Tag: Governance

MEASURING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT DISPARITIES: SOME METHODOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EVIDENCE FROM ARMENIA AND SERBIA

Tigran MNATSAKANYAN

Ph.D. in Economics, Armenian State University of Economics

tigran.mnatsakanyan.am@gmail.com

Ruben HAYRAPETYAN

Doctor of Sciences in Economics, Professor, Armenian State University of Economics, City Councilor at Yerevan City Council

ruben_hayrapetyan@yahoo.com

Dejan MOLNAR

Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Economics

dejan.molnar@ekof.bg.ac.rs

Abstract

There are manifestations of regional development disparities in almost every country, but this phenomenon is especially dangerous in those countries that have only one “center of gravity”. Significantly more developed capital can transform itself from “center of gravity” to a “black hole” by emptying the potential of the regions. To prevent such a destructive scenario, it is firstly necessary to disclose the roots of regional development disparity, and the reasons for its subjective perception. Without these steps, any intervention, policy, or measure taken or implemented by the state can aggravate further disproportion or at least be ineffective. Only after discovering the above-mentioned roots, it will become possible to develop a comprehensive strategy for overcoming regional disproportionate development and derive from it a complex of effective measures. All these goals are intended to be achieved within the framework of the research funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia within the support program for young researchers (project code: 19YR-5B038). This paper focuses mainly on discussion of regional disparity measurement tools and development of a tool appropriate not only for accurate measurements, but also for serving as a motivational tool for authorities. Calculations have been made for Armenia and Serbia, taking into consideration several key similarities of economic, social, and cultural nature, which have significantly influenced the perception of local governance and role of communities, as well as the mindset toward socioeconomic processes in general.

Keywords: regional development, regional disparity, measurement, development indicator, governance

JEL classification: H700, H770, H830, R500, R580

 pp. 327-348

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CHALLENGES OF A SUSTAINED AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY-CASE

Zenólia ALMEIDA

PhD. Governador Valadares Academy of Letters, Minas Gerais, Brazil

zenalmeida@gmail.com

Inguelore SCHEUNEMAN

PhD. Assistant Professor retired from Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brazil

inguelore@gmail.com

Teresa SEQUEIRA

PhD. Assistant Professor at Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), and Senior researcher at Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), Vila Real, Portugal

tsequeir@utad.pt

Francisco DINIZ

PhD. Associate Professor with Abilitation retired from UTAD, and Senior researcher at CETRAD, Vila Real, Portugal

fdiniz@utad.pt

Abstract

The town of Governador Valadares went through several economic cycles throughout its history which led to the destruction of its forests and the depletion of its soil, causing poverty and stagnation. Socioeconomic indicators point out the actual stage of the town’s development. In order to fully understand what its inhabitants think about this reality, two separate researches were conducted: a) with students and teachers of both public and private secondary schools to assess their social awareness regarding the environment, their attitudes, values and social practices towards Rio Doce, as well as the town’s natural and cultural heritage; b) with stakeholders, opinion makers and other inhabitants to understand what they think about “the town we have” and their view of a suitable future for Governador Valadares; in other words, “the town we want to have in a near future”. The information gathered made it possible to make a SWOT analysis that can serve as an important basis for public policies targeting the town’s sustainable development. The final goal of the current study is to make a Master Plan for the Integrated Territory Management – ITM methodology.

Keywords: Territory, Social Perception, Integrated Management, Governance, Sustainability

JEL classification: R58, Q01, 021
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