Tag: Q56

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

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MARGINALISED ZONES AS STATISTICAL INSTRUMENTS TO NAVIGATE PERMACRISIS IMPACTS IN EUROPEAN REGIONS

Cristina LINCARU

PhD, FeRSA, Department of Labour Market, National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania

cristina.lincaru@yahoo.de

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6596-1820

Gabriela TUDOSE

PhD, Senior Researcher, II-nd degree, National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania

gabriela_tudose@yahoo.com

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-340-9987

Adriana GRIGORESCU

PhD Full Professor, SNSPA; Director of Global Economy & Governance Interdisciplinary Research Platform; AOSR; INCE; LEAD Cambridge, MA; UCLM Spain

adrianagrigorescu11@gmail.com

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4212-6974

Speranța PÎRCIOG

PhD, Scientific Director, National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania

pirciog@incsmps.ro

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0215-038X

Cristina STROE

Senior Researcher II-nd degree, National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania

cristina.radu@incsmps.ro

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8384-6084

Abstract

In the context of overlapping and interrelated crises—economic, ecological, social, and geopolitical—European regions are confronted with new governance challenges. Marginalised zones, often treated as residual spaces in policy discourse, must be reimagined as analytical and governance instruments in the transition toward sustainability and territorial resilience. This article explores how marginalised areas can be conceptualised and operationalised through spatial statistical methodologies and policy frameworks that support just transition processes. Drawing on a critical review of empirical studies and strategic European and Romanian documents, we synthesise the main tools used to identify territorial disparities, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), clustering algorithms, fuzzy logic, spatial econometrics, and machine learning. We confirm that these methods allow for more nuanced territorial diagnostics and typologies, which are essential for evidence-based and place-based policies. The article advances a transdisciplinary framework that repositions marginalised zones as strategic levers in adaptive territorial governance. Ultimately, we argue for a paradigm shift: from periphery to policy, where marginalised regions evolve from passive recipients of aid to active instruments of just transition.

Keywords: Marginalised regions, Just transition, Spatial inequality, Territorial resilience, Governance instruments, PCA, Clustering, Fuzzy logic, Regional typologies, Permacrisis

JEL classification: R11, R58, O18, Q56, C38

pp.155-165

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EFFICIENCY OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS A PRECONDITION FOR THE REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ISLANDS

Antonio DEKANIĆ

PhD, Assistant, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Rijeka, Croatia

antonio.dekanic@efri.uniri.hr

Marinela KRSTINIĆ NIŽIĆ

PhD, Full Professor, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Opatija,Croatia

marikn@fthm.hr

Christos Ap. LADIAS

PhD, Professor, Regional Science Inquiry Journal, Greece

Ladias@rsijournal.eu

Abstract

The waste management system on the islands is complex and does not involve a traditional municipal service, mainly due to the strong seasonality of tourism, limited space and regional differences. Wastemanagement is a big challengefor tourist destinations during the tourist season, when there is a significant influx of tourists, which results in larger amounts of waste. Theaim of this paper is to exploretheir views through qualitativeresearch through in-depth interviews with representatives or waste management experts in the utility companies oftheCroatianislands. Thepurposeoftheresearchis to expand theunderstanding and explore the principles of waste management on the islands in Croatia and evaluate their effectiveness. The authors analyze the established waste management systems and, using in-depth interviews, examine whether effective waste management can make the island sustainable. This is one of the few pieces of research on the topic of waste management in terms of sustainabletourism development, which refers to island utility companies in Croatia that deal with waste management. Theconducted research is focused on theCroatian islands, but the model is more widely applicable. It is expected that the results of the research will contribute to political decision makers, decision makers in utility companies and managers, creators of measures and regulations regarding waste management, representatives of municipalities and cities of island tourist destinations.

Keywords: Regional sustainability, waste management, development, Croatian islands,

JEL classification: Q01, Q56, R11

pp. 73-94

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