion and satisfaction with life. In summary, the results emphasise that a greater presence of networks is associated with higher levels of perceived inclusion and life satisfaction.

Specific regional features of modern euroscepticism: A comparative analysis

This study investigated the topical issue of regional variation of Euroscepticism in the modern EU. The growing opposition to European integration in different parts of the continent threatens the unity and legitimacy of the European project, which necessitates a thorough study of the specifics of this phenomenon in a comparative perspective. The pur- pose of this study was to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the specific regional features of modern Euroscepticism based on theoretical understanding and empirical verification of its determinants and manifestations in different con- texts. The study employed methods of comparison, structural, and functional analysis, cluster analysis, discourse analysis, and case studies to identify common patterns and differences in the nature and dynamics of Euroscepticism in different countries and regions. The findings of the study suggest that Euroscepticism is a multidimensional and context-specific phenomenon, the intensity and nature of which is determined by a complex of historical, socio-economic, political, and cultural factors. The comparative analysis has found three main regional models of Euroscepticism – Central European, Southern European, and Northwestern – each with a distinctive profile and determinants. Despite the differences, a com- mon pattern is the link between the dynamics of Euroscepticism and the asymmetric effects of integration at the local level – the growth of Euroscepticism is most pronounced in peripheral regions and communities that have been margin- alised by economic development and feel threatened by their own identity. At the same time, the penetration of moderate Euroscepticism into the political mainstream poses risks of normalising populist criticism of the EU

Inflation targeting, exchange rate and output gap in Central and Eastern European countries

This paper aims at empirical assessment of monetary policy relationships in Central and Eastern European countries (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania), which practise the monetary regime of inflation targeting. Using quarterly data for the period of 2004-2019, the authors examined the relationship between the output gap, nominal and real exchange rate misalignment, consumer price inflation and the central bank policy rate, using the panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model. According to estimates, the central banks of the CEE-4 countries react with an increase of their policy rate to the output gap and inflation, as implied by the Taylor rule. At the same time, a monetary reaction to nominal (real) exchange rate misalignment is lost in the estimates for the post-crisis period of 2010-2019. An increase of the central bank rates does not seem to have unfavourable output effects, while the nominal exchange rate is likely to depreciate with three to five quarter lags. However, there is evidence of the price puzzle when monetary tightening is followed by a counterintuitive increase in the inflation rate. In full accordance with the New Keynesian framework, inflation depends on the output gap, while being expansionary in the real sector. Evidence of the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to inflation is mixed. This article provides insights into the average monetary policy reaction function and its macroeconomic effects in the CEE-4 countries, with the value added in that following the Taylor rule does not guarantee effectiveness in tackling inflation in the presence of the price puzzle. Based on the estimated exchange rate effects on the output gap and inflation, deliberate currency appreciation resulting from the central bank foreign exchange interventions and/or fiscal austerity measures can be helpful for such a disinflation that minimises output losses.

Patients' perspectives on cancer care disparities in Central and Eastern European countries: experiencing taboos, misinformation and barriers in the healthcare system.

Despite the advancements in oncological medicine and research, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Europe with Central and Eastern European countries, such as Slovakia and Croatia, showing the highest mortality rates and disparities in access to appropriate and comprehensive cancer care. Therefore, the primary aim of the current study is to investigate cancer patients' perspectives and experiences to understand the possible underlying reasons for cancer disparities. Croatian cancer patients (n=15) and Slovak patients (n=11) were recruited through social media platforms, patients' organisations, and hospital websites and offered participation in online focus group discussions on perceived disparities, barriers or malfunctioning during and after their cancer journey. Transcripts of video and audio recordings of the interviews were translated and analysed using Thematic analysis. Six Croatian and five Slovak themes emerged from the focus group discussions highlighting encountered barriers and perceived disparities, as well as suggestions or unmet needs. Most of the themes are common to both groups, such as the lack of information and use of the internet, and the taboos regarding cancer or psycho-oncological support. However, some themes are specific to each group, for instance, Slovak cancer patients remarked the fact that they do not mind travelling to get treatment as long as they can be treated in the west of Slovakia, while Croatian patients highlighted the need for more information after the illness and the socioeconomic impact deriving from a cancer diagnosis. Urgent intervention is needed in addressing disparities in Central and Eastern Europe. Present results could inform dedicated guidelines or better resource allocation strategies to reduce disparities in cancer care and promote inclusive healthcare.

