The paper focuses on competitiveness at the national level and on the impact of competitiveness on economic growth. We look at the relationship between competitiveness and economic growth based on the data from the European Union member states. The competitiveness of the economies is measured by the Global Competitiveness Index, which is published by the World Economic Forum. The European Union member states show significant differences in competitiveness. In the sample examined, the positive relationship between the level of competitiveness and economic growth was not confirmed.

Abstract:Objective: The main intention of the present paper is, on the one hand, to provide a summary of the characteristics of Slovak culture by applying chosen theories and models. On the other hand, we attempt to underline the significance of bilateral Austro-Slovak relations in relation to the economy or migration tendencies. We assume that, based on geographical proximity and the above stated bilateral relations, intercultural encounters are relatively frequent as well. Therefore, certain perception of Slovaks from the Austrian point of view is likely to exist. Methodology: Our work is based on relevant scientific sources, as well as on our own empirical research reposing in the analysis of an online questionnaire.Findings: Overall, findings of our empirical research may be considered rather positive, as no negative or hostile responses concerning Slovak culture were reported. Furthermore, none of the participants experienced a conflict with a Slovak counterpart that could clearly be ascribed to cultural differences.Value Added: We believe that the conclusions presented in this paper might be helpful not only for managers operating on the international level or businessmen intending to do business 82Michaela Čiefová with their Slovak partners, for scholars engaged in similar topics but also for anyone interested in intercultural communication and cultural differences.

The objective of the authors of the article was to analyse the labour market from the point of view of languages used by individual foreign companies in Slovakia. Since insufficient language competence of employees is one of the causes of youth unemployment in the European Union, the paper focuses also on language preparation of the students at the University of Economics in Bratislava, and contemplates the fact whether real foreign language knowledge of the graduates meets the requirements of the labour market, and whether the curricula of individual subjects reflect these requirements. English was proven to be the most frequently selected foreign language by the students, followed by German. Since there are many American, British, as well as German and Austrian companies located in Bratislava, we find this situation rather positive. However, we highly recommend students to acquire at least basic knowledge of German in order to increase their competitive advantage.

The present paper focuses on environmental awareness and perception of environmental issues by university students in Slovakia. We attempt to find out what problems of the environment are considered to be the most critical ones from the students’ point of view. In addition to that, another objective is to elaborate a list of students’ suggestions regarding raising motivation of people to adopt an eco-friendly behaviour. For the research we used a questionnaire consisting of 9 questions. The results show that students perceive as most critical environmental problems water and air pollution, traffic, waste, deforestation and overconsumption.

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