bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer for massive MIMO networks
Authors: Sun Wenfeng , Liu Chen , Qian Mujun , Xu Shu
Published: January 2020

In this study, the authors propose a simultaneous wireless information and power transfer scheme based on the power‐splitting (PS) protocol for a massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) network. On the downlink, the base station transmits the information and energy simultaneously to each terminal and each terminal divides the received signals by its PS device between information decoder and energy harvester (EH). On the uplink, a portion of the energy harvested by EH is drawn for uplink pilot transmission in the coming frame and then the other is used for uplink data transmission in the current frame. Based on this scheme, the closed‐form lower bound expressions are obtained for the achievable downlink rate and uplink rate of each terminal and then are utilised to formulate an optimisation problem that is to maximise achievable sum rate of the whole network while ensuring the minimum required uplink and downlink rates of each terminal. However, as the original optimisation problem is non‐convex and non‐linear and very hard to solve directly, an algorithm is proposed by utilising successive approximation method based on geometric program. Numerical results verify the correctness and feasibility of the proposed algorithm.
DiCDU: distributed clustering with decreased uncovered nodes for WSNs
Authors: Abasikeleş‐Turgut İpek
Published: January 2020

This study proposes a distributed cluster‐based routing algorithm, distributed clustering with decreased uncovered nodes (DiCDU), alleviating the uncovered node problem occurring after the election of cluster heads. For the purpose of increasing the performance of the system in terms of the lifetime of the network, an energy‐based cluster head election without requiring any extra control message is used. Moreover, an energy saving mode is proposed, in which the nodes perform static clustering controlled by predefined thresholds to conserve batteries. Extensive simulations are conducted for different values of cluster radius and the number of nodes and proposed schema is compared with similar methods, including a time‐based cluster‐head selection algorithm for low‐energy adaptive clustering hierarchy, a clustering algorithm based on time delay, and regional energy aware clustering with the isolated nodes, for the death of the first, the half and the last nodes with the number of uncovered nodes. The results show that DiCDU outperforms compared approaches for all values of cluster radius and the number of nodes.
Matrix inversion‐less direct decoding for efficient channel estimation in fifth‐generation massive MIMO systems
Authors: Zafar Mohammad Haseeb , Khan Imran , Basheri Mohammed
Published: January 2020

Massive multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) is a fifth‐generation wireless technology that equips the cellular base stations (BSs) with a very large number of antenna and is a communication technique of serving several users. Aiming at the problem of the high computational complexity of linear channel estimation and linear decoding in massive MIMO systems, this study proposes two low‐complexity decoding algorithms according to the characteristics of the system. The fast decoding algorithm is designed by using the asymptotic orthogonality of the channel in the system to avoid solving the inverse of the channel matrix. In combination with increasing the number of base BS antennas to optimise user channel characteristics, a simple operator decoding algorithm is designed to realise direct decoding without estimating the channel. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms can effectively reduce the computational complexity while ensuring system performance.
Power loss segregation in electrical machines through calorimetry and inverse thermal modelling
Authors: Nair Devi Geetha , Arkkio Antero , Haavisto Ari
Published: January 2020

This study combines calorimetric measurement of power loss of an induction motor with inverse thermal mapping of its temperatures to segregate the net power loss into its constituent components. Constrained least square fitting is the tool used to achieve the inverse mapping. The lumped thermal network of the motor serves as the forward thermal model, establishing the physical relationship between the motor's power losses and its resultant temperature rises. The objective of the iterative minimisation is to find the actual loss components that correspond to the temperatures measured, and which sum up to the total loss of the motor that is measured with a calorimeter. Data ranges and constraints are imposed to attain a reasonable, unique solution. Each loss component predicted by the inverse mapping inherently includes the contribution from stray load losses as it is fitted to the measured temperatures of the motor. Given the challenges, this inverse thermal routine achieves the loss segregation in a fairly good fashion.
Enhanced sensor‐less speed control approach based on mechanical offset for dual‐stator brushless DC motor drives
Authors: Saed Nejat , Mirsalim Mojtaba
Published: January 2020

In this study, the radial displacement of the stators is proposed to improve sensor‐less speedcontrol for dual‐stator brush‐less DC motor drives. The mechanical offsetbetween stators leads to the double number of edges in the zero‐crossing signal(ZCS) and thus, a more accurate speed estimation. Moreover, updating the speedin the control process will become faster that can decrease speed control error.As stators’ axes are displaced 90° electrical, the distance between ZCS edgesbecomes symmetrical. Therefore, it would provide a uniform estimated speedupdating, and can effectively decrease speed ripple. Also, asymmetrical statorsdisplacement can decrease speed ripple compared to the aligned structure whenthe distance between adjacent zero‐crossing points is appropriate. In addition,stators displacement is well known as an efficient technique to decrease torqueripple. This idea is verified via computer simulations and experimentalresults.
Optimisation method of magnetic levitation actuator for rotary table
Authors: Zheng Tong , Lu Xin , Xu Fengqiu , Xu Xianze
Published: January 2020

