This paper is dedicated, both theoretically and conceptually, to a methodical approach towards the efficiency evaluation of proposed smart city solutions. The implementation of smart solutions in proposed projects and activities is supported by a complex assessment of benefits and costs as part of a cost benefit analysis (CBA) with the goal of maximizing the efficiency of such a solution, especially in the case of public activities for which it is typical to lack a market evaluation. A smart solution can be defined as an innovative and functional approach towards solving situations in a responsible way and with positive consequences for society. These smart solutions represent the core of the smart city concept, which together with the smart region concept presents a new economic domain where new markets or market segments offering innovative and intelligent (tangible and intangible) solutions for said cities and regions can be developed. CBA and feasibility analyses represent suitable tools for evaluation of socially and economically acceptable projects and their implementation in real life. The efficiency of these solutions is then proved by benefit and cost comparisons under the condition that these outcomes are acceptable for all stakeholders. Methodically, the paper is structured inductively. The detailed literature review provides the basis for a formulation of general principles of using a CBA for innovative smart city solution efficiency evaluations based on chosen cases, for example, from the Moravia Silesian region. Due to the originality of each submitted project, it is possible to use this proposed methodical approach of CBA applications as a primary analytical frame and it is necessary to add the specific attributes of each solution that is being evaluated.

The issue of brownfield regeneration is closely connected to balanced and sustainable development of regions, towns, and cities as it endeavors to reuse buildings and sites that have already lost their original use, but at the same time offers a possibility to generate new beneficial activities for the whole society that exceed just material or physical changes of the brownfield sites. The regeneration of every brownfield is usually a highly site-specific issue and individual and unique impacts of regeneration on the particular locality are obvious. Yet, several patterns in sets of non-regenerated brownfields can be identified. By finding and defining such patterns, a framework of indicators to facilitate brownfield regeneration can be created and the importance and strength of a particular indicator can be defined. By means of the analyses, we are able to recommend various relevant and most suitable approaches with regards to brownfield regeneration in individual regions. We have employed Factor Analysis (FA) for the identification of key factors of brownfield regeneration. In particular, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to conduct analyses of 1304 non-regenerated brownfields located in seven regions of the Czech Republic (NUTS 3 level). Data were obtained from publicly available brownfield databases of individual regional administrations. By means of Factor Analysis, it was ascertained that the most frequent factor that is typical for the surveyed non-regenerated brownfields is the ownership. The second most frequent factor is the size of the brownfields. As the third factor according to importance, the distance between the location of the individual brownfield and the municipality of extended powers (the so-called small district) was identified. By taking into account the results of the conducted analyses, brownfield regeneration policies of individual regions might be adapted to be more suitably targeted.

The paper aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship and the impact of creative actors on regional development and investigates the nexus between them. The novelty of the paper lies in constructing an original criteria matrix of creative actors’ indicators which might serve as a basis for further research and policy implications. The original criteria matrix consists of two groups of indicators measuring the creative people and creative capital in the region, their mutual relationships and impact on regional development. We found that creative actors are not distributed equally across the regions in Slovakia. The strong dominance of the region with the capital city (Bratislava) was detected. We also discovered a strong direct positive relationship between representatives of the creative people and a strong direct relationship between the creative people and the emergence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The goal of the submitted paper is to implement the principles of TPM and to achieve almost 100% usability of machines, when there will be no failures and unwanted incidents. The effectiveness of implementing the TPM principles has been experimentally verified in an engineering company. Workplaces for the assembly of rails on Unimatic lines were chosen as a pilot workplace. Prior to the implementation of the TPM, analyses of technical downtime and unplanned shutdowns of the manufacturing devices due to failures, unplanned repairs and maintenance were carried out. The resulting analysis concentrated mainly on two main variables - total cumulative technical downtime at individual workplaces and frequency of occurrence of failures in individual sections of the workplaces. The presented approach and the results obtained underline the importance of applying the TPM principles in practice and their indisputable contribution to the ability to increase business performance. The TPM's progressive maintenance management system represents a prerequisite for the reduction of production costs and losses resulting from unscheduled failures now and in the future.

The term «Society 4.0» is used to define a group of people in advanced economies who form a modern cultural society, which is heavily influenced by technological developments and digitalization and having a significant impact on most aspects of human life. The notion of Society 4.0 is closely related to and factually corresponds with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is also referred to as «Industry 4.0» and widely debated. Despite its topicality, this concept has not received as much publishing attention as anticipated. Surprisingly, the term «Society 5.0», which describes what the current society will gradually transform into in the near future, receives much more focus in this context. The aim of this article is to present the concept of Society 4.0 in its factual form and to identify its general exogenous and endogenous implications, in particular in the sphere of economics.

Dilapidated, neglected, or abandoned sites and buildings (so-called brownfields) are frequently neither visually attractive nor aesthetically valuable. Indeed, neglected brownfields contribute to the emergence of both objective and subjective barriers to the social, economic, and environmental development of communities. We also know that the occurrence of decayed brownfields affect the prices of residential housing in their vicinity. In our paper, we seek to better understand the impact of brownfields on the perceived value of neighbouring properties. We are also keen to shed more light on the factors behind the allegedly undesirable impact of brownfields on property values. Our research is based primarily on data obtained from a survey of 1,152 respondents in ten municipalities situated at the eastern part of the Czech Republic, where neglected brownfields frequently occur. The findings are complemented by an analysis of sales of residential properties located in proximity to brownfield sites, to further confirm our preliminary survey results. The results confirmed that neglected brownfields tend to negatively affect the value of neighbouring residential properties. Our results also signal that the concentration of socially unacceptable behaviour is considered a key issue for distorting property prices around brownfields. Our analyses have confirmed that distance from a particular brownfield is one of the factors significantly influencing property prices. We claim that neglected brownfields create negative externalities that require public sector interventions and better planning. We urgently need more systematic support for brownfield regeneration to improve the quality of life of residents in affected communities.