Synthetic Indicator Research Articles

A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Decent Work in Five Countries Using Count Panel Data Models

This paper proposes a methodology for measuring Decent Work (DW) from a multidimensional perspective using Alkire and Fosters methodology. According to Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs), we created a multidimensional index of DW, and takes into account five dimensions, the dimensions include indicators on the availability of employment opportunities, availability of adequate earnings and productive work, availability of stability and security of work, availability of equal opportunity and treatment in employment and availability of social security. Despite the fact that the variables included in this index are not exhaustive due to the aforementioned data constraints, they serve to illustrate to what extent countries are working to provide the greatest number of Decent Work opportunities (DWO) using a data set specifically designed to measure the Decent Work indicator (DWI).Following recommendations made by the existing literature on work quality and the number of DWO provided by countries. In our numerical application, we use count panel data (CPD) models to investigate the impact of some dimensions on the number of DWO for five countries (Bahrain, China, Egypt, Jordan, and Nigeria) that have implemented DW country projects and programmes to construct a synthetic indicator of DW at a country level from 1999 to 2019.The results generated by this indicator show that the methodology used can allow policymakers to identify and focus on the most vulnerable workers in a labour market. The results of this index are then analyzed to highlight the contribution that the indicator can make to the discussion of labour markets in countries , and arranges countries according to the level of DW, through which these countries can measure their level of progress towards DW, The findings degrees different levels of DW among the five countries studied, with Nigeria and Jordan presenting very poor results in terms of the index; Egypt falling into the middle range of achievement; and Bahrain and China achieving better results.

Integrated Satellite System for Fire Detection and Prioritization

Several studies have shown the relevance of satellite systems in detecting, monitoring, and characterizing fire events as support to fire management activities. On the other hand, up to now, only a few satellite-based platforms provide immediately and easily usable information about events in progress, in terms of both hotspots, which identify and localize active fires, and the danger conditions of the affected area. However, this kind of information is usually provided through separated layers, without any synthetic indicator which, indeed, could be helpful, if timely provided, for planning the priority of the intervention of firefighting resources in case of concurrent fires. In this study, we try to fill these gaps by presenting an Integrated Satellite System (ISS) for fire detection and prioritization, mainly based on the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST), and the Fire Danger Dynamic Index (FDDI), an original re-structuration of the Índice Combinado de Risco de Incêndio Florestal (ICRIF), for the first time presented here. The system, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), and Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) data, provides near real-time integrated information about both the fire presence and danger over the affected area. These satellite-based products are generated in common formats, ready to be ingested in Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies. Results shown and discussed here, on the occasion of concurrent winter and summer fires in Italy, in agreement with information from independent sources, demonstrate that the ISS system, operating at a regional/national scale, may provide an important contribution to fire prioritization. This may result in the mitigation of fire impact in populated areas, infrastructures, and the environment.

Multidimensional and Global Indicators for Government Start-ups’ Risk Decisions-Making

ABSTRACT Despite advances in understanding Government start-ups and risk strategy innovation, the area remains underdeveloped, notably within the public administration literature and limited number of studies, tested the moderating effect of multidimensional and global indicators connecting time to operational and organizational risk, is available. The purpose of this article is to test, the model that the organizational risk would generate a decision-making optimization considering the decision timing. The results indicate a desirable reconceptualization of the synthetic, multidimensional, and global indicators of the productivity of Government start-ups. A facto-experimental approach is mobilized for the needs of this research. To moderating the variables, an empirical test was conducted that dealt with the operational and organizational risk influence optimization over time. In doing so, one would clearly notice the fragmentation of time and risk dimensions. The paper attempts to model thesis dimensions in one study.

