The paper examines factors impacting firms’ decisions to invest in energy efficiency and clean technologies. Employing (bivariate) probit models on a panel data set for Slovenian manufacturing firms over the 2005–2011 period, the paper finds that decisions to invest in energy efficiency and in clean technologies are impacted by similar, yet not identical factors. The following factors positively influence both types of investment: share of energy costs, market share, export orientation and favourable managers’ expectations. Importantly, other types of investments except for investments in the expansion of existing capacities do not crowd-out energy efficiency or clean technology investments. Further, the economic and financial crisis only reduces the likelihood of clean technology investments. This is explained by the fact that investments in energy efficiency represent a cost-effective solution for the firm. In addition, industry-specific characteristics, which capture the effect of industry differences in environmental regulation and other conditions, also play an important role. Based on the paper’s findings, it can be concluded that the energy efficiency gap is less likely to exist in large and well-performing firms.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23054822
In this study, we show that entrepreneurs' positive feelings of entrepreneurial passion are positively associated with venture growth. We focus on a specific type of entrepreneurial passion—passion for developing a venture. Based on the findings from our study, we suggest that it is important for entrepreneurs to channel their passion for developing toward identifying challenging business goals and increasing commitment to business goals. We show that entrepreneurs who increase commitment toward business goals based on passion for developing realize higher venture growth. However, developing challenging goals based on passion does not lead to higher venture growth.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23091174
IPA (importance–performance analysis) is employed to assess the importance which Slovenian and Serbian tourism industry stakeholders attach to 48 nominated strategic activities to promote business and destination competitiveness. Respondents in each country allocated the bulk of activities to the ‘keep up the good work’ strategy. In both destinations, this strategy was dominated by activities related to product development and innovation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 22637286
The authors explore the consequences of demographic ageing on healthcare demand in Slovenia for primary care, secondary care, hospital day-care treatments, and hospitalisations. Empirical analysis shows that the smallest increase in the number of treatments occurs in primary care, a larger one for secondary care, and the largest for hospital day-care services and hospitalisations (up to 29.9 percent). The structure of demand will also change. Demand for healthcare services for children and infants will decrease while demand for diseases associated with older age groups will increase, particularly for diseases of the circulatory system, eye and adnexa, and diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs. The results show that the healthcare system in Slovenia will face a major additional burden in the next 20 years.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23274470
This article examines the contribution of competitiveness and trade product structure to China’s commercial links with ten states located in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). A constant market share analysis for the 2002–2011 period shows that, except for Romania, both CEE states and China increased their market shares in each other’s market mainly due to their improved competitiveness in intermediate goods. However, with the notable exception of Slovakia, other CEE economies and China tended to gain market shares in product groups characterised by relatively non-dynamic import demand growth. This mismatch between the Competitiveness and Structure Effects points to the room for an expansion of China–CEE trade.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23433702