Management In Slovakia Research Articles

Contribution of Traditional Farming to Ecosystem Services Provision: Case Studies from Slovakia

The main aim of this study is to assess the benefits provided by the ecosystems of traditional agricultural landscapes (TAL) and compare them to the outputs of large-scale agriculture. Assessment of ecosystem services (ES) was performed in four case-study areas situated in Slovakia, representing different types of TAL: Viticultural landscape, meadow–pasture landscape, and agricultural landscape with dispersed settlements and mosaics of orchards. The methodological approach was focused on assessment of all the principal types of ES—regulation and maintenance, provisioning, and cultural. Differences in the provision of ES due to the impact of different practices and intensities of agricultural landscape management were subsequently assessed and compared. The results show that TAL are generally more diverse and balanced regarding ES provision, mainly because of their varied patterns and their related functions. In particular they play an important role in water retention and the prevention of soil erosion—both important with respect to changes in climate. Modern intensive agriculture is principally able to fulfil the production functions. Support for traditional farming, landscape diversification and small-scale agricultural management is vital for enhancing the values of rural regions. Such measures could become key drivers for sustainable agricultural management in Slovakia, and elsewhere.

Importance of Financial Aspects of a Company Crisis Management in Slovakia

The first part of the article deals with a company decline as a consequence of the insufficient company performance in connection with its financial instability. We focus on a new legal definition of a company decline and an imminent company decline in Slovakia as well. In enterprises, a decline is resolved by the implementation of a company crisis management by using informal and formal procedures of a company crisis management. Next, we devote to financial aspects of company crisis management in connection with financial management. In the second part, we explain the methodology of work and the used methods of the research within a chosen sample of enterprises. The application part of the article includes the statistics of the testing of declines in a chosen sample of enterprises, where we use the financial analysis as a method of indicating a decline in the sample of enterprises. We test especially the golden balance rule of financing with liquidity and debt ratios as the main financial indicators of a company decline. In the work results and within the discussion we come to the characteristics of a company decline causes and the conclusion is aimed at the recommendations for the economic practice in the field of financial company health with the primary objective to avoid or to avert a company decline with the smallest possible losses.

The use of recycled waste products in a sustainable house design - a case study

The current state of waste production and management in Slovakia. Legislative regulations. Analysis of applying recycled waste products in the construction of sustainable buildings as a substitution of non-renewable materials. The comparison of the physical parameters of recycled materials with non-renewable materials in terms of thermal and fire protection. The construction solution of lightweight building envelopes with a timber supporting system using the thermal insulation and facing made of recycled materials. The model solution of a wood-based family house using recycled waste materials. The comparison of the environmental burden of a standard lightweight sandwich peripheral wall with a recycled waste wall.

The Institutional Tools of Integrated Landscape Management in Slovakia for Mitigation of Climate Change and Other Natural Disasters

Abstract The most frequent natural disasters in Slovakia are related to climatic events, in particular to the sudden intensive rains, quick run-off and unbalanced water regime. They induce soil erosion and accumulation, flash floods, landslides, overwhelming waterlogging and also draught. Since these events have an impact throughout the whole landscape - the forest, agricultural and urban landscape, which are under the management of different sectors, the integration of the sectoral planning tools for the mitigation of their consequences is inevitable. Integration is a difficult process of dual character: it requires the development of landscape-ecological methods applicable to land management tools on one side and the creation of legal provisions ensuring the transfer of those scientific principles to legislation, on the other side. This paper deals with both sides of this process in Slovakia.

Precipitation trends detection as a tool for integrated water resources management in Slovakia

Precipitation trends detection as a tool for integrated water resources management in Slovakia

Exploitation of cloud computing in management of construction projects in Slovakia

Abstract The issue of cloud computing is a highly topical issue. Cloud computing represents a new model for information technology (IT) services based on the exploitation of Web (it represents a cloud) and other application platforms, as well as software as a service. In general, the exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management has several advantages, as demonstrated by several research reports. Currently, research quantifying the exploitation of cloud computing in the Slovak construction industry has not yet been carried out. The article discusses the issue of exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management in Slovakia. The main objective of the research is to confirm whether factors such as size of construction enterprise, owner of construction enterprise and participant of construction project have any impact on the exploitation level of cloud computing in construction project management. It includes confirmation of differences in use between different participants of the construction project or between construction enterprises broken down by size and shareholders.