This study presents a general optimisation method for determining the dimensions of the magnetic levitation (maglev) actuator for rotary tables. Combined with an improved electromagnetic numerical model of the maglev rotary tables, the optimal thickness dimensions of coils and magnets are obtained by the evolutionary optimisation algorithm. Different from the existing magnetic force model built by the harmonic analysis method, the improved numerical model involves the clearances of the neighbouring magnets in the circular magnet array and applies the numerical integration method to solve the complex Lorentz integrals. According to the evaluation function based on the numerical force model, the optimal thickness dimensions are determined via an evolutionary optimisation algorithm. By this method, the size of coils and magnets in the rotary table with the circular Halbach magnet array can be determined accurately and directly, rather than obtaining a single structure dimension by an analytical approach. In this work, the method is applied to optimise the dimensions of a maglev rotary table, and a prototype is manufactured according to the obtained optimal parameters. The experimental and simulation results verify the accuracy and validity of the proposed optimisation design method.
Methodology of hierarchical collision avoidance for high‐speed self‐driving vehicle based on motion‐decoupled extraction of scenarios
Authors: Liu Zhaolin , Chen Jiqing , Lan Fengchong , Xia Hongyang
Published: January 2020

Collision avoidance is an important requirement for self‐driving systems, particularly in high‐speed scenarios, where a multi‐state coupled motion makes it difficult to simultaneously reach the required accuracy, efficiency, and universal feasibility for different obstacle‐avoidance behaviour. For a coupled multi‐state complexity, a hierarchical collision‐avoidance strategy is proposed that refines the requirements for travelling under such a scenario into two levels, general and special. At the general level, the moving elliptical contour of the subject vehicle is regularised as a settled circle through a projective transformation, which attempts to determine the subject‐motion‐decoupled scenario. Throughout the transformation, all positional relationships between the subject and the object vehicles are retained using invariants. At the special level, a group of relative critical collision trajectories is achieved through a feature‐distance‐based multi‐dimensional geometric optimisation model. Under the motion‐decoupled scenario, a precise collision avoidance condition is constructed by mathematically expressing the relative critical collision trajectory group using a parameterised spatio‐temporal curvilinear interpolation model, which provides a reasonable safety redundancy and trajectory domain to ensure both the efficiency and accuracy of the computation. In a simulation, planning trajectories using this collision‐avoidance strategy is adaptive for different collision‐avoidance behaviour and are more efficient than those of other algorithms.
Zero‐current transition single‐ended forward converter
Authors: Soltanzadeh Karim
Published: January 2020

In this study, a novel zero‐current transition (ZCT) auxiliary circuit is applied to pulse‐width modulation single‐ended forward converter (PWM SEFC). The proposed ZCT circuit has achieved the power switch zero‐current switching (ZCS) turn‐on; the power switch ZCT turn‐off; the auxiliary switch ZCS and zero‐voltage switching turn on/off and soft‐switching conditions for output diodes. Moreover, the transformer core reset is prepared by the ZCT circuit and tertiary winding is removed. The novel ZCT‐PWM SEFC is analysed at a steady‐state for operating under continuous conduction mode. The proposed ZCT circuit is designed, and the experimental result from a 200 W‐100 KHz prototype is prepared to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Model predictive power control for a fault‐tolerant grid‐connected converter using reconstructed currents
Authors: Yao Gang , Li Yanyan , Li Qiang , Hu Shiyang , Jin Nan
Published: January 2020

The reliability and stability of a grid‐connected converter is vital to the power conversion system. The faults of switching device and current sensor lead to operation failure for a grid‐connected converter. An improved model predictive power control (MPPC) based on reconstructed currents is proposed for fault‐tolerant operation of a grid‐connected converter. Firstly, the three‐phase currents are reconstructed using the sampled dc current and normal sensor information according to the relationship between the voltage vector and output currents. Secondly, the predictive power model is built based on fault‐tolerant three‐phase four‐switch topology. Then the reconstructed current is used for the MPPC method. To keep the balance of dc capacitor voltages, the cost function is optimised and the switching vector, which minimises the cost function, is applied to the fault‐tolerant converter. Finally, the experiment platform and simulation models are built to verify the proposed method. The results show that the proposed MPPC using reconstructed currents can keep the fault‐tolerant operation of the grid‐connected converter with sinusoidal currents and stable output power. The proposed method achieves the fault‐tolerant operation under switching device and ac current sensor fault, which improve the reliability of the system.
Fault diagnosis for open‐circuit faults in NPC inverter based on knowledge‐driven and data‐driven approaches
Authors: Kou Lei , Liu Chuang , Cai Guo‐wei , Zhou Jia‐ning , Yuan Quan‐de , Pang Si‐miao
Published: January 2020

