Polish Organizations Research Articles

The imposition of penalties within the framework of the system of employee discipline during the period of socialism in Poland

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to identify different forms of punishment administered on employees in Polish organisations during the socialist period. The authors discuss methods of punishment, former employees’ sentiments about their organisations’ climate and reasons for disciplinary dismissals. The material for the empirical part was collected by means of interviews. Its selection was targeted and based on snowball sampling. The majority of the interviewees claimed that the organisational climate at the time had been positive. However, acts such as favouritism of employees belonging to the ruling party, widespread shortages of tools and materials, onerous working conditions and disregard of health and safety regulations were assessed negatively. During the period under study, formal penalties were rarely applied. Managers had employment quotas to fill, and employees were not afraid of losing their jobs as they could be employed elsewhere relatively easily. Financial penalties were imposed quite often. Disciplinary dismissals were rare and occurred only when managers saw no other means of discipline left at their disposal.

Promoting a Sustainable Workplace with the “Shortened Working Week” (SWW): Empirical Insights from 1,000 White-Collar Workers in Poland.

This paper explores the effectiveness of the Shortened Working Week (SWW) as a mechanism for advancing Sustainable Human Resource Management (SHRM). It begins by reviewing various SWW models implemented in pilot studies across the UK, Sweden, Japan, and the US. Next, the paper employs the Triple Bottom Line theoretical framework to assess the impact of SWW on SHRM. Furthermore, it presents empirical data from a survey of 1,000 white-collar employees in Polish organisations, examining their attitudes towards SWW. The findings suggest that a reduction in work hours can positively influence the social, economic, and environmental pillars of SHRM. Considering the varied preferences for SWW based on factors such as gender, family status, and company size, the paper recommends that managers consider flexible scheduling alternatives to the conventional Free Fridays model.

Exploring the Impact of Age Diversity on Organizational Identification: A Study of HR Practices and Perceived Age Discrimination Climate

This study explores how age diversity influences organizational identification, emphasizing the role of HR practices and the perceived age discrimination climate in Polish enterprises. Background: Anchored in social identity and social categorization theories, the study posits that observable age diversity may trigger workplace conflicts over resources and power, potentially heightening perceptions of discrimination and lowering employee satisfaction. Methods: Quantitative data were gathered from 30 Polish organizations with more than 50 employees. The sample, comprising HR managers and employees, was analyzed using linear regression and mediation analysis. Results: The findings reveal that HR practices promoting age diversity have a significant positive effect on organizational identification, with effective diversity management reducing perceived discrimination and enhancing employee satisfaction. Conclusions: This study concludes that inclusive HR practices are vital for integrating diverse age groups and ensuring equitable opportunities within the workplace. Future research should investigate the long-term organizational and employee outcomes of age-inclusive HR strategies.

Do organizations based in Poland need identity leadership? Polish adaptation of the short and full form of identity leadership inventory

PurposeThe study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Polish version of the identity leadership inventory (ILI) proposed by Steffens, Haslam, Reicher et al. (2014) and to confirm the relationship between identity leadership and various job-related outcomes (i.e., trust in leaders, job satisfaction, work engagement and turnover intentions) among employees from Poland-based organizations. Identity leadership appears to be a universal construct (van Dick, Ciampa, & Liang, 2018) but no one has studied it in Poland so far.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 1078 employees collected in two independent subsamples from different organizations located in Northern and Central Poland. We evaluated the ILI’s factorial structure using confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsThe results confirm that the 15-item Polish version of the ILI has a four-dimensional structure with factors representing prototypicality, advancement, entrepreneurship and impresarioship. It showed satisfactory reliability. The identity leadership inventory-short form (four items) also showed a good fit with the data. As expected, the relationships between identity leadership and important work-related outcomes (general level of job satisfaction, work engagement, trust toward the leader and turnover intentions) were also significant.Originality/valueDespite the cultural specifics of Polish organizations, the research results were generally very similar to those in other countries, confirming the universality of the ILI as shown in the Global Identity Leadership Development project (GILD, see van Dick, Ciampa, & Liang, 2018; van Dick et al., 2021).

Celebrowanie świąt wśród polskiej społeczności w Armenii. Nośnik tożsamości, element promocji kultury czy substytut rozrywki w obcym otoczeniu etniczno-kulturowym?

