The explosion of entrepreneurship in Poland after 1988. Causes and effects (until May 1, 2004)

Abstract

This article explains the impact of the explosion of Polish entrepreneurship (the so-called founding privatization) on the modernization of social structure and free market institutions in Poland. It has been shown that the process of revival of entrepreneurship after 1988 took place with the use of experiences included in the concept of heritage of the past. Changes in the ownership structure of economic organizations observed after 1988 are discussed in statistical terms. This change was of great importance for the modernization of the company size structure in Poland. The fast-paced process of rebuilding the social group of entrepreneurs played a major role in building family businesses. They are the stabilizer of the economy. For the efficiency of the modernization process in Poland after 1988, it was important to achieve institutional balance. The practice of everyday life showed that it was a difficult task to achieve a satisfactory state. As a result, the slowing down of the process of qualitative change in Poland after 1988 was largely influenced by informal institutions, including tradition and customs established in the past.