Abdominal Aortic Screening Is a Priority for Health in Smoker Males: A Study on Central Italian Population.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major public health problem. In the last decade, in some European countries, abdominal aortic screening (AAS) is emerging as a potential prevention for the rupture of AAA. The goals of our study were to estimate AAA prevalence and risk factors in males and females in a central Italian population, also defining the cost-effectiveness of AAS programs. A pilot study screening was conducted between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 in the municipality of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Italy) in a group of men and women, ranging from the age of 65 to 79, who were not previously operated on for AAA. The ultrasound was performed by means of Acuson sequoia 512 Simens with a Convex probe. The anterior posterior of the infra-renal aorta was evaluated. The odds ratio values (ORs) were used to evaluate the risk of AAA, and the following determinants were taken into consideration: gender, smoke use, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. We also estimated the direct costs coming from aneurysmectomy (surgical repair or endovascular aneurysms repair—EVAR). A total of 62 AAA (2.7%, mean age 73.8 ± 4.0) were diagnosed, of which 57 were in men (3.7%, mean age 73.6 ± 4.0) and 5 were in women (0.7%, mean age 74.3 ± 4.1). Male gender and smoke use are more important risk factors for AAA ≥ 3 cm, respectively: OR = 5.94 (2.37–14.99, p < 0.001) and OR = 5.21 (2.63–10.30, p < 0.000). A significant increase in OR was noted for AAA ≥ 3 cm and cardiac arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease, respectively: OR = 2.81 (1.53–5.15, p < 0.000) and OR = 2.76 (1.40–5.43, p = 0.006). Regarding the cost analysis, it appears that screening has contributed to the reduction in costs related to urgency. In fact, the synthetic indicator given by the ratio between the DRGs (disease related group) relating to the emergency and those of the elective activity went from 1.69 in the year prior to the activation of the screening to a median of 0.39 for the five-year period of activation of the screening. It is important to underline that the results of our work confirm that the screening activated in our territory has led to a reduction in the expenditure for AAA emergency interventions, having increased the planned interventions. This must be a warning for local stakeholders, especially in the post-pandemic period, in order to strengthen prevention.

Sustainable tourism evaluation using a composite indicator with different compensatory levels

The use of composite indicators for the evaluation of sustainable tourism is an option widely used in the literature. Among the works proposed, two major contrasting approaches can be distinguished, differentiated by the degree of compensation allowed between the indicators of the starting system. On the one hand, there are synthetic indicators with additive or multiplicative aggregation where a compensation between the base indicators is admitted. On the other hand, there exist composite indicators with multi-criteria aggregation where compensation between indicators is not permitted. In this study a composite indicator is suggested that combines both approaches by performing an aggregation with different levels of compensation in different phases. This depends on the structure given to the starting system, combining different aggregation methods. Methodologically, additive aggregation at the most basic levels is applied, using weights according to the amount of information provided by each indicator, enabling a total compensation at this stage. Aggregation at the higher levels of the system is performed using a non-compensatory aggregation by means of the Borda-Condorcet method, whose cardinality allows the improvement of other non-compensatory proposals. To show the potential of the proposed indicator, an empirical study is presented to evaluate sustainable tourism in the tourist destinations with the highest demand in Andalusia (Spain).

