/library/oar/handle/123456789/45 2026-05-23T05:38:10Z 2026-05-23T05:38:10Z Poteraj, Jaroslaw /library/oar/handle/123456789/146733 2026-05-22T15:11:02Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Post-colonial legacy and the convergence and divergence of pension systems : a comparative analysis of Suriname and the Netherlands Authors: Poteraj, Jaroslaw Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which post-colonial institutional legacies shape patterns of convergence and divergence in pension systems. Using the comparative case of Suriname and the Netherlands, the study investigates whether shared historical foundations translate into similarities in contemporary pension arrangements, or whether structural divergence prevails as a result of differing economic, fiscal, and institutional capacities.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The paper adopts a qualitative comparative institutional approach grounded in pension economics and political economy. The analysis draws on secondary data from academic literature, international institutional reports, and country profiles published by organisations involved in social security and pension system monitoring. The two pension systems are examined using a consistent set of analytical criteria, including system architecture, statutory retirement age, key benefit parameters, coverage, financing mechanisms, and institutional capacity. This framework enables the identification of both functional convergence and structural divergence.; FINDINGS: The results indicate that Suriname and the Netherlands display limited convergence at the level of basic social objectives, particularly with regard to the role of the state in providing minimum income protection in old age. Both systems incorporate universal or quasi-universal elements aimed at poverty prevention among older persons, and both apply a gender-neutral statutory retirement age. At the same time, substantial divergence persists in system architecture, financing structures, and effective coverage. The Dutch pension system is characterised by a mature multi-pillar model with a strong occupational and capital-funded component, high coverage, and dynamic parametric adjustment. In contrast, the Surinamese system relies predominantly on a universal flat-rate benefit financed from the state budget, complemented by a limited earnings-related scheme with restricted coverage. These differences reflect divergent fiscal capacities, labour-market structures, and levels of institutional development rather than policy choice alone.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings suggest that direct institutional transfer of pension models from highly developed economies to post-colonial contexts is unlikely to be effective. Pension reforms in post-colonial states should prioritise gradual adaptation to local economic and institutional conditions, improvements in administrative capacity, and increased labour-market formalisation, rather than the replication of complex multi-pillar systems.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper contributes to the literature by explicitly integrating a post-colonial institutional perspective into the analysis of pension system convergence and divergence. It offers a nuanced interpretation that combines functional similarity with persistent structural heterogeneity, highlighting the limits of convergence in the presence of deep-rooted historical and institutional constraints.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Caporale, Guglielmo Maria Gil-Alana, Luis Alberiko Poza, Carlos Ruiz-Alba, José L. /library/oar/handle/123456789/146728 2026-05-22T11:37:02Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Short-term disruptions and recovery patterns in Spanish hotel activity : insights from quantitative and qualitative evidence Authors: Caporale, Guglielmo Maria; Gil-Alana, Luis Alberiko; Poza, Carlos; Ruiz-Alba, José L. Abstract: PURPOSE: This paper examines the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish hotel activity to establish whether it has had temporary or permanent effects.; PROJECT/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The analysis is based on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. For the former, data from Google Trends and the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) are collected to create a Leading Hotel Activity (LHA) index and fractional integration and cointegration methods are applied. For the latter, online interviews of a focus group in the Spanish hotel sector are conducted. The analysis also distinguishes between the five main source countries for Spain and the main five tourists regions in Spain.; FINDINGS: The results show that the impact of Covid-19 shock on Spanish hotel activity was temporary, and that it disappeared at a faster rate in the case of the Balearic Islands and of tourists from Germany. The qualitative evidence indicates a strong linkage between intentions and behaviour in the Spanish tourism sector.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings indicate that the effects of Covid-19 on Spanish hotel activity were temporary. The Leading Hotel Activity (LHA) index based on Google Trends emerges as a useful tool for anticipating demand and supporting managerial and destination-level planning. Moreover, differences in recovery across regions and source markets underline the importance of targeted strategies, while the strong link between online search intentions and hotel stays highlights the role of confidence-building measures in accelerating demand recovery.