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The lens of business model element activation
Full text linkA business model is the foundation for understanding the functioning of a business entity and is a source of innovation and change. Therefore, developing a business model is necessary, and proactive activation can be a source of competitive advantage to meet the appropriate requirements in the composition of business model elements. The study aims to identify the key elements of activation in business models and to discover their significance. This study uses an expertbased approach based on the use of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) with the definition of the main elements. It also compares data from fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and conduct primary research among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to determine the importance of various elements in their business models. It provides insight into determining the degree of significance of business model elements, with its expansion to the Delphi method and a panel of experts on 97 sub-criteria. Predominant factors such as value proposition, customer segments, and key partnerships have been identified as primarily critical for SMEs. The results obtained can then be used by businesses for subsequent concentration on a specific business element to achieve higher company performance and strengthen the competitive position. This study presents a fresh perspective on reimagining the classification of business models, their elements, and, above all, the determination of the meaning of individual business model criteria
Regional income convergence in Central Europe: Evidence from a pair-wise approach
Full text linkRegional disparities are usually monitored in terms of economic performance. But as pointed out by many scholars, research has to look beyond GDP, investments, unemployment, and focus also on regional inequality in measures of well-being, for example, the disposable income of households. Therefore, this article examines the income disparities among the regions of Central European countries. We apply the probabilistic definition of convergence that is tested by the time series cointegration analysis. However, in our analysis, convergence criteria are tightened to increase robustness. In particular, we propose to require meeting of both criteria, i.e., stationary and absence of unit root, instead of one for the acceptance of the cointegration condition of regional convergence. Empirical analysis shows that despite the application of stricter conditions, the hypothesis of income convergence between Central European regions in 2003–2022 cannot be rejected. In particular, we found inner-country convergence in most countries. However, the involvement of individual regions in cross-country convergence varies widely. The results suggest that convergence intensity in the easternmost and westernmost regions is weak. However, we identified a “belt of convergence” along the border of the former Iron Curtain. These findings support the hypothesis of club convergence suggested by some scholars in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. On the other hand, our results significantly challenge previous research that claimed Central European transition economies are converging, especially towards German regions. Instead, our results indicate that convergence towards German regions is weak, while convergence towards Austrian regions is much more pronounced. Finally, uncovering how regions are converging at different rates and towards different steady-states can help to optimize the allocation of EU funding
Biżuteria w roli abstrakcji geometrycznej Eleonora Reytharová
