Balancing urban growth and green solutions: Rooftop hydroponic farming in the Czech Republic

The logistics sector has become an integral component of the urban fabric, significantly influencing the gateway areas of cities. In Central Europe, the rapid expansion of warehouse infrastructure has been particularly notable, with the total net warehouse area reaching 59 million square meters in 2023. This development contributes to the formation of urban heat islands, which adversely impact the microclimate of nearby cities, exacerbating environmental challenges. The need for sustainable solutions to balance urban not only logistics growth with environmental preservation is increasingly urgent. This article explores the benefits and challenges of rooftop hydroponic farming through a case study conducted in July and August 2024 in the Czech Republic. The presented research is based on the students’ project “Lettuce on the roof” that integrates advanced hydroponic technology with the local rooftop environment and market conditions, contributing to sustainability, food security, and urban resilience. Key findings demonstrate that the hydroponic farm effectively reduced roof and surrounding temperatures, enhancing thermal regulation and building energy efficiency. The project achieved several months production of lettuce and herbs, with a short and efficient distribution chain ensuring fresh produce reached customers quickly. However, logistical complexities and the maintenance requirements of the selected concept present challenges, highlighting areas for improvement. These results underscore the potential of rooftop hydroponics as a viable urban agriculture solution, although future research should address operational scalability and optimization financial strategies for long-term sustainability

The intersection of ecological leadership and GHRM: A blueprint for a circular economy

The circular economy now plays a crucial role in addressing ecological challenges. The exact function of green human management (GHRM) in transitioning to a circular economy has yet to be determined. Manufacturing firms are taking steps to enhance their sustainability practices to support the circular economy. The relationship between organizational green actions and GHRM in the transition to a circular economy remains uncertain. This study intends to discover the relationship among manufacturing firms’ ecological leadership, green HR practices, green innovations, and circular economy models to enhance sustainable performance. 234 survey questionnaires from Pakistani small and medium-sized manufacturing industries were evaluated using structural equation modelling with partial least squares. GHRM had a positive and significant impact on circular economy and green innovation actions, as shown by the findings. This framework is specifically designed for manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan. The architecture can be adapted to different industries with minor modifications. The study may be biased due to its reliance on management and specialists. This study’s findings will significantly contribute to human resources managers and SME owner-managers by clarifying the significance and interplay of essential green innovation components and GHRM. This will enlighten awareness of ecological leadership, circular economy, and GHRM practices for sustainable performance. The proposed framework simplifies the connection between ecological leadership, GHRM components, and circular economy for practitioners and decision-makers. Environmental leaders effectively encourage businesses to invest in proactive environmental strategies, lower pollution control, and enhance the performance of green innovation, all while promoting a green image and advancing environmental protection practices. This study determines the appropriate relationship between ecological leadership, circular economy, and GHRM components in the limited Pakistani manufacturing SME environment