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper combines fractional integration methods with qualitative evidence to analyse the persistence of shocks in Spanish hotel activity. It introduces a novel Leading Hotel Activity (LHA) index based on Google Trends and provides new evidence on the link between online search intentions and hotel stays across source markets and destination regions.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Szołtysek, Jacek Bujak, Andrzej /library/oar/handle/123456789/146725 2026-05-22T10:16:59Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Inclusive sports in urban spaces : a social logistics approach Authors: Szołtysek, Jacek; Bujak, Andrzej Abstract: PURPOSE: This study examines how contemporary cities can integrate inclusive sports into urban development to strengthen accessibility, participation, and well-being, particularly for people with disabilities. Using the analytical lens of social logistics, the paper investigates how planning, policy design and community engagement contribute to inclusive urban environments that support equality and social cohesion.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research applies a qualitative, comparative approach combining the analysis of more than 30 international, national and municipal policy documents with case studies from major European cities (e.g. Helsinki, Barcelona, London) and medium-sized Polish cities (e.g. Tychy, Gdynia, Katowice). The analytical framework draws on WHO and UN-Habitat indicators related to accessibility, governance coherence and integrated policy design. This multi-scalar approach enables an assessment of how inclusive sports are embedded within broader urban health, education and social policies.; FINDINGS: Findings indicate that cities most advanced in promoting inclusivity treat sport as a public good and strategically integrate universal design, cross-sectoral cooperation and community participation. Despite progress, persistent challenges – such as fragmented governance, limited monitoring, insufficient staff training and financial constraints – continue to hinder coherent implementation. The study identifies a set of transferable principles that support effective development of inclusive sport ecosystems across diverse urban contexts.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The practical contribution of this research lies in providing evidence-based guidance for local governments and planners, particularly metropolitan networks requiring coordinated action across municipalities. The paper offers a structured set of insights for mainstreaming universal design, strengthening collaborative governance and embedding measurable indicators into urban inclusion strategies.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study contributes original value by combining social logistics with inclusive urban planning and disability-oriented sport policy, offering an interdisciplinary framework for analysing and operationalising inclusion in contemporary cities.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Milewska, Elżbieta /library/oar/handle/123456789/146724 2026-05-22T10:14:30Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The concept of dedicated agility : a literature review and research framework Authors: Milewska, Elżbieta Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to propose a solution that would enable enterprises to adapt to the changing conditions of manufacturing operations and improve the management of information and material flow within the production network. It was assumed that this improvement would be achieved by building and analysing a model that would enable achieving a dedicated level of agility within the production network.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The concept was based on estimating the variability of impact factors and the balance between the benefits and costs incurred in achieving agility. Factors were modified through three parameters: the allowable range of deviations, the dynamics of change, and the speed of adaptation. The foundation of the proposed solution is the implementation of a feedback mechanism, deployed at the level of an individual enterprise, but also at the level of the production network. A multi-level control system was created, encompassing the planning and supervision of production activities of multiple business entities. It was assumed that data transfer between entities would be subordinated to the data structure of integrated IT systems. It was assumed that material flow destabilization in the production network could be mitigated through a harmonious flow of information between organizational units and business entities within the network.; FINDINGS: In response to the challenges of the VUCA environment, the author proposed a model that is a three-step approach to creating a dedicated level of agility in the production network.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The proposed solution enables enterprises to adapt to the changing conditions of manufacturing operations, but also allows for adjustments to the network's agility level. It leads to the identification of required technical and material resources, essential intangible assets, and necessary human resources, by balancing the benefits with the costs incurred by network enterprises in connection with manufacturing operations.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The proposed methodology allows for tuning the level of agility of the production network based on balancing benefits with costs and the use of feedback between planning and supervising the production activities of many economic entities.

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