Background: Data-driven decisions in each functional area of management, through all of the strategic levels, in the present time of dynamic changes in geopolitical and market conditions are necessary to achieve corporate (economic and social) goals, in line with securing future business success and sustainability. Because of this business need, we will focus in our research paper on price management, which can be seen as a supportive tool for strategic decisions, where competent decisions should be based on data-driven pricing decisions. Purpose: The aim of the research study is to identify what price consumers are prepared to pay for a new food product in a relatively saturated foreign market. The research study was conducted in the milk chocolate bar market segment. Study design: We applied the van Westendorp price sensitivity test to identify the range of acceptable prices for a product that is willing to enter a new foreign market. For this purpose, we used a milk chocolate bar product currently unknown in the Slovak market. Findings: In addition to the van Westendorp price sensitivity measurement, we used a non-parametric Mann Whitney U test to confirm the hypothesis that chocolate tasting will increase the likelihood of customers to pay a higher price for the tested product. The hypothesis mentioned above was statistically confirmed. Limitations: It is necessary to monitor customer reactions to a given price level and be prepared to optimize it. We did not address this part of the analysis in identifying a price that would be acceptable to consumers in terms of value perception, due to the scope of the study.

As developed regions explore avenues to enhance their industries in order to become climate-neutral, numerous studies have identified distinct factors that may hinder the shift towards a low-carbon economy. The objective of our research was to pinpoint key barriers to adaptation to a low-carbon economy among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Central Europe from the viewpoint of the company’s structure. The aim was to examine whether attitudes towards barriers to adaptation to a low-carbon economy represent a key factor that prevents the faster and more effective uptake of such adaptations by SMEs. Both the industrial and service sectors were considered. A quantitative data collection method, CATI, was employed. Using our methodology, we applied a non-parametric testing procedure, specifically, the Kruskal–Wallis test, to compare more than two independent samples, together with the Mann–Whitney U test. Through this analysis, it was found that companies regard the uncertainty of return on investment and its payback period as the most serious barrier to adaption to a low-carbon economy. Meanwhile, the lack of cooperation with research institutions and universities is perceived as the least important barrier. Companies are critical of existing regulations for adaptation to the low-carbon economy, which do not provide incentives for companies, though sole traders consider this an insignificant barrier. The shift towards a low-carbon economy is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Understanding the initial motivational variables can significantly contribute to the process of transition towards the use of renewable energy sources by companies, regardless of their size or sector.

Background: Price setting is a determinant of a company's profitability especially in the sector of creative industry (CI) and is intensively discussed in academic and business area. Purpose: The aim of this research paper is to investigate whether a well-defined and successfully implemented pricing strategy can significantly affect the profitability of companies in the creative industry. Study design/methodology/approach: This study investigates the differences in interval variables, including financial indicators, number of price management techniques, and price management metrics, between companies that have implemented pricing strategies and those that have not. To assess this, a two-sample t-test was used to compare the variables between the two groups. Since the creative industry is highly heterogeneous, we have analyzed the profitability of creative sub-industries more in detail through ANOVA test. Findings/conclusions: As it turned out, the analyzed parameters do not differ significantly in their average values, except for the parameter "Gross margin", where a statistically significant difference in average values was confirmed. Based on the findings of studies conducted by other authors as well as our own analyses, we conclude that assessing CI's profitability relative to other industries is inappropriate and represents only a simplistic view of the industry's performance. It is important to observe the profitability in each subindustry of CI, because the nature of the product (output) is different in each segment of this industry. Limitations/future research: Despite the initial findings, it was recognized that the research was limited to a single country and a specific industry. To gain further insight into the pricing and profitability of companies in the creative sub-industries and cultural industry, subsequent research should be conducted. It would also be useful to link the topic of pricing and profitability with the theme of revenue models including pricing models, pricing metrics and payment systems.

Research background: The restrictions pose a threat to the creative industries, as some companies and self-employed persons suffer major losses. Many freelancers and micro-enterprises work in the creative industries. They depend more than others on events and markets for earning money. The 33 288 employees that comprise the CIs are therefore hit particularly hard by COVID-19.Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to measure the Covid-19 impacts on the Creative industries in Slovakia and evaluate the economic compensation suffered from Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The compensation payments consist of a certain percentage of the income from the year 2019 and encompass business expenses such as rent and other fixed costs.Methods: Our calculations on the extent to which the creative industries (CIs) and its sub-markets are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are based on data from Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and the FINSTAT database for the year 2019 and 2020.Findings & Value added: The effects of the ordered closures and the associated effects in the individual sub-sectors and occupational fields are estimated. For this reason, economic effects are calculated and recorded based on a scenario analysis. In a second step, the international perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic will be considered. Overall, the analysis of the consequences of the pandemic for the creative industries is intended to provide an overview of the possible consequences in the creative industries and, together with the knowledge about the procedures in other countries, to make political action needs more clearly recognisable.