Monika Klimontowicz

Objectives: The paper aims to explore the relationship between banks’ innovative capacity and their sustainability performance, which is referred to in this research as ESG performance. Material and methods: The relationship between banks' innovative capacity and ESG performance was analysed using partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM), where the bank’s innovative capacity is an independent latent variable and the variables contributing to innovative capacity are those observed and measured using a questionnaire. The bank’s ESG performance is a dependent variable measured by the ESG indexes available at Refinitiv Eikon and Sustainalytics databases. Results: The paper presents the results of exploratory research on banks’ innovability, defined as the ability to use innovative capacity to gain a competitive advantage through sustainable practices carried out among banks operating in Poland. The analysed constructs were defined based on the in-depth literature review. Bank innovative capacity was defined as the ability to create, adapt, and implement innovations resulting from the bank’s organisational culture, relationships with customers, and organisational characteristics and helping to achieve the bank’s strategic goals. Banks' ESG performance is reflected in banks’ environmental, social, and governance practices measured by SDG indexes. The results proved the correlation between ESG performance and some variables contributing to research constructs such as bank size, market position, centralisation, formalisation, and managing customer knowledge. Conclusions: To the best of the Author’s knowledge, this is the first attempt to use the model approach to empirically analyse the relationships between the two constructs—banks’ innovative capacity and ESG performance.

The widespread use of new technologies has reduced the precise boundary between physical and digital realities. Dynamic development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems has contributed to the digital transformation of the global economy. Given its extensive range of potential applications, AI has the potential to impact a multitude of socio-economic domains, including politics, security, health care, medicine, economy, trade, finance, taxes, and production. As the banking sector plays a crucial role in the global economy, the question arises as to whether and to what extent banking market entities are willing to use artificial intelligence solutions in their business processes. This study aims to determine the scope of AI use by key banks operating in the Polish banking market. Achieving this goal requires determining what categories of AI are used by key banks operating in Poland, analysing AI methods used by those banks, and the fields of AI implementation. The research scope covers the analysis of AI applications in the largest banks operating in Poland, which together cover almost half of the market share (PKO Bank Polski S.A., Bank Pekao S.A., Santander Bank Polska S.A., mBank S.A. and ING Bank Śląski S.A). To obtain an up-to-date overview of AI usage, the research period is 2019-2024. The empirical part of the research is supported by an analysis of the widespread use of artificial intelligence and its dynamic international development based on academic papers and industry reports.

The paper aims to review FinTechs' landscape in the context of their impact on countries' sustainable development reflected by SDG goals. The systematic literature review (SLR) applied the PRISMA methodology. It proved the worldwide systematically increasing scientific interest in surveying FinTechs and their contribution to SDGs' achievement. This trend has not yet been observed in Europe. Only a few papers directly refer to the relationship between FinTechs' and SDGs' achievement in European countries. Most of the research is qualitative. The topics range from conceptual framework to specific accomplishments of FinTech projects undertaken mainly by governments. They mostly refer to poverty alleviation through financial inclusion. The results of the systematic review of scientific research have shed light on the existing academic literature embracing both FinTech and SDGs issues, explored emerging trends in current research, and identified the main areas for further investigation.

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is an innovative teaching method that allows students to experience international cooperation and develop intercultural skills using digital technologies. This online teaching method became popular recently based on the experience gained by higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. COIL is an effective and convenient teaching method that provides students with the experience of „internationalisation at home.” The COIL engages students, teachers, and business partners. As those groups have different educational needs and expectations, the question arises as to what extent this teaching method can address those needs. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to identify the main benefits and limitations of the COIL method in economic higher education based on the empirical survey results. The survey was conducted after the successful COIL implementation in 2023/2024 in several courses at the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland. The COIL method was applied in the form of three different models and was organised in cooperation with partners from several European universities. In particular, the COIL method was applied within a course devoted to Digitalisation and Sustainability, aiming at developing projects on business plans for start-ups using innovative technologies to enhance sustainable development. The paper presents the COIL concept, course objectives, and learning outcomes, as well as an assessment of the COIL method from the perspectives of students, teachers, and business experts. The main findings suggest that all students appreciate the advantages of COIL: the possibility to gain international experience, improve communication and intercultural skills, and learn the basics of project management. They also signalled some challenges related to international teamwork. However, teachers, in general, are satisfied with the quality of outcomes of students’ cooperation, although applying the COIL method requires lots of administrative work and developing new skills. Similarly, business partners highly assessed the benefits of the COIL method for students in terms of their future professional careers.

