Material Economy and Logistics 03/2024

The article concerns logistics competencies in the theory, research and practice of functioning of supply chains. The publication is divided into two parts. The author, in the course of theoretical arguments (Logistics competencies in the theory, research and practice of functioning of supply chains – part 1) supplemented with the results of empirical research (Logistics competencies in the theory, research and practice of functioning of supply chains – part 2), assumes that that logistics competencies are the most valuable resource at both the micro- and meta-logistics levels. Some of the theoretical considerations focus on highlighting logistics competencies as one of the most important types of conditions for the functioning of supply chains. Competencies are viewed from two perspectives: competencies of supply chains and competencies of logistics staff. The empirical part of the publication reviews research on logistics competencies considered from the perspective of supply chain management. Based on the author's research, logistics HR competences useful in management at the levels of micro- and metalogistics were identified.

To eliminate unsustainable resource management among countries of European Union circular economy model was established. The aim of the paper is to indicate the need to redefine the principles of supply chain and logistics management in the light of the circular economy strategies. In order to practically supplement the theory, examples of circular economy from logistics processes were described based on the 3Rs principle: reduce, reuse, recycle.

The publication concerns the analysis of national regulations in the field of transport and mobility of people with special needs, prepared based on the material (report) entitled Analysis of regulations in the field of transport and mobility of people with special needs, together with recommendations for legislative changes in the Knowledge Centre's project on the accessibility of transport and mobility of people with special needs (CWoD), implemented under Priority Axis III Higher education for the economy and development, Action 3.5, universities' Comprehensive programs of the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program, co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program for 2014–2020 (no. POWR.03.05.00-00-CW07/20). The structure of the article includes an analysis of international and national regulations in the field of individual transport. That choice stems directly from the project proposal. Therefore, the main objective of the project, and therefore of this article, is to determine the recommendations and direction of changes in the regulations.

The publication concerns the analysis of national regulations in the field of transport and mobility of people with special needs, prepared based on the material (report) entitled Analysis of regulations in the field of transport and mobility of people with special needs, together with recommendations for legislative changes in the Knowledge Centre's project on the accessibility of transport and mobility of people with special needs (CWoD), implemented under Priority Axis III Higher education for the economy and development, Action 3.5, universities' Comprehensive programs of the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program, co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program for 2014–2020 (no. POWR.03.05.00-00-CW07/20). The structure of the article includes an analysis of international and national regulations in the field of individual transport. That choice stems directly from the project proposal. Therefore, the main objective of the project, and therefore of this article, is to determine the recommendations and direction of changes in the regulations.

The article describes the requirements for automatic weighing systems for vehicles in motion. These systems can be divided into two types – preselective WIM and accurate weighing systems HS-WIM, which do not require vehicles to be stopped. The metrological requirements, the scope of data collected in a weigh-in-motion system, and the legal solutions that form the basis for imposing a penalty are key to the effective imposition of penalties. Accordingly, the article describes the requirements for WIM systems used in procurements carried out by the General Directorate of National Roads and Highways, as well as those specified in the COST 323 standard, set forth by the International Society for Weighing Vehicles in Motion – ISWIM (based on assumptions developed by the International Organization of Legal Metrology, contained in the OIML R 134-1 recommendation), and those set forth in the American ASTM E1318-09 standard. The authors describe an example of the HS-WIM system operating in Hungary, giving the legal basis, the way the system works and the scope of data collected and processed. The article formulates the thesis that the correct operation of the HS-WIM system is primarily due to appropriately designed legal provisions, which are the basis for imposing penalties and specifying the principles of legalization of weighing systems, and the method of managing the system and flexibility in its implementation can have a fundamental impact on whether the system will be permanently introduced in a given country.

This article focuses on the identification of the logistics system of an aviation operational unit, focusing particularly on its role as an economic unit. Tracing and understanding logistics processes in the operational context is necessary to improve resource management, maintain combat readiness, and optimize costs. Modern aviation units, as dynamic and complex organizations, must meet various challenges, such as rapid technological changes, diverse operational requirements and growing expectations regarding flexibility and mobility. Therefore, effective logistics management becomes a key element in ensuring that these units are able to focus on their primary operational role, which is to protect borders from the air. In this context, developing the aviation operational unit as an effective economic unit becomes an important area of research. The aim of this article is to present the concept of creating and implementing a system solution involving the classification of an air base as an economic branch. This article aims to show what steps should be taken to optimize logistics activities, increase efficiency and minimize the risk of system failure.

The aim of this article is to identify the problems related to information management during the execution of transport orders in micro and small enterprises providing road freight transport services. The article presents the results of qualitative research (in-depth individual interviews with representatives of micro and small transport companies), which are part of the Transportownia.com research project funded by the National Center for Research and Development. The findings indicate that ineffective information exchange between participants in the transport process leads to problems at every stage of the transport order execution, resulting in delays, errors in the registration and planning of orders, problems with loading and unloading, and challenges in the settlement of the order. The research highlights the need for the implementation of modern IT solutions, such as Transport Management Systems (TMS) and cloud technologies, to improve information exchange and optimize transport processes in micro and small road freight transport companies.

The use of drones in urban logistics is currently an area of intensive scientific research and technological development. The article focuses on the analysis of the possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles in urban logistics. The article consists of three parts. In the first one, the authors presented the results of a query of publications, reports and statistical data illustrating the state of knowledge on the development and use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Poland and in the world. Real examples of their use are presented. In the second part, with the help of analysis and synthesis, they focused on the challenges and opportunities resulting from the implementation of drones in urban agglomerations, with particular emphasis on logistics, including last mile logistics. The authors identified the benefits of shortening delivery times, reducing delivery costs, and minimizing environmental pollution in congested cities. They included issues related to the broadly understood security of cities and their inhabitants among the challenges. In the third part of the article, using methods such as abstraction and inference, the perspective of urban development using drones is discussed. According to the authors, the cities of the future will be filled with unmanned aerial vehicles, synchronized with 5G technology, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and machine learning. The aim of the article was to present a holistic perspective on the use of drones in urban logistics and to indicate the directions of further research aimed at the optimal use of this technology in urban logistics.