<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Environmental resources and values (natural capital) should be seen as a key factor in regional competitiveness. However, little attention has been paid so far to the role of natural capital in the process of achieving competitive advantage from the territorial perspective. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study on the environmental competitiveness of Polish regions. The author’s contribution to the theory is the use of taxonomic metrics for research purposes. Based on certain predefined criteria the environmental potential of each voivodship was assessed in 2004 and 2012. For research purposes, 26 indicators of state, pressure, and environmental protection were proposed. Owing to the fact that the subset of diagnostic variables (indicators) contained elements that could not be directly aggregated, their unification was achieved using standardization formulas. The methodology proposed by the author might be used to assess environmental competitiveness in different regions or countries. The results of the performed analyses indicated that the Subcarpathian province scored highest in terms of environmental competitiveness, while Swiętokrzyskie province scored lowest.</p></abstract>

Environmental resources and values (natural capital) should be seen as a key factor in regional competitiveness. However, little attention has been paid so far to the role of natural capital in the process of achieving competitive advantage from the territorial perspective. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study on the environmental competitiveness of Polish regions. The author’s contribution to the theory is the use of taxonomic metrics for research purposes. Based on certain predefined criteria the environmental potential of each voivodship was assessed in 2004 and 2012. For research purposes, 26 indicators of state, pressure, and environmental protection were proposed. Owing to the fact that the subset of diagnostic variables (indicators) contained elements that could not be directly aggregated, their unification was achieved using standardization formulas. The methodology proposed by the author might be used to assess environmental competitiveness in different regions or countries. The results of the performed analyses indicated that the Subcarpathian province scored highest in terms of environmental competitiveness, while Swiętokrzyskie province scored lowest.

Natural capital as a factor in regional competitiveness

Department of Management and Marketing University of Life Sciences in Lublin Poland

Miscellanea Geographica

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

{"article-title":"Natural capital as a factor in regional competitiveness"}

Environmental resources and values (natural capital) should be seen as a key factor in regional competitiveness. However, little attention has been paid so far...

Natural capital as a factor in regional competitiveness

Published Online: Oct 26, 2015

Page range: 63 - 69

Received: Nov 27, 2014

Accepted: Jun 15, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mgrsd-2015-0010

Keywords
Natural capital, environment, region, competitiveness, regional development Poland

© 2015 Armand Kasztelan, published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Natural capital as a factor in regional competitiveness

Published Online: Oct 26, 2015

Page range: 63 - 69

Received: Nov 27, 2014

Accepted: Jun 15, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mgrsd-2015-0010

KeywordsNatural capital, environment, region, competitiveness, regional development Poland

© 2015 Armand Kasztelan, published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Keywords
Natural capital, environment, region, competitiveness, regional development Poland