Zróżnicowanie opóźnień płatniczych w przedsiębiorstwach sektora B2B krajów Europy Wschodniej

The article presents results of multi-faceted analysis of differentiation of payments delays in commercial transactions of B2B sector enterprises located in chosen eastern Europe countries. The analysis was based on data coming from reports of the international business information agency Atriadus regarding enterprises in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey. The research proved that average of approx. 41% of sales in surveyed B2B sector enterprises were carried with use of the trade credit, mostly in foreign transactions. The research also proved that most contracts were concluded for payment period of 30 days (over 80%), with exception of Turkey where contracted liabilities equaled to approx. 54% of all contracts. Furthermore, it was proved that the smallest payments delay rate was observed in case of enterprises located in Slovakia and Hungary (10-17 days), whereas the biggest delay rate was observed in case of Turkey (76 days). According to the research, contractors’ limited access to financial resources, practice of treating outstanding debts as financial sources for current operations, formal insolvency of contractors and complex payments procedures should be considered as four main causes of payment delays in the B2B sector enterprises.