ONGOING Projects

The Reception of the Ancient Norse Symbolic Resources into Selected Subcultures of Central and South-Eastern Europe: A Netnographic Analysis

EHP-BFNU-OVNKM-4-146-2024

EEA and Norway Grants 2014 – 2021, Bilateral Relations Fund

Programme Operator: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 03/2024 – 07/2024

Main recipient of financial suport: University of Finance and Administration

Name of partner: University of Oslo

Project team VSFS: Maiello, Giuseppe; Moldoveanu, Mirela

The project will investigate Neo-Pagan social media groups and online communities of players dealing with Norse mythology. The researchers will focus mainly on both ecological and nationalistic tendencies and will ask to what extent these two ideological tendencies can influence the "proseverian" subcultures of CEE and Balkan countries. The project aims at understanding this phenomenon of late modern social life, significant in this historical period when conflicts, ideologies, myths and violence are the order of the day.

The Ethics of Access to Audiovisual Online Content

Project identification code: GA24-11310S

Programme Operator: Czech Science Foundation

Implementing period: 01/2024 – 12/2026

Main recipient of financial support is VSFS, co-recipient is Palacký University Olomouc

Project team VSFS: Leška, Rudolf

The aim of the project is to conduct a legal/ethical analysis of the conflict between creators /producers/distributors and consumers concerning access to premium audiovisual online content (movies, TV series, sport events) availability of which on video-on-demand platforms is regulated through geo-blocking. The analysis will propose (domain specific) principles of ethics of access to audiovisual online content, their application to specific examples of moral conflict (decisions of the European Commission), and critical reflection of regulation of audiovisual online services (laws, legal principles, doctrine). Methodologically, the project enriches legal studies with procedures of applied ethics (the method of wide reflective equilibrium) and in
identifying and contextualizing moral attitudes it is based on the primary qualitative research on the attitudes of stakeholders and on the secondary analysis of available data on consumer behavior and attitudes and on the industry and licensing practices of audiovisual creators, producers and distributors in the Czech Republic and in the EU.

Establishing and operating a re-use centre/re-use point in the social, legal and economic conditions of the Czech Republic

Project identification code: TQ01000226

Programme Operator: TA ČR

Implementing period: 09/2023 – 08/2026

Main recipient of financial support is Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. VSFS is another participant in the project, co-recipient.

Project team VSFS: Hes, Aleš; Švecová, Martina

The aim of the project is to create a methodology that can be used especially by municipalities, but also by non-profit organizations or business entities for the establishment and operation of re-use centers and re-use points. On the basis of the results of analyses and evaluation of legal regulations related to the issue (Waste Act, Companies and Cooperatives Act, Accounting Act, tax laws, labour safety regulations, etc.), on the basis of analyses and evaluation of good practice examples (already existing operations) and on the basis of the results of the conducted research (citizens' behaviour, amount of waste in relation to the economic cycle, etc.), a methodology will be developed that will support the effective establishment and operation of re-use centres or points.

Opportunities and barriers of cross-border distribution of Czech music production

Project identification code: DH23P03OVV029

NAKI III Programme for the period 2023-2030

Grant provider: Ministry of Culture

Implementing period: 03/2023 – 12/2027

The recipient-coordinator is Palacký University Olomouc. VŠFS is the recipient.

Project team VŠFS: Leška, Rudolf; Tomčík, Michal; Sliwka, Rostislav; Klementová, Monika; Náray, Márton.

The aim of the project is to identify obstacles and opportunities for cross-border distribution of Czech music production and the proposal for their removal or use. The project consists in analyzing the availability of domestic repertoire in selected catalogs of online services, analysis of concert performances of Czech musicians abroad, evaluating the distribution strategies and intermediaries, describing examples of best practices, identifying cultural and market barriers to cross-border content distribution and proposing solutions (new markets, new distribution strategies, online services and intermediaries for each type of content).

