Reducing the Development Gaps Between Regions in Poland With the Use of European Union Funds

Abstract

The paper evaluates the processes of regional income convergence in Poland. This new research approach involves an attempt to assess the process of convergence from the point of view of development gaps. Six key development gaps were considered in the region of Eastern Poland, which is a singular case, significantly different from other regions. A dynamic panel data model was applied to investigate the impact of EU funds on the progress made towards closing these development gaps. Among the analysed development gaps, only the structural gap was not reduced in the period 2004–2015. Studies have also revealed the different impact of structural funds on each category of development gaps (a positive impact on reducing the regional transport accessibility gap and the investment gap, but negative – on reducing the innovation gap). Research has suggested the need for a change in the structure of using EU funds in the period 2014–2020 to favour stronger support for entrepreneurship and the creation of new jobs. Greater stimulation of the economic structure of peripheral regions has been proposed as the prerequisite for the future reduction in the discrepancies between regions and for the intensification of convergence.

The Impact of Interplay between Formal and Informal Institutions on Innovation Performance: Evidence from CEECs

“…Innovations, according to new growth theory (Romer), new economic geography (Krugman) or new economics of innovation (Nelson), are key factors in each national economy (Acs & Varga, 2002). However, transition countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania or Bulgaria have innovation gaps between regions (Czudec et al, 2019) and require strong institutions in order to close these gaps.…”

“…Moreover, the CEECs were chosen deliberately, because countries like Poland have innovation gaps between regions (Czudec et al, 2019), and these gaps may be diminished in future thanks to the interplay between formal and informal institutions.…”

Factors of Divergence between Peripheral and Central Subregions: The Case of Mazovia Province, Poland

“…Additionally, the development distance is reduced faster by the subregions located peripherally in the whole country, which may be explained by the 'Development of eastern Poland' programme launched under the eU Cohesion Policy (Spychała 2018). This programme aims to support peripheral and poor eastern Poland regions (Czudec et al 2019). What does it signify for the Radom subregion?…”

Regional development gaps in Argentina: A multidimensional approach to identify the location of policy priorities

“…Meanwhile, Acevedo et al (2019), Borensztein et al (2014), Pardo Beltrán (2014), and Tezanos Vázquez (2012 study the development gaps for some Latin American countries. At a sub-national or regional level, we can also find several studies that examine development gaps between regions (Alberdi, Gibaja, & Parrilli, 2016;Czudec, Kata, & Wosiek, 2019;Niembro, 2015;Onofrei & Cigu, 2017;RIMISP, 2012RIMISP, , 2014Windhani & Hardoyono, 2017), while others provide a multidimensional view of spatial inequalities (Aboal et al, 2018;Antunez, Baccaïni, Guérois, & Ysebaert, 2017;Bin, 2016;Meyer, De Jongh, & Meyer, 2016;Niembro, 2020;Parente, 2019;Quadrado, Heijman, & Folmer, 2001;Quadrado, Loman, & Folmer, 2001).…”