Startup accelerators are a highly useful part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. They are responsible for supporting young innovative enterprises with innovative ideas at the early stages of their development. Problems related to building a business model, raising funds for business development, or determining the directions of development of the products and services offered are often just the tip of the iceberg, which can be a serious obstacle preventing survival on the market and achieving commercial success. Accelerators are entities supporting innovation, which, using the tools and programs they have, can significantly facilitate issues related to running a business by immature start-ups and significantly contribute to overcoming the challenges that constantly appear before them. Due to the importance of innovation in the global economy and its obvious connection with start-ups, scientists in the last decade have clearly marked their interest in the subject of start-up accelerators. The purpose of this research work is to present the current state of knowledge in the area of accelerators and to systematize it. For this purpose, a literature review describing issues related to start-up accelerators was reviewed and a bibliometric analysis was carried out. As a result of the research, the topics in the area of accelerators that were most often taken up by scientists and the details on which previous publications focused were shown. The authors hope that the presented study will be valuable material for theoreticians conducting future research on start-up accelerators, and will also be a useful support for practitioners from such entities as start-ups, accelerators, corporations, and government agencies.

This study presents theoretical and practical contributions to the environmental dimension of enterprises’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) in sustainable development. Interest in the environment is related to CSR through environmental cost optimization and energy-efficiency management. The practical stage of the research, obtained using the computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) method, allowed for presenting case studies of the best practices used by international enterprises operating in Poland. This study describes the practical tools and advice companies can use to improve efficiency and environmental responsibility. The article is an in-depth study of the growing role of enterprises in shaping sustainable and socially responsible businesses and aims to assess the extent to which these companies prioritize energy efficiency as a part of their CSR initiatives. The authors highlight the role of energy efficiency in achieving broader corporate environmental responsibility. This research aims to encourage businesses to adopt responsible environmental strategies for a greener and more sustainable future. The implementation of this goal helped develop and indicate conclusions regarding the development of environmental tools related to corporate responsibility in sustainable development, encouraging scientific debates and promoting responsible monitoring of the implementation of this concept.

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the occurrence of innovative solutions in accordance with CSR in various companies. It turns out that 71% of medium-sized enterprises (50–249 people) and 64% of smaller companies (10–49 people and up to 9 people) declare the introduction of innovative solutions in CSR strategies, which proves that innovations are not limited to large companies. A responsible approach to business can affect competitiveness and positive public perception. The implementation of a CSR strategy increases profits, improves image, increases customer loyalty, attracts media attention, and opens up new markets. The hindering factor is the additional cost of implementing CSR activities, insufficient knowledge and awareness of CSR, and unclear regulations and market conditions, as well as the need to adapt the organizational structure and culture. CSR strategies are important for the success of enterprises and society, and solving potential problems allows for effective introduction of responsible practices. In order to obtain the presented data, two research methods were used: an analysis of the international literature sources and a survey by manufacturing firms in the Silesian Voivodeship.

Purpose: The article aims to define the role that creativity plays in implementing frugal innovations. The article also aims to list examples of innovative, frugal solutions as well as to indicate activities that would stimulate the creativity of employees in enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: This is an exploratory study that is based on a systematic review of available literature on frugal innovation and creativity. The research was based on both Polish and foreign literature, articles, and internet sources. Findings: The issue of frugal innovations has recently become "fashionable" in the good sense of the word. Inventive and cheap offers of products and technologies launched on markets are characterised by demonstrable dynamics. The article emphasises, in particular, the role of creativity in creating innovative, frugal solutions. Research limitations/implications: Although the problem of frugal innovations is known and described, it is also true that publications focussing on and discussing this issue are still lacking. The article, therefore, aims to encourage decision-makers to support the creativity of their employees in order to develop frugal innovations. Nevertheless, the discussed topic requires further research. Originality/value: The article is based on existing knowledge in the field of creativity and frugal innovations. The added value of the article is a combination of both issues, emphasising the role of employees' creativity in creating frugal innovations, which is illustrated in the form of the proposed model of the innovative process based on creativity

Purpose: The article aims to assess the knowledge and interest in the offer of chambers of commerce by students of faculties offering theoretical and practical knowledge about starting and running a business. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire plus the Pearson correlation coefficient and the T-Czuprow dependence coefficient were used to examine the relationship between the study variables. The research sample consisted of students from the Faculty of Economics, Finance and Management. The sample was selected to represent a diverse group of individuals based on several criteria, including gender, field of study, degree of study and mode of study. Findings: Students are moderately familiar with the services offered by chambers of commerce. They are also not sufficiently aware that these entities can provide them with support at the stage of setting up or developing their business. Practical implications: The results indicated a need for increased information and promotional activities on the part of the chambers of commerce to communicate more effectively the support opportunities for future entrepreneurs. Originality/value: The article highlights the important role of chambers of commerce in supporting young entrepreneurs, which makes it a valuable source of information for those interested in starting their own businesses. The originality of this study lies in its targeted approach, which not only assesses students' awareness of services of chambers of commerce but also identifies their preferred areas of support.