The impact of earnings on the sustainable development of manufacturing enterprises in Poland
Michał Comporek, Agata Gniadkowska-Szymańska , Magdalena Kowalska
et al.
The paper is designed to test the impact of net earnings on the sustainable development of manufacturing enterprises in Poland from 2008 to 2021. The study employs a dataset comprising variables, categorized into economic, social, and environmental pillars. We created synthetic indicators of sustainable development and its pillars, conducted a correlation analysis, and built single- and multi-equation econometric models. We used the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) methods. The results demonstrate a positive impact of financial performance on the economic and social pillars, while the environmental pillar exhibits a declining trend. The research has limitations related to the choice of time series, the scope of sustainability indicators, the selection of analytical variables, and estimation methods. Practical implications include applying econometric models to support decision-making processes to balance economic performance with social and environmental objectives. Social implications indicate the strength and direction of the impact of net earnings on the social development of the sector. What is new is the development of models enabling the analysis of the studied phenomenon among manufacturing enterprises in Poland.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
Space for circularity – exploratory study of local initiatives in Polish cities
Judyta Lubacha, Roksana Rakoczy-Garus
The main objective of this research is to analyse how community initiatives implement the concepts of the circular economy in their activities, thus affecting their immediate environment. The consideration started by presenting and systematising the definition of the circular economy and locating its meaning in the urban space. Sixteen interviews were conducted with various non-profit and for-profit initiatives across Poland to illustrate and learn about the mechanism of the circular economy in urban space, as implemented by bottom-up initiatives. The research focuses on initiatives that reduce the waste and negative impact on the environment by both producers and consumers. The findings were analysed using the 9R concept. The research made it possible to identify which strategies are most implemented by urban initiatives. Moreover it showed that implementing the circular economy model is possible with the cooperation of producers, that consumers need initiatives that offer a space for circularity.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
Economy resilience integrated by regional development policy: study of Opolskie, Poland
Aneta Grzegocka, Krzysztof Malik
The purpose of the article is to redefine the current regional development policies in order to be more effective in responding to contemporary external threats (resilience-oriented). The study adopts a qualitative paradigm based on an interventionist research design, using a case study of the Opolskie Voivodeship development policy. The methodology includes a resilience-adoptive analysis of the regional strategic documents from two financial perspectives (2014-2020 and 2021-2027). The results of the study indicate that the current strategic documents address economic resilience, but need to be supplemented in terms of adaptation to new risks, such as armed conflicts, climate change and economic (tariff) crises. Specific recommendations have been proposed for the implementation of mechanisms to increase the region's resilience, such as diversification of funding sources. The resilience-adoptive recommendations focus on the areas of transportation infrastructure, energy security, energy efficiency, modern technology and human capital development. The article also indicates practical policy tools to support building of sustainable economic resilience in the Opolskie Voivodeship that can be implemented in other UE regions.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
Renewable energy source facilities as a factor in locational conflicts in rural areas
Natalia Świdyńska
The main purpose of this study has been to determine the emergence of locational conflicts due to the development of renewable energy source (RES) installations. The study employed a diagnostic survey method. The respondents know what renewable energy sources are and support their development. However, the NIMBY syndrome, as well as the very modest participation of local communities in social consultations, have been detected. The fact that any conclusions reached in the course of consultations are not legally binding was emphasised. Thus, local communities seek other ways to block a contested development, which results in protests and, consequently, social conflicts. Conflicts most often arise between local residents and local authorities, and they are principally ignited by fears of an adverse impact of wind turbines on human health. The survey results can fill in the gap and expand our knowledge of RES, social participation and locational conflicts. They can also help to popularise the transition from conventional sources of energy. Legislative changes are necessary to enable people to have a real influence on the space in which they live. It is unwise to hinder the development of wind farms by excessively restrictive laws.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
New constraint on Europa's ice shell: magnetic signature from the ocean
Florentin Daniel, Ludovic Petitdemange, Christophe Gissinger
Jupiter's icy moons are believed to host subsurface liquid oceans, and among them, Europa stands out as one of the most promising candidates for extraterrestrial life. Yet, the processes driving oceanic flows beneath its ice shell, as well as the factors controlling the thickness of this ice, remain incompletely understood. One especially distinctive feature of Europa is that its salty ocean is electrically conducting and thus influenced by Jupiter's time-varying magnetic field, which is believed to drive a large-scale zonal flow. Here, we examine hos this magnetically-induced jet affects both the heat flux and the dynamics of the convective flow within Europa's ocean. We first show that the magnetically-driven jet efficiently transports heat in stably stratified regions near the top of the ocean, and may alter the expected convective scaling laws in deeper layers. Second, by analysing the latitudinal distribution of heat flux and relating it to ice-thickness variations, we make predictions that can be compared with current observations. In anticipation of the upcoming JUICE and Europa Clipper missions, we discuss how improved measurement precision could help further constrain the ocean's properties and refine our model-based forecasts.
