Transformation In Poland Research Articles

Authoritarian innovations in the Polish industrial relations: From liberal to illiberal illusory corporatism?

The article addresses the problem of ‘authoritarian innovations’ in labour governance in Poland, understood as new government practices that maintain the semblance of social dialogue while limiting the influence of unions. Unlike most studies that analyse authoritarian practices since the right-wing Law and Justice Party came to power in Poland in 2015, this analysis takes a longer historical perspective. Drawing from Ost's thesis of ‘illusory corporatism’, it argues that a fundamental element of neoliberal transformation in Poland after 1989 was the introduction of weak tripartite institutions used to suppress social conflicts while complying with international standards. Based on documentary analysis and 37 expert interviews with social partners, the article shows how authoritarian innovations introduced in the 1990s have undermined worker participation and tripartite social dialogue in the context of two crises: the global financial crisis of 2008–12 and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–22. Comparing the role of social dialogue in shaping the responses of liberal and illiberal governments to these different external shocks, the analysis demonstrates the continuity and evolution of authoritarian innovations in labour governance in Poland and their implications for theoretical debates arounds corporatism.

Documentation management in small and medium-sized entities after the political transformation in Poland. Outline diagnoses

The quality of documenting an entity's own activities is an expression not only of conscious existence, but also protects its own interests and those of competitors. Among these interests, a prominent place is credit and reliability, the basis of trust in business. This device, however, has problems with the so-called documentary culture. It is true that they contain obligations imposed by law, but the lack of regulations and, perhaps above all, the lack of due care in providing information on activities in many applications make them files, units that grow in a less rather than more detailed manner. The consequences of this state of affairs can be troublesome, to say the least. The article about the author of the article presents an attempt to present an outline of the problem that concerns business and executive entities that have been verified in the document on public activities.

The Impact of Mental Models on the Transition from Communism to Capitalism. The Comparative Case Study of Azerbaijan and Poland

The purpose of the article. The breakdown of the so-called Eastern Bloc, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the demise of communism fueled transition processes in Central and Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and Central Asia. The great majority of transformation difficulties across different areas demonstrate that when pursuing the process of a structural change, it is important to take into account diverse sets of formal and informal institutions preserved in each country. Each country has a unique set of formal and informal institutions. These differences are easily observed between Poland and Azerbaijan. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast the outcomes of Poland and Azerbaijan's transitions from communism to capitalism and to identify the primary factors driving these two different transformations. Methodology. The paper presents two complementary methods to compare the transitions from communism to capitalism in Poland and Azerbaijan. The first method involves secondary analysis, where existing data from reputable sources such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) database, the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), and country reports are compiled to provide insights into economic, political, and social indicators. Additionally, a comparative case study approach is employed, using Geert Hofstede's six cultural dimensions framework to explore the cultural influences on transition outcomes. By integrating these methods, the study aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the transformation processes in Poland and Azerbaijan. Results of the research. The results of the analysis presented in the paper support the hypothesis that the historically-shaped differences in mental models and strong ties to international protectors determined the paths of transformations in Poland and Azerbaijan. The primary similarities and contrasts in the mindset are justified by the colonial or imperial history of the nations.

Political transformations in Poland: will a change of government lead to a change of course?

The article examines the consequences of the change of the Polish government, headed by the right-wing Euro-skeptical Law and Justice party, which has led this country since October 2015. The article presents an analysis of the results of the parliamentary elections in Poland, held on October 15, 2023, in which the PiS won a formal victory, which, however failed to form a majority coalition. As a result, the ruling alliance, which received the right to form a government, was made up of the pre-election association of the parties Civic Coalition, which included the Civic Platform parties led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Modern, the Greens and the Polish Initiative, the Third Way association, which included the parties Poland 2050, the Polish People's Party, the Center for Poland, and the Union the European Democrats, as well as the union of the Left, consisting of the parties New Left and Left together. The assessment of the activities of the leading Polish political parties over the previous four years is given, the main provisions of the election platforms of the main parties and coalitions that were elected to parliament following these elections are analyzed. To identify the dynamics of changes in the political situation in Poland, a comparative analysis of the results of the leading political parties of this country in the elections of 2019 and 2023 was carried out, as well as their main characteristics. The key differences in the approaches of the country's leading parties to the IpR and the Civic Platform on domestic and foreign policy issues, including their attitude to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, are analyzed. The process of forming a new Polish government and the influence of the country's President Andrzej Duda on it is considered.

