Routledge Studies in Central and Eastern European Business and Economics – serie

This book is a multifaceted examination of the nature of inequalities in CEE countries. While progress has been made, significant inequalities persist, and a deeper understanding of these challenges is essential to fostering meaningful action towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.Written by scholars from two leading higher education institutions in Poland – the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics – this comprehensive research monograph examines the disparities that shape the region and offers a nuanced understanding of their origins, manifestations, and consequences. Moving beyond simplistic narratives of post-communist transformation, the book analyses the contemporary realities of CEE, exploring socioeconomic, technological, and infrastructural disparities. It investigates inequalities in income, healthcare, education, energy access, public transport, innovation, and digital inclusion, revealing the vast differences within and between countries.The book is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand the complex realities of Central and Eastern Europe and explore the root causes of inequality in the region. It also includes policy recommendations on how to bridge inequalities to promote equal opportunities for various stakeholders. Combining rigorous research with accessible language, the book provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities ahead and will appeal to those interested in the future of the region, from researchers, academics, and students to policymakers.

The essence of the book is to investigate the forms, benefits and limitations of engaging consumers in the development of cultural institution offerings. It aims to identify methods for culture product development with consumer engagement, in particular concerning exhibition and educational activities of cultural institutions. The volume provides an extensive literature review of issues related to market orientation, customer centricity, consumer engagement and co-creation of products and services, with an emphasis on the specificity of the cultural sector.The authors conduct research to capture different perspectives on consumer engagement, including those of consumers themselves, managers responsible for designing the offer and cultural institution employees. They identify forms, success factors of and barriers to involving consumers (visitors) in the development of museum offerings. The combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods provides novel and valuable insights into the phenomenon under study. This book will be of interest to scholars interested in culture marketing and consumer behaviour, as well as managers of museums, science centres and other cultural institutions.

The essence of the book is to investigate the forms, benefits and limitations of engaging consumers in the development of cultural institution offerings. It aims to identify methods for culture product development with consumer engagement, in particular concerning exhibition and educational activities of cultural institutions. The volume provides an extensive literature review of issues related to market orientation, customer centricity, consumer engagement and co-creation of products and services, with an emphasis on the specificity of the cultural sector.The authors conduct research to capture different perspectives on consumer engagement, including those of consumers themselves, managers responsible for designing the offer and cultural institution employees. They identify forms, success factors of and barriers to involving consumers (visitors) in the development of museum offerings. The combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods provides novel and valuable insights into the phenomenon under study. This book will be of interest to scholars interested in culture marketing and consumer behaviour, as well as managers of museums, science centres and other cultural institutions.

This book presents an innovative approach to the strategic management perspective in the museum context.Due to the dynamic political, social, and economic challenges, museums increasingly have to apply a business-oriented perspective, yet this issue is analysed in a fragmented way. Thus, drawing from extensive literature reviews and previous studies, this multiple-case study delves into the dynamic of relationship management and value co-creation processes within a multi-stakeholder approach. While there is a growing interest in museum management, many current studies are static and fragmented, focusing mainly on visitors’ perspectives. In contrast, the presented research employs a dynamic approach to stakeholder management and value co-creation. As value creation and delivery intersect throughout the value co-creation process, the research perspective should go beyond the final recipients and the final value delivery. This was one of the concluding points. This study also considers changes in the strength of relations, the interdependence of museums’ main activity areas, and the dynamic of stakeholder salience.The presented exploration results can be interesting and relevant to museum practitioners and other people working in the culture sector, as well as to scientists and academics in the management field.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

Sustainability Disclosure examines the evolution of sustainability disclosure resulting from the implementation of mandatory reporting legislation within the European Union using the evidence from the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Overall, the findings underscore the significance of mandatory reporting legislation in increasing the number of companies disclosing their social and environmental impact, as well as broadening the scope of reporting.Addressing the current topics of mandatory regime for sustainability disclosure, the book offers important insights for academic scholars, regulators, and policy makers indicating strength and weaknesses of NFRD with potential feedback for the recently introduced CSRD regulation. In addition, the analysis of the evidence from companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) delivers interesting lessons for practitioners, managers, and auditors responsible for implementing mandatory reporting legislation at the company level. Finally, the book would be helpful for Ph.D. candidates and students of management and organisation, economics, finances as well as legal studies willing to develop their understanding about sustainability disclosure.