Factors Influencing Health Care Providers Payment Reforms in Central and Eastern European Countries.

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have recently implemented reforms to health care provider payment systems, which include changing payment methods and related systems such as contracting, management information systems, and accountability mechanisms. This study examines factors influencing provider payment reforms implemented since 2010 in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. A four-stage mixed methods approach was used: developing a theoretical framework and data collection form using existing literature, mapping payment reforms, consulting with national health policy experts, and conducting a comparative analysis. Qualitative analysis included inductive thematic analysis and deductive approaches based on an existing health policy model, distinguishing context, content, process, and actors. We analyzed 27 payment reforms that focus mainly on hospitals and primary health care. We identified 14 major factor themes influencing those reforms. These factors primarily related to the policy process (pilot study, coordination of implementation systems, availability of funds, IT systems, training for providers, reform management) and content (availability of performance indicators, use of clinical guidelines, favorability of the payment system for providers, tariff valuation). Two factors concerned the reform context (political willingness or support, regulatory framework, and bureaucracy) and two were in the actors' dimension (engagement of stakeholders, capacity of stakeholders). This study highlights that the content and manner of implementation (process) of a reform are crucial. Stakeholder involvement and their capacities could influence every dimension of the reform cycle. The nine countries analyzed share similarities in barriers and facilitators, suggesting the potential for cross-country learning.

EUROPEAN FINANCIAL MARKETS CONNECTEDNESS AND MONETARY POLICY COMMUNICATION STRATEGY:SPILLOVER EFFECTS FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

This study evaluates the impact of unconventional policy announcements by the European Central Bank (ECB) on the interconnectedness of sovereign credit default swaps (SCDS) markets in the European Union (EU) from 2009 to 2014. The findings suggest that ECB's unconventional policy measures reduced sovereign default risk not only in Eurozone nations but also in Central and Eastern European countries. To investigate the transmission of monetary policy effects across European countries, we employ the Diebold & Yilmaz connectedness framework along with an event-study approach. Our analysis reveals robust evidence of substantial positive spillovers from ECB monetary policy measures to all EU countries, effectively shielding the SCDS market from adverse shocks. Among various policy tools, we observe that asset purchase programs enhance overall connectedness, while mixed policy measures bolster within-cluster connectedness. Furthermore, our results highlight the efficacy of specific monetary policy instruments, indicating that asset purchase programs and quantitative easing are particularly effective in reducing sovereign risk. Keywords: communication strategy, financial markets, monetary policy, sovereign risk, Central and Eastern Europe

The Effect of Leadership on Entrepreneurial Orientation, Learning and Internationalisation Performance: A Case of Czech Firms

This study aimed to understand the effect of leadership on entrepreneurial orientation, domestic and international learning and the internationalisation performance of Czech firms. An online survey was administered to executives working on Czech firms’ internationalisation projects. The findings show that leadership positively affects domestic and international learning, entrepreneurial orientation and internationalisation performance. However, neither domestic and international learning nor entrepreneurial orientation had an effect on Czech firms’ internationalisation performance. Furthermore, we found that entrepreneurial orientation moderates the relationship between international learning and performance and between leadership and performance. However, entrepreneurial orientation only moderates the relationship between domestic learning and performance when it has a higher value. Previous studies have primarily focused on developed and developing countries, and insights into Central and Eastern European contexts are relatively scarce. Consequently, the findings provide valuable insights for executives looking to expand their Czech firms into international markets.

