Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Volume 44 / No. 1 / 1996
Viera HAJNOVIČOVÁ
In the article are presented results of the first part of research devoted
to the measurement of the extent of hidden economy in the Slovak Republic.
In the second part is defined the meaning of hidden economy and its three
basic forms: underground economy, informal economy, and illegal economy.
It is based of the definition of Eurostate and the System of National Accounts
in the year 1993.
In the third part are explained methodological avenues used in exposing
hidden economy in the formal sector. The methodological stand is based
on the measurement of the amount of labor in work teams and on the estimate
of added tax with the consideration of assumed work productivity. On the
basis of detailed facts concerning the extent of work from two aspects
of labor work: from the side of supply and demand which is not statistically
included, is identified.
In the fourth and the fifth part is analyzed detailed breakdown of the
share of hidden economy in the Slovak Republic according to the information
for the year 1993. Estimated are only certain components of hidden economy
in the formal sector, such as statistically-excluded activities, non-registered
activities, seasonal work, and underevaluation of published statistical
information.
In the conclusion are summed up the results of the estimates, yet it is
emphasized that the presented results are incomplete. In the next stage
of the research the author will continue to quantify other constituents
of hidden economy in the Slovak Republic.
Pavol KÁRÁSZ - Juraj RENČKO
The agro-food industry represents today one of the most problematic
sectors in the transforming economy of Slovakia. On the one hand, there
came about a substantial lowering of productive capacity, especially in
agriculture. On the other hand, the evolution of the situation among the
retired population in the context of the development of price level caused
substantial decrease in the overall and per capita food consumption.
The need of stabilizing the agro-food sector and the food market is soon
becoming one of the most demanding problems from the economic and social
perspective. The key role in this area plays the development of consumer
food prices and the factors which influence this development. The goal
of this article is to help to clarify the national economic dimension of
this problem.
The determination of consumer prices in the national economy is the starting
point for achieving this goal. The authors maintain that the food prices
cannot (in the modern market economy) rise up to the level at which is
impossible to secure a standard level of living for most of the population.
This level of prices would be, however, "inadequate" from the
view of the consumer and socially unacceptable. On the other hand, the
price must guarantee to cover the expenditures and adequate profit for
the producers. If the level of market prices from this perspective is low,
it is possible to talk about "inadequateness" of food prices
of producers and their economic non-acceptance.
In the developed European market economies the food prices are insufficient
mainly according to producers and to solve this situation is applied support
system. In other words, these economies are sufficiently effective for
the retirees in so far as the government support system is able to balance
the inadequacies of prices for the producers and maintain price level adequate
for the consumers.
For today's economic conditions of Slovakia is characteristic the inadequateness
of food prices in both above-mentioned specified meanings. Consequently,
this reality must be taking into account within the construction of the
government support system. The article provides the theoretical framework
of support system for the solution of this problem. At the same time, it
stipulates the preconditions which are indispensible for the functioning
of the proposed system.
Iveta PAUHOFOVÁ
The article analyzes the basic determinants of price development in
the area of agriculture and food industry.
The economic growth, the increase in real income, and the lack of competition
create preconditions for the increases in food prices. From the perspective
of agricultural and food producers this growth is desirable because higher
food prices create space for possible increase in prices for agricultural
and food producers. The current level of prices for agricultural and food
producers cover only the necessary costs of production. The acceptance
of higher level of prices for food, however, depends on the formation of
disposable income among population. In 1995, the level of disposable income
attained by households was at the level of those during the first half
of 1980's. Even in case further continuation of economic growth within
the transformation continues, the freeing up of disposable income in the
near future among population will be gradual. This will not create space
for more significant growth of consumer food prices. It is possible to
predict that in the next period there will continue to be relatively independent
development of prices among agricultural producers. This is also a consequence
of regulation whose aim is to maintain prices of agricultural producers
at the low level. The faster growth of prices for agricultural producers
can influence the reduction of agricultural production. It is estimated
that also in the next period the prices for food producers will be a "mere
copy" of consumer food prices. The prices of food producers will be
influenced by an average growth of input prices from the industry and development
of inputs from agriculture.
This article is oriented also on the possibilities of development of food
prices from the perspective of Slovakia's entrance into the European Union.
In this area a serious problem is the significant difference in prices
of agricultural and food producers as well as the level of food prices
in Slovakia in comparison with the countries of the European Union.
Peter GALLO
The article deal with the problem of establishing a point of return
for the multi-production structure. While the theory is capable with adequate
precision to determine a point of profit on the basis of the level of return
for one product, in the case of multi-production structure the theory in
most cases does not go far enough. Many firms, however, need to examine
this area closer and also to analyze certain specific cases in the area
of services.
The article tries to provide precisely this aspect from the economic dimension
of entrepreneurship in conjunction with the regulation of profit. It clarifies
the accounting of the point of return in multi-production structure, and
in certain special areas with the framework of services. It includes two
basic methods, i.e., according to the method of coordination on the basis
of contribution expansion, and according to a method of adding fixed expenditures
on products on the basis of productive contribution of payment. Simultaneously,
it points to the opportunities of examining the sensitivity of profit for
the sake of change and the amount of expenditures on the basis of calculations
with incomplete outlays and payment of compensation.
Jaroslav ĎAĎO
The articles presents results of research from selected authors concerning
certain relations between selected variables of marketing mix in the world
and Slovakia. In the analysis were incorporated four relationships of marketing
mix.
Just as in the developed economies so in Slovakia the consumer uderstands
the relationship between product (its quality) and the price as mutually
binding: the higher the price, the higher the quality. Consequently, the
price in regard to most of the products is the dominant determining criterion
for an understanding of quality. The quality again is the dominant criterion
for decision making for the purchase of the product.
Similarly also is the relationship of the product and promotion in the
perception of the consumer which is more promoted to the position of better
quality product. An understanding of product as quality has a positive
influence for its consumption. Equally is the influence between product
and distribution or price and distribution. The quality of the location
of sale is often dependent on product and its price.
In more complicated relations is explored the linkage of price and promotion.
On this relationship has influence in the market many more factors, and
for this reason the conclusions in this part can differ according to the
concrete conditions in the market.
The research applied on the basis of selected group, which was composed
by the four-year university students who were oriented toward management
and marketing, demonstrated that normal trends in developed countries have
their application also in our socio-economic conditions. An uderstanding
of the relationship of marketing variables establishes for firms preconditions
for their effective conduct in the market.
Peter MIHÓK
The article discusses the development of advertising environment in
the Slovak Republic in the period of economic transformation. During the
last five years the development of advertising market in the Slovak Republic
went through several phases which definitely led toward the professionalization
of advertising.
The author by the use of concrete statistics establishes the extent of
advertising activities from the regional perspective, and includes a short
overview of the most successful advertising organizations in Slovakia.
While the domestic advertising market during the past years developed quickly,
the advertising activities of Slovak firms abroad is substantially backward.
In order to prevent misrepresentation of Slovak Republic abroad, it is
important to work out unified short and long-term conception of governmental-political
propagation in all areas of media and advertising activities which are
linked with specified economic and entrepreneurial advertising.