The Importance of Inward Foreign Direct Investment during the Transformation Process in Poland with a Focus on American Investment

The article looks at issues connected with the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Poland during the period of systemic transformation, i.e. 1990–2012. The author focusses on American investment. She shows that despite the decreased share of American FDI in the total volume of FDI inflows to Poland in recent years, American FDI still plays a significant role in the development of the Polish economy, for example, through its positive impact on the labour market and on the technological modernisation of industries where there is considerable American capital involvement. The author also points out that American companies in Poland are characterised by high sales revenues, a high propensity to export, and by major expenditure on investment.