Regional development is a complex economic category and a commonly used term today, yet it is vaguely defined and, therefore, interpreted implicitly and understood intuitively. From a statistical point of view, this concept, on account of its imprecision and ambiguity, is a kind of multidimensional characteristic which may be measured, though not conclusively. Due to the lack of a universal set of diagnostic variables adopted in taxonomic analyses, the quantitative approach to the examined research area, which is in most cases presented descriptively, poses the main problem. The objectives of the article are to rank the provinces of Poland in terms of regional development in the years 2006–2018 and to assess the similarity of results over time. The research study is based on linear ordering methods within the scope of multidimensional statistical analysis. The results of the conducted analyses allowed us to rank the provinces of Poland in terms of regional development in the years 2006–2018 and to assess the similarity of the results over time. The results of the analysis indicate a clear stabilization of high ranked positions during the examined period, last places are generally taken by the same regions. This situation may indicate an increase or at least strengthening of the disproportions between the most and least developed regions in Poland. Theoretical considerations presented in the article as well as the empirical results of our own research may provoke more detailed discussion on the subject.

The significance of access to energy sources for fostering innovation is increasing. Regions should, however, base their competitiveness not merely on innovation, but also on social cohesion and ecological ambitions. In this context, the objective of this article is to evaluate the sustainable competitiveness potential of Polish regions from the perspective of energy-related factors, as well as to identify the trends and the disparities observed over the past decade. The study employs a multidimensional comparative analysis (MCA), operationalized through the development of a Synthetic Measure of Potential (SMP) constructed from ten disaggregated indicators encompassing resource-related, economic, environmental, and social dimensions of energy. This approach is complemented by a cluster analysis using Ward’s method to identify patterns and groupings within the data. The empirical results demonstrate that sustainable competitiveness potential with regard to energy factors has generally increased, although it was not a linear process. The most favorable trend was observed for the generation of energy from renewable sources. An interesting side effect of transformation was observed in the energy balance. Further, despite the significant decrease in industrial electricity consumption per unit of gross value added, the energy poverty level increased. The study offers several practical implications for advancing the green transformation, emphasizing the uneven regional impacts of this process and underscoring the necessity of a coordinated policy framework to support the energy transition.

Regional innovation and development of regions in Poland Regional innovation and regional development are terms commonly used today, but they are ambiguously defined and often interpreted implicitly and understood intuitively. There are few works in the literature that consider both economic categories simultaneously, and comparative analyses are usually difficult due to the varying approaches taken by individual researchers in defining these terms, quantifying the research area, and analyzing the collected statistical data. This monograph is part of the trend in regional research focused on innovation and development. For the purposes of this study, the following research hypothesis has been adopted: Measuring regional innovation and development in Poland is possible, but it remains ambiguous. The divisions between weak and strong regions are becoming more pronounced, while interregional differences have been and continue to be visible, though they are not significant. The main objective of the study is to provide a statistical overview of regional innovation and development in Poland over the past ten years. The authors intend to highlight a clear dualism in both the title and the entire monograph. Both economic categories under consideration are interconnected and influence one another. A higher level of innovation has a positive impact on regional development, yielding visible benefits and enhancing the overall socio-economic situation of a given area. The scale and intensity of activities undertaken to create and absorb innovations are, to some extent, determined by the level of development already achieved in that area. Highly developed regions with greater prosperity often allocate more resources to research and the implementation of innovations, which enhances their capabilities compared to less developed or backward regions. To ensure the comparability of the results, this study assumes that the entire procedure is consistent across each of the last ten years under consideration. Initially, general criteria concerning regional innovation and regional development in Poland are defined. Variables have been selected that, despite the limitations mainly due to the incomplete availability of reliable and comprehensive statistical data, allow for a relatively thorough description of the relevant economic categories. As a result of the considerations presented and the research conducted using taxonomic methods, the study’s objectives were achieved, and the hypothesis was positively validated. The statistical overview of regional innovation and regional development in Poland from 2014 to 2023 allows us to conclude that there are noticeable divisions between strong and weak voivodeships in both cases. While interregional differences exist, they are not significant.