Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: René Wokoun
Title: Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Research on Regional Competitiveness
Abstract: The paper is aimed at theoretical and methodological approaches to the evaluation of regional competitiveness, i.e. concept and approaches to competitiveness and methodology of its comparison. In addition of defi nitions, approaches and methods using by some selected signifi cant authors, the paper also concerns defi nitions and approaches to competitiveness which are used by important institutions such as e.g. the World Economic Forum, OECD or the European Commission.
Keywords: regional competitiveness, factors of regional development, indicators, regionální konkurenceschopnost, faktory regionálního rozvoje, indikátory
Pages: 2-7
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/24
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:24:p:2-7

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Magdalena Bialic-Davendra
Author-Name: Eva Jirčíková
Author-Name: Drahomíra Pavelková
Title: "The key" to a successful cluster development - a case study from the Czech Republic and Poland
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to defi ne factors infl uencing formation and development of clusters in the Czech Republic and Poland. The authors describe the existing cluster-based policies and the stages of a cluster development in these countries. On the basis of the case studies of clusters such as Envicrack from the Czech Republic and the Aviation Valley from Poland, the authors try to defi ne key factors and recommend activities essential to a successful cluster development in other emerging clusters.
Keywords: Czech Republic, cluster, cluster-based policy, successful development, Poland
Pages: 8-18
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/25
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:25:p:8-18

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Petr Kladivo
Author-Name: Pavel Roubínek
Author-Name: Marián Halás
Title: Model Examples of Regionalization and Their Application Contribution in the Olomouc Region
Abstract: Administrative division of the Olomoucký region mostly respects historical borders, which were active in the past, particularly their course in the 1930s and 1940s (with the exception of the war period), i.e. borders of political and judicial districts. Th eir relation to current administration areas of municipalities with extended authority and areas with commissioned local authorities is more than obvious. Th e lagerst changes occurred along the border of the Přerov and Prostějov districts (Němčice nad Hanou x Kojetín), changes in regional centres occurred also in the Jeseník (Vidnava) and Šumperk regions (Staré Město x Hanušovice, Štíty, Vizmberk). In the region we have delimited 19 nodal regions on the basis of labour and school commuting and 20 modelled areas according to the Reilly´s law, which are more or less similar to the areas of municipalities with commissioned local authority. As the most problematic area of the region Javornicko has been identifi ed, whose role is in our opinion overestimated, since practical and theoretical relations of half of the municipalities of the administrative area of Javorník fl ow towards Jeseník. Another interesting area is the southwest of the region, part of the Prostějov region, where we can fi nd municipalities which on the basis of commuting and theoretical relations do not belong to the Olomoucký region (according to commuting they belong to Blansko, theoretically the infl uence of Brno is evident as well. Th e same problem can be found at the contact of the Přerov and Lipník regions (three municipalities belong according to selected criteria to the infl uence sphere of Bystřice pod Hostýnem) and the municipality of Hustopeče nad Bečvou (theoretically and practically belonging to Valašské Meziříčí). In other parts of the region the regions that have been delimited are the same or slightly diff erent (one or two municipalities) from administrative areas.
Keywords: regionalization, nodal region, labour and school commuting, Reilly´s Law, Olomouc region, regionalizace, nodální region, dojížďka do zaměstnání, Reillyho model, Olomoucký kraj
Pages: 19-28
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/26
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:26:p:19-28

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Jan Čadil
Title: Migration Analysis of the Czech Republic - Causality Problem
Abstract: Migration is a phenomenon which attracts more and more attention from economists, policy makers and the public itself despite the migration itself has not signifi cantly risen recently. Although we are aware of possible causes and impacts of migration on social and economic situation of countries and regions we are still unable to develop a general theoretical model which would refl ect the reality. Neoclassical based models lead to income convergence among regions via migration however demand oriented models and models based on endogenous growth assumptions lead to opposite results ? divergence. Also numerous empirical studies lead to very diff erent results and we have to admit that for now it is necessary to deal with migration with cause and with respect to actual situation. Th is paper deals with migration among the regions in the Czech Republic confi rming income as one of migration factors. Th e most important part of the paper is analysis of causation when for the Czech Republic we may say that the demand oriented approach to migration is valid. Migration is caused by income gap but in a short term it is also positively infl uencing the income in immigrant regions. However in a long run the migration is supporting income convergence among the regions.
Keywords: migration, income, convergence, divergence, causality, migrace, příjmový diferenciál, konvergence, divergence, kauzalita
Pages: 29-33
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/27
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:27:p:29-33

