Results of the RIGE project

The research focuses on the issue of delivery delays within supply chains, particularly in the maritime engineering sector, which is crucial for many industries. Instead of relying on traditional forecasting methods that primarily identify correlations, we employed a modern approach called Causal Machine Learning. This approach predicts whether delivery will be delayed and helps to understand the reasons behind the delays and what actions can effectively minimize them.

Based on the analysis of over 77,000 orders, our study revealed that suppliers servicing more than one warehouse are significantly more susceptible to delays. This is due to the necessity of prioritizing deliveries to different locations, which leads to delays in order fulfillment. Furthermore, we found that the season in which orders are placed significantly impacts delivery times—orders made in the second and third quarters of the year were more likely to experience delays compared to those placed during other times of the year.

By applying advanced algorithms, we were able to develop precise strategies that can help companies avoid delivery delays. For instance, businesses might consider collaborating with suppliers dedicated solely to one warehouse or planning their orders with seasonality in mind.

Our research has wide practical applications. These findings can be utilized by large enterprises and small and medium-sized companies looking to optimize their logistics processes and enhance their competitiveness in the market. Implementing such solutions will contribute to increased supply chain efficiency, reduced costs associated with delays, and improved customer service quality. As a result, companies can better prepare for unforeseen circumstances and enhance their operational flexibility.

The project results is published in the article “What if? Causal Machine Learning in Supply Chain Risk Management” in the International Journal of Production Research. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2408.13556
Authors: Mateusz Wyrembek (University of Economics in Poznań), George Baryannis (University of Huddersfield), and Alexandra Brintrup (University of Cambridge/The Alan Turing Institute).

The study was divided into two parts. The first part aimed to examine how socio-economic factors, employment conditions, commuting experiences, and life quality outside of work influence Polish office workers’ preferences for remote work. The second part focused on assessing workers’ stated willingness to relocate from city centers to the suburbs if remote work is an option and how these same factors—socio-economic background, job conditions, commuting experiences, and productivity changes—affect this preference.

Key findings include:

• Current work arrangements: More than half of employees work primarily in offices, 13.3% work fully remotely, and the remainder use a hybrid model.
• Preferred work setup if given a choice: 21.4% would prefer fully remote work, 20.7% would choose to work from home more than two days per week, and 19.1% would opt for two remote workdays weekly.
• Office attendance preferences: Over half of employees prefer not to work in the office on Fridays, and 43.5% feel similarly about Mondays.
• Interest in relocating: If remote work were possible, over half would consider relocating to suburban areas within 40 km of city centers, and nearly 22% would consider moving abroad.
• Advantages of suburban living: Respondents identified proximity to nature as the top benefit, followed by better housing options and lower living costs.
• Quality of life improvements: More than half believe that remote work has improved their life outside of work, and 43.5% report increased productivity, although only one-third attribute this improvement to reduced commuting.
• Benefits of office work: For 47.7% of respondents, working in the office provides the advantage of separating work from personal life.
• Challenges of remote work: Only 12.5% find communication with colleagues problematic, and 13.6% mention motivation and self-discipline as issues. However, about one in five consider blurred work-life boundaries and social isolation as significant challenges.
• Top remote work benefits: One-third of employees see avoiding commuting as the main advantage, and 14.4% value flexibility in work hours.

Upcoming Publications: The research findings will be detailed in two forthcoming papers: “Work-from-Home in Poland: Socio-Economic Drivers and Preferences” by Beata Woźniak-Jęchorek and Sławomir Kuźmar and “Moving to the Suburbs? Exploring the Potential Impact of Work-from-Home on Suburbanization in Poland” by the same authors, in collaboration with David Bole (Head of the Department of Human Geography, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, ZRC SAZU, Slovenia).

For additional insights, see the presentations at the EAEPE conference:

Exploring the Desire to Work-From-Home: An Examination of the Residential Divide in Poland
Work-from-home in Poland: Socio-Economic Drivers and Preferences

Our research focuses on determining whether a given text requires fact-checking, meaning whether we should approach it skeptically and verify it with external sources. For example, statements like “Tomato soup is better than cucumber soup” or “A triangle has three angles” do not need fact-checking. However, a claim like “Poland has more dentists than surgeons” would require verification from reliable sources.

Classifying content as either requiring or not requiring fact-checking has significant practical implications. Fact-checking agencies, which can only review a small portion of the vast online content, must focus on the most critical information. From a management perspective, this helps reduce information overload.

To address the issue of text classification, we propose using language models. Each model must be trained or fine-tuned for the specific task before use, requiring collecting and preparing relevant data. Our paper addresses two key aspects of the dataset: multilingualism and data quality.

