Maria Nawojczyk

The emerging private sector of the economy in Poland after 1989 has stimulated a new debate on the role of small business in market economy. I have conducted field research among owners of small businesses and came to the conclusion that their decision of self-employment is a survival strategy rather than an embodiment of entrepreneurial attitude. Analyzing my research material I have realized that I must expand my perspective beyond the ‘entrepreneurial theories’ to cultural and institutional conditions of entrepreneurial activity as well as of social differentiation of the entrepreneurial class.