Search Results (111)

The article will focus on the concept of eco-hotel, ecotourism, the criteria for the creation of an eco-hotel and, subsequently, the certifications valid in Europe specifically in the Visegrád Group countries. The analysis of the Visegrád Group (V4) countries focuses on the ecolabel and comparison of certified and non-certified hotels. With the increasing number of ecolabels on the market, many hotels are trying to adapt to this growing trend. However, it is very important to expose the misleading advertising in the field of “being eco”. Tourists are often misled by the so-called “greenwashing”, which is an increasingly big problem. This negative phenomenon needs to be eliminated, and hoteliers should be motivated to create an environmentally friendly environment in the context of sustainable tourism development. Full article

Background: This study examines long-term trends in intra-EU trade among the Visegrad Group (V4) countries from 2004 to 2023, focusing on changes in export specialisation and comparative advantages in the context of trade resilience and sustainability. Methods: Trade performance is analysed at both the aggregate level and across SITC product groups, using Eurostat data. The analysis applies export and import dynamics, trade balance, export–import coverage ratio, trade balance index, and the symmetric revealed comparative advantage index. Results: The findings show significant heterogeneity in specialisation and competitiveness across the V4 countries. Poland reveals competitive advantages and trade stability in agri-food products. After European Union (EU) accession, comparative advantages and export specialisation emerged mainly in manufacturing and selected medium- and high-processed goods (SITC6–8), especially in Czechia and Hungary, and increasingly in Poland. Poland and Czechia shifted most clearly towards higher value-added products, Hungary followed a mixed pattern, while Slovakia remained narrowly focused on the automotive sector. Export competitiveness is closely linked to the business cycle, with upturns strengthening advantages and downturns causing only temporary weakening. Conclusions: The V4 intra-EU trade exhibits structural resilience, as key competitive positions persist and recover after economic shocks. Only Slovakia’s highly concentrated specialisation may entail risks for sustainable growth. Full article

This study benchmarks renewable energy source (RES) utilization in the Visegrad Four (V4) against the EU average using Eurostat data for 2014–2022. A multi-layer framework was used to combine technology-specific per-capita indicators, sectoral RES shares, cluster analysis, and panel regression with fixed effects. The EU substantially exceeds V4 in hydropower (774.06 vs. 270.19 kWh/person), wind (972.06 vs. 161.30 kWh/person), and solar technologies. The electricity-sector gap is most pronounced (EU 41.17% vs. V4 18.69%). Paired t-tests confirmed a statistically significant persistent gap (t(8) = −20.78; p < 0.001), consistent with delayed convergence. Cluster analysis assigned all V4 countries to a single moderate-RES tier, structurally separated from Western and Nordic clusters; panel regression confirmed that the V4 coefficient was robustly negative (β = −5.783 to −9.088 pp) even after policy controls, with fossil lock-in (β = −2.404 pp) emerging as the most consistent structural determinant, whereas V4 × fossil lock-in interaction was positive (β = +2.558 pp), suggesting partial mitigation through differentiated pathways. Intra-V4 heterogeneity—Slovakia’s hydropower lock-in, Hungary’s wind prohibition, Poland’s coal dependency, and Czech Republic’s curtailed feed-in tariff—argues against homogeneous policy responses; results support technology-specific strategies (wind/solar PV in Poland/Czech Republic; solar thermal/heat pumps in Hungary/Slovakia) and grid modernisation as cross-cutting priority. Full article

One of the objectives of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 is to assess the amount of water leakage in water supply systems (WSS) and to reduce it if it exceeds a certain threshold. The Directive is binding on water supply companies supplying at least 10,000 m³/d or serving at least 50,000 consumers. The problem of water losses due to, among other things, aging infrastructure currently requires appropriate action to be taken by WSS management companies. This paper discusses the problem of water losses in the Visegrad Group countries and the challenges and opportunities associated with it. In order to analyze the problem, a bibliometric analysis of the state of knowledge was performed. The results of the literature review present the current directions of research on this topic in the V4 countries as former communist bloc countries. The strengths and weaknesses identified in the paper can be used to plan water loss reduction by water supply companies, researchers, and legislators. Full article

