Knowledge-intensive Activities and Regional Inequalities in Poland: A Spatial Centre–periphery Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial differentiation of knowledge-intensive activities in Poland within the centre–periphery framework. Contemporary regional development increasingly depends on knowledge-related processes; however, these are unevenly distributed across space. Despite extensive research on the knowledge-based economy, limited attention has been given to the joint spatial patterns of high- and medium-high-technology industries and knowledge-intensive services at lower territorial levels. The aim of the study is to identify the spatial distribution of these sectors and assess their role in shaping regional inequalities. The analysis is conducted at the county (powiat) level using data from the REGON register of the Central Statistical Office. An indirect approach is adopted, treating the sectoral structure of the economy as a proxy for regional knowledge systems. Spatial patterns are examined using descriptive measures and global Moran’s I. The results reveal a strong concentration of knowledge-intensive activities in metropolitan regions and their functional areas, confirming the persistence of the centre–periphery structure. High- and medium-high-technology industries exhibit stronger spatial clustering, while knowledge-intensive services show greater dispersion but remain concentrated in more developed regions. The findings also indicate increasing spatial autocorrelation over time, pointing cumulative development processes. The study contributes to the literature by integrating sectoral and spatial approaches and demonstrating the usefulness of structural indicators as proxies for knowledge processes at the regional level.