The Economic and Social Dimension of Energy Transformation in the Face of the Energy Crisis: The Case of Poland

Energy transformation in Poland, including the need to accelerate the shift away from hard coal and lignite in the power system, has been taking place in the face of the energy crisis. Ambitious climate and economic goals force the development of renewable energy sources, but they require legislative changes for the benefit of socially vulnerable consumers. This is important from the point of view of counteracting energy poverty. Energy transformation is not only a change in the fuel used, but most of all, the path and basis of low-carbon development that changes many socio-economic systems. The aim of this study is to link the development and environmental challenges in the studied subject matter with social challenges. The analyses show that it is necessary to strengthen the use of local energy potential and resources, and to activate local communities. The construction of nuclear power plants is also crucial. The results of the presented theoretical and empirical studies can be the basis for a revision of the energy policy in Poland in the area of the social dimension of the energy sector.

THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES IN A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY

Purpose- The aim of the study was to show the issue of the competitiveness of enterprises in mod-ern economic conditions, where knowledge becomes particularly important - its place in the com-pany's resources, the extent to which it is used, the way in which it is collected or treated as an indispensable factor in the creation of competitive strategies. Design/methodology/approach- In this study, various research methods have been used, including: descriptive and comparative methods and induction. The choice of methods has been determined by the available research materials relating to business competitiveness and knowledge. The descripti-ve method is used to present key issues of this paper, in particular for historical considerations of competitiveness. The comparative method has been used wherever different positions have been presented and described or the selected research area has been discussed. In addition, the article uses a literature review, carried out using both Polish and foreign language positions. Findings- The results of this study show that the competitiveness of businesses is a very complex issue. The competitiveness of Polish small and medium-sized enterprises, which were the subject of the study, is unsatisfactory. This is probably due to internal and external factors. Among the exter-nal factors, it is worth mentioning, for example, the lack of systemic solutions related to cooperation in the triad science-business-administration, the lack of coherent solutions concerning the commer-cialisation of knowledge, which may result from the lack of tradition of such forms of cooperation in Poland. Moreover, Polish entrepreneurs operate within the framework of a free market economy for a relatively short period of time (conventionally, 1989 is assumed to be the beginning of social and economic transformations in Poland), which means that they often face problems that already exist in highly developed countries only in the past or do not exist in such intensity (finance, access to technology).Limitations/applications of testing- It should be stressed that the study was restricted to Polish small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. When analysing the results of the study, it should be borne in mind that the operating conditions of all entities change over time.Practical effects- The results of these studies have both theoretical and practical implications. In theoretical terms, they can contribute to further research into the issue of competitiveness, and can give rise to a broad academic discussion, especially in those areas that are not presented here but are important from the point of view of competitiveness. In practical terms, the results of research can inspire entrepreneurs to revise or strengthen their pro-innovative and pro-competitive activities. Orginality- This article makes a real contribution to the development of research relating to the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in a knowledge-based economy. The results of the research will provide an opportunity to broaden the research areas in the future and for managers and other entities they can provide a base of knowledge about competitiveness

Ciemny queer po polsku. Michaśki, zwrot historyczny i fantazmatyczne ciągi dalsze <i>Lubiewa</i>

The introduction of queer theories or, more broadly, the anthropology of sexuality, to the Polish humanities would not have succeeded if it had not been for literature. One of the most important literary texts that participated in and legitimized this process was <i>Lubiewo</i> (2005) by Michał Witkowski. The author treats this novel as a “primordial scene,” recording the splintering of a trauma that would recur in subsequent works by this author – especially <i>Fynf und cwanciś</i> (2015). An important, though not obvious, follow-up will also be a text published in private, non-institutional circulation – <i>Sto psów za zabicie kraba. Dziennik kubański</i> [One Hundred Dogs for Killing a Crab. A Cuban Diary]. The East-West distinction as “screens of projection,” the semi-peripherality of Eastern Europe and the transformation of Poland in the 1990s become the framework of analysis. With this approach to Witkowski’s work, the author presents conclusions that go beyond the literary text and relate to the Polish specificity of queer studies. Keywords: queer studies, Michał Witkowski, <i>Lubiewo</i>, Eastern Europe, otherness

