METHODOLOGY OF CLASSIFYING PERIPHERAL AREAS AND RESEARCH ON THEIR SOCIAL POTENTIAL – ORIGINAL CONCEPT

This article presents an original methodological concept for the diagnosis of social potential and the classification of peripheral areas. The authors operationalized and quantified this potential. The proposed typology of peripheral areas was assessed in terms of methodological correctness, cognitive usefulness and practical use. In the deliberations, it was possible to verify the hypothesis stating that peripheral areas, assessed as homogeneous clusters of communes, are subject to functional and structural classification. It is possible to distinguish relatively homogeneous types and to identify their local social potentials that serve to create the so-called critical mass that initiates development processes. The preliminary results of the research allowed the authors to assume as correct the statement that each of the distinguished functional types of communes in the peripheral area has a separate social potential that is characteristic of it. Its effective use may contribute to the initiation of innovative development processes in these communes. However, it is important that they take place on a separate path, adequately to the opportunities offered by this local social potential. The practical use of the methodological proposals will allow improving the process of planning and implementing the development strategy of peripheral communes, taking into account their specificity and social potential. It will also facilitate the implementation of the assumptions of the regional policy of the European Union.The authors’ methodological concept presented in the article, used to study social potentials in peripheral areas, is a proposal for researchers dealing with the issues of diversity in the socio-economic space and the problems of peripheral areas. Keywords: peripheral areas, typology, social potential, methodology, Middle Pomeranian Region JEL classification: R1, R58, O30

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN PERI-URBAN LANDSCAPES - CASE STUDY FROM POLISH METROPOLITAN AREAS

The research literature emphasizes that the dynamic development of peri-urban areas more and more often results in changes in green infrastructure potential, manifested in gradual limitation of open space, decrease in its biodiversity and loss of natural and cultural values. The aim of the study is to identify and evaluate the changes in the structure of the green infrastructure of selected urban and peri-urban areas in Poland. To accomplish this aim, the authors stated a hypothesis that changes in green infrastructure potential depend on the location of municipalities in relation to dynamically growing cities. The research conducted partially confirmed the research hypothesis stated in the study. In core cities and municipalities located up to 25 km from cities, the decrease in agricultural areas is faster at a statistically significant level, and in cities the value of the indicator illustrating the ratio of urban green spaces to developed areas decreases. The potential of the other green infrastructure elements shows growth tendencies and is not related to location.

ONLINE MEAL ORDERING SERVICE QUALITY AND DELIVERY SPEED: OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESTAURANT OPERATORS?

This study examines the importance customers attach to online meal service quality and delivery speed using data collected in 2017. The structured questionnaire probed for views on meal delivery services and socio-demographic information. The respondents participating in the survey were located in cities across 29 provinces in China. Ordered logit technique estimated equations for modeling service quality and delivery speed importance. Average meal price and food safety expectations were important to consumer perception of service quality, while payment convenience, ordered meal type, and delivery courier logo mattered to perception of delivery speed. Online order business managers should pay attention to orders with above average value, those with multiple, varied dishes, and deliveries to college dormitories. Customers ordering traditional Chinese dishes attach importance to delivery speed in contrast to those ordering barbecue. Courier appearance and display of health badges are also associated with importance attached to delivery speed.

TERRITORIAL COHESION OF MUNICIPALITIES IN POLAND IN 2005-2017 IN TERMS OF SYNTHETIC MEASURE, IN THE CONTEXT OF CONVERGENCE AND SPATIAL CLUSTERING

The concept of territorial cohesion has gained importance in the context of the development of the European Union’s regional policy, but definitions of the concept vary enormously. The article uses the concept of spatial development supporting economic and social aspects of cohesion and, on this basis, constructs a multidimensional index of territorial cohesion based on five dimensions (economic, demographic, infrastructural in two approaches and environmental) of the phenomenon. The measure was applied to the total population of municipalities (2175) in rural areas in Poland in the years 2005-2017. The aim of the study was to assess the territorial cohesion of municipalities in Poland in static and dynamic terms and use econometric tools to identify the potential convergence of cohesion and determine the effect of “catching up”, according to Jeffrey G. Williamson [1965], where municipalities with a higher level of cohesion are followed by municipalities with a lower level. The results of previous studies conducted at different regional levels indicate an increase in income polarization in rural areas and the creation of islands of convergence, where the regions with the highest and lowest wealth become similar intra-group but not inter-group. The results indicate a decrease in relative territorial cohesion in rural areas in Poland in 2005-2017 at a municipality level and a tendency to the formation of spatial clusters of entities with similar levels of the characteristic. They do not allow to confirm the view of convergence of cohesion between entities with different levels of the characteristic.

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENT WINTER RYE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

The aim of the study was to compare the production and economic effects of different winter rye depending on their production technologies. The study was carried out based on the results obtained from a field experiment conducted in two growing seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020). These experiments were conducted in Wielichowo Agricultural Experimental Station, belonging to the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation – the State Research Institute in Puławy (Poland). The result of the study was the determination of economic efficiency indicators for two cultivars of winter rye varieties according to production technology The technologies differed in terms of the degree of consumption of means of production. The studies showed a significant influence of production technology intensity on the yields of winter rye cultivars. Intensive technology resulted in a significant increase in grain yield. The tested cultivars yielded higher under intensive production technology. The cultivation of winter rye according to intensive technology compared to integrated technology resulted in a significant increase in grain yield . The grain yield increase for the KWS Vinetto cultivar was 0.13 t/ha, while for the Dańkowskie Granat cultivar 0.20 t/ha. Research showed that the level of production intensity determined the amount of direct costs as well as the profitability of production in a given technology. The compared technologies ensured the profitability of winter rye grain production. Both production technologies ensured the profitability of production of the tested cultivars of winter rye. The most profitable direct profitability index was characteristic for the population cultivar Dańkowskie Granat grown under the integrated technology.

AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS, EXTENSION, FINANCE AND RURAL LOANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA: THE CASE OF LOGISTIC REGRESSION

The aim of this article is to examine the impact of the use of agricultural extension, advisory services and agricultural loans on the introduction of agricultural innovations in the Republic of Serbia. Agricultural innovations are incremental changes through which individuals and organizations introduce new or use significantly improved products, services or ways of organizing in order to increase the performance of agriculture. While agricultural extension involves agricultural knowledge, information and skills that are passed on to farmers, their associations and other value chains market actors, agricultural loans are one of the most important financial instruments available to them. In order to investigate the predictive power and influence of these variables, the paper applied the method of binary logistic regression due to the categorical nature of predictors and the dependent variable. Based on the conducted research, the article found that the use of agricultural loans does not have a statistically significant impact on the introduction of agricultural innovations in Serbia, while agricultural extension has. The article concludes that for the further flourishing of agricultural innovations, the development of advisory services, as well as for the development of various fiscal incentives and rural financial instruments, it is necessary to continuously develop the devastated Serbian village and invest more intensively in rural development. This is the only possible way to prevent further waves of rural population emigration to cities, as well as to improve their knowledge, propensity for innovations and livelihoods.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SET-ASIDE AND FALLOW LAND SCALE IN POLAND

Changes in land management methods constantly occur, caused by natural, economic, social and demographic conditions. This paper aims to determine changes in set-asides and fallow land in Poland, in the years 1990-2020, and determine the spatial diversity of this phenomenon. The study was based on available statistical data for the studied period. The study shows that, before 2004, the share of fallow land was much more significant. After Poland acceded to the European Union, land left without cultivation decreased considerably with a simultaneous increase in the area of land used for agriculture. The results show that the share and number of hectares of fallow area decreased. The provinces of Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Opole and Wielkopolskie were characterized by the lowest percentage of fallow land in the agricultural area of the province. In contrast, the provinces of Podkarpackie, Lubuskie, Świętokrzyskie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie had the highest percentage of fallow land.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY LEVEL OF SELECTED COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN POULTRY MEAT PRODUCTION

One of the key markets of the European Union is the poultry meat market. The situation on this market is of significant importance to both producers and consumers. The main aim of the article is to study the level of self-sufficiency of selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe in the production of poultry meat. Eleven countries were selected as the research area: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. In the conducted research, simplified indices of self-sufficiency were used: the balance of foreign trade in terms of volume and value, average annual consumption per capita and production volume in relation to consumption. The study was conducted for the years 2009-2018. The statistical sources used come from FAOSTAT and International Trade Centre databases. Research has shown that the analyzed countries are characterized by a significant diversification of the self-sufficiency level of poultry meat production. Only 6 analyzed countries can meet the domestic consumption demand from their own production, the remaining countries supplement the deficit from imported goods. The highest level of self-sufficiency of poultry meat production was observed in Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania and Hungary. On the other hand, the lowest level is found in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia and Latvia.

THE WEALTH EFFECT IN AGRICULTURE IN LIGHT OF EXPERIENCES OF FARMS FROM THE WIELKOPOLSKA REGION

The aim of the article is to initially identify the characteristics of farms in which the wealth effect appears and recognize the extent of this effect in market farms in the Wielkopolska Region. This was realized based on the results of 120 questionnaire surveys of farms in the Wielkopolska Region. The research shows that there is a group of farms in which the wealth effect takes place (9.2% in the surveyed group). This mainly applies to units specializing in field crops. Farms in which the potential wealth effect appears are characterized by a larger area of arable land but, on the other hand, by a lower income, value of assets and output. In addition to the risks associated with this effect, there are also positive aspects relating to an increased economic activity of farms or an increase in the possibility of credit guarantees. In the context of research results, it would be advisable, in the future, to increase the degressivity of area payments under the CAP due to their lower impact of payments on the capitalization of subsidies and, thus, the intrinsic increase in asset value in farms.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL OF PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN POLAND COMPARED TO BIOEAST COUNTRIES

In the face of many global challenges, including ongoing climate change, policymakers are seeking viable solutions. The bioeconomy and its development are one of them. Partnerships, such as BIOEAST, are established to support the development of the bioeconomy in CEE countries. The conversion of biological biomass into new bio-products with high added value can contribute to a reduced environmental impact. One of the three economic sectors producing biomass for manufacturing is agriculture. Within the framework of this study, using the PRODCOM statistical list, which provides statistics on the production value of manufactured products, an assessment of manufacturing involving biomass processing utilizing biomass from the agricultural sector in countries of the BIOEAST initiative was performed. In BIOEAST Initiative countries, biomass from agriculture is predominantly used by the food production sector, followed by economic sectors, such as beverages, textiles, leather and wearing apparel. In several BIOEAST initiative countries, the percentage of the production value utilizing biomass from the agricultural sector is remarkable. Poland is one of those countries for which the value of manufacturing production utilizing agricultural biomass represents almost 30% of the total manufacturing value. The results obtained from the analysis, along with detailed information on specific product groups, can provide valuable information for decision makers planning the development of the bioeconomy in reviewed BIOEAST countries, including Poland.