In this study, the open‐circuit faults diagnosis and location issue of the neutral‐point‐clamped (NPC) inverters are analysed. A novel fault diagnosis approach based on knowledge driven and data driven was presented for the open‐circuit faults in insulated‐gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) of NPC inverter, and Concordia transform (knowledge driven) and random forests (RFs) technique (data driven) are employed to improve the robustness performance of the fault diagnosis classifier. First, the fault feature data of AC in either normal state or open‐circuit faults states of NPC inverter are analysed and extracted. Second, the Concordia transform is used to process the fault samples, and it has been verified that the slopes of current trajectories are not affected by different loads in this study, which can help the proposed method to reduce overdependence on fault data. Moreover, then the transformed fault samples are adopted to train the RFs fault diagnosis classifier, and the fault diagnosis results show that the classification accuracy and robustness performance of the fault diagnosis classifier are improved. Finally, the diagnosis results of online fault diagnosis experiments show that the proposed classifier can locate the open‐circuit fault of IGBTs in NPC inverter under the conditions of different loads.
Double boost‐flyback converter
Authors: Cardoso Vanderlei , Brockveld Junior Sergio Luis , Lazzarin Telles B. , Waltrich Gierri
Published: January 2020

A high‐gain step‐up non‐isolated dc–dc converter is proposed in this study, named the double boost‐flyback converter. The topology combines two conventional boost‐flyback converters with input‐parallel and floating‐output connections. The new topology increases the static gain and reduces the input current ripple in relation to the conventional boost‐flyback topology. The proposed converter has the potential to be used in low input voltage applications that require a high gain, such as systems powered by photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, electric vehicles, and low voltage batteries. This study provides details on the principle of operation, static gain, control strategy, design guide and experimental verification. A 1 kW prototype was designed and built for an input voltage of 48 V and an output voltage of 800 V, reaching a static gain of 16.67. The maximum efficiencies obtained were 94.6% at 70% of load and 93.9% at rated load.
Point and interval forecasting of solar irradiance with an active Gaussian process
Authors: Huang Chao , Zhao Zhenyu , Wang Long , Zhang Zijun , Luo Xiong
Published: January 2020

A Gaussian process regression (GPR) with active learning is proposed for developing the solar irradiance point and interval forecasting models, which consider the spatial‐temporal information collected from a targeted site and a number of neighbouring sites. To enhance the performance of the GPR‐based model an active learning process is developed for constructing an ad‐hoc input feature set, selecting training data points, and optimising hyper‐parameters of GPR models. To validate the advantages of the proposed method, a comprehensive computational study is conducted based on solar irradiance data collected from the northwest California area. In the point forecasting, the proposed method beats the state‐of‐the‐art benchmarking methods including classical statistical models and data‐driven models according to values of the normalised root mean squared error, normalised mean absolute error, normalised mean bias error, and coefficient of determination. In the interval forecasting, the proposed method outperforms the persistence model, autoregressive model with exogenous inputs, generic GPR, as well as two recently reported forecasting methods, the bootstrap‐based extreme learning machine and quantile regression, in terms of the forecasting reliability. Computational results show that the proposed method is more effective than well‐known existing benchmarks in the point and interval forecasting of the solar irradiance.
Underwater acoustic positioning with a single beacon and a varied baseline for a multi‐jointed AUV in the deep ocean
Authors: Liu Zubin , Yang Tao , Xu Wentao , Yu Jianan , McFarland Donald Michael , Lu Huancai
Published: January 2020

The multi‐jointed autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has higher manoeuvrability and a smaller turning radius in comparison with an AUV with a rigid body. It is able to implement spatially denser sample collection in three‐dimensional space in the deep ocean for scientific expeditions. As conventional positioning approaches, such as ultra‐short‐baseline and long‐baseline, cannot be employed to obtain the coordinates of a multi‐jointed AUV, because they only work with constant baselines, a novel underwater acoustic positioning system with a single beacon and a varied baseline is proposed. The coordinate transformation based on the angles of rotating joints and the geometry of the multi‐jointed AUV is mathematically modelled. Generalised cross‐correlation is applied to measure the time delays of sound signals between the beacon and the hydrophones on the AUV. Numerical simulations and experiments in an anechoic water tank were carried out, and the impacts of parameters on the accuracy of the estimated coordinates of the multi‐jointed AUV are examined. Accuracies of 0.86% in simulation and 0.2 m (at a range of 30 m) in experiments are demonstrated.
Tracking a manoeuvring target while mitigating NLOS errors in TDOA measurements
Authors: Kim Jonghoek
Published: January 2020

