Abstract The aim of the paper is to review how free funds (available cash resources) are managed in the Polish state budget, to review the solutions used at the national and local levels in other countries and assess the quality of management in Polish conditions. Analysis of the budget available cash resources covered the last twelve years and included both periods of economic growth as well as crisis years. Methodology of the research included financial analysis of state budget revenues, expenditure, debt income and debt repayment expenses, as well as public debt statistics and ear-marked funds data. The results obtained during the study provide for the formulation of a negative opinion regarding the management of available funds in the state budget. Based on the research results, the authors prepared a number of recommendations, the implementation of which will increase the effectiveness of public funds management.

Abstract The paper aims to present the retirement attitudes of individuals in Poland and Southeastern European countries. In our study, we have shown that many factors influence retirement decisions. These decisions are influenced by the state-guaranteed pension level and the individual's perception of this security, and individual retirement savings. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age and gender also play a crucial role in shaping these decisions. Firstly, our study shows that age has a statistically significant effect on stated attitudes towards the state pension. For each additional year of life, the odds of respondents stating that they will cover their expenses in old age by drawing a state pension increase by 4,4% (Poland) and 1% (Southeastern Europe). Secondly, respondents identified the state as the primary source of retirement security. This trend is observed in both Poland and other European countries. The data used in the article comes from national surveys conducted using the updated 2018 OECD/INFE Toolkit for measuring financial literacy and financial inclusion. The analyses in this article cover Poland and seven Southeastern European countries that participated in the OECD/INFE survey (Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Romania).

Abstract The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of an unpredictable individual event such as the COVID-19 pandemic on dividend decisions of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Due to the fact that the vast majority of companies do not provide detailed justification for dividend decisions, the analysis was based on a panel probit model with random effects of dividend propensity in the years 1998-2019, which was used to develop forecasts of dividend payments in 2020. The difference between the forecast and the actual dividend decision made by companies in 2020 could be attributed to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The analysis covered 152 domestic companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange that paid dividends in 2019 and/or in 2020. The calculations showed that, being uncertain about the future macroeconomic situation and, consequently, about their own, some companies stopped systematic annual dividend payments or significantly reduced their level. The companies made such decisions despite the fact that the forecasts developed on the basis of the probit model, proposed in the paper, indicated that they should pay dividends in 2020, as indicated by their good economic and financial situation.

Abstract Due to an ongoing energy crisis and fluctuating energy prices, the prerequisites for maintaining optimal indoor environmental quality (IEQ), a critical determinant of productivity, cognitive performance, and overall well-being, have been significantly disrupted. This study focuses on examining determinants of thermal comfort, a subjective evaluation of the thermal environment and a key component of IEQ. Through a survey of employees and users of public buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the research employs a four-stage regression analysis to identify the main predictors of thermal comfort. Although 71.33% of respondents report satisfaction with the heating system, only 43.13% find the heating to be adequate, with the optimal perceived temperature averaging 21.66°C. The results show that key factors influencing thermal comfort include thermal sensation, thermal memory, gender, and respondent type (employee versus user). These seminal results could offer valuable productivity and financial implications for energy savings, especially for budgetary policymakers aiming to reduce energy consumption as well as for public sector management and public institutions seeking to improve well-being and productivity.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which the activation of innovation and investment activities contributes to the restoration of the economic potential of enterprises in Ukraine under the conditions of transition to Industry 5.0 standards and the implementation of circular economy principles. The focus is placed on Ukrainian enterprises as the object of the study, considering sectoral differences and the specific challenges caused by the ongoing war. The task is to present a methodological approach that will allow us to present how to assess the significance of the influence of certain areas in the activation of innovative and investment activities of an enterprise on the restoration of economic potential. The principles of Industry 5.0 and the circular economy are also taken into account. As a result, the method of pairwise comparison was chosen and, by involving experts, to determine the most significant factors of the activation of innovative and investment activities of an enterprise that affect the restoration of economic potential, taking into account the standards of Industry 5.0 and the circular economy. The results may have practical significance in further use within the activities of enterprises of Ukraine and beyond. This article examines the impact of activating innovation and investment activities on the restoration of economic potential of Ukrainian enterprises amid the transition to Industry 5.0 and the adoption of circular economy principles.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify the enablers of financial well-being among urban households. Once these enablers are identified, the authors aim to develop a framework to explore their positioning and prepare a hierarchical structure of the enablers of financial well-being in the overall financial status of urban households in India. The present study explores what the enablers of urban households’ financial well-being in India are and what the hierarchical framework is for those enablers. Data were collected from 59 people who were heads of families making financial decisions in different parts of India. The authors identified 11 unique enablers from the literature. Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) is used to identify the hierarchical structure of the enablers of financial well-being. This study generated six levels of enablers, and the lowest level of the model is education level (E1), which is a key enabler of financial well-being, and the topmost level is (E10), which is satisfaction in life. The model suggests that education level enables people to achieve life satisfaction by improving their financial well-being. This study fills the gap by identifying key enablers using the literature and arranging them into a hierarchical model using the ISM technique. This helps in extending the present literature as well as improving financial well-being.

