The main aim of this research paper is to compare the total synthetic measure value of sustainable development for each EU country using a multidimensional comparative analysis of the EU countries in terms of sustainable development. The statistical evaluation of this complex phenomenon was based on 108 statistical indicators describing 17 goals of sustainable development which were taken from the Eurostat database. The statistical data applies mostly to the year 2018. The zero unitarization method was applied as a research tool. Passing through consecutive stages, the values of synthetic measures with variables determining the subsequent goals of sustainable development were set. Our study led to the ranking of EU countries into groups of high, medium-high, medium-low and low level of sustainable development. The results confirmed that the leaders of sustainable development in the EU are Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria. Most EU countries have reached the medium level, while Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus have poorly realized the goals of sustainable development. Due to the growing importance of countries of the Visegrad group in Europe, this article also subjected them to a more detailed assessment in terms of their sustainable development. Among the Visegrad countries, only the Czech Republic has reached a medium-high level of sustainable development. The other three countries, i. e. Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, hold a similar position in the ranking of EU countries in terms of sustainable development. Considering future generations, the implementation of the goals of sustainable development as well as the identification of key indicators for each country are becoming an important challenge in terms of global market competitiveness.

The scientific periodical journal (indexed on Web of Science) published by the Tomas Bata University in Zlin offers results of basic and applied economic research in the English language.

In this paper, the following research problem was addressed: Is there a significant economic impact of multidimensional specified competitiveness within the EU (28) countries on the competitive business environment, human development, and sustainable growth? Based on the mentioned research problem, we formulated the aim of paper: To detect the significant interrelations among the assessment of global competitiveness, business environment as well as human development in the EU (28) countries for the period of 2006–2017. To address these problems, the methodology of global multi-criteria indices, namely the global competitiveness index (GCI), doing business index (DBI), and human development index (HDI), as well as panel analysis and non-linear regression analyses with ANOVA, were applied. The panel analysis results suggest that there is a direct linear relationship between the GCI and HDI. Moreover, the impact of the DBI on the change in the GCI score was not confirmed. We identified the main areas of countries’ interest, and important economic and statistical significant relations of competitiveness by creating three models: The GD model (constructed by GCI and DBI scores), GH model (GCI and HDI scores), and GDH model (GCI, DBI and HDI scores). Based on the results, all interrelations were confirmed. However, the highest extent of variability for the explanation of the selected data was recorded in the case of the GDH model (87.12%). We detected the impact of the business environment and human resources as competitive advantages on global macroeconomic competitiveness. As the business sector in EU (28) countries is represented mainly by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enterprise activities play a key role in the process of sustainable competitive economic development. Moreover, human resources are considered to be another important driver of the internationalization of European SMEs.

Research background: Under the current conditions of increasing competitiveness and interdependence, national economies are more influenced by the global business environment and its development. Constantly changing economic, social, political aspects, and many other factors, cause the differences in the global competitiveness of economies, so the economies are forced to analyze their competitive level more complexly. Despite that, there is a lack of research studies analyzing the international competitiveness of EU-28 economies from the point of view various multi-criteria indices. Purpose of the article: The paper investigates the relations between the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and other selected multi-criteria indices, namely the Global Innovation Index (GII), the Doing Business Index (DBI), the Economic Freedom Index (EFI) and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in the case of EU?28 economies. Methods: In order to investigate the relations between the global competitiveness and selected multi-criteria indices affecting the EU?28 economies, the multiple linear regression analyses were applied. The multiple regression model was quantified for every single year, as well as, the regression model using the average score of all analyzed indices. The secondary data concerning the scores of individual indices were collected based on annually published online reports over the period of 2014?2018. Findings & Value added: The research confirmed that there is a statistically significant dependence between the global competitiveness, corruption and the level of innovation potential within the EU?28 economies. Besides, we identified the worst results in the context of competitiveness evaluation especially in the area of corruption and innovation activities. In this regard, the issue of insufficient innovation development and inappropriate corruption perception is considered to be key determinants influencing the assessment of the global competitiveness of the EU?28 member states. In our opinion, to improve the competitiveness of these countries, targeted activities should be implemented in the frame of national competitive strategies, programs, and policies.

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research papers and case studies

Sustainable development represents a comprehensive approach that focuses on economic, social and environmental aspects in order to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations. The main aim of the paper is to reveal the impact of selected global multicriteria indices (through Global Innovation Index, Doing Business Index, Economic Freedom Index, Corruption Perception Index and Human Development Index) on sustainable development (expressed by Sustainable Economic Development Assessment) within EU(28) countries for the period of 2011 to 2018. Secondary data were processed using panel data regression analysis. Results of average score in the field of sustainable economic development showed that Finland (84.5) achieved the best-performed, while the worst position was recorded by Romania (56.5). Looking at the selected indices average scores, the leading position was indicated in the case of Denmark (80.5) and the worst results was obtained by Greece (57.6). Based on the results of the panel regression analysis, to the key determinants influencing the sustainable economic growth of the EU(28) countries belong such variables as innovation activity, business environment, corruption issues and human resources. The presented findings provide valuable insight toward to strategic priorities review, as well as, it can also help governments move from plans to action.