РОЗПІЗНАВАННЯ КРИЗОВИХ ЯВИЩ ТА МЕТОДИКА ЇХ ВИЯВЛЕННЯ

The article considers the theoretical and methodological justification and grouping of existing methods for recognizing crisis phenomena and the possibilities of their detection. The study reveals that while examining existing methods and models for assessing bankruptcy and forecasting the crisis of agricultural producers, it was established that the discriminatory models based on linear dependence have limitations, which do not clearly reflect on the reliability of the crisis in agricultural enterprises due to the seasonal nature of their operations. Attention is paid to the use of logistic-regression models, which are based on the binary result and, accordingly, allow to obtain calculations with a higher probability, provides a higher probability of forecasts. It was found that as a result, the diagnosis of the crisis in the company should be carried out according to a clear algorithm. It is suggested that current system of crisis indicators at the enterprise is not fully focused on its early recognition. It reflects the inertial orientation of the planned economy to manage only the processes of consistent and "steady" development, while in a market economy, states of recession and rise, development and decline alternate. This dictates the need to develop new synthetic indicators in order to more accurately and timely determine the probability and timing of crises. Of great importance is not only the system of indicators that reflect the main signs of the crisis, but also the methodology of their design and practical use. In the current management mechanism, this is its weakest link, as the methodology of crisis recognition should permeate all aspects of this process: purpose, indicators, their use in situation analysis, the practical value of crisis prediction and more. The lack of unity in the interpretation of the essence on the concept of "crisis in the enterprise" makes it difficult to identify the crisis. The described set of methods indicates a variety of approaches to diagnosing the crisis in enterprises, but it is a priori impossible to say which of them is the most suitable for studying the problem in agricultural enterprises.

Quality of life in the context of the distance from the city centre and access to green areas, illustrated with the case of Kraków district

The aim of the study was to determine the diversity in the standard of living of the inhabitants across the municipalities that make up the Kraków district (powiat krakowski). The study ex- amined the socio-economic conditions and the relationship between the standard of living and the distance from the central city. In their research, the authors also attempted to determine the relationship between the quality of life and the accessibility of green areas. The standard of living and accessibility of green areas were defined as synthetic indicators, using the non-model method. In order to verify the research questions, the Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was applied. The basis for calculating the value of the green areas accessibility index was a network analysis conducted using the QGIS 3.16 software, applied to the CORINE Land Cover 2018 and OpenStreetMap data. The research on the standard of living and quality of life was based on data from public statistics. Ultimately, two classifications were obtained: (1) the standard of living and the quality of life, and (2) the accessibility of green areas. Significant differences in the values of the quality of life and standard of living index were demonstrated. It was concluded that the municipalities of Wielka Wieś, Zabierzów, and Zielonki have the highest standard of living of all the studied area. The best accessibility of green areas is found in the Krzeszowice municipality. In the analysed area, no significant correlation was found between the standard of living and the accessibility of green areas. The results can be applied, among others, in conducting marketing activities of administrative units and as an aid in determining areas requiring the attention of local authorities.

ПРО ДЕЯКІ ПИТАННЯ ОЦІНКИ ФІНАНСОВОГО СТАНУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The purpose of the article is to critically analyze the essence of the financial condition of the enterprise, with further study of key analytical indicators that are used or can be used to assess the financial condition of the enterprise. Firstly, the very subject of study of financial science is emphasized, since it is the finances of an enterprise that can act as a generalized indicator of the success of the entrepreneurial activity. Secondly, attention is drawn to the essence of "profit" as a key indicator that determines the effectiveness of a particular enterprise, in particular, the content of this indicator is analyzed from the point of view of the legislator. The thesis is that most of the indicators used in the financial analysis are in no way innate, only there is a consensus opinion of experts on their general content and feasibility of use. Further attention is paid to the feasibility of using indicators such as net income, gross profit, operating income, etc. Also, the article states that synthetic indicators are also used in addition to analytical indicators of financial analysis. The thesis is formulated that in general the list of synthetic indicators of analysis is not exhaustive and depending on the problems and depth of analysis, each researcher can create their own indicators, which can be unique for a particular enterprise, and more commonly used in the future. Legislatively established that enterprises of any organizational and legal form are fully responsible for their obligations to creditors, budget, public control bodies (professional unions), etc., and therefore the responsibility for their own financial condition is also borne by the enterprises themselves, at least within the statutory property. This provision allows the fact that in addition to several innormated indicators of analysis as income or income, other indicators of analysis should be used, and not only are generally accepted in domestic practice. In particular, given the growing share of foreign funding for Ukrainian enterprises, additional attention should be paid to financial analysis indicators such as EBITDA, EBIT, OIBDA, and others.

