The Application of Soft Modelling and TOPSIS Method for The Analysis of Competitiveness of Companies in Urban Functional Areas in Poland

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to use soft modelling and TOPSIS method in order to divide voivodeships in terms of the competitiveness level of companies. The paper verifies the hypothesis implying that the usage of two various research methods does not have considerable impact on the position of objects depending on the analyzed characteristic. The concluding part of the paper includes the comparison of the results of grouping objects obtained using the selected methods. The elaboration makes use of data from the year 2014. The results obtained on the basis of these two methods enabled the presentation of the competitiveness level of companies in urban functional areas in Poland as well as the possibilities of achieving competitive advantage by means of using additional funds from the European Union for the improvement of the conditions of their functioning.