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The 21st century is characterised by social transformations, as economic development relies on knowledge rather than labour force, natural resources or capital as before (Jankauskienė et al., 2012). Drucker (1980) and Strassmann (1989) were among the first ones to talk about the importance of information and knowledge expressed in words – it is one of the most important and special resources which, when in use, can bring significant benefits.

Tax systems of developed countries contain provisions that give a preferred status to housing and homeownership. A significant relief is provided especially by the combination of non-taxation of imputed rental income and mortgage interest payment deductibility. Real user costs of owner-occupied housing are reduced (see Poterba & Sinai, 2008) and thus a bias in favour of the homeownership is created when households are encouraged to buy rather than to rent their dwellings.

Every economy aspires to enlarge the share of high-tech industries in its industrial structure, considering this share as one of the main determinants of country’s economic development. Hence, the induction of high and medium-high technology industries through R&D support, stimulation of innovation activities and higher quality may help economies to avoid getting trapped in the low-tech specialization during the long term.

Economic theory suggests that consolidation of hospital ownership through the formation of multiple hospital ‘‘systems’’ should lead to improved hospital performance. The general view of system superiority follows from considerations of economies of scale, improved financial and other administrative management, and better access to financial capital. Still, there is little evidence demonstrating greater efficiency in system-affiliated hospitals. The majority of studies have found hospitals belonging to multiple hospital systems to be more cost than independent hospitals, raising questions regarding the social value of much of the recent growth of new inter- organizational relationships. (Carey, 2003)

The study of connections between unemployment and its impacts on human health and economy has been the object of research since the US economic crisis in the 1920s (Brenner, 1967; Brenner, 1969; Kasl et al., 1968; Kasl & Cobb, 1970; Cobb, 1976). Evidence shows that loss of employment negatively affects not only health of individuals who have lost a job but also that of their partners and family members and reduces the life expectancy (Eliason & Storrie, 2009).