From the historical perspective, Polish migration to Armenia intensified in the 19th century, when men were forcibly conscripted into the Tsar’s Army in the territory of the Russian partition. Since then, the dynamics of Polish mobility and its motivations have changed many times. As for the direction of the Caucasus, since the 1990s it has been closely associated with the population movement in the opposite direction, i.e., with the Armenian migration to Poland. However, we know relatively little on this subject, as most contemporary studies focus mainly on the analysis of historical processes, and the current migration movements are commonly referred to as “labor migration”. The following article is based on field research conducted by the author in 2015–2022. Their main axis was to learn about the ways of self-organization and functioning of the contemporary Polish community living in the Republic of Armenia. The article focuses on the description of individual phases of the annual rituals with which representatives of the Polish minority identify and the influence of Polish organizations on their celebration. The article covers both states, secular, and religious holidays. They create an interesting mosaic consisting of cultural and national identity, promotional and popularization elements, as well as the need for entertainment and social life in a local environment.

“We, the parents”: The activist collective identity of parents of LGBTQ individuals in Poland

AbstractObjectiveThe article presents a study on the collective identity of members of the Polish organization “We, the Parents—the association of mothers, fathers, and allies of LGBTQIA individuals.”BackgroundThe research contributes to the field of social movement studies, specifically focusing on the rights of sexual and gender minorities and parental activism, and is grounded in social constructionism.MethodUsing a qualitative case study with an ethnographic approach, the study employed participatory observation, interviews, document analysis, and autoethnography, analyzed through grounded theory.ResultsFindings highlight the cultural roots of the collective identity (“parent”), its interaction with individual identities, and its complex structure, identifying categories such as “accepting parenthood,” “normal parenthood,” “proxy parenthood,” and “intervening parenthood.”ConclusionsThe concept of “parenthood” both strengthens the collective identity and reveals internal tensions. Members engage with diverse audiences, including the public, the LGBTQ community, and power centers, using strategies like promoting “good parenting,” transforming social norms on sexuality and gender, supporting the LGBTQ community, and influencing public discourse on LGBTQ rights. Their modes of expression include narrative, evaluative, performative, and persuasive approaches.ImplicationsThe study offers valuable insights for practitioners in education, health care, and family support, especially in areas with adverse sociocultural climates. It demonstrates how parents adapt after their child's coming out, gain empowerment, and form alliances to improve LGBTQ family well‐being. The research also inspires policy initiatives and public health strategies addressing the mental well‐being and institutional discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals.

Does Success Really Hurt? Impostor Syndrome Among Managers of Polish Enterprises – Results of a – Preliminary Qualitative Study

Abstract Objective The aim of the study presented in this article was to examine how people in independent senior management positions (exposed and highly placed in the organisational structure), who are perceived as successful people in the social space, perceive themselves and the achieved professional success, and to what extent the attitudes adopted, perceptions and evaluation regarding themselves can be identified with impostor syndrome. Successful people, especially in the context of professional success, are usually defined as those who, in the professional and social dimensions, have achieved above-average results expressed in social, financial, economic, and job status. Methodology This article presents the results of a preliminary qualitative study conducted among 32 senior managers, directors, and business owners employed in large Polish organisations and in subsidiaries of foreign companies located in Poland. The research used Rosenberg’s SES self-assessment scale and individual in-depth interviews (IDI). Findings The research showed to what extent the problem of impostor syndrome actually affects people who seemingly should not be affected by it (managers). Value Added Research shows how diverse the perception of professional success is among people holding prestigious managerial positions. Recommendations Further in-depth research should be conducted to explore additional, individual psychological aspects related to the sense of professional success among managers.

Activity of polish organisations participating in the EMAS scheme to reduce the emission of air contaminants

Activity of polish organisations participating in the EMAS scheme to reduce the emission of air contaminants

Factors influencing the level of job satisfaction of employees as the main internal stakeholders of organizations in the 21st century

The main purpose of the article is to identify the main factors that have the greatest impact on building satisfaction of employees who work in Polish organizations. In addition, the author will try to identify the expectations of respondents that apply to their workplaces and identify the most important problems and barriers in the surveyed organizations, occurring in the processes of human capital management. As the main research method, in addition to the literature analysis, of course, the author chose a survey, in the form of a structured interview, with team leaders and their employees. The entire research process was carried out in 44 purposefully selected Polish organizations, in 2021 (254 employees of these organizations took part in the survey). Of course, due to the number of subjects, the study has a pilot character. Based on the analysis of the literature and the conclusions of the survey, 4 main groups of determinants that have the greatest impact on the level of job satisfaction of respondents have been identified - they have been divided into professional and nonprofessional factors. In addition, the author described the main barriers that generate the most problems and dysfunctions that accompany respondents during their work.

