Entrepreneurial development in the economy of Poland

'Entrepreneurial Development in the Transitional Economy of Poland' is a research study that is constructed in six chapters. It focuses upon the nature of entrepreneurship through an intensive investigation of historical texts, theories and writings. The investigation of how history has led to changes in direction and development provides information that adds to the understanding of the current transitional economic position in Poland. The study places the entrepreneur at the forefront of the Polish politico economic landscape and identifies the entrepreneur as a catalyst for change and progress. Within wider world changes, this discussion and interrogation of entrepreneurial development in the economy of Poland provides new knowledge from the perspective of both a native Polish entrepreneur and the perceptions of 638 respondents who contributed to the research. A series of models were developed and interrogated to identify essential elements and factors within a transitional economy and they explore the constructs of Entrepreneurship through the lens of the researcher’s understanding of the field. The concluding model makes explicit that the constructs Freedom and History serve as moderators for entrepreneurial development in the Transitional Economy of Poland and suggests that the strength of an individual is created by the societal construct. The progress of entrepreneurs is enhanced if there is a political and economic freedom to operate that is informed by the historical knowledge. In the questionnaire developed in close relationship with devised models, each respondent completed a self-administered questionnaire in their own time which was collected in person by the researcher with a resultant larger than usual response rate. The questionnaire used for this research study consisted of two sections and was designed in both the English and the Polish languages under the English title 'Entrepreneurial Development in Transitional Economy of Poland' and the Polish translation titled 'Rozwoj Przedsiebiorczosci w Przejsciowym Systemie Gospodarczym Polski'. The findings from the model and the questionnaire were then supported through a number of analytical processes which reveal in more depth the characteristics of entrepreneurship from the perspective of the participants’ perceptions. A factor analysis was undertaken which revealed important findings that will contribute to an enhanced understanding of the characteristics of an entrepreneur. This new knowledge adds to the current collective knowledge of entrepreneurial practice and it will add substance to understanding the needs of an entrepreneur when operating in a transitional economy, or indeed any other economic system. Poland’s current unique position has provided the means by which both a controlled economy and a free market structure has been investigated to enhance understanding and to answer the research question as originally presented. The research concludes with a series of recommendations for further research possibilities. It also suggests that the economic, cultural and societal histories should be known to enable governments and individuals to understand their origins. It suggests that the strength of an individual is created by the societal construct and the progress of entrepreneurs is enhanced if there is a political and economic freedom to operate that is informed by the historical knowledge. It establishes that Entrepreneurs not only bring economic rewards but most importantly serve as the catalysts in the development of free market economy and democratisation of society.