No full textWe have encountered the name of Liberec jeweler Eleonora Reytharová in exhibitions and publication presentations of contemporary Czech jewelry since the end of the 1960s. Her distinctive creative style focuses mainly on geometric shapes in the intentions of geometric abstraction. She worked with squares, triangles and circles in both silver and copper in combination with acolored enamel surface. In some jewelry, she also applied elements of structural abstraction through wires, surface relief, or precious stones.Die Reichenberger/Liberecer Schmuckgestalterin Eleonora Reytharová gehörte in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts zu den führenden Persönlichkeiten der tschechischen Schmuckwelt. Ihr Name erschien häufig in den Katalogen internationaler Ausstellungen. Die Werke dieser Künstlerin lassen sich dank ihres spezifischen künstlerischen Ausdrucks leicht zwischen denjenigen anderer tschechischer und ausländischer Künstler ausmachen. Neben ihrem unverwechselbaren eigenen Stil sind in ihren Schmuckstücken auch charakteristische künstlerische Tendenzen der damaligen Zeit zu erkennen, die mit der Entwicklung der freien bildenden Kunst korrespondieren. Sie wurde am 3. September 1939 im mittelböhmischen Dorf Sibřina geboren, absolvierte die Höhere Gewerbeschule in Gablonz/Jablonec nad Nisou und trat nach einer kurzen Tätigkeit in der lokalen Schmuckindustrie in das Metall- und Schmuckatelier an der Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst in Prag ein. Nach ihrem Abschluss 1967 begann sie erneut als Musterschneiderin für Metallschmuck. Sie arbeitete mit einem Team von anderen Metallschmuckmustern zusammen und schuf viele innovative Muster. Nach sechs Jahren freien Kunstschaffens im Rahmen ihres Studiums war der Wiedereinstieg in die Serienproduktion für die junge Künstlerin ein großer Kontrast. Dennoch gelang es ihr, aus gängigen Rohlingen neue Schmuckstücke mit originellem, innovativem und reproduzierbarem Design zu entwickeln. Mit ihren Arbeiten nahm sie erfolgreich an mehreren internationalen Ausstellungen von Gablonzer Bijouterie teil. In den Jahren 1968 und 1971 wurde sie zur Teilnahme an den bedeutenden Gablonzer Symposien für Silberschmuck und anderen Symposien für Autorenschmuck in den 1980er und 1990er Jahren in Turnau/Turnov eingeladen. Ihr Schmuck neigt zur geometrischen Abstraktion und spiegelt die entfernte Inspiration dieser künstlerischen Bewegung durch einige Werke aus dem Bereich der freien bildenden Kunst. Sie verwendete nicht nur Silber, sondern auch Kupferblech, das sie mit farbigem Emaille überzog. Später arbeitete sie auch mit Schildpatt oder Edelsteinen. Einige ihrer Silberschmuckserien zeigen den Einfluss der strukturellen Abstraktion, die der Künstlerin neben der Geometrie sehr nahe steht. In ihrer vierzigjährigen Karriere hat Eleonora Reytharová mehr als zehn Einzelausstellungen bestritten und an Dutzenden von Gruppenausstellungen in der Tschechoslowakei, in der Tschechischen Republik und im Ausland teilgenommen. Diese zahlreichen beruflichen Erfolge zeugen vom großen Fleiß der Künstlerin, die sich entschlossen hat, ihren eigenen Weg mit einem stets unverwechselbaren künstlerischen Ausdrucks zu gehen, der sich deutlich von dem anderer Schmuckdesigner abhebt. Auch heute noch offenbart ein Gespräch mit dieser unauffälligen und bescheidenen Frau eine große innere Stärke und Entschlossenheit, mit der sie sich scheinbar unbewusst bei Dutzenden ihrer Realisierungen durch das Leben geschlagen hat.W drugiej połowie XX wieku liberecka jubilerka Eleonora Reytharová była jedną z czołowych osobistości czeskiego świata jubilerskiego. Jej nazwisko często pojawiało się też w katalogach wystaw zbiorowych za granicą. Twórczość tej autorki jest dobrze rozpoznawalna wśród innych czeskich i zagranicznych artystów dzięki specyficznemu wyrazowi artystycznemu. Oprócz osobliwego charakterystycznego stylu twórczego, jej biżuteria odróżnia się rozpoznawalnymi charakterystycznymi trendami tego okresu artystycznego, korespondującymi z wolnym rozwojem sztuk pięknych. Urodziła się 3.9.1939 r. w środkowoczeskiej miejscowości Sibřina, ukończyła Technikum w Jabloncu nad Nysou i po krótkiej praktyce w miejscowej branży jubilerskiej rozpoczęła pracę w atelier Kov i Š perk i rozpoczęła studia w Wyższej Szkole Artystyczno-Przemysłowej w Pradze. Po ukończeniu studiów w 1967 roku rozpoczęła pracę jako projektant biżuterii metalowej. Współpracowała z zespołem innych projektantów biżuterii metalowej i stworzyła wiele innowacyjnych wzorów. Po sześciu latach swobodnej twórczości w ramach studiów uniwersyteckich, powrót do ustandaryzowanej produkcji był dla młodej artystki wielkim kontrastem. Mimo to udało jej się zmontować ze zwykłych półproduktów nową biżuterię o świeżym, innowacyjnym i nadającym się do powtórzenia wzornictwie. Jej prace brały z