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Viera Vlčková
Author-Name: Jana Kouřilová
Title: The development of university education at the territory of the Czech Republic and of the Slovak Republic
Abstract: Th e paper is aimed at the development of university education at the territory of the Czech Republic and of the Slovak Republic. Th e objective of this paper is to describe development of universities in the territory of the Czech Republic and Slovakia from 1918 to 2008. Th e authors characterize university education and its development in Czechoslovakia (1918-1992) with usage of statistical data such as number of universities and number of students, including women, not only in the pre-war period but also in the 2nd half of the 20th century with signifi cant development of university education. More detail attention is given to the situation aft er the Czechoslovakia disintegration when the other development of universities occurred in both established states, namely with a view to new legislation enabling a foundation and development of private universities. Th e last part is aimed at spatial distribution of universities within the territory of both countries, including importance of private universities for regional availability of university education.
Keywords: education, universities, regional availability, vzdělání, vysoké školy, regionální dostupnost
Pages: 34-45
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/28
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:28:p:34-45

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Libor Lukášek
Title: Visegrad group before enterning of member countries into the European Union
Abstract: Th e Visegrad Group is an alliance of Eastern European countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) founded 15 February 1991 in Visegrad with the presidents of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland signing a ?Declaration on mutual cooperation for further European integration.? Th e strategic goals of the Group were to fi ll in the securityeconomic vacuum created in the region as the result of the fundamental international political changes at the end of the 1980?s, the renewal of national sovereignty, democracy and freedom, the liquidation of all existing social, economic, and value system remnants of the totalitarian system, the building of parliamentary democracy, a modern legal state based on respect for human rights and basic freedoms, and the creation and practical implementation of a market economy. An additional important motive was to coordinate common activity in the integration processes with NATO and the EC/ EU. Th roughout its existence the Visegrad Group had the character of a long-term consultation process similar to the Helsinki Conference/OSCE. Th e single permanent institution established by the Visegrad Group is the International Visegrad Fund, which was founded in 2000. Th e mission of the Fund is to support development of cooperation in the cultural, scientifi c, research, and educational fi elds and to support cross-border cooperation and development of a civil society. Th e Visegrad Group launched joint activities in 1991-1992 with the clear common motives of providing security and stability in the Central European region, particularly against the impacts of the collapsing Soviet Union on one side and a unifi ed Germany on the other. Common steps were therefore taken to coordinate security and foreign policies; cooperation also occurred on the economic level, especially as the result of adopting measures related to the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy. Th e suppression of cooperation in the years 1993-1998 was caused in part by the loss of areas for cooperation (providing security and stability in the Central European region, the termination of all structures of the former Socialist block, the preference for an individual approach to integration over a joint approach). Another reason was changes in the political representation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as the new political elite did not look with favour upon Visegrad cooperation. Predominant during this period was the individual approach of countries in both foreign relations and in the integration processes. Beginning with the NATO Madrid Summit in July 1997 (for the period of 1997-1998) it is possible to follow closer cooperation in the military-security fi eld. Th e reason for this was the attempt by the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary to enter NATO as quickly as possible. Eff orts were made in the period of 1998-2004 to renew Visegrad Group projects. Th ese eff orts were related to the ascent of new political representatives, particularly in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, who favoured the idea of Visegrad cooperation. Interest in strengthening the Visegrad civic dimension and an eff ort to aid Slovakia in accelerating its integration processes were evident. A system of rotating leadership similar to that used in the EU was introduced. Meetings between presidents of the individual countries and two summits, one formal and the other informal, are held annually. In time additional platforms of mutual