Level In Poland Research Articles

Testowanie biegłości językowej uczniów w wieku szkolnym na przykładzie języka polskiego jako obcego

Artykuł porusza kwestię testowania i certyfikacji znajomości języka polskiego u uczniów dwu- i wielojęzycznych. Autorki przedstawiają polskie i zagraniczne rozwiązania systemowe, charakteryzując zróżnicowane podejścia do koncepcji poświadczania znajomości polszczyzny zarówno w Polsce, jak i w Niemczech, Irlandii oraz w Stanach Zjednoczonych Ameryki Północnej.
 Szczegółowo zostały omówione: niemiecka matura z języka polskiego (Abiturprüfung Polnisch) oraz tamtejszy certyfikat TELC, irlandzki Leaving Certificate Polish oraz amerykańska Seal of Biliteracy i egzamin LOTE Polish. Autorki tekstu zwracają przy tym uwagę na nowość, jaką w Polsce stanowią egzaminy certyfikatowe z JPJO w tzw. grupie dostosowanej do potrzeb dzieci i młodzieży i prezentują wyniki sondażu opinii na ten temat wśród zdających w wieku 14–17 lat, uwypuklając znaczenie i rolę tych egzaminów z perspektywy młodzieży. W podsumowaniu dyskutowana jest kwestia konkurencyjności polskich egzaminów certyfikatowych DiM wobec tego typu oferty zagranicznej.

Quality of Governance at the Communal Level in Poland: an Exploratory Study of the Worst Performer Case From the Opolskie Province

The objective of this paper is an attempt to explain the determinants of the lowest governance quality level in one of the communes of the Opolskie Province, Poland. The first stage of the research consisted in developing a commune-level governance quality index in order to measure the quality of governance in the 60 communes of the Opolskie Province. Subsequently, the commune with the lowest score in the index was qualified for the second stage of the research which was based on the extreme case method. The major conclusion from the research is that the commune leader's governance style which allowed him to hold on to power for many terms of office was responsible for generating low governance quality. Furthermore, the low quality of governance was not only the effect of the governance style but also the strategy aimed at remaining in the commune leader office for many terms.

The Role of Intelligent Organisations in Creating Favourable Conditions for the Development of Entrepreneurship

Purpose: The theoretical purpose of this study was to determine the essence of smart specialisation in local administrative units, together with the identification of its impact on the level of entrepreneurship and socio-economic development of spatial units. The empirical purpose was to indicate the relationship between the level of development of intelligent organisations (IO) in counties and the degree of entrepreneurship intensity. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper uses the method of literature studies, the standardised sums method, the weighted correlation method and cartographic analysis. Findings: Intelligent specialisation in a local administrative unit (LAU) can contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and accelerate the socio-economic development of the area. Investment attractiveness is more important for stimulating the development of entrepreneurship than intelligent organisation in local administrative units at the county level in Poland. Practical Implications: Results of the research can be used by local administrative units to shape the development strategy of an intelligent organization as well as of a smart specialisation. They can provide valuable practical guidance and synergies. Originality/Value: The paper identifies key features of the smart specialization strategy. The paper defines the intelligent organizations development level index in local administrative units of the county level in Poland in 2018 based on a set of variables. A method of constructing typologies of local administrative units is based on indices determining the level of intelligent organization, investment attractiveness and entrepreneurship. The methodological concept can be used to assess the level of development of IOs in taxonomic units of different levels in different countries.

