This paper identifies the adverse events occurring during the execution of water supply and sewerage systems construction. The basis for this paper is research conducted in 2010-2014 on the construction sites of water supply and sewerage systems located in the provinces of Lower Silesia and Opole. The research consisted of direct observations of construction sites and review of construction documentation. It showed that work stoppages on the examined construction sites were frequent. They were caused by violations of work discipline by the production employees, adverse weather conditions, and defects in the project documentation. The study demonstrated that in almost every case, these bad an adverse effect on the completion date and budget of the investment. The analyses show that in such important and expensive investments as water supply and sewerage systems, organizational structures in which a special role is assigned to middle-rank personnel should be adopted.
In recent years, the construct of work engagement as well as methods for its measurement have generated growing interest in the field of occupational psychology. In this study, we aim to contribute to the current work engagement literature by investigating the possible advantages of single-item measures of work engagement by analysing their psychometric feasibility. Testing the validity of a single-item measure tool within the framework of the Job Demands-Resources theory, we have found similar pattern of correlations of single-item measures of work engagement with exhaustion, disengagement, job resources and job demands as for the well-established multi-item measure the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. The reliability of single-item measures tested with factor analysis and the attenuation formula was estimated to be in the range of between .60 and .70, the figure depending on the particulars of the estimation methods. Our findings provide an initial modicum of evidence that, if a research purpose requires it, or if the use of a multi-item measurement tool is overly restrictive or costly, then a single-item measure of work engagement could be effectively adopted.
The contributions of work-hardening of austenite and the presence of martensite on the hardening of an AISI 304L stainless steel were evaluated based on plastic deformation under different reductions in thickness at two rolling temperatures. The cold deformation temperatures of 300 K and 373 K were chosen to induce strain-hardening plus strain-induced martensitic transformation in the former and strain-hardening in the latter. This made it possible to elucidate the real effects of strengthening mechanisms of metastable austenitic stainless steels during mechanical working.
We talk to Prof. Jan Marcin Węsławski from the PAS Institute of Oceanology in Sopot about how scientists work with members of the public and the benefits it brings.
This study included investigation of efficiency of the threshold used to classify symptoms as present, investigation of efficiency of the cut-off point used to identify potentially addicted to work individuals, investigation of magnitude of the problem of class overlap, and investigation of effects of dichotomization of polytomous items on the estimates of the latent trait level. The sample comprised 16,426 working Norwegians (Mage = 37.31; SD = 11.36) who filled out the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS). The results showed that the difficulty/third threshold parameters corresponding to the threshold used to classify symptoms as present were lower than 1.5 for the items corresponding to tolerance and conflict and higher than or equal to 1.5 for the items corresponding to salience, mood modification, relapse, withdrawal, and problems. The cut-off point used to identify individuals as potentially addicted to work identified 411 individuals (31.9% of all individuals classified by the polythetic approach as potentially addicted to work) whose estimates of the latent trait level were lower than 1.5 as potentially addicted to work. The problem of class overlap (being classified by the polythetic approach into different class despite almost the same level of the latent trait) affected 4,686 individuals (28.5% of the whole sample). The dichotomization of polytomous items had a substantial effect on the estimates of the latent trait level. The findings show that the polythetic approach is not efficient in identifying potentially addicted to work individuals and that the prevalence rates of work addiction based on the polythetic approach are not trustworthy.
Values define the directions of human activities and are related to people’s motivation to undertake specific activities and roles (Schwartz, 1994; Brown, 2002). Researchers and employers observe differences in motivation to work among representatives of different generations and genders (Twenge, Campbell, & Freeman, 2012; Gursoy & Karadag, 2013). In this research project, the authors asked what motivated contemporary employees, whether the intensity of their motives was different in different generations, what relationships there were between the dominant work motives and employees’ dominant values, and whether there were differences between women and men regarding work motives. To verify the hypotheses, they conducted a study with a sample of 307 professionally active people. They used their own Types of Work Motives Questionnaire designed for the purposes of the study and the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ; Wilson & Murrell, 2004). The obtained results indicate that younger employees choose the kind of work that gives them comfort and adequate pay. Regardless of age, however, social security support is the most important for all groups of respondents. For women, security and social security support are important at work. Moreover, the study has shown that there is a relationship between work values and work motives. For example people who appreciate values such as friendship and stability are motivated to work by good relationships and security, those who value recreation and stability are motivated by comfort and salary, those for whom respect and education are crucial are motivated by the possibility of development etc.