Current effects on wind generated waves near an Ocean Eddy Dipole
Nelson Violante-Carvalho, Thiago de Paula, Leandro Calado
et al.
Ocean eddy dipoles are among the most common mesoscale features and may be ubiquitous across the global oceans. However, wave-current interactions in their proximity have not been extensively studied. Here we examine the impact of surface currents on the wave field near an ocean eddy dipole. Using the WW3 wave model, we conducted idealized numerical simulations to assess the influence of different configurations on the spatial variability of Significant Wave Height ($H_s$). Additionally, a two-month hindcast of a strong dipole event in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean was performed using three distinct surface current products: SSalto/Duacs, HYCOM NCODA and GlobCurrent. Among these, HYCOM, which incorporates ageostrophic effects, provided a more detailed representation of oceanic energy compared to GlobCurrent and SSalto/Duacs, which primarily reflect geostrophic components. The hindcast assessment employed denoised altimeter-derived $H_s$ data, with a spatial resolution of approximately 6~km. The greatest increase in wave energy occurs in the region between the peak values of positive and negative vorticity, where the opposing surface currents reach their maximum intensity. Therefore, dipoles act as converging lenses for surface waves, channeling their refraction towards the central jet. Despite its poorer spatial and temporal resolutions, SSalto-Duacs surface current data provides more reliable $H_s$ fields, in the study region where geostrophic dynamics are expected to be significant or even dominant. HYCOM captures a broader range of dynamical processes, essential for accurately representing the total energy, though discrepancies with SSalto/Duacs data may arise from assimilation inaccuracies and model limitations.
Critical Mathematical Economics and Progressive Data Science
Johannes Buchner
The aim of this article is to present elements and discuss the potential of a research program at the intersection between mathematics and heterodox economics, which we call Criticial Mathematical Economics (CME). We propose to focus on the mathematical and model-theoretic foundations of controversies in economic policy, and aim at providing an entrance to the literature as an invitation to mathematicians that are potentially interested in such a project. From our point of view, mathematics has been partly misused in mainstream economics to justify `unregulated markets'. We identify two key parts of CME, which leads to a natural structure of this article: The first part focusses on an analysis and critique of mathematical models used in mainstream economics, like e.g. the Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) in Macroeconomics and the so-called ``Sonnenschein-Mantel-Debreu''-Theorems. The aim of the second part is to improve and extend heterodox models using ingredients from modern mathematics and computer science, a method with strong relation to Complexity Economics. We exemplify this idea by describing how methods from Non-Linear Dynamics have been used in Post-Keynesian Macroeconomics', and also discuss (Pseudo-) Goodwin cycles and possible Micro- and Mesofoundations. Finally, we outline in which areas a collaboration between mathematicians and heterodox economists could be most promising, and discuss both existing projects in such a direction as well as areas where new models for policy advice are most needed. In an outlook, we discuss the role of (ecological) data, and the need for what we call Progressive Data Science.
