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This paper aims to find the optimal deposition conditions for achieving the homogenous structure of the silver layers onto three types of polymeric substrates as well as on the rigid substrates. For this reason, the detailed investigation of the silver-based layers deposited at different technological conditions by microscopic methods is presented in this paper.

The special test pattern has been designed and deposited at different substrate temperatures by using two types of generally available silver-based nano-inks. Cross-sections and 3D profiles of the deposited silver layers have been profoundly analysed by using the optical profiler Sensofar S Neox on the generally used polymeric (PI, PET and PEN) and rigid substrates (951 and 9K7 LTCC, glass and alumina).

The results prove the strong correlation between the substrate temperature during the deposition process and the final shape of the created structure which has the a direct impact on the layers’ homogeneity. The results also prove the theory of the coffee ring effect creation in the inkjet printing technology.

The main benefit of this paper lies in the possibility of the homogeneity achievement of the deposited silver-based layers on the several polymeric and rigid substrates by managing the temperature during the deposition. The paper also offers the comparative study of nano-inks’ behaviour on several polymeric and rigid substrates.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of various firing profiles on microstructural and dielectric properties of low-temperature, co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrates in a GHz frequency range. According these analyses, sintering process can be controlled and modified to achieve better performance of devices fabricated from LTCC substrates.

Samples from LTCC substrates GreenTape 951 and GreenTape 9K7 were sintered by four firing profiles. Basic firing profile recommended by the manufacturer was modified by increasing the peak temperature or the dwell time at the peak temperature. The influence of firing profile on microstructural properties was analysed according to measurements by X-ray diffractometer (application of the Cu K-alpha radiation and the Bragg-Brentano method), and the influence on dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dielectric losses) was analysed according to measurements by split cylinder resonator method at 9.7 and 12.5 GHz.

Rising of the peak temperature or extension of dwell time at this temperature has influence on all analysed properties of LTCC substrates. Size of crystallites can be changed by modification of firing profile as well as microdeformation. In addition, dielectric properties can be changed too by modification of the firing profile. Correlation between microdeformation and dielectric losses was observed.

The novelty of this work lies in finding the mutual relationship between changes in microstructural (size of grains and microdeformation) and dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dielectric losses) caused by different firing profiles.

Even in established economies, empirical studies on the relationship between business incubation and firm performance do not show unequivocally positive results. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this debate based on the empirical evidence from the under-researched Central and Eastern European region in which no similar study has been conducted before. Due to the shorter experience with the management of business incubators and less developed institutions, business incubators may not be so effective in supporting their tenants in this region.

The authors utilise firm-level data from incubated Czech enterprises (n=205) founded after 2003 and compare them with those that have not received support from incubators. The authors implement three matching techniques to pair incubated and non-incubated companies. The outcome variables measured sales, price-cost margin, assets turnover, value added, size of total assets and size of personnel costs.

Compared to the control group, incubated firms reported on average lower values of the above-mentioned indicators. Presented study shows that Czech incubators have not been successful in supporting growth of incubated firms.

The study suggests that there is a clear room for improvements. Incubators should improve in attracting and selecting high potentials and in providing more effective support focussed on tenants’ growth, whereas policymakers should exercise stricter control regarding the money spent and effectiveness of incubators.

The empirical analysis was conducted based on the research gap in the studies related to the impact of business incubation in the under-researched Central and Eastern European region. It also shows that positive results from similar studies done in established economies cannot be taken for granted as they depend on the quality of institutions in a particular country.

This study aims to extend the existing body of literature on the individual-level determinants of self-employed persons with (employer entrepreneurs) and without employees (solo self-employed individuals) from the perspective of four post-communist economies (i.e. Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia).

The methodological approach is based on the three harmonised waves (2005, 2010 and 2015) of the European Survey on Working Conditions (EWCS). Multi-variate logistic regression models are used to determine the individual-level differences among employees, solo self-employed individuals and job creators in the selected group of countries.

The results show significant differences among employees, solo self-employed individuals and job creators, especially when it comes to the role of age, gender, education, previous experience, number of working hours and their determination. Job creators in Visegrád countries have, on average, more years of experience, and higher levels of education (tertiary), than wage-employees.

This study provides a series of recommendations for future research on the role of family- and household-related characteristics, entrepreneurship-specific education and migration background.

The previous research on individual determinants of entrepreneurial engagement in Visegrád region was mainly based on the data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. This study offers a novel perspective based on the EWCS data.