Publisher: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství

34.70 €

Europe in World Economy: Historical perspective

Evropa ve světové ekonomice: Historická perspektiva

Author(s): Oldřich Krpec,Vladan Hodulák / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: World Economy; Europe; Economic history; Commercial strength; Political and economic development; Economic activity; Market coordination;

The goal of this book is to present one possible account of a great story in economic history – how Europe moved from the geographical, commercial, and possibly even cultural periphery to transform and eventually dominate the entire world by the 19th Century through commercial, political, and military strength. From a relatively underdeveloped region on the margins of the Eurasian landmass, the region we now call Europe became the indispensable player in directing the political and economic development of the entire planet. This unprecedented dominance of a single region in the world was built not only by military strength, but also by specific religious, cultural, and political institutions.In our view, the fundamental condition for this success is the truly revolutionary effectiveness of Europe’s economic foundation, which consisted of two main elements. The first was the foundation and development of the nation-state, which presented a specific method of the political organization of its population within a particular territory. The second is the utilization of the institution of the market, which, under the proper conditions, was found to be an extremely effective way to coordinate human economic activity.

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0.00 €

Child welfare discourses and practices in the Czech lands: the segregation of Roma and disabled children during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Child welfare discourses and practices in the Czech lands: the segregation of Roma and disabled children during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Author(s): Victoria Shmidt / Language(s): English

Keywords: Child welfare; Czech lands; segregation of Roma; 19th-20th century; Education; Egalitarianism against Elitism;

In terms of methodological approaches, this book puts together eugenic studies and the segregation of Roma in order to indicate the new approaches to exploring the impact of the past on the current policies and routine practices in post-socialist world. It is possible to differentiate two camps of social scientists who practice historical method for reinforcing their attitudes towards the segregation of the Roma. In terms of retrospective analysis, both camps focuson the socialist period as a source of current issues regarding Roma, their discrimination and the intractability of practices. The main difference between these camps is the way of explaining the issue of segregation. Performed by applied scientists who study the strategies for well-balanced co-existence of the Czech and Roma, the first camp of scholars reproduces various essentialist concepts regarding Roma – putting forward the insuperable difference between the “white” majority and Roma as a call for more tolerant attitude. Utilising trans-historical disclosure of “traditional” values, the other camp leads the sources of segregation to the inappropriate discourses disseminated amongst public as well as professionals. Catching others in the act of producing essentialist notion, these scholars often criticise the first camp but remain unable to construct the sustainable alternative to segregation. While the critical response to the first camp connects it with the previous practices and policies of segregation, the critical deconstruction of post-socialist trans-historis mensures the necessity of deeper contextualization in order to recognise options for sustainable integration.

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0.00 €

The Socializing Voyage of the Video Game Player

The Socializing Voyage of the Video Game Player

Author(s): Pascaline Lorentz / Language(s): English

Keywords: Video gaming; The Sims®; Socialization; Role-taking; Self:

Video gaming proffers manifold possibilities in role taking and requires players to entertain dialogues with various interlocutors in online and offline contexts. Online games have been extensively studied. Yet, we wonder what happen through the offline interaction between the player and their avatars. This work shows that, while playing with The Sims®, players undertake a socializing voyage through several stops: simulation, anticipation, experimentation, embezzlement and interdependence. Throughout their experiences video gamers extend their awareness and their plasticity to increase their social flexibility. At the end of their voyage, players achieve a better understanding of their social world. The socializing voyage is the micro level of the video-ludological socialization developed elsewhere.

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28.30 €

Through a Strange Landscape: Characteristics and Inner Structuring of Fantastic Literature

Po divné krajině: Charakteristika a vnitřní členění fantastické literatury

Author(s): Tereza Dědinová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Fantastic literature; theoretical specifications; Czech literature; Translation studies; Paul Kincaid; Brian Attebery; Fantastic elements;

The art of fantastic literature has been nowadays an influential cultural phenomenon. This monograph aims to initiate a broader discussion about the fantastic literature and to draw attention to the inspiring dilemma of its reflection. The text of the monograph is divided into two parts; in the first part, the theoretical specification of the fantastic literature is laid, in the second part, a typology of the fantastic literature is defined in accordance with the analysis of primary Czech literature as well as with translations of primary sources. In the first part, various approaches to the definition of the fantastic literature within the Czech and the worldwide context are introduced. Apart from that, the terms under which a text can be considered fantastic are specified: it needs to be a fiction, not a religious or a mythical text, neither an output of a mental defect. The principal idea of the first part of the monograph is to introduce my own intuitive definition of the fantastic literature which is based on Wittgenstein’s concept of family resemblances, a prototype theory, architextuality and fuzzy sets and which relates to the fantastic literature’s theoreticians Paul Kincaid and Brian Attebery.

