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Research background: The importance of the financial sector for the real economy has increased as there has been a transition from industrial capitalism to financial capitalism in recent years. The increasing importance of the financial sector is referred to as financialisation, and it is undoubtedly associated with finance, financial operations, or an increase in the importance of profits generated by financial activities. Financialisation is a long‑term process characterised by the growth of the banking sector. Purpose of the article: This article compares the effectiveness of banking sectors in the European Union (EU) countries from the financialisation perspective. Methods: The study determined the efficiency of the banking sectors for the 28 EU countries using an input‑oriented, non‑radial BCC model in 2017 and assessed changes in the efficiency of the entities studied using the Malmquist index between 2008 and 2017. Findings & value added: With certain outlays and effects, the banking sectors of seven countries were effective in 2017 from the financialisation perspective: Cyprus, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The effectiveness of individual inputs for the banking sectors from each country was then determined, and benchmark leaders were identified. The analysis of the dynamics of changes in the efficiency of the banking sectors showed that Sweden had the highest values of the Malmquist index between 2008 and 2017 (where efficiency increased by 37.7%).

The aim of the article is to identify the changes of selected economic variables in Japan, Poland, the USA and the euro area and to evaluate the impact of these variables on these economies in 2000–2022. The hypothesis posed in the article: The economies of Japan, Poland, the USA and the euro zone have overcome the economic shocks that occurred in the first two decades of the 21st century. Methodology: The study included a review of the literature on the subject, the presentation and analysis of statistical data, including its graphical presentation. Six economic indicators were selected for analysis, such as: the unemployment rate, inflation, General Government debt, long-term interest rates, GDP per capita, and GDP growth in Japan, Poland, the United States and the euro area in 2000–2022. Results of the research: Over the past 20 years, economies have been hit by unprecedented crises such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Covid-19, and yet we note that the surveyed countries and the euro zone showed positive economic growth for most of the period and successfully fought unemployment. Japan tried to get out of periods of deflation, but out of the examined 23 years, deflation was recorded in Japan for 15 years. In the years 2000–2022, the highest economic growth was most often recorded in Poland and the lowest in Japan, but the highest inflation was also most often recorded in Poland. In all the surveyed countries and the euro zone, a tendency to increase the GG of debt was clearly noticed.

The financial crisis of 2008-2009 has changed an approach to conducting monetary and fiscal policy. Changing economic conditions forced the economic authorities to make decisions that influenced an interaction between the central bank and the government (policy mix) in the European Union countries. The article aims to identify the impact of variables in the area of monetary and fiscal policy on the economy in the EU countries in existing economic conditions. The article verifies the hypothesis that variables from the monetary and fiscal policy have a statistically significant impact on the GDP per capita growth rate in the EU countries. To achieve the goal and verify the hypothesis, the following research methods were used: presentation of statistical data as well as statistical and econometric research methods (panel model). The rationale for the adoption of this topic was to examine the impact of central bank policy and government in the EU countries on their economies. The contribution of this article is to present the role of monetary and fiscal policy in the economic growth of the EU countries in 2000-2019. The results of the study indicate that the GDP per capita growth rate in 28 European Union countries in the period of 2000-2019 was statistically significantly affected by such variables as: interest rate (from the monetary policy area), GG deficit/surplus (the variable from the area of fiscal policy). This is important information in the context of conducting monetary policy and fiscal policy by relevant decision-makers, i.e., monetary authorities and fiscal authorities in the EU countries.

The role of financial sector has increased significantly since the 1980s, introducing a new term or phenomenon i.e. the financialization of the economy. There is still some imprecision about the nature and dynamics of financialization, including its impact on the economy. The main task of the financial sector is to allocate funds for its most productive use, while ensuring sustainable development. Recent studies show that excessive financial deepening negatively impacts the economies of developed countries, but is this true for posttransition economies? The aim of this paper is to look into the relationship between financialization and the state of a small and posttransition economy, the Latvian economy. Using a European database and methodological framework we analyze this relationship in Latvia between 1999Q1 and 2017Q4. In our study, we apply the standard Vector Auto-Regressive model (VAR). Our research results do not indicate that financialization causes significant changes in the state of the Latvian economy. The interpretation of this result is related to the degree of financial deepening in Latvia.

