Wyniki wyszukiwania - BazTech

1

The internationalization of Polish and German enterprises – comparative analysis

Komor Marcin

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2025

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z. 217

197--220

EN

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to recognize and characterize the process of internationalization of Polish and German enterprises and to identify the differences in the globalization process of these entities on the basis of a comparative analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The adopted research process oriented towards achieving the purpose of the work was multi-stage, embracing the analysis of source literature, performing qualitative empirical research using the case study method, conducting in-depth interviews with managers of Polish and German enterprises, using the qualitative content analysis technique in the diagnosis, and developing case studies of Polish and German enterprises. Findings: The study made it possible, among others, to identify the course of the internationalization process, forms and markets of foreign operations, the rationale of Polish and German enterprises for undertaking internationalization, and to isolate differences in foreign operations between the entities under study. Research limitations/implications: The research results presented in this paper used a qualitative approach. One of the limitations is that qualitative research is generally based on smaller samples. Future research can use the demonstrated qualitative findings as important source of information for forthcoming quantitative studies, e.g. the ones conducted on large quoted samples, and they can also provide a basis for formulating and developing hypotheses in quantitative studies. Practical implications: The applied value of the results of the study and the obtained identifications is that they can be used by Polish entities in their ongoing or planned expansion into foreign markets. They can also constitute a recommendation for government and local agencies in terms of supporting enterprises in their foreign endeavours. The results of the study of German entities can be significantly meaningful for managers of Polish companies, allowing them to apply best practices in the process of internationalization of their enterprises. Originality/value: The comparative analysis of Polish and German companies indicates the existence of differences in the internationalization processes of the surveyed companies, the identification of these differences provides valuable insight and tips for researchers and practitioners. The paper is aimed at both scientists and practitioners.

2

The internationalization of enterprises in the face of globalization – identification of key issues and models

Zygosz Wiktor

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2025

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z. 221

683--702

EN

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on business internationalization, with a focus on assessing the level of scholarly interest in the topic over time, identifying key thematic areas within the literature, and determining the relative popularity of different internationalization models. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs bibliometric analysis to achieve its research objectives. Data extracted from the Web of Science database were analyzed using VOSviewer software, allowing for the identification of publication trends, key thematic areas, and the relative prevalence of various internationalization models in academic literature. The study provides a quantitative overview of the field, mapping research interests and conceptual developments within the domain of business internationalization. Findings: The study reveals a growing academic interest in business internationalization, with publication activity peaking in 2019. Bibliometric analysis identified key thematic areas, including internationalization processes, performance outcomes, strategies, knowledge transfer, and the role of SMEs. The analysis also mapped the prevalence of internationalization models, with Foreign Direct Investment being the most frequently referenced, followed by the Network Approach, Born Global, Resource-Based View, and the Uppsala Model. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to Web of Science data, excluding other sources. The bibliometric approach lacks qualitative assessment and does not verify keyword co-occurrence, potentially overestimating references to internationalization models. Future research should integrate multiple databases, qualitative analysis, and temporal trends. Originality/value: The study maps research trends in business internationalization, highlighting key themes and dominant models. It offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners exploring international business dynamics.

3

Selected methods for measuring market and sector globalization and enterprise internationalization

Kuraś Piotr

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2025

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z. 224

255--281

EN

Purpose: This paper aims to identify and describe the methods for measuring the level of globalization of national economies and sectors, as well as the level of internationalization of the business activities of manufacturing enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is of a theoretical nature. The literature review served as the starting point, allowing for the assessment of the current state of knowledge on measuring globalization and internationalization. This allowed for the formulation of the research problem. Findings: There is no single, universally recognized and accepted way to measure globalization, either at the level of economies or sectors. Globalization is a complex, complicated and multidimensional process. Researchers propose qualitative approaches, while quantitative measurement concepts are also known and developed. The level of internationalization is most often studied through the prism of either geographical scope or the degree of foreign involvement in particular activities. Research limitations and implications: The research systematizes and synthesizes scientific knowledge in measuring the processes of globalization and internationalization. The main limitation of this research is that, due to the complexity of the studied phenomena and the nature of this article, it is not possible to provide a comprehensive analysis or exhaustive description. The paper presents only the most useful attempts to formally describe these, after all, qualitative economic phenomena. Practical and social implications: The article is addressed mainly to the scientific community. The methods presented here can be a starting point for discovering new relationships and interdependencies. For example, the relationship between the level of internationalization and corporate performance can be studied. The results of such research can help managers make decisions about the scope and intensity of a company's foreign operations. Originality and value: The originality of the research lies in the attempt to systematize and synthesize the scattered scientific studies on measuring the internationalization of enterprises and the globalization of sectors and economies. The conclusions of this paper contribute to a better understanding of these phenomena.