Optimising investments in security

Contract research project, contracting authority Správa železnic, státní organizace [Railway Administration, State Organisation]

Implementing period: 06/2024 - 12/2024

Project team VSFS: Čáp, Jan; Straus, Jiří; Brunová, Markéta; Sadílek, Zdeněk; Kotěšovcová, Jana

The aim of the project is to propose the optimal state of personnel and technical security leading to the reduction of security risks in selected objects of the contracting authority.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Business Problems Interactive Web Portal

22210127

International Visegrad fund – Visegrad+ Grants

Implementing period: 1. 10. 2022 - 31. 3. 2024

Main recipient of financial support is University of Finance and Administration;  project partners are East European University (EEU), Georgian Small & Medium Enterprises Association, University of Zilina (UNIZA), Univerzity of Lodz – Technology Transfer Center, Budapest Enterprise Agency (BEA).

Project Coordinator VŠFS: Kostikov, Eva

Within the framework of V4 Programme, “Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Research”, the project aims to create and support new cluster networks by creating effective conditions for close cooperation between academia and businesses both in Georgia and V4 countries. Result of the project will be the Interactive Web Portal with elements of the Web 4.0 to help Start-ups and SMEs with starting and running their businesses in order to gain sustainable and long-lasting business to be competitive with more developed countries with longer entrepreneur history and supportive culture.

Link to the official website of the project: portal.vsfs.cz/visegrad

Internal and external peripheries in the regional development of the Czech Republic - from genetic determination to territorial cohesion 

TL03000527

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 05/2020 - 4/2023

Main recipient of financial support is VŠFS, the co-recipients are Masaryk University, University of West Bohemia and Palacký University Olomouc

Project Team VŠFS: Wokoun, René; Zich, František; Mates, Pavel; Čechák, Petr; Khendriche Trhlínová, Zuzana; Novotný, Lukáš (contract for services); Krejčová, Nikola (contract for services)

Peripherals, determined by the marginal position compared to the cores of settlement, are usually characterized by population decline, insufficient infrastructure and low economic performance. Territories adjacent to the border of the regional (internal) or state (external dimension) of Czechia thus require special attention of local self-government (regions) and state administration. This issue is accentuated through programs of cross-border cooperation of the EU. The project solves the definition of both types of peripherals, the analysis of the socio-economic situation incl. approach of individual regions to the closure of regional development. The research will result in the formulation of measures and recommendations in the sense of strengthening the territorial cohesion of Czechia.

Protection of the critical infrastructure

Contract research project, contracting authority ČEZ, a.s.

Implementing period: 4/2020 – 12/2023

Project team VŠFS: Bruna, Eduard; Straus, Jiří; Svetlík, Marian; Vilím, Lukáš; Sadílek, Zdeněk; Brunová, Markéta

The aim of project is to analyze current legal framework in area of protection of the critical infrastructure, to specify relevant legal regulations and to define its vulnerabilities with respect to secure of critical infrastructure of the contracting authority.

Family businesses: Value drivers and value determination in the process of succession 

TL02000434

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 1/2019 - 12/2022

Main recipient of financial support is Brno University of Technology, the co-recipients are VŠFS and Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic

Project Team VŠFS: Břečková, Pavla; Petrů, Naděžda; Tomášková, Andrea

The aim of the project is to derive a practically applicable methodology for a valuation of Small and Medium-Sized (SMS) family businesses. The starting point is definition of family businesses value drivers, acceleration and innovation procedures, in order of creating a tool which would be usable for managing the value of the businesses. The final methodology will be supported by a manual, which will be available for the family businesses owners via the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic. The applicability of the methodology consists in: 

a)    assessment of the SMS family businesses
b)    fast identification of the areas which are decreasing the value of the SMS family businesses
c)    possibilities of a systematically increasing the value of the business
d)    in the support of the growth of the whole SMS family business segment.

Link to the official website of the project: https://hodnotapodniku.fbm.vutbr.cz

Mapping the Needs of Professional DJs and Musicians in the Remix Culture and Enhancing Their Qualifications

KU-CB1-014

EEA and Norway Grants 2014 – 2021, Culture Programme

Programme Operator: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic.

