Material Economy and Logistics 03/2025

The aim of the article is to assess the alignment between tourists’ expectations regarding transport infrastructure in resort towns and their actual experiences. The study applied Expectation- Confirmation Theory (ECT) and the Wilcoxon signed rank test to analyse data collected using the CAWI method from a sample of 847 tourists from Poland. The results indicate negative disconfirmation across all 26 analysed variables, with the largest discrepancies concerning parking and public transport fees, as well as accessibility for people with disabilities. Based on the level of expectations, magnitude of disconfirmation, and strength of statistical effect, a typology comprising four categories of variables was developed: critical shortcomings, unmet hopes, low expectations, and hidden gems. This typology serves as a practical tool for prioritizing investments in transport infrastructure of tourist destinations.

The article presents the results of research reflecting the determinants of population evacuation in crisis situations occurring in Poland, with the author focusing the reader’s attention on the essence of population evacuation, the creation of a concept for this undertaking, and transport as a key process in this evacuation. The development of a population evacuation concept, preceding the development of an evacuation plan, involves the use of quantitative data – indicators that guarantee rational logistical calculations relating to the scale of the evacuation (the number of evacuated population groups) and the associated logistical needs. The presented research results made it possible to select a group of calculation indicators that have already been verified and are also useful in connection with population evacuation, as well as directions for further research. This article consists of three parts. The first part presents population evacuation as a social phenomenon in the context of crisis management. The second part contains the results of research relating to the conditions and tools that can be used when developing a concept and plan for population evacuation in crisis situations. The third part presents transport as a determinant of population evacuation in crisis situations. The research problem and the objective of the study determined the structure and content of the article and, consequently, the nature and content of the proposals presented in the summary.

The article presents the results of a study examining the attitudes and perceptions of logistics sector employees towards the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. The main objective was to identify the level of knowledge, trust, and readiness to adapt AI technologies within the logistics environment, as well as to determine the factors supporting their acceptance. The study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method, which enabled the collection of opinions from employees representing various professional groups within the logistics sector. The study focused on the emotional and social dimensions of technological transformation, analysing employees’ expectations regarding organizational support and the development of digital competences. The findings reveal predominantly positive, yet cautious, attitudes towards AI, emphasizing the importance of practical training, transparent communication, and employee participation in the implementation process. The results provide a basis for formulating recommendations for logistics companies, highlighting the need to combine technological investment with human capital development and to foster an organizational culture grounded in trust and collaboration.

In today’s world, dominated by the rapidly growing e-commerce industry, customer service is an integral part of any business strategy. A significant task of customer service is to integrate all areas of a company’s operations in order to meet customer needs. Through customer service, a company has the opportunity to learn about customer expectations and, thanks to efficient customer service, the company should be able to meet their needs. With this in mind, it should be noted that the aim of the research was to identify the role of customer service in selected courier companies. As a result of this objective, the research problem was formulated in the form of the following question: What is the importance of customer service in the activities of selected courier companies? The article uses theoretical research methods such as analysis, synthesis, inference, and comparison, as well as a practical research method, namely a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire addressed to users of courier services. The presented research was limited by the subjective scope of studies, which covers the activities of selected courier companies: InPost, DHL, and DPD. The subject scope defines the importance of customer service in the operations of the discussed courier companies. The time scope covers the years 2010–2025, while the spatial scope covers the territory of Poland.

The aim of the study was to identify the mechanisms of contemporary freight forwarding as an integral part of modern supply chains and to diagnose key problem areas, along with indicating potential solutions that may enhance the transparency, stability, and efficiency of the transport market. The analysis focused on the operations of freight forwarders acting as brokers and on how this practice affects service quality, relationships with subcontractors, and customer satisfaction. The hypothesis adopted in the study assumed that forwarders are increasingly operating solely as intermediaries, reassigning transport orders without direct involvement in the carriage process, thereby contributing to a decline in service quality. The research included a legal framework analysis as well as empirical studies consisting of expert interviews and a survey. The findings confirmed a growing trend in which freight forwarders increasingly act solely as intermediaries. This phenomenon leads to a loss of control over service quality, a distortion of operational efficiency, and a decline in market competitiveness. The main problems identified include decreasing service quality, rising operating costs, financial liquidity issues, and a weak payment culture. The study also revealed differences in how the role of the freight forwarder is perceived: younger employees tend to focus on operational aspects, while more experienced staff emphasize the forwarder’s responsibility towards the client.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a set of methods and technologies that enable computers to perform tasks which previously required human intelligence, including understanding and generating language, classification and image recognition, decision-making, planning, and learning from patterns. Contemporary approaches to AI are based primarily on machine learning, deep learning, generative models, and increasingly on hybrid neuro-symbolic methods that combine statistical learning with logic and rule-based reasoning. In logistics management, AI represents a powerful source of competitive advantage—through route optimization, demand forecasting, warehouse automation, and enhanced resilience of supply chains – while also bringing significant practical challenges: from data quality issues, through costs and skills requirements, to legal, security, and ethical concerns. Successful implementation depends on a systemic approach that integrates high-quality data, human expertise, and responsible algorithm engineering.