The purpose of the article/hypothesis: The aim of this article is to examine the effectiveness of trading systems built on the basis of technical analysis tools in 2015–2020 on the DAX stock exchange index. Efficiency is understood as generating positive rates of return, taking into account the risk incurred by the investor, as well as achieving better results than passive strategies. Presenting empirical evidence implying the value of technical analysis is a difficult task not only because of a huge number of instruments used on a daily basis, but also due to their almost unlimited possibility to modify parameters and often subjective evaluation. Methodology: The effectiveness of technical analysis tools was tested using selected investment strategies based on oscillators and indicators following the trend. All transactions were carried out on the Meta Trader 4 platform. The analyzed strategies were comprehensively assessed using the portfolio management quality measures, such as the Sharpe measure or the MAR ratio (Managed Account Ratio). Results of the research: The test results confirmed that the application of described investment strategies contributes to the achievement of effective results and, above all, protects the portfolio against a significant loss in the period of strong turmoil on the stock exchange. During the research period, only two strategies (Ichimoku and ETF- Exchange traded fund) would produce negative returns at the worst possible end of the investment. At the best moment, however, the „passive” investment achieved the lowest result. Looking at the final balance at the end of 2019, as many as four systems based on technical analysis were more effective than the „buy and hold” strategy, and at the end of the first quarter of 2020 – all of them. When analyzing the management quality measures, it turned out that taking into account the 21 quarters, the passive strategy had the lowest MAR index. The Sharpe’s measure is also relatively weak compared to the four leading strategies.

The aim of the article: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic made it necessary to involve the state in the process of rescuing numerous business entities from bankruptcy. In the European Union, the aid measure for entrepreneurs takes a form of public aid, which, as it turns out, is the necessary and the only tool to protect SME sector enterprises against bankruptcy. Social isolation caused by the virus that spread on a large scale effectively inhibited the development of entrepreneurship, which is inherently related to the economic development of countries. The aim of the article is therefore to indicate that supporting entrepreneurs within the framework of public aid may help to reverse the unfavorable economic trends related to the disturbed development of entrepreneurship. Methodology: The article analyzes and assesses the government solutions introduced to the Polish economic reality, the purpose of which is to counteract the effects of Covid-19. The paper presents the current public aid tools available to entrepreneurs along with their financial dimension. Results of the research: State aid granted by the state to entrepreneurs during the crisis caused by Covid-19 is indispensable for their further functioning. The paper presents aid instruments related to COVID-19 that are available to entrepreneurs. The analysis shows that public aid addressed to entrepreneurs injured as a result of the lockdown comes from many sources and is almost tailored to the individual entrepreneur. The entities providing aid on the basis of state aid include: banks, local government units, executive bodies of local government units, Social Insurance Fund, State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled People, financial intermediaries, bodies constituting local government units, the European Investment Bank, Polish Development Fund, district and voivodeship labor offices and BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego). Having prepared a package of systemic solutions, the government introduced them systematically, depending on the situation of individual sectors of the economy. Special solutions in the form of financial shields were addressed directly to the tourism sector (e.g. loans for tour operators) or the catering sector, which in the face of the pandemic were most exposed to a decrease in revenues. The impact of introduced solutions on the country’s economy can be assessed only in the next few years, but the multitude and diversified nature of the anti-crisis solutions introduced in Poland will certainly contribute to slowing down the negative consequences of Covid-19 in the economy.

