The comparison of estimation methods on the parameter estimates and fit indices in SEM model under 7-point Likert scale

In this article, the author discusses the issues and problems associated with the influence of different estimation methods on the level of obtained parameters and goodness-of-fit of a Structural Equation Model (SEM) in the context of data measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Thus, the objective of the conducted analysis was to compare the selected methods of estimation such as maximum likelihood (ML), maximum likelihood mean adjusted (MLM), maximum likelihood mean-variance adjusted (MLMV), weighted least squares (WLS), weighted least squares mean adjusted (WLSM) and weighted least squares mean-variance adjusted (WLSMV) on the basis of respective parameter statistics, for which the quality of the SEM model fit was assessed. Eventually, among the presented methods, the best estimation procedure was selected. The area of empirical study and the subject of investigation refers to the opinion of consumers about the unethical behavior of companies in the area of marketing

Likert scale and change in range of response categories vs. the factors extraction in EFA model

Abstract: The objective article is the comparative analysis of Likert rating scale based on the following range of response categories, i.e. 5, 7, 9 and 11 in context of the appropriate process of factors extraction in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The problem which is being addressed in article relates primarily to the methodological aspects, both in selection of the optimal number of response categories of the measured items (constituting the Likert scale) and identification of possible changes, differences or similarities associated (as a result of the impact of four types of scales) with extraction and determination the appropriate number of factors in EFA model. Keywords: Exploratory factor analysis, Likert scale, experiment research, marketin

Opportunities and Threats Related to Accession of Poland to the Euro Zone – Perspective of Polish Enterprises

Since its beginning, the European Union has transformed, undergoing many stages of integration, from its origins as a free trade zone, to a customs union, on to a common market, then to an economic monetary union. The establishment of the euro zone was an economic plan aiming to increase the competitiveness of the European economy. At present this economic plan is being embraced by the Polish economy. In this context, the prospect of our country, joining the monetary union, from the perspective of Polish companies, is of particular importance. The main aim of this paper is to attempt to recognize whether Poland’s access to the euro zone is perceived as an opportunity or a threat by Polish managers. First, the authors, by quoting literature written on the subject will present the opportunities and threats related to the functioning of the economic monetary union, then illustrate how they pertain to Poland. This overview is accompanied by empirical research, which took a form of direct interviews conducted in 230 companies from all over Poland

Newborn Hospitalizations Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland: A Comparative Study Based on a National Hospital Registry

Objectives: There are limited data on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland on newborn health. The aim of the study is to show recent information on hospitalizations of newborns in Poland in the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic era.Methods: A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from hospital discharge records of patients hospitalized in 2017–2021.Results: The data on which the study was based consisted of a substantial number of 104,450 hospitalization records. Annual hospitalization rate was estimated to be 50.3–51.9 per 1,000 in 2017–2019, 56 per 1,000 in 2020 and it rose to 77.7 per 1,000 in 2021. In comparison to the pre-pandemic period, in the COVID-19 era, we observed significantly more hospitalization cases of newborns affected by maternal renal and urinary tract diseases (p < 0.001), syndrome of infant of mother with gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), maternal complications of pregnancy (p < 0.001). In the COVID-19 era, the prevalence of COVID-19 among newborns was 4.5 cases per 1,000 newborn hospitalizations.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak could significantly contribute to qualitative and quantitative changes in hospitalizations among newborns

Adaptive responses of animals to climate change are most likely insufficient

Biological responses to climate change have been widely documented across taxa and regions, but it remains unclear whether species are maintaining a good match between phenotype and environment, i.e. whether observed trait changes are adaptive. Here we reviewed 10,090 abstracts and extracted data from 71 studies reported in 58 relevant publications, to assess quantitatively whether phenotypic trait changes associated with climate change are adaptive in animals. A meta-analysis focussing on birds, the taxon best represented in our dataset, suggests that global warming has not systematically affected morphological traits, but has advanced phenological traits. We demonstrate that these advances are adaptive for some species, but imperfect as evidenced by the observed consistent selection for earlier timing. Application of a theoretical model indicates that the evolutionary load imposed by incomplete adaptive responses to ongoing climate change may already be threatening the persistence of species. © 2019, The Author(s)

