Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a popular and easy tool for visualizing production processes in enterprise. It allows one to eliminate or reduce waste, i.e., activities that do not create added value for the customer. The versatility of this tool allows it to be used in industry. There are theoretical, methodological, and practical aspects encountered by practitioners in developing Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for a specific manufacturing industry, but they are not fully resolved and require clarification. This paper presents a case study that describes the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) in the production of steel pipes. Relevant data from this process were collected and analyzed at the start of the project. An initial process was mapped, associated waste was identified, and then future processes were mapped. The financial results were estimated. Consequently, the process was improved, and savings were achieved. The article should constitute the basis for further development of an improvement project for a selected company aimed at improving the areas identified in a given article.

Start-up accelerators are units supporting entrepreneurs (substantively, financially, legally, and organizationally) in establishing and running young and innovative companies such as start-ups. The commencing energy crisis has led to the need for energy savings, as well as the need to change energy policies and implement energy transformation, creating a wide field for start-ups and start-up accelerators. Making full use of potentially innovative solutions developed by start-ups is, in turn, essential for energy giants and related accelerators in the market. This has created the need for specific research in this direction. Therefore, in this paper we review the literature for 2011–2021 with respect to the role of accelerators supporting start-ups. A survey based on the Scopus database resulted in the identification of 76 papers on accelerators. Particular attention was paid to aspects of sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental). The analysis indicated that 75 works dealt with the economic aspects, 35 focused on social aspects, and only 5 focused on environmental aspects. Due to the perceived gap related to the small number of works dealing with environmental aspects, a decision was made to analyse the energy sector and the methods of operation of accelerators in this sector. Three models found in the market that were used by energy companies to cooperate with start-ups were characterized, along with their goals, in an attempt to enable an improved understanding as to which acceleration model best fits a manager’s organization. The models were supported by case studies—a model of commercial cooperation between a corporation and an external accelerator, a model of creating a corporate accelerator within an internal structure, and a hybrid model.

Ticket tariff is an important factor influencing the demand for public transport. Among basic problematics re-garding ticket tariffs are designing new fare systems and optimization of current systems. The task of optimization is influenced by two main factors: ticket prices and the structure of the tariff. Both elements were researched in this article, based on eleven public transport organizers fare systems in Poland – metropolitan areas and cities of a different scale. The purpose of this article was to define basic tariff types used in urban and regional public transport with a presentation of their function models. Ticket tariffs split into two main groups: flat and differen-tial. Differential group of tariffs covers: distance (usually are encountered fares based on a number of kilometres or stops travelled), quality (e.g. different fares on basic and express lines), time (minutes, hours or days of ticket validity, but also different tariff during on-peak and off-peak hours), sections (between which passenger travel on a transit route) and zones (transport network divided into areas, e.g. designated by municipalities bounda-ries) tariffs. The concept of this study was to transform as many tariffs as possible from tabular form to the math-ematical function. Five types of functions were considered for each tariff schematic: linear, power, polynomial, logarithmic and exponential. Functions and associated with them R-squared parameters were obtained as a result of regression analysis. The paper indicates that for time, distance and flat tariffs conformity (R2) was in most cases very high and above 0,90. The results indicate that the power function best describes time tariffs. In the case of distance tariffs, different kind of functions can be used: logarithmic, power or polynomial. The pro-posed function form of tariffs may speed up the process of creating new fare systems or upgrading existing ones. With general knowledge about the structure of tariffs and their function forms, it would be easier to determine the price of different kinds of tickets. New fare integration solutions could be also proposed in the future by using Big Data analysis.

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Accelerators have been becoming increasingly popular among young entrepreneurs interested in developing products, attracting investors, or establishing relations with industry represented by large companies. The focus of the studies is to conduct literature review due to the small number of scientific articles are available on this topic. The article aims to show the current state of knowledge about startup accelerators and the support they provide. It outlines what added value accelerators offer in their programs for young innovative companies. To achieve the stated aim, the authors combine a systematic literature review with a bibliometric analysis. The results of this research will be helpful in better matching the developed project with existing accelerator programs on the market. It can contribute to a better understanding of the principles governing the programs, program expectations of the accelerator and its partners with respect to the proposed solutions (corporations, business angels, and venture capital funds).

Startup accelerators are a highly useful part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. They are responsible for supporting young innovative enterprises with innovative ideas at the early stages of their development. Problems related to building a business model, raising funds for business development, or determining the directions of development of the products and services offered are often just the tip of the iceberg, which can be a serious obstacle preventing survival on the market and achieving commercial success. Accelerators are entities supporting innovation, which, using the tools and programs they have, can significantly facilitate issues related to running a business by immature start-ups and significantly contribute to overcoming the challenges that constantly appear before them. Due to the importance of innovation in the global economy and its obvious connection with start-ups, scientists in the last decade have clearly marked their interest in the subject of start-up accelerators. The purpose of this research work is to present the current state of knowledge in the area of accelerators and to systematize it. For this purpose, a literature review describing issues related to start-up accelerators was reviewed and a bibliometric analysis was carried out. As a result of the research, the topics in the area of accelerators that were most often taken up by scientists and the details on which previous publications focused were shown. The authors hope that the presented study will be valuable material for theoreticians conducting future research on start-up accelerators, and will also be a useful support for practitioners from such entities as start-ups, accelerators, corporations, and government agencies.

Purpose:The paper presents a review of the literature concerning start-up accelerators and a classification of related research untill August 2021. Approach/Methodology/Design: While elaborating the classification, the authors coded works according to the type of accelerator and implemented acceleration program. Furthermore, the paper identifies the countries, research bodies and authors who focus on research on the functioning of accelerators. The authors present how various accelerator forms operate and how they perform. Findings: The paper systematizes knowledge related to start-up accelerators available in the Scopus base and suggests directions for future research. Practical Implications: Recently a clear phenomenon is shown that is the development of a start-up ecosystem, in particular creation and professionalization of the new form of organisation that is a start-up accelerator. This entity acts as a bridge between start-ups and corporations and big enterprises, promoting success of both sides -conclusion of business contracts. More start-ups and corporations decide to collaborate with accelerators that, with their acceleration programs involving big companies, support them both. By monitoring the corporate-start-up collaboration, accelerators actively promote both parties, also in terms of generating necessary innovations to support, for instance, production, sales or service processes in big companies. An evergrowing number of accelerators and accelerator programs worldwide translates into more interest in research in this field. Originality/Value: Despite the increasing research trend related to start-up accelerators, no precise research classification has been available to date.

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