Contrary to the prevailing methodological consensus, this article defines autopoiesis as a synonym of autocreation, or, more precisely, discursive identity construction. The latter refers to a literary ‘existential project’ which assumes that the sense of the self, or sameness, is the product of multiple, mostly discursive, interactions. They are the tex-ture of complex cultural processes which result in the determination by an individual of what he/she would like to be or what he/she would like be perceived. This construction of the self is in a state of ongoing contextualization within two distinct identity dis-courses, the discourse of individual uniqueness (founded on the sense of one’s body) and the discourse of collective participation (as defined by politics). The article argues that the two-dimensional contextualization is essentially historical and defines a broadly understood modernity. By examining the work of Gustave Flaubert the article shows how the oscillation between these two poles shapes the image of the modern writer created by Flaubert himself.

Management and Production Engineering Review (MPER) is a peer-refereed, international, multidisciplinary journal covering a broad spectrum of topics in production engineering and management. Production engineering is a currently developing stream of science encompassing planning, design, implementation and management of production and logistic systems. Orientation towards human resources factor differentiates production engineering from other technical disciplines. The journal aims to advance the theoretical and applied knowledge of this rapidly evolving field, with a special focus on production management, organisation of production processes, management of production knowledge, computer integrated management of production flow, enterprise effectiveness, maintainability and sustainable manufacturing, productivity and organisation, forecasting, modelling and simulation, decision making systems, project management, innovation management and technology transfer, quality engineering and safety at work, supply chain optimization and logistics. Management and Production Engineering Review is published under the auspices of the Polish Academy of Sciences Committee on Production Engineering and Polish Association for Production Management. The main purpose of Management and Production Engineering Review is to publish the results of cutting-edge research advancing the concepts, theories and implementation of novel solutions in modern manufacturing. Papers presenting original research results related to production engineering and management education are also welcomed. We welcome original papers written in English. The Journal also publishes technical briefs, discussions of previously published papers, book reviews, and editorials. Letters to the Editor-in-Chief are highly encouraged.