Purpose – Environmental degradation resulting from human activities may adversely affect human health in multiple ways. Until now, policies aimed at mitigating environmental problems such as climate change, environmental pollution and damage to biodiversity have failed to clearly identify and drive the potential benefits of these policies on health. The conducted study assesses and demonstrates how specific environmental policies and instruments influence perceived human health in order to ensure input for a data-driven decision process.
Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted for the 2004–2020 period in European Union (EU) countries with the use of dynamic panel data modeling. Verification of specific policies’ impact on dependent variables allows to indicate this their effectiveness and importance. As a result of the computed dynamic panel data models, it has been confirmed that a number of significant and meaningful relationships between the self-perceived health index and environmental variables can be identified.
Findings – There is a strong positive impact of environmental taxation on the health index, and the strength of this relationship causes effects to be observed in the very short term, even the following year. In addition, the development of renewable energy sources (RES) and the elimination of fossil fuels from the energy mix exert positive, although milder, effects on health. The reduction of ammonia emissions from agriculture and reducing noise pollution are other health-supporting factors that have been shown to be statistically valid. Results allow to identify the most efficient policies in the analyzed area in order to introduce those with the best results or a mix of such measures.
Originality/value – The results of the authors’ research clearly indicate the health benefits of measures primarily aimed at improving environmental factors, such as environmental taxes in general. The authors have also discovered an unexpected negative impact of an increase in the share of energy taxes in total taxes on the health index. The presented study opens several possibilities for further investigation, especially in the context of the rapidly changing geopolitical environment and global efforts to respond to environmental and health challenges. The authors believe that the outcome of the authors’ study may provide new arguments to policymakers pursuing solutions that are not always easily acceptable by the public.

Purpose: This article investigates trends in studies on the impact of cultural factors on mobile
marketing acceptance. To that end, the article provides a literature review of technology acceptance models and cultural models used in research on mobile marketing.

Design/method/approach: This study used qualitative methods to assess the situation of studying cultural factors in the context of mobile marketing acceptance. Various bibliographic sources were consulted, mainly from publications specializing in mobile marketing and cultural theories. These queries were primarily performed through Scopus, one of the main databases of indexed publications related to this topic.

Findings: In the field of mobile marketing, interest in the impact of cultural factors on consumer behavior has steadily increased over the past decade. Furthermore, the research showed the role and impact of each cultural dimension on mobile marketing acceptance. Cultural differences lead to differences in consumer behavior toward mobile marketing.

Originality/Value: This overview provides a comprehensive discussion and appraisal of cultural
theories, a review of technology acceptance theories, and an analysis of previous cross-cultural
studies on technology adoption.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate female top managers’ choice of working capital management
policies and its effect on firm profitability. The theoretical arguments about the effects of working
capital management policies on firm profitability and empirical evidence are often inconsistent.
Additionally, it is likely that the policy choice is closely related to the gender of top managers.

Methodology: Our research sample was all 136 manufacturing firms listed in Indonesian Stock
Exchange during the 2013–2017 period. Following the hypothesis formulation, this study employed
four estimation models tested using panel data regression.

Findings: Female CFOs tend to choose more conservative working capital investment policies.
Moreover, conservative investment policies have a positive effect on firm profitability and mediate
the impact of top female managers on firm profitability.

Originality: Previous literature tends to overlook the role of top female managers in affecting
working capital management policies and the effect of these policies on firm profitability. In this
respect, this study provides insights on the role of the gender of top managers as a factor that likely
explains the choice of working capital management policies in manufacturing firms which, in turn,
affect firm profitability.

Purpose: The scientifc purpose of the study is an attempted synthesis of interpretation of “the virtual economy” and “the virtual environment” in the Polish and foreign literature on the subject. The cognitive purpose thereof is to offer an identifcation and a qualitative analysis of the factors that determine the development of e-entrepreneurship using an example of business practice. Methodology: The theoretical basis of the study is a scientifc research of leading scholars on the theory of entrepreneurship in the context of virtual economy. An exploratory, qualitative case study methodology has been applied for the purpose thereof. The research has been conducted using the example of Currency One SA, operating on the currency exchange market in virtual economy. The application of the empirical method of a case study has made it possible to characterize the essence of e-entrepreneurship and present the studied phenomenon in business practice. Findings: Research results reveal an existence of interdependencies between the intellectual potential of staff members and the market success of a company. Explanation of the critical success factors, showing the implementation of innovative ICT solutions and stages of company development, illustrates how the existing theory is experienced by practitioners in virtual economy. Furthermore, the paper confrms the positive impact of e-entrepreneurship on the effectiveness of the company subject to analysis, and presents virtual economy as a completely new sphere through which it is possible to offer new products and services. Research implications: The rationale for conducting research on case studies is the need to orient the practice towards a better understanding of modern economic reality. The study may provide a starting point for empirical quantitative research, as well as act as a contribution to the discussion on entrepreneurship in the rapidly changing virtual economy. Originality: This paper comprises not only a set of notions related to and the concept of e-business models, but also offers new arguments in the discussion on the framework for entrepreneurship in virtual economy. The conducted research is an original attempt to explain the essence of the studied phenomenon and to illustrate its progress in a changing business environment.

