Balanced Regional Development Research Articles

Investigating the Impact of Innovation Policies and Innovation Environment on Regional Innovation Capacity in China

Regional technological innovation serves as a key pillar for achieving high-level self-reliance and self-strengthening, a fundamental requirement for promoting balanced regional development, and a vital aspect of implementing the innovation-driven development strategy. We examine the impact of innovation policies on corporate innovation activities and the importance of the innovation environment in enhancing innovation capacity. By analyzing the implementation of innovation policies in three provinces in Central China from 2018 to 2022, this study introduces two indicators—policy intensity and policy volume—to assess the level of government policy support. The findings are as follows: First, local government innovation policies exert a significant positive impact on corporate innovation activities, with particularly strong effects observed in the implementation of R&D subsidies. Second, the implementation of regional innovation policies enhances regional innovation capacity by promoting increased R&D investment by firms. Third, the innovation environment moderates the influence of regional innovation policies on corporate R&D investment, amplifying the effect of R&D investment on regional innovation capacity. In summary, when formulating innovation policies, governments should consider the unique needs of different industries, regions, and enterprises, adopting flexible and diverse policy measures to optimize the innovation environment and accelerate the nation’s technological innovation development.

Assessing Heterogeneity in Governance Outcome: Evidence from Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) in Nepal

Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) is a tool for local governments to evaluate their own performance in Nepal. A key strength of LISA is its self-evaluation approach, which assesses local government workflows and achievements to identify the strengths and weaknesses for improving governance and development delivery. It facilitates the critical analysis of periodic plans, financial management, and governance delivery while promoting the development of quantifiable indicators and enhancing local government capacity on a larger scale. It covers ten dimensions for the evaluation such as Governance Approach, Organization and Administration, Annual Budgeting and Planning Management, Financial Management, Public Service Delivery, Judicial Proceedings, Physical Infrastructure, Social Inclusion, Environment Protection and Disaster Management, and Collaboration and Coordination. Each dimension includes a set of major indicators and sub-indicators, with a total of 100 indicators cumulatively across all dimensions. It broadly encompasses accomplishments and evaluation methods through three distinct approaches: Totalitarian Approach, Procedural Order, and Quantitative Results. This study of evaluation approaches, multi-dimensional scope and LISA scores of 749 local governments (published by the ministry after Quality Assurance) for the Fiscal Year 2022/23 by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) divulges the heterogeneity in local governance. The study results reveal that, through the three evaluation approaches, the ten categorized dimensions each contribute differently to governance outcomes. These variations highlight how each dimension's unique impact can influence overall performance. The direction and strength of their relationships can predict how changes in one area might impact another. The newly institutionalized governance framework, along with its assessment technique, serves as a valuable tool for promoting balanced regional development and improving local governance. By maintaining institutional bricolage, addressing the exit-voice dichotomy, and facilitating yardstick competition, this evaluation process effectively integrates diverse local needs and promotes the whole of the government. Thus, moving beyond a blanket approach, governing policies in Nepal must adopt targeted and tailored strategies that account for the diverse realities and heterogeneity in local governance outcomes.

Role of innovation and human capital in regional economic growth and progress

Since 1999, China’s higher education has experienced significant growth, with the government dramatically increasing college enrollment rates, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education. However, most existing studies have primarily focused on the quantity of education, with little attention having been given to the impact of higher education quality (HEQ) on economic growth. This study aims to explore how higher education quality (HEQ) contributes to regional economic growth through scientific and technological innovation (STI) and human capital accumulation. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from the period 1999 to 2022, panel regression models and instrumental variable methods were employed to analyze both the direct and indirect impacts of higher education quality (HEQ) on economic growth. The results confirm that improving higher education quality (HEQ) is crucial for sustaining China’s economic growth. More specifically, higher education promotes regional economic expansion both directly, by enhancing labor productivity, and indirectly, by facilitating scientific and technological innovation. Furthermore, the study suggests that the balanced distribution of educational resources across regions should be prioritized to support coordinated regional development. This research provides insights for policymakers on how balanced regional economic development can be achieved through educational and technological policies. This work also lays a foundation for future studies.