4

Green innovation and firm’s internationalisation

Mierzejewska Wioletta, Dziurski Patryk, Czakó Erzsébet

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2025

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z. 223

353--365

EN

Purpose: Green innovation and internationalization have gained the attention of scholars and practitioners around the world. However, research on the relationship between green innovation and internationalization are still fragmented and scant. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between green innovation and internationalization. Design/methodology/approach: This is a quantitative study that uses survey data from large and innovative firms in Poland. It uses the cross-tabulation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test to verify if there are differences in green innovation between domestic, international and global firms. Findings: The study confirm the mutual interdependence of internationalization and green innovation showing that there are differences between firms with different scope of geographical operations. Our study shows that global companies focus more on green innovation than domestic ones. Unfortunately, the differences between domestic and multinational companies as well as multinational and global companies are not found. Research limitations/implications: Findings from this study extend knowledge both in the field of international business and innovation showing the positive relationship between green innovation and internationalization of firms, but not in case of all companies. Our study has limitation as it focuses only on large and innovative companies in Poland, and it uses the simple scale of internationalization. Practical implications: Our study shows that green innovation in not only a necessity for firms around the world, but it might positively impact the internationalization of firms. Simultaneously, internationalization can enhance green innovation as international companies have more opportunities to create collaborating network and source knowledge. Originality/value: This study builds and extends previous research on the breadth of internationalization and green innovation. It confirms the positive relationship between green innovation and international scope of operation of a firm, but it shows that these differences are only between domestic and global firms.

5

Attitudes, involvement, and expectations of academic staff towards the process of university internationalization

Dudek-Muczyńska Izabela, Barbucha Dariusz, Kizielewicz Joanna

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2025

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z. 224

79--106

EN

Purpose: Internationalization can be a process of improving a university's operations in educational, scientific, and organizational dimensions. It enhances university’s attractiveness offering opportunities for staff mobility and career development on an international level. The aim of this article is to assess attitudes, behaviors, and needs of academic teachers regarding internationalization and to provide recommendations for university authorities on actions that support international exchange. Design/methodology/approach: Research was conducted using diagnostic survey method carried out with CAWI technique and secondary research, including analysis of existing materials, literature queries, and desk research. Findings: Research results showed that academic teachers assess level of internationalization as low or average, particularly in the area of education. Positive evaluations accounted for 16% in the area of research and collaboration, and 11% in education, alongside a high percentage of negative assessments. Predominance of average ratings and lack of opinion among some respondents may indicate low effectiveness and limited visibility of university's current internationalization efforts. This leads to conclusion that internationalization targeted at academic staff requires further action. Research limitations/implications: Research was conducted among employees of a selected higher education institution. Conducting research on a broader sample of respondents from various universities would provide more comprehensive picture of the phenomena and help identify relationships and conditions beyond those presented in the article. Similar studies could also be conducted among administrative employees, to make a complete diagnosis. Practical implications: Research results may be source of insight for university authorities and units responsible for internationalization processes. Social implications: Process of internationalizing universities in Poland can create opportunities for development and increase competitiveness of higher education institutions and contribute to deepening inequalities in access to professional development opportunities among academic staff. Pressure placed on research and teaching staff to be mobile, participate in international internships and research projects, and publish in English affects their working conditions and professional identity. Originality/value: Subject of the study is the scope of university internationalization and its impact on improving quality of education and scientific research.

6

Identification of Key Educational Needs in Academic Training in Wood Technology and Furniture Design: Results of a Survey Study

Niedbała Mateusz, Burawska Izabela

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW. Forestry and Wood Technology

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2025

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No. 130

26--35

EN

The aim of the article is to identify key educational needs of students and doctoral candidates in engineering, technical and natural sciences, with a particular focus on wood technology and furniture design. The study is based on an analysis of 387 survey responses addressing technical, design, environmental, digital and intercultural competences. The results reveal strong interest in advanced technologies, sustainable design, LCA methods and practical learning formats, alongside significant competence gaps in the use of specialized software, practical experience and international collaboration. Respondents emphasize the need to increase the number of practical courses, strengthen interdisciplinary integration and enhance cooperation between universities and industry. The findings also indicate insufficient linguistic and intercultural competences, which are increasingly important in the context of higher education internationalization. The results provide a basis for recommendations concerning the modernization of curricula as well as the design of summer schools and short educational programmes aligned with contemporary technological, environmental and labour market challenges.

