Sustainable growth and strategies in the sea-faring industry

University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Economics, 119/121 Armii Krajowej St., 81-824 Sopot, Poland

^* Corresponding author: ekoao@ug.edu.pl

Abstract

The sustainable growth policy is the main driving force behind changes taking place under the European Union’s common economic policy, particularly where this relates to transport policy. In the last decades, the sustainable growth policy has considerably expanded its reach as it has been implemented in various areas of economic and social life. Sustainable growth has also found its application in the sea-faring enterprises which are becoming increasingly aware of benefits to be gained through correlating their social commitment with their strategic goals. The drive towards promoting mutual trust and transparency both on the inside and outside is today becoming a way for these enterprises to achieve a competitive edge.

Despite voluntary action taken by businesses, including sea-faring ones, to build responsible relations with their stakeholders, the extent to which the ideas of sustainable growth are being applied in their formal operational strategies still leaves much to be desired.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of activity for sustainable growth seen in sea-faring companies operating in Poland. This article is based on a study of primary research including interviews with representatives of sea-faring enterprises and contains the authors’ own reflections on the subject. The research relates to action which the enterprises in question are taking to integrate their policies, strategies and operational plans with sustainable growth.