The Role of Foreign Investment in Poland's Economic Restructuring

No abstract available for this article.     

中国港口民营化改革:进展、问题与对策

在目前全球化背景下,港口成为一国经济发展和区域经济竞争的承载体,也是全球供应链整合过程中的重要环节,如何通过深化港口改革来吸引投资,从而提升区域经济的发展速度和相关企业的竞争能力,成为我国港口面临的一个紧切问题。本文将在分析国外港口民营化情况的基础上,分析我国港口民营化改革进展和当前存在的问题,并对我国未来港口民营化改革提出了相应的建议。     

Current Ethical Issues in Polish HRM

Contemporary HRM was introduced into Poland by the arrival of international corporations with their professional systems of Human Resource Management, which emphasizes ethical personnel management. This research is based on data collected from a questionnaire and interview of 40 women and men professional graduates of the 2004 Weekend MBA Program at Poznan University of Economics eliciting their perceptions of ethical issues in Polish HRM. The present Polish economic situation, with 19% unemployment, precipitates many ethical challenges. The questionnaire and interviews resulted in 217 observations and specific examples of ethical HRM issues. Examples fall in two broad categories and five specific Human Resource areas. The broad external categories are: (1) History and cultural attitudes and (2) Exploitation of the current unemployment situation. Historical and cultural attitudes influence attitudes toward work; company discipline; property and ownership; law and social expectations at work. The history of personnel departments in Socialistic Poland explains many of these attitudes. The five specific categories are: (1) Ethical issues in recruitment; (2) Ethical issues in hiring (Discrimination issues); (3) Ethical issues in performance appraisals and promotions; (4) Abuse of authority (including sexual harassment), and (5) “Mobbing”. Ethical issues in these categories include correlation with appropriate Polish Labor and Penal Laws. This research reveals some HRM ethical challenges unique to Polish HRM. The research emphasizes professional HRM and ethical expectations, which are now being recognized and accepted as a strategic component of Polish management Brother Leo V. Ryan, CSV is Professor of Management – Emeritus and former Dean, College of Commerce, De Paul University. He is a Fellow, St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge, holds honorary degrees from Seton Hall University and Illinois Benedictine University and was a Fulbright Professor in Poland (1993–1995). He is past president, Society for Business Ethics. He is co-author or co-editor of Human Action in Business (1996); Etyka Biznesu (1997); From Autarcy to Market – Polish Economics and Politics (1998); Students Focus on Ethics (2000); Praxiology and Pragmatism (2002) and Poland: A Transformational Analysis (2003). He has been an annual Visiting Professor, Poznan University of Economics, Poznan, Poland since November 1999.     

Japanese cuisine in Poland: attitudes and behaviour among Polish consumers

In Poland, in recent years, the number of Japanese cuisine restaurants is still increasing. The aim of this article was to estimate the popularity of Japanese cuisine in Poland and to examine attitudes of Polish consumers towards it. The reasons why this cuisine is chosen by consumers are also studied. The scope of this work includes two anonymous questionnaires. The first study was conducted in Warsaw among 527 random respondents to estimate the level of familiarity with Japanese dishes. The second one was conducted among 115 consumers of a particular Japanese restaurant in Warsaw. Research of the target group was aimed at the characteristics of Japanese dishes consumers. On the basis of the results, it was found that random respondents have relatively little knowledge of Japanese dishes. However, a large percentage of them declared interest in Japanese culture and traditions and was inclined to taste the dishes of this region. Japanese restaurants are mainly popular among young people who follow current culinary trends and fashions and also care about their diet. High prices limit the customer group to well‐off people. Polish consumers visiting Japanese restaurants are usually persons between 31 and 40 years old, with higher education, live in the big cities, as well as with very good or good financial situation. Regular restaurant goers eat out quite often: once a week (38%) or at least once a month (27%). The restaurant studied is mainly visited by people familiar with Japanese cuisine. Sushi is the most popular of the dishes offered.     

公用事业民营化进程中的政府规制重构

民营化逐渐成为西方国家公用事业改革以及政府治理模式变革的基本潮流，并对后发展中国家的行政改革产生了巨大的示范作用。转型中国的公用事业民营化在约束条件、目的、绩效评估等方面与发达国家有所区别；对政府合理边界的确定是民营化改革成功的关键，要以破除行政性垄断为突破口、依法规制为核心、适当放松规制为原则、建立相对独立的规制机构为保障重构政府规制体系，促进公用事业的发展。     

基于实证的考量：公私合作制的概念、动因及本质

市政公用事业的民营化已成为全球民营化改革的主流。实践证明,在市政公用事业领域,由公共部门和私营部门共同参与生产和提供公共物品及服务的制度安排作为一种全新的概念模式方兴未艾。它被形象地称作＂公私合作制＂,其内涵正不断被各国独具特色的实践所演绎和丰富。传统监管模式的失灵是催生公私合作制的根本动因,从中亦折射出西方国家对这种传统监管进行深度反思与大胆革新的智慧和勇气。公私合作制绝非简单的产权改革,更不是所谓的＂私有化＂,从本质上看,它是一项依托政府承担监管责任,通过竞争机制与市场监管良性互动予以维系的综合性制度。     