„Pamiętnik Harbiński” (1923-1924) – periodyk kolonii polskiej w Harbinie (Chiny)

The article is a presentation of the periodical “Pamiętnik Harbiński” [“The Harbin Diary”], which was published in the town of Harbin in China, in the years 1923–1924. There was quite a big Polish colony, connected with eastern Chinese railway built by Russia. Its administrative center was located in the place that soon developed into an economically thriving town called Harbin, established in 1898. Fair working conditions attracted many engineers, white collar and blue collar workers, including great numbers of Poles. Their growing educational and cultural needs brought fruit in the formation of Polish organizations and associations, as well as in the development of publishing market. One of the 25 identified Polish periodical titles that were published in Harbin from the beginnings of press publishing movement in 1917 to the eradication of Polish Diaspora in 1949 was “Pamiętnik Harbiński” which, due to its characteristic profile, deserves to be analyzed in a much greater detail.

Factors affecting Quality 4.0 implementation in Czech, Slovak and Polish organizations: Preliminary research

With the proliferation of the Industry 4.0 paradigm, the inadequacy of conventional quality management tools has become increasingly apparent. The preliminary investigation presented in this paper focuses on the identification of the Quality 4.0 readiness level of organizations operating in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, as well as affecting factors. The study is based on the review of relevant literature. The web-based questionnaire enabling organizations' representatives through Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) to take part in the study was used. Data from 298 completed responses were subjected to comprehensive analysis. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were applied to analyse the data. Small and medium-sized organizations achieve low levels of Quality 4.0 readiness. Large organizations are better prepared. The study confirmed the dependence between the Quality 4.0 readiness level and whether the organization operates in automotive, while automotive organizations achieved a higher level of Quality 4.0 readiness than other organizations. The significant relationship between the Quality 4.0 readiness level and whether the organization has a certified management system was also confirmed. Received data also enabled the identification of the main barriers and benefits of Quality 4.0 implementation perceived by the organizations. The research findings identify the challenges that enterprises face regarding the Quality 4.0 implementation and the necessary support that organizations require. These findings can be a foundation for developing novel research initiatives and implementation programs. The research results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and bring new information and insights into the field of quality digitalization.

Sustainable Leadership Practices Based on the Logic of the Honeybee Pyramid—Comparison of Hungarian and Polish SMEs

The popularity of sustainability as a research topic in different areas of organisational functioning is marked by the number of studies on the topic. Significantly less research is addressing the factors that fundamentally influence the functioning of organisations. Among these factors, this paper will review the criteria for sustainable leadership. Competition in the economy has made it necessary to build sustainability capabilities in all areas of business, of which the practice of sustainable leadership is a fundamental requirement for making strategic decisions. This paper aims to examine the thinking, leadership styles, and decisions of leaders of organisations in everyday practice based on the pyramid logic of sustainable leadership. In this research, structured interviews with managers of Hungarian (32) and Polish (28) organisations were evaluated using the ‘Voyant tools’ 2.6.9. software. The results show that there is a significant difference between the Hungarian and Polish leadership mindsets, with both samples only partially meeting the expectations of what can be considered a sustainable leadership style in the spirit of the ‘Honeybee’ approach. Out of the 14 basic elements of the pyramid, the leaders of both nations reach the desired level in five cases. This study provides useful lessons for SME managers in developing sustainability management practices.

Obraz historii Polski (1818-1918) w komiksie Henryka Jerzego Chmielewskiego

Henryk Chmielewski is the author of a historical comic book devoted to the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence. The comic book of Chmielewski is a subjective vision of Polish history, because every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction. Artist says about very difficoult moment of Polish history (the 19th century, the early 20th century). He creates original story, argues, that the idea of Poland as an independent state was never not lost. Polish people were formed armyduring the Napoleonic Wars, and Polish organisations started major uprisings (the Polish–Russian War of 1830–1831 and the January Uprising of 1863-64). Chmielewski creates an interesting picture of the world with the use of many varying forms, different codes (e.g. picture, word, photography). He use various means of expression: semantic, linguistic, compositional (see values, compotents: metannaration, digression, opposition "we" - "they", stereotype, appropriate words - freedom, Poland, Poles, relationship: fiction - real world, illusion, colloquial language).

