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In the European Union, SMEs represent as much as 99% of businesses, but only 3 out of 10 companies have some international involvement. EU policy makers perceive SMEs internationalization as a desired path for global growth; thus, they have put forward certain tools which aim to boost the pace and scope of internationalization, i.e., by creating and facilitating access to support activities, sharing information, promoting cluster and networking initiatives, making support schemes consistent throughout the EU, etc. (Della Corte, Handbook of research on startegic Management in Small and Medium Enterprises. IGI Global, 2014). However, a vital point in creating a successful internationalization framework requires understanding that SMEs internationalization models may and do differ from those of multinational enterprises (MNEs). SMEs have a different structure, and they act differently, since their aims vary from those of MNEs (Knight and Liesch, Journal of World Business 51(1): 93–102, 2016; Buckley, Journal of World Business, 51(1): 74–82, 2016).Former studies of European SMEs indicate that there are specific traits of company characteristics that determine their internationalization process. Amongst the distinguished factors, size, activities performed, age, and experience counted as the most significant determinants of the expansion. However, these findings refer to occurrences dating back at least 5 years. In the era of rapid digitalization and—still—ongoing globalization, the impact of these factors might have diminished, making place for others. Therefore, the rising importance of digitalization calls for the need to identify new barriers and opportunities for SMEs to become international.The aim of this chapter is to see whether and how digitalization has influenced the internationalization models of Polish SMEs. We do not provide quantitative analysis that would allow us to statistically verify hypotheses on that matter; however, given the recent developments of the business world and internationalization trends, we assume that digitalization has had an impact on how companies expand abroad nowadays. The study has a screening aim and should allow us to determine whether, in the case of the Polish context, the matter requires further pursuit. The remainder of this chapter is structured as follows: first, we discuss the internationalization models which commonly referred to the international expansion of SMEs. Secondly, we discuss how digitalization can influence the process and its determinants. Finally, we present our research results based on quasi-focus group discussion with Polish SMEs. The study concerned the impact the digitalization has on the internationalization experience of those companies.

The aim of this study is to analyse the possibilities of use of waste from dairy production to produce electricity and heat in the process of anaerobic digestion. The analysis covers one of the Polish dairies located in Eastern Poland. The amounts of the substrates produced in analyzed dairy plant will enable the production of approx. 14,785 MWh electricity and 57,815 GJ of heat. This will allow the construction of biogas plant with an electrical power of 1.72 MW. The paper has been stated that the construction of biogas plants for environmental and social reasons is beneficial.

The aim of this paper is to offer an empirical insight into the spatial effects of growth of regional income and disparities across EU regions (NUTS 2). Since regions are spatial units and there are interrelated standard linear regression is not sufficient to evidence the convergence process. Two models (Spatial Lag Model – SLM and Spatial Error model – SEM), derived from spatial econometrics, have been used to identify and explain spatial effects in convergence clubs—all EU countries (EU-28), countries that entered the EU in 2004 (EU-13) and countries that were in EU prior to 2004 (EU-15). Unconditional and conditional β-convergence has been examined in the period 2000-2015 thus covering two financial perspectives (including n + 2 rule3). Dummy variables have been also applied to catch the country-specific effects, such as national policies, legislation, technology progress, etc.

Przedsiębiorczość nigdy nie była tak ważna jak obecnie. Kryzys światowy gwałtownie obnażył słabości poszczególnych organizmów gospodarczych i znów wyeksponował znaczenie kreatywnych i przedsiębiorczych osób - indywidualistów, którzy chcą i mogą znajdować lepsze drogi prowadzenia biznesu. Tymczasem w Europie ponad połowa studentów nie ma dostępu do edukacji przedsiębiorczości. Celem artykułu jest prezentacja wyników badań nad postawami proprzedsiębiorczymi polskich studentów i ich zestawienie z postawą studentów z Chorwacji, Francji, Izraela i Litwy. Prezentowane badania stanowią fragment projektu międzynarodowego TEMPUS - Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education. (abstrakt oryginalny)

Texte; Knowledge has become one of the most important factors for the competitiveness of the globalized economy and the engine of rapid economic and social growth. Europe spends 0.8% of GDP less than the US and 1.5% less than Japan on R&D. The large European market is still not innovation-friendly enough. In reply the Innovation Union has become one of the seven flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy[European Commission, 2010].

The potential accession to the euro zone is a very current issue for Poland. Its importance is increased by the consequences of the recent economic crisis that can be seen in the global economy and particularly in the economies of European Union member states. The paper finds that the analyzed sample of companies is dominated by euro-enthusiasts, who are aware of the opportunities and risks related to “euro-based” operation. Neutralization of the risks associated with entering the euro zone and companies’ ability to take full advantage of it should be supported by thoughtful economic policy actions. The proposed set of recommendations is very extensive, but some are highlighted in details.

International audience; characterised by a gap between French Business Schools (Grandes écoles à la Françaises) and the public Universities. Numerous promotional activities that are very fruitful in term of firm creation can be observed but these are not well coordinated. Such a waste of energy and information has to be deplored. Certainly, many mechanisms for coordination have emerged over the last few years. In this chapter, the French's entrepreneurial education system is described and the strengths and weakness of such a system are highlighted. In the light of the Cre@tude project set up by the University of Nice, Sophia Antipolis, several recommendations are proposed with the aim of fostering entrepreneurial education in France.