Bioeconomy development level at a macro scale and from a regional perspective in Poland

Purpose: Bioeconomy is a contemporary concept of economic development. It means focusing on increasing economic efficiency through a more extensive use of renewable environmental resources. The implementation of this concept causes structural changes in the economy and consumption at both macro, regional and local levels. The bioeconomy refers to the concept of sustainable development. The level of development of bioeconomy is important in enhancing regional cohesion in terms of economic and social development. The bioeconomy is the subject of both conceptual research and structural decision-making in economic development. The purpose of the article is to present economic diversification in Poland in 2010-2019 in relation to selected aspects of bioeconomy development. Design/methodology/approach: In order to construct the indicator of the level of bioeconomy development in the regions, statistical characteristics were selected and weighted using a formula that favored the characteristics with the highest variability. Then, to illustrate the level of bioeconomy, a synthetic indicator was constructed to divide the regions into three categories: low-development regions, developing regions and developed regions. Findings: The level of bioeconomy development in Polish regions shows great variation in both bioeconomy resources, economic indicators for the bioeconomy and innovation in the production process. Dispersion coefficient of regional level of bioeconomy points to the ongoing processes of regional divergence in the bioeconomy in Poland. Efficiency in the use of available resources, including the degree of renewable energy use and the level of innovation in the regions, was the most important factor in the development of the bioeconomy during the study period. Research limitations/implications: The use of statistical methods should be comprehensive in order to present a picture of the subject of the research from multiple perspectives and the findings regarding other areas. Hence the need to use research methods that take into account the interdependence between different factors affecting socio-economic development both on a national and regional scale. Practical implications: The development of bioeconomy is undoubtedly a factor influencing the socio-economic development of regions. However, it is not the only developmental stimulator. The activities of both national and regional authorities should be diversified, based on supporting various types of economic activity and investing in different branches and industries. A holistic approach to the issue of regional disparities that takes into account the bioeconomy can lead to a narrowing of the development gap between different regions in the country. Social implications: The development of bioeconomy is an opportunity to improve the quality of life and living conditions for the inhabitants of regions with resource potential and openness to apply new solutions and technologies in this area. Originality/value: An attempt to identify the level of bioeconomy development in dynamic terms and its relationship to the positioning of regions in terms of the level of socio-economic development. Keywords: bioeconomy, regional disparities, green growth, Polish and EU strategic documents. Category of the paper: research paper.

Оценка мультипликативного влияния инвестиционных проектов Дальневосточного федерального округа на социально-экономическое развитие территорий

Approximately two thousand investment projects, which have already been financed at a cost of about 700 billion roubles, are being implemented in the Far Eastern Federal District. The effects from the implementation of these projects include the commissioning of about 270 enterprises and creation of over 40 thousand jobs. The paper aims to develop and test tools for estimating the multiplier effect of investment projects on the dynamics of regional development indicators. The integral analysis method was used to aggregate various multi-dimensional characteristics of selected projects into one synthetic indicator. As a result, a generalised ranking of investment projects was compiled to assess their combined contribution to regional development. The top-3 projects are: 1) Inaglinsky mining and processing plant (has the greatest economic effect estimated by the expected gross regional product increment of 252 billion roubles); 2) Vostochny Cosmodrome (is expected to create 4,000 new jobs); 3) Sakhalin GRES-2 (has a commercial effect estimated by the expected inflow of private investment in the amount of 432 billion roubles). A detailed study of Far Eastern investment projects in the coordinate space “regional efficiency — regional socio-economic development” allowed us to quantify their multiplicative contribution to socio-economic development of the regions. According to the ranking of investment projects in the Far Eastern Federal District, the largest projects, expected to show high quantitative results, have a multidirectional impact on the socio-economic indicators of the regions of operation. The research results can be used to develop national and regional support programmes for major investment projects to attract additional funding, establish a system of measures for maintaining a favourable investment climate in the region, as well as to create the necessary infrastructure.

COVID-19's intra-urban inequalities and social vulnerability in a medium-sized city.