Adaptive responses of animals to climate change are most likely insufficient

Biological responses to climate change have been widely documented across taxa and regions, but it remains unclear whether species are maintaining a good match between phenotype and environment, i.e. whether observed trait changes are adaptive. Here we reviewed 10,090 abstracts and extracted data from 71 studies reported in 58 relevant publications, to assess quantitatively whether phenotypic trait changes associated with climate change are adaptive in animals. A meta-analysis focussing on birds, the taxon best represented in our dataset, suggests that global warming has not systematically affected morphological traits, but has advanced phenological traits. We demonstrate that these advances are adaptive for some species, but imperfect as evidenced by the observed consistent selection for earlier timing. Application of a theoretical model indicates that the evolutionary load imposed by incomplete adaptive responses to ongoing climate change may already be threatening the persistence of species.Peer reviewe

Konstrukcja skali pomiaru postaw konsumenckich w ujęciu jednoparametrycznego modelu Rascha i danych dychotomicznych

The article discusses issues concerning the scale design based on one-parametric Rasch model in the context of consumers’ attitudes. The first part describes the specificity of the measurement in the light of Item Response Theory (IRT). In particular the attention is paid to the nature of the dichotomous data used in the model. At last, the author presents the scale in reference to attitudes of people towards their hedonistic, consumer lifestyle.W artykule autor omawia zagadnienia dotyczące konstrukcji skali pomiarowej postaw konsumenckich w kontekście jednoparametrycznego modelu Rascha. W pierwszej części opisano specyfikę pomiaru w świetle teorii reakcji na odpowiedzi (IRT) oraz założenia teoretyczne stanowiące podbudowę konstrukcji skal pomiarowych. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na charakter danych dychotomicznych. W końcowej części opracowania zaprezentowano problem badawczy w sferze konstrukcji skali do analizy postaw konsumentów wobec konsumpcyjno-hedonistycznego stylu życia. W pomiarze wykorzystano jednoparametryczny model Rascha

Unique Value of Youth Market as a Business Area within Strategic Targeted and Intentional Interactions in the Phonographic Recording Companies

Author in this article describes mechanism and behavior of youth and market in the context of unique activity undertaken by recording companies operating in the field of phonographic industry. Author strives to prove the great importance of youth market for the recording companies from the prospect of making great profits. Furthermore these kind of companies are deeply confined within this market. In the latter part of article, one described the methods used by surveyed companies as concerns their interaction and activities undertaken to younger customers

Geometrical perspective on rotation and data structure diagnosis in factor analysis

Geometry has always contributed to a great extent and played a significant role in the development of many of the principles of the factor models. While factor-analytic principles and procedures have been generally developed by the heavy emphasis on matrix algebra, there is still a grave importance and need towards a geometrical approach and its application in the factor analysis. In this article the author provides, on selected issues, a description in reference to factor models from a geometric viewpoint with a discussion running through its advantages and disadvantages. Finally, at the end of the paper, conclusions in reference to good conditions of factors rotation are given. This article explains to what extent a geometrical approach brings specific value and offers an extra insight into factor analysis. As proved, geometry still provides an alternative framework which may be helpful for better understanding and data structure diagnosis

Customers Research and Equivalence Measurement in Factor Analysis

Factors Analysis is often tied to specific properties of population and its culture characteristics. If measurement is applied from population to another, then extracted factors may hard to be equally compared on the reflective basic level, unless all conditions of invariance measurement are met. Hence, implementation of customers research and any inter-cultural studies require a multi-cultural model describing statistical differences in both cultures with invariance as underlying assumption. In the article we implement a model for analysis of customers’ personal values pertaining to hedonic consumption aspects in two culturally opposite populations. We conducted survey in two countries and the following cities: Poland (Poznan) and The Netherlands (Rotterdam and Tilburg) with randomly prepared samples with youth representatives on both sides. This model permitted us for testing invariance measurement under cross-group constraints and thus examining structural equivalence of latent variables - values