The role of innovation in sustainable development

Companies are being challenged to develop new modes of creating value for and with stakeholders, as well as new ways of relating to their technical and socio-ecological. Changes in business models (BMs) are recognised as a fundamental approach to implementing innovation for sustainable development. Nowadays, there is an increasingly urgent need to innovate sustainable BMs (SBMs), which are necessary to make more BMs both sustainable and profitable. Innovation in an SBM can be understood as a way to translate a sustainable development strategy into practical "action plans" for value-creating companies. This chapter will characterise the key trends and changes that are pushing us in this direction, to develop a unified theoretical perspective for understanding BM innovations that lead to better organisational economic, environmental, and social performance. Several collections of literature have been analysed to investigate whether and how BMs can be innovated to achieve the SDGs. It is relevant to understand these elements to facilitate the analysis of organisational processes and the planning of transformation from one BM to another and to increase the resilience and the probability of success

The concept of HR 4.0 : a literature review

Objective: The article aims to identify the degree of interest and consider HR 4.0 issues in scientific research. This approach enables the analysis of the existing body of work to prepare for future empirical research by gathering relevant resources of knowledge available on this subject, as well as by varying research directions. Research Design & Methods: The study adopted formal approaches and systematic methods to locate, select, evaluate, summarise, and report the references collected in a literature review. Articles were analysed using the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19), which is a tool used to construct and visualise bibliometric networks. Findings: The concept of HR 4.0 forms a separate cluster directly related to the concept of Industry 4.0, and only through this path is it shaped by other semantic determinants. This indicates a lack of detailed analysis of the concept and thus probably of the entire concept itself. In the future, from the perspective of the HR 4.0 concept, the HR function will implement specific tools, such as cybernetic influences, digitalisation of human resource management (HRM), remote HRM, human – machine interface skills, human – strategic organisational links, and human – technology interface competences. Implications & Recommendations: To date, researchers have focused on technological tools supporting human resource management processes, hence, most references have been identified with the concept of e-HRM. On the other hand, if we take the concept of Industry 4.0 as a starting point, then based on its consequences, it will also be possible in the future to analyse the relationship between the HR function and Industry 5.0. Contribution & Value Added: There is a wide cognitive gap in the research on the concept of HR 4.0, and the information obtained from research places humans at the centre of Industry 4.0 alongside technology and organisation

Personal audit as a modern human resources management tool

Personal audit is a tool for the development of companies in the human resources management area. The exact diagnosis, personal view on the weak and strong companies’ units imply to develop and implement specific changes

Effects of focal frontal lesions on response inhibition

This study examined the performance of 38 normal subjects and 43 patients with focal lesions of the frontal lobes on a simple go-nogo task where the probability of the nogo stimulus was either 75% or 25%. Patients with lesions to the superior medial parts of the frontal lobes, in particular to the left superior portion of Brodmann area 6 (which includes the supplementary motor areas and the premotor areas for the right hand) had an increased number of false alarms (incorrect responses to the nogo stimulus). These results indicate that area 6 is specifically involved in the inhibition of response. Patients with lesions to the right anterior cingulate (areas 24 and 32) were slower and more variable in their reaction time. These findings could be explained by an inability to sustain stimulus-response contingencies. Lesions to the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann areas 44, 45, 47) also increased the variability of response, perhaps by disrupting monitoring performance

Fifty Years of Prefrontal Cortex Research: Impact on Assessment

Our knowledge of the functions of the prefrontal cortex, often called executive, supervisory, or control, has been transformed over the past 50 years. After operationally defining terms for clarification, we review the impact of advances in functional, structural, and theoretical levels of understanding upon neuropsychological assessment practice as a means of identifying 11 principles/challenges relating to assessment of executive function. Three of these were already known 50 years ago, and 8 have been confirmed or emerged since. Key themes over this period have been the emergence of the use of naturalistic tests to address issues of "ecological validity"; discovery of the complexity of the frontal lobe control system; invention of new tests for clinical use; development of key theoretical frameworks that address the issue of the role of prefrontal cortex systems in the organization of human cognition; the move toward considering brain systems rather than brain regions; the advent of functional neuroimaging, and its emerging integration into clinical practice. Despite these huge advances, however, practicing neuropsychologists are still desperately in need of new ways of measuring executive function. We discuss pathways by which this might happen, including decoupling the two levels of explanation (information processing; brain structure) and integrating very recent technological advances into the neuropsychologist's toolbox. (JINS, 2017, 23, 755-767)

Personnel controlling : human capital management : results of selected company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

