This article proposes applying the preference-ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE) II in the selection of the optimal solution and ranking of selected methods for underpinning foundations. Analysis of the selected foundation-underpinning methods was based on a complex decision-making problem that included aspects of the three pillars of sustainable development, and it was extended to include technological and constructional criteria. The study used the following criteria for assessing proposed variants: price, bearing capacity, noise and vibrations, necessary equipment, necessary excavations under final structure, failure rates, and necessary foundation shoring. Analysis using the PROMETHEE II method allowed for identifying strengths and weaknesses of selected methods for underpinning foundations. The PROMETHEE II method enabled to create a ranking of foundation-underpinning methods. Jet-grouting and root-pile methods were the highest scorers in this ranking and those that fulfilled the identified criteria to the greatest extent. Moreover, analysis showed that the PROMETHEE II method was useful in solving problems of choice in the construction industry.

In this article, we examine the issue of Polish entrepreneurs’ attitudes towards knowledge workers above the age of 65 in the context of pro-social and citizenship behavior. The article was written as part of the diversity management paradigm. Firstly, it presents the existing literature on the subject, and then, we present our analysis on the results of a longitudinal study conducted among 93 entrepreneurs, owners, and co-owners of small and medium enterprises, during 2014 and 2019. During this time, legal regulation took place twice, extending and then shortening the period of obligatory work enabling employees to acquire the right to retire. The study was carried out using a specially developed questionnaire, whose reliability met the requirements of methodological correctness and two other research tools. Positive, neutral and negative attitudes were identified among entrepreneurs’ attitudes towards knowledge workers aged 65+. The research results show a correlation between the attitudes of entrepreneurs in 2014 and 2019, stabilization of these attitudes (in relation positive, neutral and negative attitudes), and their particularly significant relationship with organization-oriented citizenship behavior.

The subject of the article is the issue of attitudes of Polish entrepreneurs towards knowledge workers aged 65 and older, in the context of their perception of benefits and threats, and the use of good practices in the area of employment. The article was written as part of the diversity management paradigm, and consists of a theoretical part presenting the literature on the subject and empirical one: analyzing the results of longitudinal studies. The research was conducted among 93 entrepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises, in the construction and industrial sectors, in two periods of time, in 2014 and 2019. The aim of the article is to get the answer for the following question: “What is the relationship between attitudes, perceptions by entrepreneurs of the benefits of employing workers aged 65 and older, and offering them specific good practices (flexible working hours, preparing employees for work, conducting trainings, coaching/mentoring, lack of such practices) and their hierarchy in relation to the frequency of use in 2014–2019”? The research was carried out using a specially developed questionnaire whose reliability met the requirements of methodological correctness. The results of the research showed the relationships between the attitudes of entrepreneurs in 2014 and 2019, stabilization of these attitudes (in relation of positive, neutral and negative attitudes) in the examined periods, and their perception of benefits and threats arising from the employment of knowledge workers aged 65 and older, both in 2014 and 2019; attitudes and the number of good practices offered to employees regarding the form of their employment. In addition, as a result of multi-criteria statistical analysis (biplots), it turned out that entrepreneurs in 2014 preferred and offered employees these practices in a different hierarchy than in 2019. According to the authors, the reason for the discrepancy was the decreasing level of unemployment causing an increase in the demand for employees in small and medium enterprises as well as increasing the awareness of entrepreneurs regarding the role of experienced knowledge workers in their company.

The diaphragm wall and the open caisson represent two main competitive technologies used in the construction of underground objects. In modern times, diaphragm walls are primarily applied for large-size objects, with open caissons being preferred in the case of small-sized ones. Currently, objects of this type are designed mainly for sewage treatment plants and detention reservoirs. Their construction involves highly labour-intensive processes. During the execution of works unforeseen negative effects are observed to occur. During the underground objects construction the most common phenomena are: deviations from the vertical (tilt), sagging, sinking below the designed level, cracking, scratches or leakage through the wall. The purpose of the paper is to classify undesired risk factors emerging in the process of underground objects construction and selection of the optimal technological and material solution for municipal facilities. The implementation of this task involved the selection of Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods, taking into account the cause-effect rating, as the mathematical apparatus. The Ratio Estimation in Magnitudes or deciBells to Rate Alternatives which are Non-DominaTed (REMBRANDT) method was applied. The research proved that it is possible to analytically assess unforeseen risk factors conducive to emergency situations during the implementation of underground objects, using the REMBRANDT method.

The subject of this article is the identification of coping with stress and experiencing stress in three groups of the same number of people, different in terms of their occupation: professional soldiers of the Polish Army with the rank of an officer, people employed in managerial positions, and specialists working in independent positions in the context of their age. The analysis of the literature and the research carried out refer to the concept of sustainable development. This indicates the need to take care of limiting excessive stress and improving the mental well-being of all employees, regardless of the demographic characteristics and nature of the work performed. In order to identify possible differences, three types of questionnaires meeting the criteria of psychometric correctness were used (CISS, KPS, PSS-10). The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis using the FUZZY TOPSIS method based on multi-criteria decision-making and the fuzzy logic, which was first applied in the social science. The obtained data confirmed some differentiation within the three studied groups, as well as the modifying role of age in coping and experiencing stress.

Sinking wells belong to underground facilities. Large-diameter sinking wells are often constructed as retention basins and reservoirs for wastewater treatment plants, which is determined by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. The directive obliges Member States to implement the principles of sustainable development, promoting sustainable sewage collection and treatment systems. When designing and constructing facilities using sinking well technology, contact between the structure and the ground must be considered. During the lowering of a sinking well into the ground medium, a number of negative impacts may occur and affect the sinking process, including excessive ground settlement outside the well, damage or destruction of adjacent objects, tilt of the well casing from the vertical, and uncontrolled sinking of the well casing. The aim of this paper is to determine the occurrence of negative impacts during the lowering of sinking wells. Determining the incidence of negative impacts could help to avoid pre-failure and emergency situations relating to sinking wells. A fuzzy TOPSIS method was used to determine the above.