Over the past three decades, Central and Eastern Europe has experienced rapid economic transformation, accelerated by accession to the European Union and deeper integration into global financial markets. While improved access to credit has supported rising living standards, it has also increased households’ exposure to financial fragility when economic shocks occur.This book investigates the financial fragility of households in the region, offering new insights into how households cope with economic shocks and structural change. Despite shared experience of post-socialist transformation, Central and Eastern European countries display significant economic, social, and institutional diversity. This raises important questions: do households across the region differ in their levels of financial fragility? Which socio-demographic groups are most vulnerable? What factors shape household resilience to economic shocks?Combining conceptual discussion with comparative empirical analysis, the book examines the determinants and dynamics of household financial fragility across the region. It explores changes in household financial conditions – including consumption patterns, debt dynamics, savings behaviour, and subjective financial well-being – and identifies cross-country differences in vulnerability using comparative and cluster-based approaches. The analysis also discusses how external shocks, including the global financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic, have shaped household financial stability. By linking structural transformation, institutional context, and household-level outcomes, the book fills an important gap in the literature and offers new insights into the challenges of strengthening household resilience in the face of economic shocks.This book will be of interest to researchers, policymakers, and students in economics, finance, consumer economics, and European studies who seek a deeper understanding of household financial fragility in Central and Eastern Europe.

This book identifies the growing importance of the sharing economy and its practical applications in such areas of the economy as tourism, transportation, and micromobility. At the same time, it highlights the challenges and benefits of this modern form of resource and service management. While there is literature available on these issues, this book offers value in providing a synthetic and up-to-date approach to the topic.It recognizes the impact of the sharing economy on business models, consumer behavior, especially in the tourism market, and urban logistics and answers research questions such as what place sharing has in contemporary economic and consumer trends, how the sharing economy influences the changes in traditional business models, how business financing models are evolving in light of the sharing economy, and what role crowdfunding plays in the era of the sharing economy. It also examines how the sharing economy can contribute to meeting contemporary challenges.The book provides insights for academics, researchers, and students, as well as policymakers and practitioners, and, more importantly, for further scientific research.

Leadership, Management, and Organizational Culture explores how leadership styles shape organizational culture in one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive sectors. This cutting-edge research monograph provides a deep dive into the interplay between leadership and culture, offering a framework to understand how effective management can foster innovation, adaptability, and holistic customer engagement. It examines organizational culture through multiple lenses—economic, psychological, social, and symbolic—emphasizing the critical role of leadership in meeting the evolving needs of employees, customers, and stakeholders. Drawing on theoretical insights and empirical research, the authors highlight how leadership styles impact organizational success by influencing employee behavior, shaping workplace dynamics, and building resilience to industry challenges. Focusing on the insurance sector, this volume presents unique findings on the relationship between leadership styles and organizational culture in a rapidly transforming market. With actionable recommendations for managers, it addresses pressing questions about adapting leadership approaches to drive cultural change, boost employee engagement, and enhance stakeholder relationships. Rich with practical insights and academic rigor, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers and scholars, industry professionals, and leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of modern management while fostering sustainable organizational growth.

In an era of rapid transformation in the world of work, Generation Z emerges as a transformative force, reshaping traditional employment models with their distinct preferences and values. As the first fully digital-native generation, they seek flexibility, remote work opportunities, and a healthy work-life balance. This book examines these transformative trends in the context of Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on three diverse and representative countries – Poland, Czechia, and Estonia. Together, these nations illustrate the region’s economic diversity and innovation, offering insights into how local labour markets are responding to the expectations of this new workforce. Grounded in original research, including interviews and case studies, the book presents quantitative analysis to explore Gen Z’s preferences, attitudes, and aspirations. The findings shed light on demographic variations, such as gender and place of residence, and examine how these factors influence work preferences across the three countries. Beyond identifying trends, the book offers practical recommendations, addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by generational change. The narrative unfolds through three interconnected themes – the socio-economic dynamics of Poland, Czechia, and Estonia, the comparative analysis of survey findings highlighting generational similarities and differences, and broader implications for industries, organizational strategies, and regional economies. Special attention is given to emerging work models such as work-from-anywhere (WFA) and workation hubs in Europe, emphasizing their role in shaping regional development and economic policy. The book bridges the gap between academic research and real-world application, making it an essential resource for scholars, researchers, advanced students, and policymakers.Chapters 6 and 7 of this book are freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license, funded by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the "Regional Excellence Initiative” Programme.

