The Relationship between the Entrepreneurship and the Local Environment: Evidence from Poland
Purpose: The main goal of the research is to investigate the importance of geographical proximity between regions as an entrepreneurship development factor compared to other determinants of entrepreneurship. Design/Methodology/Approach: Three neighbouring regions in south-eastern Poland demonstrating a different level of economic development were selected for the study. The study was carried out at the local level using the division of the three regions into 61 local administrative units. The taxonomic measure of development based on the Weber median and regression analysis (2SLS estimators) were employed. The analysis cover the 2008-2017 period. Findings: The research revealed the weak impact of inter-regional proximity on the entrepreneurship development in less developed regions. The difference in motives for starting a business (opportunity versus necessity entrepreneurship) was indicated as a probable cause for the weak impact of inter-regional geographical proximity on entrepreneurship development in less developed regions. Practical Implications: The study results can be utilised in subsequent examinations of inter regional convergence across Europe. Originality/Value: The value of the paper is the a "territorial" approach to entrepreneurship process which have not been sufficiently examined so far. The research seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the entrepreneurship process in countries which have relatively recently adopted market rules, eg. Poland.