The overview of Michael Novak’s economic and political theory in the context of his relations with Poland

Abstract Michael Novak’s concept of democratic capitalism in Poland aroused great interest for several reasons. The most important of them consisted in its close relation to the teaching of the Polish Pope John Paul II. The second was its temporal coincidence with the start of a political transformation in Poland, when a model of development consistent with Polish tradition and social expectations was sought. The third was related to its Slavic roots and origin, which gained in importance given a perceived civilizational backwardness of the countries belonging to the former socialist bloc. For Polish Catholic thinkers, the concept of democratic capitalism initially seemed to promise a smooth transition to a market economy, protecting society from the shock of a possible collision with predatory capitalism. But the discussions of Michael Novak’s conception which took place in Poland at that time were unfortunately burdened with fears of cultural pluralism and with leaving individuals too much freedom in implementing their own ways of achieving happiness. Polish conservatives, who were in power at that time, did not seem to understand the important need for a dynamic moral and cultural system in a society that was just starting its modernization processes. It is paradoxical, but in these discussions what was most feared was the weakening of religious traditions in Polish society. According to the author, this fear caused distrust of the democratic conception, and especially its moral foundations, which continues to this day. This paper, therefore, also contributes to reflection on to what extent the teachings of John Paul II have been absorbed in Polish conservative circles.

APARTMENT AND RESIDENCE OF INTER-WAR UNEMPLOYED DIARISTS OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY INSTITUTE – MEMORIES AND THEIR RECONSTRUCTIONS FROM THE YEARS 1945–1965

The aim of the article is to read, using a settlement infrastructure concept, the post-war issue of housing and inhabiting in Poland in the period 1945-1965 by t by found authors of unemployed diaries published by the Institute of Social Economy (IGS) in 1933. These issues result from the memoirs of the former unemployed collected by IGS, published in 1967. The article uses a method based on recalling housing and settlement fragments of observations, highlighting the main aspects of housing and inhabiting in each fragment. The method used to capture fates of units of a nature other than unemployment – fates waiting to be included in the structural housing and settlement picture of the first post-war decades in Poland. The final conclusions are an attempt at a synthesis of fates of this units. They also give the opportunity to make only some observations in terms of value and comparison with the results of research on the housing and inhabiting of unemployed IGS diarists in the interwar period and the market transformation in Poland after 1989.

Na marginesie traktatów. Dziedzictwo kulturowe zachodniej Polski w perspektywie ostatnich 30 lat – wybrane zagadnienia

The paper attempts to address contemporary selected phenomena that form the context of cultural heritage in western Poland. The statement refers to some social, legal and economic aspects that affect changes in the perception of cultural heritage in western Poland. Although the problems of cultural heritage in western Poland have been of interest to researchers for many years, new issues are emerging. According to the author, phenomena that can be observed in recent years are particularly interesting. These include the pronounced generational transformation in Poland and Germany, which is redefining the social perception of these problems. References to the significance of the German-Polish treaties in the perspective of the last several years are also interesting. The article poses the question of the real meaning of common heritage in the dimension of Polish-German relations.

Application of Heat Pumps in New Housing Estates in Cities Suburbs as an Means of Energy Transformation in Poland

This paper presents possible applications of heat pumps in buildings during the energy transformation and decarbonization of a country whose energy sector is highly centralized and based on coal. Contemporary cities are spreading beyond the existing borders and new areas cannot be supplied by the existing centralized district heating system. The only form of energy that is available on the outskirts of cities is electricity, which means that it must be used for all energy needs, including heating. In such a case, the use of heat pumps is perfectly justified in terms of energy, economy and environment, especially when they are coupled with photovoltaic systems. Hypothetical micro housing estate energy systems based on photovoltaics and heat pumps are analyzed in the paper. New options for configuration and operation of the energy systems are considered. Results of a simulation study show that by creating a common local electricity network and a local heating network powered by a central heat pump, the direct use of electricity generated in the local photovoltaic systems increases from 25% to at least 35%, thanks to enabling more even storing and consuming of solar energy during a day, compared to the independent operation of energy systems at individual houses.

