Showing papers by "Karima Kourtit published in 2012"

Smart cities in perspective – a comparative European study by means of self-organizing maps

Abstract: Cities form the heart of a dynamic society. In an open space-economy cities have to mobilize all of their resources to remain attractive and competitive. Smart cities depend on creative and knowledge resources to maximize their innovation potential. This study offers a comparative analysis of nine European smart cities on the basis of an extensive database covering two time periods. After conducting a principal component analysis, a new approach, based on a self-organizing map analysis, is adopted to position the various cities under consideration according to their selected “smartness” performance indicators.

Smart cities in the innovation age

Abstract: Smart cities have become a landmark in urban planning. They are the result of knowledge-intensive and creative strategies aiming at enhancing the socio-economic, ecological, logistic and competitiv...

High performers in complex spatial systems: a self-organizing mapping approach with reference to The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper addresses the performance of creative firms from the perspective of complex spatial systems. Based on an extensive high-dimensional database on both the attributes of individual creative firms in the Netherlands and a series of detailed regional facilitating and driving factors related, inter alia, to talent, innovation, skills, networks, accessibility and hardware, a new methodology called self-organizing mapping is applied to identify and explain in virtual topological space, the relative differences between these firms and their business performance in various regions. It turns out that there are significant differences in the spatial and functional profile of large firms vis-a-vis SMEs across distinct geographical areas in the country.

Strangers on the move: Ethnic Entrepreneurs as Urban Change Actors

Abstract: This paper aims to examine the critical success and failure factors for the new generation of ethnic (or migrant) entrepreneurs in high-tech and creative industries in Dutch cities. The present study investigates their entrepreneurial behaviour with a particular focus on their personal and business characteristics as well as their motivations and driving forces, which all determine their entrepreneurship and their business performance. An empirical application is presented, in which the results from an in-depth interview study on second-generation Moroccan entrepreneurs are discussed. The findings of our study show that, in general, these entrepreneurs are more open and are looking for new opportunities beyond the traditional markets by using modern break-out strategies. This research helps to map out key factors that influence their entrepreneurial behaviour and activity, business entry decisions, and creative business strategies. It also identifies conditions for success and other factors that impact on the performance of ethnic entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, within the broader context of entrepreneurship. These findings are informative for various stakeholders such as other ethnic entrepreneurs, policy makers and business investors in this dynamic and promising urban business environment. © Copyright Academia Europaea 2012.

In Search of Incredible Cities by Means of Super-Efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract: Our modern world is moving towards a 'New Urban World'. More people than ever before are living in urban areas and modern cities are becoming powerhouses of creative ideas, innovative technologies, sustainable developments and socioeconomic wealth in an open and globalizing economy. And most likely this trend will continue. Cities will also play a pivotal role in the future of an urbanized Europe, although they are certainly confronted with grand challenges. Emerging threats to urban environments may, however, be turned into new opportunities. Thus, urban areas may act as spearheads of sustainable economic growth for European countries. This paper will offer a novel contribution to the assessment of the socio-economic performance of 9 selected European cities in the North Sea basin over two time periods. The exploration of the socio-economic benefits of these cities leads to the definition of a 'democratic beauty', whereas urban performance is measured along multiple dimensions. We will evaluate their performance and rank their relative efficiency performance using a new variant of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), through which we are also able to further discriminate between the class of efficient Decision Making Units by introducing the notion of super-efficiency. The 'winners' in this competitive assessment of highly efficiently cites are labeled here as incredible cities. The paper will be concluded with some policy recommendations.

In Search of Incredible Cities by Means of Super-Efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (Urban Systems and Quality of Life)

Abstract: Our modern world is moving towards a 'New Urban World'. More people than ever before are living in urban areas and modern cities are becoming powerhouses of creative ideas, innovative technologies, sustainable developments and socioeconomic wealth in an open and globalizing economy. And most likely this trend will continue. Cities will also play a pivotal role in the future of an urbanized Europe, although they are certainly confronted with grand challenges. Emerging threats to urban environments may, however, be turned into new opportunities. Thus, urban areas may act as spearheads of sustainable economic growth for European countries. This paper will offer a novel contribution to the assessment of the socio-economic performance of 9 selected European cities in the North Sea basin over two time periods. The exploration of the socio-economic benefits of these cities leads to the definition of a 'democratic beauty', whereas urban performance is measured along multiple dimensions. We will evaluate their performance and rank their relative efficiency performance using a new variant of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), through which we are also able to further discriminate between the class of efficient Decision Making Units by introducing the notion of super-efficiency. The 'winners' in this competitive assessment of highly efficiently cites are labeled here as incredible cities. The paper will be concluded with some policy recommendations.

Creative Firms as Change Agents in Creative Spaces

Abstract: This paper focuses attention on a quantitative analysis of the creative sector. After a selective and concise literature review, it discusses three important methodological advances, viz. a spatial-econometric approach, a non-parametric business performance analysis based on Data Envelopment Analysis, and finally, a comprehensive and integrated modelling framework in which a so-called ‘Flying Disc’ model is used as a tool for specifying and estimating a Structural Equations Model. The paper offers finally some concluding remarks.

Spatial contextual impacts on business performance of Dutch firms

Abstract: This paper offers a statistical analysis of the regional contextual drivers and aspects of innovative firms in the high-tech sector in the Netherlands. Data are collected by means of 244 interviews among actors working for 61 Dutch high-tech firms. This individual micro data set is next merged with regional attributes and characteristics, collected at the COROP (NUTS3 level) in the Netherlands in order to analyse the relationship between the economic performance of individual firms and the broader regional economic environment