Spatial Economic Modeling of the Waste-driven Agricultural Biogas in Lubelskie Region, Poland

Abstract In this study, we aim to support the evidence-based policy in agricultural biogas production at regional level in Poland. To do so, we set up a decentralized decision framework, simultaneously taking into account the agricultural sector heterogeneity, the biogas technology state-of-the-art and the Polish institutional setting related to renewable energy production. A partial equilibrium model simulates the agricultural and the biogas sector interactions, estimating market clearing prices and quantities at the intersection of supply and demand. The optimal number, size and location of biogas plants are derived at the equilibrium. Considering the case study of Lubelskie region, we tested alternative incentive schemes for agricultural biogas development. Results indicate that limiting the use of energy crops in favour of other substrates, such as livestock, manure and agro-industrial waste, is decisive to preserve biogas profitability under all policy scenarios tested. However, it seems that only with the implementation of the current policy scheme there is a concrete perspective for the biogas industry take-off.

Economic and Legal Instruments of Local Industrial Policy: The Case of Poland

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to diagnose and evaluate local spatial policy in Poland regarding the development of industrial activities. Design/Methodology/Approach: Legal and economic instruments currently used in local governments at their lowest level (commune) have been analyzed. The study used methods typical of social sciences, i.e., methods of empirical cognition, descriptive analysis, and deductive and inductive reasoning. In addition, the legal and dogmatic method was used in legal regulations analysis. The key tools of spatial policy were also analyzed: studies of spatial development conditions and directions as well as local spatial development plans in communes covered in the industrial use to the highest degree in these plans. Findings: Analysis of the instruments used by communes in Poland as part of industrial policy shows that they are not always adequate and keep up with the growing needs associated with strong changes in the organization of industry. Industrial policy at the local level in Poland is a relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, there is a lack of experience that would allow developing long-term legal and economic solutions. This would give communes the basis to develop stable plans and take action to develop Industry 4.0. The state should implement a program to help communes related to stimulation of desirable, i.e. modern industries. Practical Implications: Results of the analyses carried out should serve as the basis for verifying the legal regulations and economic instruments used by communes regarding industrial policy. Appropriate suggestions have been made in this regard. Originality/Value: This is the first comprehensive study for Poland, and its value is because this country before 1989 developed in the conditions of a centrally controlled economy and socialist, accelerated industrialization. After 1989, industrial policy was considered a “communist survival” with great disadvantage to the development of the country. It has only been in recent years in public debate and top-level government documents that this issue has been restored to its due rank.

Remarks on Civic Legislative Initiative in Poland

The article presents citizens’ legislative initiative at the local level in Poland as a form of social participation. Poland is currently seeing a growing interest in public affairs on the part of citizens, which is especially noticeable at the local level. In the article, particular attention is paid to the importance of local self-government, which is the key element of a democratic state that provides its citizens with an opportunity to participate in exercising public power. The structures of Polish local administration are one of the fundamental manifestations effects of decentralization of public administration. It is through these structures that the citizens’ right to take socially important actions related to the satisfying of public needs stemming from living in the given territory is exercised. Citizens’ legislative initiative at the local level allows the members of local communities to submit a draft of a resolution to the local legislative body. The establishment of the legislative initiative of the members of the local communities in generally applicable legal regulations was a positive move, as it has created an opportunity to promote citizens’ local legislative initiative as an instrument allowing citizens to have actual influence over the functioning of local communities.

Product, Packaging and Waste Management Database (BDO): A New Public Service and its Application at the Local Level in Poland

In Poland, a new register was established in January 2018, namely the Product, Packaging and Waste Management Database (in Polish – BDO). Its creation was partly necessitated by the implementation of Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and Regulation (EC) 1013/2006. The BDO is not only the Register of Notifications and Decisions regarding International Waste Shipments and the Register of Facilities with Issued Pre-Consent, but it is also a waste management tool. The article qualifies the BDO register as a public register under the assumption that, in relation to its recognition as a public register, it can fulfil an additional public utility function, defined as a public service of general interest provided by public authorities. Moreover, the BDO register allows its database content to be searched according to subject terms. It also constitutes a database that fosters the development of B2B services at the local level as it may facilitate searching for local waste collection, transport, recovery (recycling), and disposal providers in accordance with the proximity principle.

