Long-term correlations between the development of rail transport and the economic growth of the German Reich (1872-1913)

Purpose: This study is part of the trend of researching new economic history using econometric analysis (the new economic history paradigm), still not very popular in Europe and the world (outside the USA and UK). The main purpose of the article was to use the Granger cointegration test to confirm the long-term correlations between the level of economic growth and the development of the German Reich railways. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the field of theoretical analysis, a review of international literature on the study of the interdependence of economic growth and the development of transport, including rail transport, was carried out. The empirical analysis was based on available statistical data for the period of 1872–1913. Econometric methods were used, including: stationary test using ADF and KPSS tests, Engle-Granger cointegration test, as well as the analysis of the impulse response function. Findings: The results of the research received confirm that there was a long-term correlation between the level of economic growth in Germany (expressed as Net National Product (NNP) and the level of rail freight symbolizing the development of railways. Practical Implications: The Granger causality test allows the elimination of economic variables that are not in a causal relationship, which in turn leads to a better explanation of the studied economic phenomenon. A special case in VAR auto-regression models when the analysed time series are integrated in the first degree I(1). Originality/Value: Considering the importance of transport for the economy, it is particularly important to examine whether the development of transport had an impact on the level of economic growth, and whether economic growth led to the development of the transport industry, and perhaps this relationship was two-way. The obtained results are the foundation for the construction of vector-autoregressive models (VAR) and the study of long-term relationships.peer-reviewe

The chosen socio-economic problems of protecting valuable agricultural land in Natura 2000 areas in Poland

Purpose: Intensive development of agriculture has led to the loss of many valuable ecosystems and thus to a significant impoverishment of biodiversity in rural areas. In the context of the analysed research problem, i.e. the functioning of agriculture in N2000 areas, Poland is a special country where there are semi-natural unique habitats disappearing in the European landscape. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures financed under the EU CAP on agricultural land located on N2000 areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analytical material consisted of the results of surveys using a standardized questionnaire which carried out among 292 farmers (152 organic farmers and 140 conventional farmers) from the the area of N2000 "Biebrza Valley" PLH200008. The assumptions were verified based on the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA analysis and gamma rank correlation. The analytical material also consisted of EUROSTAT data on the area of the N2000 network and the area of agricultural land covered by this form of protection in EU countries. These data were subject to horizontal and vertical (years 2009-2017) comparative analysis. Findings: Polish experience regarding the implementation of conservation measures on naturally valuable agricultural land (N2000) allows to state that environmental policy should be based on the idea of socially sustainable agriculture, including ecological sustainability (proper delimitation of areas predestined for protection, their environmental valorisation, development of conservation measures and their implementation, a bonus system for the sustainability of agri-environmental commitments), economic sustainability (the system of agricultural subsidies and/or other solutions to meet the basic living needs of farmers and their families), social sustainability (effective inclusion of local communities in information, education and decision-making processes at the stages of development, deployment and implementation of protection programs). Practical Implications: The recommendations resulting from the conducted research and analyses may be adopted by the institutions responsible for the creation of an environmental protection policy which can improve the effectiveness of active forms of protection in valuable natural habitats that are used for agriculture. Originality/Value: The article indicates the recommendations based on building a lasting relationship between farmers and the protection of the environment.peer-reviewe

Analysis of the interdependence between the economic growth and the development of the railway sector

Purpose: The authors directly formulated the ‘research hypothesis’ as the interdependence between economic growth and the volume of rail freight. It is a very valid question of primary importance not only to economic historians, but also to development economists. Approach/Methodology/Design: Econometric modelling was used to set out the factors of Germany’s economic growth between 1872 and 1913, with a particular focus on the importance of railways. While analysing many determinants of German economic growth, the authors also took into account the t time variable, which made possible the practical application of the theorem by Frisch-Waugh with the generalization of Stone. Findings: Considering these results, it can be confirmed that the railways, being a symbol of the era, and also a leading sector of the German economy, however, played an important role in shaping the modern economy and multiplying Germany’s social well-being. It can be considered as one of the causes of economic growth. On the other hand, the high economic growth rate of the German Reich was an important factor determining the development of transport. The obtained results are the basis for the construction of vector-autoregressive models (VAR) including the error correction model (ECM) and long-term relationship research. Practical Implications: A systematic, quantitative inquiry on the impact of railway expansion on economic growth would most likely contribute not only to better understanding of economic history but could also shed light on the foundations of the recent monetary theory. Originality/Value: Considering the importance of transport for the economy, it is particularly important to examine whether the development of transport had an impact on the level of economic growth, and whether economic growth led to the development of the transport industry, and perhaps was bidirectional relationships.peer-reviewe

