On 11 June 2026, the conference “Trójkąt Transformacji – Społeczne, gospodarcze i finansowe aspekty zmian na Śląsku” took place at the Centre for Modern Information Technologies at the University of Economics in Katowice. The event was organised by the Centre for Research and Development of the University of Economics in Katowice in cooperation with Trybuna Górnicza/ netTG.pl portal. The discussions focused on the changes taking place in Silesia and their effects on the regional economy, labour market, local communities and public institutions. Topics included the just transition, the competitiveness of the region, structural economic change, the future of post-industrial areas and the use of European funding to support sustainable development. These issues were considered from a local perspective, while also being linked to broader European goals.
For an industrial region such as Silesia, change involves much more than modernising technology or replacing existing energy sources. Organisations also need to work together, develop new skills and adjust to evolving social and economic conditions. This can be particularly difficult for SMEs, which often have limited financial, human and organisational resources. Such constraints may make it harder for them to adopt sustainable technologies, adapt their business models or respond to regulatory and market pressures on their own.
Strategic partnerships and inter-organisational alliances can help address some of these difficulties. They allow companies to share knowledge, expertise and resources, while creating opportunities for innovation and improved competitiveness (Drewniak and Karaszewski, 2020; Idris, Susita and Buchdadi, 2020). For smaller businesses, collaboration may also make solutions accessible that would otherwise be difficult or too costly to develop independently (European Commission, 2021).
During this local event, Prof. Aldona Frączkiewicz-Wronka, PhD, DSc, Head of the Department of Public Management and Social Sciences at the University of Economics in Katowice, delivered a presentation entitled “Competences for Transformation”. Drawing on her experience in public management and cross-sector collaboration, she discussed the competences needed by employees, entrepreneurs, managers, public institutions and partner organisations as Silesia adapts to wider social and economic change. The region’s energy transition involves reshaping its economic foundations, responding to skills gaps and helping businesses and local communities operate under new conditions.
Prof. Frączkiewicz-Wronka also introduced the SAMExperience project and explained its relevance to SMEs. She highlighted that SMEs contribute practical knowledge through their participation in the project’s research. Interviews with CEOs and Alliance Managers have provided insight into the needs, experiences and challenges of companies, helping to adapt the project’s outputs, learning materials and competence development activities to the realities of SMEs and the practical demands of managing sustainable alliances. SAMExperience is an educational project focused on developing collaboration skills, green awareness and the ability to establish and manage sustainable alliances between companies.
The SAMExperience Associated Partner “Wspólnie dla Siemianowic” also took part in this local event. Its participation underlined the importance of including local organisations in discussions about the future of the region. It also helped connect the European objectives of SAMExperience with the needs, experiences and circumstances of local communities and stakeholders.
The conference demonstrated how collaboration among universities, businesses, local organisations and regional stakeholders can connect the aims of SAMExperience with local needs and support a just and sustainable transition in Silesia.
- Drewniak R., Karaszewski R., Diffusion of knowledge in strategic alliance: empirical evidence, „International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal” 2020, 16, pp. 387–416, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-019-00589-2.
- European Commission, Strategic Alliances for the Uptake of Advanced Technologies by SMEs, 6 December 2021 [access: 21.07.2026].
- Idris F., Susita D., Buchdadi A.D., Enhancing the small medium enterprises competitive advantage through SMEs strategic alliances, “Management Science Letters” 2020, 10, 9, pp. 2113-2118, DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2020.1.018.
Written by the University of Economics in Katowice team and the Wspólnie dla Siemianowic- Associate Partner (Poland)