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16.50 €

Physical activity: Sociological perspective

Pohybové aktivity pohledem sociologie

Author(s): Aleš Sekot / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Human physical activity; healthy and active lifestyle; quality of life; sport studies; mass culture; obesity prevention; relation of sport and sedentary society;

Human physical activity plays an increasingly important role in scientific interest regarding the way of life of contemporary society and it is a very important factor in policy-making towards improving the level of healthy and active lifestyle, quality oflife and health in general. We live in a time when society, culture and science have become increasingly aware of the great importance of sport not only as a part of mass culture, but broadly understood, for individual and social health and well-being.The indispensable role of physical activity in the course of human life has been permanently scientifically confirmed also in the context of obesity prevention. The development of a sedentary lifestyle is the result of a socialization process leading to lack of physical activity developed in youth and continued into adulthood. At present we face the following apparent tendency in our cultural setting: People are more and more individualized, loosing beneficial impacts of community activities, involved in passive way of life lacking proper level of physical activities and active sports. Some preliminary data of the hit her to progress research of physical activity in the Czech population are presented to describe the specific relation of sport and sedentary society. As to mass sports, the Czech Republic is strongly influenced by the existence of new development of urban structures, including fitness centres, cycle paths, roller skates stadiums, beach volleyball playing fields, golf courses. The interpretation of relevant results regarding the situation of sports and physical activities in the Czech population has been considered in this context.

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24.50 €

"Media on Move: On the Transformation of the Current Czech Audiences"

Média v pohybu: K proměně současných českých publik

Author(s): Jakub Macek / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Media studies; audience studies; media audiences; mass media; new media; digital media;

This book presents the research findings from a three-year project entitled “New and Old Media in Everyday Life: Media audiences in the time of transformational media usage”. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative insights and drawing upon Anthony Giddens’ Theory of Structuration, the author identifies four primary dimensions to the evolving transformation of current Czech media audiences: (1) the dematerialization of media content linked with the increased fragmentation of media-related practices as well as transforming relations between audiences and media producers, (2) the increasing mediatization of everyday life and social interactions, (3) notable shifts in audiences’ attitude towards shared public and political spheres and (4) a spatiotemporal transformation of everyday life.

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20.60 €

Factors Influencing CSR Reporting

Faktory ovlivňující CSR reportování

Author(s): Klára Kašparová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: CSR reporting; Economy tigers; Czech environment; Business economy; research methods; internal environment;

The foreign research results show that there exist a number of factors influencing the CSR reporting. The majority of research sample were the reports of thelarge corporations of the developed countries or of so called economy tigers. Therefore there arises a question whether the factors stipulated by these researches have any influence on approach to CSR reporting also in the Czech environment. For this reason, the target of the submitted research was to identify the factors influencing approach of businesses to CSR reporting in the Czech Republic. Their determination used two inter-connected research methods – content analysis and questioning.

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27.50 €

Direct and Indirect Funding of Non-profit Organisations from the Czech State Budget, 2008–2013

Přímé a nepřímé financování soukromých neziskových organizací z veřejných rozpočtů České republiky v letech 2008 až 2013

Author(s): Zuzana Prouzová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Economic power; non-governmental and non-profit organizations; Financial capital; Human capital; non-market production; producing goods;

The economic power of non-governmental and non-profit organizations (NGO-NPOs), whether considering the broader or narrower definition of the private non-profit sector, is not very large in comparison with other sectors. The distinguishing characteristic of the non-profit sector is that it exists in areas where common interest is promoted and public services are provided. These areas are less intensive in terms of financial capital, although they depend on human capital. The significance of NPOs lies in activating human capital, generating free voluntary work, creating free non-market production, and producing goods for economically insignificant prices. In 2008–2013, the definition of non-profit organizations developed by the Czech Statistical Office’s Satellite Account of Non profit Institutions (SÚNI) included 13 legal forms. There were 6 legal forms for NGO-NPOs (of which three forms were a mere selection. There were 84,000–127,000 organisations in the Czech Republic in total) for the years 2008–2013. In 2008, there were 66,000 NGO-NPOs. The share of non-profit organizations in GDP (calculated by means of the expenditure method) was 1.6%, in 2008. In 2008–2013, 100,000–105,000 people (full time equivalent) worked for non-profit organisations, i.e. the share in the employment rate was 1.96–2.09 %. Volunteering also played an important role (25,000–27,000 volunteers, full time equivalent).