Implementing period: 03/2021 – 09/2022

Main recipient of financial suport is Association of Authors and Performers. The co-recipients are VŠFS, Palacký University Olomouc and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Project Team VŠFS: Leška, Rudolf

On the basis of interdisciplinary research (sociology, law),  the project seeks to contribute to the professional growth of DJs and musicians working with music remix. Unlike many other professional musicians, such as singers and concert performers, DJs lack a professional organization that would enable them to gather together to pursue their musical interests and would provide them with professional advice and assistance. The Union of Authors and Performers (SAI) seeks to increase the legal and professional awareness of DJs and to enhance their professional qualifications (for example, by drawing attention to the correct procurement of licences for the use of musical works and recordings for their own creative work or performances). Existing sources of information, which tend to be focused on traditional occupations in the field of popular music will be extended to the often neglected occupation of DJ and will consider questions related to remix practices in music production.

The COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for change in the distribution, presentation and monetization of cultural content online

TL04000109

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 10/2020 – 09/2022

Main recipient of financial support is Palacký Univerzity Olomouc. The co-recipients are VŠFS and Masaryk University.

Project Team VŠFS: Leška, Rudolf; David, Ivan (contract for services)

The objective of the project that is combining law with media industry studies is to assess the efficiency of new strategies in digital distribution and exhibition of film, music, and theater, and to propose solutions to the problems faced by Czech creators, producers and distributors as a result of the epidemic in terms of distribution and monetization of cultural content online. The main outcomes are research reports identifying best practices of solving problems concerning the right clearance for streaming films, concerts and theater performances; the proposal of a state aid scheme supporting the collaboration of local producers and distributors with transnational VOD services; manual for creators on how to license and monetize content through online content-sharing platforms.

How to achieve good governance by the provision of social, cultural and educational services of copyright and related rights collective management organizations 

TL03000271

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 4/2020 - 3/2022

Main recipient of financial support is VŠFS.

Project Team: Leška, Rudolf; Marek, Karel; Tomčík, Michal; Krša, Miroslav (contract for work); Kyncl, Libor (contract for work); David, Ivan (contract for work)

The aim of the project is to map the current situation in the area of social, cultural and educational services provided by collective management organizations (CMOs), evaluation of interests and needs of beneficiaries of these services and legal and tax context of providing such services with subsequent processing of best practices for good governance. These should help the regulatory authority (Ministry of Culture) and CMOs in setting up such internal processes and distribution plans, which will lead to the most effective provision of such services while complying with rules resulting from the reciprocal agreements, EU law and the Copyright Act and while maintaining a fair balance between the represented right holders, users of works and beneficiaries of such services.

Technical security systems, security assessment of the building and security functionality in relation to the detection of insurance fraud and emergencies

Contract research project, contracting authority ALKOM Security, a.s.

Implementing period: 02/2020 – 05/2021

Project team VŠFS: Straus, Jiří; Sadílek, Zdeněk; Jonák, Jiří

The aim of the project is to define new methods, how to do technical support in investigating insurance fraud.

BOSS 4.0, media data processing module

Contract research project, contracting authority 2C analytics, s.r.o., VSFS is a supplier of research services

The project is implemented within the OP Prague – Pole of Growth of the Czech Republic, Prague Voucher for Innovation Projects  

Implementing period: 04/2021 – 07/2021

Project Team VŠFS: Švecová, Martina; Kostikov, Eva; Lánský, Jan; Raffy Josef; Volčík, Milan

The aim of the project is to streamline the services provided through a specific software module that will enable data and output processing of specialised software processing data on individual media with all their specificities based on different types of data and their provision of business models, including in real time and through smart technologies (telephones). The software module will be set up so that it can be connected to the central information system BOSS 4.0.

Assessment of the impact of instore activities

Contract research project, contracting authority Idealisti, s.r.o., VSFS is a supplier of research services

The project is implemented within the OP Prague – Pole of Growth of the Czech Republic, Prague Voucher for Innovation Projects  

Implementing period: 04/2021 – 07/2021

Project Team VŠFS: Roubal, Ondřej; Rosenlacher, Pavel; Tomčík, Michal; Kostikov, Eva

The aim of the project is to develop tools for measuring the effectiveness of communication in-store tools and to define their standards. In-store tools represent a set of advertising materials and products used at the point of sale to promote a particular product or product range. The contracting authorities invest large amounts of money in this support, but there are not adequate instruments on the market to measure the effectiveness of the funds spent.

