Entrepreneurship and regional development policies

Many national, regional or local agencies have created policies to directly support entrepreneurs so as to increase the number of businesses or aid the competitiveness and expansion of existing small firms both generally. This paper considers what is meant by the term entrepreneurship and the implications of these meanings for different policies to promote entrepreneurship. These include predominantly macro-level policies such as economic stability, taxation and regulations, together with regional and local policies focusing upon advice, training, finance, technology transfer, markets access, physical infrastructure and the characteristics of the locality.

The role of partnerships in regional and urban development at the turn of the century

The term "partnership" is increasingly used in regionaldevelopmentalthough the practice of partnership in urban economic policy,if not theterminology, is common and has a long history. Currentlypartnershipsreceive widespread support from practitioners as they are seenas allowingeach partner to gain the benefits from co-operation, whilestill retainingtheir autonomy. However, the theoretical basis of these viewsis poorlydeveloped. This paper seeks to present an exploration of thetheoreticalbasis of regional and urban development partnerships and todraw resultinglessons for their improvement. From an analytical perspective,can beargued that in order to fully understand the behaviour andpolicies oforganisations involved in local economic development, it isnecessary toconsider their partnerships and the associated relationshipswith networksof other actors, including the flows of resources, power, andinformationwithin these networks.

Financial capability: evidence review

This report provides a brief overview of current evidence on financial capability as it relates to disadvantage in Scotland. It was commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by the Employment Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University in order to provide an evidence platform for stakeholders, with an interest in financial inclusion, to develop a more strategic approach in their support for financial capability. Current high levels of individual indebtedness, an increasingly complex and rapidly changing financial landscape, an increased focus on individual responsibility and the effects of the current financial crisis, indicate there is a growing need for improved financial capability. However, as demonstrated by Scottish Household Survey (SHS) data, large parts of the population such as many young or unemployed people lack full financial capability. This report does not consider the availability and regulation of financial services as these are generally reserved matters and not directly the responsibility of the Scottish Government.Report of the Scottish Government Social Inclusion Divisio

Youth unemployment produces multiple scarring effects

It is clear that youth unemployment leads to many negative outcomes in terms of both material and mental wellbeing. Here, Ronald McQuaid summarises the multiple scarring effects of youth unemployment. Current high levels of youth unemployment will therefore be felt by society for decades, making effective policy responses incredibly important

Local Authorities and Economic Development in Scotland - Report for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

This report was commissioned by COSLA to identify the breadth, scale and importance of Scottish local authorities' activities in the field of economic development

Determinants of visitor expenditure at a major sports event

This paper develops a model of the determinants of visitor expenditure at a one day repeated major sporting event in Edinburgh, Scotland. An econometric model is developed that combines both macroeconomic data and socio-economic information derived from over 1,000 visitor interviews. This allows us to control for individual characteristics and estimate the derived elasticities for the macroeconomic determinants of expenditure. The findings suggest that socio-economic characteristics of individuals may be more significant than macroeconomic indicators in explaining variations in visitor expenditure. Among individual characteristics, the region of origin, length of stay, type of accommodation, type of expenditure and personal income are associated with the level of per capita visitor expenditure. This should assist regional policy formulation in attracting higher spending visitors and thereby maximising the income and employment benefits from sporting events and other areas of tourism.

Social Entrepreneurship and Public Private Partnerships

Social entrepreneurs have an important role in the creation and development of Public Private Partnerships. They effectively lead innovative and entrepreneurial changes in social organisations or arenas which have not-for-profit motives. Social entrepreneurs: focus upon social issues; systematically apply new perspectives and innovations to relevant opportunities; and change what their organisation produces, how the services are produced and/or how their organisations operate. This paper discussed the characteristics and behaviour of social entrepreneurs. It argues that they have an important role in creating social capital, which is essential to Public Private Partnerships in areas such as urban regeneration and local economic development. It also considers how social entrepreneurs can bridge social and commercial objectives through business organisations such as community businesses or co-operatives. As social entrepreneurs can be seen as a form of behaviour, those working in business or other areas may act as social entrepreneurs when acting in their individual capacity

Factors and "illusions" influencing the choice of PFI-type public private partnerships

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically assess some of the micro- and macro-economic reasons for using public finance initiative types of public–private partnerships (PPPs) and how a lack of transparency may result in an “illusion” of making optimal, rational decisions related to them. A series of balances that decision makers need to make in order to choose whether or not to use PPPs are set out, as well as 15 potential “illusions” may affect such decisions. Design/methodology/approach This paper synthesizes published evidence and develops a framework for analyzing PPPs. Findings A wide range of factors influence the choice of PPPs, including: budget enlargement; efficiency and value for money; certainty of expenditure and delivery; flexibility; financing costs; risk sharing; procurement process and transaction costs; legacy and public assets; and the wider impacts on the local economy. However, reasons why PPPs can provide improved infrastructure and services may not be realised due to in-built incentives, behavioural biases and implementation shortcomings. Necessary support for PPPs includes strong, robust and transparent regulatory and governance systems, the dissemination of good practice to all partners, consideration of alternative funding models and high-quality advice and training. Research limitations/implications The paper sets out a number of reasons for using PPPs, and also assesses potential drawbacks and identifies areas where greater research is required. A number of potential “illusions” are identified, whereby decisions may be affected by factors not explicitly or transparently considered, hence giving the decision an “illusion” being rational. Practical implications PPPs are significantly influenced by the socio-economic, legal, legislative and financial system they are embedded in. A clear process for approving projects and recognising all the costs and benefits of PPPs is needed, including developing criteria and instruments to measure each phase of a PPP and its overall value added to the economy and society over its lifetime. Full transparency, having suitable support and explicitly taking account of potential “illusions” affecting decisions, could lead to different decisions, including the decision not to progress the project or to use alternative funding and development methods. Social implications Decisions on PPPs should be based on a clear and transparent long-term basis which includes the perspectives of the full range of stakeholders to help improve the appropriate operation and social sustainability of a PPP. Originality/value The paper sets out some key arguments for and against the use of PPPs in different circumstances, including why non-optimal decisions may be made

The Employability of Older People

Report of the RSE Workshop: The Employability of Older People held 01/07/2009Output Type: Conference Repor

Local enterprise companies and economic development - some issues in rural Scotland

Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) are the main central government-funded business development agencies which provide support for businesses and training programmes for individuals in the rural areas of Scotland. This paper provides a general overview of LECs and considers their main types of activity