The determinants of municipal solid waste management efficiency in EU countries
Monika Osińska
The main purpose of this paper is to assess the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) efficiency of European Union countries and to identify the determinants of this efficiency before and after introducing Directive (EU) 2018/851. The research was conducted for 23 EU Member States in order to analyse the two highest-priority waste treatment methods (material recycling and energy recovery) and the level of greenhouse gases emitted by the waste management sector. The data for 2015-2020 were extracted from the Eurostat database. The period of data was divided into two sub-periods: 2015-2017 (the period before introducing the Directive) and 2018-2020. MSWM efficiency scores were calculated using the DEA method. Later, the Tobit Regression Model (TRM) was applied to identify the determinants. The efficiency analysis showed that the countries which joined the EU before 2000 improved their MSWM efficiency in 2018-2020 compared with 2015-2017. On the other hand, the average efficiency scores of the countries that joined the EU after 2000 decreased. In 2015-2017, the following determinants of MSWM efficiency occurred to be statistically significant: population density, unemployment rate, the number of patents and the tourism intensity index, while in 2018-2020: population density, unemployment rate, Research & Development (R&D) expenditure, higher education proportion and MSW generated. A detailed analysis of these variables showed that the countries that joined the EU after 2000 should first increase their R&D expenditure and support their inhabitants in increasing their educational level.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
Thermostatistical Evaluation of Economic Activity
W. A. Rojas C., A. Zamora
We present an analysis of Bogot'{a}'s sports sector through thermostatistical models applied to economic systems. The study investigates the cross-price elasticity of income ($λ$) to determine whether sports services in Bogot'{a} are normal or inferior goods. Analyzing data from the Sports Satellite Account of Bogot'{a} (CSDB) from 2018 to 2022, we find that demand for sports services is highly elastic, particularly during economic upturns, indicating they are seen as normal or luxury goods. We also calculate the partition function, entropy, and heat capacity, showing consistency with the Boltzmann Principle, which indicates a strong correlation between microstates and the macroeconomic state, supporting the statistical thermodynamic framework. Furthermore, the study employs geometrothermodynamics to assess system stability using Kretschmann and Ricci scalars to identify economic singularities, especially during the pandemic, highlighting its disruptive impact. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of system stability and the effects of external shocks like COVID-19 on the economic structure. Our analysis demonstrates that Bogot'{a}'s sports sector responds elastically to GDP changes, with stability influenced by various macroeconomic factors. However, a decline in heat capacity as economic temperature rises suggests potential growth limitations, necessitating further research to fully grasp the sector's long-term outlook.
How to infer ocean freezing rates on icy satellites from measurements of ice thickness
Nicole C. Shibley, Ching-Yao Lai, Riley Culberg
Liquid-water oceans likely underlie the ice shells of Europa and Enceladus, but ocean properties are challenging to measure due to the overlying ice. Here, we consider gravity-driven flow of the ice shells of icy satellites and relate this to ocean freeze and melt rates. We employ a first-principles approach applicable to conductive ice shells in a Cartesian geometry. We derive a scaling law under which ocean freeze/melt rates can be estimated from shell-thickness measurements. Under a steady-state assumption, ocean freeze/melt rates can be inferred from measurements of ice thickness, given a basal viscosity. Depending on a characteristic thickness scale and basal viscosity, characteristic freeze/melt rates range from around O(10$^{-1}$) to O(10$^{-5}$) mm/year. Our scaling is validated with ice-penetrating radar measurements of ice thickness and modelled snow accumulation for Roosevelt Island, Antarctica. Our model, coupled with observations of shell thickness, could help estimate the magnitudes of ocean freeze/melt rates on icy satellites.
OceanNet: A principled neural operator-based digital twin for regional oceans
Ashesh Chattopadhyay, Michael Gray, Tianning Wu
et al.
While data-driven approaches demonstrate great potential in atmospheric modeling and weather forecasting, ocean modeling poses distinct challenges due to complex bathymetry, land, vertical structure, and flow non-linearity. This study introduces OceanNet, a principled neural operator-based digital twin for ocean circulation. OceanNet uses a Fourier neural operator and predictor-evaluate-corrector integration scheme to mitigate autoregressive error growth and enhance stability over extended time scales. A spectral regularizer counteracts spectral bias at smaller scales. OceanNet is applied to the northwest Atlantic Ocean western boundary current (the Gulf Stream), focusing on the task of seasonal prediction for Loop Current eddies and the Gulf Stream meander. Trained using historical sea surface height (SSH) data, OceanNet demonstrates competitive forecast skill by outperforming SSH predictions by an uncoupled, state-of-the-art dynamical ocean model forecast, reducing computation by 500,000 times. These accomplishments demonstrate the potential of physics-inspired deep neural operators as cost-effective alternatives to high-resolution numerical ocean models.