Development of an information system focused on management and support of the business process

Contract research project, contracting authority S.M.A., a.s., VSFS is a supplier of research services

The project is implemented within the OP Prague – Pole of Growth of the Czech Republic, Prague Voucher for Innovation Projects , Reg. No. CZ.07.1.02/0.0/0.0/16_025/0000605 

Implementing period: 12/2020 – 05/2021

Project team: Petrů, Naděžda; Kupec, Václav; Písař, Přemysl; Miškovský, Tomáš

The aim of the project is the development of an information system focused on the management and support of the business process of several companies simultaneously in the form of a desktop application, responsive web application and application for mobile phones. The information system is intended to enable the interconnection of data on companies in a business group while respecting the differences of these companies.

Analysis of security risks in the handling with storage media in the field of banking and proposal of measures to minimize them

Contract research project, contracting authority J & T BANKA, a.s.

Implementing period: 4/2020 – 5/2021

Project team VŠFS: Straus, Jiří; Budinský, Petr; Janků, Martin; Schlossberger, Otakar; Sadílek, Zdeněk

The aim of the project is to carry out harmonization of legal regulations of contracting authority with EU regulations, to describe current status of security of storage media and to make a comparison of work with saving the digital dates with legal regulations of  the contracting authority.

System for assessing the phases of the life cycle of protective equipment

Contract research project, contracting authority KOMORA, s.r.o., VŠFS is a supplier of research services.

The project is implemented within the OP Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness, Innovation Voucher COVID-19, Reg. No. CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_319/023739 

Implementing period: 12/2020 - 03/2021

Project team: Pavlák, Miroslav; Tichý, Jaromír; Falková, Venuše; Mann, Jiří

The aim of the project is to establish a system for the assessment and declaration of the conformity of personal protective medical devices and a system for their certification, including full requirements of legislative and normative regulations, so that these devices can be placed on the market quickly and efficiently by their manufacturers and can respond operationally to changes in the pandemic situation, to the demand of health establishments, to the demands of social services establishments, to the demand of their employees and to the demand of the general population.

Development of an information system focused on management and support of the business process

Contract research project, contracting authority S.M.A., a.s., VSFS is a supplier of research services

The project is implemented within the OP Prague – Pole of Growth of the Czech Republic, Prague Voucher for Innovation Projects, Reg. No. CZ.07.1.02/0.0/0.0/16_025/0000605 

Implementing period: 06/2020 – 09/2020

Project team: Petrů, Naděžda; Kupec, Václav; Písař, Přemysl; Miškovský, Tomáš

The aim of the project is the development of an information system focused on the management and support of the business process of several companies simultaneously in the form of a desktop application, responsive web application and application for mobile phones. The information system is intended to enable the interconnection of data on companies in a business group while respecting the differences of these companies.

New Sources of System Risks on Financial Markets

16-21506S

GAČR

Implementing period: 1/2016 - 12/2018

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship.

Project Team: Frait  Jan; Komárek Luboš; Helísek Mojmír; Budinský Petr; Komárková Zlatuše; Schlossberger Otakar; Lánský Jan; Mentlík Roman.

The recent world financial crisis may be an example of underestimating the risks of a system nature. An academic research and regulation of financial markets was focused too much on the risks of individual institutions.  However, the risks of relations between individual markets and financial institutions and their potential impact on prices of shares were underestimated.  The reaction to the crisis in the form of regulations in economy and politics solved the problem only partly but it does not solve, if not even reinforced, other sources of the system risks.   The project will be focused on new sources of the risks on financial markets, mainly in the following three areas: 1) Macro-financial dynamics and the system risk, 2) International  financial markets and the risk of currency crisis, 3) The risk of cybernetics. The research will result in a complex theoretical and empirical evaluation of the system risk and the risk in  the above mentioned areas in terms of small-scale open economy.

Change of  patterns in gender inequality in education and labour market: dynamics, causes and  consequences

17-04726S

GA ČR

Implementing period: 1/2017 - 12/2017

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship, the other sponsored partner is ISEA - The Institute for Social and Economic Analysis.