Economic crises significantly restrict corporate access to external financing, and regional differences in recovery capacity deserve close attention. This study examines the financial structure and debt of large enterprises in the Visegrád Four (V4) countries (Hungary, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia), focusing on firms with annual revenues above €10 million. Using data from 2021 to 2023, the analysis explores the relationship between corporate debt—including total debt and loan volumes—and regional economic characteristics at the NUTS 3 level. Financial indicators are assessed in comparison with regional productivity data and a sector-specific specialization index sourced from Eurostat. The analysis targets the post-COVID-19 recovery period, which significantly influenced corporate financial behavior. The results indicate that corporate debt increased sharply at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently declined, while remaining strongly concentrated in capital regions. Higher firm concentration and employment scale are associated with greater regional indebtedness, whereas stronger productive capacity is linked to lower reliance on external debt outside metropolitan cores. Overall, the findings highlight pronounced structural and regional heterogeneity, illustrating how spatial concentration and underlying regional characteristics shape corporate debt dynamics during periods of economic stress. Full article

The transition to electromobility represents one of the most significant transformational challenges for the automotive sector in the Slovak Republic. This article analyzes the key determinants of this process—from the development of charging infrastructure and industrial transformation to government measures and the economic and legislative factors influencing the adoption of electric vehicles. The research draws on current statistics, European regulations, and a comparative analysis of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries and the European Union. The results highlight structural inequalities in charging availability, insufficient state support, and, at the same time, the strong potential of Slovakia to become a regional leader in electromobility. The article provides a practical framework for public policy design, investment decision-making, and further research in sustainable transport. Full article

This article presents the findings of a literature review and an empirical bibliometric analysis aimed at identifying green research perspectives within the energy sector of the Visegrád Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). These perspectives reflect key scientific directions related to Sustainable Development (SD), environmental protection, and social responsibility. In this context, the theoretical principles of SD are translated into practical strategies, innovations, and solutions that support long-term economic growth while respecting ecological limits and social needs. Such themes frequently appear as dominant keywords in academic publications, underscoring their growing importance in energy research. The study pursued two main and complementary research objectives. The first was to identify green research perspectives prevalent within the energy sector of the Visegrád region. The second was to determine whether, and how, existing scientific publications address the topic of green jobs in this specific regional and sectoral context. The analysis led to the classification of five thematic categories: (1) green economy and finance, (2) green policies and strategies, (3) green energy and its sources, (4) green technology, and (5) green transport. These areas, when examined collectively, reveal important synergies that could support the creation of green jobs. Among the publications analyzed, green energy emerged as the most frequently addressed topic. However, the study found a lack of direct focus on green jobs, indicating that this subject—arising from the intersection of several research areas—represents a promising direction for future studies. In addition to these five categories, the study also identified several emerging green research directions within the Visegrád energy sector. These include: the development of green hydrogen technologies, the greening of the gas sector, the integration of prosumers into energy systems, the societal and political acceptance of nuclear energy, the role of green public transport in accelerating the energy transition, and the formulation of just transition policies. These themes highlight both technological opportunities and socio-political challenges that must be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive green transformation in the region. Full article

This article examines the current state of renewable energy sources (RES) in the Visegrad Four (V4) countries in the context of historical developments and the influence of national policies. The primary aim of this study is to compare progress, challenges, and opportunities in RES development across the V4 countries between 2014 and 2022, using standardised per capita indicators and combining political and technical analyses. Our methodology involves analysing statistical data from Eurostat and the IEA, conducting a qualitative assessment of RES support policies, and performing ANOVA to verify the statistical significance of differences between countries. The findings suggest that countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary have made significant progress in decarbonising their energy sectors. At the same time, Poland and Slovakia face greater challenges—Slovakia, in particular, due to its greater reliance on biomass and political turbulence. Poland has long lagged in developing RES, mainly due to its strong dependence on coal, but it is now becoming a leader in implementing RES within the V4. The main obstacles to the development of RES include insufficient political and legislative support and administrative barriers that hinder the adoption of new technologies. Another critical factor is public concern about the potential negative impacts of RES on quality of life, which may stem from a lack of information and education in this area, as well as from political intentions. To improve the situation, it is necessary to increase transparency, provide relevant education, and involve local communities in decision-making processes. Ensuring a stable political and legislative framework and adequate financing are key to achieving ambitious renewable energy targets in the region. Full article