PL

Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja kluczowych potrzeb edukacyjnych studentów i doktorantów kierunków inżynieryjno-technicznych oraz przyrodniczych, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem obszaru technologii drewna i meblarstwa. Badanie oparto na analizie 387 ankiet, obejmującej kompetencje techniczne, projektowe, środowiskowe, cyfrowe oraz międzykulturowe. Wyniki wskazują na silne zainteresowanie nowoczesnymi technologiami, zrównoważonym projektowaniem, metodami LCA oraz praktycznymi formami nauczania, a także na istotne luki kompetencyjne w zakresie obsługi specjalistycznego oprogramowania, doświadczenia praktycznego i współpracy międzynarodowej. Respondenci podkreślają potrzebę zwiększenia liczby zajęć praktycznych, integracji interdyscyplinarnej oraz intensyfikacji współpracy uczelni z przemysłem. Badania ujawniają również niedostateczny poziom kompetencji językowych i międzykulturowych, istotnych w kontekście rosnącej internacjonalizacji kształcenia. Wyniki stanowią podstawę rekomendacji dotyczących modernizacji programów dydaktycznych, projektowania szkół letnich oraz krótkich form edukacyjnych odpowiadających współczesnym wyzwaniom technologiczno-środowiskowym oraz wymaganiom rynku pracy.

7

Evaluating the university-based activities towards the concept of an entrepreneurial university: reflections on a case of a HEI

Badzińska Ewa

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2024

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z. 202

9--30

EN

Purpose: This paper attempts to shed some light on the entrepreneurial university concept through the examination of a selected technical university in Poland in the opinions of international master's students. The main objective of the research is to gain insights of students’ evaluation of entrepreneurial activities, incentives and support measures offered to them at the university as well as to identify areas requiring improvement or change to fit into the concept of an entrepreneurial university. Design/methodology/approach: The nature of the case study is descriptive and practical orientated. The technical university case of implementation of the entrepreneurial university framework was selected with a purposeful sampling technique. Primary data were obtained in 2022-2023 using the method of reflection (112 reflective essays from international master's students), participatory observation, inductive method with an interpretative approach, and inference in the form of recommendations. Findings: Even as a subjective and descriptive case study, it illustrates the real entrepreneurial practice in implementing the concept of an entrepreneurial university. The findings provide insight into students’ expectations for effective result-driven entrepreneurship education and business collaboration. Furthermore, the study highlights areas requiring improvement to build more effective entrepreneurial pathways and inclusion for international students. Research limitations/implications: Due to the purposeful selected informants within the case and its qualitative nature, no generable conclusions can be drawn. Moreover, the subjective nature of the essays and the language barrier could have influenced the perception and evaluation of entrepreneurial incentives and support measures offered at the university by foreign-language students. Practical implications: The examples of good practice reflected in the study and the recommendations for improvement can be an inspiration for academics, students and university decision-makers involved with entrepreneurship, internationalization and the study at higher education more broadly. Originality/value: The originality of the conducted qualitative research lies in presenting the real university context and international students’ reflections on supporting activities and gaps in the field of entrepreneurship development at a technical university. The value resulting from the study are recommendations with practical implications for the University authorities, the academic community and institutions supporting entrepreneurship.

8

Infrastructure for supporting the process of internationalization of higher education: the experience of Poland

Ostenda Aleksander, Kaprunovska Alla, Padchenko Olena, Livshun Oleksandr

Zeszyty Naukowe Wyższej Szkoły Technicznej w Katowicach

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2023

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T. 16

171--184

EN

The article proposes a definition of the term „infrastructure supporting the process of internationalization of higher education” and examines its role in the development of higher education in the context of globalization and strengthening of international relations, focusing on the experience of Poland. The authors of the article highlight the importance and functions of the infrastructure supporting the process of internationalization of higher education at different levels - academic, institutional, and systemic. Support infrastructure is considered as a system of organizational, structural, human, financial and informational resources created and maintained by higher education institutions, government bodies, international organizations, and other stakeholders to promote the internationalization of higher education. Special attention is paid to the analysis of three infrastructure subsystems supporting the internationalization of higher education: international, state, and private. The example of Poland is given as an example of a successful country that is actively developing the internationalization of its higher education institutions, becoming attractive to foreign students, and the infrastructure supporting the internationalization of higher education plays a key role in creating favourable conditions for international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

