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The concept of social capital has been recognized as one of the key aspect of public administration and is an essential part of local urban policy. From the point of view of the inhabitants, it conveys a sense of subjectivity, achievement, participation and co-government. Much more important is that social capital will be characterized by a measurable impact in terms of civic engagement in local affairs. Racibórz was selected as a case study due to the city's proximity to the border. On the one hand, it is regarded with a long tradition of self-government, self-organization, belonging to different legal and administrative systems throughout history, and on the other hand, with a marginal position in the territory and in the administrative structures of the country and the region. All these factors have, over the course of history, given rise to inhabitants' behavioral patterns and created the basic forms and structures of civil society and/or social capital. Based on qualitative and ethnographic field studies, the authors presents the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic phenomena, which changes the structures of social capital in Raciborz by reducing/destroying it and ask the question how it can be rebuilt in the future. The aim of the article is to present one of the current challenges for urban policy in Poland: social participation, especially in the context of the concept of social capital, in Raciborz town at the time of the (post) Covid-19 pandemic.

The concept of social capital has been recognized as one of the key aspect of public administration and is an essential part of local urban policy. From the point of view of the inhabitants, it conveys a sense of subjectivity, achievement, participation and co-government. Much more important is that social capital will be characterized by a measurable impact in terms of civic engagement in local affairs. Racibórz was selected as a case study due to the city's proximity to the border. On the one hand, it is regarded with a long tradition of self-government, self-organization, belonging to different legal and administrative systems throughout history, and on the other hand, with a marginal position in the territory and in the administrative structures of the country and the region. All these factors have, over the course of history, given rise to inhabitants' behavioral patterns and created the basic forms and structures of civil society and/or social capital. Based on qualitative and ethnographic field studies, the authors presents the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic phenomena, which changes the structures of social capital in Raciborz by reducing/destroying it and ask the question how it can be rebuilt in the future. The aim of the article is to present one of the current challenges for urban policy in Poland: social participation, especially in the context of the concept of social capital, in Raciborz town at the time of the (post) Covid-19 pandemic.

Die Verfasser stellen zwei unterschiedliche Institutionalisierungsbeispiele auf regionaler Ebene vor, im Oberschlesischen Industriegebiet und in der Wojewodschaft Opole. Sie untersuchen zunächst soziale Milieus im Zusammenhang mit dem regionalen Machtfeld in jeder Region. Auf dieser Basis werden Prozesse der Institutionenentwicklung im komplexen Kontext noch unklarer und sich ständig verändernder Beziehungen zwischen Staat und Regionen untersucht. Hier spielen insbesondere der Diskurs um die Regionalreform der Jahre 1998 und 1999 und der rechtliche Handlungsrahmen eine Rolle. Zudem werden Regeln des Verhaltens in Bezug auf soziale Mobilisierung und Protest, Kooperation und Individualismus behandelt. In theoretischer Hinsicht stützt sich die Untersuchung auf Bourdieus Konzept des Machtfeldes und Veblens Institutionentheorie. Sie zeigt insgesamt, dass sich die Regionalisierung in Polen nach einem strikt top-down orientierten Konzept vollzieht. Als Charakteristikum der polnischen Reform erweist sich die Diskrepanz zwischen den übertragenen Kompetenzen und den nicht übertragenen Verfügungsrechten über finanzielle Mittel. (ICE2)

PurposeCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is one of the most crucial phenomena of global capitalism at the beginning of the twenty‐first century. For this reason it is emphasized by many companies (especially transnational corporations and multinational companies) and in the European Union and its policy. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze how CSR exists in a transitional country and region – the Upper Silesian Industrial District and the Rybnik Coalmine Area in Southern Poland.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative and quantitative methodology was used to summarize the sociological research among entrepreneurs and businesses located throughout the region.FindingsThis research showed that the CSR model is a new phenomenon, relatively unknown to entrepreneurs and managers, although there are some examples of CSR practices which currently exist in the strategies of certain companies. These companies are enterprises with significant foreign capital, which proves the theory that CSR is a new kind of idea and consciousness coming into Poland (and Upper Silesia) from abroad. Small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) that belong to the Polish citizens are characterized by an unconscious mode of CSR. There are also examples of building a CSR model in the local perspective among SMEs through European projects. One project called "Inherit the Job" had a goal which was to have local companies recruit the long‐term unemployed for internships and practice and at the end of the program to employ them. To conclude, building a CSR model at the local/regional level depends on one's mentality and way of thinking and it will be a huge challenge in the coming years of transition.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the research is that companies are not very open to researchers and often would like to present themselves in a public relations manner and not reveal the true condition of the company.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the research are to create new programs focusing on CSR awareness and distribute them among SMEs and other companies.Originality/valueThe original value of the research is in showing how the model of CSR as a social phenomenon is implemented among entrepreneurs and companies in the Upper Silesian Industrial District.