Ecological, technical and economic aspects of using flint wastes as aggregate for special concretes
Bartosz Zegardlo
This paper examines the ecological, technical, and economic aspects of using flint wastes extracted during the chalk extraction. The study presents the adverse effects of mining on the environment and draws attention to the mining waste generated. Flint wastes are proposed to be used in the crushed form as a substitute for high-quality aggregate for cement composites. Traditional concretes, which contained gravel and basalt aggregates in their volume, were used as control composites. Due to the satisfactory results of the technical tests, the described waste disposal method was also analysed in terms of possible economic benefits. Conclusions from the conducted tests proved that crushed flint waste is technically equal to high-quality special aggregates. At the same time, the costs of its acquisition and production in suitable deposition systems can be lower than the cheapest traditional gravel aggregates available on the market.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
EFFECT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CULTURAL TOURISM (CROATIA)
Elena Rudan, Marinela Krstinić Nižić, Zvonimira Šverko Grdić
Circular economy is a developmental concept promoted by the European Union and applied in practice by its member countries. When looking at the circular economy process, it is most commonly observed from the industry’s point of view and its related processes. Tourism is less frequently observed, but in recent years, the circular economy application has become significantly more
present in tourism, both in the hotel industry and in all types of tourism overall. This paper focuses on the issue of sustainable cultural tourism, emphasising supporting the protection and/or reuse of heritage, where the entire cycle is based on the principles of the circular economy. Sustainable cultural tourism should be founded on circular economy principles wherever applicable (heritage tourism, gastronomy, urban tourism, etc.). In this paper, we take a look at cities in Croatia that apply circular economy
to sustainable cultural tourism. This paper’s scientific contribution lies in the proposed guidelines for taking further action to create a “new” cultural tourism by adopting the circular economy’s principles.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
THE BENEFITS OF IMPROVING THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF A BUILDING IN THE CONTEXT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Elżbieta Gołąbeska
This article deals with the impact of thermal upgrading measures on the energy efficiency of a building. The thesis is that improvement of the technical condition through: increasing the thermal insulation of walls, modernisation of ventilation system, regular inspections and repairs of central heating boilers, modernisation of hot water preparation systems, the introduction of alternative energy sources or using modern technologies in construction, affects the increase of energy efficiency of this building.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE LAND MANAGEMENT
Анна Тютюнник, Borys Burkynskyi, Natalya Andryeyeva
The purpose of the study is to form a methodology for strategic management of investment and innovation activities in environmentally safe nature management based on the analysis of world experience. The study's methodological approach is based on the step-by-step SMART-research,
economical-ecological analysis, systematic investment and innovation activities assessment, PESTLE-, SWOT-analyzes, and definition of ecologically safe strategies. The proposed study formulates the author's vision of combining methods of foresight methodology in the field of environmentally safe land management, SMART-method and Quintuple Helix (5 helix) for sustainable development of methodology for strategic management of investment and innovation activities in the field of environmentally safe land management. Furthermore, the proposed methodological approach will promote the development of applied tooling to develop systems of strategic management of investment and innovation activities of environmentally safe land management.
