THE ROLE OF INNOVATION IN COMPETITIVENESS AND CONVERGENCE PROCESS: A BENCHMARKING STUDY FOR EUROPEAN REGIONS

George M. Korres

Visiting Fellow, University of Newcastle, Centre of Urban and Regional Development Studies, CURDS, Newcastle, United Kingdom, George.Korres@ncl.ac.uk and Associate Professor at the University of Aegean, Department of Geography, Email: gkorres@hol.gr and gkorres@geo.aegean.gr

and

Aikaterini Kokkinou

Department of Economics, University of Glasgow, Adam Smith Building, G12 8RT, Glasgow, United Kingdom, E-mail: a.kokkinou.1@research.gla.ac.uk

Abstract:

Globalization and competition has shifted the comparative advantage of economies towards the factor of knowledge and innovation, where productivity based on the endogenous development capabilities plays a rather important role, as far as growth and competitiveness enhancement are concerned. In order to promote innovation activities and technological opportunities, productivity enhancement seems to have significant effects on the long run performance of the economy. Within this framework, the enhancement and convergence of growth and productivity are a major topic in the economic and social policy agenda of E.U. members, since governments seek to concentrate on problems not only related to low employment growth, high unemployment, fiscal deficits and public debt, but also to national disparities and convergence attainment. This paper aims to review the main topics related to innovation activities, as well as competitiveness and economic convergence attainment. It also attempts to analyze, using a benchmarking approach, the effects of innovation activities, in order to clarify the related implications on regional convergence process.

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ACTIVITY OF FOREIGN CAPITAL-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN POLAND – IS IT REALLY EMBEDDEDNESS SO FAR? THE CASE OF ŁÓDŹ METROPOLITAN AREA (POLAND)

MARIUSZ E. SOKOŁOWICZ

Department of Regional Economics and Environment, University of Łódź

90-014 Łódź, ul. Rewolucji 1905 r. no. 39

Ph. D., Assistant Professor, University of Łódź, Poland

sokol@uni.lodz.pl; http://www.region.uni.lodz.pl/Mariusz_Sokolowicz.html

Abstract:

This paper depicts the level of international capital flows attractiveness in Łódź Metropolitan Area in Poland and identifies the key attractiveness’ factors in the context of potential (or only hypothetical?) features that can decide about embeddedness of large, foreign capital-owned companies. From the point of view of the every territory’s aspiration to build its long-term competitive advantage, it is worth considering whether it is better for a region to be a “container” of cost-minimizing resources for foreign capital-owned enterprises or to offer a well developed environment, enhancing the innovative potential of both territory and its companies. A questionnaire-based research among foreign capital-owned companies having their subsidiaries located in the Łódź Metropolitan Area and employing more than 50 workers, has been conducted. It has revealed that among FDI location factors in this territory, cost factors definitely prevail. At the same time, one can observe relatively low importance of pro-efficiency location factors (except some elements of local educational offer), which could determine the potential for innovativeness of regional economy. Therefore, in Łódź Metropolitan Area and probably in most of other Polish regions, a change of the character of pro-investment policy should be considered. This “policy switch” shall be directed towards building more efficient environment for stronger economic ties at the regional level. This also means a need of strengthening the institutional framework for innovation by human resources’ development or development of research capacities of the public sector, which seems to be the most important aim for creating a potential for an effective “marriage” of global R&D network of TNCs with regional innovation system.

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PROFILING CULTURAL TRAVELERS ON THE BASIS OF A CONSUMER BEHAVIORAL APPROACH

Katsoni Vicky, MBA, Ph.D,

Lecturer, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management,

School of Business and Economics, TEI of Athens,

E-mail:katsoniv@teiath.gr

Papageorgiou Athina, Ph.D,

Lecturer, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management,

School of Business and Economics,TEI of Athens,

E-mail:papageorgiouath@yahoo.gr

 

Giaoutzi Maria, Professor NTUA,

Dept. of Geography and Regional Planning,

School of Rural and Surveying Engineering,

National Technical University of Athens,

E-mail: giaoutsi@central.ntua.gr

 Abstract:

This article identifies typical patterns of information sourcing behavior in the travel decision process of the cultural traveler. Trip characteristics, degree of packaging, choice of accommodation and sociodemographic variables are also discussed. Using data from the province of Arcadia, Greece, which serves as the research field of a longitudinal study, the present article provides some new insight into how information search affects cultural travelers. Tourists interested in learning about the local culture/history would primarily seek information on their destination place from recommendations made by friends and family and secondly by looking for information on the Internet. The findings suggest strategies for marketing management decisions and a comprehensive understanding of the cultural travel market segment from a consumer behavior perspective.

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