Activation Of Resources As A Source Of Competitive Advantage Among Eastern Polish Regions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activation of resources as a source of competitive advantage between regions of Eastern Poland in 2008 and 2010. Studies have been made on the basis of the CSO figures for the provinces, and thus are fully credible. For the purpose o f realizing the study the following research methods were used: qualitative and quantitative, horizontal and vertical analysis as well as the comparative method. The study shows that economic and social cohesion of the eastern Polish regions with other regions in Poland is weakening. This is limiting their growth and competitiveness. The competitiveness between the Polish and Eastern provinces is at a similar level. This is determined by the similarity regarding: 1) the amount of remuneration for work, 2) the structure of branch management, 3) gross value added per employee, 4) low demand for products and services. The indicated conditions in these regions justify cooperation between them to a larger extend than their competition. From the theory of the system and the conducted analysis it may be observed that the competitive advantage between regions should be determined with the help of the newly created value per worker. The hierarchy of provinces according to this criterion is as follows, starting from the highest value: 1) Warmian-Mazurian, 2) Podlaskie, 3) Holy Cross, 4) Subcarpathian, 5) Lublin. A key growth strategy in the surveyed provinces was based on increasing the value of capital (extensive factor) and decreasing employment in the situation of increased unemployment (intensive factor). In the face of low-wages conditions this strategy has proven to be ineffective.