The History of Joint-Stock Companies in the Second Polish Republic as Exemplified by Wspólnota Interesów Górniczo–Hutniczych SA (Mining and Metallurgy Community of Interests Joint Stock Company)

Abstract The article focuses on problems related to capital in Katowicka Spółka Akcyjna dla Górnictwa i Hutnictwa SA (Katowice Mining and Metallurgy Joint Stock Company) and Górnośląskie Zjednoczone Huty “Królewska” i “Laura” (Upper Silesian United Metallurgical Plants “Królewska” and “Laura”) in the years 1918–1939. The article examines particular issues of the Upper Silesian industry after the Great War, namely: concentration of foreign capital in the mining and metallurgical industries; great mining and metallurgical enterprises in the periods of both industrial prosperity and crisis; attempts to limit the influence of foreign capital following the introduction of judicial supervision over Katowicka Spółka Akcyjna dla Górnictwa i Hutnictwa SA and Górnośląskie Zjednoczone Huty “Królewska” i “Laura” SA; the emergence of Wspólnota Interesów Górniczo– Hutniczych SA (Mining and Metallurgy Community of Interests Joint Stock Company) in the final years of the Second Polish Republic.