Work Motivation under Communist Rule: Heritage from the Past in Modern Public Sector Organisations

Abstract Applying retrospective design methodology, the article adds to our knowledge about inherited organisational values and their impact on management policies and practices. Questioning the label of Central and Eastern European workforce as low-motivated, shirking and passive, this article outlines the historical context of work motivation in former communist countries, investigating to what extent the motivation in public service organisations today may be explained by the past. It employs a framework developed by Vandenabeele et al. (2013) that connects management intentions to organisational and employee outcomes to analyse the malfunctions of the former rewards system and to examine how those impairments continue to influence public sector motivation today. Confirming Inglehart’s ‘scarcity’ theory, this article demonstrates that the several decades that passed after the fall of communism were insufficient in completely overcoming communist heritage. Malfunctions of the centralised communist motivation system resulted from the discordance between the management intentions and actions. Dysfunctions of monetary-based incentive schemes caused overwhelming work lethargy of shirking employees, who were discouraged from being creative or displaying initiative. Such patterns have still been observable at some public organisations in former Soviet countries. Thus, the past centralisation of the state continues to determine individual work motivation in public sector domains even today.

Impacts of settlement structure and urban development on crime types and distribution

As far as the authors know, this study presents a topic thatis the first time anyone has dealt with. Many people have examined the issues in the title individually but not the three concepts together, even though there is a close connection among the three concepts. A clear relationship can be shown between specific urban characteristics and the types of crime. Nowadays, several stages of urban development are present in many large cities in Europe, and the urban structure is changing, which affects both the number and structure of crimes. The study presents the main urban structural belts and their characteristics and compares them with the urban development stages. The authors examined and analyzed the settlement structure and crime characteristics of Central and Eastern European countries in the research. The results of the research can be used both in the field of law enforcement and urban development.

Book Review: Spatial Planning Systems in Central and Eastern European Countries. Review and Comparison of Selected Issues

Book Review: Spatial Planning Systems in Central and Eastern European Countries. Review and Comparison of Selected Issues. By Maciej J. Nowak, Andrei Mitrea, Gunta Lukstiņa, Alexandru-Ionuţ Petrişor, Krisztina Filepné Kovács, Velislava Simeonova, Pavel Yanchev, Evelin Jürgenson, Kätlin Põdra, Vít Řezáč, Kristina Mikalauskaite, Birute Pranevičienė, Zuzana Ladzianska, Martin Baloga, Cham, Springer, 2023, 100 pages, ISBN 9783031427220

The effect of female management on company environment and consequential sustainable growth within the Central and Eastern European region

The effect of female management on company environment and consequential sustainable growth within the Central and Eastern European region

ACCELERATING GREEN TRANSITION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE - OVERVIEW OF SOME EU-11 GREEN SPECIFIC STRATEGIES

This study examines the state of research on green transition, with a focus on circular economy, and bioeconomy, across eight Central and Eastern European countries (EU-11): the four Visegrad countries plus Slovenia (who joined EU in 2004), and the later entrants Romania, Bulgaria (2007), and Croatia (2013). A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles (2015-2023), along with official documents, forms the basis of analysis. The paper identifies the status of green and circular transition research in EU-11, highlighting key policy interests, including the need for coordinated strategies, cooperation, stakeholder engagement. The study also evaluates the influence of EU accession timing on green transition dynamics and underscores the importance of national efforts in shaping these strategic visions. While circular economy strategies are in place for most countries, dedicated bioeconomy strategies are still lacking, with Visegrad countries and Croatia currently under development.

The relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market indices: evidence from Central and Eastern European countries

The relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market indices: evidence from Central and Eastern European countries

Driving economic inclusion: Analyzing the participation of individuals with disabilities

The population with disabilities constitutes the largest minority group in the labour market, facing social and organizational barriers. The ambiguous nature of employment support provisions and the lack of unified vocational activation systems hinder their economic participation. This study reviews existing literature and examines the effectiveness of support programmes, and discusses the employment challenges faced by disabled individuals. The research emphasizes the need for coordinated national guidelines and highlights disparities across Central and Eastern European countries. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic activity of individuals with disabilities in micro, small, medium, and large enterprises in Poland. The study was conducted using the CAWI method (computer assisted web interview). The questionnaires were sent and completed online. The study found that individuals with severe disabilities may face greater challenges in accessing resources to support their own sole proprietorship (8.33%) in the labour market, compared to entrepreneurs with moderate (66.67%) and light (25%) disabilities. Furthermore, only 2.56% of individuals with physical disabilities are employed in micro-enterprises, with 32.08% being professionally inactive. This study identifies significant factors that contribute to the active participation of disabled individuals in the workforce, particularly in the Wielkopolska region, which was chosen as a case study. The results of the survey indicate a preference for enterprises without a high proportion of disabled employees. The factors influencing disabled individuals’ participation in the workforce include age, education, and professional activity. The improvement of the system should take into account company size, disability level, job assessment tools, and the use of job coaches. Incentives should not be based on disability status. The findings from this study have the capacity to inform about changes in SME job creation and enhance professional activity for people with disabilities.

