The aim of the article is to present international economic integration as one of the mega trends that infl uence on the redefi nition of the factors of socio-economic development. The research procedure includes three stages. In the fi rst stage, the most important modern mega trends of socio-economic changes are organized in a synthetic way. In the second step, the genesis and changes of the process of international economic integration are elaborated. In the third stage, the infl uence of international economic integration on the changes of factors of socio-economic development is systematized. This study is being carried out as part of the FORSED research project (http://www.forsed.amu.edu.pl) fi nanced by the National Science Center as part of OPUS competition 10 – 2015/19/B/HS5/00012: New challenges of regional policy in shaping the socio-economic development factors of less developed regions.

The aim of the article is to determine the main factors responsible for development of Podlaskie Voivodeship in the last 15 years and to answer the question whether they were suffi ciently strong impulse to divert the region from its development path. The research is based on the results of in-depth interviews with the main actors of the regional scene (representing administration, business and science). Statistical data and strategic documents (regional development strategies and regional innovation strategies) was employed in a supporting role. The development of the region has long been based on natural resources, especially agri-food industry (in particular milk production) and tourism. Implementing the concept of smart specialization in the region is seen as a big chance for agri-food industry and sectors linked in the value chain. However the chance to changing the development path of the whole region and moving to higher levels of innovation is very doubtful.

The aim of the article is to determine the main factors responsible for development of Podkarpackie Voivodeship in the last 15 years and to answer the question whether they were suffi ciently strong impulse to divert the region from its development model. The main method used for identifying the factors that determine the development of the region was individual, in-depth interviews with the main actors on the regional scene, supported by desk research analysis (of the voivodeship’s strategic and operational documents) and statistical data analysis (Central Statistical Office and Eurostat). The research highlights the importance of the immobile and intangible development factors – a high quality of strategic thinking of local and especially regional authorities and consistent implementation of development policies, a high level of social capital, extensive networks and the ability to co-operate – which have helped to eliminate the limitations resulting from the weakness of other factors.

The subject of the study are strategies for the development of 9 cities, which are among the strongest centres outside the current capitals of regions (in Polish: voivodeships) in the least-developed Polish regions. These cities can give the chance to activate their surroundings. Good strategies that increase the competitiveness of cities and stimulate development can contribute to this. The aim of the research was to fi nd answers to the questions whether and to what extent the studied strategies: (1) are in line with the definition and methodology of strategic planning; (2) recognize and use specific combinations of developmental factors; (3) can contribute to the development of their surroundings. The research method involved the analysis of the strategic plans in the light of the above questions. The strategies studied are not fully in line with the strategy defi nition. They contain errors and methodological flaws commonly encountered in other strategies. They use the specificity of developmental factors, but without conscious, methodical recognition of their combinations and without exposing them. The author signals methodical problems specific to the strategic planning in territorial units and makes suggestions for planning practice.

The subject of research was urban and urban-rural communes in the peripheral areas of voivodships, that is outside the functional areas of their capitals and outside the Silesian agglomerations. The aim of the research was to: (1) recognize the most economically developed entities in the studied areas, (2) recognize how development factors and their combinations that can create territorial capital are perceived and used in municipal strategies. The methods included: (1) analysis of indicators (2) analysis of texts of 10 strategies of entities with a high level of development. It was found, that there was deficiency of specific factors of development and recognition of their combination as well as the lack of using them to create a competitive advantage.