Data can come from a single language and be used to train a monolingual model. However, our research shows that more accurate classification can be achieved by training a multilingual model on mixed-language data. This likely results from a broader range of data, richer contexts, and diverse linguistic structures. Interestingly, the languages used for training do not need to be similar. For instance, we achieved excellent results by combining Dutch and Arabic data.

Another crucial aspect of training models is balancing the dataset. It is important that the number of positive and negative examples is nearly equal. Too many examples from one class can skew the results and lower the quality of predictions. To address this, the undersampling technique is used, where all examples from the underrepresented class are selected, and a matching number of examples from the larger class are randomly chosen. Although random selection is possible, our research shows that selecting cases based on their quality yields more efficient results. This approach enhances model accuracy and improves their fit for classification tasks.

When making decisions, relying on true, high-quality, verified information is essential.

Co-authors: Marcin Sawiński, Ewelina Księżniak

DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2024.131037

Transportation accounts for approximately 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with around three-quarters coming from road transport. The number of vehicles is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The solution to these challenges lies in the transformation toward so-called green transportation, which refers to travel methods that have a lesser impact on human health and the environment. Solutions include the use of electric vehicles, sustainable transportation methods, and the production of biofuels.

In our publication, we address whether a rise in oil prices can disrupt the development of the green fuel market and alternative transportation options. On one hand, rising oil prices (which precede fuel price hikes) incentivize a shift from car travel to alternative modes of transport. On the other hand, the same rise in oil prices might encourage investors to abandon investments in alternative fuel markets in favor of oil investments.

This article explores the relationships between oil prices and green indices related to the broader transportation concept. The study covers the period from 2018 to 2022. We investigate the factors influencing these relationships, distinguishing between fundamental factors and speculation. We demonstrate that fundamental factors primarily drive the changes in the relationship between Brent oil and green indices. Ultimately, we conclude that the effect of rising oil prices can be twofold, depending on the underlying cause of the price change. It can lead to increased interest in alternative transportation if driven by a supply shock related to economic activity. However, if it results from a demand shock linked to oil consumption or future oil price expectations, it may trigger a capital outflow from the alternative fuel market.

This study is part of the NCN project 2022/45/B/HS4/00864 and was conducted in collaboration with CDV, a research center under the Ministry of Transport in the Czech Republic.

The study aimed to identify the most important factors influencing the formalization of entrepreneurship by immigrants in Poland and create a formal entrepreneurship model, defined as officially registered businesses operating in Poland. A key focus was obtaining information about the functioning of Ukrainian citizens who own businesses (registered and/or unregistered) in Poland’s B2B and B2C markets. The study sought to answer how well these individuals cooperate with Polish business partners, whether they have such partners, how they navigate formal business issues, and what barriers or problems they encounter.

A focus group interview (FGI) scenario was developed to conduct the research, divided into six segments covering various topics determined during consultations. Each session was estimated to last a maximum of 90 minutes. In total, two focus group interviews were conducted, involving 10 participants. The study included Ukrainian nationals currently living in Poland and running their own businesses within the country. Whether the business was registered or unregistered did not influence recruitment for the study. The interviews were conducted online using professional software designed for this purpose.

Key findings from the study:

• Customer acquisition: Entrepreneurs primarily operate in the B2C market, using online advertising, word-of-mouth marketing, and referrals from satisfied customers. One company is also active in the B2B segment.
• Cooperation with Polish partners: Although formal B2B relationships are rare, most collaborations are successful. Cooperation is often based on shared orders to reduce costs. Entrepreneurs believe nationality and origin do not play a crucial role in business relationships.
• Barriers: Entrepreneurs face language, bureaucratic, and financial barriers. Additionally, there is negative customer sentiment toward certain products. The primary barrier is bureaucracy, from obtaining residency and work permits to the costs of running a business and taxes. Respondents struggle to navigate Polish regulations and do not receive support.

The study will result in a publication titled: “There are foreigners from many countries living in your country.” Migrant Entrepreneurship in the Institutional Environment of the New Destination Host Country, co-authored with Aleksandra Gaweł (UEP) and Oleksandr Patlatoi (Odesa National Economic University).

Relocation from city centers to the suburbs is primarily driven by the search for more spacious and affordable housing in quieter neighborhoods with better access to green spaces, and therefore a higher quality of life. The widespread adoption of remote work (including work-from-home) enables living farther from city centers without the necessity of daily commutes. However, studies on the suburbanization phenomenon lack a focus on employees’ relocation preferences motivated by access to new flexible work arrangements. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess office employees’ declared willingness to relocate to the suburbs due to the possibility of remote work and to analyze how these preferences are influenced by socio-economic characteristics, employment conditions, commuting experiences, and changes in work productivity.