Digital transformation in HRM of the modern business service sector in Finland and Poland

Digital transformation in HRM of the modern business service sector in Finland and Poland

Polish Organizations in Ireland. A Stimulus for Research on the National Security of the Republic of Poland

The activities for Poland’s national security, including its independence and sovereignty, observed over the last centuries, justify reflection on the relevance of the undertakings of the Polish diaspora communities. Polish organizations operating in many countries, thanks to the cultivation of national identity, were able to contribute to Poland regaining its independence in 1918, support the fight against the Germans and Russians during World War II, and then act for liberation from communism. Therefore, the interest of the state assumes care for the Polish community abroad, both its connection with the country and strengthening its sense of responsibility for the homeland. The article presents the characteristics of Polish organizations in Ireland, where Polish emigration has rapidly increased in recent decades. It is stated that the Polish diaspora communities need systemic support from the Polish state through actions to ensure the integrity of the national identity of the Polish diaspora. In the Polish organisations, it is necessary to recognise the strength to promote Polishness, the concern for Poland’s national interest, but also the diverse potential for dealing with threats to Poland.

Women away from the altar! Resistance to the gender equality pressures in the Polish organisations of the Catholic Church in England, Sweden, and Belgium

ABSTRACT This article examines the practices that maintain the gender asymmetry in transnational migratory religious organisations, as exemplified by the Polish organisations of the Roman Catholic Church (so-called Polish Catholic Missions). Based on interviews with women and men involved in these structures as well as on our observations during fieldwork, we reconstruct the gendered division of work in such organisations, with a special focus on differentiation within the area of religious functions. Drawing on integrative theories of gender (especially of Raewyn Connell) and on the new institutionalist understanding of organisations, we investigate how and why these transnational religious bodies resist the normative pressures regarding gender equality stemming from the egalitarian contexts in which they function (England, Belgium, and Sweden).

Propagatorzy kultury polskiej w Wilnie i ich rola w krzewieniu polskości w niepodległej Litwie

The regaining of independence by Lithuania brought the Polish national minority a significant improvement in terms of the possibility of developing their own culture. This was particularly influenced by the opening of borders, which allowed closer contacts with Poland and Poles scattered around the world. This contributed to the creation of new Polish organizations, and above all to the construction of the Polish Cultural Centre in Vilnius, which became a place of cultural meetings. These activities were favourable for maintaining and developing national awareness, preserving and passing on identity to future generations. A special role in this process was played by people who, with their hard work and actions, put a lot of effort into promoting their native language and culture. Thanks to their efforts, Polish culture in Lithuania survived and stood out from other national minorities in these areas. Everyone who met these extraordinary people on their way tried to follow them and take care of the beautiful Polish culture and, just like them, pass it on to their surroundings. It should be noted that there are factors that unite people who identify with one nation and culture. Certainly, for Poles living in the Republic of Lithuania such factors included language, religion, literature, national songs and dances. Therefore, the activity of Polish song and dance ensembles, amateur theatres, various associations and cultural institutions, which particularly cultivated Polish culture, and by passing it on to the next generations, protected them from denationalisation.