Comics and Nation: Power, Pop Culture and Political Transformation in Poland. EwaStanczyk. Ohio State UP, 2022, 211 pp. $34.95 paper.

Comics and Nation: Power, Pop Culture and Political Transformation in Poland. EwaStanczyk. Ohio State UP, 2022, 211 pp. $34.95 paper.

Trends and determinants of post-integration agricultural transformation in Poland and Bulgaria

Trends and determinants of post-integration agricultural transformation in Poland and Bulgaria

Population change and the settlement system transformation in Poland, as revealed by the 2021 census

Population change and the settlement system transformation in Poland, as revealed by the 2021 census

The Dispute about the Vision of Man in the Research and Didactic Activity of Prof. Zofia Józefa Zdybicka USAHJ: An Attempt to Reconstruct the Pedagogical Dimension of the Philosopher’s Life and Work as a Voice in the Discussion on the Issue of Conservative Pedagogy

The article is devoted to reconstruct the pedagogical dimension of the life and work of Zofia Józefa Zdybicka USAHJ. This is done by revealing the values that guided the researcher in her life, her commitment to work for the community, but above all by her contribution to reading the issue of the philosophical foundations of pedagogy, in particular the relationship between theses in the field of philosophical anthropology and the direction of educational practice. Hence, in the content of the article, elements of the biography and memories of the philosopher were recalled, showing her as a person devoted to the upbringing of young generations and a leading Polish Thomist associated with the academic community of the Faculty of Christian Philosophy of the Catholic University of Lublin, involved in disputes about the vision of man. The subject of the analysis is her research activity in two periods of modern Polish history: (1) when the communists were in power and (2) nowadays, when we see a strong influence of liberal currents on the intellectual formation of young people. We put forward the thesis that an attitude towards religion determined, and continues to determine, the axis of the dispute both in the times of the dominance of Marxist anthropology in pedagogy and in the vision of man, which is the backbone of the culture of late modernity. Is Zdybicka a conservative educator? You would have to ask the Professor about that. In the article, we indicate that a conservative value found in the philosopher’s works can be seen as her statements for the need to secure the spiritual and transcendent dimension of human existence in upbringing. Analyses in the article are based on several selected texts of the scholar, including Participation of being. Attempt to explain the relation between the world and God (1972); Person and Religion. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (in Polish 1977; in English: New York 1991); Religion and The Religion Sciences (1988); God or Sacred? (2007); Atheism Trap (2012). The article consists of two parts. Part 1 presents the essence of the dispute about the vision of man from the perspective of Zdybicka’s metaphysical research on religion. Part 2 presents a comparison of the two models of humanism: theocentric (which the scholar supports) and anthropocentric (in the Marxist and postmodern version) in the context of the criticism of atheism that the scholar conducted when Marxism prevailed in Polish educational systems (Part 2.1) and after the political transformation in Poland since the 1990s (Part 2.2), when the possibility of changing anthropological foundations in education opened up.

Finansowanie transformacji klimatyczno-energetycznej z funduszy i programów Unii Europejskiej z perspektywy samorządu terytorialnego

Purpose – The aim of the article is to indicate EU funds and programs for 2021–2027 supporting the climate and energy transformation, from the perspective of the tasks of local government. Research method – Several methods were used in the research: literature studies, review of EU legislation and budgets, national programs, descriptive and comparative analysis. Results – In the context of the political and energy crisis, the goal of achieving climate neutrality of the EU economy in 2050 and intermediate targets by 2030 has increased the importance of climate and energy targets and their inclusion in the mainstream of EU policy and budget. In the years 2021–2027, it is planned to allocate at least 30% of the general budget expenditure, including Recovery and Resilience Facility, to them. The reduction of GHG emissions, improvement of energy efficiency and decarbonization of the economy were subordinated to the Cohesion Policy funds and Just Transition Fund, the CAP funds, CEF, LIFE Programme, etc. Integrating EU and national resources and different financing mechanisms are key to the success of the climate and energy transformation in local governments. Originality /value /implications /recommendations – Due to the scale of climate and energy transformation in Poland and budget constraints reported by local governments, the article has an application value, complementing research on the decarbonization of the economy.