Purpose: The goal of this paper is to develop a framework describing the mechanisms which explain how and when CSR engagement affects company’s bottom line, based on a review of the business case for CSR literature.

Approach: This article is conceptual and based on literature review. By using a CSR stage development model, behavioral and stakeholder perspectives, it offers a descriptive multi­dimensional integrative framework of the business case for CSR.

Findings: The fndings show that the relationship between engagement in CSR activities and corporate performance (CP) depends on a CSR development stage, managerial interpretation of CSR issues, stakeholder management model and moderating factors.

Originality: This article integrates disconnected models and conceptualizations in the subject literature and contributes to the theoretical discussion by arguing that type and scale of benefts from CSR activity progress along the stages of organizational CSR development. Moreover, it also shows that the CSR­CP relationship depends on internal and external factors (mediators and moderators). It therefore supports the contingency argument.

Purpose: The problem of identifying the most important determinants of the market value of football players is quite well described in the literature. There are many works that try to identify these factors. Some of them are focused on variables to make a set complete and others are on models and methods. The aim of this article is to present the variables influencing the valuation and to build an econometric model valuing footballers playing on the forward position, taking into consideration the assumptions of the econometric modelling. Such an approach indicates managers as other sources for obtaining information.

Methodology: Econometric models were used to verify the hypothesis formulated in this research. The database was created on the basis of variables presented on the website www.transfermarkt.de that presents the values of the most valuable football players in the world playing on the forward position. The Gretl program was used in the research.

Findings: The literature review showed that there are many independent variables having an impact on the value of the player. There are also many different models used to valuate footballers’ performance rights. The results of estimation of models in the research indicated that such factors as Canadian classification points adjusted the market value of the team and dummy variables describing “goodwill” (only for the best players) had an impact on the market value of footballers’ performance rights.

Limitations/implications: Information about different factors having an impact on football players’ market value could support the investment decision process of football managers.
Originality/value: The results were part of a study concerning economics of sport, particularly processes of management of football clubs and valuation of intangible assets.

Purpose: The paper investigates whether employees’ strategic awareness influences the shape of
management control systems (MCSs) in Polish micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs).

Methodology: The study is based on data obtained from 223 companies between November 2010
and January 2012. The quantitative analysis used a set of variables which depicted MCSs: ‘goalsetting
process’, ‘control framework’ and ‘organisation of control’. Strategic awareness was considered
an independent variable.

Findings: The results showed positive correlations between strategic awareness and considered
variables. Regression models developed by the authors proved statistically valid. The study evidences,
that increasing employees’ strategic awareness stimulates their participation in goal-setting,
contributes to the development of more comprehensive MCSs, or may even imply formalisation of
management control.

Research limitations: The study does not include an analysis of the extent to which employees
find MCSs useful in their work. This will be considered in future research. Another possible extension
of the project is to identify factors which enable the capturing of the dynamic character of
MCSs and their changes over time.

Practical implications: The knowledge of MCSs does not explain whether or not the strategic orientation
of a company stimulates a need for MCS. Such knowledge may be important to managers
who have to face Polish employees’ general aversion to control.

Originality: The study contributes to the limited body of knowledge in a scope of relations between
employees’ strategic awareness and control mechanisms in Polish mSMEs.

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that affect the development of the models
of financial market state supervision and to identify the factors that have influenced the evolution
of the supervision model in Poland.

Methodology: critical analysis of literature, legal provisions and documents.
Findings: The completely integrated and the fully dispersed model of supervision are located at
the opposite ends of the spectrum. A variety of the hybrid models can be identified between them.
Factors that affect supervision organization are both economic and non-economic. Factors that
have influenced the Polish model of supervision include political aspects, administration costs
and, in due course, also the development of the financial market.

Research implications: The variety of state supervision structures, combined with the ambiguity
and multiplicity of factors that affect their evolution create a new research challenge. Significant
problems in accessing documents have been identified.

Originality: The author presents an overview of models of state supervision of financial markets
and factors affecting the evolution and structure of supervision. Conclusions drawn from the
analysis were used to identify factors that influence the evolution and supervision of the Polish
financial market.

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to describe concepts and assumptions of predictive marketing analytics in reference to decision making. In particular, we highlight issues pertaining to the importance of data and the modern approach to data analysis and processing with the purpose of solving real marketing problems that companies encounter in business.

Methodology: In this paper authors provide two study cases showing how, and to what extent predictive marketing analytics work can be useful in practice e.g., investigation of the marketing environment. The two cases are based on organizations operating mainly on Web site domain. The fi rst part of this article, begins a discussion with the explanation of a general idea of predictive marketing analytics. The second part runs through opportunities
it creates for companies in the process of building strong competitive advantage in the market. The paper article ends with a brief comparison of predictive analytics versus traditional marketing-mix analysis.

Findings: Analytics play an extremely important role in the current process of business management based on planning, organizing, implementing and controlling marketing activities. Predictive analytics provides the actual and current picture of the external environment. They also explain what problems are faced with the company in business activities. Analytics tailor marketing solutions to the right time and place at minimum costs. In fact they control the effi ciency and simultaneously increases the effectiveness of the firm.