Vývoj funkcionalizovaných vláknitých struktur

This habilitation thesis is a set of selected published scientific papers or engineering papers supplemented with a commentary according to §72 paragraph 3-point Act No. 111/1998 Coll. on universities. In total, the full set of scientific paper contains 24 research works published in impact factor journals and 2 published books. The chosen scientific papers are mainly focused on the study of fibrous structures for functional properties. The fibrous structures' peculiarities are explained where the important structural properties, such as porosity, are described. The possibilities of using different materials to boost selected functional properties are discussed. The development of nanoporous membranes by using electrospinning and electrospraying techniques are described. The efficacy of middle layers in multi-layered fibrous structures are detailed and embedding polyethylene glycol in silica aerogel, polytetrafluoroethylene fibrous layer filled with Aerogels and Phase Change Materials, aerogel-coated Kevlar Woven Fabrics, and PEG/Metal particle-coated viscose fabric is also described. The application of advanced structures for enhanced functionality is also provided. The conclusion summarizes this research topic's findings, benefits, and future direction.Tato habilitační práce je souborem vybraných publikovaných vědeckých prací nebo technických prací doplněných komentářem podle §72 odst. 3 písm. zákona č. 111/1998 Sb. o vysokých školách. Celkem soubor vědeckých prací obsahuje 24 vědeckých prací publikovaných v časopisech s impakt faktorem a 2 vydané knihy. Vybrané vědecké práce jsou zaměřeny především na studium vlákenných struktur z hlediska funkčních vlastností. Jsou vysvětleny zvláštnosti vlákenných struktur, kde jsou popsány důležité strukturní vlastnosti, jako je např. porózita. Jsou diskutovány možnosti využití různých materiálů pro zvýšení vybraných funkčních vlastností. Je popsán vývoj nanoporézních membrán pomocí technik elektrospinningu a elektrosprejování. Podrobně je popsána účinnost středních vrstev ve vícevrstvých vláknitých strukturách a zapouštění polyethylenglykolu do křemičitého aerogelu, polytetrafluorethylenová vlákenná vrstva plněná aerogely a materiály s fázovou změnou, kevlarové tkaniny potažené aerogely a viskózová tkanina potažená částicemi PEG/kovu. Je rovněž uvedena aplikace pokročilých struktur pro zvýšení funkčnosti vlákenných struktur. V závěru jsou shrnuty poznatky, přínosy a budoucí směřování tohoto výzkumného tématu

Analysis of circular strategies: A case study of the food processing industry

This research investigates the implementation of the circular economy in the Galician canned fish and seafood sector. This sector is crucial, producing 225,000 t annually and representing 75% of Spain’s total production, significantly contributing to the regional economy and employment. Moreover, this industry significantly contributes to the regional economy employing around 12,000 people. Using the PESTLE methodology, the study systematically and holistically examines the most relevant systems and actors in the sector. The analysis is complemented by a SWOT analysis, enriched through brainstorming sessions with 24 industry experts who evaluated and scored each factor’s importance from 0 to 1. From the analysis of the external environment of the circular strategy that the industry is exposed to and does not control, economic uncertainty is identified as the main threat (0.8) and technological innovation as the main opportunity (0.9). The internal environment analysis, influenced by the industry’s current situation, identified the main weakness of the circular strategy as high implementation costs, and the main strength is institutional and regulatory support (0.9). The results highlight significant institutional and regulatory support, availability of public subsidies, and strong technological and research capabilities as major strengths. However, the sector faces challenges such as dependence on public funding, high implementation costs, and a lack of qualified workforce. Opportunities include growing demand for sustainable products and technological innovation, while threats encompass economic uncertainty and global competition. The conclusions emphasize the need for strategic management of these factors to ensure the successful adoption of circular economy practices. Specifically, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors, increasing investment in innovation and workforce training, and leveraging favorable legislation are crucial for improving the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness. By strategically managing these elements, the Galician canned fish and seafood sector can not only enhance its environmental sustainability but also achieve greater economic resilience and market competitiveness. This comprehensive approach ensures that the sector can effectively transition to a circular economy, benefiting both the environment and the industry’s long-term viability

Examining remittances, emissions, and tourism as drivers of financial well-being and sustainability in post-Soviet nations

This study aims to analyse the importance of inward remittances, greenhouse gas emissions, and international tourism in mitigating income disparity in post-Soviet countries, thus improving financial well-being and fostering sustainable practices. Panel data analysis was conducted using annual data from 15 post-Soviet nations, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. The key findings are that a positive shock in greenhouse gas emissions leads to increased income inequality, thereby reducing financial well-being and sustainable adoption. On the other hand, a positive shock in international tourism reduces income inequality and enhances financial well-being, promoting sustainable adoption among the post-Soviet population. Lastly, a positive shock in inward remittances promotes income inequality and reduces financial well-being, although this effect was not statistically significant. The study adds to the limited literature on financial well-being and sustainable adoption. The articles contextually focus on the post-Soviet nations, which are still in the early development phase and thus offer useful implications for developing countries. The study offers useful implications for policymakers, who can leverage the findings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote international tourism. This can help reduce the prevalent income disparity, thereby promoting financial well-being, which is aligned with UNSDG 8.1. Enhanced financial well-being is linked to sustainable consumption, which is a key element of the circular economy

