Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Oeconomia

Assessment of the main sustainable tourism indicators in the Protected Areas of the Gjirokastra region

Irena Boboli — 2025-12-31

Aim: This study analyzes various tourism sustainability indicators within the protected areas (PAs) of the Gjirokastra region in Albania. Gjirokastra is a highly preferred destination, attracting a significant number of domestic and international visitors. Assessing tourism sustainability indicators in PAs is a necessary step to ensure that tourism growth in these regions remains balanced, sustainable, and aligned with the goals of nature conservation and biodiversity preservation. Methods: For this study, interviews were conducted with representatives of local institutions, and surveys were administered to the local community and visitors to the region’s PAs. The selected indicators were examined from socio-economic, environmental, infrastructural, and institutional perspectives. Using descriptive statistics, we assessed the sustainability indicators by analyzing the results of 112 surveys from the local community and 168 surveys from visitors to these areas. Results: The analysis revealed an increased level of awareness among the local community
regarding the benefits of PAs, particularly in relation to natural and cultural heritage. Additionally, visitors expressed a positive evaluation of socio-economic and environmental indicators. One of the key findings is the lack of information concerning planning and community involvement in the management of PAs. Conclusions: The primary challenge for the destination is establishing priorities for the sustainable development of the region, which necessitates collaboration among all stakeholders. To achieve this, tourism development must be carefully planned, with a focus on environmental preservation and improving the quality of life for residents.

Area or economic size? The role of specialization in productivity convergence of subsistence farms in Central and Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2016

Csaba Forgacs — 2025-12-31

Aim: The aim is to provide an economic analysis of the extent to which the area size and economic size of small farms below 5 ha helped productivity development for survival in the EU-10 after joining the EU (period 2005‒2016). Methods: Based on Eurostat data, a special database was established. The indices approach was used to analyze productivity development. Dynamics of capacity variables (number, utilized agricultural area, and standard output) and productivity indicators (average farm size, area productivity, and total productivity) were calculated. The distance of the EU-10 averages from the EU-15 was measured. Ten specialist farm types were observed in the following categories: below 2 ha, 2.0‒4.9 ha, below 5 ha, below 2,000 EUR, below 2 ha and 2,000 EUR, and below 5 ha and below 2,000 EUR. Results: EU-10: a) The decline in the number of very small specialist farms was below the average; b) The dynamics of both area and total productivity of specialist farms exceeded EU-15 averages; c) In subsistence farms, the economic
size was more supportive of increasing productivity, while in semi-subsistence farms, the area size was more supportive of increasing productivity; d) Small specialist semi-subsistence farms with an output below 2,000 EUR contributed more to convergence; e) The gap of specialist subsistence farms below 2,000 EUR between the EU-10 and EU-15, both in total and area productivity, increased. Conclusions: Farms below 5 ha in the EU-10 increased productivity, more so in specialist semi-subsistence farms, supporting
convergence. Poland has achieved outstanding growth in convergence related to small specialist farms, both in terms of area and economic size. The dynamics of indicators for specialist semi-subsistence farms contributed to convergence in Poland, Hungary, and Romania.

Civic education through organizational listening and the participation of young residents as Kraków’s socio-economic capital

Krzysztof Jurek — 2025-12-31

Aim: The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of civic education classes as a tool supporting the development of local civic participation among primary and secondary school students in Kraków. The work aims to understand why young people show low interest in participating in local participatory mechanisms and to assess the effectiveness of civics education in shaping pro-social attitudes and social engagement. Methods: The research analysis is based on qualitative and quantitative research conducted among students from Kraków schools. Observations of civics classes, group interviews, and case studies on youth participation in participatory budgeting and public consultations were used. A literature review on civic education and youth participation was also conducted. Results: Research has shown that, despite the growing availability and diversity of participation forms, youth interest in participating
in local mechanisms remains low. Civics classes have a positive impact on students’ civic awareness, but they do not always translate into genuine engagement in local community life. Factors that demotivate young people include a lack of information, a sense of ineffectiveness, and limited opportunities to actually influence decisions. Conclusions: Civic education in the form of civic classes is an important element in shaping pro-social attitudes and developing civic awareness among young people. However, to effectively increase their participation in local initiatives, it is essential to simultaneously create authentic and accessible spaces for action and strengthen their sense of influence on the surrounding reality. Further research and innovative teaching approaches are necessary to combine theory with practice and motivate young citizens.

Reassessing international trade costs: the role of conventional and unconventional barriers

Tamar Taralashvili — 2025-12-31

Aim: This study reassesses the nature of international trade costs by examining both conventional barriers (e.g., tariffs, transportation costs) and unconventional ones (e.g., cultural, institutional, and conflict-related frictions). Special attention is given to conceptualizing interstate soft conflicts – non-violent, informal tensions between countries that can disrupt trade without relying on formal sanctions or militarized force. It revisits the author’s previously introduced concept of “interstate soft conflict” within a broader framework of trade resistance and informal economic pressures. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used to identify 20 instances of interstate soft conflict between 2000 and 2020. Cases were gathered through systematic keyword searches across media and public sources and categorized based on the type of conflict (direct or indirect), the actors involved (state, organization, or individual), and the nature of the actions taken (e.g., boycotts, protests, diplomatic retaliation). Results: The analysis reveals that interstate soft conflicts, though informal and non-institutional, can act as de facto trade barriers. They emerge from political, ethical, and cultural disputes and often lead to reputational damage, reduced trade engagement, and shifts in consumer behavior. These conflicts operate across multiple channels – state-led, organization-led, and consumer-led – and reflect broader geopolitical and ideological divides. Conclusions: In an era where formal trade barriers are declining, informal tensions are becoming a more significant source of trade friction. Recognizing interstate soft conflicts as part of the trade cost landscape is essential for understanding contemporary trade patterns and for designing policies that are resilient to both institutional and informal disruptions