„Samorządna Rzeczpospolita” – ideowy drogowskaz „Solidarności”

In the autumn of 1981, the 1st National Congress of Delegates of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” took place, which democratically elected its authorities and adopted a modern program. The program covered all areas of life. Its basis was supposed to be workers’ self-government. The gradual implementation of the program was to lead to the democratization of the system through free elections at the regional and then national level. The introduction of martial law made it impossible to start reforms and delayed the political transformation. During the system change in 1989, during the Round Table talks, some of the provisions contained in the “Solidarity” program were used. We can acknowledge that the 1st National Congress of Solidarity Delegates played a role in the process of political and social transformation in Poland. Further implementation of the postulates was possible in a democratic system.

„Samorządna Rzeczpospolita” – ideowy drogowskaz „Solidarności”

In the autumn of 1981, the 1st National Congress of Delegates of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” took place, which democratically elected its authorities and adopted a modern program. The program covered all areas of life. Its basis was supposed to be workers’ self-government. The gradual implementation of the program was to lead to the democratization of the system through free elections at the regional and then national level. The introduction of martial law made it impossible to start reforms and delayed the political transformation. During the system change in 1989, during the Round Table talks, some of the provisions contained in the “Solidarity” program were used. We can acknowledge that the 1st National Congress of Solidarity Delegates played a role in the process of political and social transformation in Poland. Further implementation of the postulates was possible in a democratic system.

Neo-colonialism in the Polish rural world: CAP approach and the phenomenon of suitcase farmers

Notwithstanding the opportunities it provides, the implementation of some measures of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (EU CAP), including agri-environment-climate measures (AECMs), also generates threats. The study identifies an extremely disturbing process that can be referred to as “internal neo-colonialism”, which has been driven by the technocratic agrarian policy of the EU and transformations in Poland at the turn of the twenty-first century. The associated disadvantageous practices mainly affect areas under threat of marginalisation and peripheralisation, including Poland with its post-Socialist heritage, which has shaped the attitudes and behaviour of society and has consolidated linkages between politics and business. In order to retrace such activities, the study analyses EU funds granted in support of farmers implementing AECMs, with a focus on analysing the place of residence of the “farmer” and the location of the farm. As the research shows, the attractiveness of CAP support causes Polish agriculture and Poland’s countryside, including its natural and financial resources, to be drained by so-called “suitcase farmers”, i.e. people/entities not tied to the place where the agricultural activity is pursued, many of whom live in cities. One common practice is to take over land located in legally protected areas noted for their high quality of natural environment. Not only does the practice of land grabbing strengthen the social exclusion of rural communities and the peripheralisation and pauperisation of these areas, but it also hinders discussion about environmental justice and the ecological integrity of rural areas.

Why Women Became the Enemy of Democracy in Poland? The Illiberal Regime’s Response to the Women’ Rights Movement

After the political transformation in Poland, abortion was first regulated by the Law of 7 January 1993, Protection of the Human Fetus and Conditions Permitting Pregnancy Termination. Since then, attempts have been made to change the existing regulation. However, it was in 2016 that there were nationwide protests against changes to abortion provisions, and then in 2020, when the constitutional court ruling limited the possibility of termination of pregnancy in Poland. These protests can be seen in the context of the process of neo-militant democracy rule implementation, that is, the taking over the characteristics of non-democratic regimes by existing democracies under the cover of the regime self-preservation. The aim of this article is to identify and explain the government’s attitude towards women as an enemy of democracy at the institutional level during the two waves of protests. The study shows that during the period considered, restrictions specific to neo-militant democracies in the area of assembly and association, speech and press and restrictions on religious freedom were imposed in order to limit the activity of protesters viewed as enemies of the democratic system.