The study focuses on Poland, a country with a distinct level of cultural individualism that may affect work-from-home preferences and, indirectly, the desire to change residence. A high level of individualism is associated with personal freedom, autonomy, and achievement orientation, which promotes independence and self-reliance. Consequently, societies with higher individualism tend to accept remote work more readily. Poland differs significantly in terms of individualism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance compared to leading Anglosphere countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These differences may shape the potential for remote work development and, consequently, influence migration and suburbanization levels.

This study is based on survey data from a representative sample of 639 office workers living in cities with populations over 100,000 and indicates that age, commuting mode, perceived changes in productivity, and employment in the private sector are significant factors that can substantially influence relocation preferences to the suburbs when remote work is an option.

Findings from Poland confirm trends observed in countries with different levels of cultural individualism and more developed remote work practices, indicating that remote work is a universal phenomenon preferred similarly across countries. It may become a significant factor in the “new” suburbanization process and accelerate suburban relocation for specific demographic groups—such as younger individuals, private-sector employees, and car commuters who have reported higher productivity gains.

Co-authors: Sławomir Kuźmar, David Bole

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant transformations to the functioning of modern labour markets, with one of the most noticeable changes being the spread of so-called remote work (work-from-home).

Following a substantial increase in the percentage of people working remotely during the pandemic, the share of remote workers initially decreased but began to stabilize globally from 2023 onwards. In Poland, data from Statistics Poland (GUS) indicates that in the first quarter of 2024, the number of people working from home, either regularly or occasionally, increased from 2.34 million (the level observed a year earlier) to 2.6 million, representing 15.1% of all employed individuals (BAEL, 2024). This reflects the growing prevalence of this form of work, although access to remote work varies among companies, professional groups, and economic sectors.

In an era of an aging population and human capital shortages, employees’ preferences regarding the form, time, and place of work have become increasingly important. Workers from different socio-economic backgrounds may have diverse preferences in this regard, which employers should consider to better align job offers with employee needs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess socio-economic factors such as age, gender, place of residence, number of children in the household, sector, job position, years of professional experience, mode of commuting, and perceived changes in quality of life outside work on office workers’ preferences for remote work in Poland.

The study was based on primary data collected through a representative survey of 639 Polish office workers. The analyses conducted revealed that the following factors significantly impact preferences for remote work in Poland:

• Age: The findings indicate that preferences for the extent of remote work decrease with age. Individuals aged 55-60, 61-65, and over 66 years are significantly less likely to prefer working from home than younger respondents (24-35).
• Position and professional experience: Business owners tend to work remotely. Additionally, individuals with 1-3 and 4-7 years of professional experience are more likely to prefer working from home than those with less experience. Employees in the private sector and those in the ICT and education industries also show a higher preference for remote work.
• Mode of commuting: People who commute by car as drivers, use public transportation (bus/tram/metro), or walk are less inclined to work remotely.
• Perceived impact of remote work on personal life quality: The analysis showed that a decline in personal life quality due to remote work leads to a lower inclination to accept working from home. This finding supports previous research that only individuals satisfied with working from home are willing to continue doing so. Those who struggle with self-discipline or work organization may not be well-suited for remote work.

doi.org/10.4324/9781032615448

Behind the scenes of creative accounting: Earnings management strategies in European companies

🔹Did you know companies can influence their financial statements to present a more favorable picture of their financial position? These practices are referred to as earnings management — the art of balancing between legal accounting methods and creatively portraying a company’s financial health. For instance, a company may adjust how certain costs are accounted for, which is legal, or defer some expenses to the following year. This inevitably affects the company’s profit and has far-reaching consequences for investors, banks, business partners, employees, and anyone whose income depends on the company’s financial condition.

🔹A financial expert might say that earnings management involves deliberately shaping a company’s reported financial results. The goal is to present the company’s situation in a specific way. These practices can range from changes in accounting policies to actions influencing real economic transactions.

🔹Importantly, earnings management is often seen negatively as a way to “beautify” financial results, but it can also contribute to a more realistic portrayal of the company’s condition. Understanding why companies engage in such practices requires considering a broad spectrum of motivations—from meeting market expectations and securing management bonuses to avoiding the negative consequences of breaching debt covenants. However, the key concern remains how earnings management impacts financial transparency and the quality of reporting, both critical for decisions based on presented data. Such practices can lead to information asymmetry and affect the perception of investment risk associated with a given entity.

🔹Earnings management remains an area of intensive research and interest among practitioners. New regulations, evolving accounting standards, and an increasingly complex business environment continually shed new light on how companies can and should report their financials. Understanding these processes is crucial for financial professionals and anyone involved in evaluating companies operating across various markets.