PL

W artykule zaproponowano definicję pojęcia „infrastruktura wspierająca proces umiędzynarodowienia szkolnictwa wyższego” oraz zbadano jej rolę w rozwoju szkolnictwa wyższego, w kontekście globalizacji i zacieśnienia stosunków międzynarodowych, skupiając się na doświadczeniach Polski. Autorzy artykułu podkreślają znaczenie i funkcje infrastruktury wspierającej proces internacjonalizacji szkolnictwa wyższego na różnych poziomach – akademickim, instytucjonalnym i systemowym. Infrastruktura wspierająca jest rozumiana jako system zasobów organizacyjnych, strukturalnych, ludzkich, finansowych i informacyjnych, tworzony i utrzymywany przez instytucje szkolnictwa wyższego, organy rządowe, organizacje międzynarodowe i innych interesariuszy w celu promowania umiędzynarodowienia szkolnictwa wyższego. Szczególną uwagę poświęcono analizie trzech podsystemów infrastruktury wspierających internacjonalizację szkolnictwa wyższego: międzynarodowego, państwowego i prywatnego. Podano przykład Polski jako kraju odnoszącego sukcesy, który aktywnie rozwija internacjonalizację swoich uczelni, stając się atrakcyjnym dla zagranicznych studentów, a infrastruktura wspierająca internacjonalizację szkolnictwa wyższego odgrywa kluczową rolę w tworzeniu sprzyjających warunków do międzynarodowej współpracy i wymiany wiedzy.

9

The policy (strategy) of financing Polish joint stock companies, in the context of their internationalization

Różański Jerzy

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2023

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z. 169

623--636

EN

Purpose: In the scientific literature in Poland, but also in the world, there is a lack of publications defining the relationship occurring between the internationalization of the enterprise and its financing strategy, most fully reflected in the capital structure. The point, therefore, is to examine to what extent the various stages of internationalization of the enterprise (export, establishment of subsidiaries, acquisition of enterprises in countries hosting foreign investors) affect the capital structure. It was also necessary to examine whether the sector of the business has an impact on the presence, or non-occurrence, of these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate this, the ratios of internationalization of sales and the share of debt in total company financing were compared, and Lillefors and Fisher- Snedecor statistical tests were applied to 28 apparel companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. At the same time, a case study of the LPP group, the largest apparel company in Poland, was developed to determine why the apparel sector was found to lack such relationships. The results of the study were compared with the results of research previously conducted at home and abroad. Findings: It was shown that in the apparel sector, no statistically significant relationship was found between internationalization and changes in capital structure. It was found, using the example of LPP, that the foreign expansion of Polish companies in the apparel industry is increasingly associated with the use of online sales, which does not result in an increase in costs that could cause an increasing need for foreign capital. However, it also does not result in a reduction in the size of financing, as a study of Malaysian companies would suggest. Originality/value: The lack of research in this area indicates its originality. At the same time, the already conducted and further intended research will make it possible to estimate how the demand for capital will or will not change in enterprises depending on the sector of enterprise activity. After all, studies conducted in the construction sector have shown a far-reaching dependence, which, however, is not the content of the presented study.

10

Capital structure of polish joint stock companies in the process of internationalization

Bogołębska Justyna

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2023

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z. 169

145--156

EN

Purpose: In the scientific literature in Poland, but also in the world, there is a lack of publications defining the relationship occurring between the internationalization of the enterprise and the structure of financing. Therefore, the extent to which the various stages of internationalization of the enterprise defined according to the literature affect the capital structure was examined. It was investigated whether the sector of the business has an impact on the occurrence or non-occurrence of these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate this, the ratios of internationalization of sales and the share of debt in total company financing were compared, and Lillefors and Fisher- Snedecor statistical tests were applied to 44 construction industry companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The results of the research were compared with the results of studies previously conducted at home and abroad. Findings: It was shown that a statistically significant relationship between internationalization and changes in capital structure was found in the sector. It was found that the peculiarities of the construction sector indicate the high capital intensity of the internationalization process of these companies and the high dependence of the internationalization process and the formation of the capital structure of this process. Originality/value: The lack of research in this area demonstrates its originality. It has been shown in pilot studies conducted before the stage of target research for the following article that the specifics of the sector determine the dependence on the capital structure or the complete absence of this dependence.