ABSTRACTBackground: Social conditions are related to the impact of epidemics on human populations. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 and its association with social vulnerability. Methods: An ecological study was conducted in 81 urban regions (UR) of Juiz de Fora from March to November 2020. Exposure was measured using the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI), a synthetic indicator that combines socioeconomic and environmental variables from the Demographic Census 2010. Regression models were estimated for counting data with overdispersion (negative binomial generalized linear model) using Bayesian methods, with observed frequencies as the outcome, expected frequencies as the offset variable, and HVI as the explanatory variable. Unstructured random-effects (to capture the effect of unmeasured factors) and spatially structured effects (to capture the spatial correlation between observations) were included in the models. The models were estimated for the entire period and quarter. Results: There were 30,071 suspected cases, 8,063 confirmed cases, 1,186 hospitalizations, and 376 COVID-19 deaths. In the second quarter of the epidemic, compared to the low vulnerability URs, the high vulnerability URs had a lower risk of confirmed cases (RR=0.61; CI95% 0.49-0.76) and a higher risk of hospitalizations (RR=1.65; CI95% 1.23-2.22) and deaths (RR=1.73; CI95% 1.08-2.75). Conclusions: The lower risk of confirmed cases in the most vulnerable UR probably reflected lower access to confirmatory tests, while the higher risk of hospitalizations and deaths must have been related to the greater severity of the epidemic in the city’s poorest regions.

Evaluation of the innovation activities of companies in the competitive EU market – external factors

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the innovation activities of companies in the EU countries, taking into consideration the external factors. Design/methodology/approach: This article focuses on the analysis of the most frequently used factors determining the external conditions of the companies innovation activities with the use of taxonomic analysis. The research was conducted on the annual data for years 2017-2019 for the selected European countries. The data from the databases of OECD and Eurostat were used in the analysis. Findings: The results of the conducted analysis allow to conclude that the state and organisation of innovation activities in the economy and thus, in the companies is strongly dependent on external factors. The averages and quartiles were calculated to show the dynamics of the factors. Moreover, Ward dendrogram was presented to show the similarities and differences in shaping the innovation activities. The synthetic indicator was used to determine the development path and the map of objects was drawn. There is a strict connection between the amount of expenditures on R&amp;D and the employees’ education concerning the implementation of the innovation activities in all analysed countries. In particular, it is visible in the Scandinavian countries and in Luxembourg. In Poland the innovation activities of companies is similar to the ones in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The low level of GERD causes that many companies have financial problems and despite high dynamics of industrial production, the innovativeness is still at a low level. Research limitations/implications: The comparison of Poland with other countries would surely give a wider picture whether the innovation processes are performed in an efficient way. The accessibility of data, for each country, used in the research not only limited the period of analysis but also determined the selection of variables. The analysis was based on the data from the mentioned databases to make it more reliable. Practical implications: The information obtained during the conducted analysis may facilitate the process of proper decision making referring to the management of innovations. The implementation of innovations guarantees not only the company development but also greater transparency in the information and knowledge flow among the workers. Originality/value: The analysis of external factors of the innovation activities is really important as the investments in innovation activities are the more and more important GDP part and the numerical taxonomy methods enable to indicate, indirectly, these countries which should be models for Poland so that it could organise and manage the innovation processes. The analysis of innovation activities makes it possible to indicate desired directions of changes 564 A. Strzelecka in the management of Polish companies. Thus, it is a basis to take decisions in the competitive markets.

