ICT and Local Peripheral Territorial Systems’ Resiliencein Crisis Conditions: A Study of Urban-Rural Communes in Poland

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to draw attention to the imperative of resilience in the context of following a local development policy, as well as the role which technological progress plays in the process, and to characterise the assessment of the effect of ICT availability in urban-rural communes in Poland. Design/Methodology/Approach: The empirical part of this study is based on the survey research carried out with regard to all 87 units urban-rural communes in Poland. The selection of urban-rural communes for the study was conditioned by the intention to capture the role of small towns in the processes of local development and resilience taking into account its links with the surrounding rural areas. Such a selection fills an important research niche. Study considers the manifestation of resilience at the level of individual actors of the local territorial systems. It was carried out among representatives of local governments. Findings: Results of empirical research confirmed that access to modern ICT infrastructure proves highly relevant for territorial units during crisis, determining the unit’s pro-resilience response. Practical Implications: Crisis had a positive impact on the growth of diverse forms electronic communication with various groups in the local community, including residents, businesspeople and farmers. The role of ICT infrastructure was of particular significance for peripherally-located units. Research has confirmed that local entities in peripheral communes were characterised generally by an overall lower pro-resilience activity. Research showed also that in spite of relatively good access to ITC, the technologies are still employed rather narrowly. Originality/Value: This finding could be explained by the reluctance of communities, especially those in rural areas, to use ITC, as well as their in-sufficient knowledge on ITC capabilities, particularly with reference to business activity.