INTRODUCTION

Achieving and maintaining competitive advantage forces companies to be flexible and creative which allows them to implement efficient transformations in terms of production, operating principles and organizational structure. Nevertheless it is not only development of a company that is related to its continuous adjustment to changes occurring in the company environment.

Fundamental objective of a company is to survive. However, it does not imply that it is sufficient for an organization to maintain its production on the same quantitative and technological levels of the same products for the same clients. If a company does not develop it is bound to fall consequently as it is unable to adapt to market changes. In a long term perspective it needs to strive toward growth through investments, modernization of technologies, manufacturing new products [Wędzki 2003, p. 17].

Inability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, imperception of the need to constantly introduce changes adapting the organization and company operations to new market conditions may cause serious crisis posing threat not only to development but also to survival of the company [Nalepka 1999, p. 7, Borowiecki 1998, p. 22; Mączyńska 2009, p. 23].

Threat to continue operations may be noticed by the managers only at the time when crisis forces to file a bankruptcy petition.