A regional disparity is becoming increasingly important growth constraint. Policy makers need quantitative knowledge to design effective and targeted policies. In this paper, the regional efficiency of healthcare facilities in Slovakia is measured (2008–2015) using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The DEA is the dominant approach to assessing the efficiency of the healthcare system but also other economic areas. In this study, the window approach is introduced as an extension to the basic DEA models to evaluate healthcare technical efficiency in individual regions and quantify the basic regional disparities and discrepancies. The window DEA method was chosen since it leads to increased discrimination on results especially when applied to small samples and it enables year-by-year comparisons of the results. Two stable inputs (number of beds, number of medical staff), three variable inputs (number of all medical equipment, number of magnetic resonance (MR) devices, number of computed tomography (CT) devices) and two stable outputs (use of beds, average nursing time) were chosen as production variable in an output-oriented 4-year window DEA model for the assessment of technical efficiency in 8 regions. The database was made available from the National Health Information Center and the Slovak Statistical Office, as well as from the online databases Slovstat and DataCube. The aim of the paper is to quantify the impact of the non-standard Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) variables as the use of medical technologies (MR, CT) on the results of the assessment of the efficiency of the healthcare facilities and their adequacy in the evaluation of the monitored processes. The results of the analysis have shown that there is an indirect dependence between the values of the variables over time and the results of the estimated efficiency in all regions. The regions that had low values of the variables over time achieved a high degree of efficiency and vice versa. Interesting knowledge was that the gradual addition of variables number of MR, number of CT and number of medical devices together, to the input side did not have a significant impact on the overall estimated efficiency of healthcare facilities.

Abstract:The study seeks to explore and synthesize current issues in Slow Fashion and discuss potential future directions of the industry. While there are multiple definitions of the term, Slow Fashion typically describes long-lasting, locally manufactured clothing, primarily made from sustainably sourced fair-trade fabrics. It affords latitude to individual style, fosters education about clothing and emphasizes durability. While several challenges regarding the implementation of Slow Fashion principles in current society remain, the study offers an overview of the current state, and presents a fashion matrix-based framework for outlining the position of the Slow Fashion movement within industry-specific fashion segments and uses the matrix to present current knowledge and review future challenges. The support of networks serves as an indispensable tool for Slow Fashion designers, keeping them abreast of the competition.

Slovak spa companies significantly contribute to tourism support and to health tourism development. The paper aims to evaluate the financial situation and financial position of 21 Slovak spa companies, and the Slovak spa industry within NACE 86 - Human Health Activities and NACE 869 - Other Human Health Activities. In terms of legal form, the research sample consists of 16 joint-stock companies (Inc. (a.s.)), 3 limited liability companies (Ltd. (s.r.o.)), and 2 state-owned companies (s.o.). Data of given spa companies are obtained from their Financial Statements in Register of Financial Statements of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. Data on mean values of the financial indicators for NACE 86 and NACE 869 were obtained from the company CRIF - Slovak Credit Bureau. We cover the period 2007-2018. Our results include an evaluation of the criterion of economic efficiency of the industry NACE 86, the sub-industry NACE 869, and individual spa companies using methods of quantifying the impact of determining factors. At the same time, we present the factors that influence development most. We determine the position of spa companies by using multidimensional scaling (MDS). Results show that the total assets turnover ratio and return on sales are contributing factors to the change of ROE to the greatest extent. MDS quantifies that Spa Bojice, a.s., has the best financial position in space, on the other hand, Specialized Medical Institute Marína, s.o., has the worst position.

One of the characteristics of business competitiveness is business performance. Managerial decision making is one of the main factors that can affect the competitiveness of a company. Financial and economic analysis is an inseparable part of financial management in the practice of business entities. The aim of this contribution is to present several models of forecasting the financial situation of companies. By implementing the Taffler model, Springate model, and the Aspect Global Rating, we assess the financial health of a set of non-financial corporations that, with their net turnover, represents almost the entire electrical engineering industry in Slovakia. As Slovakia has a poorly developed capital market and a numerous private companies do not have publicly traded securities, in this paper we use models based on information from financial statements, an approach which is preferable to the use of market-oriented models. Financial data of selected non-financial corporations needed for the financial analysis were obtained from the Register of Financial Statements of the Slovak Republic, with data for the entire industry obtained from the CRIBIS database and results highlighting the financial health of individual electrical engineering companies. Relevant information should be beneficial especially for suppliers in order to avoid disruptions in their own production as well as for stakeholders, managers and auditors. Among other things, it is possible to monitor which companies have the strongest financial health and which are losing their competitiveness, thus are threated. A creditworthy model confirmed that the sector appears to be financially healthy.

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The paper deals with investigating thorough analysis that reveals the impact of digitalisation as the development of new communication platforms are changing consumer's purchasing behaviour in the online environment. The main aim of our research is to identify the dynamics of consumer preferences in relation to the communication platforms of digital equipment for purchase in the online environment. To fulfil the aim of the research we are in the period of February -June 2016 conducted a questionnaire survey located across the whole territory of Slovakia. The sample is representative of the Slovak population by gender, age, highest education level of economic activity. For data analysis we used appropriate methods. This article provides information about consumer preferences related to the use of digital devices when people do their shopping online via the Internet. Depending on the results of the analysis, it can be stated that the most preferred device is the notebook for both groups of respondents surveyed, statistically significant gender differences were not detected. The paper includes practical implications particularly for business entities, because knowledge of the options that digital technology conceals leads to the right set of strategies and will follow the effective achievement of business aims. The paper gives attention to do the role brands and marketers, if he wants to succeed in today's extremely competitive battle for customers to identify deeply rooted motives as well as and preferences of consumers.