Districts Of Slovakia Research Articles

Quantifying of objective poverty in the districts of the Banská Bystrica Region (Slovak Republic)

Poverty, as a multispectral phenomenon caused by severe material depriving of the population, is now becoming one of the most watched socio-economic phenomena. Its scale and severity continue to increase in social consequences. The aim of the paper is to quantify and visualize the extent and level of poverty risk in the selected districts in Slovakia based on selected indicators and to compare their rates in 2015, 2019, and 2021.The methodology of the pilot case study is based on a multi-criteria assessment of the poverty rate in a statistically unprocessed territorial unit (district) through 19 objective indicators in three domains: socio-demographic, economic performance, and infrastructure. Metfessel allocation, Fuller, and Saaty methods were used for its evaluation. It is gratifying that the at-risk-of-poverty rate expressed by the synthesis of 19 indicators has decreased in all districts. In 2019, the poverty level decreased by 2.61 points (21.17%) compared to 2015 (23.78%). In 2021, the problem worsened again, and the poverty rate increased by 2.03 points to 23.2%. The Banská Bystrica region is characterized by low economic activity, reflected in the second lowest employment and the second highest unemployment rates, where up to 48.5% of the unemployed are under 35. The paper contributes to the growing debates on the inequality in living conditions, poverty, and marginalization, the scale and severity of which continue to increase in social consequences. AcknowledgmentsThe article is supported by financial resources within the framework of Project no. 033SPU-4/2022 entitled “Functional, innovative and digital education of the subject Tourism Marketing.”

Nitrate Concentration in Leachate—Essential Information for Reducing Nitrogen Surplus and Groundwater Pollution from Agricultural Land in Slovakia

The aim of the study was to detect nitrate concentrations in leachate within agricultural land in three districts of Slovakia, namely Nitra, Nové Zámky and Dunajská Streda as well as in the DEEPWATER-CE pilot area. Using the average values of leachable nitrogen in the period 2015–2018 and the long-term amount of percolated water, the nitrate concentration values in leachate were detected. In most defined groundwater monitoring sites, the current nitrogen surplus and corresponding nitrate concentration in leachate create preconditions for the gradual reduction of groundwater nitrate pollution. However, in some groundwater monitoring places, especially in the Nitra district, the nitrate concentration in leachate exceeds 50 mg L−1, which is completely unacceptable from the point of groundwater pollution. In detected hot-spots, it is necessary to reduce the nitrogen surplus up to 15 kg ha−1 on average per year. In this sense, the nitrate concentration in leachate is an important indicator for the revision of existing measures in agriculture.

World´s COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures in the context of postural and spine disorders in primary school children in Slovakia.

This study was aimed to estimate the effect of one-year persistence of COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures on the posture and spine in children of younger school age in Slovakia. A total of 135 children aged between 6 and 9 years participated in this study. The examination of posture and spine was carried out in 4 schools in 4 different districts in Slovakia. The posture was evaluated in February 2020, before anti-pandemic restrictions and in period from May 2021, after one year of anti-pandemic restrictions. Modified methodology according to Napoleon Wolanski was used to evaluate the posture. For the entire study group, the mean posture disorder level score before anti-pandemic restrictions was 5.667 (±1.75) and it rose to 7.844 (±0.64). Prevalence of posture disorders rose from 71.11 % to 91.3 % in the study group. The most affected segments were lumbar spine and pelvis, followed by deformities of the thoracis spinae. The mean pathology level score for entire group in these segments rose as followed: in the lumbar spine from 0.6 (±0.61) to 1.022 (±0.75); in the pelvis from 0.444 (±0.54) to 0.772 (±0.73) and in the thoracis spine from 0.378 (±0.53) to 0.578 (±0.61). Study confirmed a worsening of the posture and spine in school children after a one year of strict anti-pandemic measures. As postural changes increased by 20 % during the year, it seems necessary to implement appropriate preventives programs for children, which could have the potential to improve their postural state (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 37). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: anti-pandemic restriction, e-learning, COVID-19, postural disorders, spine deformities.

