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The paper presents the results of the authors' research on the share of energy costs in revenues and their impact on the profitability of companies. This research was inspired by a large increase in energy prices in 2022. The authors analyzed the shares of energy consumption costs in production companies from various industries, using various sources: scientific literature, expert studies, and statistical data. Based on the results of these analyses, the authors simulated the impact of changes in energy prices on the profitability of companies. The research results are as follows: according to the authors, the share of these costs in the value of sales is much lower (several percent) than presented in various literature sources (a dozen or so, and even up to 30% in some cases). Despite this, however, the change in energy prices should significantly reduce profitability according to the simulations conducted by the authors. However, the financial reports analyzed by the authors show that profitability in many cases not only did not deteriorate, but revenues and profits increased in a large number of companies. In many cases, this can be explained by the actions taken by companies to reduce energy consumption costs and by increases in product prices. The authors' research also shows that if factors such as the specificity of the industry or the size of the company have an impact on energy efficiency, it is only to a small extent. The share of energy costs in sales and financial results, even within a given industry and in companies of similar size, varies greatly. The authors therefore believe that the effectiveness of the management of a given company has the greatest impact. Therefore, the results of the analysis differ significantly from the results of studies presented in the literature. Energy consumption data were analyzed using various literature sources from different countries. However, the main analyses conducted by the authors focused on Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper relates to the development of intermodal technologies used in international trade, together with factors which will influence that development at present and in the future. The aim of the paper is to assess impact of the integration of intermodal chains on logistics costs and thus on global trade. The special emphasize is laid on the problem of the diversity of standards of containers and transport technology in different parts of the world. This research is based on the available statistical data and information obtained from leading logistics operators. The authors conducted comparative analysis of the economic efficiency of usage of different sizes of cargo units, both standard and non-standard, relating to representative intermodal chain between the USA and Europe. In order to assess different scenarios a model was elaborated for calculating the total costs of such a chain, and transport efficiency analysis with the use of this model were conducted. The results of research presented in the paper confirm that integration of intermodal chains thanks to standardization of loading units in a global scale could be profitable. The results of logistics cost analysis prove measurable benefits for logistics operators and as well as their customers.

The paper presents the problem of the impact of the competitiveness of maritime transport on the efficiency of global supply chains on the example of the apparel industry. With the use of a model developed by the authors, simulations of the profitability of the sourcing in low-costs countries (Bangladesh, China) have been conducted. The model takes into account the specificity of the apparel industry, parameters of cargo, value of goods, and demand characteristics. If freight rates for maritime transport services were to increase significantly, the profitability of production in the Far East compared to local or regional production would be lower particularly for cheaper products. The level of these freight rates is not the main factor of the efficiency of this strategy. Simulations revealed, that changes of costs of production has greater impact on this profitability. In the garment market the possibility of quick response to demand is often more important than costs. The calculations were made on the basis of data obtained from Polish companies, which order production in countries with low production costs and transport garment in containers by sea and from transport and logistics operators.

The research problem undertaken by the authors of this article concerns the optimization of the size of the distribution network (the number of warehouses). The authors developed regression models, which are an alternative to the classical "Square Root law" optimization formula. The models were built for the two distributions of demand most commonly used in the literature: Gaussian and Gamma distribution. They allow the calculation of the level of inventory with a given number of warehouses and the level of stock availability as a measure of logistic customer service. The aim was to create a useful tool for decision-makers in companies. The models were elaborated on the base of the simulations carried out for various products (loading parameters, value), sales volumes, number of warehouses, and different standard deviations. Both regression models were statistically significant; the coefficients of determination are relevant. A slightly better value was obtained in the case of Gaussian distribution. The results obtained with the use of the classic "Square Root law" were in some cases quite similar. However, the type of distribution and the variability of demand, measured by standard deviation, have a significant influence here. Thus, the authors believe that the models developed may give more accurate results and that the "Square Root law" formula should be modified taking into account the characteristics of the demand. After completing the regression models with cost components, the total costs were calculated for selected cases of product groups (food, electronics, garments), different levels of the availability of stocks, and different number of warehouses. As it turned out, centralization may not necessarily be the optimal strategy for the most expensive goods. Loading parameters are also important, as they have a significant impact on the costs of storage and, above all, transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem presented in this article concerns the impact of demand characteristics for consumer goods on the profitability of purchasing strategy, including the choice of both the source of supply and transport technology (deliveries in containers by sea, rail, air, and road transport). To assess the profitability of applying a specific strategy, the author developed a model to conduct simulations using the Monte Carlo approach for two demand distributions (Gaussian and Gamma), various sales fluctuations, and changes in demand during the delivery time. Calculations were carried out considering the costs of transport, storage, capital costs related to maintaining stocks, and costs of lost sales. The simulation results show that the greater the fluctuations and the lower the predictability of the demand, the greater the profitability of deliveries using air transport and local deliveries. However, concrete decisions depend on knowledge of the consequences of making these decisions and whether appropriate cost accounting is used in enterprises. The results of the calculations also indicate that the strategy of outsourcing production in low-cost countries will, in many cases, become unprofitable if production costs in these countries increase even slightly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem presented in this paper concerns the impact of e-commerce on transport costs, including external transport costs, compared with traditional shopping. E-commerce is a phenomenon of the modern economy that can significantly impact both the efficiency of the distribution of goods and on external transport costs. Although such a distribution system can increase the costs of freight transport to final consumers, it can also reduce traffic in cities and thus total external transport costs. In order to asses this impact, the author developed a simulation model and used it to conduct analyses. The analyses were based on available statistical data, data from the literature, and from the transportation market in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the classical problem of optimization of the size of a delivery to a warehouse. Using a model developed by the author, simulations were conducted using data obtained from companies in Poland. The results revealed that the impact of this optimization on the economic efficiency of an enterprise can be considerable in some cases. It is difficult, however, to develop an appropriate mathematical formula for solving such a problem. The use of a simulation seems to be more appropriate for solving this problem than optimization models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Codrul Cosminului is the property of Codrul Cosminului and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The topic of this article is the way king John III Sobieski was presented by some foreign diarists in selected aspects: origin and education, interests in philosophy, command and military glory, participation in the Holy League, election and avarice, description and overall assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Codrul Cosminului is the property of Codrul Cosminului and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The presented research focuses on the development of an intermodal transport system in Europe. The model for a national intermodal transport network is presented based on conditioning of Poland. It proposes the location of intermodal terminals including port, regional, local and transit terminals. It also gives the forecast of intermodal units transhipments by the year 2030. Organizational solutions that provide for significant improvement to the quality of intermodal transport are suggested. The paper ends with the Authors' conclusions of a specific and strategic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When determining the optimal size of the deliveries of a product to a warehouse, one should consider not just a single factor such as warehousing or the cost of keeping inventory, but also other factors such as the cost of ordering or transportation. The factors to be considered in such a decision become more complex when the situation involves several products or an entire distribution system that might consist, for example, of one or more central warehouses, as well as regional or local warehouses or distribution centers. This paper addresses the problem of optimizing logistics decisions in a two-level inventory management system, taking into consideration also the transportation costs involved. Using a Polish chemical manufacturing company as the case study, the author developed a model of total costs for the distribution network and, for simulation purposes, applied a computer program as a virtual model of the production company and its logistics system. The model is very detailed because it reproduces logistics processes on daily basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]