Reengineering of Tourism Organization Structure: The Case of Slovakia

Abstract The transition of the Slovak economy to a market-driven has caused more changes also in the organizational structure of tourism on national, regional and local level. The aim of the paper is to analyse the current organizational structure of destination management in Slovakia, the activities and financing of the destination management organizations (DMOs) and to evaluate the impact of state subsidies on tourism development in Slovakia. The majority of governmental subsidies are given to destinations with the highest developed infrastructure and the newly introduced Act no. 91/2010 Coll. about the support of tourism in Slovakia itself contributes to the deepening of regional disparities. The micro-regional DMOs are up to now financed mainly from the state budget and in case, that the funding from the government will be decreased, it is still the question of the sustainability of newly created DMOs. The Slovak DMOs should try to focus more on the increase of the revenues from their own activities, but this solution is limited by existing act, they should try to get more members or the other possibility is the merger of existing micro-regional DMOs into larger organizations covering the larger territory. According to the results of the analysis based on the research of task and resources, size and dominance, the paper proposes new geographical distribution of the micro-regional DMOs on the territory of 8 self-government regions.

Perceptions of Forest Owners and the General Public on the Role of Forests in Slovakia

AbstractDuring the past decades, the awareness of environmental issues in forest management is increasing due to changes in environmental education. The perceptions of forests, sustainable management, and ecosystem services were studied through two surveys. The general public and forest owners were the two target groups. The questionnaires had similar questions, though two different methodological approaches were used - the CATI system, for general public opinion survey, and semi-structured questionnaires for forest owners. The second survey contained more detailed questions regarding forest properties. Combined answers from 1503 respondents from the general public and 150 forest owners were evaluated on the following topics: sustainable forestry, major ecosystem services, and perceptions of forests. The majority of the Slovakian public regards ecological values as the most important element, whereas forest owners prefer the economic purposes for the maintenance and enhancement of forests. Forest owners tend to visit their forests once per week, whereas the general public tend to visit only once per month. The main cause for this non-attendance in the general public was a lack of recreational time, followed by a disinterest in forests. The main purpose for visiting forests for both groups was recreation. Overall, it can be concluded that people are mostly satisfied with forest management in Slovakia. Forest owners are satisfied with their forest properties, and plan to keep them for their children. In the future, more attention should be focused on investigating the younger generation’s perception of forests.

Spatially-constrained harvest scheduling with respect to environmental requirements and silvicultural system / Prostorové plánování mýtních těžeb zahrnující environmentální požadavky a hospodářské způsoby

AbstractThere has been an increasing demand for environmental considerations (e.g. unharvested patches) in forest harvest scheduling in the last decades. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, allowable cut indicators are not based on the spatial structure; thus, they are unable to incorporate these additional conditions. Many harvest scheduling models based on integer and mixed integer programming have been developed throughout the world, but their use in forest management in Slovakia and the Czech Republic is rare. These approaches have mostly been developed for clear-cut management systems and do not exist for shelterwood systems. Harvest scheduling approaches for a two-phase, small-scale shelterwood system and a clear-cut system are presented. The models also include environmental requirements that restrict area of forest stands that are not to be harvested over the planning horizon. A mathematical formulation of that requirement was integrated into the forestry decision support system Optimal to solve all analysed harvest scheduling alternatives for small-scale shelterwood and clear-cut systems. Our results indicated that the total harvest volume amounts could be higher when a two-phase, small- -scale shelterwood system is applied. While there are legal adjacency constraints regulating clear-cut harvests, the influence of additional environmental requirements on the total harvested amount is more restrictive for the shelterwood system because of greater area available for harvest. Both scenarios of maximization of harvested volume and net present value provided comparable results.

