Creating Competitiveness of Peripheral Areas: The Study of Poland’s Eastern Border Regions

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study changes in border areas in the context of globalisation and the increasing interregional competition. The article focuses on theoretical reflections on the creation of competitiveness of a border region and the role of human capital and innovativeness in the creation of this competitiveness.Design / methodology / approach: The study is based on desk research. The analysis of available documents and data allowing to collect information on the eastern borderland of Poland has been conducted.Findings: The hitherto model of the development of the east border region of Poland does not contribute to the creation of competitiveness of this region.Research and practical limitations/implications: The study is theoretical and empirical in character. Results of the analyses should be used in the debate on the directions of development of the eastern border area of Poland.Originality/value: The article points to the ineffectiveness of actions undertaken to improve the competitiveness of eastern bor-derland of Poland.Paper type: theoretical article

Shopping tourism as a factor in the development of peripheral areas : the case of the Polish-German borderland

Purpose: The article presents selected results of research on the impact of shopping tourism on the development of peripheral areas illustrated by the case of the Polish-German borderland. The purpose of research was to determine whether shopping tourism can be a factor in the development of peripheral areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was based on data from publicly available statistics and the analysis of available literature on the subject. It covered 8 powiats (counties) located along the Polish-German border. Findings: The heavier border traffic and the increasing expenses of foreigners in the border area point to the potential development of various forms of economic activity in the area of the Polish-German border. Practical Implications: The research has demonstrated that the development of shopping tourism requires an integrated tourist product. Shopping tourism is a significant factor in the development of regional enterprise. Originality/Value: The suggested solutions are to contribute to higher quality of services offered to shopping tourists crossing the Polish-German border.peer-reviewe

Religious tourism as a development factor for peripheral areas : the case of the Polish-Czech border

Purpose: This article presents selected results of studies on the impact of religious tourism on the development of peripheral areas on the example of the Polish-Czech border area. The study subject was determining whether religious tourism can be a factor conductive to local development. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study was conducted based on data available in public statistics and analysis of available literature of the subject. The study covered 2 sanctuaries: St. Anne Mountain (Góra Świętej Anny) and Turza Śląska, located in the southern border area of Poland, in the communes of Leśnica and Gorzyce. Findings: Religious tourism is not perceived as a development factor in strategic documents of the studied Communes. Increased border traffic and growing spending by foreigners in the border area point out to the development potential of different forms of business in the Polish-Czech border area. Practical Implications: The study has proven that it is necessary to create an integrated tourist product based on cultural, social and religious values of the region in order for the religious tourism to develop. Originality/Value: Proposed solutions are to contribute to a growth in the quality of services offered to religious tourists in both studied Communes.peer-reviewe

General determinants and directions of development for the utilisation of renewable energy sources in the West Pomerania province

PURPOSE: The depletion of conventional energy sources with a constantly growing energy demand requires a new approach to our energy policy and in a wider approach, a new social and economical development policy. The article presents the determinants and directions of development of utilisation of renewable energy sources in the West Pomerania province.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The study was based on secondary data, i.e., quantitative data available for the renewable energy sector in Poland and West Pomerania province and the analysis of available literature. The theoretical issues were determined based on the analysis of available literature on the regional development and renewable energy. The research methods used in the study included a critical analysis of the literature, comparative analysis and secondary data analysis.FINDINGS: There is a growing interest in renewable energy source due to increasing environmental pollution, depletion of conventional energy sources, regular increase in prices of energy resources and constantly increasing energy demand. A new, competitive regional economy can be formed with the energy obtained from the renewable sources.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The analysis and evaluation carried out in the article shows that a key factor affecting the development of this sector is an active participation of the local government and resources provided by the European funds. The results can be used to develop a long-term strategy on the development of the renewable energy sources including the programs to counteract the negative effects of utilisation of conventional energy sources.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The proposed solutions are to contribute to the development of renewable energy in the studied area.peer-reviewe

Border Trade as a Factor in the Development of Peripheral Areas - the Example of Poland's Eastern Borderland

