Increasing territorial capitalization by incorporation of small enterprises into clusters

Modernization of the Russian national economy depends on small businesses and their involvement in capitalization of the territorial potential. This article discusses methods, models, and mechanisms of territorial capitalization based on incorporation of small business enterprises into clusters along with medium- and large businesses. We propose an optimization model for assessing the efficiency of such clusters: our research has shown that this model can be applied for decision-making in regional strategic planning. Methodologically, this study relies on the theories of industrial development and economic growth, the industrial cluster theory, and the works of Russian and international researchers on mechanisms of management of territorial potential, their establishment and implementation. Capitalization of the region's resource potential manifests itself in the form of static and dynamic effects. We developed models of interaction between small and other businesses and structures within a cluster oriented towards territorial capitalization. We demonstrated that incorporation of a university into a cluster structure increases the innovative capacity of all cluster members. This research may be further expanded to study the mechanisms of involving small businesses operating in peripheral areas into clusters

Social-economical situational concept

Modern geography considers the elements of space in their complicated interaction. All types of space are overlapped, forming zones with different degree of stability (social-economical situations - SES). SES with different scales always follow a society's life and under certain conditions are able to alter its spatial configuration. There exist two concepts to explain the processes of spatial-temporal localization of geosituations (Thisse,1996): the equilibrium concept and the external concept. Social-economical space is formed in the struggle of this contrary factors. The geosituational conception (SES), which we suggest, explains the spatial-temporal structure by means of the analysis of socio-ecologo-economical situations. The situations are movable formations. They are easy for alterations than stable geosystems. Thus the geosituational concept is the governing aspect of the environment modelling. The analysis of socio-ecologo-economical situations may be a primary weighty reason to make governing decision.

Exploring the assessment of territorial potential for social innovation: an indicator system applied to a region in Ecuador

One of the key elements in territorial dynamics processes is Social Innovation since we can improve our regional sustainable systems from the relationship and participation among territorial agents. However, this concept is still poorly explored and does not currently have a commonly-agreed definition and a complete assessment system, based on which strategies for improvement might be designed to guarantee regional sustainability. As a result, it has limited capacity for contributing to development. In accordance with the above, the main aim of this article is to explore the concept of Social Innovation and to asses it, designing a system of indicators capable of measuring territorial potential for social innovation, applicable to any region and adapting to its specificities and necessities. This work also aims to use a case study application, using a Ecuadorian region, to design an indicator assessment tool for social innovation, which integrates the main Social Innovation dimensions. This article makes contribution to the international debate on Social Innovation since it offers real input, potentially encouraging social change and the improvement of society’s wellbeing.27 página

Exploring the assessment of territorial potential for social innovation: an indicator system applied to a region in Ecuador

One of the key elements in territorial dynamics processes is Social Innovation since we can improve our regional sustainable systems from the relationship and participation among territorial agents. However, this concept is still poorly explored and does not currently have a commonly-agreed definition and a complete assessment system, based on which strategies for improvement might be designed to guarantee regional sustainability. As a result, it has limited capacity for contributing to development. In accordance with the above, the main aim of this article is to explore the concept of Social Innovation and to asses it, designing a system of indicators capable of measuring territorial potential for social innovation, applicable to any region and adapting to its specificities and necessities. This work also aims to use a case study application, using a Ecuadorian region, to design an indicator assessment tool for social innovation, which integrates the main Social Innovation dimensions. This article makes contribution to the international debate on Social Innovation since it offers real input, potentially encouraging social change and the improvement of society’s wellbeing

Target group segmentation in the virtual space as a tool for defining the concept of a territory brand

Purpose: The article is aimed at investigating the possibility of competitiveness increase and investment attractiveness of the territory by means of virtual space segmentation where territorial entities interact. Design/Methodology/Approach: At present, interaction of most economic agents is conducted by means of internet technologies and web platforms. In the framework of territory development special emphasis is given to a territory brand to attract investments. Sustainable territory development in the competitive environment directly depends on the unleashing of territory potential, which in its turn is closely related to the problem of attracting resources and investments. In the context of the developed information society competitiveness of territorial entities is largely determined by the level and activeness of their representation in the internet space. Since the quality of the territory is determined by a number of advantages over other territories claiming to the same investments, one of the key mechanisms of forming such advantages is an effective presence of a territorial entity in the internet space. Findings: A three-tier synthetic model of the target group segmentation in the territory virtual space defining the brand concept is elaborated and justified. Practical implications: In practice, a proposed toolkit allows organizing internet representation of the territory, which lets take the territory represented to a new level of competitiveness. Originality/value: An original tool mechanism of forming the concept of territory brand by means of the target segmentation of the virtual space is proposed.peer-reviewe