Businesses do not operate in a vacuum but rather in a dynamic environment that has a direct influence on how they perform and whether they will achieve their objectives. There are several internal and external factors that can impact a company’s business decisions, and different combinations of these factors, such as prices, social changes, regulations, and institutions can affect the overall business environment. Business and its environment are closely interrelated and mutually interdependent; thus, to achieve success, a business must understand environmental changes and adapt its policies and pratices accordingly. This multidisciplinary book analyses the background and the impact of the business environment, its factors and features, and how their changes influence business operations and decisions. It addresses a wide range of aspects related to the business environment, such as political, economic, institutional, investment, environmental, technological, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The book identifies and assesses different features, opportunities, and challenges of business environments, from the experience of Central and Eastern European countries, including the Polish perspective, which is an interesting and needed dimension. Poland is presented as an example of a country that has substantially and successfully transformed its economy. This example may be both interesting and inspiring for other countries, especially the economies in transition.This book encourages readers to think critically about the nautre, opportunities, and threats of doing business in the 21st century, including a wide range of factors that affect business activity. It will be useful reading for students and researchers in economics and management, as well as for company owners and managers.

This edited volume explores AI-driven digital transformation from the perspective of a well-established higher education institution. Featuring 23 chapters organized into six thematic areas – Decision Support, Data Processing, Marketing and Product Development, Supply Chains, Finance, and Foundational Issues – it provides practical examples of how business school departments can implement AI to foster innovation.Each chapter presents accessible case studies demonstrating AI applications in business, highlighting both benefits and risks. The volume bridges the gap between AI advancement and practical industry needs, offering actionable insights for integrating AI into decision-making, organizational processes, and curriculum development. Key contributions include demonstrating AI as a strategic enabler, positioning business schools as catalysts for change, recognizing sector-specific impacts, emphasizing ethical foundations, and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. This comprehensive resource equips educators and decision-makers with the knowledge and methods necessary to thrive in the era of AI-driven innovation and serves as a strategic blueprint for business schools to lead AI-driven transformation while maintaining ethical considerations.AI-Driven Digital Transformation will appeal to scholars and students of AI, technology, innovation management, and business education. It will also be of interest to business school leaders responsible for institutional strategies, educators creating study programs, curriculum specialists, and business leaders seeking AI implementation guidance within their expertise areas.

This book addresses a central puzzle in the study of European integration: why have some post-communist countries successfully embedded democratic and market institutions after EU accession or candidacy, while others have faltered or regressed?This book utilizes principal component analysis to create a unique composite indicator for EU integration readiness, offering a novel approach to assessing economic and social factors. It provides an extensive comparative study of Ukraine's integration readiness alongside Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia, and Macedonia. It goes beyond economic indicators, addressing non-economic obstacles such as identity-seeking problems and oligarchic ecosystems, making it a holistic resource for understanding the complexities of EU integration. Introducing the original distinction between self-contained and exported Europeanisation, this book offers a new comparative framework that explains divergent integration outcomes across Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. By combining theory-driven analysis with country case studies, it demonstrates how the balance between domestic political commitment and EU conditionality shapes long-term integration success.Bridging economics, European studies, comparative politics, and international political economy, this timely book speaks to scholars, students, and policymakers interested in the future of Europe’s eastern frontier.

This groundbreaking research monograph offers a comprehensive analysis of workforce transformation in the emerging Industry 5.0 paradigm, examining how human-centric values, sustainability, and organizational resilience reshape competency development in modern industrial settings. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, the authors explore the complex interplay between technological advancement and human capabilities in creating adaptive, sustainable organizations. This book delivers critical insights into the evolving nature of workplace competencies, featuring in-depth analysis of human‑AI collaboration, organizational learning frameworks, and policy implications. Readers will discover practical approaches to competency auditing, strategic workforce development, and the integration of technical and soft skills in Industry 5.0 environments. The work stands out for its balanced examination of human-centric values, offering both theoretical foundations and real-world applications while critically engaging with emerging challenges in hybrid human‑AI workspaces.This essential resource is ideal for academics, advanced students, researchers, and policymakers in organizational development, human resource management, and industrial innovation. It will particularly appeal to strategic planners, workforce development professionals, and scholars interested in the intersection of technology, human capital, and sustainable organizational design. Graduate students in business, engineering management, and public policy will find valuable frameworks for understanding future workforce requirements.