Teoretické východiská a praktické opatrenia na harmonizáciu záujmov lesného hospodárstva a poľovníctva na Slovensku / Theoretical bases and practical measures to harmonise the interests of forestry and game management in Slovakia

Abstract Strategic aims and priorities of forestry and game management in Slovakia are characterised. Using current knowledge in the field, common bases for both target sectors are introduced and possibilities for harmonisation of their interests are explained. Development of mutual relationship between forestry and game management is analysed and the causes of existing discrepancies are shown. The main reason of the discrepancies is unfavourable development of ungulate game population and high damage to forests stands caused by game browsing. The final part of the paper presents the recommendations for practical measures to be taken for reaching accordance between both sectors, eventually measures for achieving the primary goal to support all-society’s interests in this field. We base our suggestions on an assumption that both forestry and game management accept the proposed measures, or more precisely the measures will be implemented through mutual collaboration and integration.

Harmonization of Work and Family Life in Company Management in Slovakia

The modern problem nowadays becomes insufficient harmonization of work and family life of employees, which has adverse effects on the conditions of work, family life and society. The need to harmonize work and family life is still topical, given the trends in European social, economic, demographic and political developments. The solutions at the national level should be implemented into corporate policy. Support family life is becoming an important component of corporate culture. The aim of this paper is to analyse various aspects of the problem, the possibilities of flexible work time and their using in practice by harmonization of work and family life in Slovakia.

Asset Management as Integral Part of Road Economy

An effective asset management is becoming a topical issue, which resonates in numerous branches of Slovakia's national management. Competition, regulation and new market conditions compel road management authorities to consider how to effectively manage and restore their investment-exigent assets.An effective asset management substantiates the ability of road administrator authorities to answer questions regarding real costs related to a concrete asset, identify and economically foster decision regarding repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of an asset.The article presents proposition of recommendations, which would help to create asset management for the needs of road management in Slovakia.

Methods of digital photogrammetry in forest management in Slovakia

  The practical aspect of utilization of digital photogrammetry methods and their products in Slovak forestry is presented. We deal with the comparison of various data obtained by digital cameras, their accuracy, utilization and effectiveness for mapping. Based on presented results we summarize the main conclusions in the field of forest mapping. We also deal with the process of pan-sharpening for the preparation of image data for the interpretation and classification of forestry features. Also, the statistical characteristics of two photogrammetric projects with different geometric resolution photos (Ultracam D digital camera with ground sample distance of 10 cm and UltracamX digital camera with ground sample distance of 20 cm) from the same experimental area of the University Forest Enterprise Zvolen are described with the aim of finding an appropriate solution suitable for forest mapping. In both cases, the horizontal accuracy of the photogrammetric projects is presented. Finally, the process of true orthophoto generation and its utilization in forestry is the focus. Both experiments in this paper presented results which fulfil the accuracy standards defined by the state cadastre within the mapping of large scale maps. All projects, apart from the project of direct georeferencing, fulfilled the third accuracy class of mapping, so they can be used within cadastral mapping, land consolidations and, of course, within forested land mapping. Still, all the projects meet the accuracy requirements within the forest mapping standard, where the forestry features and forest spatial distribution units are mapped.  

What is the potential of site units applied into forestry management in Slovakia to describe production of beech stands?

A high number of site units have been recognized so far in Slovakia region. Site units are to reflect diverse ecological condition and production capability of different sites. In Slovakia, there is a huge number of management units (forest site type, management units of forest site types) and ecological site units (forest site type groups), but more detailed and objective analysis and comparison of their ecological and production properties have not been performed yet. The main aim of this paper is thusq quantification of beech growth potential in selected basic and forestry-applied site units used in Slovakia forest management. Data collected within National Forest Inventory in Slovakia (2005–2006) were used for the analysis. Regression models of mean stand diameter and mean stand height were developed. Intercept of models were compared between sites using the t-test. Site units were merged into several groups in terms of beech growth – As for the altitudinal vegetation zones, three groups were identified, in which the beech productivity was rather homogenous. 3rd, 4th, and 5th altitudinal vegetation zones were grouped into the first group. The second group (2nd AVZ) includes poorer sites at lower altitudes (low precipitation as a limiting factor) with lower beech productivity. The third group includes sites at higher altitudes (6th AVZ), where the temperature limits beech growth. In terms of soil properties, two or three groups can be recognized. The first one includes hemioligotrophic and heminitrophilous sites, while the calciphile sites showed lower beech growth potential.

