University and business cooperation offers many benefits not only for the parties involved. It translates into innovation and competitiveness of the economy. The relationship encounters many barriers that are related to the environment (both internal and external) in which it is implemented. The aim of the article is to identify the determinants of university-business cooperation (areas of cooperation, barriers, motivations) and to point out recommendations from the perspective of scientists in Poland and the United States (USA). The experience of USA researchers can be used as a background for considerations about cooperation between universities and business in Poland, and as an example of good practices for the purpose of supporting and improving the analyzed relationships. The article focuses on selected determinants of university and business cooperation: areas of cooperation, barriers limiting it, motivations for cooperation and the possible options for its improvement (recommendations of researchers). In order to achieve the assumed goals, an individual, in-depth interview was conducted with the use of a questionnaire as the research tool. The presented results of the research showed significant differences between the models of university and business cooperation in Poland and the USA.

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The publication focuses on assessing the energy efficiency in residential and to some extent commercial applications. An energy audit is always the first step in addressing energy efficiency. The purpose of the publication is to present the benefits of using an energy audit. It explains a “do-it-yourself” procedure for an energy audit. The publication also focuses on calculating the potential energy saving by updating low-efficiency electric appliances with high-efficient alternatives. The environmental benefits of addressing the energy efficiency of households is also being discussed. An energy audit using a “do-it-yourself” procedure focuses on the economic, ecological and social impact to environment. The energy audit contributes to the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in our day by day life.

Cooperation between companies is widely believed to have positive impact on their performance. However, there is insufficient empirical research on relationships between these constructs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry. Moreover, cooperation is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, and it is interesting how different dimensions of cooperation may influence the company’s performance. To bridge the research gap, the following study is performed, which: (1) identifies dimensions of intercompany cooperation, and (2) examines the relationships between dimensions of cooperation and the performance of SMEs. Eight dimensions of cooperation were identified, based on 125 observations obtained from Polish construction SMEs. It appears that a company’s openness to cooperation is dependent on the company’s maturity and the competition between partners. Surprisingly, no significant connection was observed between the cooperation, financial performance and the change in the number of employees. It is considered that the cooperation in the construction industry, although not related to financial performance in a significant or direct way, is common and may be essential for the survival of SMEs.

The growing number of cars cities is worsening the quality of life of our citizens, aggravating their problems with mobility, social inequality, health and ecology. The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals implies carrying out measures aimed at reducing the impact of urban transport systems in three interrelated directions. The aim of this chapter is describe the conditions and measures to reduce the negative impact of these problems combined into transport policy measures in two ways. The method of expert assessments allowed to rank these activities in order to establish the sequence of their implementation in cities in order to bring their state closer to the “livable city”.

The aim of the paper is an analysis of cooperation between enterprises and universities from a business perspective in Poland and the United States (USA). The article focuses on selected determinants from a business perspective. The determinants of the enterprises and university cooperation included areas of cooperation as well as the motivations and barriers for cooperation. Extended interviews were conducted in Poland and the USA using a questionnaire as the research tool. The results of the research showed differences between the enterprises and universities cooperation in Poland and the USA.

Changes in the environment of industry may affect the expectations related to the competencies of the employees. Changes to the education system and curricula may be required. The main purpose of this research paper was to analyze the expectations of the industries related to competencies of graduates of engineering programs. The paper presents preliminary research. The survey was conducted at twenty-eight companies within the area of technical university in Poland. Based on the survey, data was collected related to the level of preparation of engineering graduates as well as the industry expectations related to the preparation of engineering graduates. This was done for the purpose of determining the gap between industry expectations and the level of preparation of the engineering graduates. Enterprises expect a wide range of competences from engineering graduates. The most important areas of competence included soft competences and practical knowledge and skills. The biggest gap between industry expectation and graduate’s preparation are the soft skills. Recommendations were suggested which would be incorporated in the engineering curriculum for the purpose of continuous quality improvement.

The paper contains a comparative analysis of the competences needed to practice engineering in Poland and the United States (USA). Surveys of industries were conducted in Poland and the USA. Legal background of curricula was discussed. The surveys were done for the purpose of assessing the importance of competences as well as level of mastery those skills and attributes by engineering graduates. The results confirm differences in approach of entrepreneurs to graduates of engineering studies in Poland and the USA. In the USA entrepreneurs have higher expectations and the importance of individual competences is also different. The comparative analysis was done to identify the weaknesses in the engineering curricula and identifying the best practices.