Family Business Unit

The Family Business Unit at the Warsaw School of Economics focuses on the themes of family entrepreneurship, as well as entrepreneurship in its broader sense and human capital.

We collaborate with enterprises and organizations/institutions that support them, both domestic, European, and non-European, which is why our research has an applied nature.

The Family Business Unit was established in 2013 from the transformation of the Business Analysis Unit. The first head of the Unit was Prof. Jan Klimek, Ph.D.

Family Business Unit

dr hab. Katarzyna Sobiech-Grabka, prof. SGH – Head of FBU
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Katarzyna Sobiech-Grabka

dr hab. Katarzyna Sobiech-Grabka, prof. SGH

katarzyna.sobiech-grabka@sgh.waw.pl

Kierowniczka Zakładu Przedsiębiorstwa Rodzinnego

She leads postgraduate studies on “Preparation and Management of Public-Private Partnership Projects.”

A graduate of the Poznań University of Economics and the Academic Tutors School (Collegium Wratislaviense). A certified project manager according to the PM2 methodology of the European Commission.

She is the author of several dozen scientific publications and expert reports on city management, revitalization, innovations in public services, and public-private partnerships. Currently, she conducts research on energy transformation, sustainable urban development, and intergenerational responsibility. She is involved in the university team for international accreditations. She also serves as the coordinator of the project “GOSPOSTRATEG III Mazowsze as an Accelerator of Global Enterprises.”

She combines scientific research with expert, advisory, and social activities. Between 2016 and 2018, she served as Vice President of the Management Board of the PPP Center Foundation, where she led the “Development of PPP in Poland” project (in a consortium with the Association of Polish Cities, the Lewiatan Confederation, and the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy). She has lectured in seminars, trainings, and postgraduate studies on PPP, city audit, and development. She has collaborated with institutions such as the Institute for Urban and Regional Development, the European Investment Bank, and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. She was a member of the PPP working group at the Ministry of Development and the inter-ministerial team for PPP (2017–2018). Since 2019, she has been a member of the Forecast Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences (currently in her second term). In 2023, she was elected to the supervisory board of an innovative company in the renewable energy sector. Since 2019, she has been serving as treasurer on the board of the Independent Territorial Circle No. 69 of the Social Educational Society, which runs the No. 24 Social School Complex in Warsaw’s Bemowo district.

Interships:

  • Sheffield Hallam University (Wielka Brytania)
  • University of Barcelona (Hiszpania)
prof. dr hab. Jan Klimek
Jan Klimek

prof. dr hab. Jan Klimek

jan.klimek@sgh.waw.pl

Professor in the field of management and quality sciences, Vice-President of the Polish Craft Association, and President of the Chamber of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises in Katowice. A researcher of family entrepreneurship, an active member of the FaBeRNET network, and an entrepreneur. Founder and long-time head of the Family Business Department at the Institute of Entrepreneurship at SGH (Warsaw School of Economics). His scientific, teaching, and expert activities are related to the management of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the labor market and vocational education.

He has held many positions, including Member of the Presidium of the Main Council of Science and Higher Education of the 12th term, Chairman of the Scientific Council at the SME Ombudsman, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Member of the Social Dialogue Council, Vice-President of the Association of Confectioners, Caramel and Ice Cream Makers of the Republic of Poland, and Member of the Supervisory Board of ZUS (Social Insurance Institution).

Laureate of many awards for scientific activity, achievements in organization management, contributions to the development of vocational education, and the development of the business sector in Poland.

dr hab. Marzena Fryczyńska, prof. SGH​
Marzena Fryczyńska

dr hab. Marzena Fryczyńska, prof. SGH​

marzena.fryczynska@sgh.waw.pl

She specializes in human capital management, focusing on the assessment and development of competencies, including managerial competencies, and career management. She researches, develops, and promotes the concept of sustainable work. She serves as the Chair of the Program Council of the Management Program and the Head of the Postgraduate Studies in Human Capital Management. She has received awards and distinctions from the Rector of SGH, including in the years 2021, 2020, 2015, and 2013, as well as acknowledgments from Northeastern Illinois University in 2015.

Her international experience includes internships and visits at renowned universities such as Northeastern Illinois University, University of Minnesota, Kyungpook National University, ISCTE Business School, Stockholm School of Economics, University of Eastern Finland, The American University of Cairo, Lebanese American University, and Mykolas Romeris University.

She has led and participated in scientific research projects funded by NCN, EQUAL, PARP, IBE, PO KL, and MNiSzW. She is the author of numerous scientific works, including monographs published in both national and international publishing houses such as Routledge. Her scientific articles are published in high-quality and high-ranking journals. She regularly presents the results of her research at national and international conferences.

In her teaching work, she expands the scope and tools of education, inspiring students to broaden and deepen their personal and professional competencies.

dr hab. inż. Jacek Lipiec, prof. SGH
Jacek Lipiec

dr hab. inż. Jacek Lipiec, prof. SGH

jacek.lipiec@sgh.waw.pl

  • He founded the first portal dedicated to salaries in Poland - www.placa.pl.
  • He co-organized the first conference on family businesses (2005).
  • He co-developed the governance concept for the Roleski family business (Roleski Family Business Constitution, 2010) and for the Łapaj Group (Heritage Statute of the Łapaj Family Group, 2011).
  • He participated as an expert in (1) the work of the Economic and Social Committee on the opinion on family businesses and (2) on the law concerning family foundations.
  • Certified family business advisor (“Certificate in Family Business Advising” issued by the Family Firm Institute, USA).