Enterprise ownership patterns in the least developed districts of Slovakia

Research background: The literature overview shows a blank space regarding the effects of ownership on the determination of enterprises' spatial distribution. Various papers identify differences between determinants of the spatial distribution of foreign direct investments, exporters in foreign ownership, and domestically owned exporters; however, they mostly agree on the role of big cities, economic centres, and state of infrastructure as well as historical patterns.
 Purpose of the article: The article focuses on the spatial distribution analysis of enterprise units from their owner's perspective on the empirical evidence from all 79 districts of the Slovak Republic. Special attention is given to the category of the least developed districts.
 Methods: Within the presented article, the authors investigate the characteristics of the regional spatial distribution of business entities concerning standard ownership categories using the cluster analysis. The presented approach is twofold: firstly, the authors investigate the share of individual ownership types on the district level, and secondly, the number of enterprises by ownership categories is adjusted to 100,000 inhabitants. Cluster analysis and methods of spatial statistics are applied in both approaches.
 Findings & value added: The main results show a relation between the district's inclusion into the group of the least developed districts and enterprise ownership characteristics in these districts mainly through the relative underrepresentation of the secluded inland, foreign and international types of ownership, as well as their geographical clustering. The results of the presented research can be used in policy-making targeting business activity in underdeveloped districts. At the same time, the results provide basis for limited theoretical generalisations based on a single-country case study with regard to principles of business ownership structures development.

Iodine concentration in raw sheep milk from Slovak farms - preliminary results

Iodine concentration in raw sheep milk from Slovak farms - preliminary results

Spatial Distribution Model for Targeting the Support for Cultural Institutions’ Development: A Case Study of Slovakia

Culture is one of the main tools for developing regions and reducing regional disparities. It is a significant job creator; it participates in social cohesion representing a catalyst for economic growth. In practice, when boosting the potential of cultural and creative industries, we encounter an insufficiently developed approach to evaluating the initial conditions for the allocation of financial resources for its development. This paper’s objective is to identify, map, and analyse spatial concentration of cultural institutions in Slovakia. The intention of the analysis was the identification of regions and districts with the potential for full use of cultural capital as a tool for sustainable regional development as well as the setting of cultural policy. The cluster analysis pointed out significant differences in the representation of cultural institutions in individual regions and districts of Slovakia. The regions with the most desirable results (e.g., Bratislava, Trnava, or Nitra) have some common characteristics linked to the local context, such as historical development, good infrastructure, concentration of educational institutions. The results also confirmed the assumption that within the regions, cultural institutions will be concentrated in larger district cities, specifically in the case of Bratislava even inside the city. From the cluster analysis it is possible to observe a “belt of districts” of Southern, Central, and Eastern Slovakia, which do not have sufficient cultural infrastructure. Since the process of shaping the supportive policy for cultural industries is now ongoing in Slovakia, we consider mapping the situation as one of the key elements in the policy-making process.

Transformácia plodnosti na Slovensku v čase a priestore

Fertility in Slovakia has been undergoing significant, and in many aspects historically unique transformational changes for almost three decades. The main features include a decrease in the intensity of childbearing, changes in the fertility tempo in the context of postponement transition, as well as in the age concentration of reproduction and the legitimacy of children. These changes appear to be characterized by significant temporal and spatial differences. The main aim of the paper is to analyze these transformational changes in the fertility process at the district level in two time sections. Based on the acquired knowledge, we then try to create a typology of districts of Slovakia in terms of intensity, timing (age distribution) and the legitimacy of fertility. In this way, we try to contribute to the current evaluation of the current state, the identification of spatial differences and possible changes in time, which in such a comprehensive form have not yet been implemented at the regional level in Slovakia. Using an anonymised primary database from childbirth surveys, indicators were constructed for two 5-year periods presenting fertility quantum and tempo, contributions of selected age groups to total fertility rates, as well as the legitimacy of children born. Subsequently, using the factor and cluster method, a typology of districts of Slovakia was created in terms of the state of the fertility process in the first half of the 90s and at present.

KANO model as a tool of effective customer satisfaction diagnostics of postal services

The paper deals with the solution of the issue of achieving customer satisfaction of the postal company. Through the diagnostic procedures used in quality management in services, the focus is on the application of KANO model as one of the customer satisfaction measurement models. The primary research carried out in four different districts of Slovakia identified the relationship between customer satisfaction level and quality attributes through 5 categories of perceived quality by customers. The categories were identified as attractive, one-dimensional, mandatory, insignificant and contradictory attributes of postal products that create their quality parameters and reflect the requirements of customers. Significant findings concern mainly the identified differences in survey results in individual selected districts of Slovakia. There were also differences in the categories of postal quality requirements in respondent segments that differed in gender, residence, or age of respondents. One of the conclusions of the solved issue is to propose framework therapeutic procedures in response to individual diagnostic statements that resulted from the performed research activities.

