| dc.description.abstract | This doctoral dissertation investigates the impact of global processes on the development and competitiveness of Polish artistic craft enterprises. Despite their small production scale, these entities hold considerable economic value due to their cultural embeddedness, high added value, and increasing consumer interest in unique, handmade products. However, they face persistent structural challenges, including limited institutional support and insufficient intellectual property protection.
The research applies a mixed-method approach, integrating statistical analysis with qualitative interviews conducted among Polish artist-craftspeople active in foreign markets. The findings reveal that digital tools—especially e-commerce platforms and social media marketing—are now central to export strategies, enabling small producers to reach global audiences. Export revenues constitute a growing share of total income in this sector, underscoring the importance of international market access.
The dissertation contributes to economic theory by positioning artistic crafts as a dual force—cultural heritage carriers and economically viable creative industries. It emphasizes their potential to stimulate regional development and attract investment. Policy recommendations include the expansion of legal and financial frameworks tailored to this sector’s specificity, greater protection of intellectual property, and promotion through international channels.
The study fills a research gap in Polish economic literature and provides practical insights for policymakers, industry organizations, and entrepreneurs. It underscores the necessity of merging traditional craft methods with modern business strategies to enhance the resilience and global competitiveness of Poland’s artistic craft sector in the face of accelerating global transformations. | pl_PL |