Religious tourism as a development factor for peripheral areas : the case of the Polish-Czech border

Purpose: This article presents selected results of studies on the impact of religious tourism on the development of peripheral areas on the example of the Polish-Czech border area. The study subject was determining whether religious tourism can be a factor conductive to local development. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study was conducted based on data available in public statistics and analysis of available literature of the subject. The study covered 2 sanctuaries: St. Anne Mountain (Góra Świętej Anny) and Turza Śląska, located in the southern border area of Poland, in the communes of Leśnica and Gorzyce. Findings: Religious tourism is not perceived as a development factor in strategic documents of the studied Communes. Increased border traffic and growing spending by foreigners in the border area point out to the development potential of different forms of business in the Polish-Czech border area. Practical Implications: The study has proven that it is necessary to create an integrated tourist product based on cultural, social and religious values of the region in order for the religious tourism to develop. Originality/Value: Proposed solutions are to contribute to a growth in the quality of services offered to religious tourists in both studied Communes.peer-reviewe

Shopping tourism as a factor in the development of peripheral areas : the case of the Polish-German borderland

Purpose: The article presents selected results of research on the impact of shopping tourism on the development of peripheral areas illustrated by the case of the Polish-German borderland. The purpose of research was to determine whether shopping tourism can be a factor in the development of peripheral areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was based on data from publicly available statistics and the analysis of available literature on the subject. It covered 8 powiats (counties) located along the Polish-German border. Findings: The heavier border traffic and the increasing expenses of foreigners in the border area point to the potential development of various forms of economic activity in the area of the Polish-German border. Practical Implications: The research has demonstrated that the development of shopping tourism requires an integrated tourist product. Shopping tourism is a significant factor in the development of regional enterprise. Originality/Value: The suggested solutions are to contribute to higher quality of services offered to shopping tourists crossing the Polish-German border.peer-reviewe

Analysis of factors behind change of arable land area in period between two agricultural censuses (2002-2010)

W opracowaniu poddano analizie przyczyny zmiany powierzchni użytków rolnych, które dokonały się między kolejnymi spisami rolnymi z lat 2002-2010. Z badań wynikał systematyczny i stały spadek tej powierzchni, który był spowodowany zjawiskami związanymi z industrializacją kraju. Corocznie ubywało z rolnictwa od 42 do 62 tys. ha gruntów rolnych. Badania statystyczne wykazały odłogowania gruntów, które w 2010 r osiągnęły poziom około 0,5 mln ha. W porównaniu ze skalą ubytku gruntów rolnych, proces jego odzyskiwania stał na niskim poziomie.The paper presents an analysis of factors behind the change of arable land area which took place between two agricultural censuses in 2002 and 2010. The results of the study show a steady decrease in this area, caused by phenomena associated with industrialisation. Every year there was a decline by 42,000 up to 62,000 of arable land. Statistical research showed that in 2010 the amount of land set aside reached the level of 0.5 m ha. In comparison with the shrinking of arable land, the process of its recovery was sluggish.Bartosz Mickiewicz - [email protected] Mickiewicz – [email protected]ław Sobala - [email protected] hab. Bartosz Mickiewicz, prof. nadzw. – Wydział Ekonomiczny, Zachodniopomorski Uniwersytet Technologiczny w Szczecinieprof. dr hab. Antoni Mickiewicz – Wydział Ekonomiczny, Zachodniopomorski Uniwersytet Technologiczny w Szczeciniedr Mirosław Sobala – Wojewódzki Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej w Szczecini

Modern trends of sustainable development in the sugar market

PURPOSE: Sugar is the most common food product necessary for human life, the main component of which is sucrose and other impurities. The exchange-based nature of the sugar trade makes it easier to enter the market and helps to remove market barriers. The world sugar market is one of the most important in the system of food markets.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: Within the study, general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, such as generalization, comparison, abstract-logical analysis, index method, etc. were used.FINDINGS: At the present stage, the world sugar market is characterised by significant qualitative changes, which occur due to the influence of factors determining the conjuncture, and the development of international globalisation processes. The correlation between supply and demand in different regions and countries and the structure are changing, and there is regional redistribution of cane and beet sugar exports and imports. Today, people are interested in production of classic white sugar, pressed or molded lump sugar, candy sugar, powdered sugar and water sugar syrup. Alternative uses of raw sugar have emerged that have a significant impact on market trends and price volatility (primarily bioethanol, biogas, and sugar substitute markets), price volatility has increased.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of the performed analysis are necessary for assessing the level of food security of sugar market and for the growth of export of that product, taking into account the trends and conditions for the functioning of the agro-food sector. The main trends in the development of the world sugar market are changes in the structure of its consumption, characterised by an increase in demand for sugar from the food industry and a decrease in consumption by the population, as well as the increased role of bioethanol production.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The results of the analysis are necessary to assess the level of food safety and to develop a strategy that takes into account the current trends in the global sugar market. Prospective directions for the sustainable development of the sugar market have been developed.peer-reviewe