Poverty rate as an indicator of disproportions in the spatial development of territories

Subject. The article addresses the relationship between the poverty rate of the population and sustainable and balanced spatial development of territories. Objectives. The study aims at scientific substantiation of the need to reduce the rate of poverty of the population as an imperative to achieve balanced spatial development of territories; indicative analysis of spatial development of territories in the projection "poverty rate of the population" based on statistical data from the Rosstat. Methods. I employed the indicative analysis, index method, and "zone theory". Results. The study demonstrated that poverty is one of the key indicators of disproportions in spatial development of territories, which, in accordance with the concept of "geography of poverty", is due to a lack of investment, remoteness from sources of natural resources, population density, and insufficient spread of innovations. An indicative analysis of the poverty rate in two regions of the Volga Federal District showed the relationship between the spatial development of the regions and the factors of the "geography of poverty". Conclusions. To ensure sustainable and balanced spatial development of regions characterized by a high rate of poverty, the paper offers a number of strategic directions.

Integrated Community-Based Tourism for Balanced Regional Development: A Case Study of Kayutangan Area and Kampong Heritage in Malang City

The tourism sector holds the potential to act as a mechanism for achieving balanced development within a region. The collaborative efforts between Kayutangan and Kampong Heritage area, a partnership established since 2018, have brought about substantial economic benefits for the advancement of cultural tourism in Malang City. This research is aimed at assessing the sustainability of destination management in urban contexts, with a particular focus on Community-Based Tourism (CBT) practices. To conduct this study, an integrated approach has been adopted, involving interviews with various stakeholders, including destination managers, local business owners in the Kampong Heritage area, entrepreneurs in the Kayutangan area, and local residents. The data collected from these interviews has been subjected to analysis using Inskeep’s theory, complemented by an interactive model of community-based management. The findings of this study underscore several management aspects, particularly the capacity to effectively oversee and provide necessary tourism facilities. However, the results also reveal a noteworthy limitation. There appears to be a lack of collaboration between Kawasan Kayutangan and the Kampong Heritage, with management efforts seemingly fragmented. Furthermore, community engagement in the management process remains relatively minimal. Keywords: community based tourism; collaborative effort, community engagement

Ecological Compensation Based on the Ecosystem Service Value: A Case Study of the Xin’an River Basin in China

To establish a sound ecological compensation (EC) mechanism in the Xin’an River Basin, this study suggested utilizing ecosystem service valuation to determine the compensation amount. In this study, the first step was to establish a reasonable watershed EC model using the ecological compensation supply coefficient (ECSC) based on the value spillover theory (VST) of the ecosystem services and the ecological compensation demand coefficient (ECDC). The second step was to classify the ecosystem services of the Xin’an River Basin into three categories, including supply service, regulating service, and cultural service, with 14 specific functions to determine the ecological compensation standard accounting scope in these services. Then, a case study on the Xin’an River Basin for EC standards was presented. The total ecosystem service value (ESV) in the Xin’an River Basin was estimated to be CNY 70.271 billion, with supply service accounting for 22.7%, regulating service accounting for 24.6%, and cultural service accounting for 52.7%. Based on the compensation scope, the ecosystem service values for the upper and lower limits of the EC were calculated as CNY 57.779 billion and CNY 17.292 billion. Combined with the results of the ECSC and ECDC, the upper and lower limits of the EC standard in the Xin’an River Basin were computed to be CNY 4.085 billion and CNY 1.438 billion, respectively. Therefore, the ESV-based EC model for the Xin’an River Basin can effectively address the challenge of inadequate EC in the watershed. It also facilitates balanced regional development and serves as a theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for the government to establish a unified national policy on cross-border river basin ecological compensation.

