Human and social capital in rural areas

This thematic issue of Studies in Agricultural Economics is composed of papers that examine human and social capital in rural development. The idea behind this choice of topic is to get a picture of the kind of research currently being undertaken in this field, how this research covers the important issue of rural development, in a world where there is “a shift toward a service orientated and knowledge-based economy based on individuals creativity in using accessible information to benefit and create values for themselves and others” (Salenbacher, 2015, p46), where there are “changes brought by technology, connectivity” (ibid. p.44), and an added challenge: climate change. Luthans et al. (2004) also underline that “The rising recognition of human resources as a competitive advantage in today’s global economy, human capital and, more recently, social capital are being touted in both theory, research, and practice” (p.45). There are many different definitions of human and social capitals, concepts that are sometimes hard to measure but essential to success. Human capital is most often described by indicators such as age, gender, education and health, but there are other factors such as experience, different skills, knowledge and ideas which determine this capital. According to the World Economic Forum (2016), the top ten skills needed in 2020 will be: complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, coordinating with others, emotional intelligence, judgement and decision making, service orientation, negotiation and cognitive flexibility. Social capital is defined as three strongly connected elements: trust, keeping norms and social relations built on transparency

Interpretations of innovation In rural development. The cases Of leader projects in lecce (italy) And granada (spain) in 2007–2013 period

In the Leader approach, innovation plays a key role in European territories, especially in marginal and peripheral ones, being essentially assumed, from a programmatic point of view, as social innovation. This paper aims to understand the interpretation and the declination of innovation in the practice of Leader initiative at local scale and analyze contextual factors related to its implementation in two southern provinces of Spain and Italy (Granada and Lecce). The study aims to analyze the projects reported as innovative by the leaders of the Local Action Groups, starting from the literature and using a key Community document entitled “Extended report on preserving the innovative character of LEADER”. Lastly, the study reveals common significant problems linked to local awareness of the role of social innovation, as well as the absence or limitations of key institutions.Dentro del enfoque LEADER, la innovación juega un papel clave en los territorios europeos, especialmente en los marginales y periféricos, siendo esencialmente asumido desde un punto de vista programático, como innovación social. Este artículo trata de entender la interpretación y el declive de la innovación dentro del enfoque LEADER en la escala local, y analizar los factores de contexto relacionados con su implementación en dos provincias sureñas de España e Italia (Granada y Lecce). El analiza los proyectos declarados innovadores por parte de los gerentes y los líderes de los Grupos de Acción Local, comenzando desde la literatura y usando un documento clave comunitario titulado “Informe extenso sobre la preservación del carácter innovador de LEADER”. Por último, el estudio revela problemas significativos y comunes relacionados con la conciencia local sobre el papel de la innovación social, así como la ausencia o limitaciones de las instituciones clave.Nell’approccio Leader, l’innovazione svolge un ruolo chiave per i territori Europei, soprattutto per quelli marginali e periferici, essendo essenzialmente intesa, da un punto di vista programmatico, come innovazione sociale. Il presente contributo si propone di comprendere l’interpretazione e la declinazione dell’innovazione nella pratica dell’iniziativa Leader a scala locale e di analizzare i fattori contestuali relativi alla sua attuazione in due province del sud della Spagna e dell'Italia (Granada e Lecce). Lo studio si propone di analizzare i progetti segnalati come innovativi dai dirigenti dei Gruppi di azione locale, a partire dalla letteratura e avvalendosi di un documento chiave a scala comunitaria l’Extended report on preserving the innovative character of LEADER. Dallo studio emergono significative e comuni criticità legate alla consapevolezza a scala locale del ruolo dell’innovazione sociale, così come l’assenza o i limiti posti da istituzioni chiave.This work was developed thanks to the research project "Development programmes and rural change in the European Union: governance and lessons to share 2007–13" funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness within its Excellence Programme, CSO2014 -56 223-P. Managers and technical staff of the LAGs of Granada (Spain) and Lecce (Italy) provinces, and private entrepreneurs were interviewed

Towards a Visionary Approach for rural areas. From the key features to planning the future of LEADER

This book is the outcome of reflection on past observations, previous and current studies, discussion with scholars and international experts, seeks to provide a critical picture, both normative and constructive, of LEADER, with special attention to the local level, in view of the future programming, in order to better understand it through the examination of its main characteristics in which the transition from a territorial to a visionary approach clearly emerges. The assumption that guides this work, explained in the course of the different sections, it is based on a misunderstanding created especially on an operational level. An attempt has been made to formulate a logical framework, summing up and comparing different and opposing approaches to LEADER (sectoral/traditional and visionary) emerging from the scientific debate, relevant European cases and field research. The study reconstructs the main features emerged, taking into account the style and planning approach, the aims of a local project, the interpretation of innovation and of local resources, and the role of local actors. According to our assumption, these characteristics can reveal the approach adopted at the local level and can therefore be seen as indicators for the understanding, interpretation and self-assessment of practices. Our assumption is that the LEADER method should move in the direction of the visionary approach in order to achieve full implementation especially on a local scale