Purpose: This text is a review of the results of a research project on Polish entrepreneurs and Polish enterprises in Silicon Valley, conducted by the author in Silicon Valley in The United States in the years 2007–2012.

Methodology: 81 participants took part in the research (members of 13 different companies and several government and third sector organizations). Among the organizations represented in the project there were companies established in the Valley by Poles, Polish companies present in the Valley, as well as institutions that are active in promotion and support of Polish business presence in the United States, especially in Silicon Valley.

Findings: The research indicates that there are three main areas for improvement in Poland, if it is to be home to companies characterized by a potential for rapid growth (as the ones that Silicon Valley is famous for). The first one concerns cultural aspects associated with low tolerance of risk and social censure of those who fail in business. The second includes financing, in particular limited access to venture capital and business angels networks. The third one refers to business education of entrepreneurs, for whom gaining practical experiences in world-class centers of entrepreneurship, such as Silicon Valley, is of utmost importance.

Purpose: The article describes the essence of strategic thinking in the context of changes taking place in the process of creating and implementing strategies in organizations. The aim of the article is analyzing this concept – as a synthesis of strategic planning, creative analysis and inspiring vision.

Methodology: The fieldwork of the study was carried out by the PAPI method – additionally, the quantitative study used open and standardized data collection methods.

Findings: The article presents a part of the research results, which confirm that strategic thinking is now becoming a necessary addition to the existing decision-making process, replacing complex and inflexible development plans and compensating the existing deficiencies in the strategic planning process.

Practical implications: It seems that more often strategy will take the form of an informal concept, which evolves during the implementation, replacing complex formal documents, which do not leave any room for flexible adaptation.

Originality: The presented results concern an important topic and make an important contribution to the ongoing debate around the concept of strategic thinking.

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to present a model of the network of relationships of an enterprise with entities around it in the virtual environment, with particular consideration of internet communities against the background of its earlier forms, along with a presentation of the crucial factors, which have influenced its shape. An additional aim is to identify the key factors that determine the relationships of the network.

Approach: The article is theoretical. The basis for discussion are literature studies in economics and management.

Findings: The results of the discussion indicate the manner in which new information communication technologies change the form and nature of relationships between companies and their external environment. The author puts forward a proposal concerning the development possibilities of these mutual relationships in two opposing directions, i.e. cooperation and destruction.

Originality: A model of business relationships in the virtual environment is presented. The author also suggests the key internal and external factors determining the form of the mutual relationships in the virtual environment

Purpose: The aim of the article is to present a strategic model of inter-sectoral cooperation and its conditions, such as social responsibility and trust. The development of organizations depends on them, but also on relationships with business partners. The greater the integrity and social responsibility of the organization, the greater the trust and willingness of the business partners. The importance of trust should also be observed in the Polish reality, not only in business.

Methodology: The aim was achieved by discussing literature and presenting the results of focus discussion in groups. The end result was a conceptual model of NGO (non-governmental organization) – PA (public administration) cooperation (2012).

Findings: The conceptual model of NGO (non-governmental organization) – PA (public administration) cooperation seems to be an interesting and promising solution. It seems to be a significant task of both popularizing assumptions and providing building blocks for models. It could be considered to be a very useful tool. This model should provide a helpful framework for developing local standards that will be useful in inter-sectoral cooperation.

Originality: The novelty and originality of the study is the theoretical and practical presentation of the strengths of inter-sectoral cooperation.

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to analyze some of the innovation drivers in Poland in comparison to the selected developed and developing countries, to present the general determinants and features of the “open innovation” concept, and finally to determine the most important incentives of the open knowledge ecosystem creation process in Poland.

Methodology: The research approach and methodology are based on the assumption that in the contemporary world economy innovativeness and competitiveness depend not only on traditional modes of technology transfer (e.g. foreign direct investment, license or arm’s length agreements), but also on knowledge absorption capabilities.

