Technological competitiveness of the province: the competitive position of Wielkopolska in comparison with other provinces in 2016–2022

Abstract

Technological competitiveness is one of the basic processes determining the dynamic development of the economy. It also affects the development of individual cities, provinces and entire regions. The paper attempts to identify technological factors of regional competitiveness, resulting in the author’s model, the individual dimensions of which, in input-output terms, make it possible to determine the technological position and competitive ability of the province and their prospects for change, which provides a basis for formulating conclusions and recommendations for regional policy. In the group of input factors, human capital, information and communication technologies, and expenditures on research and development and innovation activities were analyzed. In contrast, two pillars were identified in the group of outcome factors. The first is intellectual property represented by invention applications and granted protection rights, and the second is net revenues from sales of highly innovative and high-tech products (i.e., high and medium-high technology) in total net revenues.

The study made it possible to make a diagnosis and a comprehensive assessment of the technological position of Wielkopolska both statically and dynamically – on the one hand, and on the other – in relative terms, i.e. in comparison with other regions in Poland in 2016–2022. The proposal of a modeling approach and multivariate statistical analysis for exploratory work on competitiveness in various fields – this applies to the macro scale, i.e. the international competitiveness of the economy, as well as the competitiveness of the enterprise, as well as the city and the region – is in line with current research trends in the field of international economics, both theoretically and methodologically.