Tourism enterprises are increasingly pressured to align competitiveness with sustainability, yet limited evidence exists from Central and Eastern Europe. This study investigates the role of eco-friendly orientation as a determinant of customer satisfaction and perceived competitiveness in the Visegrad Four (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary). Empirical research was conducted on a sample of 478 enterprises, including hotels, guesthouses, spas, agritourist facilities, and travel agencies. Data were collected between January and June 2025 using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and ANOVA. The findings demonstrate that enterprises adopting more extensive environmental practices report significantly higher customer satisfaction (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and perceived competitiveness (r = 0.38, p < 0.01). Factor analysis identified three key dimensions of environmental orientation: ecological operations, ecological innovations, and ecological marketing. Regression analysis highlighted ecological marketing, particularly the adoption of certifications and eco-labels, as the strongest predictor of competitiveness. ANOVA revealed significant cross-country differences, with Slovak and Czech enterprises outperforming Polish and Hungarian counterparts. The results suggest that ecological initiatives are essential for long-term competitiveness, providing both strategic guidance for managers and policy implications for fostering supportive regulatory and financial frameworks across the region. This study makes a novel contribution by offering one of the first large-scale empirical analyses of the link between sustainability and competitiveness in Central and Eastern Europe, a region where such research is still scarce. Theoretically, it extends the application of Ecological Modernization Theory to the tourism sector, while practically it provides actionable recommendations for managers and policymakers on integrating eco-certification and ecological marketing into their strategies. These insights underline the dual role of environmental orientation as a driver of both customer satisfaction and competitive advantage. Full article

This manuscript analyzes the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and selected factors for the agricultural sector in the Visegrad Group (V4) countries. The aim of the study was to identify and assess short-term relationships and directions of causality between carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energy consumption, economic openness, labor productivity, and income levels in the agricultural sector of the V4 countries. Short-term ARDL modeling was used for each V4 country, along with Granger causality. The analyses offer a broad perspective on how agricultural practices shape greenhouse gas emissions and provide information to mitigate their environmental impact. Heterogeneous interactions between the studied factors and specific causal relationships were identified in each country. Only in Hungary and Slovakia was a unidirectional causality observed, namely CO₂ → renewable energy (RE) sources, while in Poland and the Czech Republic, no direct causal relationship with emissions was observed. However, these relationships were indirect through income and economic openness. Strong drivers include, in particular, labor productivity, the share of renewable energy, and economic openness. Based on the analyses, decision-makers are recommended to create incentives, including economic ones, to increase the share of renewable energy in agricultural production. This improves economic and environmental outcomes, both locally and nationally. Full article

Background: Uterus transplantation (UTx) is a proven treatment for individuals affected by absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) who desire biological motherhood. Despite the fact that over 130 procedures have been performed worldwide in the past decade, UTx remains relatively unfamiliar, even among healthcare professionals. This study aimed to identify knowledge gaps regarding and evaluate attitudes toward UTx among Hungarian obstetricians/gynecologists and transplantation providers, in anticipation of the first procedure to be performed in the country. Methods: A Microsoft Forms^® questionnaire was distributed electronically among Hungarian medical professionals via e-mail, including members of the Hungarian Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Hungarian Transplantation Society. Additionally, participants of the “Update 2024” OB/GYN conference (held 28–29 November 2024, in Visegrád, Hungary) were invited to complete the survey through a QR code displayed during the event. Results: A total of 290 medical professionals completed the survey (response rate: 27.6%, 290/1050). Most of the respondents specialized in obstetrics and gynecology (81.7%, n = 237), with the remainder representing transplantation fields (18.3%, n = 53). Over half (56.6%, n = 161) reported they would recommend UTx to patients with AUFI, and 64.1% (n = 186) agreed that UTx should be available as a treatment option. The medical risks associated with the procedure were deemed acceptable for both living donors (58.0%, n = 168) and recipients (54.8%, n = 159). Conclusions: This is the first study to explore perceptions of UTx among Hungarian medical professionals. The findings suggest there is a generally favorable professional attitude toward its future clinical implementation. Full article

