Month: June 2018

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN URBAN HERITAGE PROMOTION: RESIDENTS’, VISITORS’, AND STUDENTS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

Veronika JOUKES

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

veronika@utad.pt

Isabel COSTA

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE)

isacosta@utad.pt

Francisco DINIZ

Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

fdiniz@utad.pt

Abstract

The present study is part of a broader research carried out in Chaves, a medium sized town on the border with Spain, in the interior north of Portugal, and it took place within the Monumental Chaves – Valuing and Promoting Cultural Values and Heritage Strategic Programme. This programme focussed on keeping and promoting the town’s monumental heritage (both architectural and archaeological) at the heart of the town’s historic centre, and aimed to make a positive difference on the development of the territory in which it is located. It included a set of studies on impact monitoring which ended up attaining goals that had not been foreseen in the initial programme, not only because these were purposely extended, but also because of the methodological approach that was chosen. Thus, this article presents the residents’, students’, and visitors’ perspectives on the subject of monumental heritage protection, conservation and enhancement. Results show that protection, conservation, and enhancement of cultural heritage still matters for the population segments whose opinions were taken into consideration, who acknowledge its value as a solid resource for the town’s and the region’s development. Cultural tourism as a personal strategy of informal self-learning also plays a specific role. Worth mentioning is the fact that young people have different and broader views on the future of both the heritage and of the town containing it. Results of the studies in question amply justify a promotion and development proposal that goes beyond the limits of the town’s historic centre and bestows on it a major role in terms of the town’s and the region’s development. The conclusions of the study are a contribution to increase public opinion monitoring and public participation in actions designed to enhance cultural heritage, more so in towns which have an historic centre.

Keywords: historic centre renewal, public participation, cultural tourism, youth, regional development

JEL classification: O18, P25, O21
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TRENDS AND PROSPECTIVE MODELS FOR THE FORMATION OF INNOVATIVE CLUSTERS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Nina I. LARIONOVA

Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor of the Department of Management and Law, Volga State, University of Technology, Russia, Yoshkar-Ola

nina_larionova@mail.ru

Tatyana V. YALYALIEVA

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor of the Department of Management and Law, Volga State, University of Technology, Russia, Yoshkar-Ola

yal05@mail.ru

Dmitry L. NAPOLSKIKH

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Law, Volga State University of Technology, Russia, Yoshkar-Ola

NapolskihDL@yandex.ru

Abstract

Paper deals with the dynamics of clusterization of the Russian economic space, reveals the main stages and prospects for the generation of the “fourth wave” of clustering. The purpose of this research is to offer a quantitative approach to identify regional clusters and their further parametrization within the framework of an integrated model of clustering the region’s economic space. Particular attention is given to organizational aspects of the clusters of microelectronics and information technologies in the Russian regions. The paper offers models for the organizational development of clusters based on the values of the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index and the concentration coefficients. The result of the analysis shows: successful cluster initiatives combine a developed innovative core, an essential industrial basis and a significant number of small and medium-sized forms of innovative entrepreneurship. Promising for the development of the high-tech industry in the Russian Federation is the conclusion that it is possible to synthesize organizational forms of economic development of forest industrial clusters and existing territorial production complexes in regions. Modeling of the development processes of innovative clusters made it possible to conclude that the state support of cluster policy remains relevant. The findings of the study are of scientific and practical interest in the framework of the problem of improving sectoral and regional clusterization strategies.

Keywords: industrial clusters, innovative multiclusters, cluster policy, regional economy, economic development

JEL classification: O1, R58
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VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND ICTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF VALUE CO-CREATION STRATEGIES IN HOTELS’ WEBSITES IN ATHENS, GREECE

Vicky KATSONI

Associate Professor, University of Western Attica, Department of Tourism Management, Ag. Spiridonos and Milou 1, 12210, Egaleo, Greece

katsoniv@gmail.com

Panagiota DIONYSOPOULOU

Co-operative Tutor of Hellenic Open University, Athens, Greece

yoldi@hol.gr

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the way principals for tourism development could incorporate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into their models, addressing such issues as new visual communication technologies and value co-creation, based on a survey in the city of Athens, Greece. The authors argue that collaboration among key stakeholders in the tourism industry around ICT may assist in the promotion of the destination and enhance economic development. The paper demonstrates the need to redefine the relationships and the ways of communication and value co-creation between tourism principals, according to new requirements in the evolutionary process of the tourism phenomenon.

Keywords: ICTs, Value co-creation, Visual Communication, e-Tourism, C-commerce

JEL classification: Z3, Z33, Z32, Z38, M31, M15
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