In contrast to the existing methodological approaches in land relations, the developed methodology of strategic management of investment and innovation activities in ecologically safe land management is based on a comprehensive combination and use of foresight tooling.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
GREEN SUSTAINABILITY: FACTORS FOSTERING AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MILLENNIAL AND GEN Z: MEDIATING ROLE OF GREEN PURCHASE INTENTION
Rambabu Lavuri, Eddy Jusuf, Ardi Gunardi
This exploratory study examines the factors that promote green purchasing intentions and understand the differences between the two generations, such as millennial and Generations Z, on green purchasing behaviour. Data collected from 372 respondents from two generations from three southern Indian states. Purposive and snowball samplings were adopted in the selection of respondents. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS 23.0 package using Factor Analysis, Pearson Correlation, Multiple Regression, and t-test. Subjective norms (SNs) had no significant association with Green purchase intentions (GPI). Variables such as media exposure (ME), environmental concern (EC), environmental knowledge (EK), and attitude (EA), Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) had a significant impact on the GPI. Shopper’s purchase intention substantially impacted their buying behaviour of green products, and these results supported the TPB model. The ME, SNs, and PBC variables did not show any behavioural differences between the two generations. Still, variables such as EK, EC, EA, and GPI showed a behavioural difference in purchasing green products.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
The Relationship between the Economic and Financial Crises and Unemployment Rate in the European Union -- How Institutions Affected Their Linkage
Ionut Jianu
This paper aims to estimate the impact of economic and financial crises on the unemployment rate in the European Union, taking also into consideration the institutional specificities, since unemployment was the main channel through which the economic and financial crisis influenced the social developments.. In this context, I performed two institutional clusters depending on their inclusive or extractive institutional features and, in each cases, I computed the crisis effect on unemployment rate over the 2003-2017 period. Both models were estimated by using Panel Estimated Generalized Least Squares method, and are weighted by Period SUR option in order to remove, in advance the possible inconveniences of the models. The institutions proved to be a relevant criterion that drives the impact of economic and financial crises on the unemployment rate, highlighting that countries with inclusive institutions are less vulnerable to economic shocks and are more resilient than countries with extractive institutions. The quality of institutions was also found to have a significant effect on the response of unemployment rate to the dynamic of its drivers.
Green management implementation in accommodation facilities in Bulgaria
Petr Scholz
Sustainability is currently one of the major priorities of tourism all over the world. This paper deals with applying elements of green management in accommodation facilities in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria. It analyses the implementation of green management elements and the principles of sustainable development in accommodation services. It focuses on accommodation facilities and
their use, and environmental measures. The primary survey was conducted from May until June 2018 and we used a questionnaire survey to obtain primary data. We used the methods of scientific work; and, i.e., the analysis method, a generalization method, mathematical, and statistical methods. A total of 96 accommodation facilities participated in this research and they reached the best results with sorting containers, dual flush toilets, compact fluorescent lamps, and LED lamps. We state that the surveyed accommodation facilities should invest more funds in green initiatives and acquaint employees and guests with this philosophy.
Economic geography of the oceans (General)
Capturing the Production of the Innovative Ideas: An Online Social Network Experiment and "Idea Geography" Visualization
Yiding Cao, Yingjun Dong, Minjun Kim
et al.
Collective design and innovation are crucial in organizations. To investigate how the collective design and innovation processes would be affected by the diversity of knowledge and background of collective individual members, we conducted three collaborative design task experiments which involved nearly 300 participants who worked together anonymously in a social network structure using a custom-made computer-mediated collaboration platform. We compared the idea generation activity among three different background distribution conditions (clustered, random, and dispersed) with the help of the "doc2vec" text representation machine learning algorithm. We also developed a new method called "Idea Geography" to visualize the idea utility terrain on a 2D problem domain. The results showed that groups with random background allocation tended to produce the best design idea with highest utility values. It was also suggested that the diversity of participants' backgrounds distribution on the network might interact with each other to affect the diversity of ideas generated. The proposed idea geography successfully visualized that the collective design processes did find the high utility area through exploration and exploitation in collaborative work.
A global economic policy uncertainty index from principal component analysis
Peng-Fei Dai, Xiong Xiong, Wei-Xing Zhou
This paper constructs a global economic policy uncertainty index through the principal component analysis of the economic policy uncertainty indices for twenty primary economies around the world. We find that the PCA-based global economic policy uncertainty index is a good proxy for the economic policy uncertainty on a global scale, which is quite consistent with the GDP-weighted global economic policy uncertainty index. The PCA-based economic policy uncertainty index is found to be positively related with the volatility and correlation of the global financial market, which indicates that the stocks are more volatile and correlated when the global economic policy uncertainty is higher. The PCA-based global economic policy uncertainty index performs slightly better because the relationship between the PCA-based uncertainty and market volatility and correlation is more significant.