Abstract:

The article presents chosen results obtained during the research process focused on polish organizations involved in majority within inter-organizational networks. Such networks were distinctly identified – based on opinions of 102 final respondents – as centralized and decentralized. Assuming the existence of significant differences between the functioning of the indicated types of inter-organizational networks based on the analysis of the literature on the subject, the author attempts to identify these differences (especially in the context of the benefits achieved) with particular emphasis on the leadership influence implemented in organizations belonging to specific networks. The aim of this article is to identify and characterize selected areas that differentiate the functioning of centralized and decentralized inter-organizational networks based on the results of the research conducted on organizations declaring their belonging to a specific type of network. In addition, the author focuses on determining the nature of the leadership influence implemented in the networks, which is considered to be one of the potential key differences in the scope mentioned above. Based on the research frame used and the respondents' answers, it can be assumed that there are differences, but their detailed confirmation requires additional analyses, primarily using statistical methods. The presented results are preliminary analyses and will be developed in subsequent publications.