How will Poland and its neighbors transform their economies after communism? Contrary to traditional wisdom, this book argues that new private business will be the main engine of economic renewal throughout the region. It also includes case studies from Poland's shipbuilding, clothing, consulting, food, banking, and publishing industries.

How will Poland and its neighbors transform their economies after communism? Contrary to traditional wisdom, the authors argue that new private business - rather than restructured state enterprises - will be the main engine of economic renewal throughout the region. Case studies from Poland's shipbuilding, clothing, consulting, food, banking, and publishing industries contrast strategic successes and failures and illustrate the tremendous energy and potential of a rising entrepreneurial class. Ultimately, the authors suggest, reallocation of resources via the creation of new businesses will be the key to sustained domestic growth and international competitiveness for post-communist countries.

Part 1 Restructuring state enterprises: economic reform and the challenge of state enterprise restructuring
state enterprise privatization - the case of Prochnik
state enterprise restructuring - a tale of two shipyards. Part 2 Private business development: the nature of Polish private sector
the private sector breakthrough
constraints on private sector development
lessons for private sector development. Part 3 Starting over - the lessons from Poland: a reinterpretation of economic reform after communism.