This study considers a target, which emits a signal, manoeuvring in obstacle‐rich environments. Time difference of arrival (TDOA) method is widely utilised to locate a target emitting a signal. Suppose that many sensors are deployed to localise a target using the TDOA method. In locating a target, non‐line‐of‐sight (NLOS) errors exist in the case where an obstacle blocks the line‐of‐sight path between the sensor and the target. Assuming that the obstacle environment is known a priori, this manuscript presents a real‐time locating algorithm to estimate a moving target's location in obstacle‐rich environments. As far as the authors know, this study is novel in tracking a manoeuvring target, while mitigating NLOS errors in TDOA problems. To improve the effectiveness of mitigating NLOS errors, this study further utilises the known obstacle information. Using MATLAB simulations, they verify the effectiveness of the authors’ tracking approach.
Improved four‐component based polarimetric synthetic aperture radar image decomposition
Authors: Maurya Himanshu , Kumar Amit , Mishra Amit Kumar , Panigrahi Rajib Kumar
Published: January 2020

Scattering mechanism ambiguity, negative power problem, and complete utilisation of coherency matrix elements have been the major challenges of the model‐based decomposition methods. In this study, the aforementioned issues are addressed simultaneously with an improved four‐component decomposition method. In the proposed method, helix scattering power is obtained conventionally, while helix angle compensation is used parallelly for the pixels where helix scattering power is overestimated. In the next step, volume scattering power is determined through the eigen‐decomposition approach. Both steps are performed by ensuring the positive semidefinite attribute of the coherency matrix after subtracting helix and volume scattering contributions. The next two scattering powers of surface and dihedral components are derived through the decomposition of the remainder rank‐2 coherency matrix into two rank‐1 matrices. The experimental validation of the proposed method is carried out on the urban environment of two Indian cities where one can easily find out the random streets distribution and unplanned population settlement. The experimental analyses on these dense and complex urban areas indicate that with the proposed decomposition methodology, non‐negative scattering powers are obtained and scattering mechanism ambiguity is greatly suppressed.
Clutter mitigation in sub‐Nyquist radars using difference set codes
Authors: Sohrabi Ali , Sabahi Mohamad F. , Parvaresh Farzad
Published: January 2020

In this study, the authors address the issue of clutter mitigation in monostatic pulse‐Doppler radars, using sub‐Nyquist sampling and compressed sensing (CS) recovery algorithms. Generally, clutter is modelled as a coloured random process and a whitening filter is employed to maximise the signal to clutter ratio. Here, the authors apply this approach to the case in which the received signal sampling rate is much smaller than the Nyquist rate. They also generalise the recently proposed sub‐Nyquist method based on difference set (DS) codes, which uses very few samples to detect targets in the presence of only white Gaussian noise. By using the frequency‐coded modulation waveform with the frequencies selected in accordance to the DS, the detection performance of the proposed method can be significantly improved compared with the previously proposed sub‐Nyquist methods in the presence of clutter. Furthermore, the authors show that the proposed method can increase the target recovery resolution due to the features of the DS codes and the employed CS model.
Highly Active and Durable Transition Metal-Coordinated Nitrogen Doped Carbon Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Neutral Media
Authors: Ketpang Kriangsak , Boonkitkoson Apikom , Pitipuech Nattawan , Poompipatpong Chedthawut , Sanetuntikul Jakkid , Shanmugam Sangaraju
Published: January 2020

The major technical obstacles in commercialization of microbial fuel cell technology are the sluggish kinetic, high cost, and poor durability of an air cathode electrocatalyst. This research aimed to synthesize the highly active, stable and low cost non-precious metal catalyst to replace the expensive Pt electrocatalyst using a simple, low cost and scalable method. The Fe3C and Fe-N-C catalysts were prepared by direct heating the precursors under autogenic pressure conditions. X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the phase of Fe3C sample was cohenite Fe3C and graphitic carbon, while the phase of Fe-N-C catalyst was only graphitic carbon. The morphology of the synthesized catalysts was a highly porous structure with nanoparticle morphology. The surface area of the Fe3C and the Fe-N-C catalysts was 295 and 377 m2 g-1, respectively. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Fe-N-C catalyst was more active than Fe3C catalyst. The ORR performance of Fe-N-C catalyst exhibited about 1.6 times more superior to that of the noble Pt/C catalyst. In addition, the Fe-N-C catalyst was durable to operate under neutral media. Thus, a novel autogenic pressure technique was a promising method to effectively prepare an highly active and durable non-precious metal catalyst to replace the precious Pt/C catalyst.
Input/output Linearization Control Technique for Anaerobic Digestion Reactor with Recirculation
Authors: Srisuddee Sura , Sriariyanun Malinee , Panjapornpon Chanin , Tawai Atthasit
Published: January 2020

