doc. Mgr. Elena Kašťáková, PhD.

Participation in conducting (leading) the most important research projects or art projects over the last six years

VEGA 1/0039/20 (period 2020 - 2020) - The Importance of the Eurasian Economic Union for Shaping of EU Trade Strategies (with Implications for Slovakia), head of the research team. Extensive geoeconomic changes and ongoing transformation processes in the context of current international economic relations have increasingly influenced the future progress of territorial parts of international trade and thus the shaping of the EU trade strategies with an impact on the Slovak economy. The Central Asian region and the Eurasian Economic Union with a strong Russian presence are playing an important role in the EU's strategic trade relations with the world's powers – Russia, China, USA. The position of Central Asian countries significantly affects Asia's goods interconnection, especially China through Russia to the EU and other parts of Europe, where Slovakia plays an important role. The scientific project will examine the importance of the Eurasian Economic Union for shaping of the EU trade strategies, their influence on the Slovak economy, and, based on the evaluation of research results, identify possible solutions and prospective areas of mutual economic cooperation.

VEGA (in the period 2020 - 2022) No. 1/0777/20: Belt and Road initiative - opportunity or threat for the EU and Slovak export competitiveness?, a member of research team. Industry 4.0's upcoming trends enhance the use of comparative and competitive advantages across the international business environment. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a new element and has the potential to weaken international European industry (including Slovakia). Through the BRI project, Chinese exporters have more to promote on the European markets through the newly built strategic logistics interconnection. Since 2020 there are expected more significant consequences for European and Slovak exporters, impact on FDI inflow and endeavouring to "assimilate" European industrial know-how. Research is working with the scientific hypothesis that, under the influence of BRI the automotive and engineering industries will be more confronted industry, which is the main component of the Slovak economy. The question of participation of the Slovak Republic in the BRI and effective adaptation measures to counter its negative effects should therefore be an essential issue of the Strategy of External Economic Relations and Pro-Export Policy of the Slovak Republic.

VEGA 1/0546/17 (period 2017 - 2019) – Impact of the geopolitical changes on enforcement of the EU strategic foreign trade interests (with implications for the Slovak economy), head of the research team. The ongoing global geopolitical changes and adaption of EU foreign trade policy strategy to turbulent development of the world economy and international business environment in recent years have been accompanied by unexpected phenomena that have affected the stagnation and recession of the EU, and thus Slovak economy. To these aspects has significantly contributed a geopolitical tension in the Eastern Europe and creation of Eurasian Economic Union with a strong position of Russia. These and also other factors play an important role in the strategic development plans of the EU foreign trade relations. The project will examine the impact of the geopolitical changes and their consequences for promotion of strategic foreign trade interests of the EU, with focus on the Slovak economy. Based on the assessment of research conclusions, this project will provide possible solutions of mitigating the foreign trade implications on the EU and Slovak economies, which are already being affected by adverse global aspects.

VEGA 1/0897/17 (period 2017 - 2019) – "The importance of the European Energy Union project for the strategic goals of this group in the context of supporting the competitiveness of the Slovak economy", a member of the research team. The project focused on examining the relationship between energy policy across the EU Energy Union and economic growth. It also pointed to the current development of EU energy integration, the issue of energy security, but above all the project shown that the effect of decarbonization efforts on the competitiveness of European exports has great potential for sustainability and usability in the future.

HP 1-1/2017/KMO OF EUBA – "Perspective of electromobility on an international scale and within the Slovak Republic", solution period: September 2017 - June 2018" a member of the research team. The project focused on the development and state of electromobility on a global scale and its general determinants of progress in the world and in Slovakia. It determined the potential of the international market for electromobility until 2030 and evaluated the current state of electromobility in Slovakia with reference to possible scenarios of development until 2030.