中国城市水务产业民营化的绩效评价实证研究

本文从总量水平、生产效率、利润和普遍服务水平四个方面构建了中国城市水务产业民营化的绩效评价指标体系,运用1990-2009年的数据检验了民营化对有关指标的影响。检验结果表明,民营化对增加城市水务产业供水总量和利润均有显著影响,但民营化对提高生产效率和普遍服务水平均没有显著影响。从分析结果看,城市水务产业利润增加很可能是由于水价提高造成的,因此政府必须建立有效的价格管制体系。同时,政府在推进民营化的过程中,应出台激励政策引导民营资本进入管网建设领域,以提高普遍服务水平。     

俄罗斯的私有化改革及其对我国国有企业改革的启示

通过对俄罗斯私有化改革及其公司治理问题的分析,结合目前我国国有企业改革过程中出现的主要问题,指出私有化并不是什么灵丹妙药,不是现代公司治理的必经途径,也不是国有企业改革的充分条件。一个国家在进行企业改革时,既要吸取别国成功经验,也应充分考虑本国改革所依赖的制度环境和市场环境,即本国的国情。     

Romania at a Crossroad

Abstract

Observations have suggested that results of initial elections were the single most important factor in determining central and eastern European progress after the U.S.S.R. breakup in 1991. Romania thus presents a unique case in studies of this region. Initially it elected a government that shunned the “shock therapy” required to get a new economy started, but in 1996 elected a reform slate of officials. Thus, it has started the recovery process that more perceptive countries started five years earlier. These post-election developments in Romania are clearly of interest because of the model it presents for other countries in which the electorate may be considering similar changes. This paper reports on the situation in Romania as it related to the evolving economy there in the spring of 1999, three years after the critical election. It is adjudged that conditions imposed as part of the contemporaneous World Bank agreement were of course steps in the right direction. Nevertheless, progress toward a viable economy would require further progress in establishing a rule of law and in developing a much larger small business sector, which are recommended for any subsequent country making a similar transition. Forecasts by the prime minister suggested Romania would enter the EU after 2010. It is suggested that it would take at least that long before Romania's economy approached EU level.     

The Increased Role of Foreign Capital in the Peruvian Financial System

Summary

Foreign investment has played a very important role in developing Peru's banking sector since 1990. Indeed, as of June 1998, half of all bank assets were foreign-controlled. Much of this increased participation by outside entities can be traced to the privatization drive and to discriminatory reserve requirements on domestic deposits. Despite financial deepening, the analysis conducted here finds that the financial sector has not become more efficient in lowering the cost of intermediation as measured by the interest spread between loans and deposits.     

Antecedents of market orientation in semi-public service organizations: a study of Dutch housing associations

The purpose of this study is to explain which factors affect the market orientation of semi-public service organizations in their transition from public to private. Change capacity and interdepartmental and organizational system factors are hypothesized to affect market orientation, which is operationalized in behavioural and cultural dimensions. Results of a survey among top-level executives of Dutch housing associations show that interdepartmental and organizational system factors have a significant effect. The most important antecedents, however, are two change capacity factors: process improvement control and top management emphasis. This suggests that change capacity is crucial for understanding market orientation in many service industries.     

城市公用事业民营化改革中的政府责任

本文在评述城市公用事业相关研究成果的基础上,重点讨论城市公用事业民营化改革中需加强法规政策的制定与实施、城市公用事业的整体规划与实施、城市公用事业基础设施的投资、维护社会公众利益、安全保障和应对突发事件、对特殊群体和事件的政策性补贴、实行有效政府管制等七个方面的政府责任,并据此提出了实现城市公用事业民营化中政府责任的若干政策建议。     

Determinants of Poland's Competitive Advantage in the Logistics Sector

Abstract

This paper discusses the transformation within the distribution and logistics sector in Poland. The privatization process and business growth, in conjunction with foreign direct investment, have created a very competitive environment. A modified version of Porter's determinants of the competitive advantage model is used to illustrate changes in this industry. Models are presented depicting business logistics in Poland before and after the transformation. Twelve firms operating in this sector were studied. Problems and opportunities are discussed as they relate to business logistics in Poland. Eventual membership in the European Union will further expand markets, as well as modernize Poland's infrastructure and business logistics systems.     

A Resource Based View of Privatization as Capabilities Development: Ownership and Networks

ABSTRACT

Privatization is a complex phenomenon that can be viewed as a transformational strategy and a frame-breaking event. We focus on the resource based view as the driver in trade sale privatization, and we extend the concept into collaborative networks, in which the acquiring firm, the other network participants and the firm being privatized all contribute resources that enable the combined entity to gain a competitive advantage. We offer six framing propositions and provide empirical evidence from a field study of Telmex, the privatized Mexican telecommunications firm.