Analysis of the Evolution of Spatio Temporal Pattern of Rural Industrial Integration and its Influencing Factors

Regional development has a significant impact on Rural Industrial Integration (RII), which substantially boosts economic growth in rural regions and decreases the economic disparity between rural regions and urban areas. Addressing the Spatio-Temporal Patterns (STP) of RII and the factors that impact these developments is essential for today's economies to attempt balanced regional development successfully. The objective of the present study is to investigate the STP of RII during time considering Zhejiang Province, China, as a case study. The present research examines the primary social, economic, and environmental variables that result in RII applying spatial economic frameworks like Adaptive Geographically Weighted Regression (AGWR) and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR). The research study evaluated how they relate and impact these factors to integration across multiple spatial scales. With AGWR and MGWR values achieving 0.0083 and 0.0085, respectively, the study indicated that the most significant variable determining RII is the development of urban infrastructure. Significant grouping impacts have been shown by the spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) for this metric, which attained values that were as high as 0.4205. Significant variables comprised the cost of investment and the urban-rural per capita disposable income (PCDI) proportion, with PCDI ratio ratios of 0.0053 (AGWR) and 0.0056 (MGWR), respectively.

Sustainable Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Key Rural Tourism Villages in China: Promoting Balanced Regional Development

Understanding the spatial distribution and sustainable development of rural tourism is essential for promoting balanced regional growth and formulating optimized policy strategies. This study aims to provide insights into sustainable development and policy optimization. Utilizing geographic information system technology, dominance analysis, and Geodetector statistical methods, this research offers a comprehensive examination of the spatial patterns and determinants of these distributions. The findings reveal significant regional disparities and clustering, with a higher concentration of key villages in economically developed eastern and central regions and fewer in the less developed western regions. The dominance analysis highlights that provinces such as Zhejiang, Shandong, and Beijing demonstrate strong advantages across multiple dimensions, including ecological environment, economic development, tourism infrastructure, transportation accessibility, policy support, and social development. Conversely, regions such as Ningxia, Qinghai, and Tibet exhibit lower dominance scores, indicating challenges in rural tourism development due to limited resources and infrastructure. Key influencing factors include forest coverage, GDP per capita, the number of star-rated hotels, transportation network density, policy initiatives, and urbanization rates. The results underscore the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to enhance rural tourism competitiveness and suggest targeted strategies for underperforming regions. This study contributes to advancing the theoretical framework of sustainable rural tourism and provides actionable insights for policymakers to foster balanced regional development, ecological conservation, and community-centered tourism practices.

The impact of innovation on intra-city economic disparity: a technological complexity perspective

ABSTRACT As innovation progresses, the overall complexity of technological inventions also grows, impacting the spatial effects of innovation. This study, utilizing data from 281 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2020 and employing panel threshold regression, re-evaluates the impact of innovation on regional disparities from the perspective of technological complexity. Initially, the paper introduces a nonlinear iteration method to generate two metrics: innovation complexity for assessing regional innovation and technological complexity for assessing patent quality. Subsequently, the study incorporates technological complexity into the theoretical framework of spillover and siphoning effects, exploring its impact on intra-city economic disparity. The results reveal: (1) Overall, innovation in Chinese cities contributes to alleviating intra-city economic disparity. However, this effect is nonlinear, gradually diminishing as innovation increases. (2) The study empirically supports the statement innovation in high-complexity technologies plays a smaller role in reducing regional disparities than innovation in low-complexity technologies. (3) We also examine how geographic factors moderate the effects of innovation of varying complexities on economic disparity, finding that increasing geographic barriers can result in opposite moderating effects on high-complexity and low-complexity innovation. Our research implies that the ongoing evolution of innovation towards domains with higher technological complexity potentially threatens balanced regional development.

