METHODOLOGY OF CLASSIFYING PERIPHERAL AREAS AND RESEARCH ON THEIR SOCIAL POTENTIAL – ORIGINAL CONCEPT
This article presents an original methodological concept for the diagnosis of social potential and the classification of peripheral areas. The authors operationalized and quantified this potential. The proposed typology of peripheral areas was assessed in terms of methodological correctness, cognitive usefulness and practical use. In the deliberations, it was possible to verify the hypothesis stating that peripheral areas, assessed as homogeneous clusters of communes, are subject to functional and structural classification. It is possible to distinguish relatively homogeneous types and to identify their local social potentials that serve to create the so-called critical mass that initiates development processes. The preliminary results of the research allowed the authors to assume as correct the statement that each of the distinguished functional types of communes in the peripheral area has a separate social potential that is characteristic of it. Its effective use may contribute to the initiation of innovative development processes in these communes. However, it is important that they take place on a separate path, adequately to the opportunities offered by this local social potential. The practical use of the methodological proposals will allow improving the process of planning and implementing the development strategy of peripheral communes, taking into account their specificity and social potential. It will also facilitate the implementation of the assumptions of the regional policy of the European Union.The authors’ methodological concept presented in the article, used to study social potentials in peripheral areas, is a proposal for researchers dealing with the issues of diversity in the socio-economic space and the problems of peripheral areas. Keywords: peripheral areas, typology, social potential, methodology, Middle Pomeranian Region JEL classification: R1, R58, O30