Research background: The core of coordinating a monetary and fiscal policy (policy mix) is based on combining both policies to achieve goals related to price stability, as well as economic growth and employment. In turn, the decisions of economic authorities in the monetary-fiscal game have a significant impact on economic variables in the economy. In the economic literature, the importance of monetary and fiscal policy coordination is emphasized as it has a positive effect on the stability of the economy. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to identify the dependencies between variables in the scope of fiscal policy and monetary policy under existing economic conditions and then assess their impact on the economy in the EU countries. Methods: To achieve this objective, the following research methods were used: a review of the scientific literature, a presentation of statistical data, and statistical research methods. Findings & Value added: The rationale for adopting such issues is to examine the impact of the financial crisis on the decisions of central banks and governments in the EU. The financial crisis has affected a change in the approach to conducting monetary and fiscal policy. The changing economic conditions forced economic authorities to take many decisions that affected the interaction between the central bank and the governments in the EU Member States. In many EU countries in the discussed period, there were significant interdependencies between variables in both monetary and fiscal policy.

The purpose of the article/hypothesis: The aim of this article is to examine the effectiveness of trading systems built on the basis of technical analysis tools in 2015–2020 on the DAX stock exchange index. Efficiency is understood as generating positive rates of return, taking into account the risk incurred by the investor, as well as achieving better results than passive strategies. Presenting empirical evidence implying the value of technical analysis is a difficult task not only because of a huge number of instruments used on a daily basis, but also due to their almost unlimited possibility to modify parameters and often subjective evaluation. Methodology: The effectiveness of technical analysis tools was tested using selected investment strategies based on oscillators and indicators following the trend. All transactions were carried out on the Meta Trader 4 platform. The analyzed strategies were comprehensively assessed using the portfolio management quality measures, such as the Sharpe measure or the MAR ratio (Managed Account Ratio). Results of the research: The test results confirmed that the application of described investment strategies contributes to the achievement of effective results and, above all, protects the portfolio against a significant loss in the period of strong turmoil on the stock exchange. During the research period, only two strategies (Ichimoku and ETF- Exchange traded fund) would produce negative returns at the worst possible end of the investment. At the best moment, however, the „passive” investment achieved the lowest result. Looking at the final balance at the end of 2019, as many as four systems based on technical analysis were more effective than the „buy and hold” strategy, and at the end of the first quarter of 2020 – all of them. When analyzing the management quality measures, it turned out that taking into account the 21 quarters, the passive strategy had the lowest MAR index. The Sharpe’s measure is also relatively weak compared to the four leading strategies.

he purpose of the article is to identify the factors determining the rate of entrepreneurship in selected regions of Poland and the Czech Republic, two neighboring countries, within the period 2007 – 2017. This period includes the time of the financial and economic crisis, which could have influenced the entrepreneurship determinants in the regions under study in varying degrees. The differentiation of the impact of selected variables on the entrepreneurship rate had its basis in many elements. To achieve this objective, the following research methods were used: presentation of statistical data, statistical and econometric research methods – the logarithmic panel model with delays. The article also emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship for the development of a country’s economy. Considering the high level of competitiveness in local and global markets, enterprises should pay increasing attention to micro-environment and some regional conditions, because an enterprise depends on these conditions and may influence many of them. The results of the research and thus the contribution and their added value are as follows: an increase in local entrepreneurship is positively transferred to the growth of international entrepreneurship, while R&D expenditure and average remuneration in the economy are the crucial factors influencing the development of entrepreneurship.

The aim of the paper is to compare the sensitivity of a government’s fiscal policy and a central bank’s monetary policy, which are in Nash equilibrium in the case of a non-cooperative game between the government and the central bank in Czechia, Hungary, and Romania. The analysis for each country is conducted from the date of its accession to the European Union. The research period for Czechia and Hungary includes the quarters 2004Q2-2019Q2, and for Romania, 2007Q1-2019Q2. The study has demonstrated that in Romania the government’s response to interest rate changes is the strongest and the central bank’s response to changes in the budget deficit turned out to be the weakest. On the other hand, the strongest response of the central bank to changes in the budget deficit turned out to be in Hungary, which means that the central bank in Hungary makes a significant correction of interest rates as a result of changes in the budget deficit.

