The principal task of national healthcare systems is to provide health services that are safe, accessible, high-quality and people-oriented. To ensure the continuity of healthcare, support activities related to patient transfer and logistics are necessary. Effective implementation of transport processes is a factor affecting the possibility of medical intervention, in terms of both planned and life-saving care. The reliability of the healthcare supply chain is a key factor in patient health. In our research, we have used the method of a single case study of a public regional hospital in Poland providing comprehensive medical services. The aim of the research is to identify the factors that affect the reliability of the healthcare supply chain in relation to the interhospital air transport of patients. Our qualitative research using process mapping reveals what factors affect the reliability of interhospital medical air transport. The analysis of 100 interhospital medical air transport cases has allowed us to create a general procedure related to the movement of patients between the facilities of the healthcare system in Poland. Our research shows that the key factor of reliability is the coherent and integrated cooperation of institutions involved in transport processes.

Purpose:The aim of the research was to analyse and evaluate logistic processes implemented in the food supply chain in the military system in peace conditions and to propose possibilities for improving these processes. Design/Approach: The research was conducted using qualitative methods. As part of the research procedure, process analysis was carried out using the method of modelling logistics processes in the food supply chain implemented in a selected object of study (a military university from Poland). To analyse and evaluate the examined processes they have been presented in the form of graphical maps developed using the iGrafx software. Findings: The results of the study indicate that innovative solutions (technological and organisational) have a significant impact on the efficiency of the food supply chain. It is necessary to support logistic processes with traceability and RFID technology as well as adaptation to EU requirements in the field of short supply chains and building partnerships under civil-military cooperation. Practical Implications: The results can be used to improve the operation of the food supply chain for military units in peacetime by improving logistics processes using innovative methods of traceability to identify and track the flows of goods (food). Conducted analyses have significant practical implications for the design of new or modernising agility supply chains in military units in peacetime. Originality/Value: Due to the importance of these issues for the effective implementation of logistics processes in the military system, it is necessary to understand and promote the aspect of improving the food supply chain in a scientific and practical dimension. The specificity of the system of military supply chains, high level of rigidity and multi-faceted risk analysis limits the possibility of using common solutions on the civil market.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China, disrupted international trade and changed the global food supply chain. Disruptions affected all food supply chains, including those critical to national security. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal the impact of the pandemic on the military food supply chain in Poland. In the analysed single case study, we used process mapping to show the diversity of the types of military food supply chains operating in military units. The attention was focused on the internal and external food supply chains in the context of the disruptions and dysfunctions that appeared in the sphere of management. The contribution of the article is twofold. First, we used a situational crisis management approach to isolate four types of internal military food supply chains. Practical guidance concerns showing actions influencing the modification of system solutions in the military sphere in peacetime in connection with the pandemic. As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Poland applies system solutions similar to those in place in other allied countries. The results of our research can be used as recommendations for solving problems in the military food supply chain in other countries within NATO.

The objective of the article is an attempt to identify the term logistic networks in the context of the analysis of networks and logistics concept as the basic components, as well as the specification of the main challenges for international logistic networks, resulting from the changes occurring in the global economy system as a result of globalisation. The article focuses on two main concepts. The first one is the analysis of logistic networks as a special case of networks, where individual participants are autonomous, cooperating and competing entities, and the network itself has a large variability both in terms of participants' fluctuation and structure. The second concept narrows the analysis area to logistics networks that are derived from networks and supply chains. The adoption of this approach results in targeting primarily cooperation systems.Streszczenie: Celem niniejszego artykułu jest próba zidentyfikowania pojęcia sieci logistyczne w kontekście analizy koncepcji sieci i logistyki jako podstawowych składowych, oraz wskazanie głównych wyzwań dla międzynarodowych sieci logistycznych wynikających ze zmian zachodzących w systemie gospodarki światowej pod wpływem globalizacji. W artykule skoncentrowano się na dwóch głównych koncepcjach. Pierwszą z nich jest analiza sieci logistycznych jako szczególnego przypadku sieci, gdzie poszczególni jej uczestnicy stanowią podmioty autonomiczne, współpracujące i konkurujące ze sobą, a sama sieć posiada dużą zmienność zarówno pod kątem fluktuacji uczestników, jak i struktury. Druga koncepcja zawęża obszar analizy do sieci logistycznych będących pochodna sieci i łańcuchów dostaw. Przyjęcie tego podejścia skutkuje ukierunkowaniem przede wszystkim na systemy kooperacji.Słowa kluczowe: logistyka, logistyka międzynarodowa, sieci logistyczne, łańcuch dostaw.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to identify processes and recognise determinants in the copper mining industry supply chain creation and activity taking into account the influence of COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Approach: The research was conducted using qualitative methods. As part of the research procedure, process analysis was carried out using the method of mapping processes in the mining industry supply chain (on the example of copper mining). To analyse and evaluate the examined processes were presented in the form of graphical maps developed using the ADONIS software. A case study was used to show the specificity of the studies case (copper mining supply chain) and accompanying phenomena. Findings: The results of the study indicate that the coordination and integration of logistics processes has a significant impact on the mining supply chain. It is necessary to point out that the mining processes are separate from production processes. The individual tier of copper mining supply chain has their specific determinants that can be identified in the following groups: natural and geological, political, economic, legislative, social, environmental, and technological. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the intensity of the search for new technologies, human security, remote communication processes and process tracking tools; it also increased the need for cooperation and searching for cooperative solutions regarding sustainable development and the circular economy. Practical Implications: The results can be used to improve the operation of the supply chain. The conducted analyses have significant practical implications for the design of efficiency, security, and resilience of supply chains. Originality/Value: The comprehensive analysis of the supply chain creates opportunities for comprehensive improvement of both the entire system and its individual components.