Changing Industrial Structure under Economic Transition

The Case of Poland

Abstract

Under a process of economic transition, a nation's industrial structure changes. It can be said that this is the process of adjustment to market needs from an old industrial structure that was created under the artificial economic policies of communism.
In this paper, the change of Poland's industrial structure is discussed at both macro and micro levels. The textile and the iron and steel industries have been chosen as examples to show changes in internal production systems. The factors that brought about the changes are discussed from the viewpoint of international trade, the emerging new businesses and foreign direct investments. Finally, a personal view regarding the on-going industrial structural changes in Poland is presented.