Anaerobic digestion (AD) process has been generally applied in factories for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. For the AD processes, the continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with recirculation are typically applied in industries for methane production from wastewater treatment. Since the recycle stream affects the inlet concentration of the reactor, the control performance of traditional PI and PID controllers used to manipulate control actuators may be limited. Additionally, the process control loops related to biochemical reactions are generally employed the operational experiences without process dynamic consideration. A control system based on input/output (I/O) linearization control technique for an anaerobic digestion (AD) process was developed in this work. The control system applied the concept of the I/O linearization technique, which followed dynamic behaviors of the reactor with a two-step (acidogenesis-methanogenesis) kinetic model. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was regulated by manipulation of the dilution rate to achieve the requested trajectories. Control performances of the closed-loop system were investigated by a simulation under servo and regulatory problems. The simulation results showed that the developed control scheme successfully forced the controlled output to achieve the desired set points and handled the introduced control problems.
Physicochemical Profiles, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Capacity of Honey from Stingless Bee Tetragonula laeviceps Species Complex
Authors: Khongkwanmueang Araya , Nuyu Arpatsorn , Straub Lars , Maitip Jakkrawut
Published: January 2020

Stingless bee (Apidae, Meliponini) is a group of eusocial insects that widely distributed in the neotrophic regions of the globe. Similar to honeybees, stingless bees produce honey that is usually valued much higher, likely due to both its unique flavor and properties. In this study, honey samples produced by stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps species complex were collected from different meliponary in Eastern Thailand (Rayong, Chantaburi, and Trat provinces). The honey samples were examined the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed the physicochemical parameter of honey from T. laeviceps species complex to be an average color (75 ± 15 mm Pfund), moisture (27 ± 2 g/100 g), pH (3.70 ± 0.3), total sugar (50 ± 7.80 g/100 g), electrical conductivity (0.62 ±0.15 ms/cm) and the soluble solids (51.70 ± 4.12 °Brix). Besides, the honey from the T. laeviceps species complex showed the highest reducing power (18 ± 1.20%) and antimicrobial property against four species of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium) and yeast (Candida albicans).
Improvement of Anthocyanin Stability in Butterfly Pea Flower Extract by Co-pigmentation with Catechin
Authors: Charurungsipong Phoomjai , Tangduangdee Chairath , Amornraksa Suksun , Asavasanti Suvaluk , Lin Jenshinn
Published: January 2020

Most of the food processing operations involve the use of heat which generally causes alteration, and degradation of natural pigments, resulting in lower stability. One of the stability enhancement methods is co-pigmentation. This study aimed to determine effect of catechin co-pigment on stability of anthocyanins in Clitoria ternatea (or butterfly pea flower) extract. Degradation kinetics of anthocyanins in the extract were evaluated at three temperatures (28, 60, and 90℃). The effect of co-pigment ratio (catechin: anthocyanins at 1:1, 50:1 and 100:1 by weight) on the stability of anthocyanin extract at 90℃ was determined by the pH differential method. It was found that anthocyanin degradation followed the zero- order kinetics at all temperatures; the degradation rate increased as the temperature increased. At a lower pH, anthocyanins became more stable. An increase in the co-pigment ratio significantly retarded the degradation anthocyanins at 90℃. In addition, co-pigmentation also intensified the color of butterfly pea extract. The highest anthocyanin stability was obtained at co-pigment ratio of 100:1.
Sustainable marketing strategy under globalization: a comparison between p-KIBS and t-KIBS sectors
Authors: Bumberova Veronika , Kanovska Lucie
Published: January 2020

The recognition of the relevance of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) is becoming especially acute in the European Union and even more important for many emerging economies. The objective of this paper is to explore what are the differences in marketing strategy to sustain the competitiveness of KIBS in the local and global markets in the last five years. In addition, this research compares what are the differences between the technology-based (t-KIBS) and professional-based (p-KIBS) business services. The empirical evidence is based on quantitative and firm-level data gathered through an email questionnaire which yielded 128 qualified responses from the small enterprises in Czech Republic. The analysis is based on descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to compare the differences between the two groups of enterprises. The empirical evidence displays a diversity between t-KIBS and p-KIBS in usage of marketing policy such as pricing policy, brand or company presentation as well as the markets they operate on in the last five years. The research contributions of this study are twofold. First, the results have implications for managers involved in business development of service industry and second, results could be useful for government efforts to support the development (export) activities of KIBS as a heterogeneous category.
Evaluation of the Setting of the Global Promotion of the Czech Republic Destination
Authors: Kotíková Sylvie , Pavlů Karolina
Published: January 2020