Changes in the functions of borders affect the socio-economic changes taking place in border regions. They had been hitherto treated as peripheral due to the low level of economic development. The increased permeability of borders has revived contacts between communities divided by borders. The article presents selected results of research conducted by the author in four provinces of the Polish eastern border region. The aim of the research was to determine the volume of border trade and its significance for peripheral regions. In the article, the available data from GUS [Main Statistical Office] and the Border Guard as well as the results of author's own research based on CATI methodology were used. The conducted research indicates the importance of border trade for the development of Poland's eastern border regions. The vast majority of foreigners visiting this area declare shopping as their main purpose of travel. The vast majority of Russians, Belorussians, and Ukrainians shop within fifty kilometers from the border. An important factor impacting on the volume of border traffic is the functioning of preferential agreements on low border traffic.(original abstract

Shopping tourism as a factor in the development of peripheral areas on the example of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland

The progressing globalization process and the accompanying changes in the approach to the role of borders influence the perception of border areas. For decades, borderlands were treated as peripheral. In many cases it resulted in impeding the processes of socio-economic development, which further deepened the isolation and peripherality of those areas. The article presents selected results of research conducted by the author in the area of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland, related to shopping tourism. Shopping tourism is a significant factor in the development of peripheral areas. According to official statistics, as many as 94% of foreigners visiting Poland in 2017 declared shopping as the purpose of their visit. It was the Ukrainian citizens who spent the most on shopping in Poland in 2017. They spent over PLN 750 on the purchase of products and services per one person crossing the border. In the same period, Belarusians spent PLN 624 on purchases in Poland, Lithuanians PLN 532, Russians PLN 455, Germans PLN 461, Slovaks PLN 315, and Czechs PLN 285 per person. In the Polish-Ukrainian border area, 91% of expenses of Ukrainian citizens in Poland are incurred at a distance of less than 50 km from the border (89% in an area up to 30 km). This means that in an area within 50 km from the border with Ukraine, revenues related only to the shopping of Ukrainian citizens travelling to Poland amount to over PLN 6 billion. Expenses related to shopping tourism affect the development of entrepreneurship on the Polish-Ukrainian border

Turystyka medyczna w obszarach przygranicznych przykładzie województwa zachodniopomorskiego

W artykule poruszono problem turystyki medycznej w obszarach peryferyjnych. Celem badań jest przedstawienie problematyki rozwoju turystyki medycznej w regionie przygranicznym. Obszar terytorialny badań stanowiło województwo zachodniopomorskie. W pracy wykorzystano metodę analizy danych źródłowych oraz wyniki badań ankietowych przeprowadzonych przez autora. W artykule pokazano, czym jest turystyka medyczna i jakie są jej przejawy. Przedstawiono potencjał rozwoju tej formy turystyki w obszarze przygranicznym. Wykazano kierunki rozwoju turystyki medycznej oraz uwarunkowania jej rozwoju w tym obszarze. Badania wykazały, że turystyka medyczna jest ważnym czynnikiem rozwoju obszarów przygranicznych. Zmiana funkcji granic, swoboda przemieszczania się ludności oraz zaoferowanie wielu usług medycznych zagranicznym klientom wpłynęło na rozwój tej formy turystyki, która powinna być produktem turystycznym regionu zachodniopomorskiego, stając się istotnym dopełnieniem już realizowanych funkcji turystycznych

Handel przygraniczny jako czynnik rozwoju obszarów peryferyjnych na przykładzie pogranicza wschodniego Polski

