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Practical application of the idea of sustainable freight transport requires a significant development of the intermodal transport network in which rail transport plays an important role. It is indicated as an ecological, safe, fast and economic type of freight transport. However, an important matter conditioning its development and significance is the reliability of freight flows. In the literature research, there is a lack of comprehensive recognition of dependencies between the reliability of flows in intermodal network of rail transport and the disruptions and characteristics of the network. Therefore, the authors of the paper adopted an analysis of the impact of disruptions in freight flows in rail transport on the reliability of these flows. The paper assumes that the reliability of freight flows in rail transport is measured by the number of cancelled trains and an average delay time of trains. At the same time, it was also assumed that the impact of disruptions on the reliability of flows depends on the characteristics of the network itself. In conducted empirical research supported by regression analysis, the authors indicated relationships between the studied variables and identified gaps in the system for collecting information about disruptions on the railway network. The conclusion underlined in the paper is the necessity to develop a coherent system for collecting data on disturbances, which will contribute to the development of a model of knowledge management about disruptions and will allow to coordinate the network to increase its reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing internationalisation of economies more and more intensely influences the activity of the education and science sector—consequently, the pressure to achieve the institutional and individual goals increases. Given these circumstances, the authors of this article decided to identify the relations between the type and scope of motivation used at universities and the evaluation results of their study and scientific activity. The study was carried out on Polish universities among a representative study sample of 1303 academics. For the analysis of the results, correlation analysis, regression models and data mining techniques were used. The research results indicated connections between the level of the study being carried out with such motivators as working in conditions of high innovativeness, wide access to publications and infrastructure, allowing for commercialisation of the study results. The increase in the quality level of the study is also fostered by the support and help of direct supervisors. What is demotivating is the periodic qualitative assessment and unproductive relations with the environment. The study results filled the gaps in the knowledge on the relations between the motivation and the evaluation of the university and between the range and type of motivators used in higher education. • The universities' evaluation strongly influences their development possibilities. • The university innovation results from the level of the academic research. • The research commercialisation is strengthened by the access to publications and modern infrastructure. • Scientists are motivated by the support of their superiors and work life balance. • Scientists are demotivated by the unproductive relations with the environment and lack of commitment in management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]