Using IT to Improve Efficiency of Polish Courts: An Action Research Study

The paper presents a research project on identification of good practices based on information technology to improve the efficiency of Polish courts. The research draws from New Institutional Economics – the theory that explains why efforts to improve the efficiency of institutions, specifically judiciary are essential for the transition economy. The methodology relies on action research. It includes theory based identification of areas for improvement and final formulation of good practices related to the use of information technology based information systems solutions (IT/IS) in the courts for their further implementation. The project outcome consists in the report on a thorough diagnosis of the factual state in thirty pilot courts and indicates the key directions for improvement as well as six IT/IS good practices. The authors conclude with the recommendation for follow-up studies that could expand on the subject of good practices for common courts in Poland.