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20.66 €

They didn’t Allow Their Exclusion: Social Rise of the Roma in Czech Society

Nenechali se vyloučit: Sociální vzestupy Romů v české společnosti (kvalitativní studie)

Author(s): Laura Fónadová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Roma people; ethnic minorities; Czech society; social barriers; socio-economic position of Roma;

The aim of this book is to present the circumstances and life strategies that contributed in that some Roma people have managed to cross the ethnically conditioned social barriers and achieve higher socioeconomic positions. in a social context where most Roma people remain tied to lowest social classes. Based on qualitative surveys and the qualitative analysis, the book offers and answer how some Roma people included in the study managed to overcome ethnically defined social barriers and reach a higher social position (such as the advancement within the education system or the success in the job market) compared to that of their parents.

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20.66 €

The Influence of Quality on Corporate Performance and Competitiveness

Vliv kvality na výkonnost a konkurenceschopnost podniku

Author(s): Petr Suchánek,Maria Králová,Peter Marinič,Jana Pokorná,Martina Rešlová,Jiří Richter,Milan Sedláček / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Quality; corporate performance; corporate competitiveness; product quality; quality management;

The main outcome of this publication is a model describing the influence of the product quality (including customer satisfaction) on the company performance (including the relationship of product quality of a company and its competitors). Particular model variables (factors) were analyzed to determine statistical significance of their mutual relationship. Simultaneously, the research concerns the interaction of quality management system, company performance, cost management, and quality certificates. In line with this theoretical approach, the model has been extended into the field of quality management system. Moreover, the model became dynamic. From a statistical point of view, mutual interaction of sub- variables (factors) in the model but not the model as a whole was confirmed.

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16.53 €

Personal Finance

Osobní finance

Author(s): Petr Málek,Gabriela Oškrdalová,Petr Valouch / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Personal finance; family finances; money markets; investment portfolio; management; financial risks;

The book “Personal Finance” is designed as the first introduction for students of all disciplines and specialties to personal and family finances. In the introductory part, the course deals with fundamental aspects of personal and family finances, financial, equity and money markets, and investment portfolio, its formation and management. The following units are focused on loans, savings and investment, risk and hedging against risk, insurance, system of payment, and electronic banking. Moreover, the topics of housing, personal and family goals and their planning and execution will not be left out. In the context of this course, students also receive information on selected areas of personal and family finances over the world.

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16.50 €

Value and e-business

Hodnota a e-business

Author(s): Alena Klapalová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Value; e-Business; customer demands; information and commnication technologies;

The essence of the existence of any business is the creation and realization of value. From a semantic point of view the value is the multi-dimensional concept. The one of the most often desired and followed-up objective of managers is the growth of added value. This value – well expressed in financial units - gives the answer to the question of how the company was successful in a certain period, but does not answer the question why the company was successful or not. Different values are expected by different stakeholders and the rate of their satisfaction with the level they get has impact on added value and value for company shareholders as well. The value is the basic category for the act of exchange or transaction betweeen entitities, specifically in this work as entities we mean companies. One of the two or more participants of this act is the customer looking for a value that satisfies his/her needs the best. Precisely the value for customer is crucial for a successful and sustainable company's survival.

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32.98 €

Risk Management in Insurance

Řízení rizik v pojišťovnictví

Author(s): František Řezáč / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Risk management; insurance; insurance-based risk; insurance practice; risk of fire and flood;

The aim of the monograph is to expand the reader’s theoretical knowledge of insurance-based risk management and to generalize the findings of specific research studies. At the same time it is intended to provide concrete evidence of insurance practice. The monograph is devoted both to an exposition of the theory of risk management and to the practice of risk management in selected insurance companies. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between risk and valuation. The publication also lists examples of models in risk management relating to both companies and individuals, specifically those involving solutions to protect against the risk of fire and flood.

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15.62 €

The image of Gypsy in the Spanish lexicography

La imagen del gitano en la lexicografía española

Author(s): Ivo Buzek / Language(s): Spanish

Keywords: Spanish lexicography; image of Gypsy; Spanish language; etymology; contemporary Spanish;

The monograph deals with the history of treatment that receive lexical units of Gypsy origin in Spanish monolingual dictionaries, especially in the editions of the normative Spanish Royal Academy dictionary of the Spanish language. The issue is being studied from the quantitative as well as qualitative point of view, i.e. the evolution of definitions, lexicographical marcs and etymological notes. Special attention is paid to the evolution of their treatment in the microstructure. The results from Spanish Royal Academy dictionary are then compared with the treatment that receive these words in the dictionary of contemporary Spanish by Manuel Seco et al.