11

Strategie umiędzynarodowienia polskich przedsiębiorstw na eurorynku

Komor Marcin

Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania

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2023

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T. 18, nr 4

119--134

PL

W publikacji podjęto rozważania dotyczące wyboru odpowiednich form umiędzynarodowienia na rynku UE przez polskie przedsiębiorstwa. Celem pracy jest identyfikacja odpowiednich strategii internacjonalizacji polskich przedsiębiorstw na eurorynku, z uwzględnieniem oceny MŚP i dużych podmiotów oraz przedsiębiorstw ze względu na wielkość przychodów zagranicznych. W części teoretycznej omówiono zagadnienia związane z umiędzynarodowieniem na eurorynku oraz wyjaśniono znaczenie form eksportowych, kontraktowych, kooperacyjnych oraz inwestycji zagranicznych. Artykuł o charakterze badawczym oparto na wynikach analiz przeprowadzonych na próbie polskich przedsiębiorstw. Sformułowano cztery hipotezy badawcze. W celu ich weryfikacji posłużono się analizami statystycznymi, tj. deskryptywną oraz testem niezależności chi-kwadrat. Na podstawie testów statystycznych nie stwierdzono występowania zależności między wielkością przedsiębiorstwa a formami umiędzynarodowienia na eurorynku. Wykazano jednak, że występują zależności między grupami przedsiębiorstw ze względu na wielkość przychodów zagranicznych a strategiami umiędzynarodowienia na eurorynku, w szczególności odnośnie do form kooperacji oraz inwestycji kapitałowych. Ponadto zidentyfikowano na eurorynku odpowiednie strategie ekspansji, do których zdaniem badanych należą głównie formy eksportowe, w mniejszym zakresie kontaktowe i inwestycji zagranicznych oraz rzadziej kooperacyjne. Najmniej odpowiednimi strategiami internacjonalizacji polskich przedsiębiorstw są formy kooperacyjne zarówno dla małych oraz średnich przedsiębiorstw, jak i podmiotów o wysokich przychodach zagranicznych. Końcowa część artykułu zawiera wnioski i podsumowanie.

EN

The paper tackles the issue of the selection of appropriate forms of internationalization on the EU market by Polish businesses. The objective of the article is to identify appropriate strategies for the internationalization of Polish businesses on the Euromarket, taking into account the assessment of SMEs and large entities and enterprises attributable to the volume of foreign revenues. The theoretical part export, contract, cooperation and foreign investment forms. The research paper is based on the results of analyzes conducted on a sample model of Polish enterprises. Four research hypotheses were formulated. In order to verify them, statistical analyzes were used, i.e. the descriptive statistics method and the chi-square test of independence. Predicated on statistical tests, no relationship was found between the size of a business and the forms of internationalization on the Euromarket. However, it was proved that there are dependencies between groups of enterprises depending on the volume of foreign revenues and internationalization strategies on the Euromarket, in particular regarding forms of cooperation and capital investments. In addition, appropriate expansion strategies on the Euromarket were identified, which, according to the respondents, include mainly export forms, to a lesser extent contractual forms and foreign investments, and less often cooperative ones. The least applicable strategies for the internationalization of Polish businesses are cooperative forms, both for small and medium-sized enterprises and for entities with high foreign revenues. The final part of the paper consists of conclusions and a summary.

12

The effects of internationalization of medium and large Polish furniture enterprises

Grzegorzewska Emilia

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW. Forestry and Wood Technology

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2023

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No. 121

154--160

EN

The effects of internationalization of medium and large Polish furniture enterprises. Internationalization is currently one of the most important development paths for Polish furniture companies. This is mainly due to the relatively low level of internal demand and the significant production capabilities of Polish furniture manufacturers. The phenomenon of internationalization of a company undoubtedly brings many benefits. However, companies are also aware of the negative consequences that may arise as a result of the internationalization process. The article concerns the positive and negative effects of the internationalization of furniture companies. The research was conducted among 100 medium and large producers. The research shows that the respondents considered financial aspects to be the most important positive effects of internationalization, in particular increasing profits and increasing the value of the company. Moreover, the increase in the company's competitiveness as well as the increased level of knowledge and technology transfer were emphasized. The least attention was paid to the possibility of obtaining qualified employees and access to limited resources. In turn, the negative consequences of internationalization processes included dependence on the foreign economic situation, the need to adapt the offer to the specificity of the market, as well as an increase in coordination and management costs.

PL

Skutki internacjonalizacji średnich i dużych polskich przedsiębiorstw meblarskich. Internacjonalizacja stanowi obecnie jedną z ważniejszych ścieżek rozwoju polskich przedsiębiorstw meblarskich. Wynika to głównie z relatywnie niskiego poziomu popytu wewnętrznego oraz znacznych możliwości produkcyjnych polskich producentów mebli. Zjawisko umiędzynarodowienia przedsiębiorstwa niewątpliwie wiąże się z licznymi korzyściami. Jednak firmy mają również świadomość negatywnych konsekwencji, które mogą pojawiać się w wyniku procesu internacjonalizacji. W artykule zwrócono uwagę na pozytywne, jak i negatywne skutki umiędzynarodowienia firm meblarskich. Badania przeprowadzono wśród 100 średnich i dużych producentów. Z badań wynika, że wśród najważniejszych, pozytywnych skutków umiędzynarodowienia respondenci wskazali aspekty finansowe, w tym zwiększenie zysków i wzrost wartości przedsiębiorstwa. Ponadto akcentowano wzrost konkurencyjności firmy, a także zwiększony poziom transferu wiedzy i technologii. W najmniejszym stopniu zwrócono uwagę na możliwość pozyskania wykwalifikowanych pracowników oraz dostęp do ograniczonych zasobów. Z kolei wśród negatywnych konsekwencji procesów internacjonalizacji wskazano uzależnienie od koniunktury zagranicznej, konieczność dostosowania oferty do specyfiki rynku, a także wzrost kosztów koordynacji zarządzania.

13

Internationalization processes of Polish furniture enterprises - financial aspects in the light of empirical research

Grzegorzewska Emilia

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW. Forestry and Wood Technology

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2023

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No. 124

132--128

EN

Internationalization processes of Polish furniture enterprises - financial aspects in the light of empirical research. One of the most important elements determining the proper implementation of internationalization processes is the availability of financing sources. They are of key importance for the success of foreign expansion. Internationalization requires financial outlays related to introducing products to a new market and adapting them to diverse customer requirements. Research by Polish furniture manufacturers shows that the most important source of financing for internationalization was equity capital. Every second surveyed company financed its foreign expansion with bank loans or loans. The least important sources of financing for internationalization were government subsidies and institutional investors. The most important financial benefit resulting from expanding the business to foreign markets was an increase in the level of profit. However, 42% of respondents indicated an increase in production efficiency as a positive aspect of internationalization, and an increase in financial liquidity was confirmed by 37% of respondents. The least important financial benefit was a decrease in operating costs. Only 2% of respondents stated that they did not experience any financial benefits because of foreign expansion, and it is worth emphasizing that this answer was given only by respondents from companies employing from 49 to 249 persons.

PL

Procesy internacjonalizacji polskich przedsiębiorstw meblarskich – aspekty finansowe w świetle badań empirycznych. Jednym z ważniejszych elementów warunkujących prawidłową realizację procesów internacjonalizacji jest dostępność źródeł finansowania. Mają one bowiem kluczowe znaczenie dla powodzenia ekspansji zagranicznej. Internacjonalizacja wymaga ponoszenia znacznych nakładów finansowych związanych z wprowadzeniem produktów na nowy rynek, a także dostosowaniem ich do zróżnicowanych wymagań nabywców. Z badań przeprowadzonych wśród polskich producentów mebli wynika, że najważniejsze źródło finansowania internacjonalizacji stanowił kapitał własny. Co druga badana firma finansowała ekspansję zagraniczną przy pomocy kredytów bankowych lub pożyczek. Najmniej istotnym źródłem finansowania internacjonalizacji okazały się dotacje rządowe i inwestorzy instytucjonalni. Najważniejszą korzyść finansową wynikającą z rozszerzenia działalności na rynki zagraniczne był wzrost poziomu zysku. Natomiast 42% ankietowanych wskazało wzrost wydajności produkcji jako pozytywny aspekt internacjonalizacji, a zwiększenie płynności finansowej potwierdziło 37% respondentów. Za najmniej istotną korzyść finansową uznano spadek kosztów funkcjonowania. Jedynie 2% ankietowany stwierdziło, że nie odnotowało żadnych korzyści finansowych w związku z ekspansją zagraniczną, przy czym warto podkreślić, że odpowiedzi takiej udzielili tylko respondenci z firm zatrudniających od 49 do 249 osób.

14

The importance of teachers’ cultural intelligence for the internationalization process of higher education

Teneta-Skwiercz Dorota, Sobińska Małgorzata, Białowąs Piotr

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2022

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z. 160

613--630

EN

Purpose: The main purpose of this article is to diagnose the level of cultural intelligence of academic teachers of public economic universities in Poland and identify factors related to this kind of intelligence. Design/methodology/approach: The tests carried out were quantitative. The following methods were used: analysis of the subject literature, surveys, and analysis of organizational documentation. Findings: The study showed that the level of cultural intelligence of teachers of economic universities in Poland is relatively high and slightly different between the surveyed universities. There was no correlation between the cultural intelligence level and such variables as gender and a scientific degree. On the other hand, the number of languages known at the communicative level and the number of countries in which the employee has stayed under international cooperation programs are positively correlated with the level of cultural intelligence. Research limitations/implications: The original plan was to carry out the survey at all five public universities of economics in Poland. Eventually, due to a small number of completed questionnaires, teachers from three public universities of economics were included in the study. Practical implications: This study may contribute to revealing the factors influencing the cultural intelligence level of academics and, consequently, the intercultural work environment and the wider internationalisation process of universities. Originality/value: This is pioneering research on the level of cultural intelligence of employees at Polish economic universities. Some of the findings are novel, such as the diagnosed correlation between a lecturer's academic degree and the level of cultural intelligence. The authors believe that their study may inspire researchers from other countries to conduct more in-depth research in the area of cultural intelligence of lecturers.

15

Internationalization of Polish higher education in the context of demographic challenges. Selected aspects

Piotrowska-Piątek Agnieszka

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2022

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z. 162

583--597

EN

Purpose: This article addresses selected aspects of internationalization of higher education (HE) in Poland in the context of demographic changes. The purpose of it is to analyze the dynamics of the number of foreign students studying at Polish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and their structure by type of HEI, field of study and origin. Design/methodology/approach: A review of the literature on the subject and desk research with reference to data from the Statistics Poland were used. The analysis, covered the years 2004-2020, was based on selected methods of descriptive statistics. Findings: Between 2004 and 2020, the number of foreign students increased almost 10-fold. The average growth rate in the analyzed time series was 15.2% for the group of HEIs and 21.5% for non-public HEIs. The choices of foreign students most often group fields of study in the areas of social sciences, economy and medicine. There has been an increase in interest in studies in technology and services, while there has been a marked decline in fields of study related to the humanities and education. Research limitations/implications: The demographic perspective adds a new dimension to the issues of growth and development of HEIs, that is why this issue involves further in-depth analysis. Practical implications: Despite the apparent positive change with regard to the number of student-foreigners studying at Polish HEIs, this statistic, compared to other European countries, is still unsatisfactory. In the face of projected further unfavorable demographic trends, countries with positive natural increase and younger age structures, become an opportunity to compensate for the loss of Polish students. Efforts by the entire HE sector are needed to seize these opportunities. It is necessary to further correlate sectoral policies - HE with population, foreign and social policies. HEIs should improve processes related to caring for the broader relationship with foreign students. Originality/value: The paper is addressed to all interested in HE policy. The study should be seen as a contribution to the existing discussion in the issue of growth and development of HEIs.

16

Capital structure of enterprises in the process of internationalization

Różański Jerzy, Bogołębska Justyna

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2022

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z. 157

417--430

EN

Purpose: The aim of the article is to define the capital structure in Polish enterprises – in the group of enterprises exporting their products and in the group of enterprises that do not conduct export activities. Design/methodology/approach: 30 companies representing various sectors of the economy were taken into account for the preliminary research. In the first group of 15 companies that exported their products (the first stage of internationalization), the capital structure was examined, determining the level of financing with equity and foreign capital. The research scheme from the first group was also used in the second examined group – enterprises that do not export their products. Each surveyed group included a company that represented one selected sector. A case study for three Polish listed companies was also used. Findings: Thus, the view of foreign authors based on the results of their study that, in emerging markets countries, companies that have internationalised their activities have higher levels of indebtedness than companies operating only domestically, should not be considered as confirmed (for the time being on the example of pilot studies). Originality/value: The results of the preliminary research made it possible to identify the most important differences in the capital structure for companies that exported their products and companies that did not export.

17

Internationalization and Quality Assurance in Higher Education

Wysocka Karolina, Jungnickel Christian, Szelągowska-Rudzka Katarzyna

Management

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2022

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Vol. 26, no. 1

204--230

EN

Internationalization is an inevitable phenomenon among all contemporary higher education institutions (HEIs) in a globalizing world. It is the driving force for development and progress. In course of the last 30 years, it became an inevitable element of HE management. However, it carries along a number of risks, pitfalls, and organizational challenges. To hedge those, quality assurance (QA) is called to the stage. HEIs therefore need not only to search for chances but also to increase the advancement of methods to safeguard the quality of education and research. It is for this reason that a discussion on the mutual evolution and impact of internationalization and QA is required, and this is the aim of this article to combine the issues dialectically. There are tools and institutions within the internationally and nationally developed QA concepts that have the potential and aim to secure the benefits of internationalization.

18

Internationalization strategies and instruments of competition - Polish furniture companies on the foreign market

Grzegorzewska Emilia, Stasiak-Betlejewska Renata

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW. Forestry and Wood Technology

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2022

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No. 119

78--83

EN

Internationalization strategies and instruments of competition - Polish furniture companies on the foreign market. Despite the global economic situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polish furniture industry is still a dynamically developing branch of the national economy of Poland. One of the most important paths in the development of this industry is still internationalization. The aim of the article was to define the internationalization strategies of Polish furniture enterprises, as well as to indicate the instruments of competition used by these companies on the foreign market. Empirical research was carried out in a group of 100 medium and large furniture enterprises conducting export activity. The research identified the most frequently used internationalization strategies by furniture companies, identified the most effective strategies, and identified competition instruments of the greatest importance for Polish furniture manufacturers. The research showed that ethnocentric strategy is most often used in the furniture industry. This strategy is the most effective. Regardless of the size of the enterprise, the quality of products was recognized by the respondents as the most important instrument of competition on the external market.

PL

Strategie internacjonalizacji i instrumenty konkurencji polskich przedsiębiorstw meblarskich na rynku zagranicznym. Pomimo ogolnoświatowej sytuacji gospodarczej związanej z pandemią COVID-19 polski przemysł meblarski jest wciąż dynamicznie rozwijającą się gałęzią gospodarski narodowej Polski. Jedną z ważniejszych ścieżek rozwoju tej branży nadal pozostaje internacjonalizacja. Celem artykułu było określenie strategii internacjonalizacji polskich przedsiębiorstw meblarskich, a także wskazanie instrumentow konkurencji stosowanych przez te firmy na rynku zagranicznym. Badania empiryczne przeprowadzono w grupie 100 średnich i dużych przedsiębiorstw meblarskich prowadzących działalność eksportową. W ramach badań zidentyfikowano strategie umiędzynarodowienia najczęściej stosowane przez firmy meblarskie, wskazano strategie o największej skuteczności, a także określono instrumenty konkurencji o największym znaczeniu dla polskich producentow mebli. Z badań wynika, że strategia etnocentryczna jest najczęściej stosowana w branży meblarskiej. Ta strategia jest uważana za najbardziej efektywną. Niezależnie od wielkości przedsiębiorstwa, jakość produktow została uznana przez respondentow za najważniejszy instrument konkurowania na rynku zewnętrznym.

19

Internationalization of Polish enterprises. A comparative analysis of family and non-family businesses

Steinerowska-Streb Izabella

Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska

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2021

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z. 150

255--266

EN

Purpose: The study aimed to determine whether family businesses in Poland are as involved in international activity as non-family businesses. Moreover, the intention was to identify differences in the forms of foreign expansion employed by family and non-family firms. Design/methodology/approach: The objectives were pursued based on primary research conducted in 188 family firms and 223 non-family firms operating on the Polish market. Findings: The analysis of the results indicates that family firms conduct business activity outside the domestic market significantly less frequently than non-family firms. The most common form of internationalization chosen by Polish family firms is export and import. Generally, these firms are not interested in joint ventures with foreign partners. Compared to non-family firms, Polish family firms establish divisions abroad significantly less frequently. However, they engage in non-equity cooperation more often than non-family firms. Practical implications: Knowledge about the involvement of family and non-family firms in international activity and their preferred forms of internationalization can be used by business environment institutions. Originality/value: The study results enrich the knowledge on the activity of Polish family firms on foreign markets as compared to similar activity of non-family businesses.

20

A possible relationship between internationalization and innovation strategies: an analysis of portuguese SMEs

Azevedo Mónica, Azevedo Lobo Carla, Maldonado Isabel, Santos Pereira Carla, Durão Natércia

Polish Journal of Management Studies

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2021

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Vol. 23, No. 1

74--90

EN

The importance of internationalization for firm’s survival and growth seems to be consensual among the researchers on this topic. Innovation is also considered a key factor for firm’s development and competitiveness. Moreover, the relationship between innovation and internationalization has become a matter of increasingly interest in the literature and can be analysed according to two streams: innovation as cause or consequence of companies’ internationalization. Additionally, given the great importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the growth of economies, part of literature has paid special attention to this kind of enterprises. The purpose of this work is to verify the existence of a possible relationship between internationalization and innovation strategies among Portuguese firms by exploring whether Portuguese entrepreneurs consider innovation as an important factor or a motivation in the internationalization process. To achieve this goals, and based on data obtained from an online questionnaire survey, descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques are used. In particular, graphical representations, descriptive measures and also, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (with multiple comparisons) non-parametric tests.

PL

Znaczenie umiędzynarodowienia dla przetrwania i rozwoju firmy wydaje się być zgodne wśród badaczy zajmujących się tym tematem. Innowacyjność jest również uważana za kluczowy czynnik rozwoju i konkurencyjności firmy. Ponadto związek między innowacją a internacjonalizacją stał się przedmiotem coraz większego zainteresowania w literaturze i można go analizować według dwóch nurtów: innowacja jako przyczyna lub konsekwencja umiędzynarodowienia przedsiębiorstw. Dodatkowo, biorąc pod uwagę duże znaczenie małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw (MŚP) dla rozwoju gospodarek, w części literatury zwrócono szczególną uwagę na tego typu przedsiębiorstwa. Celem tej pracy jest zweryfikowanie istnienia możliwego związku między umiędzynarodowieniem a strategiami innowacji wśród portugalskich firm poprzez zbadanie, czy portugalscy przedsiębiorcy uważają innowacje za ważny czynnik lub motywację w procesie internacjonalizacji. Aby osiągnąć te cele, na podstawie danych uzyskanych z ankiety internetowej, stosuje się opisowe i inferencyjne techniki analizy danych. W szczególności reprezentacje graficzne, miary opisowe, a także testy nieparametryczne Manna-Whitneya i Kruskala-Wallisa (z wielokrotnymi porównaniami).