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Positive adoption of innovation by staff is a current and crucial issue for proper operation of businesses, industry, and socio-economic environment. The article discusses variables affecting innovation adoption and analyses selected organisational culture factors in terms of their impact on innovation adoption in Polish IT companies. A novelty here is a study of their impact separately at each stage of innovation. The objective was to assess the perception of the impact of selected organisational culture factors on adoption of innovation by Polish IT industry staff at different stages. Due to the complexity of the different research aspects, a method triangulation strategy was used, combining survey techniques, desk research, expert opinions and statistical analysis. The survey used an original questionnaire called “The Process of Innovation Adoption and Perception” to examine opinions on 15 organisational culture factors in the context of innovation adoption. The research confirmed that selected organisational culture factors have a different impact on innovation adoption at different stages of innovation introduction in the Polish IT industry. On this basis, groups of factors perceived similarly in terms of innovation adoption at the individual stages were identified, forming guidelines for the proper implementation of innovation in Polish IT companies.

Security of supply of water, which meets the quality parameters specified in applicable standards, is now the basis for the functioning of most societies. In addition to climatic, biological, chemical, and physical hazards, it is worth paying attention to consumers’ subjective perception of the quality of tap water supplied in the area of Poland. The article discusses various activities related to water resources management and analyses the results of an evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland. A novelty on a European scale here is an examination of the evaluation of these parameters based on potential seasonal differences (spring, summer, autumn, winter). For the first time in the world literature, PROFIT analysis was used to evaluate selected parameters of tap water quality. The aim of the article was to present a model for the evaluation of the parameters of tap water supplied in different seasons of the year in Poland. Due to the complexity of the research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, an original survey questionnaire called “Survey of customer opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland” was developed especially for this study. The conducted research confirmed the adopted hypothesis that the results of evaluation of selected tap water parameters vary depending on the period (spring, summer, autumn, winter) in Poland. The model developed by means of PROFIT analysis makes it possible to highlight to water suppliers the specific quality parameters in particular seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter), which may improve the quality of water supplied in Poland and thus, in the long-term perspective, increase the level of satisfaction of water recipients and confidence in drinking tap water in Poland.

This study addresses the issues of water management safety management in the context of shaping the appropriate level of municipal services in Poland, related to quality standards and the availability of water resources for enterprises and the local community. The literature review presents examples of activities concerning the evaluation of the quality and availability of groundwater and their suitability for domestic and commercial use in the world. The key parameters of water intended for human consumption, which affect its quality, have been selected based on the literature and the Polish standards set out in the regulation. On this basis, appropriate parameters for case-study research were selected. In the following, the analytical methods and tools used to assess water quality were characterized. In the case study example, the analysis of water parameters from selected three different intakes in 2015-2017 (Tęczowa, Stodoły and GPW Rybnik-Północ) was performed and the functioning and role of the internal Water and Sewage Laboratory in the safety management of water economy in the water and sewerage company has been presented.

Adaptation of innovations by employees, especially in hi-tech industries, is very important from the perspectives of both implementing new technologies and maintaining competitiveness in today’s dynamic market. The paper analyzes selected internal communication factors in terms of their potential impacts on the adaptation of innovations in information technology (IT) companies in Poland. These factors were determined on the basis of a literature analysis, opinions of panel participants (experts), and pilot studies that have been conducted. The undoubtedly innovative element is the study of the impact of the above-mentioned factors on the individual stages of innovation. The aim of the study was to identify and assess the perception of the influence of selected factors related to internal communication in a company on the adaptation of innovation by employees of the IT industry in Poland, taking into account the different stages of the implementation. The hypothesis of the study was that selected internal communication factors have different effects on innovation adoption at different stages of the innovation process. The study combined expert opinions and a literature analysis with a diagnostic survey (questionnaire) and a statistical analysis. The questionnaire survey allowed the examination of the opinions of the respondents about the impacts of 12 factors related to internal communication in the company on the adaptation of innovation. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis and allowed the formulation of theoretical and practical conclusions that can be applied when introducing innovations.

Intense economic, social and environmental changes are creating new challenges for both consumers and businesses. Today’s consumer is becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of living in harmony with both ethical standards and the environment. Access to global resources, including utilities such as water, sewage collection, electricity or gas, is so ubiquitous that modern man cannot imagine functioning without them. The aim of this article is to show how the statistical Polish consumer has, or wants to have, an impact on improving the quality of the natural environment by using available resources and technological solutions. The novelty here is the use of the structural equation model (SEM) to build a model of pro-environmental behaviors in relation to the motivating and limiting factors for undertaking such behaviors in Poland. The hypothesis that the statistical Polish consumer undertakes pro-environmental behaviors because of their positive impact on the natural environment was accepted in the study. Due to the complexity of research aspects, a mixed research procedure was applied, in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, the author’s questionnaire, “Pro-ecological behavior in Poland”, was created. The results of the study confirmed the adopted hypothesis and allowed conclusions to be formulated in which the research questions were answered and factors motivating and limiting pro-ecological activities in Poland were indicated. The factors presented and the model developed can be a signpost for the government of Poland and other European Union countries towards maintaining the current and introducing new reliefs, incentives and education on pro-environmental activities.

Open innovation (OI) is among the key strategic resources of enterprises, especially in high-tech sectors such as the ICT industry. The use of OI platforms and/or networks that facilitate access to and sharing of OI knowledge is gaining increasing interest. This study aimed to assess the factors motivating and hindering the use of OI platforms and/or networks in the ICT industry in Poland. The uniqueness of this approach lies in the use of a PROFIT analysis to develop proprietary models of the importance of the various motivating factors and barriers to the use of OI platforms and/or networks in the ICT industry in relation to the job position held. This study hypothesized that the knowledge of factors motivating and hindering the use of OI platforms and/or networks in the ICT industry varies across occupational groups. In order to verify the hypothesis and answer the formulated research questions, a diagnostic survey method with a survey technique was used. The results of this study confirm that the job position occupied by employees in the ICT industry is relevant to each of the factors that pose obstacles to their use of OI platforms and/or networks. Managers and management, as well as developers, are less likely to restrict the use of the aforementioned solutions due to organizational and/or administrative barriers, while more likely due to reluctance to share knowledge. For specialists and analysts, legal barriers and NIH syndrome are greater obstacles. For programmers, negative attitudes toward open innovation and lack of internal commitment to the company are less of an obstacle. Insufficient support from top management is a major barrier for administrative staff and programmers. The conclusions formulated can be useful in practice for managers in the ICT industry to make optimal use of access to OI.

Water, as one of the main media of human existence on earth, is the basis of the functioning of most societies. This article discusses various activities related to water resource management and analyzes the evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland and Ukraine. The aim of the manuscript was to compare opinions on tap water quality and habits of its use in Poland and Ukraine, taking into account different seasons of the year as periods of use of supplied water. The hypothesis of the study was that tap water parameters are evaluated differently in Poland and Ukraine at different times of water supply. Due to the complexity of research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used, in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, the authors’ questionnaire “Survey of customers’ opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland and Ukraine” was created. The results of the research confirmed the hypothesis and allowed for the development a model for the evaluation of parameters of tap water supplied on the territory of Poland and Ukraine and to get to know the expectations of customers of these countries. The presented model provides practical indications that can be used to optimize water supply and meet customers’ expectations, including improvement of water quality parameters.