Electricity transmission network investments are playing a key role in the integration process of power systems in the European Union. Given the magnitude of investment costs, their irreversibility, and their impact in the overall development of a region, accounting for the role of uncertainties as well as the involvement of multiple parties in the decision process allows for improved and more robust investment decisions. Even though the creation of this internal energy market requires attention to flexibility and strategic decision-making, existing literature and practitioners have not given proper attention to these topics. Using portfolios of real options, we present two stochastic mixed integer linear programming models for transmission network expansion planning. We study the importance of explicitly addressing uncertainties, the option to postpone decisions and other sources of flexibility in the design of transmission networks. In a case study based on the Azores archipelago we show how renewables penetration can increase by introducing contingency planning into the decision process considering generation capacity uncertainty. We also present a two-party Nash-Coase bargaining transmission capacity investment model. We illustrate optimal fair share cost allocation policies with a case study based on the Iberian market. Lastly, we develop a new model that considers both interconnection expansion planning under uncertainty and cross-border cost allocation based on portfolios of real options and Nash-Coase bargaining. The model is illustrated using Iberian transmission and market data.

Foreign investors are making larger investments in the Canadian venture capital (VC) market than Canadian investors, and Canadian VC exits are primarily M&As (Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, various years). This research provides a joint exploration of foreign venture capitalists’ (VCs) participation in Canada and outcomes of VC exits. Using binary logistic regression and multivariate linear regression, this paper reports that the presence of foreign VCs in the Canadian market is accompanied with mixed exit-related outcomes. On the one hand, foreign VCs’ participation is associated with higher likelihood of a successful exit through initial public offering (IPO), greater capital availability, and shorter time to exit. On the other hand, the relation between foreign VCs’ participation and lower purchaser price per dollar of VC investment in exit through merger and acquisition (M&A) raises concerns about the monetary returns to Canadian investee firms and Canadian syndicate VCs. These empirical findings will help to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the Canadian VC market, as well as adding to the growing body of literature on cross- border VC investment.

Throughout history, consumers have crossed borders for various purposes. The emergence of e-commerce and digital technologies has made it easier than ever for people to shop online with merchants across the world. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the variations of cross-border shopping motivations, the changes that occur due to advancements in various technologies, and the spatial patterns and mapped occasions that appear from each cross-border shopping episode. A qualitative, ethnographic approach has been used, and provides a detailed examination of the contemporary cross-border shopping landscape. Findings assist in developing this framework, after conducting detailed participant observation and interviews. The results indicate a range of variability stemming from generational, social, and personal differences, along with technological drivers of change. Trajectories of cross-border shopping occasions and a network model of modern cross-border shopping occasions are provided and detailed. Implications and future research are also discussed.

Diploma thesis deals with analysis of legal and accounting requirements for mergers in Russia and comparison of conditions on M&A markets of Russia and the European Union. After description of essentials of M&A theory in the first part of the thesis the description of European and Russian regulations of mergers is performed. The final part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis of an example of the merger implemented in Russia.

As the time goes by, one former Czech-Slovak territory has separated, forming two independent republics and members of European union. Division of common territory by a border, however, cannot affect cultural and linguistic proximity, which can be clearly identified in cross-border regions. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the cooperation amongst six regions located near mutual border during 2007-2013 period. By the means of publicly available content, an analysis of allocation of financial resources from ERDF and national budgets is executed. The qualitative evaluation of cross-border cooperation projects is delivered by the proposal of matrix for territorial impact assessment. According to percentual fulfillment of given goals, impact on barrier effect reduction and selected projects analysis, the overall added value of cross-border cooperation between Czech and Slovak republic during 2007-2013 period is specified. Main findings are then a result of combination of qualitative analysis and quantitative indicators for the researched period.

The main issue of this diploma thesis are causes of subsidy border areas abeam European Union and its effects on the border area. It is supposed this grants bring on increase of socioeconomic level and integration with neighbouring state. Kritical approaches some authors to this premise were motivated me to research the system of subsidy boreder areas and practical verification on the example Euroregion Praděd/Pradziad. The idea of subsidy border areas is sure true, but oneness of every euroregion call for individual approach to aplication of the subsidy. Euroregion Praděd/Pradziad dispose of particular specifics too. This specifics are in this diploma thesis analysed. Often they are feeld like a barrier of development, but in Euroregion Praděd/Pradziad are some people, who feel this specifics like an opportunity of development.

The thesis deals with the operational programs of cross-border cooperation in the Czech -- German border, Czech Republic -- Saxony operational program and Czech Republic -- Bavaria operational program. The theoretical part is generally described the issue of cross-border cooperation and are characterized and compared the Czech -- German operational programs in terms of their grant-making territory, published documents, the implementation structure, including the priority axes and areas of support in the current programming period 2007 -- 2013. The practical part is focused on projects approved by both the operational programs, both at present and in the previous programming 2004-2006. The last part is an analysis of views on practical cross-border cooperation on a sample of applicants for Czech-German operational programs.

Work will focus on the comparison of the relations within the Czech-Polish and Czech-Austrian borders. Research of the views on individual operational programs is based on a questionnaire survey among representatives of the Euroregion, members of the Euroregions and existing applicants in the operational programs of cross-border cooperation. The work includes a summary of projects submitted in the new programming period 2007 - 2013. In addition to comparing the views of individual actors in cooperative work, it focuses on the general comparison of the Czech-Austrian and Czech-Polish border cooperation. The theme is the history of cooperation between border regions in Western Europe and its enlargement, promotion of the cross-border structures by the European Union, the beginnings of cooperation in the Czech Republic and a brief history of borderlands. Given that the work deals with the comparison in terms of Euroregions, part is also paid to individual euroregions in the Czech Republic.

Thesis in its theoretical part deals with cross-border cooperation and analyzes a new legal instrument at EU level - European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). The work describes the instrument, including the establishment of a legal basis. It also deals with the potential use of the EGTC, which focuses on the permanent structure for cross-border cooperation, ie. Euroregions and make a summary of the EGTC already developed within the European Union. The practical part focuses on a description of the Euroregion Neisse, who ordered the creation of a legal entity as one of the main objectives and is currently in the process of preparing the establishment of an EGTC. This section is in addition to the characteristics of the Euroregion analysis of individual steps in the creation, use specific options on the EGTC and the comparison with existing legal entities within the EU. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the EGTC and determine whether it has the potential for the development of the Euroregion Neisse.

The thesis presents the cross border mergers at the national level in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia and contains also the European view. The Diploma thesis focuses on legal, accounting and tax aspects. The contibution of all these aspects to processing of cross border merger is also measured in main chapters. The component part of the Diploma thesis is also the practical example of cross border merger.