Tag: Regional Development

PATHOLOGY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT IN IRAN DURING THE PERIOD 2005 -2015

Kerāmatollāh ZIĀRIL

Department of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran
zayyari@ut.ac.ir

Alireza MOHAMMADI

Department of Geography, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran
a.mohammadi@uma.ac.ir

Abstract

In this paper, the management style for regional development in Iran was pathologized. 370 experts were questioned and in order to choose an appropriate style, 30 experts were interviewed through Delphi technique. Statistics methods such as X2 tests, Spearman correlation coefficient and multi criteria decision methods such as ANP and PROMETEE II were used to giving weight, analyzing, ranking and selecting the appropriate style of management. The research findings indicate that, the majority of experts believe that the management style for regional development in Iran has been completely inefficient during the period 2005-2015, and needs serious reforms. Based on data analyses and use of MCDM and findings, the appropriate management style was selected among various management styles. Finally, “the Network Governance” was proposed as a appropriate style and some recommendation was provided for implementation of this style to regional management in Iran.

Keywords: Pathology, regional development, appropriate management style, Iran, decision analysis

JEL classification:
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PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH IN THE CASE OF MODERNISATION OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN GREECE

Eleni PAPADOPOULOU

Assistant Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Engineering, Department of Spatial Planning and Development

Tel.: 0030 2310 991431

E-mail address: epapa@auth.gr

Christos PAPALEXIOU

PhD Candidate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics

Tel.: 0030 6944778414

E-mail address: chpapale@agro.auth.gr

Nikolaos HASANAGAS

University Forest Administration, District Forester of Pertouli

Tel.: 00306977381637

E-mail address: n.hasanagas@gmail.com

Abstract

The assessment of Rural Development Policy results and impacts is a very difficult and complicated process owing to the compound and multisectoral nature of the countryside. It is assumed that the assessment of Rural Development Programme impacts, in the way it is applied nowadays, is not able to satisfy the need for a deep and useful evaluation. The outcomes of evaluation should be a major tool for policy design. The Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF), which was introduced by the EU for the evaluation of Rural Development Programmes is criticized as a very “economic indicator” oriented system. Many data are required for the calculation of CMEF indicators, which are not available in a lot of EU member states. This research aims to identify problems and shortcomings occurred during the phases of rural development policy design, implementation and evaluation, which influence the success of such policy programmes. Based on a previous research, where network analysis was applied, the researchers made an attempt to examine the problems with the use of in-depth interviews and focus group. Measure for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in Greece was used as a case study. Complexity in processes, bureaucracy, delays, lack of data at regional and national level, lack “evaluation culture” seem to be the most crucial factors of failure.

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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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