The usage pattern of development method to assess the functioning of special economic zones: the case of Poland

Research background: In this article the characteristics of the terms of an entrepreneurship of a region and a local development were presented. Likewise, it demonstrates the results of research about using the development model method to classify special economic zones (SEZ) in terms of the most important indicators referring to the economic activity of zones in Poland, as well as showing the potential of zones — by noting their advantage or distance in relation to another zone in terms of criteria for functioning of privileged areas forming together a group. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to show the possibility to use a multidimensional comparative analysis method to recognize the level of a region’s development in a time-space system on the example of SEZ operating in Poland. Methods: The essential data source about the article’s description were reports published by the Ministry of Economy and then the Ministry of Enterprise and Technology: Information on the implementation of the Act on Special Economic Zones. The empirical analysis used the method of multidimensional comparative analysis used to recognize the diversification of the functioning of fourteen SEZ operating in Poland in a time-space system. The examination procedure covered the years 2009–2017. A constant development pattern was adopted for all the years of the study. Findings & Value added: The results of conducted analysis show that in SEZ there were real development processes. However, these processes were accompanied by persistent disproportions in the level of development of individual zones.