Project team at VŠFS: Matějů Petr, Anýžová Petra

The project is aimed at mapping and explaining changes of the level and patterns of gender inequalities in the area of education and labour market, which take place in most developed countries, including the Czech Republic. In the context of three theories (theory of reproduction, theory of modernization and theory of intersectionality) we will survey the role of cognitive skills, social origin and sex in the educational inequalities, mainly in highly diversified education systems. In this context we will analyse in detail the ongoing changes in the role of gender on the labour market and perception of gender inequalities regarding life chances. There will be three empirical researches done within the project: a) research of pupils of apprentice centres which follows the research of secondary school  A-level students, done in 2014, b) the follow-up research of the maturity year students in 2014 (these days already university students or on the labour market), c) research of the population of adults which follows  the research of adult competencies  done in 2011 within the project  of OECD, PIAAC - the above mentioned adults were enquired again in 2014.

The project was done only in 2017.

Granting the nobility right (incolat in the period before the White Mountain Battle)

14-12236S 

GAČR

Implementing period: 1/2014 - 12/2016

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship.

Project Team: Starý Marek

The projects aims to give a complex explanation of the incolat from the legal and historical point of view. The incolat was a significant institute of the early new-age law which conditioned having a possibility to gain real estates and to have some political rights. In the period before the White Mountain Battle about 300 persons of a various origin, age, property background and religion were accepted as inhabitants of the Czech Kingdom. There has been no fixed attention given to this group in the literature. The mapping and analytic research of this group represents a significant step towards getting to know the position of the Czech Lands in the then Europe and, in a broad sense of the word, in the history of European migration and integration. Within the project we will do an analysis of appropriate legal norms and real functioning of the mechanism which lead to being granted the incolat.  From the methodological point of view, the project will be primarily focused on the analysis of primary sources. The research will also result in getting a complete prosopographical list of people who were granted this right by the assembly of noblemen.

New procedures and methods of financial research, securing property and identifying money laundering from criminal activities

VF20142015038

Programme of the research of safety in the Czech Republic in 2010 – 2015.

Ministry of Home Affairs of CR

Implementing period: 11/2014 - 12/2015

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship.

Project Team: Schlossberger, Otakar; Brada, Jaroslav; Blažek, Petr; Budík, Josef; Červenka, Miroslav; Hylmar, Jiří; Legierská, Yvona; Mazánek, Jiří; Šamánek, Jaroslav; Šugár, Ján; Vavrušková, Adriana.

The tender was assigned within the programme “Research of safety for the state needs in 2010 - 2015”. The project team considers the tender to be a follow-up research and development activity of the project done from 3/2012 till 2/2014 called Increasing efficiency of procedures and measures applied when identifying money laundering  and  when limiting organized illegal financing in the field of financial service providers, number  VG20122014087.

The main task of this tender is to find new and more efficient methods and procedures for financial investigations (looking for and seizing  revenues from a criminal activity,  fight against  money laundering  from illegal activities ( and creating suitable and fast methods of  interconnection of EU country members when carrying out financial investigations.

The objective of the tender for applied research will be outputs in the form of certified methodology, professional studies and essays and, possibly, a draft of legislative amendments focused mainly on the following areas:

• methodology used for more efficient procedures for financial investigations and for seizing  revenues from money laundering, which will be applied by prosecuting authorities,
• development of appropriate and, mainly, fast methods for interconnecting EU member countries when carrying out financial investigations, while supporting a mutually efficient cooperation,
• increased protection of citizens against socially dangerous and illegal activities,
• new methods and procedures which will have an impact  also on the area of eliminating corruption and tax evasions.

The project  team assumes there will be a symposium called Get to know your client held in 2015 which will  follow the previous two symposiums from 2012 and 2013. A symposium serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, knowledge and experience of experts from the area of AML issues, of methods of financial investigations, seizing assets and of identifying money laundering,  mainly for financial institutions and state administration bodies.

Effective and socially just maturity exam

TD020230 

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic

Implementing period: 1/2014 - 12/2015

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship.