powodzeniem udział również w kilku międzynarodowych wystawach biżuterii z Jablonca. W latach 1968 i 1971 była zapraszana do udziału w ważnych jabloneckich sympozjach Střibrný Šperk a następne sympozja autorskiej biżuterii absolwowała w latach 80. i 90. w Turnovie. Jej biżuteria skłania się ku abstrakcji geometrycznej, odzwierciedlając odległą inspirację tym nurtem artystycznym przez niektóre dzieła z dziedziny sztuk pięknych. Używała w swojej twórczości nie tylko srebro, ale także blachę miedzianą, pokrytą kolorowymi emaliami. Później używała w swojej twórczości również szylkret lub kamienie szlachetne. Niektóre serie biżuterii srebrnej odzwierciedlają wpływ abstrakcji strukturalnej, która oprócz geometrii jest również bardzo bliska artystce. W ciągu czterdziestu lat swojej twórczości Eleonora Reytharová miała ponad dziesięć wystaw indywidualnych, a także brała udział w dziesiątkach wystaw zbiorowych w Czechosłowacji, Czechach i wielu miejscach za granicą. Ten liczny szereg sukcesów produkcyjnych świadczy o ogromnej pracowitości autorki, która postanowiła podążać własną drogą zawsze wyrazistego wyrazu artystycznego, wyraźnie rozpoznawalnego na tle innych jubilerów. Do dziś w wywiadzie z tą niepozorną i skromną kobietą widać ogromną wewnętrzną siłę i determinację, z jaką zdawała się mimowolnie przeplatać przez życie drogą do dziesiątek własnych urzeczywistnień
THE EFFECT OF GARMENT CUTTING ON FIBER LENGTH RETENTION IN WOOL-BLEND OFFCUTS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR FUTURE USE IN RECYCLED YARN PRODUCTION
Full text linkThe growing demand for sustainable textile production highlights the importance for effective recycling of pre-consumer textile waste, particularly wool and wool blends. Production highlights the importance of recycling pre-consumer textile waste to minimize the environmental impact. While many studies focus on fiber recycling, few investigate the root cause of the fiber shortening during the cutting and shredding process. This study investigates how cutting fabric impacts fiber retention in recycled yarn production, focusing on three common knit patterns—Rib 1x1, Double Jersey, and Interlock. Using a 70% wool and 30% silk blend, the study identifies optimal cutting dimensions to minimize fiber loss during recycling. Experimental analyses of fabric samples (1–10 cm lengths) revealed that cuts of approximately 7 cm effectively preserved fiber lengths across all patterns, with confidence intervals demonstrating consistent retention. Image processing techniques further categorized leftover materials, enabling their allocation to specific spinning processes (short-staple, medium-staple, and long-staple). The findings contribute to optimizing recycling processes, improving fiber retention, advancing circular economy practices in textile production, and hold potential for practical implementation in automated recycling systems and enhanced yarn production workflows
Expanding Les Grands Ateliers
Full text linkThis thesis presents a comprehensive architectural proposal for the expansion of Les Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine, France. Developed as part of an international design competition, the project reimagines the site as a cohesive, sustainable campus that supports experimental pedagogy, research, and public engagement.
The proposed design integrates all programmatic elements into a single, unified masterplan. It includes a new residential building accommodating approximately 64 students and researchers, paired with a "laboratory for co-creation"a collaborative working space comprising offices, meeting rooms, and multipurpose areas, accessible from both the Astus platform and the adjacent road.
Beyond the core building, the design extends across the full 2-hectare site to incorporate a variety of campus functions. These include a prototype village for outdoor experimentation with full-scale constructions, as well as facilities traditionally envisioned for long-term development: a small conference center, expanded dining and exhibition areas, recreational zones, and supporting amenities such as bike storage, laundry, and wellness spaces. The proposal treats these not as phased additions but as essential components of a fully functioning, integrated campus from the outset.