Findings: The transnational corporations have already perceived the knowledge creation potential of Internetbased digital communities, therefore they are strongly interested in the implementation of the “open innovation” concept in their business models. Based on completed survey results and a selected data comparative analysis one can conclude that the innovativeness of the Polish economy has not increased since the last two decades, and
future development prospects in this area are rather gloomy. It seems that the cornerstone of the open knowledge environment building process is a systemic change concerning citizen-state relations.

Originality: The value of the article stems from emphasizing the importance of trust and cooperation as the fundamental factors influencing growth of networked innovation capabilities of society. Moreover, without promoting the development of such social attitudes it is impossible to create a modern digital society, and to profit from ideas and knowledge circulating on the Web.

Purpose: This article aims to analyze business models and their key elements. In light of the considerations on the merits and circumstances of innovation in business models, it presents the results of a panel discussion conducted in this area during the interdisciplinary conference “Time to develop. Strategic thinking in work and everyday life”.

Methodology: Discussion, literature studies, the results of studies carried out by international research centers and the results of a panel discussion conducted during the conference.

Results: As a result of the discussion the Authors conducted an analysis of the components of the business model, demonstrated the circumstances in which changes in the business model are needed and outlined the main stimulators and inhibitors of change.

Originality: The topic of innovation in business models is current and important for the development of both theory and practice, but is rarely addressed in Polish scientific studies. In times of economic crisis, when more and more companies are considering the revision of the current model, an accurate identification of the key conditions is important for the effective implementation of innovation in the business model.

Purpose: The article is aimed at determining the business environment through an analysis of concepts of and approaches to organization management, and subsequently proposing a methodology for testing company profiles considering the preferences of the decision-makers.

Methodology: The research includes literature studies, critical discussion and personal research in the area of the meta-method for company testing.

Findings: The contemporary business environment, which is complex and dynamic, requires adequate measuring tools. Such tools, like meta-methods, should operate on quantitative and qualitative variables, as well as consider the time factor. While testing companies one should not omit the preferences of their decision-makers. The profile of an organization depends on their point of view.

Originality: The image of business environment, which is a discussion on issues involving, inter alia, sources of competitive advantage, professionalism of services, virtuality and telepresence, as well as behavioral and resource-based approaches to management. A proposition of testing profiles of small and medium companies considering the preferences of the decision-makers.

Purpose: The article concerns the contemporary approach to employees in organizations, and the research question is whether strategic thinking about employees is a possibility or necessity of the contemporary organization.

Methodology: Literature research was the basis for the deliberations and proposals, which were analyzed using several empirical studies conducted by Polish and international research centers.

Results: The presented discussion suggests that contemporary organizations should think strategically about their employees if they want to succeed. But this approach cannot be limited only to investing in employee competencies, but should also take into consideration building a working environment that ensures the success of both the organization and the worker.

Originality: The article suggests the necessity of a strategic approach regarding employees in the contemporary business world. At the same time it indicates that organizations cannot treat employees only with the organizational profits in mind. In strategic thinking about employees there must also be room for other benefits, such as the success of an employee.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to identify the important role of the family in shaping the values and attitudes of the young generation and especially to answer the question of whether family can be a democracy.

Methodology: This article reviews the current positions on democracy in the family, and the results of the discussion that took place during the conference: “Time to develop. Strategic thinking in work and everyday life”. The subject of the discussion was decision-making issues and achieving objectives in family life.

Findings: There is no doubt nowadays that family is important for a child, or regarding the significance of the development and educational environment of a child. The personality of a child is greatly influence by the parents. However, this influence only lasts for several years. Specific parental attitudes affect the school achievements of children, as well as the development of emotional stability and socio-emotional maturity, the formation
of self-image and that of the peer group.

Originality: The analysis of the problem is only an attempt to signal the important role of family decisionmaking, the development of values and sophistication in the young generation, as well as taking responsibility for one’s own actions. Based on the analysis of the family, the changes taking place in this area could be seen as a necessary effect of changes in the social system.