Burden Disease of COVID-19: Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Bogota, Colombia

Background: Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are a synthetic health indicator used to measure the burden of disease at the population level, which provides joint information on the fatal and non-fatal consequences of diseases, injuries and risk factors. This indicator as the number of years of healthy life lost uses both to describe the epidemiological situation in different countries or regions and to estimate the population impact of different interventions. The World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international importance (ESPII) classified the new coronavirus (COVID-19). In December 2019, an association of pneumonia cases emerged in Wuhan (Hubei province, China), with a sample common to a wholesale market for seafood, fish, and live animals. On January 7, 2020, the Chinese authorities established a new virus of the Corona viridae family as the agent promoting the outbreak, which was later designated SARS-COV-2 1. The Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence on January 12. The disease caused by this new virus by international consensus COVID-19. The Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) declared the outbreak as a PHEIC at its meeting on January 30, 2020. Subsequently, the WHO considered it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 ISCIII. Cases on all continents and on March 6 the first case in Colombia and the National Institute of Health (INS) notifies the Ministry of Health daily of the figures of accumulated confirmed cases of COVID-19, as follows: total of cases, cases in hospitalizations, ICU admissions, deaths and recovered cases. The objective of this work was to estimate the burden of disease due to COVID-19 in Bogotá for the years 2020 and 2021 in order to establish the burden of disease due to this pathology. Methods: We conducted an ecological study between Jan 1, 2020, and Dec 31, 2021. We used final prevalence estimates and disability weights to estimate years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for COVID-19 in Bogotá. Findings: The public data on COVID 19 published on the Salud-data website of the Bogotá Health Center, available at https:// saludata.saludcapital.gov.co/osb/. A total of 13,428 deaths and 482,346 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the study period. The discount rate that evaluates what benefits they prefer in the present and not in the future into account, so it is necessary to introduce this correction factor for future benefits, which is a procedure commonly used in economics. This same situation occurs in health, because the value given to a year of healthy life gained in the present is different and superior to that given to a year of healthy life gained in the future. The discount weight into account in the calculation as a correction since societies tend to value a year of life lost or gained differently during young adulthood than during early childhood or old age. This discount model allows the time lived at different ages to be valued using an exponential function. The burden of disease is the gap between existing health conditions and an ideal health situation. Life expectancy to calculate based on the assumption that someone is currently living and in the future to current mortality rates for each age group (42). In this case, the life table with the highest life expectancy at birth in the world used, which is that of Japan, with 80 years for men and 82.5 years for women, in addition to allowing us to compare ourselves with studies that use this value (43). This pandemic has created a greater urgency to strengthen health systems in most countries and the burden of disease must know in order to know the possible economic impact. Interpretation: This pandemic has created an increased urgency to strengthen health systems in most countries. Taking no action to address the burden of COVID-19 should not be an option.

A Synthetic Indicator of the Quality of Support for Businesses in Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, and Ghana

A Synthetic Indicator of the Quality of Support for Businesses in Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, and Ghana

Wydatki zrównoważone środowiskowo w budżetach lokalnych w Polsce

Purpose – The main objective of the study is to evaluate green expenditure under the budgets of local government units (LGU). The proposal is dictated by the difficulty, noticed by the authors, in measuring and assessing the expenditure incurred by local government units, which are to contribute to the development of the green budget concept. Research method – The implementation of the main goal will be based on the analysis of the literature on the topic in national and foreign terms. Statistical methods (including descriptive statistics and structure analysis) were used for quantitative research. The source of the data are the budget reports of local government units published by the Ministry of Finance. Results – As part of the study, the obtained results allow for the analysis of the amount of green expenses implemented, as well as the share of green expenses in property expenses. The highest total values of estimated green expenditure realized by all types of local government units were observed in 2018–2019, in which PLN 10.5 billion (2018) and PLN 10.6 billion (2019) were spent, respectively. The average share of green expenditure in property expenditure in local government units in 2010–2021 was 28.2%. Originality/value/implications/recommendations – The conducted analysis may be a stimulus for further research on the basis of which a synthetic indicator of green spending could be developed. This measure may allow an objective comparison of outlays incurred by local government units in the areas covered by the European taxonomy in the future.