Practical implications: Based on the study cases comparing two enterprises carrying business activities in different areas, one can say that predictive analytics has far more been embraces extensively than classical marketing-mix analyses. The predictive approach yields greater speed of data collection and analysis, stronger predictive accuracy, better obtained competitor data, and more transparent models where one can understand the inner working of the model.

Originality: Authors describe the importance of analytics which enhance the decisions that the company makes as it executes strategies and plans, so that the company can be more effective and achieve better results. The key factor that enables to execute marketing strategies accurately and build competitive advantage in the future includes predictive modeling. The ability to predict probable futures allows us to shape the future, rather than
merely survive whatever it brings.

Purpose: In this article we focus on the issue of organizational control in its bureaucratic and cultural forms.

Methodology: This research uses exploratory case study analysis of Matsushita Konosuke’s management style of in the early years of the Panasonic Corporation.

Findings: First of all, we fi nd that despite the impressive body of knowledge accumulated over the years, some questions concerning the relationship between two modes of control and their changes over time still remain unanswered. As a result of case study analysis we put forward an original model illustrating the relationship between bureaucratic and cultural modes of control over stages of the organization life cycle.

Research implications and limitations: Implications of the study consist of prescriptions on how to successfully exert control by combining formal and informal measures. Main limitations of the study are related to its generalizability.

Originality: Originality of the study results both from putting forward a new theoretical models and using original historical case of Panasonic Corporation.

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to analyze some of the innovation drivers in Poland in comparison to the selected developed and developing countries, to present the general determinants and features of the “open innovation” concept, and finally to determine the most important incentives of the open knowledge ecosystem creation process in Poland.

Methodology: The research approach and methodology are based on the assumption that in the contemporary world economy innovativeness and competitiveness depend not only on traditional modes of technology transfer (e.g. foreign direct investment, license or arm’s length agreements), but also on knowledge absorption capabilities.

Findings: The transnational corporations have already perceived the knowledge creation potential of Internetbased digital communities, therefore they are strongly interested in the implementation of the “open innovation” concept in their business models. Based on completed survey results and a selected data comparative analysis one can conclude that the innovativeness of the Polish economy has not increased since the last two decades, and
future development prospects in this area are rather gloomy. It seems that the cornerstone of the open knowledge environment building process is a systemic change concerning citizen-state relations.

Originality: The value of the article stems from emphasizing the importance of trust and cooperation as the fundamental factors influencing growth of networked innovation capabilities of society. Moreover, without promoting the development of such social attitudes it is impossible to create a modern digital society, and to profit from ideas and knowledge circulating on the Web.

Purpose: The article is aimed at determining the business environment through an analysis of concepts of and approaches to organization management, and subsequently proposing a methodology for testing company profiles considering the preferences of the decision-makers.

Methodology: The research includes literature studies, critical discussion and personal research in the area of the meta-method for company testing.

Findings: The contemporary business environment, which is complex and dynamic, requires adequate measuring tools. Such tools, like meta-methods, should operate on quantitative and qualitative variables, as well as consider the time factor. While testing companies one should not omit the preferences of their decision-makers. The profile of an organization depends on their point of view.

Originality: The image of business environment, which is a discussion on issues involving, inter alia, sources of competitive advantage, professionalism of services, virtuality and telepresence, as well as behavioral and resource-based approaches to management. A proposition of testing profiles of small and medium companies considering the preferences of the decision-makers.

Purpose: The article investigates whether performance of government-owned banks
is influenced by electoral considerations.

Methodology: To verify the political interference hypothesis, net interest margins
recorded by banks during different stages of the electoral cycle are studied. Univariate
tests are applied and random effects regression models are estimated.

Findings: It is established that government-owned banks exhibit statistically and
economically significantly lower net interest margins and interest incomes during
pre-electoral periods in Central European countries. The results support the view
that government-owned banks do realize political goals.

Research limitations: The role of only one political factor, i.e. electoral cycle is analyzed.
A comprehensive research project should encompass the effect of such factors
as political competition, non-electoral political events, electoral expectations,
government political complexion, and institutional development on governmentowned
banks’ behaviors. It should also assess the political determinants of lending
volume.

Originality: The article uses a new dataset including financial information since
1992, i.e. since the early transformation years.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to show how the concentrations of primary income
can be related to the labour market structure in two samples of selected European
and transition countries. Then it focuses on the differences in the transitional path of
Poland and Russia that justify the current divergences in the distribution of income
in these two countries.

Methodology: This research, in its empirical part, is based on cluster analysis and
principal component analysis (PCA). By these techniques, the study defines which
main factors of the labour market are more involved in the distribution process in
the selected countries.

Findings: On the basis of the data used, it seems possible to establish a relationship
between different labour market models and the degree of primary income inequality,
focusing on which variables are more relevant with respect to the different
labour market systems.

Originality: This research deals with the aspect of the concentration of primary
income in different economies with cluster and principal component analyses, considering
the shortage of related economic data in this field of research.