Abstract:
The main idea of this dissertation is to investigate the spatial effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on an old industrial region in Poland. The subject is the GZM Silesia which consists of 14 cities around its capital Katowice. The region is classified as a metropolitan area located in the centre of the Silesian Voivodeship (Województwo Slaskie).
The framework of the dissertation includes the following central issues:
(1.) Which spatial disparities and historical-economic path dependencies can be identified within the GZM Silesia?
(2.) How can the regional structure of Foreign Direct Investment be characterised?
(3.) Which interdependencies develop between the two elements “Foreign Direct Investment” and “Region”, and what conclusions for old industrial regions can be drawn?
(4.) Which concrete recommendations for regional actions in combination with a sustainable economic development can be identified when coping with Foreign Direct Investment?
The first approach is the analysis of intraregional disparities within the GZM Silesia. An evaluation of population, labour market, economic and social indicators results in considerable differences in social-economic developments and a classification of urban regions. Reasons for these intraregional disparities are connected with the historical and spatial-economic development of this old industrial region combined with modern economic processes, in which Foreign Direct Investment became very important.
One focus lies on a regional geographic analysis of the old industrial region, beginning with the origin of coal, iron and steel industries until the collapse of real socialism. A status quo ante at the time of the political change summarises historical, political, economic and spatial factors as initial conditions. This status quo ante forms the basis for the identification of 5 types of Specific Local Constellations (SLK-types) for the subregions, defined as a combination of path dependencies and modern economic processes. On the other hand, Specific Local Constellations reflect the successful spatial-economic development of subregions, and the results correlate with the analysis of intraregional disparities.
Another focus concentrates on Foreign Direct Investment and its spatial interdependencies. Detailed analyses of statistical data on global, national and regional scale define the Polish position as a main location for investment in Central and Eastern Europe. The discussion of determining factors for Foreign Direct Investment leads to the description of the relationship between pull factors and Specific Local Constellations, which as elements of economic and social conditions determine the attractiveness of urban regions for investment. On a regional level the structure of industry and the main sectors of investment will be identified and the systematic survey of these investments names the important FDI-home countries with their investment portfolios and preferences. In this context, business-specific location and investment patterns are verified by case studies of the automotive industry, iron and steel industry and the retail market.
An analysis of corporate strategies of foreign direct investors in the GZM Silesia results in a classification of cities. This, combined with the intraregional disparities and SLK-types, forms the basis for the description of the relationship between path dependencies, spatial-economic processes and the investment attractiveness of cities. Foreign Direct Investment makes a considerable contribution to the development of economic centres, which can successfully manage their structural change but also deepen intraregional disparities within a region.
In a conclusion of the results, a concept of phases for the economical development for the GZM Silesia is presented, in which Foreign Direct Investment becomes an integral part of the economic structure. In view of the conclusions already described, positive and negative interdependencies between Foreign Direct Investment and an old industrial region are characterised by the four categories of spatial development, locational conditions, business environment, and spatial structure.
The main conclusions of the dissertation are expanded by concrete recommendations of regional actions to strengthen the position of the region GZM Silesia, with the aim to reduce potential negative impacts of Foreign Direct Investment despite the complex spatial-economic structure of the old industrial region.