Digital transformation of the labor market – a challenge for young Poles

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to assess the level of digital competence of young Poles against the background of selected European countries in the context of changes occurring in the labor market. Design/methodology/approach: The level of digital competence of young people from 30 selected European countries was diagnosed on the basis of the development pattern method by Z. Hellwig. To develop a synthetic Z. Hellwig measure, 23 diagnostic characteristics that reflect the level of skills of young Europeans in creating digital content, using databases, communicating and collaborating online, using ICT in different types of online activities, and protecting privacy and personal data online were selected. The study covered a group of young people aged 16-24, representing a potential labor supply that is particularly relevant to the development of the digital economy. Findings: In the light of the characteristics adopted for the study, the level of digital competence of young Poles is low. Young Finns, Maltese, Dutch, Spanish and Icelanders have the highest levels of digital competence. In contrast, particularly low levels of these competences are seen among young Bulgarians and Romanians. Research limitations/implications: The presented research can contribute to further in-depth analysis of the impact of the digital competency deficit on the economic development of the countries included in the analysis in the long term, including Poland in particular. Practical implications: The results of the research can provide guidance to public authorities in creating and evaluating strategies for the development of digital competences in Poland and the other countries covered by the study. Originality/value: The article indicates the changes that the labor market is undergoing as a consequence of the digital transformation of the economy. A synthetic indicator of digital competence was constructed, taking into account the diagnostic characteristics selected by the author of the article, which in their opinion are particularly relevant to the development of the digital economy. Leaders in the level of digital competence of young people have been identified. The distance between them and Poland was also diagnosed. The findings are addressed to the public authorities of the European countries surveyed. They can provide guidelines for the creation and evaluation of strategies for the development of digital competences in Poland and the other countries covered by the study. Keywords: digital competences, labor market, Z. Hellwig’s method, digital transformation. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Zróżnicowanie rozwoju miejskich obszarów funkcjonalnych ośrodków wojewódzkich w Polsce

More than half of the world’s population lives in cities. Also, in Poland, urbanisation processes are still progressing. Moreover, the impact of an urban zone itself does not end with administrative boundaries. There are a number of functional connections between a given urban centre and its surroundings. Thus, functional urban areas begin to play a more important role in development policy. In particular, this aspect has gained importance in the face of the introduction, in 2014, of new territorial instruments of the EU cohesion policy, such as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI). The introduction of ITI was associated with formalising the operation of functional urban areas in Poland (FUA), mainly in the area of voivodeship centres. After a few years of their functioning, it is worth taking a closer look at their diversity. The aim of the study is, therefore, to determine the differentiation in the level of development of functional areas of voivodeship capital cities in Poland and their classification. The research was carried out with the use of the TOPSIS method on the basis of available, selected data from the Central Statistical Office. As a result of the research, FUAs were assigned to various classes of the level of socio-economic development and ranked in terms of the value of the synthetic indicator of socio-economic development that was constructed under the TOPSIS method. As a result of the study, it was found that, in general, studied units are characterised by rather small differentiation in the level of development; however, there are quite large discrepancies in the level of the synthetic indicator of socio-economic development between FUAs with the highest and the lowest value of this indicator.

Competitiveness of EU Member States Regarding the Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy Assumptions

The Europe 2020 Strategy occupies a prominent place in the European Union's (EU) cohesion policy as a long-term programme for social and economic advancement. The main objective of the strategy is to implement the idea of smart, sustainable and inclusive development. An important priority implemented by EU countries in the context of implementing the assumptions of the Europe 2020 strategy is smart growth, i.e., the development of an economy based on knowledge and innovation. This requires significant spending on research and development and the use of mechanisms that enable the rapid transfer of theoretical knowledge into economic practice. The Europe 2020 strategy has set new targets for increasing competitiveness and accelerating the development of EU regions and countries. For all regions, including the economically weakest ones, the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals has been an important stimulus for the development and increase in competitiveness of EU regions. The decade just ending justifies carrying out assessments that must be intricately linked to the analysis of indicators set by the European Commission within the framework of the strategy's three priorities, i.e., smart, sustainable and inclusive development. The aim of the article is to assess the degree of implementation of the assumptions of the Europe 2020 Strategy in EU Member States. With the use of a synthetic indicator calculated using a multidimensional comparative analysis based on the Hellwig method, a ranking of EU countries, in terms of implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy assumptions, was established. The main indicators proposed by Eurostat for monitoring the Europe 2020 Strategy were applied for the assessment. As a result of the conducted research, conclusions were formulated regarding the importance of the Europe 2020 Strategy in the implementation of the cohesion policy principles in EU Member States. The research results show that the countries that have achieved the best results in the implementation of the assumptions of the Europe 2020 Strategy are also leaders in the ranking of competitiveness taking GDP per capita into account published by the European Commission.