The project emphasizes ecological responsibility, resource efficiency, and user-centered design. Key strategies include enhanced site accessibility, clear circulation paths, and strong visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape. The design positions Les Grands Ateliers as a living laboratoryan environment where architectural experimentation, education, and community are interwoven to meet the challenges of contemporary practice.This thesis presents a comprehensive architectural proposal for the expansion of Les Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine, France. Developed as part of an international design competition, the project reimagines the site as a cohesive, sustainable campus that supports experimental pedagogy, research, and public engagement.
The proposed design integrates all programmatic elements into a single, unified masterplan. It includes a new residential building accommodating approximately 64 students and researchers, paired with a "laboratory for co-creation"a collaborative working space comprising offices, meeting rooms, and multipurpose areas, accessible from both the Astus platform and the adjacent road.
Beyond the core building, the design extends across the full 2-hectare site to incorporate a variety of campus functions. These include a prototype village for outdoor experimentation with full-scale constructions, as well as facilities traditionally envisioned for long-term development: a small conference center, expanded dining and exhibition areas, recreational zones, and supporting amenities such as bike storage, laundry, and wellness spaces. The proposal treats these not as phased additions but as essential components of a fully functioning, integrated campus from the outset.
The project emphasizes ecological responsibility, resource efficiency, and user-centered design. Key strategies include enhanced site accessibility, clear circulation paths, and strong visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape. The design positions Les Grands Ateliers as a living laboratoryan environment where architectural experimentation, education, and community are interwoven to meet the challenges of contemporary practice
Snowfall development in the Jizera mountains in 2004-2024 period
No full textPráce se zabývá vývojem sněhových srážek na území Jizerských hor v 20letém období, a to mezi lety 2004 a 2024, kdy první data jsou z 1.1.2004 a poslední z 31.12.2023. K porovnání vývoje byly vybrány 3 meteorologické stanice ve správě Českého hydrometeorologického ústavu (ČHMÚ) a to stanice Bedřichov, Josefův Důl a Desná-Souš. Vývoj byl poté hodnocen na základě 3 kritérií a to denního úhrnu srážek, výšky nového sněhu a celkové výšky sněhové pokrývky na vybraných meteorologických stanicích.This thesis focuses on the development of snowfall in the Jizera Mountains over a 20-year period, specifically from 2004 to 2024, with the first data recorded on January 1, 2004, and the last on December 31, 2023. For the purpose of comparing the development, three meteorological stations managed by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) were selected: Bedřichov, Josefův Důl, and Desná-Souš. The development was assessed based on three criteria: daily precipitation totals, new snow depth, and total snow cover height at the selected meteorological stations
SUTURE RETENTION STRENGTH OF BILAYER VASCULAR GRAFTS MADE OF PCL, PLA AND THEIR COPOLYMER
Full text linkThe mechanical characteristics of small-diameter vascular grafts, including factors like modulus, elasticity, compliance, burst strength, and suture retention strength, need to be in line with those of native blood vessels. Even a slight mismatch in mechanical properties between the graft and the native vessel can lead to graft failure. Suture retention strength, a critical mechanical aspect, represents the force needed to remove a stitch from the graft or cause the graft wall to rupture. This property is vital for preventing leaks, maintaining proper blood flow, aiding tissue healing, ensuring long-term durability, and reducing complications in vascular grafts. In this study, bilayered vascular grafts are fabricated by electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) polymers. The actual suturing conditions of vascular scaffolds are simulated and how the choice of polymer for the inner layer affects suture retention strength is assessed. At the post-mechanical stage, the morphologies of the scaffolds are investigated to gain a clearer understanding of how the material reacts to applied forces. The findings reveal that all the fabricated bilayer vascular scaffolds exhibit excellent suture performance, with strength values exceeding 10 N, and that polymer selection for the inner layer for the grafts significantly influences the results. Blending PCL and PLA in the inner layer is found to reduce suture retention strength, while using neat polymers results in better retention strength. This experiment offers a more precise assessment of suture retention strength for bilayer vascular grafts, facilitating further optimization of tissueengineered grafts to meet specific mechanical requirements