IT Strengths and Weaknesses

Continued Strengths

- Continued commitment to growth
- Continued pursuit of deregulation, privatization, liberalization and competition
- Continued pledge to incorporating technology in the class and teacher education
- Continued investments and leadership in scientific and technical research and development

By continuing to promote growth in the economy, technology implementations continue to be spurred. Promotion of privatization, liberalization, and deregulation drives competition in Poland, and the less barriers to entry there are, the more competition for the best prices. Incorporation of technology in the classroom enables important interaction with the young in the pursuit of creating an information society. Teacher learning programs enable mentors to provide the young with an important foundation of knowledge from which to build upon. Teachers also include the scientists and technical researchers who research and develop new technologies and assist in implementing such technology into the classroom, the organization, and, ultimately, the society.

Emerging Strengths

- Favorable geographic location between Central Europe/Western countries to Asia and other Pacific countries
- One of the largest potential markets in eastern Europe, and the largest market in potential EU members
- Young and well-educated society
- Many Tech Parks and clusters promote technical education
- Strong scientific centers throughout the country

Poland has established a trade-relationship with Asian countries, specifically, China, the largest potential and growing market in the east. Poland is also seen by many countries, both east and west as the largest emerging market in eastern europe. The fact that the society is well-educated and young, coupled with the fact that it is one of the fastest growing markets is creating unique opportunities for foreign direct investments in society. Many tech parks and technical universities are also emerging, as the metropolitan areas are evolving into technical hubs that promote academics as well as application. Other scientific centers throughout the country also provide key research, development, funding, advertising, and donations of technical know-how and research to the society, especially in underdeveloped areas where there is lack of infrastructure.

Factors Encouraging Strengths

- Internet usage is increasing in all age categories
- High growth of computer sales to businesses continues
- Additional FDI opportunities with EU Accession
- Many research and development, funding, and infrastructure-resources
- Continued push to use technology in all societies
- Trade relationships are good
- Development of individuals

Weaknesses (1)

- Industries in Poland will face higher costs with accession into the EU
- Poland is taking a lot of time to match its telecommunications infrastructure with Western and EU member countries
- Current policies are not bringing changes about fast enough to maintain implementation of information society
- High tax burdens
- EU Accession may drive cost of living higher
- Poor communication infrastructure
- Insufficient management culture
- Weak ability of domestic R&D institutes to cooperate with industry and make commercial use of scientific search results
- Shortage of financial instruments for SMEs and innovation development and low ability of entrepreneurs for self-financing of development investment
- Very high levels of unemployment

The economy in Poland is in an unfortunate downturn right now, and skepticism runs amock, as even government officials believe it will get worse, albiet only slightly, before it gets better. Unemployment is at approximately 19%, and many young, well-educated people are finding there are no jobs. In addition, EU accession is approaching, estimates now are at the end of 2004, and many believe that accession will bring higher costs of living, and higher taxes. Although the government has been reformed now for many years, the bureacracy continues to take long periods of time to reassess and implement policies.

The communications infrastructure in Poland is still poor. Many homes are still without telephone services, and those thta do have telephone lines, pay high amounts of money for Internet service. Most dial-up connections are used by companies, but even they have issues; as many in management do not yet understand the Internet, its usefulness, or potential. This coupled with the fact that the aforementioned research and design resources have difficulties getting the corporate infrastructure to implement technologies and apply scientific research, makes progress a long, arduous road.

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