Tradycyjny okręg przemysłowy z perspektywy 25-lecia funkcjonowania w gospodarce rynkowej w Polsce : przykład Górnośląskiego Okręgu Przemysłowego

Abstract

Profound structural changes in the economy, and especially in the industry of highly developed countries, triggered by technological organisational innovation, as well as globalization of the economy, have left traditional industrial regions on the margin of global expansion. They had required deep restructuring because it was characterized by mono-functionality of the economy. These regions include the Upper Silesian Industrial Region, the restructuring process of which began in the period of the Polish economic transformation after 1989. The article discusses the functioning of the largest industrial district in Poland during the 25 years of the market economy, from 1988 to 2013, the analysis was conducted on the most industrialized central part of the GOP, currently pretending to the role of the metropolis Silesia, and covering 14 cities: Bytom, Chorzów, Dąbrowę Górniczą, Gliwice, Jaworzno, Katowice, Mysłowice, Piekary Śląskie,, Rudę Śląską, Siemianowice Śląskie, Sosnowiec, Świętochłowice, Tychy and Zabrze. The article is focused on the changes in the number of employees, especially in the industry, and identify the causes of these changes. GOP traditional industries such as mining and iron were analysed in detail. In the context of decreasing role of these sectors in the regional economy, an attempt was made to identify new areas of production which occurred in the region and whether they petrify the previous structure or affect its diversification.