Internationalisation is an increasingly common strategy for all types of companies across sectors, especially for tourism and destination management. The paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the current setting of marketing promotion of selected economies in the global market. The cost benefit analysis method compares the costs of individual international campaigns with the benefits measured by the number of arriving tourists from each target market. The costs and benefits of the internationalisation of the Czech Republic’s marketing strategy (based on the CzechTourism data evidence) are subsequently quantified per unit, or how much money was needed to attract one tourist (given the cultural distance between economies) and the total amount of consumer spending of the tourist with the relevant source economy. The analyses showed paradoxically the low efficiency of the international campaign in Austria and Slovakia which, due to the amount of money spent, could not attract enough tourists. The net benefits of these promotions are EUR 74.84 for Austria and EUR 96.52 for Slovakia. On the other hand, the most effective was the campaign in Russia, which brought EUR 301.08 net profit. Marketing campaigns in India and the USA, where net profit exceeded EUR 200, can be considered successful.
Perception of global environmental problems by Generation C and its marketing communication preferences
Authors: Kusá Alena , Piatrov Igor
Published: January 2020

With the technological progress of human society, the digital lifestyle of consumers is also growing. The growth of digital lifestyle contributes to the emergence of a new perspective on consumer segmentation, which increasingly appears to be necessary. It is mainly the Internet connection, sharing of various topics, creation of contents or communities that is forming a new subsegment of consumers – so-called Generation C. Its name is derived from the English word „connected“ in the meaning of connection of these consumers to the Internet. This consumer segment has fresh information at its disposal and reacts faster on various social topics. It consists of consumers of different ages who have been derived from psychographic criteria, but mostly consist of young people. Several researches has shown that the young are not neglectful to environmental issues and have a rather positive attitude to environmental topics. Innovative communication of environmental topics may enhance awareness of all global issues and therefore, the main goal of our research was to obtain information on consumer behaviour of Generation C in the area of their relation to environmental topics and their requirements for marketing communication of environmentally friendly products, mainly in trading companies. Our main objective was to explore the perception of environmental issues by Generation C and their preference for marketing communications. Statistical methods of one-dimensional and multidimensional data analysis were used to evaluate research results.
Business model canvas in global enterprises
Authors: Micieta Branislav , Fusko Miroslav , Binasova Vladimira , Furmannova Beata
Published: January 2020

Each business model is based on a particular business model, but some businesses do not have a defined model. Global megatrends are among the systemic characteristics of today’s challenges. This paper deals with the proposed business model for a specific enterprise. Slovak entrepreneurs are mostly cautious and rather hesitate to accept something that is unfamiliar to them and new to them. Key enabling technologies will play a decisive role in the future competitive environment, and with them the new way to come value of products. These innovations are a prerequisite for product innovation to meet the needs, wishes and possibilities of customers. Oftentimes, they will accept it as a necessary measure when they see how the competition beats them. We could also write a similar scenario about modern business models, where most foreign companies have elaborated them in detail and set up to make the company successful in the future. The business model describes the basic principle of how an enterprise creates values, how it captures and mediates. The first section focuses on specific types of business models and their development and survey of the literature. The case study in selected company deals with the use of strategic management methods, as well as finding out the current state, from which the complex business model was created. The results showed that the implementation of the solution helps the company to achieve the goal and subsequent development.
Evaluation of innovation activities and innovation management model of selected innovative companies
Authors: Peterková Jindra , Czerná Katarzyna , Macurová Pavla
Published: January 2020

The company’s success lies in understanding its situation and the differences in its own business and in creating original, and functioning innovation management system. The main task of the owner and management of the company is to create conditions for the creativity of its employees through the created method of providing financial resources and systematic creation of the research team. Innovation and its successful management and implementation helps to overcome the challenges of globalization. The paper aims to evaluate innovation activities, especially concerning the type of implemented innovation activities, initiator, way of development, obstacles, and type of protection of intellectual property. At the same time, the evaluation of innovation activity management is carried out according to the model of Wolcott and Lippitz (2007), which takes into account two parameters, namely the power of authority and organizational responsibility. Data on innovation activities of enterprises are obtained through a proper questionnaire survey carried out by selected innovative companies. The results of the questionnaire survey are evaluated using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21 statistical program. Cluster analysis is also used to identify categories of innovative enterprises.
Shared accommodation as a globalization trend in tourism
Authors: Kostková Miroslava
Published: January 2020