Project Team: Matějů Petr, Anýžová Petra

The project will collect unique data files which cover in a complex way the transfer from a secondary school to a university.  The analysis of this data will enable us to identify a discriminative potential of a maturity exam for students and their parents when taking decisions about future education. The same data will be used in the project for verifying the possibility of using results of the maturity exam as a respected criterion for admission to a university with a high predictability of success. The project will result in drafting a solution of both problems through a single instrument.

Post-crisis regulation of banks and its impact on economic activity in a small export-oriented economy

GA13-08549S

Czech Science Foundation

Implementing period: 2/2013 - 12/2015

VŠFS accepts a sponsorship.

Addressing the loss of income due to temporary incapacity, pregnancy and maternity in the EU

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Project Team: Krebs, Vojtěch; Mertl, Jan; Kubátová, Květa; Čejka, Robin; Horecký, Jiří

Assessment of remuneration system of employees, funds for their salaries are paid wholly or largely from publ. sources, a comparison of the Czech salary system with remuneration systems of similar ranges of employees and employers in selected EU States

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Project Team: Krebs, Vojtěch; Mertl, Jan;

Subject of research is a system of remuneration of civil servants whose funds for the salaries are wholly or largely reimbursed by public budgets. Researchers will not deal with issues of remuneration of constitutional officials and workers in service relationships. The result of the project will be a comprehensive study recording the problems, strengths and weaknesses of the Czech salary system in terms of its development over the past 15 years from the perspective of international comparisons, and proposals for adjustments of the Czech remuneration system of employees whose salaries are paid by public budgets.

The theory of redistribution systems

Project Team: Valenčík, Radim; Sekerka, Bohuslav; Budinský, Petr; Wawrosz, Petr; Vysloužilová, Hana; Benesch, Jiří; Vávra, Pavel

Czech Science Foundation

The theory of redistribution systems is an original and prospect microeconomic area of development of a play
theory at the level of basic research with practical applications and own mathematical appliances. It examines an
influence of redistribution inside various social systems on their effectiveness in such cases when the edistribution has been caused by origin of coalitions inside them. The basis of the theory was specified within the frame of a project of GA CR Investment into social capital and effectiveness (2006 - 2008) a solver of which is the proposer of this project. The aim is elaboration of mathematical means and consequently also a computer model, completion of the ground of the theory of redistribution systems as a methodologically consistent theoretical discipline, its application for a disclosure of general relations of distribution of salaries in organizations, development of analytical tools enabling modelling of tendencies of development of economic systems, providing domestic and foreign experts with information on applicable policies of this theory.

New Approaches to an Optimalization of Budgetary and Fiscal Policy with Emphasis on the Fiscal Discipline

Project Team: Hamerníková, Bojka; Dvořák, Pavel; Kubátová, Květa; Láchová, Lenka; Ochrana František; Štěpánek Pavel

Czech Science Foundation

The need of search for new approaches to optimization of budgetary policy is a reaction to a growth of public expenditures and the risk resulting from thereof. The project will target the area of public revenues, expenditures, and the so-called relative weight of public debt with the aim of analyzing the basic findings of the global economic research as well as with the aim of analyzing factors affecting the situation in these areas, it will review the dangers resulting from maintaining this situation and propose solutions to existing problems. During the research secondary analysis of academic sources, empiric analyses of the current situation, methods and analyses using statistical and econometric methods, optimization methods will be used. In order to find possibilities and scope of application of solutions, the comparative analysis on international level will be used as well as secondary analysis of the decisive sphere, a model of result-oriented budgeting for state budget will be proposed, and recommendations will be formulated for decisive authorities.

Development and perspective of dependence and need of long-term social-health care and social services in the period 2012-2020 in population over 65 in terms of health status

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Project Team: Krebs, Vojtěch; Mertl, Jan; Mottl, Patrik

The project aims to: an analysis of the impacts of health status of people aged 65 years on the needs for social services and long-term care; a prognosis of needs development in different age groups by 2020; a provision of an objective medical documentation in this area that could be used for any corrections of social services system; the evaluation of changes in the structure of care allowance recipients; projections of results of the analysis of the health status of people aged 65 and the expected changes to changes in the structure of the care allowance recipients; projection of results of this analysis in the criteria for assessing of the dependence rate and contingent proposals for their adjustment.

