Joanna Ejdys

Crucial factors for improving the ISO 14001 environmental management system

The practice of using environmental management systems (EMS) ISO 14001 at the organisational level indicates that the efficacy of such solutions depends on many factors, both endogenous and exogenous in nature. This article aims to identify the fac- tors that determine the opportunities for the improvement of EMS in organisations, the analysis of the relationship between the factors and the classification of the factors due to their role in the system improvement. The structural analysis was used to classify and identify the key factors and then to categorize these factors into five groups. Finally, the role of these key factors in improving environmental management systems was exam- ined. Based on the findings, guidelines can be offered to both scholars and practitioners regarding the factors crucial for the improvement of the EMS. Aiming to add value to the existing literature, the structural analysis was adapted to classification and identification of the key factors. From the point of view of practitioners, it seems to be very profitable to concentrate on the crucial factors during the process of EMS improvement.

An OH&S management system as a source of information.

The concept of an occupational health and safety management system (OH&S MS) has become widespread over the past 20 years. However, there are few studies on the subject, they are generally methodologically weak and in many cases cannot be generalized. A formalized OH&S MS is a set of rules and connected elements of the general organization management system which guarantees accomplishment of the organizationʼs objectives in the area of upgrading safety conditions of both employees and the environment. The need for research on voluntary management systems stems from the necessity to propagate appropriate solutions and their continuous development processes. This paper discusses an OH&S MS as a source of data and essential information on the process of developing a system. It examines the relationship between the degree to which the requirements of Standard No. PN-N-18001:2004 have been adapted and the demand for health and safety data and information.

The Role of Internal Stakeholders in the Process of Creation Social Responsible Long-Term Care System in Poland

One of the most important challenges of Europe, North America and Eastern Asia are the processes associated with the ageing (greying) population. The share of older people in Poland increased from 10.1 % in 1990 to 14.4 % in 2013, while in Europe the share of older people increased from 13.9 to 18.2 % between 1990 and 1992. Globally, the number of older people is expected to more than double, from 841 million people in 2013 to more than two billion in 2050. Processes associated with the ageing population will result in a steady increase of interest in long-term care services, such us residential care. On the other hand, the increasing demand for services of residential care will be caused by the fact that globally only 40 % of older people live independently. The growing demand for residential care services will be accompanied by a growing interest in the quality and innovativeness improvement. From the perspective of the development corporate social responsibility of such units, the involvement of residents seems to be crucial. This paper presents the survey research results conducted among 169 residential care units in Poland. The scientific purpose of the article is principally to examine the existing relations between two variables: staff engagement (SE) and residents’ engagement (RE) in residential care units in Poland. For this purpose, the multiple regression analysis was used.

Learning orientation in nursing homes in Poland

Abstract As a major challenge of a social, economic, and institutional nature, the phenomenon of population ageing is the basis for concern in terms of the direction of further socio-economic development. By the year 2050, the number of older people around the world will amount to more than 2 billion, constituting 22% of the total population. Over 75, people are faced with increased risk of disability (physical and mental), which can deprive of independent existence. The welfare system will not only have to meet the growing demand for nursing homes, but also the increasing requirements for the safety and quality of services. The innovation of nursing homes will be conditional on the learning of the units of this sector. The scientific goal of the pursued study was to evaluate the influence of learning orientation on the innovation of nursing homes in Poland. Learning orientation has been the subject of the Author’s interest in the context of four constructs: (i) commitment to learning, (ii) shared vision, (iii) open-mindedness, and (iv) intra-organisational knowledge sharing. The article presents the results of a quantitative research conducted on a sample of 169 nursing homes in Poland. The study aimed to examine relationships between the four constructs of learning orientation and organisational innovativeness of nursing homes in Poland. The regression model confirmed the existing statistically significant positive relationship between open-mindedness and organisational innovativeness.