Increasing the use of renewable energy sources is one of the strategic objectives of the European Union. In this regard, it seems necessary to answer the question: which of the member countries are the most effective in its implementation? Therefore, the main goal was to distinguish groups of European Union countries, including the Visegrad Group, differing in the use of renewable energy sources in transport, electricity, heating and cooling (based on cluster analysis). All members of the EU were determinedly selected for research on 1 February 2020 (27 countries). The research period embraced the years 2009–2019. The sources of materials were the literature on the topic and data from Eurostat. Descriptive, tabular, graphical methods and cluster analysis were used in the presentation and analysis of materials. In 2019 wind and hydro power accounted for two-thirds of the total electricity generated from renewable sources. In 2019, renewable energy sources made up 34% of gross electricity consumption in the EU-27. Wind and hydro power accounted for two-thirds of the total electricity generated from renewable sources (35% each). Moreover, it was determined that there were 5 clusters that differed in their use of renewable energy sources. The highest average renewable energy consumption in transport, heating and cooling in 2019 was characterized by a cluster consisting of Sweden and Finland. In contrast, the highest average renewable energy consumption in electricity was characterized by a cluster consisting of countries such as: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Latvia and Portugal. Finally, in a group that included countries such as Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and the entire VG (Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland), renewable energy consumption rates (in transport, electricity, heating and cooling) were lower than the EU average (27 countries).

The main aim of this study is to present a systematic literature review (SLR) of the sustainable energy development (SED) and emphasize important activities relevant to this concept. The following set of research tasks was adopted to achieve the main aim: (1) presentation of the distribution of articles by year (both journal and conference papers) on the SED concept; (2) identification of the most frequently cited articles on the SED concept; (3) identification of the countries that have contributed most to the development of the SED concept through publication activities; (4) demonstration of the subject areas most frequently associated with the SED concept; (5) presentation of the various definitions of the SED; (6) identification of the most important activities carried out under the SED; and (7) presentation of future research directions for the SED. It is worth noting that the research tasks undertaken will be both quantitative and qualitative. The data search was conducted on 31 August 2022, and the selected peer-reviewed database was Scopus. The exclusion process resulted in a total of 607 journal and conference papers. The most important conclusion to be derived from this study is that there is no one unified definition of the SED. Moreover, three activities must be undertaken to realize the SED concept: (1) increasing the use of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, (2) enhancing energy efficiency, and (3) reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. The article also presents the authors’ conceptual model that can serve as a starting point for further analyses in this area.

The ability to share knowledge in an organization may determine its success. Knowledge is one of the basic resources of an enterprise, being also the basis for undertaking various types of strategic actions. Knowledge management should be focused in the organization on such processing of all available information to lead to the creation of value defined by employees of the organization and by customers. In order to raise the issue of knowledge sharing, trust should be mentioned. Trust is a factor conditioning effective atmosphere and cooperation in an organization. The main purpose of the article is to present the relationship between trust and knowledge sharing, taking into account the importance of this issue in the efficiency of doing business. To formulate conclusions, data from surveys carried out in 148 different tourist facilities were used. Data were collected by applying the diagnostic survey method and by using a survey technique based on a prepared questionnaire. The results showed that trust is important in sharing knowledge and was found to play an important role in achieving a high level of performance efficiency. The study consists of an introduction, literature review, research results and discussion of results. At the end of the article, conclusions, restrictions and recommendations for future research are presented.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to compare the effect of shock related to the COVID pandemic on the rates of return from shares of agri-food companies in Poland. Project/Methodology/Approach: In order to investigate the effect of the COVID pandemic on the capital market abnormal rates of return from shares were calculated as those rates of return, which may be considered the response of the market to the outbreak of the pandemic and its consequences. Results: Results of this analysis indicate a considerable drop in share prices and rates of return from shares of the WIG companies and agri-food companies following the detection of the first coronavirus case. In the analysed period the rates of return from shares of agri-food companies were higher than those from the WIG companies. Practical implications: This study indicates a research gap in this respect. The investigations have a huge effect on decisions of investors, enterprises from the agri-food sector and agribusiness. Results of this study will provide insight into the situation in the stock market during the pandemic, while they will also aid entities when making investment decisions and planning for the future. Originality/value: The novelty of this paper is connected with the contribution to science, since it is the first empirical study concerning the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the stock market in the agri-food sector of Poland.

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