Determinants of bank branch density: a case study of Slovakia

PurposeThis paper studies the density of bank branches in districts of Slovakia and aims to identify determinants that explain or justify districtural differences in the density of bank branches.Design/methodology/approachBank branch density is measured by the number of branches in a district, and banks are further differentiated by size and profile. Potential determinants of bank branch density are sought through univariate and bivariate Poisson regressions amongst economic factors, socioeconomic factors, technological factors, urbanization factors, and branch market concentration.FindingsUsing data from 2016, it has been found that branch numbers in districts are determined chiefly by five factors that describe their economic development, population size with its characteristics, and existent branch concentration. The spatial distribution of bank branches in the territory of Slovakia is not random, but is found to be affected by environmental factors measurable at the districtural level. Only 22 Slovak districts representing administrative or economic centers are expected to be over-branched.Practical implicationsThe study helps to identify factors that need be accounted for in planning and redesigning of branch networks or in implementing mergers and acquisitions on a bank level. The results are also useful in regional policy and regulatory oversight.Originality/valueThe present study is unique since the decision-making processes of Slovak commercial banks in planning the location and density of their branch networks have not been rationalized and researched as of yet.

Perceived Stress and Burnout: The Mediating Role of Self-Care and Job Satisfaction as Preventive Factors in Helping Professions

Background: Stress and burnout are among the common causes of absenteeism and fluctuation of staff in European workplaces. Therefore, the demand for understanding the predictors of burnout in high risk professions has been growing. The aim of this study is to explore the link between perceived stress and the three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) while considering the potential mediating role of self-care and job satisfaction that may prevent the transformation of stress into burnout. Methods: A randomly selected group of Slovak social service professionals (N = 689; 618 women) from institutions in 8 districts in Slovakia described their levels of perceived stress, burnout, performed self-care and job satisfaction in self-reported questionnaires. Results: The relationship between stress and emotional exhaustion is solely mediated by certain aspects of job satisfaction: salary, nature of work, and operating procedures. The relationship between stress and depersonalization is mediated by the nature of work, psychological self-care, and professional self-care. However, professional self-care does not prevent but rather facilitates the development of depersonalization in times of high perceived stress. The relationship between stress and personal accomplishment is mediated by psychological and professional self-care as well as by three factors of job satisfaction: co-workers, nature of work and job benefits. When stress increases, satisfaction with co-workers and nature of work prevent the decrease of personal accomplishment. However, job benefits, with increasing stress, may be related to a decrease in personal accomplishment at work. Conclusion: Satisfaction with salary, nature of work, operating procedures and co-workers as well as psychological self-care may prevent the further development of burnout in times of high stress. Yet, professional self-care and job benefits may, in times of increased stress, potentially lead towards specific aspects of burnout (depersonalization and reduction of personal accomplishment).

Dlhodobá nezamestnanosť ako spoločensko-ekonomický problém na Slovensku a v EÚ

The development of unemployment is an acute issue that needs to be addressed to prevent, as far as possible. The paper aims to examine selected indicators in the field of long-term unemployment in the European Union and individual regions in Slovakia, to draw relevant conclusions, and to state current developments in the research area. It examines, analyses, and compares selected indicators in the field of long-term unemployment over time (last decade) and space (EU, Slovak regions). The problem of persistent regional disparities between EU countries calls for a long-term and strategic solution. Despite the improving situation in the unemployment rate in Slovak individual self-governing regions over the last five years, we conclude that relatively significant regional differences persist within individual districts of Slovakia.

The mediating role of self-care activities in the stress-burnout relationship

BackgroundHelping professionals suffer from a number of health and psychological difficulties resulting from their occupa-tion. In the field of helping professions, the demand for understanding the predictors of burnout has been rapid-ly emerging. The aim of this study is to analyse and identify the possible mediators between stress and the three factors of burnout in a specific sample of helping professionals.Participants and procedureHelpers (N = 698; 618 women) were randomly selected from institutions in 8 districts in Slovakia. The sample comprised social workers (n = 188); residential care providers (n = 191); ergotherapists (n = 97); providers of physical and psychological care (nurses, physiotherapists, psychologist and psychotherapists; n = 222). They described their levels of perceived stress, risk of burnout (in three factors: emotional exhaustion, depersonali-sation, and personal accomplishment) and performed self-care activities in self-reported questionnaires.ResultsThe relationship between stress and emotional exhaustion was mediated by health self-care. In comparison, the relationship between stress and depersonalisation was mediated by psychological self-care. The relation-ship between stress and personal accomplishment was mediated by both psychological and professional self-care.ConclusionsWhen helping professionals have initial symptoms of burnout in the form of emotional exhaustion, concentrat-ing on health self-care activities could be helpful. Performing health, psychological and professional self-care activities may prevent further development of burnout in times of high stress.