Focus IBBY

Focus IBBY Carolina Ballester (bio) It has been a busy start of the year for IBBY. Preparation for the 2024 awards are underway, calls are being launched, and books are being sent and received to feed IBBY's great collections. Sadly, 2023 also brought moments of turmoil—a war still raging in Ukraine; civil unrest in Iran, Peru, and many more countries; and natural disasters in Anatolia and eastern Africa. Focus IBBY thus chooses to highlight various readingpromotion projects developed throughout our IBBY network. Yamada Fund The IBBY-Yamada fund has provided grants to projects aimed at promoting reading and access to books to children in all parts of the world since 2006. After two tumultuous years of the COVID-19 pandemic hampering the implementation of some projects, all the selected initiatives in 2022 managed to run as planned in Armenia, Cameroon, Cuba, France, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, and Zimbabwe. For 2023, the following projects have been granted funding. IBBY Argentina Primeros favoritos (First Favorites) Reading program through a literary competition where children ages four to six act as juries and evaluate books together with their teachers. IBBY Armenia Defenders of every child's right to become a reader: the great role of librarians in creating readers Workshop for librarians with foreign specialists. IBBY Cuba "Children, as soon as they can think, must think..." International workshop for reading promoters as part of the Leer el XXI regional conference. IBBY Haiti Reading programmes for displaced children Bibliotherapy with children from displaced families due to gang-related violence. IBBY Lebanon Library for refugees Renovation of a library and training in library practice and bibliotherapy for educators of the Jusoor center for Syrian children refugees in Lebanon. [End Page 81] IBBY Malaysia Literature Therapy for Malaysian Underprivileged Children Training workshop for teachers, volunteers, librarians, and social workers working with underprivileged children in Selangor (west coast) and Terengganu (east coast). IBBY Mongolia Building a network and increasing the capacity of children's reading promoters in Mongolia Creating awareness of children's reading and providing training to reading promoters, experienced or beginners. IBBY Nepal My environment, a clean environment Creating awareness among children of the proper management of waste plastic in urban areas through books. IBBY Zimbabwe Enhancing children's reading rights through drama Production of five audio and radio dramas to introduce local stories to children via community radio stations. Regular updates about the 2023 projects will be provided on the IBBY website. The projects supported by the Yamada Fund are developed by the IBBY National Sections, very often in close partnership with other local or international organizations. They are submitted to the IBBY Executive Committee once a year for approval upon the recommendation of its project subcommittee, which is currently formed by Sunjidmaa Jamba, Elena Pasoli, Doris Breitmoser, Ingrid Källström, and Denis Beznosov. IBBY Sections can apply for funding until July 15, 2023, for projects to be developed in 2024. Children in Crisis: New Projects and Ongoing Initiatives In the convulsed world we live in today, the number of projects embraced by the Children in Crisis Fund has increased. Designed to provide relief through books to children whose lives have been disrupted by wars, civil unrest, and natural disasters, the fund currently supports projects in Afghanistan, El Salvador, Lebanon, and Palestine and at the US-Mexico border, in addition to three new initiatives developed in the past twelve months. Books Give Refuge: Work with Ukrainian Refugee Children in Poland In March 2022, IBBY made an appeal to support the Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania (Universal Reading Foundation—URF), a Polish organization engaged in working with Ukrainian refugee children in Poland under the slogan #BooksGiveRefuge. Owing to individual donations and [End Page 82] solidarity from several IBBY National Sections, funds are being channeled toward this project via the Children in Crisis Fund. IBBY contacted Maria Deskur, CEO of the Universal Reading Foundation, to inquire about the latest developments of the project. Carolina Ballester (IBBY): How do you work on the ground with children and families of refugees? Maria Deskur (URF): With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Universal Reading Foundation launched a fundraiser to donate books to traumatized children, as well...

Patriotic and religious activity of the Gymnastic Society “Sokol” in the Polish lands (until 1939) – an outline

The Gymnastic Society “Sokol” (“Falcon”) (hereinafter: GS “Sokol”) was the first and for several years the only Polish organisation to obtain a permission from the authorities of the partitioning states to carry out its activities during the period of partitions. The first falcon nest was established in Lviv in 1867, with further nests being set up in the cities of the Austrian, Prussian and later Russian partitions. Although – as the name suggested – the GS “Sokoł” was a gymnastic association, other forms of activity also played a significant role in its programme of activity. Singing, reading and caring circles were formed in the nests and members of the GS “Sokoł” participated in religious and patriotic ceremonies, thus cultivating Polish national traditions. Evenings and rallies were organised, commemorating religious holidays and important events in the history of the Polish nation, which reminded us of common goals and ideals during the period of national captivity. “Sokol” took on the duty of teaching native speech and native history. The scope and nature of the patriotic and religious activity of the GS “Sokol” was best evidenced by the National Commandments and the National Sins which were contrasted with them. Their very name and number indicated deep religiousness of the falcons. It derived not only from the authentic faith of the members of the GS “Sokol” but from the ideology of the movement. In the tragic historical moments of national captivity they placed their hope in God and found solace in prayer. All Sokol celebrations as well as everyday activities of the GS “Sokol” were of a patriotic-religious nature.

Conflict in organizations – counterproductive behavior – causes, conditions and ways of solving in Polish conditions – historical perspective

Purpose: The presented article is an attempt to compare methods of resolving conflicts in contemporary realities in Polish organizations based on their empirical justification in a time perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on found empirical research put in perspective. Findings: Homo sociologicus (collective actor - e.g., large-industry workers) began to give way to individual-achievement logic and changes in the labor code. An orientation toward mediation as a means of resolving organizational conflicts is beginning to dominate. Research limitations/implications: A survival strategy in the organization becomes the phenomenon of organizational withdrawal, which corresponds to the perception of work in the hierarchy of values. The expectation of a kind of "task instruction" allows to avoid conflicts and at the same time opens a new field of research on the shape and nature of organizational culture - the dominance of collectivist or rather individualistic values. Practical implications: Changing employee behavior from a collective to an individualistic orientation makes it possible to identify the sources of employee anomie. Social implications: The analysis and conclusions raise the importance of the social dimension of the organization's functioning and the impact of the external environment on its functioning. Originality/value: The author emphasizes the importance of shifting attitudes toward the workplace in the formation of organizational culture. Keywords: organization, social conflict, industrial conflict, trade unions, labor anomie. Category of the paper: Research paper.