Poland's integration with the European Union and its implication for small and medium scale enterprises

The development of SMEs is very sensitive to the overall economic situation of every country such as the dynamics of economic growth, stability of the local currency, supply and demand on the home and foreign markets and the state’s micro-economic policy. This paper discusses the SME development in Poland since its accession to the EU in 2004. In this context, the authors examine the question of whether the SME development policies following Poland’s integration into the EU has contributed positively to the sustainable development of the Polish economy– we examine whether the country`s accession into the EU has created a better environment for entrepreneurship development than it was in the pre-accession phase. In this paper, we attempt to provide answers to three key questions: (1) What were the main specific adjustments necessary to accession requirements? (2) What are the main opportunities for Polish SMEs arising out of EU membership? (3) What kind of progress has been made in the SME sector after Poland’s accession into the EU? Considering the research problem the authors have reviewed the academic literature in search of a theoretical background and conducted the analyses based on state statistical data

Processes of Incubating African Female Entrepreneurs: Some Evidences from Senegal and Tanzania

This paper seeks to examine the processes of incubating African female entrepreneurs. It is observed that despite the growing interest and large volume of literature on business incubation and their role in local economic growth, theories have been silent on explaining the role(s) of “female incubatees” within this process. The particular focus of this paper is on our current understanding of the nature of the complex processes of providing business support services to female entrepreneurs in Africa, an analysis of how incubation might address those challenges, and some tentative lessons drawn from our empirical research and entrepreneurs` own experiences. Therefore, this paper includes information and analysis on a number of business incubation initiatives, but its goal is to provide an understanding of what might work in the incubation industry and, in particular, why in specific circumstances female-owned businesses fail or succeed in the competitive business environment, which is often dominated by men. Its focus, therefore, is on incubation as means, not ends, as policies that enable businesses to overcome barriers during both pre and post-establishment. The local policies, enterprises and institutions form a significant part of this paper. Although it has been well documented that African female entrepreneurs are constrained by structural, cultural and institutional barriers (Spring and MacDade, 2005; Kyaruzi and Hales, 2006), the solutions to overcoming such barriers remain problematic. Also, their roles in the incubation processes are rarely mentioned in most policies on entrepreneurship in Africa. In an attempt to understand the mysterious concepts behind this one sided view, this paper draws its conclusions from studies conducted in Senegal and Tanzania to examine the role(s) of female entrepreneurs within the incubation process. Data was drawn from 160 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania firms and 40 female-owned businesses in Dakar, Senegal. The findings suggest that in most cases, the theories appear to treat the incubators and the business incubation processes as unproblematic institutions or policy tools for creating businesses and stimulating local economic growth through employment creation and taxes generated from new ventures. The conclusions suggest a need for more empirical studies on incubation processes and calls for new ways of incubating female entrepreneurs to realise their potential contributions to local economic growth. Since they have social and economic roles to play in contributing to local economic growth, our paper suggests that it is of significant importance to understand the processes and policies that are directed towards nurturing and supporting their ventures. This, and other elements that have been mentioned in this paper will enable policymakers and bilateral institutions to direct resources where they are mostly needed i.e. training, empowerment, capacity building and backup support

Women in Business: theory, practice and flexible approaches

In recent years, a record number of women have been breaking out of corporate life and embracing entrepreneurial careers partly as a redress to the discriminations they experience in paid employments. Female entrepreneurship is emerging as a potent force as more women emerge as business owners even in economic sectors that were previously thought to be the preserve of men. Women in Business: Theory, Practice and Flexible Approaches is a practical book that sets out to provide support and practical planning tools to guide both established and aspiring female entrepreneurs. These include checklists and tests, which could make the decision-making processes easier because self-employment and entrepreneurial activities are decisions that cannot be taken lightly. Women entrepreneurs are seen to be more realistic about their commercial prodigies and often make attempts to develop them within a family environment, while men gravitate more towards developing business hierarchies with defined rules and working business procedures. A number of theories, based on feminist analyses of the same, are also explored. The recognition of the capacity of women entrepreneurs in our global community is no longer a matter of debate, but a realisation that female entrepreneurship is now forming one of the major factors contributing to the development of many countries, and not just countries in transition

Flexibility and adaptation: the new post-Covid era

The first edition of this book appears at a time when working from home has become especially relevant due to the spread and the impacts of the corona virus pandemic. The impacts and consequences of Covid-19 are already reflected in large numbers of unemployment around the world, which may resemble the most serious global economic crisis since the Great Depression of 1929. Guided by the experience and changes that occurred after the crisis of 1929 and the global financial crisis of 2008-10, major changes in the modalities of work and employment can be expected. Further, changes in the management and leadership styles following the pandemic can be expected as more people are encouraged work from home. Although the issue of working from home can be approached from several angles (psychological, sociological, medical, or otherwise), this book deals with the economic and legal aspects, with the intention to emphasize the most important issues and problems faced by employees in this domain. First, the book covers the necessary tools, behaviours, and advantages/disadvantages of working from home that everyone should think about before making a step forward and embarking on this type of employment. Whether doing a job in a company or working for yourself, working from home can be a challenge. A study of the impacts of the pandemic could be very helpful. Therefore, we expect that this book, with its comprehensive approach, will stimulate interests among the academics, the public, decision-makers, and those who would like to move into self-employment as away of achieving their professional ambitions. We believe that the information contained in this bool will help the concerned parties to adapt to working at home, using a professional approach, as well as facing the challenges associated with working from home