Economic Policy Response to the COVID-19 Crisis: The case of Poland

The aim of this paper is to examine the economic policy response to the COVID-19 crisis in Poland. The paper investigates the rationale for the economic policy tools implemented, their costs, and potential consequences for the Polish economy. The analysis concentrates on the initial phase of the crisis (March-April 2020). The empirical part of the paper uses data from the National Bank of Poland, Polish government, International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook), CEIC (ISI Emerging Markets), CEIDG (Central Registration and Information on Business), and Fitch Ratings. The study proves that the scope of economic policy adjustments in Poland might be viewed as relatively wide. Monetary policy tools and fiscal packages implemented induce profound consequences for the Polish economy. The total new financing needed by the government for anti-crisis measures results in a significant increase in the public debt ratio, from 44% in 2019 to 51.5% in 2020, and a state budget deficit of 7.6% of GDP in 2020. Although the projected debt ratio is still below the 55% alert threshold prescribed by Polish law, policymakers should consider risk factors. First, under an extended lockdown scenario financing needs might be larger than initially estimated. Second, if the polish currency depreciates due to external pressures, the debt ratio increases even more as 30% of the Polish public debt is denominated in foreign currencies. Financing the fiscal packages is not possible without the support of the NBP. The scope of the quantitative easing policy required is relatively similar to programmes implemented in the United States after 2009. Therefore, economic agents should expect an unprecedented increase in the NBP balance sheet. Money in circulation is expected to rise by 70%. This should have an impact on price levels in Poland, at least in the long term. The worst-case scenario is stagflation, characterised by sluggish economic growth and rising inflation.

The Scarecrow as Part of Polish Rural Cultural Landscapes

Diverse historical, cultural landscapes can be found in many parts of the world, and also in rural areas. They are a challenge for interdisciplinary research. One of the gradually disappearing components of rural cultural landscapes in Poland is the scarecrow. The objective of this paper was to analyse the role of the scarecrow in the Polish rural cultural landscape today. The field research was aimed at determining whether the scarecrow can be seen in Polish rural areas, and if yes, what the circumstances and its forms are. A site visit yielded copious photographic records of rural areas. The investigated area was selected following a literature analysis and analysis of environmental and economic conditions on the regional level in Poland. The visit demonstrated that although scarecrows are part of the cultural landscape of the Polish countryside, they are slightly more modest in their appearance than in the past. Scarecrows are placed in small, family-owned agricultural holdings that have time to uphold local traditions.

Kilka uwag o związkach współczesnej intymności, prawa i polityczności (przeciwko hegemonicznemu dyskursowi prawoznawstwa dotyczącemu art. 18 Konstytucji RP z 1997 roku)

Prawne rozstrzygnięcia dokonywane na podstawie interpretacji art. 18 Konstytucji RP, zgodnie z którą przepis ten nie tylko uniemożliwia instytucjonalizację na poziomie ustawowym w Polsce związków jednopłciowych, lecz także uniemożliwia zarejestrowanie w Polsce małżeństwa zawartego za granicą przez osoby tej samej płci, a nawet że przepis ten stanowi jedną z przeszkód transkrypcji zagranicznego aktu urodzenia dziecka, w którym jako rodzice wpisane są osoby tej sa-mej płci, prowadzą do opresji. Inspiruje to do krytycznego spojrzenia na ten hegemoniczny dyskurs prawoznawstwa dotyczący art. 18 Konstytucji, a także do postulatu kreowania przez prawoznawstwo i orzecznictwo sądowe alternatywnych dyskursów w tym zakresie — uwzględniających rzeczywistą, a nie minimalistyczną lub formalną realizację wolności i równości — które w przyszłości mogłyby przejąć pozycję hegemoniczną. W opracowaniu zawarte jest nawiązanie do idei Chantal Mouffe, że zadaniem demokracji jest przekształcanie relacji antagonistycznych (relacji my–oni, których strony są wrogami niemającymi wspólnych punktów odniesienia) w relacje agoniczne (relacje my–oni, któ-rych strony są dla siebie nie wrogami, lecz „przeciwnikami”). Bez wątpienia współcześnie w Polsce konfrontacja pomiędzy środowiskami konserwatywnymi a osobami LGBT i ich sojusznikami nie ma charakteru agonicznego i wątpliwe jest, w aktualnych warunkach politycznych, przeniesienie tego antagonizmu do agonicznej, publicznej sfery sporu. Zdaniem autora pewną rolę do odegrania ma tu jednak prawoznawstwo (i orzecznictwo sądowe), które powinno wykonać wysiłek mający na celu skonfrontowanie różnych prawniczych dyskursów na temat praw osób LGBT. Ewentualna utrata pozycji hegemonicznej przez aktualnie w Polsce dominujący dyskurs prawniczy (dotyczący art. 18 Konstytucji RP) mogłaby w przyszłości doprowadzić do „ucywilizowania” publicznej konfrontacji dyskursów dotyczących roszczeń osób LGBT (i być może przekształcenia rejestrowanej obecnie relacji antagonistycznej łączącej konserwatystów z osobami LGBT w relację agoniczną, a wreszcie — zmian prawa).