Modern tourism trends have a distinctly global character. They include the use of online tourism service platforms and the sharing of services based on sharing economy. Governments and municipalities create regulatory measures to operate in accordance with the destination’s municipal, financial, security, and tourism interests to ensure transparency and a level playing field for entrepreneurship. The paper deals with this global trend in the field of the accommodation services through the Airbnb platform in the Czech Republic and in the Silesian Moravian Region, in the use and provision of tourist accommodation services and identification of the impact on tourism development and tourist attendance the destination, within the project Trends of tourism in the Moravian-Silesian Region, using the methods of marketing research. The results declare that shared economy platforms in the field of accommodation have a place in the modern economic system, they put competitive pressure on tourism service providers, the offer expands for the consumers and traditional service providers force to move to innovative concepts. The hoteliers want to offer the creation of standards that the sharing accommodation providers should follow and public administration and city representatives want to clearly describe the duties for each accommodation provider and regulate accommodation through Airbnb.
Global Aspects of Social Media Perception by Y Generation in Gender Context
Authors: Matusiková Lucja , Stanovská Kateřina
Published: January 2020

Influencers, You tubers, opinion leaders, social network, social media, message, hashtag, share. These words are around us. We have become international, now we are a global country that cannot influence many aspects. The present generation cannot imagine life without social networks. The research focus on intergenerational comparison of the perception of social networks. We aim our attention at gender factor in Y generation. Generation Y, is the demographic group following Generation X. This generation as known as internet generation (iGen), Net generation or Generation 9/11. Generations Y are mostly baby boomers, children born in post-war years. It is generation who have used Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) since childhood. The aim of submitted paper is found out answers to two questions and confirm or reject the hypotheses. Two questions are how long have respondents spent time on the Internet? And what they use social networks? We have set a null hypothesis and its alternative. Null hypothesis is gender factor affects the perception of social networks. Alternative hypothesis is Gender factor does not affect the perception of social networks. We used to confirm or reject the hypothesis Chi – Square test via MS Excel. We expect gender factor affects the social networks.
Challenges for social policy and health policy in a shared economy
Authors: Nováková Mária , Burda Eduard , Capíková Silvia
Published: January 2020

The rapid and unrestrained growth of the shared economy segment surprised the legislators, theorists and scientists in labour law. The enormous development of the shared economy and digital platforms surprised many areas of social science that were unable to respond proactively and provide reliable solutions to emerging problems, that arise from the absence of basic rules and at least in partial regulation of the modern economy. There is no quality psychological and sociological research that would pave the way for legislation. Available psychological studies of the behaviour of the upcoming generation of “millennials” suggest some incentives for change, but not as much as the solution to the problems would require. In the article I will try to outline the social and health aspects of the shared economy that entails the philosophy of not owning, but borrowing. We will also focus our attention on the criminal aspects of undeclared work, possible tax evasion and unbalanced competition as a result of the organic development of the shared economy and digital platforms.
Economic, social and environmental world impacts of food waste on society and Zero waste as a global approach to their elimination
Authors: Seberini Andrea
Published: January 2020

The aim of the article is an effort to introduce readers to the problem of food waste in a comprehensive concept. It focuses on defining concepts, defining losses in the different phases of the food chain together with their environmental, economic and social impacts to the society. It also presents proposed or already applied solutions in connection with the effort to reduce food waste. More than 14 million tonnes. This is the amount of waste produced by Slovakia in 2018. Of this 2.1 million tonnes was municipal waste, which represents 393 kg per inhabitant per year. Unfortunately, this number is growing every year. Zero Waste concept encourages consumers to reduce consumption and recycling of acquired goods and materials, which in economic and social terms can bring regression under certain circumstances, to the detriment of environmental progress. If we do not begin to rationally analyze our own needs and at the same time intelligently manage the waste that we, as a human being, produce globally, we are at risk of significantly reducing the comfort of living. I assume and believe that this is not a vision that we would like to leave to future generations.
Global market opportunities: analysis of the foreign language websites in the Czech economy in the context of the number of it professionals
Authors: Sobehart Radek , Stellner Frantisek , Bilek Stanislav , Dienesova Lenka
Published: January 2020

This paper analyses the use and management of web portals of the Czech industries. This paper investigates which industries have the highest shares of foreign language portals. This share is compared to the number of hired IT professionals. This paper is based on the thesis that competing in global markets requires skilled labour force in the form of IT specialist. The analysis will be split into two parts because the management of web portals can be done in-house or outsourced. The statistical evaluation will be based on the contingency table analysis and detailed summary statistics. Foreign language web portals are essential to world market opportunities. Czech labour market provides only a limited number of IT specialist to hire. Results suggest that there are differences between industries (services, trade, manufacturing) in the management of web portals (in-house vs. outsourcing) and the number of IT specialist depends on the use of foreign language web portals. The outsourcing of international management of web portals or joining the global value chains is starting to be a more affordable and interesting option because the labour costs of IT specialist are raising in the Czech labour market.
The Shared Economy in the Current Market
Authors: Sorokova Tatiana , Petrikova Daniela
Published: January 2020