Investments in Social Capital and Efficiency

Project Team: Valenčík, Radim; Čechák, Vladimír; Zich, František; Helísek, Mojmír; Wawrosz, Petr

Czech Science Foundation

Social science is now very interested in topic of investments into social capital and construction of social networks (see publications written by P. Bourdieu, M. Castells, J. Coleman, R. Putnam, and others). It is caused by the fact that human capital can be used only if man becomes a member some social network.
Czech science plays sufficient attention investments into human capital. However systematic research, which is interested in investments into social capital and mutual dependence these investments and investments into social capital from the point of view of their Pareto efficiency, has not existed in Czech Republic yet. From this point of view the relations among rival and collaboration networks and the role of educational process is especially significant. These relations and other topics can be researched by using theory of games.
The main aims of research: 1. Describe the most important social networks in Czech Republic establishing of which is influenced by investment into education 2. Identify relations among these networks and global social networks 3. Make a conclusion about the influence of education on cooperative character of social networks.

Accession of the Czech Republic to the euro-zone: the risks connected with the adherence to the exchange rate convergence criterion

Project Team: Helísek, Mojmír; Kaňková, Eva; Šaroch, Stanislav; Pazour, Michal

Czech Science Foundation

The accession to the euro zone is expected in 2009-2010. The exchange rate convergence criterion requires that a stable exchange rate in ERM II system be maintained for at least 2 years. The aim of the project is to assess the risks related to maintaining the exchange rate criterion with emphasis on currency crises. The starting point will be the evaluating of the exchange rate criterion adequacy and the expected possibility of modifying it, as well as the analysis of currency crises. The transition from floating to a fixed exchange rate and setting a central exchange rate to euro at the time of joining the ERM II will also be evaluated. The main problems are the circumstances leading to reversals in capital flow and pressures for devaluation. Investigating these causes of currency crises also covers recognising them as timely warning signals enabling the authorities of economic policy to intervene. Analogies with the development of the European monetary system (1992-93 crises, fixing up exchange rates in 1997-98) and with the development of exchange rates of currencies in the joining countries (the Czech crisis 1997) will be researched. The project is scheduled into two years. Its partial outputs will be in the form of articles in professional press and a seminar. The final output will be a brochure published by the establishment of the applicant.

Theoretical and methodological basis for analyses of financial markets regulation and supervision systems

Project Team: Kubíček, Antonín; Pavlát, Vladislav; Záškodný, Přemysl; Křivohlávek, Václav; Budík, Josef; Böhm, Arnošt; Jakub, František;

Czech Science Foundation

The Project is aimed at formulating theoretical and methodological starting points for analyses of financial markets regulation and supervision systems. Theoretical research of these problems is still at the very beginning all over the world.
The aim of this research project is firstly, to define basic theoretical and methodological starting points for analyses of financial markets regulation and supervision systems, secondly, to define the main interdependencies between the actual stage of financial markets and a corresponding regulation and supervision system enabling optimal and efficient degree of these activities at a tolerable cost, and thirdly, to define quantitative and qualitative criteria of an efficient function of financial markets regulation and supervision and to define the optimal structure of organisation of the regulationary and supervisory activities as well.
Creating a theoretical and methodological basis for these analyses will allow for a desirable objectivisation of decision making processi concerning financial markets regulation and supervision systems.

Effectiveness of Investing into Human Capital

Project Team: Valenčík, Radim; Čechák, Vladimír; Šenkýřová, Bohuslava

Czech Science Foundation

Effectiveness of Investing into Human Capital: This project starts from an assumption that effectiveness of investing into human capital is conditioned by deleting three imperfections of the capital market (predominantly in the sense of product development and institutional environment). It results into answer to the following questions: 1/ How the process eliminating the imperfections of capital market in the area of investing into human capital proceeds and what possibilities are being offered. 2/ Where and how the increase of effectiveness of investing into human capital manifests and can manifests itself. 3/ What role the increase of investing into human capital plays in transformation of an economic system. Answer to these questions will be given: - On the level of retrospective (that is in the form of description and process analysis, which take place in the actual economic system) and on the level of perspective (i.e. in the form of future development prediction in this area).