Kamila Malewska, Anna Chwiłkowska-Kubala, Witold Szumowski
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of digital technology infrastructure management (DTIM) on digital capabilities (DC) in small and medium-sized energy enterprises, with digital technology business strategic alignment (DTBSA) as a mediating variable. Methodology: By analysing data collected from Polish and German companies using the CAWI method (197 correctly completed feedback questionnaires) and structural equation modelling (SEM), we determined the importance of digital technology infrastructure management and digital technology business strategic alignment for digital capabilities. Findings: The research procedure confirmed the hypotheses about the impact of DTIM and DTBSA on DC. Somewhat unexpectedly, only a slightly higher influence of DTBSA as a mediating variable was observed, suggesting further research directions on the digitalisation process of energy companies. The results of our study also indirectly address environmental aspects by paying particular attention to the importance of the digital transformation of the energy sector as a process that supports environmental protection. The cognitive results obtained in the course of the conducted research made it possible not only to formulate practical implications for managers of energy companies referring to the economic aspect of the operation of this sector, but also positive and negative implications for the environment resulting from the digitalisation of the energy industry. Originality: Although the energy sector is still perceived as slow to adapt, our study shows that digital technology infrastructure management positively impacts the digital capabilities of energy SMEs.
Agnieszka Ciechelska, Anna Matel, Tomasz Poskrobko
et al.
The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether consumer behaviour in the second-hand clothing market causes a rebound effect, and if so, what are the reasons behind it. The study examined two potential causes: the price effect and moral licensing. A survey technique was used for data collection to study the phenomenon quantitatively. Non-parametric tests, analysis of relationships between variables and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to analyse the results. The existence of a rebound effect in the used clothing market was confirmed. At the same time, the magnitude of the substitution rate between new clothing and used clothing was estimated at 1:1.23. It was also proved that the phenomenon under study is influenced by both the price effect and moral licensing.
The article aims to broaden the understanding of factors affecting natural cosmetics purchasing behaviours and specifically, to specify the role social responsibility, consumers' innovativeness and knowledge play in shaping purchasing intentions for these products. The study uses the extended theory of planned behaviour as its theoretical framework and is based on theoretical support and suggested modification indices. The study applies a quantitative methodology which collects survey data from Ukraine and Poland. It was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. Results reveal that attitude towards purchasing natural cosmetics, social norms, consumers' innovativeness and consumer’s natural cosmetics knowledge all have statistically significant and positive impacts on the purchase intention towards natural cosmetic products. This study contributes to the literature by incorporating other variables into the TPB model. It provides new insights and constitutes a useful step forward in the understanding of consumers’ behaviours towards natural cosmetics.
The purpose of the article is to examine the influence of financial, socio-economic, and environmental degradation factors on the expenditure scope of environmental federalism. The panel data models were estimated based on 26 European countries for the period between 2007 and 2020. The research hypothesis of the article posits that the sound fiscal position of the local government and the financial sustainability stemming from it deepens the expenditure side of environmental federalism, especially when considering the population and its structure, the size of the economy, population, and the pollution generated by it. The article reveals that local government avoidance of both deficits and excessive indebtedness ends up promoting a higher scope of expenditure side of environmental federalism. In addition, in European countries, the significance of expenditures on environmental protection visible in local budgets is increased for smaller economies that are less environmentally degraded.
The article addresses the issue of climate security, a topic not sufficiently explored in the literature. The article aims to fill the literature gap on explaining the link between climate change and security, defining the term climate security, and attempting to select indicators (based on a selection from those already existing) for diagnosing the level of climatic security. The research established a lack of studies clarifying the term climate security. Hence, the authors’ definition was adopted. In turn, a review of existing indicators indicated their limitations. Nevertheless, it allows us to verify whether there is a threat to climate security.
The article aims to determine the efficiency of organic crop production and the potential of organic animal production on a macroeconomic scale in selected European Union (EU) countries. Synthetic indicators were constructed and calculated using Principal Component Analysis based on Eurostat data from 2012-2020. The results allowed us to compare the economic situation of organic farming in different countries and to determine their rankings. The discussion is complemented by an analysis of key variables relating to crop and animal production. This helped to explain the reasons for changes in the ranking of individual countries and to characterise the evolution of individual types of production. In organic crop and animal production, the clear leaders were the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark (only in animal production), i.e., countries with well-developed, modern organic farming systems. Poland is characterised by relatively low crop production efficiency and one of the lowest animal production potentials. The results of the research can be used to improve the operation of agricultural policy in order to increase the efficiency of organic production.
Natalia Sajnóg, Elżbieta Zysk, Mariusz Prokopczuk
et al.
In this paper, the authors argue that it is necessary to identify and visualize nuisance objects in a given urban space and the level of nuisance they create. To this end, the authors propose an algorithm, the results of which provide information on the preferences of residents. The obtained results are recorded and visualized in Geographic Information System (GIS) software that enables their implementation into open-access map portals.
The added value of the research is a wide public access to data, enabling decision-making models within the context of precision spatial planning to help find solutions for limiting the negative effects of nuisance objects. Studies have shown that nuisance objects are present in urban space, and the weight of their impact on society is significant. The aim of the research and of the developed algorithm is to improve the quality of life of residents in the context of sustainable urban development.