This study examines the relationship between energy efficiency in agricultural production and its determinants, considering technological, economic, political, and social factors. The aim was to determine the impact of the CAP on the energy efficiency of agricultural production, as well as technological, market, and social changes. The impact of time effects was also taken into account. The study focuses on the four Visegrad Group countries over the 2004–2023 period. Both fixed-effects and dynamic panel models were employed to capture structural changes over time. The significance of agriculture, as a result of structural transformations, is relatively small and hovers around 3% in these countries. The CAP was found to have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of agricultural production. However, it was not the amount of support but rather its structure that played a crucial role, particularly environmental support (0.04). The inertia effect was also of fundamental importance (0.41—elasticity in the inertia model). The total value of transfers, especially in the long term, proved to be a discouraging factor for this process. Market conditions, including energy prices (0.456), structural changes in farms (0.016), and labor input (−0.04), were also significant factors. However, it was not so much the size of support but rather the structure of support that was crucial. The total value of transfers, especially in the long term, was a demotivator for this process. Market conditions, including energy prices, structural changes on farms, and labor inputs, were also important factors. A key recommendation for agricultural financial support policy is to focus support more on environmental and low-emission issues, which are linked to improving the energy efficiency of production while maintaining its growth. Transfers related to the growing importance of renewable energy sources and support for rural development, which do not yield beneficial effects in the considered scope, require increased conditionality. Full article

This article analyses the impact of renewable energy sources (RESs) and macroeconomic stability on the sustainable development of the logistics sector in countries in the Visegrad Group (V4) from 2008 to 2023. The study is based on indicators that describe three dimensions of logistics development: economic (ED_L), social (SocD_L), and environmental (EnvD_L), as well as the indicator of renewable energy sources (RE) and macroeconomic stabilisation (M). Lagged regression analyses and SUR models are used to capture both the current and delayed effects of energy and economic policies. The results show that the development of renewable energy has the greatest and most stable impact on logistics development, particularly in Hungary and Slovakia, where it supports the dynamic growth of environmental and social indicators. In Poland, the effect of renewable energy sources is more variable and manifests itself with a delay, reflecting the costs of the energy transition. Macroeconomic stability plays a smaller but still important role, improving investment predictability and the sector’s resilience to crises, although its impact is varied and often manifests over a longer period. This study’s innovation is the simultaneous inclusion of energy and macroeconomic perspectives in logistics analysis, demonstrating that sustainable development of the sector is only possible by simultaneously strengthening both of these pillars. Full article

This article aims to assess the conditions and prospects for biomass utilization in the Visegrad Group (V4) countries. Additionally, the relationship between biomass energy production and greenhouse gas emissions was examined. A key component of the analysis involved identifying potential directions for the development of biomass utilization in the pursuit of the sustainable development of agricultural enterprises. In relation to these research objectives, a hypothesis was formulated regarding the causal relationship between biomass energy consumption and economic growth, the abundance of natural resources, and income in reference to the European Union economies. Both static and dynamic panel studies were applied. The conducted research revealed the complex nature of the conditions influencing biomass utilization. The study period covered the years 2004–2022. A negative correlation was found between the use of biomass and greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, factors favoring biomass utilization included economic growth, the level of natural resource consumption per capita, and government policies aimed at increasing the share of renewable resources in the economy. Full article

The Visegrád Group (V4), as China’s key economic and trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of sustainable development within the China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation (China-CEEC) framework through its comprehensive green initiatives. This study analyzes export data and environmental product classifications from major countries in the CEPII-BACI database, covering the period from 2003 to 2022, to construct a green product space network. The analysis reveals the evolutionary patterns of the green industry and the collaborative transformation mechanisms between China and the V4 countries. The findings indicate the following: (1) The green product space network displays a “core-periphery” structural framework, wherein China has expanded its core product offerings by leveraging technological advancements in the photovoltaic sector, while the V4 countries enhance their resource allocation by systematically phasing out peripheral products. (2) The Green Complexity Index (GCI) suggests that China’s green production capacity has significantly improved, thereby narrowing the technological gap with Poland and Slovakia. (3) According to the Green Competition Index, a strategic complementary space exists between the two parties in the domain of medium- to high-complexity products. This study recommends extending green cooperation to higher value chain segments by establishing a collaborative innovation network for green technologies, developing a dynamic capacity optimization mechanism, and deepening the joint research and development of core products. This article offers a decision-making framework based on production capacity endowments to facilitate multinational collaborative transformations in the green industry. Full article