The aim of the article is to analyse the phenomenon of nepotism, its effects in small and medium enterprises in Poland and Ukraine and their negative impact on social capital. Systematization literary sources and approaches for solving the problem of nepotism indicate that it is quite a common phenomenon in central and east European countries. Nepotism caused a lot of negative impact on organizations. It means, that in the organization, where nepotism is common employees have less motivation, job satisfaction. Their commitment to the organization is lower. They are also less efficient due to the selection of less capable candidates for the job or position. According to literature, on the other hand, nepotism could sometimes have a positive impact on family-owned companies. The article contains a review of the literature on social capital, nepotism and its effects, followed by an analysis of the results of quantitative research aimed at expanding knowledge about the problem of nepotism, determining its scope in Polish and Ukrainian enterprises, as well as its evaluation. The methodological tool of the research was a survey. Questionnaires were distributed to 691 working part-time students of private universities in Poland. The research was conducted from February to May 2019. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis which showed that both nepotism and closely related cronyism are common phenomena in Poland and Ukraine. It should be pointed out that they are more common in Ukraine. Both phenomena have a negative impact on satisfaction, motivation and work, commitment and trust among employees. One of the important effects of favouring people in the workplace is also reduced the social capital of the company. The results of the research can be useful for managers. Social capital is one of the important elements significant for the development of a company, and nepotism affects it negatively. The conducted research can be used as an aid in creating and reorganizing transparent processes related to the employment of staff and effective personnel management in the organization.

Nepotism and cronyism are forms of favoritism towards certain people in the workplace. For this reason, they constitute a problem for organization managers, ethicists and psychologists. Identifying the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the increase of nepotism and cronyism may provide a basis for organizations to assess their extent and to take possible measures to prevent their negative effects. At the same time, the research presented in the article may provide a basis for further research work related to nepotism and cronyism at the times of other threats, different from the pandemic. The aim of the article is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on growing acceptance for nepotism and cronyism in Polish enterprises. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been included in the conducted research. Qualitative study aimed at improving knowledge of nepotism and cronyism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these phenomena, followed by a quantitative study conducted in order to verify the information obtained in the qualitative study. This research has demonstrated that Nepotism and cronyism in the workplace, are phenomenon that are basically evaluated negatively. They adversely influences social and economic development, but the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nepotism and cronyism is not significant.

Nepotism, just like any other form of favouratism in the workplace, is a phenomenon that is basically evaluated negatively. It adversely influences social and economic development and it has not been considered in relation to the membership of a given Christian denomination. This article reviews the literature on nepotism and takes into account the religious perspective on nepotism while the research part focuses on the analysis of nepotism taking into consideration both Catholic and Protestant perspectives. Thus, the article falls within the discussion initiated by Max Weber, who found that religious membership had an influence on economic development because business leaders, capital owners, and a highly qualified workforce and well-trained enterprise employees were, by and large, Protestants. The article is aimed at analyzing the effects of nepotism and evaluating this phenomenon from the perspective of the abovementioned Christian denominations. Qualitative and quantitative methods were included in the conducted research. As far as the qualitative method is concerned, an individual in-depth interview, conducted with two Catholic and two Protestant clerics, was applied. Within the second stage, i.e., the quantitative surveys, information received in the interviews was verified and the way of understanding and accepting the phenomenon of nepotism depending on the religious membership was learnt. This research demonstrated that Protestants regard the phenomenon of nepotism as negative more frequently than Catholics and the phenomenon is more common among Catholics than Protestants.

Objective: The aim of the paper is to examine whether the impact of patriotic entrepreneurship may differ from the perspective of buyers depending on the country in question and how it affects entrepreneurial behaviour. Methods: The method are semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs and management and economics students from two countries who were introduced to the main elements that make up the concept of patriotic entrepreneurship and an online survey conducted among students coming from the two countries using questionnaire data will be mentioned. Results: Both quantitative and qualitative research indicated that most respondents understand and are willing to be guided by principles that take it into account. At the same time, the differences in the behaviour of entrepreneurs and buyers in Poland and Ukraine show that the very concept of this entrepreneurship, not supported by a strong economy and an attractive offer of domestic enterprises, will remain only a theoretical concept, not implemented in practice. Conclusions: Patriotic entrepreneurship can be one of the important motivations for consumer, managerial and employee actions. The research should be continued in the future. Other countries should be selected to see if there is a correlation that the intensity of patriotic entrepreneurship increases as the economic level rises. It would also be useful to investigate whether the attachment to local brands increases as the competitiveness of their offer improves.

The article aims to investigate how patriotic entrepreneurship is understood by Polish and Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Research Design & Methods: Qualitative research was carried out as part of the research conducted on the opportunities presented by the development of patriotic entrepreneurship. As part of the qualitative research, in-depth individual inter-views were conducted with ten entrepreneurs doing business in Poland and Ukraine. Findings: The results showed that the concept of patriotic entrepreneurship was positively evaluated by the entrepreneurs and should be expressed in greater entrepreneurial independence. In their answers, the entrepreneurs paid attention to the need to 'humanise' entrepreneurship. They also showed understanding and strong support for consumer ethnocentrism, which is one of the dimensions of patriotic entrepreneurship. Patriotic entrepreneurship is also determined by preferences as to where a business is conducted. Respondents also indicated that the best place to do business was their own country of origin, empowering their own business, which increases independence from international consortia. Implications & Recommendations: Patriotic entrepreneurship can be one of the important motivations for consumer, managerial, and employee actions. Contribution & Value Added:The study was exploratory in nature. Due to the very scarce literature in the field of patriotic entrepreneur-ship, it will serve as a basis for future research in the mentioned area. By systematising the knowledge in this area, it will be possible to better prepare future research projects in this area. Article type:research article