Intra-Regional Disparities in the Distribution of Business Environment Institutions Based on the Example of Dolnośląskie Voivodeship in Poland

Abstract

Business environment institutions (BEIs) play an important role in the development of entrepreneurship
in their area of influence. Actual development strategies of administrative -territorial units and regional operational programmes support the creation of these institutions. In practice, however, with the 
emergence of subsequent BEIs, increase spatial disparities in their location. The aim of the study was to assess the spatial accessibility of existing business environment institutions in the Dolnośląske Voivodeship.
On the basis of collected data on existing BEIs, distribution of population and enterprises, GIS multi -layer
analysis was performed, including transport network, nature restrictions. The conducted research shows
significant spatial disparities in the location of BEIs. On the territory of the voivodeship there are several
spatial concentrations of BEIs, as well as numerous areas with low and very low accessibility in relation to
the existing settlement network. In case of further lack of BEIs location plan on a regional scale, the existing
disparities in their location will increase, and thus the chances of entrepreneurship development in numerous areas with low accessibility to business support services will decrease. Due to the complexity of the issues undertaken, the findings in the article are of a directional nature and constitute a starting point for further in-depth research, inter alia designation of areas predisposed for the location of new BEIs.