The Potential of Clitoria ternatea L. Extracts as an Alternative Indicator in Acid-Base Titration

Experiments are an important part of the chemistry curriculum. An indicator in the form of a synthesis indicator is commonly used in acid-base materials experiments. The usage of synthetic indicators can result in waste that is both environmentally harmful and costly. The butterfly pea flower is one of the plants that contains anthocyanins, which have the potential to be used as an alternative indication of natural acids and bases. The study aims to determine the acid and base material curriculum and competency indicators, as well as the potential of butterfly pea flower extract as a substitute for synthesis indicators and the practicality of butterfly pea flower extract as a chemical experimental design in SMA/MA. This study employs a descriptive qualitative research method that includes literature review, observation, experimentation, and interviewing. The results showed that the relationship between acid-base materials and experiments was the determination of natural materials as acid-base indicators, the pH of the solution, the identification of acid-base properties, and acid-base titration. The butterfly pea flower indicator was produced from maceration extraction using 96% ethanol as the solvent. The butterfly pea flower indicator gives pink color at pH 1-2, reddish purple at pH 3, light purple at pH 4-5, turquoise at pH 6, bluish green at pH 7, light blue at pH 8-9, green at pH 10, yellowish green at pH 11, greenish yellow at pH 12-13, and yellow at pH 14. The titration step showed that butterfly pea flower indicators could replace synthetic indicators, namely phenolphthalein and methyl orange. Based on the analysis, the butterfly pea flower indicator can be used as an alternative indicator in acid base titration and an alternative experimental design in schools.

Comparison of Color Change to pH Range and Acid-Base Titration Indicator Precision Test of Multiple Ethanol Extracts

Natural indicators using anthocyanin compounds can be an alternative to synthetic indicators on acid-base titration because anthocyanin is an organic compound that is unstable with changes in pH. The extraction was carried out with ethanol because the compounds of anthocyanin were polar. This study was to ensure an ethanol extract of some plants could be used as an acid-base indicator that had a pH range of color change and the value of the equality parameter was not significantly different from the phenolphthalein indicator. The research method is to collect research journals on making natural indicators from ethanol extracts of various plants compared to phenolphthalein indicators so that secondary data from these journals can be processed statistically. Research results and conclusions: Based on the results of statistical data processing using the t-test there was no difference in the average pH of the phenolphthalein indicator with the average pH of ethanol extracts of adam air leaves (Rheo discolor), white frangipani flowers and Clitoria teratea L., with a significance value &gt; 0.05 and the equality test (precision) had the requirements of good equality.&#x0D; HIGHLIGHTS&#x0D; &#x0D; Natural indicators are needed as a substitute for synthetic indicators in determining acid-base titrations; one of them is anthocyanin dye&#x0D; Research journals on making natural indicators from ethanol extracts of various plants compared to phenolphthalein indicators so that secondary data from these journals can be processed statistically&#x0D; There was no significant difference between the average pH of the phenolphthalein indicator and the average pH of the ethanol extract of Adam's Eve Leaves, ethanol extracts of white Cambodia flowers and ethanol extracts of Telang flowers in producing color changes&#x0D; &#x0D; GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT