The Effect of Early Internationalization on Survival Consistency, and Growqth of Export Sales

This paper presents the results of a ten year longitudinal analysis of almost 19,000 Polish manufacturing firms engaged in export operations. Export dynamics was measured by the rate of growth, consistency of export sales and survival in international operations. It was found that early involvement in international activities negatively affected the survival and regularity of sales of small exporters but that had a positive impact on larger exporters. A strong commitment to internationalization and a capacity for managing rapid growth are factors in achieving high growth in international sales over time. Managerial implications include recognizing the risk of possible failure when they enter international markets, and take into account that export volumes may stagnate after a first opportunity and not justify the initial effort to expand abroad. To remedy such unfavorable outcomes, managers should plan carefully before entering export markets or undertaking subsequent phases of export growth

The Role of TNCs in Poland's East-West Trade

This paper examines empirically the scale of transnational corporation (TNC) involvement in the area of economic cooperation between Poland and developed market economy countries. Data were collected on TNC involvement in commodity turnover, technology transfers and industrial cooperation, and on the establishment of representation offices. The findings strongly underline the importance of TNCs as trading partners in key areas in the acquisition of high technology and equipment and in industrial cooperation. The popular view, however, that the flow of East-West trade is dominated by a handful of large TNCs was found to be overemphasized.© 1985 JIBS. Journal of International Business Studies (1985) 16, 121–137

THE SPEED OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL START-UPS IN A TRANSITION ENVIRONMENT

This article examines the speed of internationalization by newly established firms operating in the rapidly changing environment of a country undergoing radical systemic transition, as exemplified by Poland. A longitudinal analysis of the speed of internationalization, measured by the time between the year of establishment and the year of the first export sale, identified three interesting patterns. First, both incumbent state-owned firms and private companies operating under communism played marginal roles in the internationalization process after transition to the market economy system. Second, the entrepreneurial start-ups typically embarked on exports shortly after their establishment. Third, the entrepreneurial start-ups that focused initially on the domestic market were rarely engaging in export operations later on. This aspect of the internationalization process has not been adequately explained by the extant mainstream management theories (new institutional economics, transaction cost and resource-based view). This paper offers an alternative theoretical framework for the internationalization of entrepreneurial start-ups in transition economies by extending Shapero's social psychological model of entrepreneurial events.Internationalization process, institutional context, transition economies, social and psychological context of entrepreneurship

Motivation, self-efficacy, and risk attitudes among entrepreneurs during transition to a market economy

In this research were investigated the three most frequently studied characteristics of entrepreneurs - motivation, self-efficacy, and risk attitudes. We divided the sample of entrepreneurs into two subgroups: opportunity-driven vs. necessity-driven. In agreement with findings of research performed in countries with developed market economies, we found that the need for independence and the need for achievement were of higher importance to the entrepreneurs than to the non-entrepreneurs. However, this was only true of the opportunity-driven subgroup of entrepreneurs, while not of those categorized as necessity-driven. In contrast, the most important motive in the group of non-entrepreneurs and as well as the necessity-driven subgroup of entrepreneurs was job security. In accordance with Knight's claim, we found that opportunity-driven (but not necessity-driven) entrepreneurs revealed higher levels of self-confidence than the group of employees. We did not find support for the claim that entrepreneurs are more risk-prone than wage earners. On the other hand, entrepreneurs (both opportunity- and necessity-driven) reported more everyday risky investment activities than wage earners did. We interpret this observation in terms of the necessity of entrepreneurs for risk-taking, rather than personal preference and liking.Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Motivation Self-efficacy Risk attitudes

A Semisynthetic 5-n-Alkylresorcinol Derivative and its Effect upon Biomembrane Properties

MSAR (1-sulfate-3-myristoyl-5-pentadecylbenzene) is a semisynthetic derivative of 5-npentadecylresorcinol (C15:0). MSAR exhibits hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes with a EH 50 value of (35 ð 1.7) μm. At low concentrations MSAR also exhibits the ability to protect cells against their hypoosmotic lysis. This protective effect is significant as, at 0.1 μm of MSAR, the extent of osmotically induced cell lysis is reduced by approx. 20%. It was demonstrated that the 9-anthroyloxystearic acid signal was most intensively quenched by MSAR molecules, suggesting a relatively deep location of these molecules within the lipid bilayer. MSAR causes an increase of the fluorescence of the membrane potential sensitive probe. This indicates an alteration of the surface charge and a decrease of the local pH value at the membrane surface. At low bilayer content (1Ð4 mol%) this compound causes a significant increase of the phospholipid bilayer fluidity (both under and above the main phase transition temperature) of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes. At this low content MSAR slightly decreases the main phase transition temperature (T c ) value. The effects induced in the phospholipid bilayer by higher contents of MSAR molecules (5Ð10 mol%) make it impossible to determine the T c value and to evaluate changes of the membrane fluidity by using pyrene-labeled lipid. MSAR also causes a decrease of the activity of membrane-bound enzymes Ð red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ). MSAR decreases the AChE activity by 40% at 100 μm. The presence of MSAR in the liposomal membrane induces a complete abolishment of the lag time of the PLA 2 activity, indicating that these molecules induce the formation of packing defects in the bilayer which may result from imperfect mixing of phospholipids

A case of syphilis with high bone arsenic concentration from early modern cemetery (Wroclaw, Poland)

Venereal syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum – Gram-negative, slowly growing bacteria. The spread of the disease in the Old World was due to increased birth rate, urban population growth, migration and lack of knowledge concerning the epidemiology. In the past, the treatment was mainly symptomatic and included application of mercury compounds. The goal of the study was to present the case of advanced venereal syphilis found in early modern (16th–18thc) graveyard localized in Wroclaw, Poland. The object of the study is a cranium of a male whose age at death has been estimated to be over 55. In order to observe the morphological and paleopathological characteristics of the examined material, anthropometrics, computed tomography, spectrometry and microscopic methods were incorporated. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of the extensive inflammatory lesions. Analyses indicate tertiary stage of venereal syphilis as the most probable cause of the observed lesions. Concentration of arsenic (16.17±0.58 μg/g) in examined bone samples was about hundred times bigger than average arsenic concentration in bones reported in other studies. Advanced stage of observed lesions along with high arsenic level may suggest long-lasting palliative care and usage of arsenic compound in therapeutic treatment of this chronic disease