Implementation of a model descriptive tool for competitiveness in energy companies

Purpose: The aim of the research was to identify the factors and barriers which, in the opinion of the representatives of the surveyed entities, affect the competitiveness of companies from the energy sector in the Silesian Province. The Silesian Voivodeship still remains the most important Polish region in terms of energy development. Both production and demand for energy in Silesia are the largest in the whole country. However, a decrease in demand for energy generated in a conventional way should be expected in the coming years. As a result of empirical research, it was indicated that in the opinion of the vast majority of respondents, the competitiveness of their own company was perceived rather well. Approach/Methodology/Design: Scientific and industry literature and secondary results from energy companies and other reports were analysed. The article contains the results of own analyses, which were carried out on the basis of data obtained in the course of research carried out in energy companies. Findings: It was found that the surveyed companies, which have been operating on the market for a shorter period of time have evaluated their competitiveness well or very well. Interesting solutions have been created on a global scale based on the proposed modelling. Practical Implications: The applied research allowed to create a model for practical implications that could help not only in Poland but worldwide. Originality/Value: The research provides theoretical assumptions and practical answers to encourage further research and summary research on a global scale.peer-reviewe

Military units as elements of development potential of small and medium-sized cities

Purpose: The aim of this article is to show how the inhabitants and owners of small and medium-sized cities located in different regions of Poland perceive a military unit located on their territory in the context of its participation in building local development potential. Design/Methodology/Approach: In this research a qualitative and quantitative approach was applied. The research was carried out by means of a diagnostic survey, using the survey and the interview methods. The survey-based research included 1200 respondents from 12 cities with military units. There were also 12 interviews with persons holding managerial positions in the governing bodies of the cities. To analyse the collected material Statistica v.13.3 computer program was used, as well as R v.4.0.0 and RStudio editor. Findings: Military units, being part of the armed forces, located in the cities, are one of the elements creating local development potential. As employers, tax payers, contracting entities, "contractors" and as space users, they participate in social and economic processes occurring in the cities. Practical Implications: Understanding how local authorities and small and medium-sized city inhabitants perceive the military is helpful in preparing development plans and programs considering the military's impact on social and economic development, especially in the context of the labour market and the income situation of a particular city. Moreover, the presence of the military in a given location is seen as a distinguishing feature of this place in space, which can also be a source of new ideas and development impulses. Originality/Value: The research shows that the location and size of cities in which military units are located are primarily significant in social and economic terms. The smaller the cities, the more often the respondents notice that the presence of the unit is connected with the local budget, promotes development of local companies and the formation of attitudes of children and youth. At the same time, the influence of units on the course of local processes is connected with their size, the number of soldiers and military employees.peer-reviewe

Application of text mining in the analysis of relations between military units and local government units

Purpose: The aim of this article is to determine how the local governments of medium-sized cities see a military unit located on their territory in the context of its participation in social and economic processes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article presents the results of a research carried out using the diagnostic survey method, utilising the interview technique. For the analysis of the collected material and presentation of the results, the methods of Text mining as well as R v.3.6.1 program and RStudio editor were used. Findings: The use of text mining for the analysis of links between military units and local government units allowed to deepen the knowledge on the significance given by local government representatives to the presence of the army and its impact on socio-economic processes in specific territorial units. Practical Implications: The results of the research can be used in designing local development strategies and creating conditions for local agents to work together for development. In addition, they can be used to better understand the links between local governments and military units, by decision makers at the central level. Originality/Value: The results of the research indicate the possibility of using text mining for the analysis of complex links identified between entities on the territory of communes. Text mining allows to combine a qualitative and quantitative approach, in the context of identifying the impact of individual entities on the development of the commune and creating meanings in the process of interaction between entities located on its territory.peer-reviewe

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field