How does Generation Z in Central and Eastern Europe engage with brands, make purchasing decisions, and develop long-term brand loyalty? The monograph discusses the unique consumer behaviors of this influential cohort, by analyzing the key determinants that shape their brand relationships. With Gen Z redefining market dynamics, it provides essential insights for academics and industry professionals seeking to understand and navigate this evolving landscape.Grounded in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) context, the book offers insights into regional market dynamics and consumer behaviors. Through theoretical analysis and empirical research, it explores the evolution of brand loyalty, tracing its shift from traditional approaches to the complexities of the digital age. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it bridges insights from marketing, consumer behavior, and digital advancements, offering comparative perspectives on brand strategies. Empirical research conducted in the CEE region further elucidates the specific patterns of brand loyalty among Gen Z consumers, supported by interviews from brand professionals that deepen the analysis of successful brand strategies.The book equips academics, marketing practitioners, and brand strategists with insights and actionable recommendations for fostering long-term consumer engagement in an increasingly competitive and digitalized marketplace. It will be of particular interest to scholars and researchers in marketing, consumer behavior, and brand management.

Drawing together research from across Central and Eastern Europe, this volume examines how organisations navigate the complex intersection of strategic innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability in emerging economies.Through 14 empirically-grounded chapters, the book reveals how companies across finance, healthcare, tourism, e-commerce, and manufacturing sectors respond to uncertainty while pursuing responsible business practices. The book offers unique value through its dual focus on academic rigour and practical application. Each chapter provides methodologically diverse insights - including case studies, surveys, and mixed-methods research - alongside concrete managerial recommendations. The three-part structure explores strategic paradoxes, digital technology implementation, and ESG integration, presenting a comprehensive framework for building resilient organisations in transitional economies.This edited volume serves multiple audiences: Researchers, academics, and PhD students will find current research directions and methodological approaches; business leaders and policymakers will gain frameworks for implementing effective innovation strategies; and advanced students across business, sustainability, and regional studies programmes will benefit from its balanced theoretical and practical perspectives.

Three decades after the fall of communism, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have achieved income convergence that would have seemed implausible in 1990. This book argues that the growth model which powered this catch-up, built on integration into foreign-controlled value chains, large capital inflows, technology adoption rather than indigenous creation, and EU transfers, has also created structural dependencies that now constrain further development. Income convergence, in other words, has occurred without comparable convergence in productive capabilities.Eight thematic chapters examine how this tension plays out across specific domains: macroeconomic convergence and divergence, the evolving role of FDI and productivity, export competitiveness, the deceleration of global trade, energy transition, agricultural modernisation under the CAP, demographic change, and fiscal policy under competing pressures from defence spending, ageing populations, and decarbonisation. The analysis introduces several integrating concepts and draws comparisons with Southern European and East Asian development trajectories.The book is intended for scholars and advanced students in economics and European studies, policymakers in national governments and EU institutions, and informed readers seeking to understand what lies beneath CEE's convergence headline and what the region must do differently to sustain its progress.

Social Media, Ethics and Management examines the transformative impact of digital platforms on organizational management, communication, and ethics. It critically explores how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping leadership models, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making processes. Combining theoretical insights with real-world case studies from international companies, the book offers practical strategies for navigating the complexities of digital transformation responsibly and effectively. This book equips readers with actionable tools to integrate ethical considerations into digital management, build organizational resilience, and leverage social media data for informed decision-making. It addresses challenges such as reputational risks, the volatility of digital trends, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The inclusion of case studies provides grounded perspectives, illustrating how organizations adapt to the unpredictable digital landscape. Designed for researchers, advanced students, policymakers, and practitioners, this monograph is particularly relevant for those in fields such as strategic management, digital leadership, and business ethics. This book is an invaluable resource for understanding and mastering the challenges of digital transformation in today’s fast-paced environment.

This book develops a comprehensive theoretical and empirical framework explaining how entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) influence firms’ sustainable high growth (SHG). Its core objective is to conceptualize SHG as a key outcome of entrepreneurial ecosystems and to empirically verify whether, and through which mechanisms, ecosystems foster sustainable firm expansion.The theoretical part is based on a narrative literature review covering entrepreneurial ecosystems, firm growth, and growth determinants. It integrates ecosystem thinking with firm-level perspectives, including the resource-based view, and advances theory by defining the output of EEs as sustainable high-growth entrepreneurship—growth that combines size dynamics, profitability, and social benefits.Methodologically, this book makes a strong contribution by applying a quantitative, large-scale approach that remains rare in EE research. Using firm-level microdata for over 43,000 enterprises and regional data for Polish ecosystems from 2018–2022, it employs panel logistic regression, marginal effects analysis, Bayesian regression, and spectral clustering. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are operationalized through six dimensions and the study also captures firm heterogeneity, prior growth, and spatial interactions between neighboring ecosystems.Practically, the findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and regional development practitioners. By identifying ecosystem configurations most conducive to SHG, this book provides evidence-based guidance for designing targeted entrepreneurship and regional policies that promote productive, sustainable firm growth.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.