The Main Performance and Effectiveness Factors of Sustainable Financial Administration Reform Using Multidimensional Statistical Tools

The tax system reform is a part of Slovakia’s comprehensive tax and levies reform. The reform should contribute to improving and making public finances more efficient. Its implementation into practice, however, is problematic due to attitudes and problems on the part of both the professional public and business entities. The aim of the paper is to help public authorities, and also tax policymakers and business entities to understand the perception of the tax system reform focusing on the most important and key factors of its sustainable effectiveness and performance in the context of its non-macroeconomic especially social, technological and process aspects. The analysis reveals the differences in perceptions of key factors from the viewpoint of the three studied groups. The paper is based on the information of the main actors of tax reform. In extensive empirical quantitative research (N = 1500), the data was obtained through the questionnaire survey carried out in four main districts of Slovakia. The data obtained during six months of 2018 using the questionnaire method were processed by basic statistical methods of descriptive statistics, followed by an analysis of major components and the factor analysis using more sophisticated multidimensional statistical tools. The factor analysis is crucial to the present paper as it has identified five significant indicators of the reform assessment and the functioning of the tax system after tax reform. Subsequently, a correspondence analysis has been applied to the item “electronization/computerization—great user comfort” to find out the differences in its perception by the respondents. The article thus provides a new scientific view on the evaluation of the reform of the financial administration’s management system in the Slovak Republic as well as its functioning in the context of its sustainable effectiveness and performance. The research results offer important and exciting implications and also motives for further investigation on the issue.

Sustainability, Resilience and Population Ageing along Schengen’s Eastern Border

Border and administrative divisions usually have considerable severe impacts on the economic growth and sustainable management of natural and human on both sides of the border. Schengen border regions mostly perform less well economically in comparison to non-border regions, and the citizens and businesses are facing all sorts of barriers on a day-to-day basis when crossing EU Schengen borders. Therefore, the research is focused on the resilience of the frontier areas of Slovakia and Ukraine, both experiencing rising out-migration, demographic ageing and, therefore, less resistance to threats. The proposed Regional Resilience Index (RRI) is based on three resilience capacity domains: (1) The entrepreneurial domain containing partial indicators of industrial diversity, entrepreneurial activity, unemployment and the possibilities to save money; (2) the socio-demographic domain, whose partial indicators are ageing and the health status of the population, and (3) the domain of interconnectedness of communities with its partial indicators of public infrastructure and settlement stability. By calculating RRI, the overall resilience capacity of the monitored districts of Slovakia and Ukraine is estimated. The index shows that the border factor is significant in explaining the differences in each of the index’s three domains. In addition, migration for work is shown to be a key factor increasing vulnerability and is therefore studied in more detail. The prediction and evaluation of risks associated with strategic and territorial planning is a necessary approach in relation to extraordinary events and minimization of consequences.

Screening and Early Identification of Spinal Deformities and Posture in 311 Children: Results from 16 Districts in Slovakia.

Objective In our study, we wanted to identify the number of existing deformities of the spine and posture in primary schoolers. Methods The sample consisted of 311 healthy pupils aged 6-7. We used Klein, Thomas, and Mayer method to evaluate the posture. The spine curvature was evaluated by plumb line. Muscle imbalance was evaluated by standardized manual tests by Professor Janda. The results were evaluated by the basic population abundance and the use of the ANOVA program. We determined the level of statistical significance at p = 0.05. Results The statistically significant occurrence of poor posture was found. Poor posture occurred in more than 50% of the pupils studied. Spine deformities in the sagittal plane have exceeded 30% (C = 37.94212%; Th = 32.15434%; L = 30.22508%). In the frontal plane deformities were present in 13.18328% of pupils. Spinae and postural disorders were accompanied by the muscle imbalance (muscle stiffness and weakness). Conclusion Screening is a well-founded technique for the early detection of spinae and posture disorders. Based on the results of screening, professionals can take preventive measures. As in our research prevalence of spine deformities and poor posture in children was high, we recommend regular screening in clinical practice.

Effectiveness and performance of tax system in Slovak Republic in terms of its key non-macroeconomics factors