🔹This book, which this chapter introduces, serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to understand better what earnings management entails and its implications for the future of companies and the entities connected to them. It is a valuable read for those interested in finance—not only for professionals but also for market observers wanting to grasp how finances shape the business world. The book includes numerous examples and case analyses illustrating how earnings management relates to corporate financial decisions and long-term financial stability. Undoubtedly, in the rapidly changing business world and amid global economic crises, financial transparency has become one of the key requirements for companies worldwide.

🔹We invite you to explore the full content of the chapter, Dissecting Earnings Management Strategies: Why, How, and When?, by Marzena Remlein, Joanna Lizińska, and Leszek Czapiewski, available on the Routledge Publishing website. You can also delve into the comprehensive research results presented in the scientific monograph.

DOI: 10.1080/02673037.2024.2334822

The ongoing war in Ukraine has become a global issue, leading to a severe refugee crisis in Europe. The influx of millions of people from Ukraine into neighboring countries has caused a demand shock in the housing markets of host cities, resulting in increased rents and property prices.

This article examines the housing market response in Poland’s five largest cities following the arrival of refugees from Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022. We employ a quasi-experimental scenario to assess whether exposure to the mass influx of refugees translates into housing market dynamics.

The findings show that a one percentage point increase in a city’s population due to the arrival of refugees led to a 0.72-0.74% rise in housing rents. Additionally, we found some evidence suggesting that the arrival of migrants may have slightly increased housing prices; however, this impact is smaller than that on rents and statistically significant only in selected specifications.

This article contributes to the literature on the impact of immigration or refugee inflows on housing market dynamics. The rent increases observed in this study could have significant policy implications for housing in both the short and medium term.

The presentation centers on a literature review conducted as part of PhD research titled “The Impact of Technology Adoption on the Intergenerational Succession Process in Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises.” It examines the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in family-owned tourism businesses. ICT is vital in enhancing operational efficiency, communication, and data management, which can significantly boost competitiveness and adaptability in the fast-evolving tourism market.

A key area of focus in the research is succession planning in small and medium-sized family tourism enterprises (SMFTEs). Proper succession planning is essential for preserving the continuity and stability of these businesses. Without it, they risk losing valuable knowledge and expertise, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions.

The study investigates how ICT adoption influences intergenerational succession, asking how technology can support succession strategies within the tourism sector. It employs the concept of dynamic capabilities, highlighting the importance of an organization’s ability to innovate and adapt.

The paper explores key tourism technologies, such as virtual reality, online booking platforms, and social media, transforming tourism planning and experiences. It also outlines best practices in succession planning, including early involvement of potential successors, transparent communication, and the use of external consultants.

The literature review suggests that ICT adoption can greatly enhance the succession process by promoting knowledge transfer, skill development, and leadership transitions. Moreover, these technologies enable tourism businesses to stay responsive to rapid technological and market changes.

In conclusion, technology is no longer an option but necessary for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. Embracing modern technologies is critical for ensuring long-term stability, operational efficiency, and strategic planning capabilities.

Hanna Łobejko’s presentation was recognized by the conference organizers in the “Young Researchers” category.

This presentation explores the factors influencing the well-being of elderly individuals during times of crisis. It utilizes modern machine-learning techniques and game theory in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Poland.

In light of ongoing health, economic, and security crises, as well as the rapid development of artificial intelligence, caring for the well-being of older adults has become increasingly important. This study, conducted in Nordic countries known for maintaining high quality of life, as well as in Poland, aims to identify the factors that affect the quality of life for seniors.

The research employs advanced data analysis methods, including machine learning techniques and game theory. The analysis is based on responses from approximately 4,000 participants in the European Health, Ageing, and Pensions Survey. The index measuring subjective well-being and quality of life for the elderly is based on aspects such as control over one’s life, autonomy, self-actualization, and enjoyment. The highest scores were recorded in Denmark, followed by Sweden and Finland, and the lowest in Poland.

The study analyzes the multidimensional impact of over 150 diverse characteristics of retirees’ lives, encompassing demographics, health, social networks, and economic and financial factors. In Denmark and Sweden, the most significant issue concerning well-being is the fatigue experienced by older adults, suggesting the need for attention to rest and good physical condition. In Finland, engagement in recreational activities is crucial, indicating a need for mental and physical stimulation. For Poles, the most important factor was a sense of social exclusion, highlighting the need for attention to social integration.

The results emphasize the importance of local economic, social, and cultural conditions in shaping the needs of older adults. Consequently, the study provides insights for policymakers on how to effectively support seniors and what interventions to undertake to improve their quality of life during challenging times.