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is an innovative teaching method that allows students to experience international cooperation and develop intercultural skills using digital technologies. This online teaching method became popular recently based on the experience gained by higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. COIL is an effective and convenient teaching method that provides students with the experience of „internationalisation at home.” The COIL engages students, teachers, and business partners. As those groups have different educational needs and expectations, the question arises as to what extent this teaching method can address those needs. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to identify the main benefits and limitations of the COIL method in economic higher education based on the empirical survey results. The survey was conducted after the successful COIL implementation in 2023/2024 in several courses at the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland. The COIL method was applied in the form of three different models and was organised in cooperation with partners from several European universities. In particular, the COIL method was applied within a course devoted to Digitalisation and Sustainability, aiming at developing projects on business plans for start-ups using innovative technologies to enhance sustainable development. The paper presents the COIL concept, course objectives, and learning outcomes, as well as an assessment of the COIL method from the perspectives of students, teachers, and business experts. The main findings suggest that all students appreciate the advantages of COIL: the possibility to gain international experience, improve communication and intercultural skills, and learn the basics of project management. They also signalled some challenges related to international teamwork. However, teachers, in general, are satisfied with the quality of outcomes of students’ cooperation, although applying the COIL method requires lots of administrative work and developing new skills. Similarly, business partners highly assessed the benefits of the COIL method for students in terms of their future professional careers.

The study analyses, the perception of the European City of Science (ECS) initiative planned event in Katowice in the context of the city and region's development in the eyes of private companies. It has been argued that this honour may change the city's prestige and become the source of the city and the region's development, not only through building the city's recognisable brand but also its social capital. Using focus research as a method enables not only to collect empirical data but can also be treated as a form of public participation. The study results contribute to the growing body of literature on public engagement and co‐creation as well as place branding. The study's findings show the companies' expectations concerning the role of universities and their participation in the region's development. They were the foundation for preparing a set of suggestions for local governments to successfully implement the ECS initiative. This paper is the first to examine the process of preparing a city to become an ECS, as demonstrated through the case study of Katowice.

Theoretical background: The FinTechs phenomenon is worth discussing as its multidimensional character causes difficulties not only with defining it but also with assessing the impact of its development on the economy and society. The impact of FinTechs on sustainable development is a relatively new field of research. Thus, the paper presents exploratory research aiming to analyse the current areas of FinTechs activity, the state of their development in Europe, and the state of the art in European research on their impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs) achievement. The study applied both inductive and deductive research methods, together with comparative analysis. Purpose of the article: The paper aims to analyse the European FinTechs landscape in the context of their impact on sustainability reflected by SDGs and prepare the framework for further research in this field. Research methods: The theoretical analysis conducted in the paper for defining FinTechs was based on an in-depth literature review, including scientific papers, documents and reports. In this section, the inductive method and comparative analysis were mostly applied. The empirical part of the paper includes the analysis of quantitative data published by the European Commission and Eurostat. This analysis is primarily based on comparative analysis. The framework for further research in this field is based on a systemic literature review (SLR). In this section, the PRISMA methodology was applied. Main findings: There is no doubt that FinTechs have already influenced the financial systems worldwide. In Europe, their disruptive development motivated the traditional market players to adapt their offerings, strategies and business models. They were perceived as market disruptors at the beginning of their operational activity. Today, the vast majority of authors notice their huge potential as sustainability enablers. The systemic literature review proved the worldwide systematically increasing scientific interest in surveying the FinTechs and their contribution to SDGs achievement. This trend has not yet been observed in Europe. Only a few papers directly refer to the relationship between FinTechs and SDGs achievement in European countries. The results have shed light on existing academic literature embracing both FinTech and SDGs issues in Europe, explored emerging trends in current research, and identified the main areas for further investigation.

Payment Features and Incentives as Drivers for Non-Cash Payments Usage – the Evidence from Poland

PURPOSE: The paper aims to investigate the contribution of intellectual capital to banks' competitive and financial performance. METHODOLOGY: The paper uses data retrieved from a research survey. The questionnaire on IC contribution to banks' competitive performance was applied to executive managers of retail banks operating in the Polish banking market. The data collected for the assessment of financial performance were retrieved from banks' annual reports and referred to each year from 2012 to 2019. The data were analyzed by Principal Axis Factor Analysis (PAF) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). FINDINGS: The results revealed that banks' competitive and financial performance depends on both the intellectual capital and environmental factors. The relation between financial performance and intellectual capital is positively mediated by competitive performance, and environmental factors can affect the strength of this relationship. The findings show that applying the resource-based theory might not be sufficient to gain a competitive advantage and sustainable market position in the case of banks. IMPLICATIONS: The results develop IC knowledge and prove the necessity to conduct systematic research on their importance for creating value for customers and gaining competitive advantage. They also provide direction for banks' decision-makers concerning factors that should be taken into account to create competitive advantage, market performance, and efficiency. The Polish banking market has transformed from undeveloped and non-competitive into a developed and competitive one during the last few decades. Thus, the results also have implications for other companies operating in transition markets as their competitiveness depends on understanding which factors should be the foundation for their market strategy and their competitiveness and efficiency to become a developed one. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The majority of the IC research concentrate on developed countries, and very little is known about developing and transition countries that were successful on their journey. Most of the research has focused on identifying and measuring IC components and the relationship between them. Usually, the research presents the state of the art and it is based on financial reports. However, the extent to which IC impacts competitive and financial performance in banking markets has been relatively rare. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study to examine empirically the relationship between intellectual capital, environment, competitive performance, and efficiency in a transformed banking market in Europe, which analyses the IC contribution over a few years' perspectives.