SMART VILLAGES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The “smart village” concept is relatively new among EU decision- and policy it is a result of many-it is a result of many years of debate, economic and territorial inequalities, social exclusion, diversification of certain areas, gradual reduction of agricultural activities and the interaction of cohesion, regional, and common agricultural policy. The concept of smart villages implies saving villages and their inhabitants, protecting cultural heritage and using local potentials to meet modern challenges. In its initial stages, it requires activities of all stakeholders, from individuals living in the rural area in question to decision-makers participating in identifying the strengths, threats, opportunities, and weaknesses of a certain rural area. Apart from the theoretical definition of smart villages, this paper aims to analyse European regulations of smart villages, and to define the challenges and smart village traps in rural development and ways in which they can be prevented.

GRAPHICAL APPROACH TO AGE-PERIOD-COHORT ANALYSIS

The paper presents the graphical approach to decomposition of APC effect in cohort studies (mainly applied to demographic phenomena) using multilevel or accelerated longitudinal design. The aim of the paper is to present and visualize the pure age, period and cohort effects based on simulated data with an increment of five for each successive age, period and cohort variation. In cohort analysis on real data all of the effects are usually interrelated. The analysis shows basic patterns of two-variate APC decomposition (age within period, age within cohort, cohort within period, period within age, cohort within age, period within cohort) and reveals the trajectory of curves for each of the pure effects. The APC plots are developed using apc library of R package.

A TYPOLOGY OF MALE CONSUMERS ON THE MEN’S ELEGANT FASHION MARKET: CASE STUDY OF POLAND

The authors of the presented article conducted primary research among contemporary gallants, aiming to identify consumer types within the niche of elegant men’s clothing, including possible dandies. In the conducted study, online surveys were posted on internet forums and thematic groups focused on Polish male smart dressers. As many as 30% of respondents considered themselves as dandies, and three types of customers were distinguished: exacting sartorialists, low-budget gallants and phonies. The difference between the first two is mainly due to disparities in purchasing budgets. Phonies, on the other hand, appear to be superficial in purchase decisions, perhaps gaining interest in an elegant style only as a temporary whim. The results will prove useful for brands in the men’s elegance segment, broadly highlighting the in-depth characteristics of different customer groups. Moreover, contrary to the subject literature, the research shows that dandyism is still a lively trend.

THE MULTIPLE REGRESSION MODEL WITH DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLES IN ANALYSIS OF MULTI-SECTIONAL DEMAND FOR CONNECTIVITY SERVICES – APPROACH BASED ON PER SECOND BILLING

The article presents the results of comparative research of the effectiveness of two types of models in terms of approximation and short-term forecasting of the multi-sectional demand for connectivity services. The presented results of the analyses are related to the selection of an appropriate forecasting method as an element of the Prediction System dedicated to telecommunications operators. The first tested model was a multiple regression model with dichotomous explanatory variables. The second model was a multiple regression model with dichotomous explanatory variables and autoregression. In both models, the dependent variable was the hourly counted seconds of outgoing calls within the network of the selected operator. Telephone calls were analysed in terms of such classification factors as: type of day, category of call, group of subscribers. Taking into account all levels of classification factors of the explanatory variable, 35 dichotomous explanatory variables were specified. The defined set of dichotomous explanatory variables was used in the estimation process of both compared regression models. However, in the second model, first-order autoregression was additionally applied. The second model (multiple regression model with dichotomous explanatory variables with first-order autoregression) was found to have higher approximation and predictive capabilities than the first model (multiple regression model with dichotomous explanatory variables without autoregression).

THE OCCURRENCE OF MISSING DATA IN SURVEYS

The purpose of this article is to discuss issues related to the analysis of missing data. Why do missing data occur in a data set? What percentage of the collected data constitutes missing data? What is the nature of missing data that emerges during data collection? The above questions are extremely important in assessing conducted surveys or in evaluating the quality of the collected data. A lack of reflection on the aspects mentioned above may lead to false conclusions and recommendations. This article presents not only an overview of the literature regarding missing data, but also shows how in a practical way an analysis of the randomness of missing data can be performed. The analysis presented in the article is based on data collected as part of the Polish General Social Survey carried out in 2008. The main recommendation of the author is to conduct an analysis of the randomness of missing data before analyzing the collected data.