The central bank and the government are pursuing different goals so finding the best mix of monetary and fiscal policies is not easy. At the same time, the decisions the two authorities make during the fiscal‑monetary game exert a strong influence on economic variables. This article focuses on the level of revenues and expenditures of the public finance sector, economic growth and the unemployment rate in Poland in the years 2000–2016. Its aim is to present the level of fiscality and the rates of economic growth and unemployment in the context of monetary and fiscal decisions made by the economic authorities. To this end, the following research methods are employed: statistical analysis methods and graphical presentations of economic developments. As found, in the years 2000–2016 in Poland the general government deficit and the rate of GDP growth influenced the unemployment rate that in turn determined the expenditures of the public finance sector. This research is original in that the changes in fiscality, the rate of unemployment and the dynamics of GDP are studied with respect to interactions between the monetary and fiscal authorities, including factors influencing their decisions, particularly those arising from the last financial crisis.

The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of the central bank’s interest rates on investments in the euro area. The results of the analysis indicate that in 1999-2016 the European Central Bank’s main interest rate lagged by two quarters had an inversely proportionally and statistically significant influence on the level of investment outlays in the euro area. The disturbances that euro-area economies were experiencing in the analysis period due to the recent financial crisis considerably weakened the monetary policy’s effect on the real economy. However, the relationship between the ECB’s main interest rate and investment outlays was statistically significant, implying that the interest rate played a role in the central bank’s influence on investments.

Farming is treated as one of the riskiest businesses. Political decisions, especially these related to the agricultural sector, may be treated as of a great importance. As a consequence, farm owners seek to diversify their sources of income and run other strategies aiming to stabilize their earnings i.e. by off-farm activities. The paper selected key groups of the determinants of the off-farm income with the aim to evaluate the current state and to propose further steps of the detailed analysis. The authors identified the mechanisms how the particular instruments influence farmers' decisions on generating the off-farm income. It may be concluded that the significance of direct payments is still very high. Subsidies generally discourage farmers from the non-agriculture employment. The influence of socio-demographic characteristics is significant, however, the strength of this impact is determined by the additional factors like the situation in the labour market. In case of environmental determinants, it should be noted that there is a limited group of factors that may be out of control by the farm operators. The value added of the article is an attempt to identify the mechanisms how the particular instruments may influence farmers' decisions on generating the off-farm income. The article finishes with the authors' recommendations for further empirical studies.

The aim of this article is to present the essence of policy mix and the extraordinary actions undertaken by the monetary and fiscal authorities in Poland in response to the recent financial crisis. In the article, the hypothesis has been put forward that the challenges faced by monetary and fiscal authorities have contributed to carrying out coordinated actions, especially in support of economic growth during the recent financial crisis. As a result, in Poland during the last financial crisis, it seemed to observe greater cooperation between monetary and fiscal authorities.

The lack of financial stability is a factor that favors the financial crises understood as a disturbance in the functioning of financial markets. In addition, the financial crisis may lead to financial instability. Financial crises highlight the importance of financial stability in the economy. In this context, coordination of monetary and fiscal policy becomes important in periods of stability in the financial markets, however, in exceptional circumstances, e.g. crisis, takes on special significance. This article aims to analyze the decisions made by economic authorities in Poland and their consequences for the stability of the financial system, especially in the exceptional circumstances of the financial crisis. To achieve this objective, the following methods were used: a literature review, statistical research methods and graphical presentation of phenomena. Certainly, monetary and fiscal policies together influence the shaping of balance in the economy of the country concerned. Hence, this topic is important at least because of fact that the choice of the optimal combination of monetary and fiscal policy is difficult because of the diversity of the objectives and preferences of economic authorities. It seems that the financial crisis and its aftermath may have contributed to the cooperation of the central bank and the government, which in turn could have a positive impact on the level of financial stability in Poland.