Tło badań. Controlling personalny koncentruje się na budowaniu efektywnościzarządzania zasobami ludzkimi, pełni funkcje motywujące i tworzy przejrzyste zasady i procedury planowania, monitorowania i kontroli oraz odnosi się do możliwościwykorzystania istniejących problemów w organizacji lub ochrony przed ich negatywnymi skutkami w perspektywie strategicznej. Cel badań. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie wyników badań wybranej procedury controllingu personalnego polegającej na wycenie kapitału ludzkiego w spółce energetycznej notowanej na GPW (Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie).Metodologia. Zastosowana procedura badawcza łączy w sobie analizę literatury z badaniami empirycznymi i opiera się na poszukiwaniu odpowiedzi na pytania o to, jak istotne są informacje z zakresu controllingu dla procesów zarządzania zasobami ludzkimi w wybranej spółce giełdowej należącej do WIG 20. Kluczowe wnioski. Badania wykazały, że pomimo braku regulowanych i sformalizowanych metod wyceny kapitału ludzkiego, spółka intuicyjnie dokonuje wycen pośrednich, jednak tylko z wykorzystaniem podejścia jakościowego i tylko przy podejmowaniu strategicznych decyzji.Background. Personnel controlling is focused on the efficiency of managing resources (human resources), it has motivating functions and creates transparent rules and procedures for planning, monitoring, control, and refers to the possibilities of using existing problems in the organisation or protection against their adverse effects. Research aims. The objective of this article is to present the results of personnel controlling research through the valuation of human capital in an energy company listed on the stock exchange (The Warsaw Stock Exchange). Methodology. The applied research procedure combines the analysis of the literature with empirical research and is based upon searching for the answer to the questions how important controlling information is for human resource management in the selected listed company belonging to WIG 20 index. Key findings. The research has shown that despite the lack of existence of regulated and formalised methods of human capital valuation, the company intuitively makes indirect valuations, however only using the qualitative approach and only when making strategic decisions

The role of i.v. ibandronate administration in osteoporosis therapy

Osteoporoza jest przewlekłą chorobą układu kostnego charakteryzującą się obniżeniem wytrzymałości kości, co z kolei prowadzi do zwiększonego ryzyka złamań. Wykazano, że na osteoporozę choruje obecnie powyżej 30% kobiet po menopauzie (Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia, 1994), ale dotyczy ona również mężczyzn. Celem leczenia osteoporozy jest zapobieganie powstawaniu niskoenergetycznych złamań kości oraz poprawa jakości życia pacjentów. Osoba, u której rozpoznano osteoporozę oprócz prewencji, wymaga również wdrożenia właściwego leczenia. Spośród dostępnych opcji terapeutycznych kluczową rolę odgrywają bisfosfoniany, leki o najlepiej poznanych właściwościach, których skuteczność terapeutyczna i bezpieczeństwo stosowania potwierdzono w licznych badaniach klinicznych i z tego względu zalecane są jako leki pierwszego rzutu. Skuteczność doustnych preparatów może być ograniczona z uwagi na niską biodostępność oraz powikłania i działania niepożądane ze strony przewodu pokarmowego. Alternatywę stanowi podawanie bisfosfonianów parenteralnie. Forma dożylna ibandronianu stanowi doskonały przykład takiego leczenia. Zaletą podawania dożylnego jest krótki czas iniekcji i dość długa, 3-miesięczna, przerwa pomiędzy podaniami co jednocześnie nie utrudnia chorym codziennej aktywności oraz zapewnia relatywnie częsty kontakt z ośrodkiem leczenia oraz z lekarzem. Dodatkowo dobra tolerancja leku i skuteczność w postaci zmniejszonego ryzyka złamań w znaczny sposób może wpłynąć na jakość życia chorych. Obecny artykuł stanowi aktualny przegląd piśmiennictwa dotyczącego skuteczności i bezpieczeństwa stosowania formy dożylnej ibandronianu w terapii osteoporozy. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (1): 51-60)Osteoporosis is a chronic disease of the osseous system characterised by decreased strength of bone tissue, which in turn leads to increased fracture risk. It has been demonstrated that osteoporosis affects more than 30% of women after the menopause (WHO, 1994). However, the disease is also observed in men. The primary goals of osteoporosis therapy include prevention of low-energy fractures and general improvement of quality of life. Any patient with diagnosed osteoporosis requires, besides prevention, the application of proper treatment. Of the available therapeutic options, the best are bisphosphonates, medical agents with well identified properties, therapeutic efficacy, and safety which has been confirmed in many clinical studies. Therefore, they are recommended as first line drugs for osteoporosis. The efficacy of oral preparations may be limited, due to low bioavailability, complications and adverse effects from the gastrointestinal tract. So the parenteral administration of bisphosphonates is a valuable alternative. A fine example of such therapy is the intravenous administration of ibandronate. Short injection time periods and the relatively long, three-month intervals between administrations are unquestionable advantages of this therapy mode. In addition, the therapy does not constrain a patient’s everyday activity, and simultaneously provides regular contact with doctors and the therapeutic centre. Additionally, a good tolerance of the drug and its high therapeutic efficacy, proven by appreciably reduced fracture risks, significantly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from osteoporosis. This paper is a thorough review of current knowledge on the efficacy and safety of i.v. ibandronate in osteoporosis therapy, as presented in the latest literature reports. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (1): 51-60

