The Enhancement of Sustainable Competitiveness of the CEE Regions at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic Instability

Małgorzata Dziembała

doi:10.3390/su132312958

Abstract

The promotion of competitiveness of regions is a key issue nowadays. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of territorial dimension it caused, the approach towards the concept of regional competitiveness needs to be reformulated in which the sustainability perspective is underlined. Thus, the composition of factors that determine regional competitiveness should be redefined in a way that not only economic but to a greater degree social and concurrently environmental factors need to be considered. The objective of the paper is to discuss the concept of sustainable regional competitiveness and to identify factors that are of utmost importance for this regional competitiveness. The position of particular CEE regions in light of the selected indicators that could determine sustainable competitiveness has been examined. The analysis has allowed us to identify some factors that are crucial for sustainable regional competitiveness in the regions of CEE countries to enable achieving long-term growth in the sustainable manner. This study contributes to the research through proposing some factors that could reflect particular dimensions of sustainable competitiveness in CEE regions, by providing a measure of sustainable competitiveness and through identifying the position of CEE regions in terms of sustainable competitiveness. The support of these key factors may be taken into consideration while planning the interventions within the regional policy.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about some instability in the world economy
The objective of this paper is to discuss the concept of sustainable regional competitiveness at the pandemic time and to identify factors that are crucial for this kind of regional
The analysis allows us to identify three factors characterising regional competitiveness that are related to education and human resources, institutions, and ICT development, which importance is confirmed in some studies

Summary

Introduction

There are different repercussions in many spheres, economic but social and environmental as well. They are diversified, on the regional level. The regions of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries, which joined the EU in 2004 and which are characterised by a low level of economic development, could be severely affected and face serious challenges. They should make some efforts to enhance their resilience in the face of instability and changing external environment due to the pandemic.

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