Regional Science Inquiry Journal - Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists

Tag: economy

MEASURING THE EUROZONE’S TOURISM ECOEFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY SUSTAINABLE CHARACTER: A SLACK-MODELED TOURISM-INDUCED DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

George EKONOMOU

Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Thessaly

goikonomou@uth.gr

Dimitris KALLIORAS

Professor, University of Thessaly

dkallior@uth.gr

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how technical efficiency and productivity patterns changed in the Eurozone’s tourism sector over the period 1996-2019. To achieve this, a Slack-Based Measure (SBM) within the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) framework was employed. A key strength of this study lies in the carefully selected, multidimensional set of variables that captures the economic and structural heterogeneity of the tourism sector. To strengthen our approach, we also used proxies for environmental degradation. Results reveal an average efficiency score of 0.53 for input-oriented DEA and 0.81 for output-oriented DEA, whereas the Malmquist index score is 1.026. Panel results indicate a positive and significant effect of renewables on technical efficiency. Granger’s causality test reveals a unidirectional relationship from renewables to output-oriented technical efficiency. Practical implications call for practices that reduce environmental burdens while simultaneously increasing desirable revenue outcomes.

Keywords: tourism, economy, sustainability

JEL classification: O47, Z32, Q56

pp. 175-191

Tags economy, O47, Q56, Sustainability, Tourism, Z32

THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCES OF MOROCCAN REGIONS: A TOPSIS AND SPATIAL AUTOCORRELATION METHODS

Hamdi EL ASLI

Laboratory of Economy & Management, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (25000), Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal (23000), Morocco

hamdielasli@gmail.com

Mohamed AZEROUAL

Laboratory of Economy & Management, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (25000), Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal (23000), Morocco

m.azeroual@usms.ma

Alae MOHAMMED MOURAI

Laboratory of Economy & Management, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (25000), Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal (23000), Morocco

alae.mourai@gmail.com

Mounya CHAHBOUNE

Laboratory of Economy & Management, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (25000), Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal (23000), Morocco

c.mounya@gmail.com

Abdelhak OULALA

Laboratory of Economy & Management, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (25000), Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal (23000), Morocco

oulala1981@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper investigates the economic performance of Morocco’s twelve regions from 2015 to 2022, combining a temporal and spatial analysis methods, and focusing on five key regional macroeconomic indicators: GDP per capita, HFCE per capita, contribution to national growth, start-ups created, and the activity rate. While previous studies have examined regional disparities using MCDM or spatial statistics, none have combined TOPSIS with spatial autocorrelation to evaluate regional economic-entrepreneurial performance in Morocco under its new administrative division, which enables ranking of regional competitiveness and detection of clustering patterns. Findings show that Casablanca-Settat consistently ranks in the top twelve, solidifying its position as the country’s economic capital, followed alternately by the northern Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima and the emergent Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regions, while the southern regions remain at the bottom. Marrakech-Safi was severely affected by the disruption of tourist cash flows under the Covid-19 crisis, before it gradually recovered post-2020. Similarly, Béni Mellal-Khénifra progressed significantly, largely due to its phosphate exports, agro-oil industry, and remittances’ inflows, until 2020, when it retrograded remarkably. Spatial analysis reveals that Moroccan regions exhibit high autocorrelation, with both, top and low ranked regions identified by the TOPSIS method clustering together. Results can inform region-specific development strategies, equitable resource allocation, entrepreneurship promotion, and spatial regional planning. However, limitations such as the restricted set of indicators, short interval, and methodological constraints suggest future research directions that integrate broader social, environmental, and innovation variables, extend the sample interval, and apply advanced comparative and econometric approaches.

Keywords: Morocco, regions, economy, TOPSIS, spatial autocorrelation

JEL classification: C38, L26, R11, R12

pp. 93-114

Tags C38, economy, L26, Morocco, R11, R12, Regions, spatial autocorrelation, TOPSIS

EXPERT ANALYSIS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ENTERPRISES ON THE ECONOMY: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE

Mykhailo LUCHKO

Doctor of Economic Sciences, professor;Ternopil National Economic University, Ukraine

m_luchko@ukr.net

(Corresponding author)

Stanisław SZMITKA

Associate professor of University in Olsztyn, Poland

pbdmorag@interia.pl

Yuriy PYNDA

Associate professor of Lviv University of Business and Law, Ukraine

yuriy_p1@ukr.net

Lyudmyla KUTS

Associate professor of Ternopil National Economic University, Ukraine

epik3403@tneu.edu.ua

Abstract

The aim of the article is to establish the impact of construction sector enterprises on the economy. Using dynamic cross-sectional balance regression, it is determined that gross domestic product, the level of budget revenue, volume of capital investment, the level of employment, the coefficient of coverage of imports by exports and volume of innovative realized products depend on the development of the of enterprises in the construction sector. The model of social and economic participation of the construction sector in the economic system of the country is developed, which on the basis of dynamic cross-sectional balance regression allows to determine ranges of values of influence of the main indicators of functioning of the enterprises of the construction sector on the gross domestic product; the level of budget revenues; volume of capital investments; employment rate; coefficient of coverage of imports by exports.

Keywords: enterprises of construction sector, construction, impact, economy, development, dynamic cross-sectional balance regression.

JEL classification: L74, C61, D60, E23

Tags C61, construction, D60, Development, dynamic cross-sectional balance regression., E23, economy, enterprises of construction sector, impact, L74

The Regional Science Inquiry Journal publishes articles written by university faculty members across all academic ranks, researchers affiliated with recognized scientific research centers, and individuals holding a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree.
Submitted manuscripts must align with the RSIJ’s defined scientific scope, as assessed by international evaluation bodies. Manuscripts that fall outside this scope will not be considered for publication.
In cases of equivalent evaluations, manuscripts that demonstrate continuity with the Journal’s ongoing scientific dialogue and engage meaningfully with its published literature may receive priority for publication.
The review process typically takes one to three months. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for selecting anonymous reviewers.