Chinese Investments in Renewable Energy Projects in Central and Eastern European Countries

Chinese Investments in Renewable Energy Projects in Central and Eastern European Countries

Relationship between ESG and Financial Performance of Companies in the Central and Eastern European Region

Abstract Observable climate change and an increase in the frequency of extreme climate events undoubtedly pose challenges for society and business operations. The changes being implemented in sustainability efforts are a response to these challenges. However, the question is how these measures affect companies‘ financial performance. The study aims to verify the relationship between the reporting of sustainability scores related to three aspects: environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). It focuses on the financial performance of companies in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region in 2017–2021. The study will use panel regression and cross-sectional analysis. The results indicate a positive relationship between the disclosure of ESG activities and the financial performance of companies as measured by ROA. It was also observed that for companies operating in the financial sector, the correlation is greater, compared to companies operating in other sectors. This study contributes to the ongoing debate on the environment, society, and governance in the economy.

Entrepreneurial intentions of students from Latvia, Poland, and Ukraine: The role of perceived entrepreneurial education results

Purpose: Our main aim is to establish which factors influence entrepreneurial intentions, with a particular focus on the role of entrepreneurial education and university support in Central and Eastern European countries (CEE). An additional aim is to determine the differences in these perceptions between students from seemingly similar but rather different CEE countries. Methodology: We based our study mainly on two theory constructs, namely the entrepreneurial support model (ESM) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). Both concepts often appear in research on entrepreneurial intentions, but they are not used together. Moreover, we proposed a new education-related factor – perceived entrepreneurial education results (PEER). To verify hypotheses quantitative research was conducted using surveys among 2,085 first-year undergraduate students from three technical universities in three countries: Latvia, Poland and Ukraine. Findings: The results of the study indicate that entrepreneurial self-efficacy, perceived entrepreneurial education results, and perceived educational and relational support all influence the intention of students to launch a venture. The research did not provide support for the hypothesis of an impact of perceived structural support (PSS) on intentions. The impact of perceived educational and relational support appeared to be less important than the impact of ESE and PEER on intentions. Additionally, we identified that there are significant differences between students from the analysed countries. Implications for theory and practice: Our research has identified a new factor, not previously used in studies of entrepreneurial intentions, that is, perceived entrepreneurial education results. This new factor can be used in research as a complement to self-efficacy and it refers to hard skills related, in this particular case, to entrepreneurship. The results show the importance of the national context, implying the need to take this into account when modelling support policies at a national level. The findings can be used to remodel how this knowledge is delivered to young people. Originality and value: Firstly, we proposed the inclusion of a new education-related component called perceived entrepreneurial education results, which can examine the perceived results of education at any level, in our case, at the secondary school level. Secondly, we showed the stronger influence of factors related to perceptions of one's own skills than perceptions of support from the environment. In addition, we demonstrated that making judgements or recommendations about entrepreneurial support, for rather similar countries, should be considered separately. Furthermore, we conceptualised the three aspects ESE, PEER and ESM in a new way. Finally, we also proved that the role of individual factors varies from country to country, even if the countries belong to the same cultural background and share a similar past experience.

