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Journal Article

Lagging regions: The case of Eastern Croatia

29 Jun 2020-Ekonomski Vjesnik (Sveučilište J.J.Strossmayera u Osijeku, Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku)-Vol. 33, Iss: 1, pp 255-270
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the research on experiences of selected EU lagging regions and noted the importance of the relationship between regional and national economy, and compared the situation and trends in the lagging region and counties in Eastern Croatia.
Abstract: Uneven level of regional development is something that has characterized Croatia for a long time, with Eastern Croatia lagging behind significantly. There are many indicators that substantiate such a condition as well as the expected trends (e.g. GDP per capita in counties that belong to Eastern Croatia, huge population drain in the region, development index calculated by the Ministry of regional development and many others). As the development level of counties in Eastern Croatia is far from comparable to the most developed ones (especially the City of Zagreb), it is necessary to identify areas for possible improvements in those lagging regions. In the context of the European Union, the development level of counties in Eastern Croatia is particularly low. Other EU members have also failed to achieve convergence towards total homogeneity, but this paper focuses on chosen examples of countries and their regional policies that aimed to decrease existing regional differences. Decentralization level is one of the important prerequisites to decrease existing regional differences and adequately apply regional policies. This paper will theoretically examine the research on experiences of selected EU lagging regions and note the importance of the relationship between regional and national economy. As all five counties in Eastern Croatia can be characterized as lagging counties, one of the goals of this paper is, in accordance with theoretical insights into European experiences, to compare the situation and trends in the lagging regions and counties in Eastern Croatia, going beyond economic considerations to include a much broader context.

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Citations
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01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed possible effects of implementation of the so-called "green economy" as an appropriate model of economic development based on the principles of sustainable development, and analyzed necessary preconditions for its implementation in Eastern Croatia, and provided arguments for transformation of the current economic structure of the region towards strategic selection and implementation of development policies in line with the principles.
Abstract: Previous studies of economic trends and developmental features of Eastern Croatia undoubtedly point to a continuous gap between the counties of this region in relation to the Croatian average. The results of the conducted analyses indicate an increase in developmental divergence, i.e. regional disparities, and extremely unfavourable population trends are identified as the key factor of negative economic developments. Aiming to create a successful development model, starting from the existing comparative advantages and specificities of Eastern Croatia, the authors analysed possible effects of implementation of the so-called „green economy“ as an appropriate model of economic development based on the principles of sustainable development. Starting from the theoretical and methodological framework of green economy, the paper analyses necessary preconditions for its implementation in Eastern Croatia, and provides arguments for transformation of the current economic structure of the region towards strategic selection and implementation of development policies in line with the principles of green economy.

3 citations

DOI
06 Jul 2017
TL;DR: The authors investigates the root causes, power dynamics and consequences of this shift, arguing that CEE countries hold a vested interest in continuing support for the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, while the EU15 also stand to benefit indirectly from the higher growth potential of less developed regions.
Abstract: The EU integration of the CEE countries has taken place within a centre–periphery relationship, where the accession countries continue to face a discursive deficit. Despite its declared pursuit of convergence, EUropean regional policy increasingly serves the EU’s general political objectives, while support for the catching-up of less developed regions has taken a backseat. This chapter investigates the root causes, power dynamics and consequences of this shift, arguing that CEE countries hold a vested interest in continuing support for the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, while the EU15 also stand to benefit indirectly from the higher growth potential of less developed regions.

3 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors assesses whether both the levels and the degree of change in government quality influence regional economic performance in the European Union and, in particular, in its lagging regions, in the UK.
Abstract: This paper assesses whether both the levels and the degree of change in government quality influence regional economic performance in the European Union and, in particular, in its lagging regions. ...

75 citations


"Lagging regions: The case of Easter..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Regarding regional policy and regional development, Rodriguez-Pose & Ketterer (2019) state some interesting facts on econometric research for the period 1999-2013: i) the quality of government is of utmost importance in regional growth; ii) relative improvements in government quality are a strong…...

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08 Mar 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider how these changes were integrated in Flemish regional policies and what characteristics where affected by these changes, and they consider the fundamental characteristics of the "old" regional policies.
Abstract: Due to the changing role of “the region” in economic development, it appears that policies targeted towards regions underwent significant changes in objectives, geographical scope, governance and policy instruments. This paper challenges three main questions related to recent changes in regional policy. Firstly, what are the fundamental characteristics of the “old” regional policies ? Secondly, did the “old” paradigm evolve into a new paradigm of regional policy ? And if yes, how did these changes materialized and what characteristics where affected ? Lastly, we consider how these changes were integrated in Flemish regional policies.

49 citations

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TL;DR: In the context of emerging policy challenges and recent contributions to the regional policy literature, the authors highlights innovation, human capital and effective institutions as three crucial dimensions of future policy and argues that a shift in regional policy priorities, governance and territorial focus is underway at EU level under Cohesion Policy as well as under national regional policies in the EU27 and the UK.
Abstract: Regional development is one of the main EU spending priorities through its Cohesion Policy. Brexit is one of several influences on the future of the policy, whose evolution is part of a wider reshaping of the principles and practice of regional policy in Europe. In the context of emerging policy challenges and recent contributions to the regional policy literature, the article highlights innovation, human capital and effective institutions as three crucial dimensions of future policy. It argues that a shift in regional policy priorities, governance and territorial focus is underway – partly influenced by place-based policy thinking - at EU level under Cohesion Policy as well as under national regional policies in the EU27 and the UK.

31 citations

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TL;DR: The European Union has developed strategies for the Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine macro-regions as mentioned in this paper, which combine the community's territorial cooperation and cohesion policy repertoire with intergovernmental ‘regional cooperation involving European Union member and partner countries.
Abstract: Since 2009, the European Union has developed strategies for the Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine macro-regions. These macro-regional strategies represent a new tool of European Union governance that seeks to combine the community’s territorial cooperation and cohesion policy repertoire with intergovernmental ‘regional cooperation’ involving European Union member and partner countries. By establishing comprehensive governance architectures for cross-sectoral and trans-boundary policy coordination in areas such as transport infrastructure and environmental protection, macro-regional strategies seek to mobilise European Union member and non-member states alike in promoting and harmonising territorial and trans-governmental cooperation. Both the macro-regional strategies and the macro-regions themselves have been met with increasing interest across several disciplines, including geography, regional planning, political science and public administration, triggering questions and debates on issues such as their impacts on existing practices of territorial cooperation and their relation to previously established forms of regional cooperation. Authored by scholars based in the above-mentioned fields of study, this contribution seeks to take stock of research on the subject to date, reflect on conceptual starting points and highlight new directions for future research in the political sciences.

21 citations


"Lagging regions: The case of Easter..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Gänzle et al. (2018) cite that the European Union is implementing macro-regional strategies as a new EU governance tool, combining territorial community cooperation and a repertoire of cohesion policies with intergovernmental regional cooperation including EU Member States and partner countries…...

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