RESUMEN. La Privatización es un fenómeno complejo que puede considerarse una estrategia de transformación, y un acontecimiento que rompe los marcos existentes. En este estudio enfocamos nuestro análisis en una perspectiva basada en que el recurso es un impulsor de la privatización a través de la venta de negocios, y ampliamos el concepto hasta incluir a las redes colaborativas mediante las cuales la empresa adquirente, la otra red participante y la empresa que está siendo privatizada contribuyen con recursos en unísono, que permiten que la entidad combinada adquiera una ventaja competitiva. Ofrecemos seis propuestas marco y pruebas empíricas de un estudio de campo de Telmex, la empresa mexicana de telecomunicaciones privatizada.

RESUMO. A privatização é um fenômeno complexo que pode ser visto como uma estratégica de transformação e um evento de quebra de parâmetros. Concentramo-nos na visão resource-based como força motriz da privatização, e estendemos o conceito para networks colaborativas, nas quais a empresa compradora, os outros participantes da rede e a firma que está sendo privatizada, todos contribuem com recursos que capacitam a entidade combinada resultante a ganhar uma vantagem competitiva. Oferecemos seis proposiç[otilde]es de modelo e apresentamos evidência empírica oriunda de uma pesquisa de campo sobre a Telmex, a empresa de telecomunicaç[otilde]es mexicana privatizada.     

Privatization and Regulatory Reform in Brazil: The Case of Freight Railways

A variety of proposals for creating more competition within the railroad sector and in the broader freight transport sector are under consideration in countries throughout the world. Brazil, though something of a latecomer to wider infrastructure reform, has recently taken large steps in restructuring its railroad system. This paper analyzes Brazils ongoing railroad reforms, seeking to place them in the context both of the broader reform project going on in Brazil and of railroad reforms taking place in developing and developed countries worldwide.     

Optimal trade,industrial, and privatization policies in a mixed duopoly with strategic managerial incentives

Abstract

This paper examines optimal trade, industrial, and privatization policies in a home-market model of mixed international duopoly with strategic managerial incentives. Under linear demand and constant marginal costs, the optimal degree of privatization is shown to depend crucially on cost and demand parameters and on the availability of strategic trade and industrial policies. If both firms are equally efficient, optimal trade and industrial policies drive out the foreign firm and the privatization policy loses its effect on national welfare; however, if the home firm is less efficient, then full privatization combined with an import tariff and a production subsidy is optimal for the home country, while an export subsidy is optimal for the foreign country. If trade and industrial policies are unavailable and if both firms are equally efficient, full state-ownership, which drives out the foreign firm, becomes optimal; however, if the home firm is less efficient, only partial privatization is optimal, The state-ownership share is increased if either the market size grows, the home firm's efficiency increases, or the foreign firm's efficiency decreases. Further, the paper demonstrates the potential conflict between privatization and trade liberalization policies.     

Foreign Investment in the Age of Globalization

Summary

Brazil, along with many other emerging market countries has attracted a large amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the last decade. The role FDI plays in the modern Brazilian economy is different than in its previous incarnations. The latter included the necessary investment to build a primary export economy, and the manufacturing facilities associated with import substitution industrialization. Modern day FDI is attracted to Brazil due to macroeconomic stability, privatization, changes in the legal status of foreign capital, and as part of a large inflow of capital into emerging markets. The new involvement of foreign business, like the old, brings with it both costs and benefits.     

Employees' Attitudes towards Employee Ownership and Financial Participation in Croatia: Experiences and Cases

This paper analyzes specific situation in Croatia regarding role, development, and perspectives of employee participation in ownership and financial results. The model of enterprise privatization in Croatia resulted with a large involvement of employees in the enterprises' ownership. As the first phase of privatization in Croatia is approaching to its end, new, genuine mechanisms of development of the employee financial participation are beginning to emerge. Among them, ESOP plans and management and employee buyouts (MEBO) seem to be most appealing. Such practices can be found primarily in enterprises where a functional symbiosis between management and employees has been preserved or developed, where assets of the enterprise have also been preserved, and an organizational culture based on identification with enterprise and confidence with management has been developed. It seems that such a mutual reliance between employees and management can be very successful in assuring good operation and financial results of (especially large) enterprises during and after the process of transition.     

Emerging Profiles of Polish Outward Foreign Direct Investment

In this study, the authors identify the emerging profiles of Poland's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) at the macro- and micro-levels and propose relevant policy measures. They also set up a theoretical framework for further investigation of the identified trends and patterns. Both types of analysis—macro and micro—point to a regional focus of Poland's OFDI on Europe and to a sectoral concentration on services, followed by manufacturing. At the same time, the micro-analysis reveals a dominant role of a few largest Polish multinationals in the country's OFDI.     

Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America in the 1990s

Summary

FDI in Latin America has witnessed a resurgence in the 1990s after the debt crisis and capital drought of the 1980s. This inflow results both from more market-friendly policies in the recipient countries and lower returns and growth in developed nations. The latter factor has also attracted many short-term, portfolio instruments to the continent which can be highly damaging to local economies when not properly regulated. Privatization has been among the more important country-specific variables attracting direct investors to the region. Despite the positive effects of FDI, Latin American countries are still beset with problems such as unequal distribution of income and poverty that direct investment is unlikely to ameliorate.