The experiences of the economic transition in Central and Eastern Europe (1990-2000): The case of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland

In the years 1989–1990, economic and political transition in Central and Eastern Europe coincided with the general crisis of state socialism. The transformation process meant the general liberalization (abolition of state subsidies and fixed prices etc.) of the economic system in the former state socialist countries, which coupled with opening their markets to foreign investors. There were substantial differences in the creation of a freemarket economy in the region. Whereas Poland applied the method of shock treatment, based on the concept of the Washington Consensus, Czechoslovakia followed a double policy by mixing the gradualist approach with “shock” rhetoric to avoid the negative impacts of the economic transition. Although the Central and Eastern European countries followed a different road in restructuring their economies in the 1990s, but by the turn of the millennium due to the privatisation of state-owned assets, private companies accounted for 70 per cent of GDP, whilst the share of the state sector was 30 per cent. This paper aims to highlight the experiences of the economic transformation in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland by comparing its main features and stages. Besides macroeconomic stabilization, emphasis will be placed on analyzing the impacts of privatisation and its main consequences. Due to length constraints, the essay will not focus on the social impacts of the transition process in the region.

The Experience of Bulgaria in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment — Lessons for Emerging Economies

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been crucial in transitioning Central and Eastern European countries from planned to market economies, facilitating technological modernisation, job creation, export performance, and regional competitiveness. However, FDI alone cannot solve economic development challenges; effective policies are essential for leveraging FDI as a catalyst for economic catch-up. This paper aims to derive economic policy lessons for emerging economies through a critical assessment of the Bulgarian experience in attracting FDI. It employs a methodological approach that combines quantitative analysis of key FDI indicators with qualitative evaluation of the policy landscape. Since the end of the 1990s, Bulgaria has secured macroeconomic and political stability as an important precondition for FDI, applying an open-door policy for foreign investors without strategic targeting. The country's accession to the European Union in 2007 further enhanced its investment appeal. Nevertheless, the passive policy of reliance on a low tax regime and low labour costs without a strategic focus has led to unbalanced regional and unfavourable sectoral distribution with foreign investors crowding into the metropolitan area and sectors like non-tradable services and low-end manufacturing. Thereby, the Bulgarian experience, where the quantity of incoming FDI overshadowed the quality, demonstrates the insufficiency of a laissez-faire FDI strategy for maximising the benefits of FDI. The study underscores the necessity for proactive state policies in emerging economies that not only attract FDI but also ensure it fosters technological transfer and stimulates the economic potential of underdeveloped regions.

МІЖНАРОДНІ ФІНАНСОВІ ПОТОКИ В КРАЇНИ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЇ ТА СХІДНОЇ ЄВРОПИ ПІСЛЯ ГЛОБАЛЬНОЇ ФІНАНСОВОЇ КРИЗИ 2008 РОКУ: СТРУКТУРНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ

In our study, we will focus on determining the dynamics and structural changes in the flows of foreign capital to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe after the global financial crisis of 2008. For the analysis, we selected a group of Central and Eastern European countries that joined the European Union: Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, as well as the post-Soviet European countries - Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Moldova. We chose three periods for the study: the first period from the beginning of liberal reforms to the present (1991-2021); the second period from macroeconomic stabilization to the global financial crisis (1994-2008); the third period covers the post-crisis period before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war (2009-2021). The article examines the structure of the inflow of foreign capital to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe before the global financial crisis of 2008 and in the period after it. It was determined that the share of direct and portfolio foreign investments in the structure of foreign capital increased significantly in the post-crisis period. In the post-crisis period of 2009-2021, there was a significant increase in the average value of the stock of foreign direct investment to 41.2% of GDP and a more than two-fold decrease in the volatility of FDI inflows, which amounted to 5.2, as well as a 1.5-fold increase in portfolio foreign investments and a drastic reduction in the volatility of this type of foreign capital to 2.69. As for other investments, they remained at the pre-crisis level, but volatility decreased by a quarter. An econometric study of the influence of the stock of foreign direct investment and foreign debt per worker on the level of economic well-being in the CEE countries was conducted, which proved the strengthening of the role of foreign direct investment after the global financial crisis and the lack of influence of foreign debt. In our opinion, the governments of the CEE countries have focused on the economic policy of slowing down foreign capital flows and avoiding financial risks associated with foreign debt flows. Today's geopolitical tensions, the Russian-Ukrainian war will contribute to the deepening of these processes, increasing the influence of states on limiting international financial flows.