Territorial identity as a strategic resource for the development of rural areas

Rural areas play a relevant role in the EU: their specific ecosystems, landscapes and cultures are a highly valuable treasure, which could be lost if the trends of social, economic and demographic marginalization characterizing many of them are not properly faced. The rural development policy for the period 2007-13 (Reg. 1698/2005) gave particular relevance to the "Leader approach" developed in the previous period 2000-2006, or to the "development and implementation of highly individual projects designed and executed by local partnerships to address specific local problems”. For the next programming period (2014-2020) decision makers should be provided with a framework of the actual situation resulting from such interventions, in order to overcome the problems that emerged in the previous phases and to propose innovative strategies and solutions. After an introduction on the issue of the close relations between local identity and European rural development policies, the paper presents critically the contributions discussed at Session 32 ("Rural development policy and local identities in the European Union ") of the Fourth Congress EUGEO (Rome, 12 to 14 September 2013), and collected in the special issue of this journal

Territorial Sustainability and Multifunctional Agriculture: A Case Study☆

Abstract The multifunctional agriculture can be defined as the mechanism of the integrated development and a tool for giving value to the territorial potential in the agricultural activities, which are determinant for the rural sustainability. Under the light of these considerations and given the next 2014-2020 programming periods, it becomes interesting thinking on the effect of the multifunctional agriculture in the realization of sustainable territorial development. Taking into account all of this, the present work, after having underlined short reflections on the relationships between the concept of sustainability and multifunctionality, proposes a case study on a territorial rural system finalized to evaluating the coherence between the policies' orientation of RDP and the evolution paths of the firms

Marketing aspects of image formation and investment attractiveness of territories and enterprises

Purpose: The article identifies the differences between Ukraine and Poland in the image formation of the territory and investment attractiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach: A territorial-oriented approach is being introduced in Poland (an approach taking into account local conditions), which implies emphasis on a combination of investments and an integrated territorial approach, providing emphasis on activities that contribute to development. Findings: The regions of Ukraine are characterized by different levels of investment volume due to the differences in competitive advantages. In contradistinction from Ukraine, the competitive advantages of the territories provide a high level of investment attractiveness in Poland; they are integrated, and are generally based on advanced infrastructure (digital, business, transport), high-tech industries, advanced business services, economic zones, academic centers. Practical Implications: The conducted research makes it possible to identify several basic features of image formation and investment attractiveness of territories. Originality/Value: The basic key difference concerns the competence of countries’ integration of formed competitive advantages of the territory. The specified competence is traced in Poland, while in Ukraine the absence of this competence leads to underutilization of the regions’ potential.peer-reviewe

Present and potential factors destabilizing Central Asia as a challenge to the European Union

Azja Centralna boryka się z różnymi wyzwaniami od konfliktów o wodę, po na tle etnicznym, religijnym. Kolejnym czynnikiem destabilizacyjnym jest rosnąca rywalizacja w regionie pomiędzy Rosją, Chinami i USA. O ile Rosja chce utrzymać swoją strefę wpływów, o tyle Chiny chcą zbudować swoją. Aktywność USA związana jest przede wszystkim ze stabilizacją Afganistanu. Na tym tle oraz wobec różnych problemów i wyzwań, aktywność UE jest niewielka. Przeważają instrumenty miękkie, ale działania UE nie są spójne, bowiem brakuje szerszej i długofalowej strategii wobec Azji Centralnej, która przedefiniowałaby zaangażowanie unijne wobec tego regionu.Central Asia is struggling with various challenges ranging from conflicts over water to ethnic and religious conflicts. Another factor destabilizing the situation is the mounting regional competition between Russia, China and the USA. While Russia is trying to maintain its zone of influence, China wants to build its own zone. US activities are mainly related to stabilization in Afghanistan. Given this background and the different problems and challenges, the EU’s activities in this region are negligible. Soft instruments prevail, but EU activities are anything but coherent, as the EU lacks a broad, long-term strategy of relations with Central Asia that could redefine EU involvement in the region