Effectiveness of Network Relations in Poland during the Economic Crisis Caused by COVID-19: Interorganizational Network Viewpoints.

The global pandemic triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused marked changes in the economic landscape in essentially every branch of the economy. The pandemic has disordered lives across all countries in the world and also affected the public sector in interesting ways. Our empirical research, of which selected elements are presented in this paper, was conducted under pandemic conditions. This paper aims to identify the relationships between selected distinguishing features of the oncological interorganizational network (exchange, engagement, reciprocity) and determine their effectiveness under the conditions of the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A side thread, which concludes the article, is the introduction of the category "economic virus" into management terminology; i.e., a set of factors causing economic crises with a microbiological genesis. Of particular importance are considerations regarding the uncertainty of the length and depth of the health crisis-related economic effects in financial markets and corporate decision making.

Sustainable Survival: Resource Management Strategy in Micro and Small Enterprises in the Rubber Products Market in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 epidemic surprised economic operators around the world. The very existence of many businesses, and thus jobs, was at stake. However, one year after the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic, contrary to the pessimistic forecasts of business analysts, some industries did not experience the predicted negative effects of the crisis. This article presents the results of a pilot study on micro and small enterprises in the rubber products industry in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of analyzing the phenomenon of sustainable resource management that led not only to the survival of these enterprises but also to a significant increase in their turnover. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to analyze the key success factors of the indicated economic entities, with particular emphasis on the perspective of sustainable resource management and relationship management. On the basis of best research practices, a triangulation of research methods was applied (integrative literature review, computer-assisted telephone interviewing, and individual in-depth interview). A relationship was observed between the sustainable management of resources and the structure of the relationship network and the strength of its connections. In micro and small enterprises in the rubber products sector in Poland, sustainable resource management is related to the structure of the network of relations and the strength of connections in the network (relations/networking), as enterprises form a group of entities with a high level of loyalty, especially between the suppliers and buyers of raw materials. The formulated conclusions will become the basis for further in-depth research that can be conducted (a) in the same group of respondents, but using a representative research group, (b) in the same industry among a group of large enterprises, and (c) in a group of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from other industries.

Evolution of the Labor Market and Competency Requirements in Industry 4.0 versus the Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose: In the run-up to the disruptions to the economic closure due to the dangers of a global pandemic, the labor market situation developed to the benefit of jobseekers. Thus, 2019 was assessed as the employee market. However, changes in the labor market take place in real time and, as it turns out, meeting them is not only difficult due to the reaction time, but above all due to their intensity. The aim of the article is to present changes in the labor market caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic in relation to the evolution of individual sectors towards economy 4.0. Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve the main goal of the article, theoretical literature review was chosen, in particular argumentative review, which could introduce problems, but certainly constitute the introduction to in-depth research, also empirical. Findings: The article consists of 3 parts. In the first of them, the theoretical definition of the category of competences was made - which is an introduction to considerations of a utilitarian nature. The second part defines what types of competences accompanied the classical labor market. The third part focuses on identifying possible directions of employee competency development, including defining the range of necessary competences resulting from a) the need to adapt to market changes as a result of the pandemic, and b) the evolution of individual sectors towards the 4.0 economy. Practical Implications: They focus on highlighting significant changes that have already begun in the labor market, and the consequences of which will be long-term. These changes relate to the competency requirements of employees of various industries, and thus the phasing out of those sectors of activity that will no longer be crucial for civilization in the future. The forecasts contained in the study are speculative, but nevertheless result from the observation of historical and contemporary changes, in terms of organizations and world economies. Originality/value: In the article we propose an original set of competencies, which are crucial for the emerging new professions that respond to Industry 4.0 and which have been catalyzed by the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.