Browsing by Author "Swacha-Lech, Magdalena"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Corporate social responsibility in the context of banks’ competitiveness
    (Technická Univerzita v Liberci, 2013-08-01) Ostalecka, Agnieszka; Swacha-Lech, Magdalena; Ekonomická fakulta
    In October 2011 the European Commission published a new policy on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The modern understanding of CSR is perceived as a necessity of integration of social, environmental, ethical, consumer concerns and human rights into their business operations and core strategy in close collaboration with their stakeholders. In case of banking institutions this concept can be treated as an opportunity to gain competitive advantage. The main aim of the article is to present the idea of corporate social responsibility as a tool for supporting competitiveness of banking institutions. In this contribution there have been indicated the key areas of CSR influence on banks competitiveness and related benefits. Positive influence of CSR on bank’s competitiveness can occur in the following key areas: enhancing public image and reputation, ethical behaviors, improving relations with employees, strengthening community involvement, building environment responsibility image and improving organizational governance. According to Banking of Sustainability Report, 2005 IFC Sustainability Survey of Financial Institutions shows that 68 % of commercial banks indicate improvement of credibility and reputation as the main reason why banks engage in social and environment activity [19]. In several economic studies [33, 10] corporate reputation is directly linked with its competitiveness, while reputational risk is one of the main risks which endanger its stability and financial performance. In this context, CRS strategy occurs as one of the effective solutions allowing to gain many different benefits for banks. It seems that being socially responsible, understood as taking into account not only own interests (e.g. profit maximization) but also interests of other stakeholders, behaving fair and responsible to them, can be viewed as a significant element of acquiring competitive advantage.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    DETERMINANTS OF THE ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE FINTECH SERVICES BY MILLENNIALS
    (Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Solarz, Małgorzata; Swacha-Lech, Magdalena; Ekonomická fakulta
    FinTech Adoption Index, expressed as a percentage of the digitally active population, for 27 countries of the world in 2019 reached the level of 64%. Millennials are the generation which, compared to others, is characterized by the highest level of FinTech adoptions. In Poland, in 2019, about 75% of the Millennials used the services of FinTech. This paper aims to analyse and evaluate the selected determinants of using the innovative FinTech services by Millennials in Poland. To investigate how users adopt FinTech services, we have applied our own set of determinants – selected from an extensive literature review – covering both demographic, economic and behavioural characteristics. This approach allowed for an in-depth analysis of the examined issue. The essential empirical data were obtained based on the research using the CAWI method in December 2019 on a representative sample of Poles aged 25–40 at that time. Ultimately, 1,236 correctly completed questionnaires were used for the research. To analyse and evaluate the impact of selected determinants of FinTech adoption, a logistic regression model was used. The results obtained can thus be extremely important for managers of financial institutions. They provide information that can be used for activities aimed at maintaining FinTech’s customer base and allow to adjust the offer to the expectations of this group. Millennials most open to innovative FinTech services in Poland are young men with high and very high net income and not driven by low costs of financial services. They appreciate technological novelties, including the possibility of using a smartwatch, and when deciding on the choice of a financial institution, they do not care about the direct opinions of their relatives and friends, but take into account the opinions in social media.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Success drivers of equity crowdfunding campaign. Empirical evidence from Poland
    (2024-10-22) Swacha-Lech, Magdalena; Kurek, Robert
    The success factors of equity crowdfunding are already well recognized in the literature but have not previously been studied in Poland. The aim of the paper is to fill the research gap by identifying the determinants of equity crowdfunding success in Poland based on empirical data. The article investigates whether and how entrepreneurs’ conscious use of the non-financial benefits linked to equity crowdfunding (ECF) influences the campaign’s success in Poland. We used data from a survey on the determinants of the success of equity crowdfunding. We conducted the survey using CAWI and CATI methods between September 2021 and January 2022 in collaboration with the Biostat Research and Development Centre as well as Beesfund, Crowdway and FindFunds platforms. Fifty-six companies accepted the invitation to participate in the study. Ultimately, the logistic regression model estimation was based on data obtained from 49 companies (28 of which had already succeeded in the equity crowdfunding campaign). Using the acquired data, we estimated a logistic regression model. As the results of our research show, the likelihood of campaign success is increased by the perception of equity crowdfunding as a tool enabling the acquisition of product and market knowledge, while using this form of financing mainly to obtain funds adversely affects the likelihood of campaign success. The results confirm that in Poland, as in other European countries, equity crowdfunding is no longer seen as a source of last-resort funding but is becoming more than just a fundraising tool. We recommend that entrepreneurs who plan to use this form of financing take advantage of the knowledge and experience of investors and treat equity crowdfunding as a strategic or first choice.