Abstract The real estate sector plays an important role in economic cycles and macroeconomic stability, as shown by various studies that establish a link between real estate prices and economic activity. While the traditional determinants of real estate prices have been extensively studied, the impact of institutional factors such as Eurozone membership and Schengen accession has not yet been sufficiently researched. Monetary integration promotes economic growth by boosting trade, investment and financial integration, while lower interest rates improve access to credit, which drives demand for real estate. Similarly, Schengen accession increases labor mobility, cross-border economic activity and the acquisition of real estate, further fueling demand for housing. Therefore, this study aims to examine the role that these institutional changes have on the real estate markets in the EU member states. A panel data analysis for the period from 2000 to 2023 using a fixed effects model confirms that joining the Eurozone has a statistically significant impact on house prices, primarily due to lower interest rates and economic growth. Schengen membership also contributes to rising real estate prices as it increases labor mobility and tourism-driven demand. The study findings suggest that policy makers should address housing affordability issues through targeted measures, including fiscal and regulatory interventions, rather than relying solely on monetary policy.

Abstract It is assumed that energy performance certificates (EPC) can promote energy efficiency, increase property values, and improve market liquidity by providing trustworthy energy performance information. This article will provide a comprehensive study of the impact of EPCs on the residential selling prices in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. For the analysis, the original dataset was extracted from the publicly accessible sreality.cz portal. The hedonic regression model was applied to evaluate how the EPC influences the selling price of apartments in Prague. The regression analysis results are entirely in line with the analyzed current literature. EPC ratings have been proven to significantly affect the selling price in Prague and several other locations. In the most affluent locations of Prague, i.e., typically historical locations, the EPC ratings have not proved to be a statistically significant price factor because these locations suffer from excess demand and limited supply of properties.

Abstract The paper analyzes how aircraft acquisition structures - leased versus owned - affect airline performance. It considers the controlling role of business models, specifically low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service providers (FSPs). Using financial and operational data from 142 airlines globally, the study applies correlation and regression analysis to assess how leasing ratios influence indicators such as revenue, market capitalization, fleet value, load factor and profitability. While leasing offers flexibility and supports fast expansion, it does not guarantee operational efficiency. The study emphasizes the need to control for the business model when analyzing the financial effects of leasing. Model-specific strategies significantly influence an airline‘s performance outcomes. LCCs typically exhibit higher leasing ratios due to their asset-light strategies and initial capital limitations. Future research should address whether airlines rely on leasing primarily as a tool for operational optimization or as a response to financial necessity.

Abstract The paper will discuss the problem of pensioner poverty in Poland, its elimination, as well as the question of the impact of social policy measures on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) called ‘no poverty’. The purpose of the article is to assess the financial situation of pensioners in Poland, taking into account the impact of supplementary pension benefits (understood in the study as the thirteenth and fourteenth pensions) on the level of poverty among pensioners in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Poland. The topic of pensioner poverty and its consequences is one of the aspects often overlooked in the discussion of sustainable development, where ‘poverty’ is simplified exclusively to a social issue, while it is an important aspect of economic development. To achieve the purpose of the study, the authors used statistical data describing the problem of poverty and changes in this area in the period 2010-2024 (where possible, a wider range of data has been provided to provide a more complete picture of the phenomenon), based on data from the Statistics Poland and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). The analyses carried out indicate a short-term positive impact on the proportion of poor pensioners in Poland, but at the same time little effectiveness of the benefits known as 131 and 141 pensions.