Pyramidal structures in Poland Introduction / Struktury piramidowe w Polsce

The extensive research on corporate governance, economies’ transition and strategic management delivers interesting and important insights into the characteristics of companies operating in different countries. The growing popularity of the comparative analysis approach also enriches management literature as it allows for extended studies on similarities and differences and dynamics of the patterns which companies follow with respect to both their operation and characteristics. Ownership structure with the reference to the comparative studies worldwide, types, forms and patterns identified in companies as well as the logic behind the behavior of different owners constitutes an important theme in management studies. The opportunity to confront forms found in different countries (with the reference to the degree of concentration and shareholder identity) and the dynamics of the current changes help understand the shifts in realized strategies, undertaken restructuring schemes, adopted organizational structures and implemented motivation or reporting frameworks. The paper presents the essential dimensions of ownership structure focusing on its specific form known as pyramids. It analyzes the reasons for creating and logic of functioning pyramidal structures and delivers a brief presentation of the pyramidal structures identified in Poland amongst the largest public listed companies