How to conduct a comparative analysis of local administrative units in terms of sustainable growth—the case of Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18559/rielf.2026.1.4088Keywords:
sustainable development, local government unit, four domains, ranking, TOPSIS, Polish voivodeshipsAbstract
Purpose: The aim of this article is to demonstrate how to conduct a comparative analysis of local administrative units in terms of sustainable growth and how to create a ranking for them.
Design/methodology/approach: To illustrate the proposed approach, the case of the voivodeships of Poland was chosen. The analysis comprises four domains: social, economic, environmental, and institutional-political. Each domain is characterised by five criteria. The ranking is generated on the basis of TOPSIS, a method applied in multi-criteria analysis.
Findings: The results of the research are presented in cartograms. The study yields several interesting conclusions: general ones concerning the method, as well as those specific to Poland. According to one of these conclusions, contrary to popular belief, western Poland is not necessarily better than eastern Poland.
Originality/value: In general, sustainable growth is examined through three dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. However, the following analysis encompasses four dimensions, as it also takes into account the institutional-political sphere, which provides significant support to the other areas.
JEL Classification
Operations Research • Statistical Decision Theory (C44)
Sustainable Development (Q01)
Environmental Economics (Q5)
Regional Government Analysis (R5)
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