Advertisement in the FC Slovan Liberec club

Bakalářská práce se zabývá analýzou reklamní a marketingové činnosti ve fotbalovém klubu FC Slovan Liberec, přičemž zkoumá široké spektrum aktivit od tradičních forem až po moderní digitální strategie. Práce vychází z teoretického vymezení pojmů sportovního marketingu a reklamy, čímž vytváří pevný základ pro následnou analýzu. Ta se zaměřuje na konkrétní formy marketingové komunikace uplatňované v praxi. Důležitou součástí práce je rovněž srovnávací studie historických marketingových dat s aktuálními výsledky, která umožňuje identifikovat trendy a vyhodnotit efektivitu dlouhodobých strategií. V neposlední řadě práce vyhodnocuje ekonomický přínos reklamy pro klub. V závěrečné práci jsou popsány rozvojové směry, které by mohly podpořit růst klubu FC Slovan Liberec a její konkurenceschopnost v rámci České republiky.Bachelor's thesis analyzes the advertising and marketing activities within the football club FC Slovan Liberec, examining a broad spectrum of activities ranging from traditional forms to modern digital strategies. The work is grounded in a theoretical definition of the concepts of sports marketing and advertising, providing a solid foundation for the subsequent analysis. This analysis focuses on the specific forms of marketing communication applied in practice. An important part of the thesis also involves a comparative study of historical marketing data with current results, which allows for the identification of trends and the evaluation of the effectiveness of long-term strategies. Furthermore, the work evaluates the economic benefits of advertising for the club. The concluding section of the thesis describes potential development directions that could support the growth of FC Slovan Liberec and its competitiveness within the Czech Republic

Leadership role in sustainable future of circular economy: Climate, economy, and environment interplay

The issue of climate change is a significant concern in contemporary society characterized by a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Asian nations are also dealing with issues related to climate change. The objective of this study is to ascertain the relationship between climate change and its impact on both the economy and the environment. This research examines the moderating influence of leadership skills on the variables of climate change, the economy, and the environment. The study employed a time lag research design to gather data in Pakistan. The analysis was based on a structural equation modelling approach with a sample size of 4,243 participants. The results suggest that leadership skills have a significant moderating impact on the relationship between climate change and the economy, and between climate change and the environment. The research highlights the impact of climate change on the economy and environment of a developing nation. The findings indicate that effective leadership abilities are necessary to manage environmental and economic conditions for long-term sustainability. The study holds significant implications for both theoretical and practical domains, particularly in enhancing climate control by incorporating leadership competencies. This research contributes to the concept of circular economy by showcasing the complex relationship between climate change, environment, economy, and leadership. The research extends noteworthy avenues for future exploration, laying the foundation for further contributions to the existing body of literature related to circular economy

Stakeholder pressure, circular economy, and SME performance: The role of green innovation in emerging markets

Addressing the factors influencing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and how they affect their performance is essential for both researchers and practitioners. While the literature has extensively investigated the economic and environmental aspects of the circular approach, it lacks empirical evidence regarding the societal considerations of the circular economy (CE). Using 381 valid responses of SME managers in Vietnam, we employed a quantitative methodology to investigate how stakeholder pressure (STP) and the moderating effect of green innovation (GE) affect CE practices (CEP), which accordingly influence corporate social responsibility participation (CSRP) and sustainable firm performance (SFP). The results revealed a positive correlation between STP, CEP, CSRP and SFP. The findings further indicate that GE moderates the link between CEP, CSRP and SFP. This study contributes significantly to CE literature by investigating the impact of CEP on sustainable performance in developing countries. It also provides a theoretical framework utilizing RBV theory, stakeholder theory, and network theory to promote CEP. Subsequently, this study sheds light on the importance of stakeholder pressure and green innovation in promoting CE practices and achieving greater sustainable performance within SMEs in emerging markets. Furthermore, the findings of this study present several implications for managers and policymakers as these insights can be utilized to formulate strategies and public policies aimed at bolstering support and advancement for CEP