About the Pomeranian Economy of Cooperation. Interview with Maciej Grabski, President of Olivia Business Centre

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24.11.2023

About the Pomeranian Economy of Cooperation. Interview with Maciej Grabski, President of Olivia Business Centre

Today, modern technologies are turning many traditional branches of the economy upside down. There are also changes in our mentality – we are more open to using many things, but not necessarily owning them. As a result, completely new business models are being born, based on dispersed knowledge, trust and community involvement, such as the sharing economy. Can it become a springboard for development for Pomeranian companies? How could we use our openness combined with technological capabilities for a better quality of life?

The interview with Maciej Grabski, President of the Management Board of Olivia Business Centre, is moderated by Marcin Wandałowski, Managing Editor of the “Pomeranian Economic Review“.

In many areas of the economy, we are currently witnessing a shift from business models based on centralised institutions to models based on distributed knowledge, trust and, increasingly, community involvement. Why such a change?

It was determined by at least a few phenomena, but two stand out. I’ll start with cultural changes – young people are more open to using a lot of things, but not necessarily owning them. And not so long ago, the priority for many was the desire to possess. There is also a technological aspect – we have computers, smartphones, tablets in our hands, with the help of which we gain access to cheap and flexible payment systems and communication with others. We don’t have to go to the office or bank to use them – we have everything with us. This allows us to make transactions in a simple way. What’s more, they are relatively safe. People who sell, rent or buy a given thing – e.g. an apartment or a car – are subject to evaluation. Some Kowalskis judge others. User verification has become the basis for the functioning of many businesses operating on the Internet.

Aren’t we naturally distrustful and uncooperative?

Recently, a survey was conducted in which respondents were asked to answer the question: “Would you like to share your house or car with a stranger?” The results showed that both among Poles and among Americans – who are associated with openness – 2/3 of the respondents gave an affirmative answer. In this respect, we are statistically no different. I believe that as a nation we are open – we like to have fun, share joy, receive guests at home. Let’s look at EURO 2012 or World Youth Day. In this respect, we are no different from Americans or Western European societies.

Can this translate into the success of companies operating in the sharing economy model?

They’re still in their infancy. So far, I don’t see any examples of companies in Pomerania or Poland that would grow enough to be our business cards. Allegro may be an exception here. However, I notice that many niches in Poland are occupied by large international corporations, such as Uber or Airbnb. Soon, foreign entities will also enter our market, dealing with organizing money lending between people or even bringing pizza by couriers or other customers. Fortunately, many services are local – i.e. Pomeranian, Polish, Central European – and therefore we have a chance to implement interesting ideas, because it is easier to do it “here and now”. On the other hand, it will be difficult for Polish companies – even if they have an interesting idea – to break through to the global level, because it is often more a matter of the amount of cash in the account allocated to the fight against competitors than a matter of a better idea.

(…)

The full text of the interview can be found in the Pomeranian Economic Review.
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