Tag: productivity

EVOLVING REGIONS IN EUROPE: APPLICATION OF SPATIAL MODELS TO THE VARIOUS FORMS OF THE EUROPEAN SPATIAL CONCENTRATIONS

Luigi CAPOANI

Adjunct professor at the Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

luigi.capoani@unive.it

Csaba LAKÓCAI

Research fellow at ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Institute of World Economics

lakocai.csaba@krtk.elte.hu

Abstract

The “Blue Banana”, spanning from the United Kingdom to Italy, has been symbolizing economic vitality in Europe. This paper reassesses its contemporary relevance by analyzing economic indicators and regional dynamics, particularly in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe, within the NUTS 2 framework. Leveraging Stewart’s concept of demographic energy and Moran’s spatial statistics, it introduces a robust methodology interweaving territorial and economic dynamics. By examining data layers, this study provides novel insights into the Blue Banana’s significance and its economic impact on Europe during the late 2010s and early 2020s. Furthermore, it illuminates the core area’s interconnections with adjacent economic zones and the emergence of prospective alternative spatial paradigms. The findings indicate that the majority of the Blue Banana regions have remained part of the prominent core area of Europe in terms of the most conventional regional economic indicators. However, emerging alternative spatial concentrations and a partial eastward shift are also visible.

Keywords: Blue Banana, Mediterranean Europe, Eastern Europe, spatial development, productivity

JEL classification: C1, N1, N9, R1, Y1

pp. 63-78

read more

EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALLHOLDER RUBBER PLANTATIONS IN SOUTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Imade Yoga PRASADA

Junior Lecturer in Study Program of Agribusiness, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Putra Bangsa, Jl Ronggowarsito No. 18 Kebumen 54361, Indonesia

imade.yogap@gmail.com

Aura DHAMIRA

Department of Agricultural Socioeconomics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

aura.dhamira@mail.ugm.ac.id

Agus Dwi NUGROHO

Junior Lecturer in Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia ,PhD Student in Doctoral School of Economic and Regional Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Godollo, Hungary

agus.dwi.n@mail.ugm.ac.id

Abstract

South Sumatra Province is known as Indonesia’s largest natural rubber-producing center. In the last few decades, South Sumatra has faced climate change issues marked by increased variability of maximum temperature, mean temperature, minimum temperature, and rainfall. On the other hand, smallholder rubber plantations are considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify the climatic factors that affect the productivity of smallholder rubber plantations in South Sumatra. The data was gathered from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics and the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics from January 2006 to December 2019. A quadratic regression model was used to analyze the data. The results showed that maximum temperature, mean temperature, minimum temperature, and rainfall affect the productivity of smallholder rubber plantations. Maximum temperature and rainfall indicate a pattern that is increasing to the optimum point of 32.29 °C and 281.40 mm respectively and after that, it will slow down. The mean temperature and minimum temperature show a pattern that is decreasing to the optimum point of 26.84 °C and 22.14 °C respectively and after that, it will slow down.

Keywords: productivity, smallholder rubber plantations, temperature, rainfall

JEL classification: Q15, Q54, Q57

 pp. 109-121

read more

MEASURING THE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE OF MUNICIPALITIES:EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM GREEK MUNICIPALITIES OVER THE TIME PERIOD 2013-2016

Ifigeneia-Dimitra POUGKAKIOTI

Ph.D. cand. University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece

pougakioti.ifigenia@gmail.com

Constantinos TSAMADIAS

Emeritus Professor, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

ctsamad@hua.gr

Abstract

This paper investigates the relative efficiency and productivity change of municipalities of Greece (regions of Thessaly and Central Greece), during the period 2013–2016. It implements Data Envelopment Analysis (D.E.A.) and Malmquist analysis. Additionally it estimates the effects of the environmental factors on the efficiency using Regression Analysis. The empirical analysis reveals that efficiency and productivity values have gradually improved after the latest reform of Local Government and under restrictive fiscal policy. Τhe average efficiency under constant or variable returns to scale is 0.772 and 0.878 respectively and the mean scale efficiency is 0.883. The total factor productivity has risen by an annual average of 3.3% relatively to the base year 2013. Environmental variables such as type of municipality and population density had a statistically significant positive effect on efficiency. The results of the empirical analysis are consistent to the findings from studies that concern European and other countries. The findings provide benchmarks for policy evaluation and suggestions for region-based approaches.

Keywords: Greek municipalities, efficiency, productivity, DEA, Malmquist analysis

JEL classification: C14, J48, P41, P43

read more