Deferred Payments and their Consequences for Enterprises’ Activities in Poland

Abstract

Deferring payment for purchases and services is a universal practice in transactions between enterprises giving definite profits both to the vendor and the buyer, but also one that is connected with the threat of a lack or a delay of the payment from the client.

The article focuses on the problem of payments delayed by the clients and the consequences of the delays, because of the problem’s range and significance. Part One of the paper is devoted to a presentation of the phenomenon of delayed payments in Polish enterprises. In Part Two the question is tackled of the consequences of delays in payments. When discussing the above issues the research findings are referred to that concern settlements between enterprises, the research being conducted, among others, in institutions offering services supporting the process of managing the trade credit.