Changes in the functions of borders affect the socio-economic changes taking place in border regions. They had been hitherto treated as peripheral due to the low level of economic development. The increased permeability of borders has revived contacts between communities divided by borders. The article presents selected results of research conducted by the author in four provinces of the Polish eastern border region. The aim of the research was to determine the volume of border trade and its significance for peripheral regions. In the article, the available data from GUS [Main Statistical Office] and the Border Guard as well as the results of author’s own research based on CATI methodology were used. The conducted research indicates the importance of border trade for the development of Poland’s eastern border regions. The vast majority of foreigners visiting this area declare shopping as their main purpose of travel. The vast majority of Russians, Belorussians, and Ukrainians shop within fifty kilometers from the border. An important factor impacting on the volume of border traffic is the functioning of preferential agreements on low border traffic.Zmiany funkcji granic wpływają na przemiany społeczno-gospodarcze zachodzące w regionach przygranicznych. Dotychczas były one traktowane jako peryferyjne ze względu na niski poziom rozwoju gospodarczego. Wzrost przenikalności granic spowodował ożywienie kontaktów między społecznościami podzielonymi granicami. Artykuł przedstawia wybrane wyniki badań prowadzonych przez autora w 4 województwach wschodniego pogranicza Polski. Celem badań było określenie wielkości handlu przygranicznego i jego znaczenia dla obszarów peryferyjnych. W artykule wykorzystano dostępne dane GUS i Straży Granicznej oraz wyniki badań własnych autora opartych na metodologii CATI. Przeprowadzone badania wskazują na istotne znaczenie handlu przygranicznego dla rozwoju obszarów pogranicza wschodniego Polski. Zdecydowana większość cudzoziemców odwiedzających ten obszar deklaruje zakupy jako główny cel podróży. Zdecydowana większość Rosjan, Białorusinów i Ukraińców dokonuje zakupów w odległości do 50 km od granicy. Istotnym czynnikiem wpływającym na rozmiary ruchu granicznego jest funkcjonowanie preferencyjnych umów o małym ruchu granicznym

The competitiveness of peripheral areas illustrated with an example of the Polish-German borderland

The paper presents the results of research on competitiveness in the border regions in: 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. For the purpose of assessing the differences in regional development, the Human Development Index (HDI) was used. The level of competitiveness was evaluated based on 6 indexes. The results show considerable disproportions in competitiveness along the western border of Poland

International Trade in Transport Services between Poland and the European Union

The structure of international trade in today’s global economy is undergoing transformation. The increase in the importance of services is a clear trend. In Polish foreign trade with the European Union countries, it is transport services that to the greatest extent create the trade surplus. These services significantly affect the environment, which makes it necessary to take measures aimed at the implementation of the green transport principles. The aim of the study was to provide a detailed description of transport services in Polish foreign trade with European Union (EU) countries and to assess the role of these services in Polish economy, including in terms of sustainable development. The study concerned transport services, consisting of four separate types: maritime transport, air transport, other transport services (except maritime and air) and postal and courier services. The time span of the study was 2010–2018. The latest secondary data from the official statistics of the National Bank of Poland and the Central Statistical Office were used for the purpose of the analysis. The research methods included: critical analysis of the source literature, analysis of secondary data (desk-research) and graphic methods (tables and diagrams), by means of which the results of the study were presented. The conclusions drawn are inductive and deductive in nature. The article describes in detail Polish trade in transport services with EU countries. It focuses on export, import and balance. The role of the examined services in foreign trade and Polish economy was assessed based on the analysis of the structure of export and import and the rate of export and import, geographical orientation of trade, as well as the activity of enterprises from the transport service sector, registered in Poland, including joint ventures. Research has shown that between 2010 and 2018 Polish export and import of transport services as part of trade relations with EU countries increased considerably. The conducted research indicates that transport services are a crucial element of Polish trade. The role of EU countries in the Polish trade in transport services was recognised as significant and growing. This has a positive impact on the country’s economy. The increasing role of road transport in the structure of the Polish trade indicates that Polish entities providing transport services are thriving in this demanding market. However, the analysis of the source literature indicated changes in the preferences of consumers, who increasingly often expect the implementation of sustainable development principles in the distribution of goods. Green marketing or green transport are concepts more and more frequently used to gain competitive advantage in the market. The transport sector in Poland is facing a major trend towards the implementation of sustainable development principles. In order to maintain sales growth internationally, the entities will have to implement sustainable development principles