Analysis of the implementation of the concept of sustainable development using the indicator method

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to perform an analysis of the essence and importance of the idea of sustainable development and an analysis of progress in meeting one of the Sustainable Development Goals in Poland and Slovakia using a system of indicators. The progress in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) of the document "Transforming Our World: Agenda for Sustainable Development - 2030" was analyzed. Design/methodology/approach: Achieving the purpose of the study required a structured research methodology, which included a diagnostic survey method, comparative analysis, and content analysis and desk research techniques were used as part of data collection. Findings: The realization of the analysis of the level of fulfillment of Goal 9 of the 2030 Agenda made it possible to identify the difficulties that arise from the specifics of the adopted research method. With regard to the level of fulfillment of Goal 9, it was found that Poland and Slovakia are gradually meeting the set objectives. A critical area in relation to Slovakia's development is the aspect of inventive activity, i.e. the country's ability to use knowledge and research results to reap potential economic benefits. Research limitations/implications: Through the implementation of the proposed methodology for analyzing data for Poland and Slovakia in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), it was found that monitoring progress in meeting the provisions of the 2030 Agenda using the indicator method is fraught with the following difficulties: the need to standardize relevant data for EU countries, lack of access or difficult access to adequate data in individual countries, generalizations and subjectivity due to the specifics of the indicator method. Practical implications: The indicator analysis of the completed research procedure contributes to the accumulation of factual knowledge and the identification of development trends, which is the foundation for determining milestones and strategic plans for the implementation of the concept of sustainable development. Originality/value: The analyses presented here complete the research gap regarding the diagnosis and analysis of the level of fulfillment of one of the goals of sustainable development with its assumptions by Poland and Slovakia against the background of the European Union. Keywords: indicator measurement, sustainable development indicators, Agenda 2030, sustainable development. Category of the paper: Research paper.