Using the concept of a learning organisation to build a third generation university : case study of the Jagiellonian University

Tło. Obecnie kierownictwo uczelni wymaga podjęcia nowych działań. W odpowiedzi na wyzwania współczesnych procesów zarządzania - budowania uniwersytetu trzeciego pokolenia - uczelnie dostosowują koncepcje zarządzania, z których dotychczas korzystano przede wszystkim w sektorze przedsiębiorstw. Takim rozwiązaniem jest koncepcja organizacji uczącej się. Cele badawcze. Celem przeprowadzonych badań była weryfikacja wykorzystania koncepcji organizacji uczenia się podczas budowy uczelni trzeciej generacji Metodologia. W metodyce badań zastosowano systematyczny przegląd literacki oraz studium przypadku Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego. Wybór tej uczelni został dokonany na podstawie subiektywnej oceny procesu ewolucji uczelni od drugiego pokolenia do trzeciego pokolenia. Przyjęcie takiej metodologii badań ułatwi w przyszłości budowanie propozycji dobrych praktyk zarządzania uczelnią dla innych uczelni. Kluczowe wnioski. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że uczelnia wykorzystuje organizację uczącą się do budowy uniwersytetu trzeciej generacji.Background. Currently, the university management requires undertaking the execution of new activities. In response to the challenges of the contemporary processes of the management - building a third generation university - universities are adapting the concepts of management, which up to now have been first and foremost availed of in the sector of enterprises. Such a solution is the concept of a learning organisation. Research aims. The aim of the research conducted was to verify the using of the concepts of a learning organisation during the building of the third generation university. Methodology. In the research methodology, a systematic literary review was applied, as well as a case study of the Jagiellonian University. The choice of this university was made on the basis of a subjective evaluation of the process of evolution of the university from the second generation to the third generation. The adoption of such research methodology shall facilitate the building of propositions of good practices of the university management for other universities in the future. Findings. The research conducted reveals that the university has been using a learning organisation to build a third generation university

Bisphosphonates and the risk of atrial fibrillation

Osteoporoza jest narastającym problemem starzejącego się społeczeństwa. Dotyczy kobiet w wieku pomenopauzalnym i ludzi starszych obu płci, często z dysfunkcją układu sercowo-naczyniowego lub zwiększonym ryzykiem chorób układu krążenia. Stwierdzono, że śmiertelność osób chorujących na osteoporozę jest porównywalna z pacjentami chorującymi na takie choroby, jak obturacyjna choroba płuc, choroba niedokrwienna serca i inne. Bisfosfoniany są najlepiej przebadaną grupą leków stosowanych w terapii osteoporozy. Z ich przyjmowaniem wiąże się ryzyko wystąpienia objawów niepożądanych, w tym zaburzeń ze strony przewodu pokarmowego, bólów mięśniowo-kostnych, martwicy żuchwy, atypowych złamań i innych. W ostatnim czasie pojawiły się informacje o wzroście ryzyka migotania przedsionków u pacjentek stosujących bisfosfoniany. Praca ma na celu zwrócenie uwagi na problem i podsumowanie aktualnego stanu wiedzy na temat powiązań bisfosfonianów z zaburzeniami rytmu serca. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (1): 93-96)Osteoporosis is a growing problem in an ageing society. It affects women of post-menopausal age, as well as elderly subjects of both sexes, often with dysfunction of the cardiovascular system or with an increased risk of circulation disorders. It has been found that the mortality rate of subjects with osteoporosis is comparable to that of patients suffering from such diseases as obturative pulmonary disease or myocardial ischaemia. Bisphosphonates are the most thoroughly studied group of drugs prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis. Their administration is, however, associated with a risk of adverse symptoms, which can occur as gastro-intestinal tract disturbances, muscular-osseous pains, mandible necrosis, atypical fractures and other symptoms. Recently, there has been discussion about an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in bisphosphonate-using female patients. This paper focuses on this particular problem, while summing up the actual status of knowledge regarding possible associations of bisphosphonates with cardiac rhythm disturbances. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (1): 93-96