By using the balanced scorecard model, a company is able to identify its advantages, as well as its deficiencies, and thus improve its business. The introduction of innovations and the implementation of innovative activities in companies are key for gaining a competitive advantage. There is no ideal model that would measure the non-financial, non-tangible perspectives of a company (such as customer perspective, the perspective of research and innovation, and the perspective of internal processes). The main goal of this paper is researching the applicability of the balanced scorecard model in small- and medium-sized companies as the basis for a model for assessing innovative activities in the Republic of Slovakia and the Republic of Serbia. First, a hypothetical model was created based on theoretical data from world scientific articles. Then, the structural equation model (SEM model) was created, based on the conducted research in 223 companies and the obtained results.

Current developments in the field of international investment relations are influenced by the ruling of the Court of Justice in the Achmea case, when de facto European law became superior to international law. The verdict of the Court of Justice changes the usual legal procedures and customs in the field of bilateral investment agreements. However, the impact of this court decision is an almost unexplored area due to the lack of interest of legal theorists, and it is relatively difficult to find answers to the ambiguities and problems that have arisen. The scientific study analyses the current process of introducing new rules in the field of investment policy within the European Union, which means the end of bilateral investment agreements within the European Union. It also examines the European Union’s activities in the field of foreign direct investment and the development of a stable European investment policy. Determining the goal of the scientific study is based directly on current needs and emerging practical problems in practice. Their correct understanding and application has a fundamental impact on the possibilities of rules in the field of investment policy. Due to the nature of the researched topic, we applied selected qualitative methods suitable for recognising the law. However, we also analysed scientific literature, case-law and the analogy of law, thus providing qualified answers to the application pitfalls of legal practice.

The European Union places great emphasis on removing obstacles within its internal market, which is considered a fundamental pillar of European economic integration. By way of legal acts, the conditions for the functioning freedoms of the internal market are harmonized in all EU Member States. In our study, we focus on freedom to provide services, in order to clarify the system and conditions for providing cross-border services and to identify concrete entities providing this kind of services in Slovakia. The subject of the study is the provision of services by foreign entities in the territory of the Slovak Republic, who have already obtained authorization to perform the services on the territory of their Member State of establishment in accordance with Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27 December 2006, pp. 36–68). At the same time, the study also focuses on the system of taxation of cross-border services. Based on facts and data obtained from the Register of Cross-border Services, we have identified areas of providing cross-border services in Slovakia. In our study, we have applied the methods of comparative analysis, legal research, the study of literature, and the decisions of the EU Court of Justice. The study also includes clarification of the concept of cross-border provision of services.

International trade agreements contribute to the development of international trade and services. The European Union is currently modernizing the system and structure of international agreements related to international trade, investment and services. The aim of the scientific study is to clarify and identify the characteristic features of the agreements of new generation that are concluded between the European Union and non-EU member states. Based on the facts, we can confirm that trade policy supports, among others, values such as the protection of human rights, the protection of labor rights, the environment and the fight against climate change. Such an approach of the European Union to the liberalization of world trade through comprehensive trade agreements is also supported by the strategy of the European Commission „Trade for All”.