The Measurement of Social Cohesion at Province Level in Poland Using Metric and Interval-Valued Data

The notion of social cohesion is increasingly used in the political, economic and academic debate. Due to its multidimensional, the assessment of social cohesion is not easy, especially if it is conducted at a lower than national level of aggregation. The aim of the study is to assess social cohesion in provinces of Poland in 2018 using the hybrid approach involving multidimensional scaling and linear ordering based on an aggregate measure. This type of study is usually conducted using classic metric data. However, the traditional approach does not account for the variation between lower level units (i.e., districts). The authors propose a methodology which makes this possible. Additionally the results of assessment of the multidimensional phenomenon can be presented in a two-dimensional space. Classic metric data and symbolic interval-valued data (three data types: min-max, 1st decile and 9th decile, 2nd decile and 8th decile) are jointly represented in a single diagram. The consistency of the research method ensures comparability of results of linear ordering. Two criteria were used in the comparative analysis of four rankings of social cohesion. The results of the study clearly showed that the current level of social cohesion at the provinces level is geographically and historically dependent.

A Complex MCDM Procedure for the Assessment of Economic Development of Units at Different Government Levels

Studies on the economic development of government units are among the key challenges for authorities at different levels and an issue often investigated by economists. In spite of a considerable interest in the issue, there is no standard procedure for the assessment of economic development level of units at different levels of government (national, regional, sub-regional). This assessment needs a complex system of methods and techniques applicable to the various types of data. So, adequate methods must be used at each level. This paper proposes a complex procedure for a synthetic indicator. The units are assessed at different government levels. Each level (national, regional, and sub-regional) may be described with a particular type of variables. Set of data may include variables with a normal or near-normal distribution, a strong asymmetry or extreme values. The objective of this paper is to present the potential behind the application of a complex Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) procedure based on the tail selection method used in the Extreme Value Theory (EVT), i.e., Mean Excess Function (MEF) together with one of the most popular MCDM methods, namely the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), to assess the economic development level of units at different government levels. MEF is helpful to identify extreme values of variables and limit their impact on the ranking of local administrative units (LAUs). TOPSIS is suitable in ranking units described with multidimensional data set. The study explored the use of two types of TOPSIS (classical and positional) depending on the type of variables. These approaches were used in the assessment of economic development level of LAUs at national, regional and sub-regional levels in Poland in 2017.

