Old and new threats for business in Poland
| Pages | 309-321 |
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13685200610681832 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Author | Janusz Bojarski |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance |
Old and new threats for business
in Poland
Janusz Bojarski
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a short history of economic crime in Poland since
1989, the most significant criminal law regulations aimed at controlling this phenomenon and their
efficiency and finally to explain the most dangerous threats for the Polish financial system.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses Polish legislation, statistics, criminal law,
criminological and sociological literature and specialized press relations.
Findings – In the course of the work it was found that in 15 years a completely criminal law and
institutional framework of economic crime control has been created. This is a system generally
completed and can be described as adequate to present situation. However, the attitude of potential
victims – financial institutions and companies – is surprising. This is also a factor increasing risk.
Originality/value – The paper can be useful for next comparative research in the spheres of
economic crime control – both between new members and between Poland and “old” members of the
European Union. It presents problems of adaptation two parties to new economic reality: state
agencies and society. It shows that law regulations and organization structures are more flexible
than personal attitude of public officers and businessmen.
Keywords Poland, Criminallaw, Crimes
Paper type General review
Poland is one of these countries where question on old and new threats is especially
important. At the beginning it should be stressed, that during last 15 years there has
been important transition of risk in Polish financial institutions. Here I would like to
present a short history of economic crime in Poland in this period, the most significant
criminal law regulations aimed to control this phenomenon and their efficiency and
finally explain the most dangerous threats for the Polish financial system.
The beginning of the new reality – 1989 and a few next years
For the beginning of the new reality, since turn of 1980 and 1990, there are great
political social and economic changes in Poland. We can recognize 1 January 1989,
when came into force Act on Economic Activity, as a day of the beginning of changes
of economic system in Poland, and 4 June 1989 – day of first partly free parliamentary
elections, as a day of so big political changes. Important social changes sometimes
followed these political and economic ones and sometimes were previous to them.
It is difficult to tell such symbolic date of the beginning of the social changes.
Probably it was in late 1980s, when borders were a little open and thousand of Poles
were travelling across Europe in aim to earn money on black market of goods or
labour. So in the early 1990s, a lot of Poles were already familiar with market economy
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1368-5201.htm
Paper presented at XXIII International Symposium on Economic Crime “The Business of Crime.
The Enterprise of Crime and Terror – The Implications for Good Business” Session XV: looking
for the future – old and new threats (Saturday, 10 September 2005).
Old and new
threats for
business
309
Journal of Money Laundering Control
Vol. 9 No. 3, 2006
pp. 309-321
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1368-5201
DOI 10.1108/13685200610681832
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