Stakeholders' reality check: Barriers for the transformation of the Slovak and Czech automotive industries into an ecological mobility industry

Résumé:

The article identifies, analyses and critically discusses barriers for transforming the automotive industry into an ecological mobility industry in Slovakia and Czechia, from the point of view of various stakeholders. The focus is on the actors in the transformation process and on the obstacles they face in influencing the strategies and direction of such a shift. Furthermore, this study evaluates the structure of the automotive industry in these countries and points out the possible implications for mobility pattern changes and the future of employment in the broader mobility sector. Currently, transforming the Czech and Slovak automotive industries is constrained by the path-dependency of public institutions related to private transportation and by foreign ownership of the car companies which makes it difficult for local actors to seize the initiative. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity amongst actors about the direction and aim of transformation of the car industry.