Measuring Success Factors of Local Employee Management in Slovakia and Bulgaria

There have been various researches for managers to make post-FDI operations successful.   Areas of such researches include corporate governance, marketing, financing, production, distribution and logistics, supply chain management and human resource management (HRM). However, generally speaking, managers should focus on establishing effective organizations at the beginning of the post-FDI operations. Particularly, since FDI brings a high level of cultural diversity into organizations, knowing how to deal with local employees will be critical for expatriates as managers.   This research focuses on finding implications for manages to establish good labor relations with Slovak and Bulgarian employees in the post-FDI operations. This is important for managers because (1) FDIs in these countries have increased continuously and (2) local employees in the two nations have been familiar with foreign style management in somehow someway. Our goals are (1) to find opinions of local employees in Slovakia and Bulgaria and (2) to make several suggestions for managers to create better labor relations with the local employees.

New Methods for Evaluation of Spent Fuel Condition during Long‐Term Storage in Slovakia

Experiences with an advanced spent nuclear fuel management in Slovakia are presented in this paper. The evaluation and monitoring procedures are based on practices at the Slovak wet interim spent fuel storage facility in NPP Jaslovské Bohunice. Since 1999, leak testing of WWER‐440 fuel assemblies are provided by special leak tightness detection system “Sipping in pool” delivered by Framatomeanp with external heating for the precise defects determination. In 2006, a new inspection stand “SVYP‐440” for monitoring of spent nuclear fuel condition was inserted. This stand has the possibility to open WWER‐440 fuel assemblies and examine fuel elements. Optimal ways of spent fuel disposal and monitoring of nuclear fuel condition were designed. With appropriate approach of conservativeness, new factor for specifying spent fuel leak tightness is introduced in the paper. By using computer simulations (based on SCALE 4.4a code) for fission products creation and measurements by system “Sipping in pool,” the limit values of leak tightness were established.

SCALE calculation for evaluation of spent fuel condition during long-term storage

Experiences with an advanced spent nuclear fuel management in Slovakia are presented in this paper. The evaluation and monitoring procedures are based on practices at the Slovak wet interim spent fuel storage facility in NPP Jaslovské Bohunice. Since 1999, leak testing of WWER-440 fuel assemblies were completed using a special leak tightness detection system developed by Framatome-anp, “Sipping in Pool”. This system utilized external heating for the precise defects determination. Optimal methods for spent fuel disposal and monitoring were designed. A new conservative factor for specifying of spent fuel leak tightness is introduced in the paper. Limit values of leak tightness were established from the combination of SCALE4.4a (ORIGEN-ARP) calculations and measurements from the “Sipping in Pool” system. These limit values are: limiting fuel cladding leak tightness coefficient for tight fuel assembly – k FCT(T) = 3 × 10 −10, limiting fuel cladding leak tightness coefficient for fuel assembly with leakage – k FCT(L) = 8 × 10 −7.

Hospital antibiotic management in Slovakia – results of the ABS maturity survey of the ABS International group

Antibiotic stewardship (ABS) is one of the important indicators in a healthcare system. Slovakia is participating in the project "Implementing antibiotic strategies for appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals in member states of the European Union--ABS International", the objectives of which are identification of strengths and weaknesses of antibiotic policy in participating countries. This paper summarizes the results for Slovakia. The questionnaire survey was conducted in May 2007. The questionnaire "ABS hospital mature" analyzed the ABS-related maturities of nine hospitals in Slovakia. The mean scores (on a scale of 1-5) for the various topics were calculated and presented in the form of an "ABS hospital maturity" pentagon. The mean total score for all antibiotic-related items was also calculated. The mean total score for all items in nine evaluated hospitals in Slovakia was 3.93. Overall the grades for the diagnostic level in Slovak hospitals (3.94) scored lower in comparison with partner countries. Control of antibiotic consumption is implemented in Slovakia and therefore scored 4.07. Antibiotic-related organization and personnel development also scored high (4.08 and 4.26, respectively) in comparison with partner countries, but antibiotic-related roles and communication and antibiotic-related relationships to relevant environments were graded as not satisfactory (3.54 and 3.28, respectively). In general, our results are similar to those found by other countries. Antibiotic-related organization and personnel development appears better developed in Slovakia than in other countries. The better scores for antibiotic organization could be explained by the existence of a centralized healthcare system for 40 years. The existence of 'antibiotic resistance laboratories' in the Slovak republic since 1971 and a national computerized reporting system for antibiotic resistance since 1984 reflect this high standard.