Main trends and development forecast of bread and bakery products market

Bakery products are very important in human nutrition and are the basis of any daily diet. Their social significance is determined by the traditions and habits of the population of the countries, accessibility for all groups of the population, diverse assortment, including bakery products for functional and specialized purposes. The up-to-date trend is to expand the assortment of functional bakery products, the use of which will provide the body’s need for the necessary macro- and micronutrients for an active and healthy lifestyle. In the bread and bakery products market, consumer preferences are constantly changing. Consumers prefer products that contain less fat and sugar. The market is in demand for bakery products that are healthy, while taste remains an important success factor. Manufacturers include popular healthy additives (grains, seeds and legumes) in their products. Particularly popular at present are ingredients from Eastern Europe and Asia: yuzu, sesame, matcha, shiso. Tropical fruits (passion fruit, mango, bergamot) and fragrances (dried hibiscus, lavender and rose) are predicted to become popular. This causes the complexity of demand segmentation, features of merchandising and pricing policy, features of consumer behavior and consumption psychology, etc. An assessment is given of the dynamics of production and consumption of bread and exports of products, and a forecast is made for the development of the world market for bread and bakery products. The results of the analysis are necessary to assess the level of food safety and to develop a strategy that takes into account the current trends in the global bread and bakery products market. Prospective trends for sustainable production of frozen bakery products have been developed

Barriers to the development of green economy in rural areas of selected districts of the greater Poland province

Purpose: The aim of the research was to analyze the implementation of the sustainable development policy, including green economy in rural areas of the Greater Poland province in the context of planning and strategic documents of Poland and the European Union. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analytical material consisted of the results of the survey interviews and the analysis of their content. In the survey, a standardized interview questionnaire was used, on the basis of which 668 computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted with representatives of the green economy sector in rural areas in the Greater Poland Voivodeship and 21 interviews with representatives of local government units at the level of rural and urban-rural communes. Findings: The results of the research show the mechanisms to reduce the barriers to the development of green sector in the rural areas of the Greater Poland by organising social campaigns to change the awareness and educate the public on green economy, green jobs, sustainable development and social responsibility, improving the training portfolio to focus on the green skills through practical training,vproviding incentives for the enterprises and the residents to use the eco-friendly solutions in their businesses and households, preferential treatment of the projects and investments contributing to green economy, creating green jobs and supporting the development of green sector in the Greater Poland, as part of the selection process for the projects co-financed by the European Union. Practical Implications: Recommendations resulting from the conducted research and analyzes may be used by institutions responsible for creating local and regional policies. Originality/Value: The results of the comparative analysis and the theoretical discussion in this article supplement previous research on the analysis of the major barriers to the development of green economy sector in rural areas of the Greater Poland province.peer-reviewe

The chosen socio-economic problems of protecting valuable agricultural land in natura 2000 areas in Poland

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures financed under the EU CAP on agricultural land located on N2000 areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analytical material consisted of the results of surveys using a standardized interview questionnaire which were carried out among 292 farmers (152 organic farmers and 140 conventional farmers) from the the area of N2000 "Biebrza Valley" PLH200008. The assumptions were verified based on the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA analysis and Gamma rank correlation. The analytical material also consisted of EUROSTAT data on the area of the N2000 network and the area of agricultural land covered by this form of protection in EU countries. These data were subject to horizontal and vertical (years 2009-2017) comparative analysis. Findings: Environmental policy should be based on the idea of socially sustainable agriculture, including ecological sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability in terms of effective inclusion of local communities in information, education and decision-making processes at the stages of development, deployment and implementation of protection programs. Practical Implications: The recommendations resulting from the conducted research and analyses may be adopted by the institutions responsible for the creation of environmental protection policies to improve the effectiveness of active forms of protection in valuable natural habitats that are used for agriculture. Originality/Value: The article indicates the recommendations based on building a lasting relationship between farmers and the protection of the environment.peer-reviewe