Defense Spending as a Determinant of Poland’s Military Strength

The purpose of the study is to analyze the level of Poland’s defense spending in the years 2008–2018, in the context of their impact on the military strength of the state. The research question of this study is whether the amount of defense spending included in the state budget is a determinant of Poland’s military strength. In accordance with the methodology adopted by NATO, the analysis includes the following aspects: total planned and executed defense spending, the share of defense spending in the state budget spending, the relation of defense spending to the GDP growth rate, and the share of defense spending in GDP. In analyzing Poland’s military strength, a world military strength ranking, Global Firepower, was used. The result of the research is that the most important factors that impact the military strength of individual state economies include the amount of budget spending incurred for the functioning and modernization of the armed forces.

Voter turnout at the national level in Poland – selected aspects

The article addresses the issue of voter turnout at the national level in Poland in 1990–2019. In particular, the author focused on 2019, when the turnout in parliamentary elections was the highest throughout the period under analysis. The aim of the study is to determine the reasons for this increase in the electoral activity of Polish citizens. The analysis leads to the conclusion that after the Law and Justice party took power in 2015, significant modifications of the social system, including the political system, ensued, thereby altering selected features of the electoral situation and raising the level of political emotions. The outcome involved a significant increase in voter turnout in 2019, when the elections to the European Parliament, as well as to the Polish parliament (the Sejm and Senate) were held. The study employs the following methods: analysis and criticism of literature (sources), the systemic method, and statistical methods.

Crisis Management at the Commune Level in Poland

Abstract The article is devoted to the issues of crisis management at the community level in Poland. It contained information on a number of hazards caused by rapid technological development, frequent weather anomalies, or progressive degradation of the natural environment. It was noticed that due to constantly changing threats, the crisis management process was being evaluated. This situation requires a well-organized crisis management system at every administrative level. It was emphasized that crisis management was the activity of public administration bodies as part of managing national security.

Gender and access to STEM education and occupations in a cross-national context with a focus on Poland

ABSTRACT A comparative gender framework and cross-national data are used to examine women’s access to STEM education in Poland and cross-nationally. The transition to STEM occupations is also considered. Findings on indicators of girl’s achievement in STEM education at the secondary level in Poland show gender imbalance, but Poland is doing better than some countries. With regard to STEM occupations, Poland is among the countries with the lowest representation of women. Country level socio-economic, cultural and political factors including GNP, number of women in Parliament, gender inequality, overall equality, and religion are examined as possible factors associated with these trends in Poland and elsewhere. Detailed Polish data are used to provide additional insights into girls’ and women’s access to STEM education and ultimately occupations in Poland. The Polish data show areas for improvement but also areas of success. The research is placed in the context of Poland’s unique historical, cultural, political, and socio-economic arrangements.

Perception of Food Security at Household Level by Students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Summary Subject and purpose of work: The aim of this paper was to identify how students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn perceived food security at household level. It was verified whether selected students were able to define properly the terms connected with the topic and how food safety was assessed. Materials and methods: The survey was performed using a questionnaire as the research tool. The survey was conducted at three faculties in the following courses of studies: economics, law, and bioengineering of food production. Statistical data were included. Results: Most of the respondents considered food security at household level in Poland to be at a satisfying level. In most respondent’s households, expenditure on food in relation to income was at a higher level than the national average. Conclusions: Food security in the households of the surveyed students was ensured. The economic availability of food in the analysed households was good, as most respondents were able to purchase high quality food products.

Survival in men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Poland in the years 2000 - 2014 compared to European Countries based on Concord-3.

