Przedsiębiorcy i przedsiębiorczość a recesja transformacyjna w Polsce po 1989 roku

Abstract

Purpose – The “explosion” of entrepreneurship observed in Poland after 1989 and continuing throughout the years with varied intensity is a global phenomenon. Most importantly, the entrepreneurship freed the accumulated resources of human energy that had been dormant in the years of the People’s Republic.Research method – For the study presented herein the method of analysis of available statistical datadating back to the years 1989-1992, and of source materials in the form of memories of entrepreneursoperating in that period was applied. Results – The objective of research as such proves that, even though the economically active entities did not fall within the frame of the concept of “entrepreneurs” proposed by Joseph Schumpeter, they were the one who initiated the dynamic changes in the Polish economy after 1989, often referred to as the “creative destruction”. Considering the above, the development of the resources of entrepreneurship observed at those times took place during the transformational recession that occurred in 1990-1991. In its classical form, the Schumpeterian phenomenon of using recession as a springboard to business success by active individuals was observed.Originality / value / implications / recommendations – In the literature on the subject, there is a lively and inspiring discussion about the transformational recession and its social consequences. Less frequently, scientists point to the link between the explosion of entrepreneurship after 1989 and the transformational recession. The article deals with this research problem from the microeconomic perspective. It reveals the efforts of entrepreneurs to build their own businesses and indicates their contribution to alleviating the social consequences of the transformational recession. \nArticle received on 20 July 2020, accepted on 18 October 2020.