Potential for the Development of Borderland Peripheries in Czechia in Terms of the Significance of Human Capital: the case of Volarsko

Abstract

The article seeks to evaluate the development potential of the borderland peripheral territory of Volarsko on the basis of an analysis of selected characteristics concerning the level and quality of human capital possessed by representatives of municipal self-government bodies, and to identify the central development problems of this territory. Empirical field research (directed/semi-structured interviews with the mayors and written survey focusing on municipal council members) was conducted in the model territory, directed at three thematic sections: “personal” characteristics of respondents; evaluation of work and mutual cooperation of respondents; identification of central development problems. In terms of the selected characteristics of human capital, the model territory exhibits relatively positive values (level of education attained; length of time in office; for mayors, the manner in which they fulfil their duties and their willingness to candidate in the upcoming communal elections). The same applies to the evaluation of the work and mutual cooperation of representatives of municipal self-government bodies (activity level, nature of professional and inter-personal relationships). In terms of the subjective opinions of the mayors and council members concerning central development problems, a high degree of compliance was shown to exist among their answers. Both “groups” identify a lack of financial resources for pursuing the priorities of the municipal authority and the general lack of jobs as the two most serious problems in the model territory.