Broadly defined development in business, finance, and management was the focus of a two-day international scientific conference. Specialists from various fields were invited to the Rectorate of the University of Zielona Góra (UZ) to exchange insights and experiences. The event also provided an opportunity to develop collaborative scenarios to meet contemporary market demands.
The "Development in Business, Finance and Management" conference is a cyclical event that serves as a platform for exchanging ideas among representatives of academia, business, and the economy. Assoc. Prof. Anna Saniuk, PhD, Eng., Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law and Economics at UZ and Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, emphasized that the event addresses contemporary business challenges:
"These are very difficult times because enterprises face numerous challenges that they must overcome. They have to adapt their strategies, tools, and methods. And the hurdles are plenty—we are experiencing energy crises and wars, not only in Ukraine but also in the Middle East, which alter economic conditions. The environment remains unstable and highly volatile, so there is certainly a lot to discuss."
A major topic addressed during the meeting was modern technology, focusing on both its benefits and potential threats. As summarized by Piotr Ostręga from the Polish Chamber of Statutory Auditors (PIBR):
"In our line of work, we audit financial statements. Currently, everything is computerized. The introduction of the National System of e-Invoices (KSeF) has further digitized the entire framework. Operating on such vast amounts of data using artificial intelligence to detect anomalies and irregularities will undoubtedly assist us. However, we cannot rely on it entirely. Extensive experience is required to interpret this data and uncover the root causes of these deviations. That remains the responsibility of experts, such as those in our profession as statutory auditors. Of course, there could be areas where artificial intelligence is used maliciously—examples include various types of fake news or deepfakes. It all depends on who uses these tools, how, and for what purpose."
The discussions also included representatives from local government, technology, and private sectors, who deliberated on the development of business entities and the methods and tools applied. As explained by Jarosław Flakowski, PhD, Vice-President of the City of Zielona Góra:
"This is a very interesting initiative, particularly given its international character. On one hand, the university gains tremendously from this exchange; we have guests from the Czech Republic, among other places. Thanks to the efforts of researchers from the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences at the UZ Faculty of Law and Economics, we have the opportunity to transfer knowledge to business and learn about innovative international solutions. Zielona Góra is a friendly and open city, especially to entrepreneurs who offer engaging, innovative workplaces. Our observations and discussions with business owners show how highly they value the professional academic support provided by the University of Zielona Góra. They are well aware that Zielona Góra is a hub where international perspectives meet, particularly regarding business management and all other areas of corporate governance."
The initiative was also highly praised by Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, PhD, DSc, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra:
"It is hard to imagine a scenario where the University of Zielona Góra would not participate in work related to modern technologies or economic development. I believe this underscores the vital role the University plays in collaborating with the economy."
The conference was co-organized by the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences at the University of Zielona Góra and the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen.
This year's edition of the conference was held under the honorary patronage of the Rector of the University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, and the Mayor of the City of Zielona Góra, Marcin Pabierowski. Furthermore, the conference was patronized by the Poland branch of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) based in Warsaw. As with the previous edition, content partnership was provided by the Polish Chamber of Statutory Auditors (PIBR).
