Identification of regional peripherality by using multidimensional comparative analysis

TitleIdentification of regional peripherality by using multidimensional comparative analysis
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsIdczak, P.
EditorJaeschke, A., & Starzyńska W.
Book TitleStatistical methods in regional and social analyses under integration and globalization
Pagination37-57
PublisherStatistical Office in Łódź
CityŁódź
ISBN978-83-60002-40-7
Keywordscluster analysis, composite indicators, multidimensional analysis, peripheral regions, principal components analysis
Abstract

In recent years there have been significant changes in the economic environment. These changes mean that the economic potential of all regions has become less closely related to location and increasingly influenced by a variety of “aspatial” characteristics. Globalization and technological progress have contributed to reduce the absolute costs of remoteness and to lower their relative role in locational decision-making by companies. Transport costs now account for a relatively small percentage of production costs in most modern industries. It means that aspatial factors have been becoming more important to the economic activity. In this context the concept of peripherality has to be also broader perceived. The peripheral region should be characterized by wide range of spatial and aspatial features. The peripheral region with reference to the multidimensional concept of regional peripherality does not have to be located in a periphery but also near some centre. The identification of peripheral regions, as objects including spatial units similar in terms of many compo-site features, caused the need to apply a multidimensional analysis. It has been conducted by using the method-ology on constructing composite indicators recommended by OECD and European Commission. The process of weighting variables relied on the principle components analysis. In order to identify peripheral regions in a given space the cluster analysis was applied. The analysis comprised all Polish provinces – regions at NUTS 2 level. The result of the analysis is that peripheral regions in Poland include the following Provinces: Łódzkie, Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie, and semi-peripheral regions include the Lubelskie and Podkarpackie Provinces, which confirms the theoretical assumptions presented in this article. Peripheral region does not necessarily have to be located in a periphery, with regard to the new concept of regional peripherality.

Refereed DesignationRefereed