Vliv institucionálního prostředí a práva v ČR a EU na pořadatele zájezdů

The dissertation deals with the topic of institutional environment in the European Union and the Czech Republic and its influence on entrepreneurs in tourism - organizers of packaged travel services. The work is focused on the impacts of legal regulation on business environment of tour operators, from the view of the attitude and opinions of entrepreneurs, complexity of adaptation and the level of administrative and financial burden. The aim of this work was to find out how institutions, the legislative framework and approach of the state influence the environment of tour operators and how tour operators perceive it. The research enabled the author to obtain the opinions of representatives of Czech tour operators on their own activities and operations in the past years. With regard to the constantly changing legal conditions, in which particularly consumer protection has been strengthened, the thesis tries to reveal whether the increase in the administrative and financial burden of the tour operators’ operation contributes to their negative perception of business environment and to what extent it affects their attitudes. The goal was achieved by an extensive review of contemporary professional literature in international databases and unique research conducted among the entrepreneurs in question. The thesis does not lack current academic issues in the field of institutional economics, analysis of available scientific studies about the influence of the institutional framework on the economic performance of states and economic entities, or international comparisons of the development of institutions in European post-communist countries. The subsequent part focuses on the practical application of legislative standards in routine operation of tour operators (package travel organizers), with an indication of all key areas of regulation that significantly interfere with the business activity. The research carried out in the form of interviews with representatives of tour operators in the Czech Republic was evaluated with the help of several methods. Grounded theory was chosen as a key method of qualitative research, considering the number of comments, verbal responses, and evaluations by entrepreneurs. It was supplemented by a descriptive statistical analysis in the case of quantitative research, with a focus on potential relations of some answers with the size and age of the tour operator, with the insurance company with which the organizer is insured in case of insolvency or with the membership in professional association. The elaboration of the research outputs also includes the quantification of transaction costs of the relevant regulation for a selected sample of tour operators and the assessment of the complexity of the new law implementation according to the time and personnel costs of the quantified money. In the field of scientific research, the main benefits of the thesis are the connection of a practical problem to economic theory and implementation of applied research with the aim to use the acquired knowledge in tourism. The chapters with partial research outputs, published in professional journals and reviewed collections of articles, take into account the international dimension of the thesis. With regard to the absence of professional studies on the activity of tour operators not only in the Czech Republic, but also in Europe, and the impact of regulation on this segment, the thesis contributes to the topic with new knowledge and uncovers the pitfalls of the tour operators´ operation. Business conditions and the institutional framework in the Czech Republic are the worst-rated indicators by entrepreneurs. The research has confirmed that tour operators have a long-standing dissatisfaction with the institutional framework in the Czech Republic, especially in the area of legal insurance for tour operators in the event of bankruptcy and the high transaction costs of this regulation, which are economically crucial for micro and small enterprises. In addition to this obligation, the biggest barriers from formal institutions include the related administrative burden, reporting and supervision of tour operators' activities by the Ministry and insurance companies, as well as the unfriendly attitude of the state and governmental authorities towards entrepreneurs. Among informal institutions, trust in business relationships built on the basis of long-term cooperation can be mentioned, which on the contrary is the most important positive element on which they rely in their activities. This work provides new information, especially for the professional public about the real consequences of revised legal regulations for the activities of Czech tour operators. The conclusions of the thesis can be applied to a practical approach to entrepreneurs in the industry, especially in the activities of professional associations for tour operators and travel agents, other business associations and for communication of legislators, state institutions and governmental administration with the entrepreneurs.