The micro spatial diversity of the level of entrepreneurship in a peripheral region

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to identify the degree of diversity of entrepreneurship at the micro spatial level in a peripheral region. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a quantitative approach. Hellwig’s linear ordering method was used to test the research hypotheses. The analysis is based on data from the Bank of Local Data of the Central Statistical Office for all of the 71 municipalities (NUTS-5) from the Opolskie Voivodeship, Poland, for the years 2015, 2020 and 2022. Findings: The results of ranking municipalities on the basis of the Hellwig's aggregate measure, the classification of municipalities according to their level of entrepreneurship and the analysis of micro spatial distribution of this level in the region provide evidence that entrepreneurship varies in a peripheral region, with the level of entrepreneurship likely to shift between within a short time span. Research limitations/implications: Although the paper provides an insight into the degree of diversity of entrepreneurship at the micro spatial level in a peripheral region, it is limited to data from certain years. Therefore, it may not allow to observe plausible changes in the level of entrepreneurship that may occur over time. In order to provide more comprehensive insights, further analysis should be done using a dynamic approach, based on data covering the entire period 2015-2022. In addition, the results of the ranking are likely to be sensitive to the variables used to construct the Hellwig’s aggregate measure. It is therefore advisable to test the hypothesis with different sets of variables. It would also be interesting to examine the extent to which the level of entrepreneurship is determined by the regional micro-spatial distribution of factors affecting entrepreneurial activity. Practical implications: The results for a peripheral region can provide a basis for practitioners and policy-makers to develop and implement solutions for a type-specific entrepreneurial policy across micro-spatial locations. Originality/value: The article contributes to the recent literature on regional entrepreneurship by exploring the ways in which entrepreneurship is different in a micro-spatial peripheral environment.