Due to the environmental imbalance on our planet, the concept of zero waste is gaining importance day by day. It is particularly important in the aspect of production and consumption cycle management and responsible waste management in urban space. The aim of this article is to exemplify methods of reducing waste in smart cities according to the author's Waste Management for Generation, Environment, and Gains (WM2GEG) scheme. An additional aim was to select the most effective ways of rational waste management in smart cities. A structured interview method was used to collect data, and the research sample was selected using the Smart City Index 2020. The study identified environmentally and socially friendly and economically beneficial methods of rational waste management, such as composting organic waste, creating underground waste containers, and incinerating waste with energy recovery. Specific ways to reduce waste are also presented, such as banning disposable packaging and obtaining energy from renewable sources.
La historiografía sostiene la idea de un azote corsario musulmán incesante contra el litoral de la Monarquía hispánica durante el siglo xvi. Un estudio centrado en Baleares propone matizar esta visión, y destaca que la verdadera amenaza fue un pequeño corso que no fue constante ni tampoco incontestable. Las islas no respondieron conjuntamente a esta amenaza, pero sí mejoraron sus defensas según la estrategia defensiva hispana, reforzando, con el apoyo de la Corona, los mecanismos tradicionales con elementos artillados y fortificados, por lo que triunfó un planteamiento terrestre, pero no exclusivamente estático. Las defensas fueron más efectivas de lo que se ha admitido y forzaron a los atacantes a retirarse en muchas ocasiones. Pero tampoco fueron infalibles, puesto que los corsarios capturaron a numerosos isleños.
Today, the problem of increasing negative environmental externalities related to waste
management, especially electronic waste, which also includes used household batteries and accumulators, is becoming increasingly acute. They cause significant damage not only to the environment but
also to public health when released into the environment without control. The purpose of this work is
to study the environmental and economic aspects and determine the external effects caused by the
consequences of the consumption of autonomous batteries. Correlation-regression analysis showed
that there is a link between indicators of domestic market filling of household batteries and the dynamics of mortality related to cancer. The study provides simplified calculations of external effects that
arise in Ukraine because of the consumption of household batteries due to the absence of a system
for their collection and disposal. The sum of the total external effects is determined, excluding losses
due to air pollution, water pollution, and agricultural losses.
The review of the book THE WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS AND GARDENS. Establishing, caring for and transforming perennial beds and gardens
The analysis of the existing dilemmas as well as methods of environmental programming indicates clearly that radical change is needed, not only procedural, but above all in institutional management. This change should be linked with the proposed by the Ministry of Regional Development reform, with almost revolutionary development management system change. It should be achieve by adequate strategic planning of the development of Poland. Equally important is to organize the substantive content
of the various “green” policies. Cardinal factor causing disorder in the Polish strategic programming is the lack of guidance document, a document which is kind of foundation of the whole edifi ce of development programming. It should be a strategy for sustainable development of the Poland. Without it, “we are all lonely rudder and sailors”.
The paper presents the results of the research on diversifi cation in the social development of Polish voivodeships between 2005 and 2013 in the context of realizing the idea of sustainable development. The level of social development of the regions in this study was assessed through the use of individual indicators. The results of this approach were organized using individual indicators in the order by the level of social differentiation of the regions, their classifi cation and spatial and temporal trend analysis. The study used the data from Local Data Bank of Central Statistical Office of Poland.
AbstractRelational approaches in economic geography have grown in popularity and influence, but have not been critically evaluated or discussed. This article argues that poststructural and network‐based versions of relational economic geography undoubtedly open up new research issues and provide tools for certain purposes, but questions whether they provide a coherent research agenda and new theoretical paradigm that can guide the reconceptualization of economic geography. The article addresses two main cases for a relational approach: its correspondence with a knowledge‐ and network‐based capitalism and the claim that it provides an improved philosophy and ontology. It finds problems with both cases and argues that the approach provides an imprecise and selective ontology that is preoccupied with microscale processes. As a result, relational economic geography does not lend itself to causal explanations and schemas, is incapable of discriminating among different economic theories, and could become immune to empirical evaluation. In many cases, it seems to disregard many of the valuable insights of institutionalist and critical realist approaches, including the implications of emergence. The article concludes that instead of searching for a microlevel relational perspective or a new vocabulary, economic geography's analysis of connections and relations would be better set within an evolutionary and historical institutionalism that understands economic relations as forms of institutional rules and practices and does not privilege ties and networks over nodes and agents.
Pablo de la Fuente de Pablo, Jaume Busquets Artigas
El naufragi de L’Assomption, un bergantí francès, a la platja de Blanes, el gener de 1787, és una il·lustrativa mostra d’un dilema: el rescat de la càrrega o l’adopció de mesures sanitàries per evitar epidèmies. Dues administracions diferents regien aquests afers: la jurisdicció de Marina i la Junta de Sanitat.
La corrupció del poder local portà a què fos la Junta de Sanitat la competent en l’afer. La solució final explica l’origen del viceconsolat francès de Blanes.