A Limited Free Market Experiment in a Centrally Planned Economy: The Case of Polish Plant ZBM "Ter-Zet"

Purpose: The purpose of the considerations in the article is an attempt to capture the place of economic initiatives taken by a social organisation in a centrally planned economy in the situation of a malfunctioning real economic account. Design/Methodology/Approach: The method of critical analysis of the literature on the subject and the observational method using arguments for generalised statements drawn from own experience. Archival materials collected mainly in Polish state archives are the basis for the presented theses. The arguments were based on the example of an analysis of the functioning of Construction and Assembly Plant "Ter-Zet" (Polish abbreviation: ZBM "Ter-Zet") as an entity specialising in the structures of Society for the Development of Western Territories (Polish abbreviation: TRZZ) operating in Poland. A kind of borderland between state and private economy was in this case a field for both economic, social and political analyses. Conclusions: The example presented here confirms that centralisation of economic management suppresses the freedom of economic activity. It is reasonable to assume that this phenomenon intensifies as authoritarian tendencies in the actions of policy makers are strengthened. Practical implications: Practical implications for economic policy makers and researchers recognising the relationship between the economic model and the social system. Originality/value: The issues presented are very rarely addressed in research. Existing studies have been very general and not very detailed.