The construction site and its elements create circumstances that are conducive to the formation of risks to work safety during the execution of works. Analysis indicates the critical importance of these factors in the set of characteristics that describe the causes of accidents in the construction industry. This paper attempts to analyse the characteristics of the construction site to indicate their importance in defining the circumstances of an accident at work. The research was carried out on the basis of data from the register kept by the District Labour Inspectorate in Krakow, Poland. Main substantive tasks include isolating patterns of accidents on site and identifying those of the analysed characteristics that are important in defining these patterns. In terms of methodology, the paper presents a method of analysing data resources by using means of conceptual grouping in the form of cluster analysis.
The paper concerns the two-machine non-preemptive flow shop scheduling problem with a total late work criterion
and a common due date (F2|dj = d|Y ). The late work performance measure estimates the quality of a solution with regard
to the duration of late parts of activities performed in the system, not taking into account the quantity of this delay. In the
paper, a few theorems are formulated and proven, describing features of an optimal solution for the problem mentioned, which is
NP-hard. These theorems can be used in exact exponential algorithms (as dominance relations reducing the number of solutions
enumerated explicitly), as well as in heuristic and metaheuristic methods (supporting the construction of sub-optimal schedules
of a good quality).
This study builds on an existing structural model developed to examine the influence of
leadership and organizational culture on innovation and satisfaction of engineers in Australian
public sectors (APS). The objective of this study is to increase the understanding of
innovation process with a focus on causal relationships among critical factors. To achieve this
objective, the study develops an assessment approach to help predict creativity and work
meaningfulness of engineers in the APS. Three quantitative analysis methods were sequentially
conducted in this study including correlation analysis, path analysis, and Bayesian
networks. A correlation analysis was conducted to pinpoint the strong association between
key factors studied. Subsequently, path analysis was employed to identify critical pathways
which were accordingly used as a structure to develop Bayesian networks. The findings of
the study revealed practical strategies for promoting (1) transformational leadership and (2)
innovative culture in public sector organizations since these two factors were found to be key
drivers for individual creativity and work meaningfulness of their engineers. This integrated
approach may be used as a decision support tool for managing the innovation process for
engineers in the public sectors.
In order to assess the challenges and needs of Austrian companies with respect to current
business and technological developments, a regular well-researched compilation of empirical
data of the Austrian manufacturing industry is necessary. Hence, a panel of 104 decisionmakers
(owners, CEOs, managing directors and plant managers) from leading Austrian
industrial companies was assembled in form of an “industry panel” to investigate current
issues of production work in Austria by means of a survey.
In order to allow for a longitudinal study, it is planned to survey the same group of people
every year; hence the instrument of an annual panel-survey was chosen. To date the panel
consists of 104 leaders from different Austrian or international companies with at least one
factory location in Austria. The panel was assembled first in 2018/2019 and the administered
survey contained 23 questions. The actual questions comprise topics that concern the current
economic situation and future expectations, operational issues with respect to delivery
time, product variability and demand fluctuations, as well as questions relating to innovation,
automation and the application of current technological developments (i.e. assistance
systems, machine learning, etc.) in manufacturing. This paper presents the survey results
and conclusions of the 2019 panel on production work in Austria.
In the article problems related to human labor and factors affecting the increasing use of
industrial robots are discussed. Since human factors affect the production processes stability,
robots are preferred to apply. The application of robots is characterized by higher performance
and reliability comparing to human labor. The problem is how to determine the real
difference in work efficiency between human operator and robot. The aim of the study is to
develop a method that allows clearly definition of productivity growth associated with the
replacement of human labor by industrial robots. Another aim of the paper is how to model
robotized and manual operated workstation in a computer simulation software. Analysis of
the productivity and reliability of the hydraulic press workstation operated by the human
operator or an industrial robot, are presented. Simulation models have been developed taking
into account the availability and reliability of the machine, operator and robot. We apply
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) indicator to present how availability and reliability
parameters influence over performance of the workstation, in the longer time. Simplified
financial analysis is presented considering different labor costs in EU countries.