Positions held

  • Member, Disciplinary Committee for Doctoral Students

Major Achievements

  • Domestic scholarship for young scientists in the field of management awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science.
  • De Visscher Scholarship, Family Firm Institute.

Education

  • Gdańsk University of Technology (PhD)
  • SGH Warsaw School of Economics (habilitation)
DR HAB. INŻ. ANNA STANKOWSKA, PROF. SGH
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Anna Stankowska

dr hab. inż. Anna Stankowska, prof. SGH

astanko@sgh.waw.pl

Author and co-author of numerous publications and studies on issues related to energy, infrastructure development, and sustainable development. Academic lecturer at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels.

Positions held and projects undertaken:

  • Since 2024: Expert at the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)
  • Since 2023: Member of the accreditation team for EQUiS, BSiS, AACSB
  • Since 2019: Expert at the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR)
  • 2019–2023: Project Leader: “Sustainable Development of Green and Blue Public Infrastructure,” funded by NFOŚiGW
  • 2023: Coordinator of the project GOSPOSTRATEG-III/0060/2020-00 “Mazovia as an Accelerator of Global Enterprises”
  • 2021–2022: Project Leader on behalf of SGH – research project with Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań titled “Transgressive and Protective Human Behaviors and Housing Preferences in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience.”
  • 2019–2021: Member of the research team – statutory research: “Urbanization in the Face of UR Requirements, Topic Leader: Modern Technologies in Sustainable Urban Development Strategies.”
  • 2019–2021: Member of the research team – statutory research: “Structure and Dynamics of the Energy Market as Determinants of Sustainable Development,” Team Organizer: Prof. SGH Dr. Dorota Niedziółka, participant: A. Stankowska
  • 2015–2016: Member of the research team – research project “Innovative Cities”
  • 2013–2015: Member of the team – educational project “Eco-Innovations in the City” financed by NCBiR, no. POKL.04.03.00-00-249/12-00. The project was implemented under Priority IV, Action 4.3 “Enhancing the Teaching Potential of Universities in Key Areas in the Context of the Europe 2020 Strategy.” Granted funding: 2.5 million PLN.
  • 2013–2015: International Working Group C3 – System Environmental Performance at the International Council on Large Electric Systems; role: Expert representing Poland on the Study Committee
  • 2013–2015: Regular Member of the Polish Committee of Large Electric Networks Cigre Polska

Certificate in Project Management according to the PM2 methodology of the European Commission (2024).

  dr Beata Chmielewiec
Beata Chmielewiec

 dr Beata Chmielewiec

beata.chmielewiec@sgh.waw.pl

Academic teacher specializing in labor market issues and human capital management

  • 2001-2007 - assistant at the University of Promotion in Warsaw
  • 1996-2000 - Accounting and Trade Specialist, and then since 2001 - Personnel and Payroll Specialist 
  • 2007-2008 - advisor to the beneficiaries of the Foundation of the Archdiocese of Warsaw Aid to the Unemployed and the Poor “Hope” in Warsaw
  • 2011 - the chancellor of the Academy of Journalism Melchior Wańkowicz in Warsaw

Job positions

  • Assistant professor at the Collegium of Business Administration at the Warsaw School of Economics
  • Head of Postgraduate Studies in Management Human Resources in the Organization
  • Member of the Collegial Program and Teaching Committee
  • Representative of the Polish Teachers’ Union in the Scientific Council of the discipline of management and quality science at the Warsaw School of Economics

Major Achievements

  • Honorary Badge of Craft - Craft - for merits along with the ID card of the Polish Craft Association

Education

  • Graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics and Postgraduate Studies in Social Potential Management and Personnel Consulting
dr Marek Laszuk
Marek Laszuk

dr Marek Laszuk

marek.laszuk@sgh.waw.pl

His research interests include the issues of fostering entrepreneurship. He has been associated with this topic for over 25 years. At SGH, he conducts the Entrepreneurship Training and the Entrepreneurship Incubator, where, through the practical application of methods such as BMC, Customer Development, Lean Startup, and Design Thinking, his students test their business ideas through real market contact.

Simultaneously, he maintains constant contact with business practice. He has professional experience in business management, finance and controlling, as well as strategic management, building motivational systems, and implementing changes.

Major Achievements

  • 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014: Individual and collective second-degree Rector’s Awards at SGH
  • 2011: Medal of the National Education Commission for special merits in education and upbringing (No. 125809)
  • 2020: Inspiration of the Year 2020 (in the undergraduate category) - Award granted by the Independent Student Magazine Magiel

Selected Courses

  • 2008: Entrepreneurship Education Colloquium on Participant-Centred Learning, Harvard Business School and European Foundation for Entrepreneurship Research
  • 2011–2012: The Strategic Leadership Academy, ICAN Institute and Harvard Business Publishing
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