Wealthy countries have observed in recent decades a fast-growing number of prostate patients, who require treatment and long-term cancer care. This trend seems to be connected with some demographic changes such as aging societies, better access to diagnostic methods with high sensitivity as well as large-scale secondary prevention (prostate cancer screening at early stage before clinical manifestation). Secondary prevention is becoming more accessible and widely applied. The expected effect of prevention is to improve overall survival while the mortality trend is decreasing. The prevention success requires highly effective healthcare system that must manage additional burden which is a consequence of the need to provide optimal treatment and healthcare in a big group of cancer patients diagnosed in effective prevention programms. According to the National Cancer Registry (NCR) the number of incidence from year 1980 - 1731 cases rose in year 2013 to 12 162 cases. Apart from incidence and mortality rates, the 5-year survival is a significant factor for the assessment of a population healthcare and healthcare system efficiency. The prognosis related to prostate incidence is 22 344 men in year 2025 in comparison to 12 162 in year 2013 - that would be a double rise in incidence. CONCORD-2 results (years 1995-2009) showed, among the others, that cancer curability for some cancers, including prostate cancer improved. In year 2018 the results of CONCORD-3 were published (years 2000-2014) showing a rising trend in improvement in prostate cancer curability in Poland. The objective was to analyse the 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients in Poland, and in each of 16 voivodships, with the focus on changes in years 2000 - 2014 in comparison to European trends. The analysis was based on the 5-year net survival (estimated in CONCORD-3) in prostate cancer patients diagnosed in Poland (NCR national data) and in all Polish voivodships. The 5-year survival of prostate cancer patients and its changes in years 2000 - 2014 compared between 16 voivodships, Poland in total and 28 European countries. In Poland in years 2010 - 2014 the 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients was 78.1%, and compared to years 2000 - 2004 rose by 9.3 percentage points. Despite a systematic improvement in survival the differences between individual voivodships in Poland remained. In 6 voivodships the survival was higher than average for Poland and ranged from 80 to 82%. The lowest survival was in Opolskie voivodship - 72.3%. On a European scale, the curability of prostate cancer at that time was over 90% (9 countries), while Poland was among 5 countries whose total survival rate was less than 80% (from 72.3% - Opolskie voivodship to 83.6% -- Pomeranian voivodship). The 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients in years 2010 - 2014 in Poland was significantly lower in comparison to Western Europe countries, and favourable trends on a regional level in Poland were too slow to overcome high differentiation in Europe. It is expected that changing the structure and organisation of cancer care in Poland into a modern National Oncology Network Comprehensive Cancer Care Network, together with the use of the experiences from European projects, including iPAAC and better financing will contribute to improvement in prostate cancer treatment in Poland.

Institutional bases of household income dispersion in Poland and in France. A retrospective analysis

Household income dispersion in Poland is growing systematically. Since the late 1970s, the Gini index has increased from 0.252 (1975) to 0.313 (2016). At the same time in France, the ratio has dropped from 0.34 (late 1970s) to 0.293 (2016). A higher income dispersion is also observed among various occupations and across genders. The ratio of minimum to average wages has increased from 33.7% (1975) to 45.45% (2019). The research period covers the period of the centrally planned economy in Poland, when income leveling was an effect of government policy, and that of the market economy, which caused significant income disparities. The research problem is the growing household income dispersion in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the institutional sources of increasing income dispersion. The study involved a comparative analysis of income dispersion in the years 1975–2017 in the context of institutional changes taking place in these countries, especially after 1990. The author applied a hypothetico-deductive method. Having analysed income dispersion, the author made a hypothesis regarding the influence of institutional changes on this phenomenon and presented the groups of institutional factors. The conducted research indicated inequalities in Poland grew mainly as a result of high dynamics in the income of the highest earners (top 10% and 1%). The social policy of the Polish government may have had little impact on this factor. Moreover, the distributional effects of taxes and transfers were slightly weaker in Poland than in France. An increase in the scale of acceptance of the inequality level in Poland over the past few years is noteworthy. In France, the public opposition to inequality is growing, even though income inequality is lower than in many European countries.

Determinants of investment expenditure of local government (voivodeships)

Investments of the local government are an important determinant of development both for the regions and for the whole society. The aim of the article is to evaluate the possibility of financing investment activities by the local governments at voivodeship level in Poland. The scope of investment expenditures of these units was also analysed. The adopted time scope of the study covers the period 2012-2018. Among the levels of the local government units, voivodeship allocated the largest part of funds for investment. The level of investment expenditure of local governments varied greatly from region to region.