Abstract A photocode in Polish is a common name for a two-dimensional code, which is characterized by higher information capacity than a traditional barcode. The paper analyses the use of the two-dimensional coding system - DataMatrix to identify and classify the material stream in the production process. The analysis showed the effectiveness of the implementation of the coding system in the context of increased availability, machine use and increased product quality. The improvement in the production process is confirmed by an increase in the OEE index. As part of further improvement measures, the coding system should be implemented throughout the enterprise, its compatibility with existing systems should be ensured and applied to all products.

Abstract The research of railway track surfaces is aimed at improving the quality of railway infrastructure and providing the chance of improving the safety of driving. Therefore, it is advisable to constantly monitor track surface, but the research itself is not innovative because it is based on a known procedure. The crucial element are the techniques that allow to delve into the sources of problems. The aim of the article is to use the selected instruments of quality management to analyze the causes of track twist at high (180 km/h) speed of driving. The analysis of the causes of track twist was done on the basis of results from the measurement of one kilometer track section of the Krakow Glowny - Medyka route, which was made by using the TEC measuring device in April 2018. It was inferred that it is impossible to reach 180 km/h without track twist. In order to identify the causes of track twist it was proposed to use the selected sequence of quality management instruments, i.e.: brainstorming, Ishikawa diagram and the 5Why method. The identified causes of track twist include the abrasion of rail, scratches and exploitation point. The analysis and conclusions drawn from it may be useful in the analysis of other problems in railway transport as well as production and service industries.

Abstract The main aim of this article is to demonstrate that in a dynamically changing business environment, an organization should focus on embracing imitation strategies such as a safer form of building up its market position. The author addresses issues of innovation and imitation, provides definitions and defines realistic conditions and advantages of imitation strategies. Innovation does not guarantee a company's market success. The research conducted has shown that imitation is not only a commonly used strategy of creating competitiveness, but it is also the foundation of many firms’ success stories. Innovative imitation, technological diffusion, creative imitation should be treated equally as innovation – as a another development strategy, different form of strategy implementation, assuming less risk and wider market access with less risk and cost.

Abstract High doses of medical waste evidence that health waste management is problematic. A case study was conducted at various health institutions. This research analyzes various issues in the area of medical waste management. The research examines the perception of staff regarding medical waste management. The purpose of the study is to investigate the level of knowledge, attitudes and role of health practitioners in the management of medical waste. Here the quality index and the environmental index of two health centers are studied; one is a private hospital and the other one a state hospital and compares these two indices with a questionnaire. To provide environmentally friendly services, customers and environmental criteria have to be taken into account in the decision-making process and distributing the Green Quality Function provides a very useful way to achieve this goal.

Abstract In current economic trends, changes in construction using are required. It usually leads to changes in value and type of the working load on building structures, with the requirement to rate the technical state and replace or strengthen the elements. An important aspect of determining the residual bearing capacity of damaged bending reinforced concrete elements is the research concerning the influence of difference defects and damages on the change of strength and deformability. In the article main types of damages and defects, methods of studies of damaged reinforced concrete elements and the expediency of usage of this elements are described. However, most methods are suitable only for certain defects and damages due to the large complexity of calculations and the consideration of multifactoriality. Significant complexity of a single method for calculating damaged elements depends on the possible changing stress strain state of an element in combination with certain defects and damages, the presence of a non-complete separation where during loading or alteration of the damaged element the fractions become included in the work, reinforced concrete is the composite material which carrying complexity in calculating the joint work of its components.

Abstract Electric cars represent a promising energy-and carbon-efficient alternative to internal combustion engine cars. However, as mobility behaviour is highly habitual, convincing people to switch from conventional cars to electric is challenging. In the following research, which was carried out in the past years in Slovenia, an attempt was made to determine what influences people’s buying habits and what would motivate them to buy an electric car. It appeared that the most relevant factor for not purchasing electric cars is, firstly, its overall too high price, and, secondly, short driving ranges. Different studies, as well as the results of the following research have revealed that there is no single measure which would dramatically increase the demand for electric cars. The solution is to combine different measures or strategies like Top – Down and Bottom – Up, where both the government and car industry should come across.

Abstract The popularity of visual management in the lean concept is caused by the possibility to apply it in solving different kind of issues related to reduce waste or process planning. The adaptations of VSM is focused on stream flow, identifying waiting and productive times in accordance to material and information flow. In this paper five basic areas of value stream flow management have been presented and characterized. Discussion under the 5 areas on the VSM process included identifying the dominant stream in the area and the range of factors affecting the flow of the stream. Based on an observation of processes in the manufacturing industry and a literature review, the graphic model of mutual cooperation between value stream areas (1-5) has been presented.

Abstract The article presents the importance of economic and social responsibility of the brewing industry, pointing to the aspect of synergy related to the brewing industry in the processes of economic development (creation of many jobs in the agricultural sector, retail trade and gastronomy), stimulating specific areas of local and regional development. The principles of organization and supervision of food quality and safety in beer brewing as well as the importance of implementing management systems in the activity of brewing industry companies were presented.

Abstract The paper concentrate on the problems of customers satisfaction from services in incubator centres in USA and Poland. The aim of the paper is to analyse the level of satisfaction of Business Incubation Centre on the example of two incubator centres one from USA (Hazelton CAN-Be in Pennsylvania and second in Gliwice Poland). The analysis was conducted in pre-incubation and incubation stage. The analysis was conducted on example of survey analysis in both incubator centres. On the base of achieved results we assessed the priority of customers in each incubator centre.

Abstract Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) is a popular approach to enhancing occupational safety, with many researchers reporting successes of implementing BBS programs. There are, however, studies that see this approach as illusory, bringing more harm than good. The first goal of this article is to present an overview of literature providing both evidence and elaboration of implementing BBS programs, highlighting both positive and negative views of the approach. The second goal is to discuss the perception of the method, based on a literature review and authors’ own research.