Spatial polarisation within foreign trade and transnational firms' networks. The Case of Central and Eastern Europe

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the spatial polarization in foreign trade and transnational firms' networks in Central and Eastern Europe post-1989, highlighting regional disparities and their implications for EU cohesion policies.

Contribution

It provides a comparative static assessment of foreign trade from 1967 to 2012 and a city-centered analysis of transnational companies in 2013, focusing on neglected spatial aspects.

Findings

Growing economic differentiation between North-West and South-East regions.

Division between large metropolises and smaller cities.

Insights for regional strategies within EU Cohesion policy.

Abstract

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Central and Eastern Europe were subject to strong polarisation processes. This article proposes examines two neglected aspects regarding the transition period: a comparative static assessment of foreign trade since 1967 until 2012 and a city-centred analysis of transnational companies in 2013. Results show a growing economic differentiation between the North-West and South-East as well as a division between large metropolises and other cities. These findings may complement the targeting of specific regional strategies such as those conceived within the Cohesion policy of the European Union.