cooperation are created ? at the ministry level (foreign aff airs, defence, culture, environment, transportation, and health), the parliamentary level (parliament leadership and selected committees), as well as other experts. Th is study investigated the fulfi lment of selected Visegrad Group strategic goals ? securing a stabile environment in Central Europe following the changes at the end of the 1980?s as well as the joint coordination of activities and common steps to enter NATO and the EU. Th e fi rst analyzed strategic goal of the Visegrad Group was fulfi lled with the active participation of member countries. All of the member countries in a relatively short period of time managed to disengage from the infl uence of Soviet power, common positions and coordination of activities led to the gradual creation and maintenance of stability in the region, the cancellation of relics of block organization was successfully achieved (COMECON and the Warsaw Pact), and the countries actively participated in the coordination of Central European foreign policy, the goal of which was to persuade Western countries of the credibility of the group?s foreign policy and integration eff orts. Practical cooperation in the military-security sphere contributed to Czech, Polish, Hungarian (1999), and Slovak (2004) entrance into NATO. Th is form of cooperation was in place throughout the existence of the Visegrad Group. It was restricted, however, between 1993 and 1997. Following the NATO Madrid Summit in July 1997 there was an intensifi cation of the coordination of joint Czech, Hungarian, and Polish activities, the result of which was the creation of a free institutional (regular meetings of military and political leaders) and professional (the creation of specialized working groups to cover priority areas of NATO entrance) framework for selected areas. Aft er joining NATO cooperation in selected spheres continued (support for further expansion, the exchange of experience in selected areas). In the sphere of the European integration process the Visegrad Group did not fulfi l its original expectations. Th e accession of all four countries on 1 May 2004 was more the work of the countries? individual approaches than the result of systematically coordinated joint cooperation. While the Visegrad Group held discussions on EU integration process matters, an individual approach was adopted on the majority of subjects (matters related to negotiating specifi c EU accession conditions, EU reform, the European Constitution, and searching for joint positions in the economic, agricultural, business, and tax fi - elds). Political representatives of individual states were not able to fi nd common ground on a number of preliminary issues directly infl uencing their integration ambitions; in several spheres the countries even competed against one another. Planned coordination for the EU entrance process was never achieved. Th erefore the idea of Central European cooperation in the sphere of EU integration was never fulfi lled. Th e cooperation of Visegrad countries within the EU will likely be based on the policy of advocating individual national interests. It is however possible to fi nd themes of regional interest that could be discussed and advanced in unison. Th e Visegrad Group in NATO and the EU could therefore be an appropriate tool for advocating commonly defi ned interests (in the military-security sphere, issues of the so-called second and third pillar of the EU (joint foreign and defence policies, internal, and judicial policy), the strengthening of the civic dimension between Visegrad countries, environmental protection, support of common infrastructure and energy projects, etc..
Keywords: European Union, Evropská unie, Visegrad Group, regional cooperation, regional forum, regionalism, integration, security, NATO, Visegrádská skupina, regionální spolupráce, regionální forum, regionalismus, integrace, bezpečnost, NATO
Pages: 46-53
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/29
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:29:p:46-53

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Nikola Krejčová
Title: EU Urban Policy: is its existence justifi ed?
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to assess the EU Urban Policy existence when it comes to its justifi cation. Th e claim to form and deeply implement the EU Urban Policy has been heard oft en from experts on the fi eld of the urban development. Moreover, during the programme period 2007-2013, there is a signifi cant demand to unify solutions of urban areas development questions across the EU. To be able to assess the EU Urban Policy existence justifi cation, two criteria have been picked out: first, the suitability criterion in the sense of compatibility of urban areas problems and Urban Policy declared goals and, second, the overlaping criterion in relation other EU policies subject matter.
Keywords: urban development, suburbanization, suburbanizace, urban policy, urban areas, urbánní politika, městské oblasti, urbánní rozvoj
Pages: 54-63
Volume: 2010
Issue: 2
Year: 2010
File-URL: http://www.vse.cz/rst/30
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlrst:v:2010:y:2010:i:2:id:30:p:54-63