DETECTING FOR CONVERGENCE TRENDS AMONG CHINESE UNIVERSITIES IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Maria ADAMAKOU

PhD Candidate, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly

madamakou@uth.gr

Dimitris KALLIORAS

Professor, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly

dkallior@uth.gr

Abstract

Under the conditions of the rapid market liberalization process that China has been experiencing, questions of spatial cohesion – and thus of convergence and divergence – become increasingly salient. This is so as the elimination of spatial imbalances is both a pre-condition and a core objective of the reforms aiming at market liberalization. The paper aims at detecting trends of convergence among Chinese universities in terms of academic performance. Taking into consideration that within the knowledge-based economy universities are emerging growth determinants, the topic of the paper is extremely important. This is so as the possible prevalence of divergence trends may indicate that the growth impact of Chinese universities is not space neutral. The empirical analysis of the paper covers the period 2018/19-2022/23, utilizes data obtained from the URAP database, and employs the methodological approach of gaps convergence clubs. The findings of the paper provide valuable insight into both theory and policy.

Keywords: Chinese universities, academic performance, gaps convergence clubs

JEL classification: C21, O43, O47

 pp. 25-31

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PRODUCTIVE SPECIALIZATION AND CLUSTERS IN THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM OF NORTHERN PORTUGAL

Ana Paula DELGADO

Retired Professor, Faculty of Economics (FEP), University of Porto (UP)

a.p.delgado@sapo.pt

Teresa SEQUEIRA

Assistant Professor, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD); Researcher at the Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD).

tsequeir@utad.pt (Corresponding author)

Abstract

The Região Norte of Portugal is a region where the primary sector has historically played a significant role. It is generally an aging region, with a large area considered as low-density and with a low level of purchasing power, revealing deep asymmetries in terms of economic and social cohesion. This study aims to analyse the profile of the agri-food industry, that is, the food and beverage industries, in the north of Portugal in terms of productive specialization. This work started by collecting a set of variables such as employment, people employed, GVA and value of sales and services provided, depending on the level of disaggregation of the classification of economic activities and the availability of data. Based on this statistical data, location and specialization indicators were calculated, namely the location quotient. Then, using statistical software, clusters were built that enabled us to draw a picture of the agri-food system. This work was relevant to identifying the relative specialization of Norte NUTs III regions, the relative location of activities and the outlining of productive areas. It is expected that it will contribute to the definition of effective policy instruments to be developed in the region by the responsible organisation for regional development, based on the region’s profile and with the aim of an intelligent specialization strategy.

Keywords: productive specialization, clusters, regional development

JEL classification: R12, R58

pp. 11-24

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CATALYZING ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL INSIGHTS: APPLICATIONS OF IMPLAN’S ENVIRONMENTALLY EXTENDED INPUT-OUTPUT (EEIO) MODELING FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION SCENARIOS

Tuyen PHAM

Assistant Professor of Research, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Ohio University, Athens Ohio, United States of America

tuyen.pham@ohio.edu

G. Jason JOLLEY

Professor of Rural Economic Development, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Ohio University, Athens Ohio, United States of America

jolleyg1@ohio.edu

Paul VALENTINE

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Ohio University, Athens Ohio, United States of America

valentine@ohio.edu

Joshua C. HALL

Milan Pusker Dean, John Chambers College of Business and Economics West Virginia University, West Virginia, United States of America

Joshua.Hall@mail.wvu.edu

Abstract

In the United States, regional scientists and economists frequently employ IMPLAN, a proprietary input-output (I-O) software, for assessing the economic ramifications of diverse interventions on the local economy. IMPLAN has recently incorporated the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmentally Extended Input-Output (EEIO) modeling as an optional extension within their subscription service. In this paper, we compare coal vs. solar production scenarios in Ohio (a state in the United States) as a case study to illustrate the seamless integration of EEIO modeling with traditional I-O modeling, showcasing its enhanced capabilities for evaluating economic and environmental impacts. In the case of Ohio, we found that the state’s plans to increase solar energy capacity and decrease coal energy capacity have a net positive impact on its economy when considering both economic and environmental aspects.

Keywords: Input-output, coal, solar, environmental impact

JEL classification: C67, R15, E01, P18

pp. 99-106

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