Abstract:

Concern for the sustainability of the natural environment is garnering increasing interest across the globe. Environmental issues may significantly impact individuals and societies in various ways, such as by influencing behaviors aimed at adopting more sustainable lifestyles and making eco-friendly purchasing decisions. This study investigates the attitudes of Polish consumers towards pro-environmental behaviors, specifically focusing on environmental concern (EC), promoting pro-environmental behavior (PPB), the belief that Poland should move away from coal (MAFC), and willingness to pay (WTP). Data on these variables were collected in 2023 from a sample of 554 Polish respondents selected using a non-random sampling method. Results were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings revealed that environmental concern (EC) influences promoting pro-environmental behavior (PPB) and that both EC and PPB affect the belief that Poland should move away from coal (MAFC). Additionally, promoting pro-environmental behavior (PPB) and MAFC were found to influence willingness to pay (WTP). However, EC was not found to have a significant direct impact on WTP. The hypotheses were tested using a structural equation model, validated by such fit indices as CMIN/df = 2.542 (<3.0), RMSEA = 0.053 (<0.08) and CFI = 0.985 (>0.90).

Abstract:

This article investigates the factors influencing food product purchases by young Polish consumers aged 18–25 – a group important for the development of the economy. In the process of deciding to purchase specific food products, consumers pay attention to various economic and non-economic factors, including marketing. We carried out survey in October/November 2020 using the CAWI method (Google Forms) to test the importance of 17 factors on young Polish consumers’ food purchases, applying factor analysis and cluster analysis to the resulting data. The results reveal that price and product expiration date are young Polish consumers’ primary concerns when purchasing food products. The study also found that environmental sustainability attributes, although less critical than price or product quality, are increasingly influencing young Polish consumers’ purchasing decisions.

Abstract:

The concept of scientific social responsibility is appealed to in the context of research institutes more often than the concept of corporate social responsibility. Although the objective of research institutes is largely to act on behalf of the economy, for social good, and to support social activities and innovations, little research has been done on their sense of social responsibility. The aim of this article is to identify elements of social responsibility in the mission and vision of Polish research institutes (including both formal mission and vision statements, as well as informal “declarations” to similar effect). First, a critical analysis of the literature on the subject (66) was carried out, which served as the basis for developing a critical analysis of social responsibility in research institutes. This was followed by a content analysis of 88 mission and vision statements of Polish research institutes. The results, presented using R and WordArt, indicate that the missions and vision statements of Polish research institutes rarely include elements of social responsibility, despite the fact that members of the institutes’ community make such declarations. This implies the need for further research: 1) from the perspective of the institutes’ employees, concerning the diagnosis of informal activities that can be qualified as socially responsible activity; 2) from the perspective of the directors of research institutes. The purpose of further research should be to prepare recommendations that can be used in the development and implementation of the institutes’ strategies.

Abstract:

This article examines the practical significance and growing relevance of the sustainable development concept (SDC). To support the hypothesis that SDC principles need to transition from being largely declarative to more practical applications, various desk-based research methods are employed. The historical method is used to trace out the emergence and evolution of the SDC, highlighting a shift from single to diversified development, short-term to long-term sustainability, and domestic to global cooperation. Logical and analytical methods further clarify the increasing global focus on economic, environmental, and social issues. The article also explores approaches to classifying the key aspects of modern sustainable development and identifies the latest trends in the field. It emphasizes the importance of integrating the SDC’s economic, environmental, and social dimensions into corporate activities. Examples of successful corporate implementation are provided. However, the findings indicate that broader and more effective frameworks are necessary to move the SDC from theory to practice, enabling corporations to address global challenges more effectively.

Abstract:

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a management concept that has emerged in response to society’s growing sensitivity to the negative externalities of economic activity. The market success of contemporary enterprises is no longer determined solely by their ability to innovate and select tools for shaping their market positions, but also by their capability to define their roles within the social environment of which they are undoubtedly a part. This article aims to explore how Polish Generation Z consumers perceive and respond to CSR initiatives implemented by enterprises. Understanding their perspectives is particularly crucial, given that the attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of this demographic will soon significantly influence market landscapes and enterprises’ potential to attain success in them. The findings reveal that young Polish consumers place considerable importance on corporate social responsibility. This significance is reflected in their overall attitudes towards CSR initiatives and their willingness to actively support these efforts, such as through their market choices.

Abstract:

This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the virtualization of consumer behaviors in the Polish service sector, emphasizing shifts in service delivery mechanisms. The pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of virtual solutions across various sectors including tourism, gastronomy, culture, education, and healthcare, as necessitated by social distancing and other restrictive measures. The article first outlines the integration of digital solutions into various service sectors, focusing on the impact of these technologies on consumer behaviors and service delivery. Next, utilizing an online survey conducted in November 2022 with a sample of 1,100 respondents, whose socio-demographic profile corresponds with that of Polish internet users (Ariadna panel), the study examines consumer perceptions and the effectiveness of digital transformations during the pandemic. The findings indicate a high appreciation among Polish consumers for virtual solutions that improved access to and use of services during restrictive periods. However, the continuation of these virtual engagements post-pandemic appears selective, with significant inclination towards solutions in administrative, food delivery, and telemedical services, while long-term engagement in virtual cultural services is less favored. This study underscores the dual role of necessity and technological advancement in reshaping consumer interactions with service sectors, suggesting a sustained yet selective future for virtual service consumption post-pandemic.