OP24 Myelodysplastic syndrome management in Slovakia

Two main forms of acute leukemia have been recognized by the French-American-British (FAB) group: myeloid (AML) and lymphoblastic (ALL). Some types of AML can be diagnosed on well prepared bone marrow films stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa. Poorly differentiated types, myeloblastic (M1) and monoblastic (M5PD), need confirmation by positive cytochemical reactions (Sudan Black B, myeloperoxidase and non-specific esterase). There are 2 sub-types of promyelocyte leukemia: M3 typical, hypergranular and M3 variant, microgranular. The M3 variant has a more acute course, higher WBC and may require cytochemistry to demonstrate promyelocytic differentiation. Electron microscopic cytochemistry can also help in the classification of difficult AML cases; the ‘platelet-peroxidase’ reaction, for example, is essential for the diagnosis of megakaryoblastic leukemia, a disorder often presenting as ‘acute’ myelosclerosis.Three morphological types are seen in ALL: L1, predominantly in children, L2, more frequently in adults, and the relatively rare L3 or Burkitt type. Immunological and enzyme markers (ALL and la antigens, terminal transferase, etc.) help define the cell phenotype: (1) non-B, non-T ALL with 3 forms (common, null and pre-B), (2) T-ALL, related to but distinct from T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and (3) B-ALL, usually with L3 morphology. There is growing evidence that the FAB morphological types correlate with prognosis in ALL independently of other factors. The immunologically defined types also correlate with prognosis but not as an independent variable.

Innovations in public management: perspectives from East and West Europe

Part 1 Introduction and framework for analysis: Aims, structure and methodology of the study, Tony Verheijen The place of public management in the modern European state, David Coombes Theories of public management reform and their practical implications, Philippe Keraudren, Hans van Mierlo. Part 2 Public management in central and eastern Europe - the main problem: The framework for public management in Bulgaria - a view from inside, Krassimira Nikolova Reform of central and local government in Bulgaria - a new start? Tony Verheijen, Philippe keraudren The framework for public management in Hungary, Andras Baka Reform of public management in Hungary - main directions, Hans van Mierlo, Philippe Keraudren The framework for public management in Slovakia, Peter Kuklis, Peter Bercik Public management in Slovakia - a new adminstration for a new state, Hans van Mierlo, Tony Verheijen Public management in central and eastern Europe - the nature of the problem, Tony Verheijen. Part 3 Public management reforms in OECD countries and their relevance for central and eastern Europe: New management reform in the United Kingdom, Philippe Keraudren The United Kingdom - the effect of NPM reforms, Philippe Keraudren, Krassimira Nikolova Public management reform in New Zealand and Australia, Tony Verheijen Public management reform in Ireland, Michelle Millar, Onikarapchian, Tony Verheijen Ireland at the cross-roads, Onik Karapchian, Tony Verheijen Public management in the Netherlands, Hans van Mierlo The Netherlands - the middle way? Peter Kuklis, Hans van Mierlo France - a different approach to reform, Philippe Keraudren, Andras Baka France - maintaining the classical model, Andras Baka, Philippe keraudren Lessons from the experience of OECD countries, Hans van Mierlo. Part 4 Conclusions: NPM reforms and other western strategies - the wrong medicine for central and eastern Europe? Tony Verheijenl alternative paths for the states of central eastern Europe, David Coombes.