This paper presents the characteristics of the shared economy phenomenon. The theoretical part focuses on the activities of the shared economy in the current international market environment. We describe the categorization of shared economy activities across platforms. We devote ourselves to measuring a shared economy because it also generates many values that are not fully captured in GDP data. The global value of the shared economy is only an estimate. We also deal with threats to the shared economy as these can also be seen as a growing network of unregulated digital markets. These pose a threat to regulated businesses and to consumers. Shared economic platforms are different in national economies. They are highly criticized in some economies because they create unfair competition conditions. They create illegal, black or gray markets or support, for example, tax avoidance. The shared economy also generates many values that are not fully captured in GDP figures. The research part of the paper consists of an UBER analysis in selected countries. At present, UBER is one of the most widespread structures of the shared economy compared to classic taxis. The analysis offers a comparison of the UBER platform, which can bring a new perspective on shared economy issues. The selected indicators are country-specific and collected for two periods: before the UBER come to country and after that.
Urban infrastructure development in a global knowledge-based economy
Authors: Sycheva Evelina , Budagov Artur , Novikov Andrey
Published: January 2020

The challenge of globalization process is the emergence of “new economy” in which the knowledge-based economy is of great importance. The factor of the knowledge-based economy is growing under the influence of scientific and technological revolution and involvement in globalization. The article analyzes the relationship of changingtechnological paradigms of social-economic development with sustainable development of urban infrastructure. The challengesof the Sixth (according to the classification of S. Yu. Glaziev)paradigm of the technological revolution with widespread introduction of digitalizationare specified. Up-to-date aspects of management of urban infrastructure development with use of “Smart City” advanced intellectual information technologies are considered. The study provides a reinterpretation of modern methods of management of urban infrastructure development in connection with the emergence of digital information and communication technologies. Knowledge management, including human capital assets management, representing the creative potential of people, plays an important role for “smart management”. It is proved that intellectual resources have greater value and competitive advantages than material resources. It is justified that with the development of globalization and digitalization of society, sustainable development of urban infrastructure is based on the use of knowledge-based capital.
Does a successful future entrepreneur in the globalized world need to know logistics?
Authors: Čemerková Šárka , Rylková Žaneta
Published: January 2020

Starting a business entails huge demands on the future entrepreneur. Only a great idea and a desire to do business are not a guarantee of success. This future entrepreneur must be equipped with a wide range of knowledge, skills and personal qualities. These together form a set of business competencies. One area that clearly affects business success is logistics. Especially in today’s globalized world, without logistics, realized on top professional level, it is not possible to succeed in a tough competitive environment. Large volumes of various materials (raw materials, materials, semi-finished products, products, goods, but also people) are moved practically all over the world. Poorly controlled material flow has a direct impact on the quality of provided customer service and thus on customer satisfaction. A dissatisfied customer equals no customer. The aim of the article is to provide the attitude of successful entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic to the issue of business competencies, specifically in the field of logistics. To what extent does the future successful entrepreneur need to know about logistics, resp. about their different forms? In the text, partial results of the primary research carried out in the winter of 2018-2019 in the Czech Republic will be presented. Questions about the competence in the field of logistics have been asked by entrepreneurs, whose business has existed for at least three years. The main conclusions will be given to the need for knowledge of distribution logistics for the future successful entrepreneur.
Comparison of effects of expansionary monetary policy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Authors: Fisera Boris , Kotlebova Jana
Published: January 2020

The ongoing process of globalization has affected the way the monetary policy is conducted – and this is especially the case of small open economies, where the economic developments are heavily affected by the developments abroad. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of unconventional monetary policy in two very open economies – Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the post-crisis era – the two rather similar very open economies. We assess the effects of their monetary policies by estimating their impact on the banking sector in both countries. We employ two cointegrating estimators – DOLS and FMOLS, so that we can assess the dynamics of the relationship between the developments of main balance sheet items of the respective central banks and the aggregate bank lending to various sectors of the economy. We do find evidence that unconventional policies of both central banks did lift bank lending – with the effect being stronger in Slovakia and for the QE policies. In both countries, the effect was more pronounced for the bank lending to household sector – specifically on housing related loans. Finally, we do not find evidence that the increasing openness of these two already very open economies affected the transmission of monetary policies into the banking sector.