Purpose: To recognize the existing state of knowledge on a culture of excellence (CoE) in higher education institutions (HEIs) and to define the CoE in HEI and the dimensions that make up that culture. A subsidiary goal is to propose a qualitative tool to measure CoE maturity.Design/methodology/approach: The study was based on the qualitative method, the preferred reporting system of systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Next, the conceptual work method was used.Findings: A research gap in the topic of CoE in HE has been confirmed. The CoE's own definition has been proposed, as well as a set of seven dimensions that comprise it, such as: Clear vision, mission and goals for excellence; Leadership oriented to excellence; Employee engagement; Human resources management; Meeting and exceeding student and staff expectations; Continuous improvement of processes through innovation and excellent practices; and Partnership and teamwork for improvement.Research limitations/implications: The study research was limited to open-access articles. Therefore, in the future, the search can be broadened to include monographs or doctoral dissertations, and other peer-reviewed studies. The research implications are related to the originality of our work and the proposals of two concepts – a CoE model and a CoE maturity assessment tool.Practical implications: Leaders at universities, e.g. rectors and deans, can take into account the identified dimensions and progressively provide them as conditions conducive to achieving above-average levels.Originality/value: This is the first literature review on CoE in HEIs, which can be considered an original contribution to science and practice. The original contribution of the paper is also the proposal of a CoE conceptual model and a CoE maturity assessment tool.

Purpose: Given the importance of food wastes in households, the purpose was to identify the attitudes of young consumers towards the food sharing (FS) phenomenon in its cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions and to verify the reliability of the FAB (food sharing attitudes and behaviors) model, used as a research tool.Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted in 2021 using the computer assisted web interview (CAWI) method. The FAB model was based on the ABC (affect, behavior and cognition) model of attitudes, which includes three components: affect, behavior and cognition. Questions on the phenomenon of FS were scaled on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 469 correctly completed forms were obtained. To assess the reliability of the FAB model the Cronbach’s alpha was used. In the statistical analysis SPSS Statistics 27 was used.Findings: Young consumers have a positive attitude towards the idea of FS and the initiative of FS points. Gender is a significant factor in FS attitudes. The FAB model has proven to be a reliable tool for exploring consumer attitudes towards FS. A set of activities was proposed to promote the idea of FS on university campuses and among other potential stakeholders.Originality/value: To contribute to the body of knowledge on FS, the authors proposed the FAB model. The results of this study are relevant for reducing food wastes; they promote sustainable food consumption and the European Green Deal (EGD).

Purpose: Food scandals and reports of food withdrawals from the market could be caused by a lack of internal reporting and speaking up about non-compliances. The aim of this paper is to examine and explain the concept of just culture (JC) and to explain the essence of other subcultures, including the culture of voice (whistleblowing), which can more effectively support the reporting of food safety (FS) incidents and, above all, enhance an overall food safety culture (FSC).Design/methodology/approach: Parallels are drawn between the use of the term “just culture” and of reporting of non-compliances as a decisive factor in avoiding FS incidents. The evolution of the term is developed via the literature on JC from other high-risk sectors, particularly healthcare.Findings: The concept of JC and its meaning in the food sector was explained. Many parallels from the healthcare have been identified and explained with regard to the reporting on FS incidents. The definitions of JC in the food sector, of whistleblowing and whistleblower were proposed. Classification of FS incidents allowing for their more effective monitoring and reporting, as well as a reporting verification matrix (RVM), has been developed.Originality/value: There is still little work on the necessity and the organizational conditions conducive to FS incident reporting. JC in the food sector is completely unknown and requires wide dissemination among scientists and practitioners. This paper will be of great interest to industry, academics and public health officials and can be used as a platform for discussions and activities aimed at implementing JC in the food sector.

Celem tego polemicznego artykułu jest uzyskanie odpowiedzi na dwa pytania badawcze: (1) Jakie miejsce w prawie UE zajmuje kultura bezpieczeństwa żywności? (2) Czy polski system kontroli żywności jest przygotowany do weryfikacji jej wdrożenia w przedsiębiorstwach spożywczych? W tym celu dokonano przeglądu i krytycznej analizy źródeł literaturowych, prawa UE, w szczególności w zakresie bezpieczeństwa żywności, w tym prawa krajowego, prywatnych standardów dotyczących systemów zarządzania bezpieczeństwem żywności, oficjalnych raportów i doniesień, oraz zastosowano metody syntezy i wnioskowania logicznego. Artykuł odnosi się do istotnych zmian w prawie UE zainicjowanych zmianami w Codex Alimentarius w zakresie kultury bezpieczeństwa żywności. Ustanowienie i utrzymanie pozytywnej kultury bezpieczeństwa żywności ma fundamentalne znaczenie dla pomyślnego funkcjonowania każdego systemu zarządzania bezpieczeństwem żywności, ze względu na jego istotny wpływ na ludzkie zachowanie w dostarczaniu bezpiecznej i odpowiedniej żywności. W artykule wskazano na rolę prywatnego prawa żywnościowego w tym zakresie, którego wdrożenie, choć opcjonalne, jest często niezbędne, aby sprostać wymaganiom rynku. Autorki podają w wątpliwość gotowość urzędów kontroli żywności w Polsce do poszerzenia zakresu ich działań o weryfikację wdrożenia kultury bezpieczeństwa żywności w przedsiębiorstwach spożywczych. Poważną przeszkodą w dokonywaniu tych istotnych zmian jest obserwowana od lat zasadnicza słabość systemu kontroli żywności oraz duże problemy związane z zagrożeniami bezpieczeństwa żywności w Polsce. Autorki jako pierwsze poddają konstruktywnej krytyce uwarunkowania organizacyjno-prawne wdrażania i weryfikacji kultury bezpieczeństwa żywności w branży rolno-spożywczej w Polsce i jej otoczeniu.

Purpose: To receive the answers to the following research problems: (1) How is the interest of researchers in whistleblowing in health care organizations developing? (2) How do researchers define whistleblowing in health care? (3) What are the main problems (limitations) of whistleblowing in health care organizations? (4) What factors affect whistleblowing in health care organizations? Design/methodology/approach: The method of systematic literature review based on the PRISMA model was used. To identify the factors affecting whistleblowing, McKinsey’s 7S framework was used. Findings: The researchers from the UK definitely dominate, and the papers from Central European countries seem to be invisible. The vast majority of works came from the 2010s. Whistleblowing serves the good and safety of the patient; however, there are staff concerns about the consequences they may face. ‘Style’, ‘staff’ and ‘shared values’ seem to be the most crucial for whistleblowing, and these are factors considered ‘soft’. Research limitations: The access to databases managed by the home University. In future studies, there is a need to take into account other databases, including additional sources of knowledge, like books and grey literature. Originality/implications: Identifying the state and place of research worldwide on whistleblowing in health care, and a proposal of the whistleblowing verification matrix. New definitions of whistleblowing and whistleblowers were proposed. The above may be considered theoretical contribution to science.