This article addresses a topic of critical importance globally, particularly in the context of the ongoing energy crisis, climate change, and efforts to transition towards sustainable energy systems. A growing environmental awareness among consumers, along with changing regulations on energy efficiency, forces companies to adapt their products and services to meet new market demands. Eco-innovations, such as energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly materials, can respond to the increasing demand for products with a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy consumption. Using structural equation modelling, our study aimed to evaluate the significance of selected determinants of enterprise activities aimed at innovations that yield environmental benefits. The analysis focused on the scale of the benefits obtained due to these innovations (e.g., reduced material or water use per unit of output, reduced energy use, reduced CO₂ footprint, reduction in pollution, or recycling of waste) and during the consumption or use of goods or services by the end user (e.g., energy savings, facilitated recycling, or extended product life). The empirical data source was a database of anonymised individual data from Statistics Poland. The database comprised 8544 industrial enterprises employing 10 or more people, of which 2714 introduced eco-innovations. To verify the hypothetical relationships between variables, we proposed a structural equation modelling method. The structural model estimates indicated that requirements arising from current and future regulations, pressure from high operational costs and administrative formalities, and reputation and incentives had a positive and statistically significant impact on the scale of benefits obtained due to these eco-innovations. The assessment of the importance of factors determining the introduction of eco-innovations differed slightly between companies of different sizes. For large enterprises, the key determinants were incentives, reputation, and law requirements. For medium-sized enterprises, incentives and reputation were the most influential. For small enterprises, reputation was the primary determinant, followed closely by pressure and incentives at a similar level.

The purpose of this study is to explore how foreign direct investment (FDI) enhances regional economic resilience, particularly during economic crises. Using a comparative approach, the study analysed the responses of foreign-invested entities versus domestically funded entities during the 2020 pandemic crisis. Findings reveal that, while both groups experienced investment and revenue declines, foreign-invested entities showed significantly less contraction and demonstrated stronger post-crisis growth, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This indicates that FDI presence bolsters regional stability and adaptability in the face of economic disruptions. Limitations include a focus on a single crisis event, suggesting further research across varied economic conditions. Practical implications highlight FDI’s potential in policy strategies aimed at building regional resilience. The study contributes original insights into FDI’s role in economic stabilisation, offering value to policymakers and regional development stakeholders.

One of the conditions behind the development of any company is its capability of meeting the constantly changing challenges posed by the surrounding environment. Photovoltaics in Poland has been a boom industry in recent years. On 1 April 2022, new changes in photovoltaics came into force. A very short transition time will bring about serious problems to companies dealing in the photovoltaics branch since it has had an exceptionally short time to sufficiently prepare for the changes. The article presents results of a questionnaire-based survey conducted among 394 companies dealing in fitting photovoltaic installations in Poland. The subjects were selected for participation according to the purposive sample principle. The aim of the article was to present and analyze the entrepreneurs’ opinions concerning prospects for development in the nearest year to come. The alterations to the system of support of prosumers, which entered into force on 1 April 2022, will limit the interest in photovoltaic installations, which in turn will cause significant changes in the functioning of companies dealing in this business. Consequently, companies must make every effort to monitor and to interpret the events in their environment, to take appropriate actions to survive. About 80% of the companies will tend to use quality as a key differentiator in a crowded market. Firms adapt to the new situation and initiate both reactive and proactive responses. Almost 60% of the enterprises attach great importance to analyses of their competitors’ activities. Enterprises are aware of trends appearing on the market. A total of 28.9% of the surveyed enterprises consider the possibility of introducing new services (e.g., exploitation services) or new products (e.g., photovoltaic roofing-tiles or energy storage). It should be noted that the survey had been completed one week before the military conflict in Ukraine started. This poses limitations to the conclusions, which are too early to assess.

The aim of the study is to achieve initial recognition of the factors that determine the survival rate of Polish micro and small enterprises. The research, conducted in June 2011 and covering a sample of 147 entities, constitutes a pilot study. We explore the determinants of companies’ survival and test whether firms with different characteristics exhibit different performances in terms of the duration of survival. The results indicate substantial differences in the survival rates. The factors taken into account in this study, which to the greatest extent possible differentiates the whole sample in view of survival, are: running the business with employees or alone and specialist vs. popular activity as regards the required competences. Larger firms (with employees) are significantly less likely to close than smaller firms. Firms in highly competitive markets are more prone to closure