Tomasz Mroczkowski

Using mental maps to highlight cultural differences: visual portraits of American and Japanese patterns of thinking

This research offers new pedagogical tools derived from linguistic analysis that provide intriguing visual portraits communicating cultural differences. Using associative group analysis to systematically examine free associations to key management terms, this research produces charts that reveal how business students from different national groups hold different understandings of key management terms, reflecting their differing views of workplace participation derived from education and experience. Applying this method to American and Japanese workforce entrants, the resulting charts convey in visually appealing ways key cultural differences between the groups. It further yields mental maps that portray the dominant mindset of people from these two countries. The charts offer important new pedagogical tools for teaching international business and the promise of deeper understanding of cultural difference and cultural change.

Balancing growth and innovation in Indian biotech firms

Purpose – Biotech companies are generally faced with the paradoxes of simultaneously managing growth and innovation, as well as addressing explorative and exploitative aspects of innovation. Scholars have urged them to re‐evaluate their business model. The purpose of this paper is to explore how biotech companies in emerging economies address these paradoxes, focusing upon the nascent biotech industry in India, in order to investigate their growth and innovation patterns, as well as identify the challenges that they may face.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative data collection, using in‐depth interviews with representatives of organizations that deal directly with improving the quality of the business environment for biotech industry in India, as well as biotech entrepreneurs and leaders were undertaken. A total of 13 interviews provided insights related to innovation and growth that is discussed in the paper.Findings – Data indicate that Indian biotech companies are ambidextrous and have managed t...

Employment Restructuring in Polish Companies During Economic Transition: Some Comparisons with Western Experience

This paper summarizes the results of a survey of downsizing practices in 90 Polish manufacturing companies. Unlike Russia, where very few employment reductions have been carried out, downsizing in Polish companies is pervasive and appears to be accelerating. The factors that drive downsizing in a transition economy like Poland are not the same as those in the west. Nonetheless, the results of this study indicate that downsizing in Poland has had mostly beneficial effects on company functioning. Dieser Aufsatz fasst die Ergebnisse einer Umfrage uber Einsparungsmassnahmen in 90 polnischen Industriebetrieben zusammen. Im Gegensatz zu Russland, wo nur sehr wenige Personalkurzungen durchgefuhrt wurden, sind Personaleinsparungen in Polen allgegenwartig und sie werden scheinbar beschleunigt. Die Faktoren, die zu Personalentlassungen in einem Ubergangsland wie Polen fuhren, sind nicht identisch mit denen im Westen. Nichtsdestotrotz zeigen die Ergebnisse der Studie, dass Entlassungen in Polen meist einen positiven Effekt auf die Betriebsperformance haben.

Changing Mindsets in a Successful Transition Economy: Using Associative Group Analysis to Study Changes in Cognitive Patterns in Poland from 1989 to 1999

Abstract This research uses associative group analysis to shed light on the changing mindsets of the future Polish managerial elite as a consequence of the countrys economic transformation and dismantling of the Communist system from 1989-1999. By systematically examining free associations to key management terms, this research reveals that the thinking patterns and associations of young economics-oriented Poles have changed dramatically since reforms have been implemented. They now have a richer grasp of market concepts and greater concern for workplace effectiveness. Though their mental associations increasingly resemble those of young Americans, in significant ways they remain distinctive. They show greater focus on competing within a company than climbing a bureaucracy, but remain less focused on ownership of a business than do Americans.

Entrepreneurial support systems: role of the Czech accelerator

The role of institutional context in affecting entrepreneurship and innovation has received scant attention. This paper examines the effect of one such institutional structure, the Czech Accelerator program, in developing entrepreneurial activity and innovation in Czech participating firms. Using a questionnaire and follow up interviews with participants, interviews with Czech Accelerator program and archival data sources, this study provides evidence to the facilitative role of an accelerator on the front end of innovation in firms participating with the accelerators program. However, the data does not provide any evidence of growth in revenues, growth in sales, or securing venture funding by firms participating in the accelerators program. These findings have implications for policymakers and business leaders in the Czech Republic and other middle-income economies to support their innovation and entrepreneurial activity.