Research background: The paper addresses the issue of an optimal tax system and puts emphasis on two aspects: justice and efficiency. The issue of taxation has been the subject of numerous debates at the European level for several years. A good tax system should contribute to the state treasury with sufficient revenues, should not be an administrative burden, and must be sufficiently efficient and transparent.
 Purpose of the article: The submitted article provides an extensive analysis of the opinions of respondents on the effectiveness of the financial administration of the Slovak Republic. The aim is to analyse the views and attitudes of the respondents on the key factors affecting the effectiveness of financial administration in terms of respondents' age, gender, occupation and place of residence using mathematical-statistical methods.
 Methods: In the course of extensive empirical quantitative research (N = 1.500) were used Factor Model Analysis (Factor Analysis) and Analysis of Variance (Anova) were used. The data was obtained through a questionnaire survey, which-was carried out in four districts of Slovakia and focused on a wide range of respondents divided into four age-related categories.
 Findings & Value added: In terms of research carried out, it is possible to conclude that there is dissatisfaction with the overall tax and customs system in the Slovak Republic. An analysis of respondents' views on the effectiveness of the tax system has shown that it is possible to identify several key factors that affect it, and they are: collection of levies and availability, competence of tax administration staff, computerisation of tax administration, tax collection efficiency, labour costs, and administrative difficulty of tax administration. in the paper, we also discuss these in more detail. The research results offer relevant and interesting implications for public authorities, policy makers and reformers as well as motives for further investigation of the tax administration issue.

Consumption of fertilizers in districts of Slovakia in the period 2006–2015

Consumption of fertilizers in districts of Slovakia in the period 2006–2015 Water quality in the surface streams is influenced by several factors. One of important information which can help us to solve problems with quality of water in water body is a distribution of point and non-point pollution sources in a river basin and also amount of pollutants released from them to surface streams. An example of a point source of pollution is the outlet from wastewater treatment plants (industry, urban areas, farms, etc.). On the other hand the most significant non-point source of pollution is considered the application of fertilizers in agriculture.
 In this paper we have evaluated consumption of organic and industrial fertilizers in Slovakia in the period 2006–2015. Total (in tonnes) and average (in kg ha-1) consumption of industrial and organic fertilizers was analyzed. In monitored period, the amount of applied organic fertilizers was much higher than the amount of applied industrial fertilizers and in addition a significant part of total fertilizers consumption had nitrogenous fertilizers in a group of industrial fertilizers. In a group of industrial fertilizers during the period 2006–2015 we observed just moderately increasing in their consumption, while in the period 2010–2015 the average amount of applied industrial fertilizers per hectare of agricultural land increased by about 20 kg ha-1. On the other hand, in a group of organic fertilizers we observed a decreasing in consumption of fertilizers.

Spatio-Temporal Differentiation of Cancer Incidence in Slovakia

Coping with the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of cancers is a challenging medical task with continuing consequences for the development of population health status and economy of health in each country. The occurrence of cancers shows an upward trend in the world. A comprehensive fight against cancers should involve the spatial aspect which is best applied in the field of medical geography. The key indicators for the surveillance of cancers include mortality and incidence, but also prevalence. Incidence plays a more and more important role in the period of an increase in cancers. In the investigation of this issue specific analytical methods were used, such as spatial autocorrelation. Standardized cancer incidence in Slovakia was analyzed in the case of men and women. The years 1997, 2009 and the period 1997–2009 were chosen to compare the incidence. The results of partial analyses show the situation in districts of Slovakia from the perspective of incidence development and its spatial differentiation.

Recognition of business risks when purchasing goods on the Internet using GIS: experience from Slovakia

For operators of Internet shops and their investors on the one hand, and suppliers on the other hand, knowledge of the consumer market is becoming critical in terms of the risk of non-payment for purchased goods, as most small e-shops maintain their stocks according to current demand. The aim of this paper is to identify customers who come from different districts of Slovakia and display a certain type of consumer behavior regarding the risk connected with willingness to pay for goods purchased via the Internet. To solve this problem we used data from a specialized e-retailer and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a Decision Support System generator for constructing maps of consumers to investigate the operation of an e-shop. In the article, we used data from the years 2012–2015 concerning 489 buyers, including their addresses and other geographical data about the consumers and their purchases, and integrated them into the GIS environment. Subsequently, the data were analyzed and documented by means of GIS and maps of consumers were generated. The result of this study is to show that GIS can play a significant role in the decision-making process of e-shops in support of a manager’s experience. The geographical results were evaluated statistically in order to offer a better information capability.

Regional Differences in Agriculture in Slovakia after Its Accession to the European Union

Abstract The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union is reflected in the development of agricultural production in Slovakia. The development of livestock production faced significant changes reflected in its overall decrease. The decrease in the level of agricultural production in Slovakia between 2002 and 2010 is shown by several indicators assessed in this paper. Its main aim is to highlight differences in Slovak agriculture at the level of LAU I, which are districts of Slovakia, according to the selected indicators of agricultural production between 2002 and 2010. We analyse the development of regional differences in Slovak agriculture that have widened under the influence of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The development of selected indicators of agricultural production was analysed using the change index, which best represents differences in the development of agriculture in the Slovak regions.