Fulltext search in archive

The existing penetration methods for the identification of the density of wood that forms a part of structures do not make it possible to describe the density in the entire element profile but only on its surface. However, wood density changes throughout the profile which affects the accuracy of the density determination. The instruments used until now based on the principle of a pin shot into the material thus needed to be supplemented with a test during which the pin would be pushed at least to the centre of the measured element. Pins of 3 mm in diameter were manufactured with a special jig fastening them to a universal testing machine. Using the testing machine, the force required to push the pin in was measured at a constant travel speed. It has been found out that the mechanical work needed for the pin penetration correlates very well with the wood density determined in the surroundings of the place where the pin was pushed in.

At the time of increasing globalization and homogenization of the global markets, the development of information infrastructure technology and world market becomes accessible not only to large multinational companies but also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This has resulted in increasing competition in the domestic market which domestic firms have to face. Therefore the process of internationalization of business is a step that allows businesses performing their activities in the domestic market to enter foreign markets and to exploit the opportunities and potential which these markets offer. The paper is focused on the draft of the method for quantification of the factors, which determine the success of the SMEs in foreign markets. In the proposed method the multidimensional assessment of indicators of success of SMEs in foreign markets are used, ie. not only the proportion of sales from exports is observed, but also the profitability of international activities in an absolute and in a relative rate. Other indicators of success are the satisfaction of the company management with international activities and the success of achieving defined targets for business activities in foreign markets. Evaluation is made up of both the objective and the subjective indicators of success. Among the objective indicators of success is included the intensity of international activities of SMEs, which is detected as the sum of revenues generated from international activities in relation to total sales company, the profitability of international activities, (ie. whether the foreign activities are profitable or not), and the relative profitability of international activities, where it is ascertained whether the foreign activities generate higher profit than the activities at the domestic market. The next subjective indicator of success is the success of objectives - it was found how many objectives related to operations in foreign markets has been achieved. Another indicator is the subjective satisfaction of the company management with existing activities on foreign markets. Overall performance on foreign markets of the company is quantified using an assessment of objective and subjective indicators of success. Using the defined evaluation it will be possible to determine which of the SMEs are more and which are less successful in foreign markets. Finally, this evaluation will be used for future research aimed at identifying characteristics affecting the success of SMEs in the foreign markets.

The aim of the study was to compare a long term effect of oppositional fertilization methods, organic vs. conventional, on chosen soil chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from organic farms with at least 10-years history of organic management and from neighboring conventional farms. In total soil samples from 66 farms distributed all over Poland were collected. The following properties were analyzed: organic carbon (C_org), total nitrogen (N_tot), pH, exchangeable forms of P, K and Mg.
In general organic management resulted in slightly higher soil pH. Bigger differences were found in case of C and N content. Thanks to organic fertilization method in loamy and clay soils C content was higher by 13.5% and N content was higher by 20.3%. The same tendency, although not so marked, was found on sandy soils.
Conventional fertilization resulted in higher content of exchangeable P, especially on sandy soils. Almost the same content of exchangeable K was found on both farm types. Higher amounts of exchangeable Mg was found on organic farms on each soil type: sandy, loamy and clay. In the same time bigger disproportions of Mg content were found on organic farms (30-112 mg Mg kg^-1) than on conventional farms (30-87 mg Mg kg^-1).