HEALTH STATUS AND DIETARY PATTERNS IN POLAND

The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the health status of Poles in the context of their dietary patterns. Results of a desk research study on dietary habits of persons working during the coronavirus pandemic and attitudes of Poles towards meal delivery services provided to the authors by external research institutions were utilized for the purpose of the article. In the framework of practical scientific cooperation, the following reports containing results of research on dietary patterns of people working during the pandemic have been made available for the purpose of this study: “Healthy, speedy or conveniently?” and “Healthy eating”. The results were used with retain of copyright and ethical principles. Data analysis led to the conclusion that people have tended to pay more attention to the food intake as well as spend more time on self-preparation of meals during the pandemic. Based on analysis of the study results, a thesis was formulated that during a pandemic, we pay more attention to what we eat, and we also spend more time preparing meals on our own. Assuming that the population of Poland in 2020 was 38,265 thousand people, it could be stated in the light of the study results that almost 650 thousand Poles were on a well-balanced diet adapted to individual consumer needs.

OLDER PEOPLE AS A SUBJECT OF RESEARCH ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

The aim of the article is to present the legitimacy and conditions of research on seniors and its challenges in the context of further development of the information society (IS). The conducted considerations lead to the conclusion that research of this nature is limited by the lack of unambiguity in the concept of elderly persons and the information society. Nevertheless, it has been argued that studies of older people as members of the IS are fully justified by the importance of this group in society as a whole. Whereas analysis conducted on those aged 60 years and over, or 65 years and over, is insufficient. Older people should be analyzed in smaller age ranges and the analyses require both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Qualitative approaches improve our understanding of the reasons that new technologies are used or rejected, which can help to achieve one of the goals of IS development – to increase the quality of life for seniors in the future.

EVALUATION OF TACTICAL PLANNING MATURITY IN SUPPLY CHAINS OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

This paper aims to propose and test a model facilitating assessment of tactical planning maturity in supply chains of manufacturing companies. The author proposes a model called Tactical Planning Maturity Model (TPMM). The model is created based on literature research, participant observations and data gathering conducted in two companies. The proposed framework combines both knowledge from supply chain integration and steps necessary to reach proficiency in sales and operation planning. The second step consists of choosing a case study method to verify model adequacy in two companies operating in central Poland. The findings illustrate the TPMM as a ready-to-use tool where the line to supply chain maturity is clearly drafted and results could be compared between production companies. This paper strengthens the link between practitioner and academic literature by providing empirical evidence of the benefits of tactical planning maturity model usage as well as its impact on further development of supply chains. This paper studied merely two companies and is not intended to be representative of outcomes for all companies looking to understand the complexity and maturity of their supply chains. Furthermore, the analyzed companies only reached level four in the maturity model; levels five and six were not observed. Further quantitative studies are required for testing the accuracy of the proposed model and potentially, qualitative studies could be undertaken in order to understand factors enabling the increase in maturity of tactical planning in the supply chains of manufacturing companies.

EXPLORING TOURIST EXPENDITURES OF THE GJIROKASTRA DISTRICT IN ALBANIA: A CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Tourism expenditures are an important indicator for measuring the impact of tourism on a destination. Information taken from the micro data of tourism expenditures, together with other socio-demographic characteristics of visitors, provides important data on the tourist demand for a destination. Visitor costs in combination with other variables can be used to profile the demand for tourist goods and services in the destination area. In this paper, the daily expenses of visitors in the Gjirokastra district of Albania are analysed. The Gjirokastra district is one of the more preferred regions and attracts a considerable number of domestic and foreign visitors, because it offers a diversity tourist attractions and services. For the purposes of this study, a survey of 200 visitors was conducted. The survey results were analysed with descriptive statistics via a cluster analysis. The survey provides detailed data on the daily expenses of visitors, divided into six main categories of a typical travel budget. Through the use of data mining cluster analysis, we identified and analysed the tourists’ daily expenses based on the purpose of their visit to the area of Gjirokaster.

DYSFUNCTIONAL CUSTOMER BEHAVIOR – A REVIEW OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

Market changes in consumer behavior can take a desirable, positive form and be accepted by other market participants, or they can be contrary to accepted social norms. According to Fullerton and Punj [1998] such behavior is the great paradox of modern consumer culture. Dysfunctional consumer behavior has become an inherent part of modern consumer behavior. The purpose of this paper is to review the results of research on dysfunctional consumer behavior based on selected scientific publications. The presentation of research topics and results will be made in two separate parts. The first part concerns the dysfunctional behaviors of customers, i.e. the way they are presented in the literature and the factors determining such behavior. The second part includes a review of research results concerning the broadly understood consequences of dysfunctional customer behavior.