Shaping the Future: Prof. Tomasz Skica on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Lasting Impact

We interviewed professor Tomasz Skica, he is the Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of Information Technology and Management (UITM) in Rzeszow, Poland. He has been associated with UITM since 2002, earning his MA in economics from the same institution. Tomasz holds a PhD in economics from the Cracow University of Economics and a habilitated doctorate in social sciences in economics and finance. Throughout his career, he has led various departments, contributed to postgraduate studies, and served as Research and Science Director at the Institute for Financial Research and Analyses (IFRA). He also serves as the editor-in-chief of the Financial Internet Quarterly Impact Factor Journal. In this interview, Tomasz shares his academic interests and motivation, his journey with SFF and his future plans.

SFF: What initially inspired you to pursue research in your field, and how did your journey with the SFF begin?

Tomasz: My research interests were initiated by starting work on my doctoral thesis. My specialization at that time focused on public finance, in particular the finances of local government units (LGUs). In my doctoral thesis, I focused on supporting entrepreneurship by LGUs. The results of my research on public policies supporting economic activity paved the way for me to cooperate with LGUs in this particular area of their activity. I prepared expertise, analytical studies, strategies and reports that allowed local governments to shape the conditions for supporting entrepreneurship. My research and knowledge found practical translation, which confirmed my intention to continue this research trend and deepen my knowledge in the field of supporting entrepreneurship by LGUs. 

I found out about Start For Future (SFF) initiative from Chief Assist. Prof. Petar Petrov, PhD (University of Economics – Varna, Bulgaria). We had previously collaborated on the project entitled "Enhance Soft Skills to Nurture Competitiveness and Employability (ESSENCE)" financed by the ERASMUS+ Strategic Projects program, of which I was the coordinator. Due to the thematic connection of both initiatives and very good cooperation between our universities (which we still continue), I was invited to participate in SFF. The decision to join UITM to SFF was a very good move. The research conducted in the Entrepreneurship Department headed by me, gained new meaning and opened up space for their application in SFF activities.

SFF: Among the various interventions you have been involved in, which ones are you most passionate about, and why?

Tomasz: I value “Learn” and “Match & Start” initiatives the most. They were a source of invaluable experience for both me as a tutor and my students, who were taking their first steps on the way to their own business. Both initiatives definitely went beyond the stereotypes and framework of classic academic entrepreneurship education, and opened up space for a practical look at business. By combining these experiences with the multiculturalism of Learn and Match & Start participants, both mentors and students gained an incredibly useful dose of practical knowledge on how to perceive business, assess emerging opportunities and exploit market niches.

SFF: How has your experience with SFF influenced your research and entrepreneurial journey? Can you provide specific examples?

Tomasz: Membership in SFF was the inspiration for launching research at the UITM’s Department of Entrepreneurship on students’ entrepreneurship potential, and forms of support for economic activity expected by students from universities. My team developed an original research tool and conducted survey on a sample of over 1,500 UITM students (i.e. 30% of the population of people studying at UITM), while maintaining the representativeness of individual fields of study, Polish and English-language paths. The research results were presented, among others at the Symposium on World Economics, Finance and Business (WEFB 2024) in Singapore. In addition, two of my students (one studying in Polish and the other studying in English) prepared their diploma theses on the subject of students’ entrepreneurship. Finally, the obtained research results served as material for several scientific articles prepared and submitted for publication.

SFF: What are your future plans for your research and entrepreneurial ventures?

Tomasz: The research results on student’s entrepreneurship potential, and forms of support for economic activity expected by students from universities served as an inspiration to extend them to other countries. With the beginning of new academic year, research on the above-mentioned topic will be conducted in a consortium of universities from: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary (all Visegrad Group countries), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia (all Baltic Republics), as well as Bulgaria, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina (representing the Balkans).

SFF: What advice would you offer to fellow researchers or entrepreneurs considering participation in international initiatives similar to SFF?

Tomasz: SFF is an initiative like no other. It brings together students, researchers (scientists) and practitioners from many European countries and beyond. SFF is not only a platform connecting representatives of the academic community, but also the national economies, thanks to which it opens opportunities for practical implementation of research results. It creates a space for using knowledge and research in shaping the space for initiating and running a business and for transforming research results into business ideas. It is precisely this issue that we try to devote a lot of attention to at the Department of Entrepreneurship UITM. We believe that our expertise and results of conducted research deserve practical application, and our presence in SFF allows us to present our specializations to a basically unlimited group of recipients and potential collaborators.

SFF: In your perspective, how do initiatives like SFF contribute to shaping the future of research and innovation in Europe?

Tomasz: SFF is a unique, fastest growing alliance of entrepreneurial universities. Thanks to the fact that SFF brings together representatives of the academic community representing various scientific disciplines, it is possible to achieve (so desired in science) the effect of synergy. I represent the economics and finance specialization. Members of my research team represent quantitative methods and management. Daily, we cooperate with experts dealing with computer science and artificial intelligence. This is just a small sample of how great the power and importance of combining competences, skills, knowledge and experience in science is. The common denominator here is entrepreneurship. It directs both the topics of scientific research and the transfer of developed solutions to economic practice. SFF actively shapes and changes the mindset of the young generation, teaching a radically different approach to entrepreneurship. What is more, SFF does not focus only on what is important here and now. In its vision, it goes far beyond current problems, trying to set directions for future research, initiate public debate on issues important to society and the economy, and at the same time stimulate the political environment to properly directed legislative activity.

SFF: Reflecting on your career, what does it mean to you to be an entrepreneurial researcher?

Tomasz: I am passionate about scientific work. The subject of entrepreneurship gives me the opportunity to combine my knowledge of finance with the conditions for starting and running a business. An important common point for these research areas (for me as a scientist) are the legislative actions of public authorities, institutional issues and public policies responsible for the climate for entrepreneurship. The interface between these areas is the space in which I operate both in the didactic and research dimensions. What is particularly important in this area is that the research I conduct creates the possibility of their application to the practice of LGUs in Poland. They have often been the basis for shaping local public policies (including tax policies) in a way that is conducive to initiating economic activity while respecting the financial stability of local government units.

SFF: How can other researchers and innovators connect with you for potential collaboration or mentorship?

Tomasz: I regularly present the results of my research on ResearchGate and Academia portals. Information about the latest research projects and grants is published on the UITM’s website in the tab dedicated to the research activity of the Entrepreneurship Department I run, scientific news tab and the UITM Science Blog. I also use the SFF platform to share information about scientific seminars organized periodically by my Department. I also use LinkedIn platform to communicate my latest scientific achievements to communities of people with similar and related academic specializations.

SFF: If you could summarize the impact you aspire to achieve in one word, what would it be, and why?

Tomasz: I would say that impact should be characterized by “durability.” I believe that the durability of work is the best litmus test to confirm that not only as scientists and researchers, but also as teachers and educators, we are doing our job well.