Having increasingly tightened geological and mining conditions in which the extraction of copper ore deposits in Poland is conducted, ensuring effective and safe mining is presently becoming a key task and a significant challenge for mine operators, mainly in the field of ground support systems being the equivalent for the new geological/mining conditions. As one may expect, these conditions shall be characterized by higher values of the primary stress tensor elements as well as the lower deformability and higher strength of the rock mass surrounding the copper ore body. T his means that in the near future, the rock bursts problem will become one of the most important issues deciding on the economy and safety within the newly developed mining areas. T herefore developing a novel effective ductile ground support systems which could be able to control the rock mass movement in squeezing and burst-prone rock conditions is recommended. T his type of requirement may fulfil only ductile or, in other words, the kinetic energy-absorbing systems, which permit slowing down a movement of violently ejected rock blocks. T his paper’s objective is to present the idea of the development of a new type of an effective and low cost ductile resin anchored rockbolt system with smooth and of the square cross-section steel rod is formed in coil shape of different pitch. T he developed bolt prototypes have been tested underground in the G-11 section of the Rudna mine. Results of the pull-out tests, involving different bolts’ shapes and different sliding materials set on the rockbolts’ rods, have proved those bolts’ efficiency as an element of the ductile support system.
One of the most important business areas of the company is the management of working capital. Energy companies that produce electricity and heat are the main consumers of steam coal, so their decision concerning stock levels is a major determinant of supply schedules. These decisions depend on legal and technical requirements as well as economic aspects. The seasonality of coal consumption jointly with pre-purchase costs and storage costs has a straight impact on delivery scheduling in a parabolic way. There is a divergence in expectations regarding delivery schedules among the coal market participants (energy, mining, transport companies). The purpose of this article is to present the concept of pricing of steam coal and transport service on the Polish market, assuming the use of price incentives, resulting in delivery scheduling during the year. The article presents selected theoretical content in the field of coal logistics and working capital management in the company, the expectations of the steam coal market participant regarding delivery schedules have been identified. The proposed concept of pricing steam coal and transport service should be discussed further in scientific and expert work.
The content of the study focuses on the issue of the right to work of persons with disabilities from the point of view of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the General Assembly of United Nations in 2006. The article discusses the formal elements of the national system supporting the professional activity of this group of people. The author also presents opinions of various entities, independent of state authorities, on the compatibility of solutions adopted in our country with the philosophy of the Convention.
Job crafting is an employees activity aimed to change and improve own work which serves to find the meaning in job. Activities related to job crafting usually occur beyond the superiors’ knowledge so the feeling of autonomy of a worker may hinder or encourage them to craft job. The study aimed to determine the correlations between organizational rank and job crafting with respect to a mediating role of autonomy and organizational tenure as a moderator. Study 1 (N = 102) showed that people having managerial positions undertake task crafting more often than non-managers. Managers and non-managers are no different with regards to cognitive and relational crafting. Autonomy mediated the relationship between organizational rank and task crafting. Most of the results in study 2 (N = 99) was a replication of the results of study 1. The differences are probably related to a various length of organizational tenure for a current organization. The results of the presented studies indicate the role of autonomy in undertaking job crafting, what is being discussed in the literature worldwide and Polish studies.
This article discusses the problem of orphan manuscripts and writings in the collection of documents deposited with the Jagiellonian University. The author mentions the difficulties in the access to this heritage, due to the unclear status of these works. In this context she analyzes and presents biographies and views of all Jewish philosophers who received Ph.D. degree at the Jagiellonian University in the years 1918 through 1939, many of whom probably did not survive World War II.
The aim of this analysis is to determine whether Marx’s diagnosis of alienated work applies to work that is performed in our time, and whether the concept itself is useful for philosophical anthropology. Marx assumes that there is a link between alienation of work and alienation of the worker. The author asks if these premises lead to further questions, such as: Is the phenomenon of alienation of work characterized unambiguously and precisely? Can it be useful for analyzing social phenomena occurring outside the proletariat? Is it relevant to apply this phenomenon to the philosophical discourse on man conducted independently of the historical perspective assumed by Marx? Will abolition of private ownership of means of production eliminate the phenomenon of alienated work? Which is more nearly true: Marx’s idea that private property is the result of alienated work, or the opposite, that private property is its cause?