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20.60 €

The Three Archetypes of European Social Policy

Tři archetypy evropské sociální politiky

Author(s): František Svoboda / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Economics; desire for justice; European Social Policy; use of private property for philanthropic and charitable purposes;

A brief look into an etymological dictionary will show that the term economics is indirectly derived from the word nemein, meaning distribute, allot, apportion one‘s due. This implication is connected with the name of the Greek goddess of vengeance, Nemesis. The word economics therefore includes more than just a concern for economy: italso embodies the desire for justice.With respect to justice, the book does not consider its commutative form, but rather the distributive branch, where the examined problem consists in the use of private property for philanthropic and charitable purposes as opposed to the selfishness of one’s own benefit. In its final shape, the text subsumes three institutions of charity, or three universal patterns of behavior transmitted by education and culture, whose long line of development within European civilization can be followed from today’s complex system of social policies back to the realizations adopted in ancient Greece and Rome, obviously not excluding the essential intermezzo of medieval Christianity. The three institutions of charity are as follows: a gift (or alms), work (or an offer of sustenance), and loan. Eventhough specific activities of charitable organizations have been periodically transformed along with changes within the cultural and economic milieu, the patterns of human behavior remained the same.

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11.16 €

Fletcherian Dramatic Achievement: A Study in the Mature Plays of John Fletcher (1579–1625)

Fletcherian Dramatic Achievement: A Study in the Mature Plays of John Fletcher (1579–1625)

Author(s): Pavel Drábek / Language(s): English

Keywords: John Fletcher; Fletcherian style; Baroque mode; Fletcherian drama; mature plays; 1579-1625;

The mature plays of John Fletcher, Shakespeare’s collaborator and successor with the King’s Men, have received little critical attention. This book analyzes the specifics of mature Fletcherian style, proposing a reading that agrees with the Baroque mode. Special attention is given to anachronistic conventions that have been appllied to Fletcherian drama.

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20.60 €

Continuous improvement and eco-innovation in a company

Zlepšování a environmentální inovace v podniku

Author(s): Viktor Kulhavý / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: eco-innovations; innovation activities; planned behaviour; environmental innovation;

The publication presents theoretical foundations of continuous improvement and environmental innovation in a company. The interdisciplinary issue is being scrutinized from the perspective of management, organizational psychology and conservation psychology. The neccessary research framework is provided by the theory of planned behaviour. The aim of the conducted research was to find out in what ways employees of a particular business take part in the innovation activities and eco-innovations development. Alongside the theoretical model derived from the theory of planned behaviour has been subject to verification. In this way the appropriateness of employee behavioural intention to make amotion to innovation was examined. It can be summarized that the environmental innovation proposals are not perceived by the employees of the company as a common practice in the process of innovation development. The innovation activities have from a point of view of the foremen and the moderators the aim of productivity increase and making work easier. For the labourers it means above all financial gain as a reward for the innovation proposals. The moderators –according to their opinion – incite the labourers to suggest eco-innovations, however the labourers alone do not perceive their improvement proposals to be environmentally sound.

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24.71 €

Expressivity in the language of fairy tales in German and Czech

Expressivität in der Sprache der Märchen im Deutschen und im Tschechischen

Author(s): Anna Mikulová / Language(s): German

Keywords: Expressivity; fairy tales; German; Czech; emotionality; phonology; morphology; syntax; lexis; translation;

The monograph deals with the issues of expressivity (emotionality) in language. It starts with a theoretical chapter about the development and characteristics of fairy tales, fairy tales of German and Czech provenance are then analysed and compared. The author categorizes language expressivity at different language levels: phonetic, morphologic and word formation, syntactic and lexical, as well as those relating to text-linguistic, pragmatic and stylistic aspects of the utterance. The book also discusses translation problems, i.e. comparison of the original and the translation. The monograph analyses selected fairy tales by brothers Grimm, Clemens von Brentano, Michael Ende, Karel Jaromír Erben, Božena Němcová and Karel Čapek and presents examples of expressivity at several language levels.

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20.66 €

Humour at School

Humor ve škole

Author(s): Klára Šeďová / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: School humour; pupils; teachers; humorous experience; social life; relations between pupils and teachers;

The book is devoted to the phenomenon of school humour. It brings the results of original empirical research, where data source is based on written narratives of pupils and teachers describing their humorous experiences from school. Typical forms of school humour and functions that humor fulfills in social life and relations of pupils and teachers are examined through narrative analysis of the texts.

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23.14 €

To the theory of Russian literature and its context

K teorii ruské literatury a jejím souvislostem

Author(s): Ivo Pospíšil / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Russian literature; theory of literature; Slavic languages; history of Russian literature; comparative history of literature;

From a theoretical point of view the Russian literature is highly inspiring in its specific development from the Middle Ages to the present. Based on the research of literary theory and history in the broader context of Slavic languages and literatures the author outlines in several related studies the concept of the theory and history of Russian literature viewed from positions of comparative and genre studies in the background of several other Slavic and European literatures. As a natural part of Slavonic Studies this work follows current attempts to reinvent the theory and history of Slavic literatures. The text can also be seen as a preparatory study for designing comparative history of Russian literature and Slavic Literatures.

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