Spatial Analysis of Regional Inequalities in Turkey

In this paper, we examine regional inequalities in Turkey not only at the inter-provincial level but for three different regional definitions as well. The motivation draws on the findings of Gezici and Hewings(2001) that raised questions about inequalities not only between regions (inter-regional) but inequalities within each region. Hence, one contribution of this paper is to test the effects of aggregation and scale on the identification of regional inequalities. Spatial data analysis is employed to examine the spatial dimension of inequality in Turkey and the relationship between spatial dependence and the dynamics of growth. The results indicate that overall inequalities are decreasing, however spatial dependence is becoming more dominant. The Theil index indicates that interregional inequalities are increasing while intra-regional inequalities are declining for all spatial partitions from 1980 to 1997. Most developed provinces are enhancing overall inequalities, although there is some evidence of a spread effect on their neighbors.

Transportation Costs, Increasing Returns and Regional Growth: An Interregional CGE Analysis

The purpose of this paper was threefold. First, we presented a flexible analytical framework, based on sound and consistent economic theory and data, in order to assess the likely state/sectoral/income effects of policy changes in Brazil. This is the first fully operational interstate CGE model implemented for the Brazilian economy, based on previous work by the author and associates. Among the features embedded in this framework, modeling of scale economies and transportation costs provides an innovative way of dealing explicitly with theoretical issues related to integrated regional systems. Results seemed to reinforce the need to better specifying spatial interactions in interregional CGE models. Second, in order to illustrate the analytical capability of the CGE module, we presented a simulation, which evaluated the regional impacts of a decrease in transportation costs, in accordance with recent policy developments in Brazil. Rather than providing a critical evaluation of this debate, we intended to emphasize the likely structural impacts of such policies. Third, previous diagnostics suggested the need to make a more in-depth analysis of trade flows between the Brazilian states, potentially leading to generalizations regarding the type of trade involved, changes in its composition through time as the Brazilian economy develops, and the implications of these structural differences in the coordination and implementation of development policies. In order to address this issue we gave interregional trade its proper place by taking into account a fully specified interstate system of accounts specially developed for the purpose of calibrating the CGE model.

Structural Convergence of the National Economies of Europe

Analysis of convergence has centered on movement of indices such as per capita incomes or welfare for countries or regions within countries. In this paper, the analysis focuses on the structure of economies in terms of the distribution of production across sectors and explores the implications of convergence of structure for a subset of EU countries. To assist in the exploration, some new methodology is introduced, based on the notion of a field of influence of change. A set of sensitivity indices and an associated importance matrix are constructed for a set of intercountry input-output tables. The results find that sectors at the European level are become more similar than the national economies as a whole.

Impacts of Reallocation of Resource Constraints on the Northeast Economy of Brazil

The present paper explores the role of water and energy resource constraints and allocation on the Northeast Brazil economy. The analysis centered on the creation of an intergrated model in which an econometric-input-output model was linked with a linear programming optimization model for resource allocation. Over the period 1999-2012, the impact on the six agricultural sectors was to reduce their output and employment by 15% annually. The reduction in employment in the rest of the economy was a little over 1% annually. However, since the agricultural sectors continue to employ a significant percentage of the labor force, the aggregate loss of employment amounted to 6% of the total regional employment on average, translating into 1 million jobs annually. When water allocation and energy resource allocations are considered simultaneously, the re-allocations are more limited, resulting in a loss of 0.78 million jobs annually. These results suggest the need for an active link between policy making and economic development when resource constraints are present. Some balance has to be provided between allocation and reallocation on the one hand perhaps driven by concerns with economic efficiency against anticipated losses of employment for part of the labor force with few other alternatives.

Chicago's economic transformation: past and future

Chicago (Ill.) ; Economic development - Midwest

Spatial Convergence in China: 1952-99

China, income distribution, spatial effects, spatial econometrics

Channels of Synthesis Forty Years On: Integrated Analysis of Spatial Economic Systems

Isard’s vision of integrated modeling that was laid out in the 1960s book Methods of Regional Science provided a road map for the development of more sophisticated analysis of spatial economic systems. Some forty years later, we look back at this vision and trace developments in a sample of three areas – demographic-econometric integrated modeling, spatial interaction modeling, and environmental-economic modeling. Attention will be focused on methodological advances and their motivation by new developments in theory as well as innovations in the applications of these models to address new policy challenges. Underlying the discussion will be an evaluation of the way in which spatial issues have been addressed, ranging from concerns with regionalization to issues of spillovers and spatial correlation.Spatial economic system, Integrated analysis,

Port Efficiency and Regional Development

This paper attempts to elucidate one of the mechanisms that link trade barriers, in the form of port costs, and subsequent growth and regional inequality. Not only inland costs can be perceived as a further barrier to link trade liberalization and growth (Haddad and Perobelli, 2005), but also port costs. Unlike highway link, congestion at port may have severe impacts spread over space and time whereas highway link congestion may be resolved within several hours. Since port is part of the transportation network, any congestion/disruption is likely to ripple throughout the hinterland. In this sense, it is important to model properly the role nodal congestion plays in a context of spatial models and international trade. Thus, we have developed a spatial CGE model integrated to a transport network system in order to simulate the impacts of increases in port efficiency in a context of trade liberalization. The role of ports of entry and ports of exit are explicitly considered in order to grasp the holistic picture in an integrated interregional system.

Regional Input-Output Analysis

Input-output analysis is a method by which the flow of production can be traced among the various sectors of the economy, through to final demand or export. The most fundamental problem of input-output analysis is to calculate the necessary output levels of each industry required to achieve a final output. What is the effect upon the local economy from the introduction of a new firm? What are the economic linkages between regions and how is equilibrium between regions achieved? What if the supply of an input in one region becomes restricted through some bottleneck? Input-output analysis can be used to address these issues. This book will prove to be a valuable resource to students and practitioners of the planning sciences, including urban and regional economics, regional science, engineering, public administration, business management science, city and regional planning, as well as scientists in economic geography. SCIENTIFIC GEOGRAPHY SERIES, Grant Ian Thrall, editor.https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/rri-web-book/1009/thumbnail.jp