Evolution of the theory and practice of spatial development

Subject. This article analyzes the impact of the country's spatial development on economic indicators. Objectives. The article aims to analyze the theoretical concepts and cases of practical implementation of the policy of area's spatial development. Methods. For the study, we used the general scientific research methods. Results. Based on the analysis of the main provisions of the theories of the location of productive forces, central places, growth poles and axes, the article finds that the current Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2025 is declarative in nature. Conclusions. The article concludes that the integration of the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2025 with the State program Balanced Regional Development will contribute to the spatial development of the regions of Russia.

Mathematical Methods in Determining Spatial Development Priorities for The Industrial Sector at The Level of The Iraqi Governorates: A Study of Quantitative Measures to Determine Investments in Industrial Urbanization

The levels of development exhibit significant disparities across countries and even among different parts of the same governorates. The major focus of many planners and decision makers was to investigate and analyze the regional variation in development levels. The study aims to examine the regional disparities in investment within the industrial sector throughout the governorates of Iraq. This analysis is not just based on quantitative indicators, but also takes into account the specific investment requirements of each governorate. To overcome this issue, we do the following actions: A mathematical model is constructed to elucidate the regional differences in investment amongst governorates. This model use factor analysis to quantify the association between various variables studied. Utilize the Ridge Regression Model to assess the influence of the factors on the geographical distribution of investment. The study aimed to determine the allocation of investment in the industry sector among the Iraqi governorates. The priorities for distribution were as follows: ''Al-Muthanna'', ''Missan'', ''Wasit'', ''Salahuddinni'', ''Thi-Qar'', ''Diala'', ''Kerbala'', ''Kirkuk'', ''Al-Qadisiya'', ''Al-Anbar'', ''Al-Najaf'', ''Babil'', ''Nineueh'', ''Basrah'', and Baghdad. This allocation aimed to achieve a balanced regional development. The value of the challenge coefficient (R^2= 0.84 and the correlation coefficient) (R= 0.91), which indicates the strength of the effect of the economic variables on the investment sector. This value is the spatial distribution of industrial investments among the governorates, and this is confirmed by the decrease in the value of (MSE) as it reached 3319.41, which confirms the increase in the efficiency of the model at (k= 0.016).

Rural transformation development: spatiotemporal evolution and mechanisms in the Garze-Ngawa-Liangshan region, Southwest China

ABSTRACT Rural transformation development (RTD) is crucial for achieving sustainable development in poverty-stricken rural areas. The Garze-Ngawa-Liangshan (GNL) region, an impoverished minority area in Southwest China, has undergone significant RTD in recent decades. This study establishes a comprehensive evaluation index model encompassing economy, population, land use and land cover, society, and ecology to explore the spatiotemporal variations of RTD and the differences in the transformation mechanisms in the GNL region. The results reveal that RTD in the GNL region exhibited notable spatiotemporal variation from 2000 to 2019. Despite considerable heterogeneity in spatial distribution, regional disparities in RTD have decreased, partly due to policy implementation. Importantly, the speed and magnitude of RTD, often overlooked in previous studies, are critical indicators for assessing its reasonableness. The ecological environment is particularly significant for RTD assessment, especially in China’s ecologically fragile mountainous rural areas. Our findings suggest that promoting balanced regional development is essential in poverty-stricken areas. This study provides valuable theoretical references for planners and policymakers in implementing rural revitalization strategies.

ESG-трансформация российских регионов: теоретические аспекты

The paper considers the theoretical aspects of sustainable development and ESG transformation of Russian regions. The research substantiates a systematic approach to the balanced development of regions as socio-ecological and economic systems. The concept of sustainable development and regional ESG transformation correlates to the concept of regional economic security, economic growth, human and social capital development. In our opinion, a systematic reproductive approach is the most productive in solving many problems of regional socio-economic development. Moreover, it could consider the following issues of regional ESG transformation: a six-stage scheme of social reproduction: «science – production – distribution – exchange – consumption – utilization»; natural-economic-institutional-social reproduction chain. One of the aspects of the reproductive approach is the concept of sustainable development and the ESG agenda. However, in terms of economic theory and philosophy, four types of «transformational connections» can be distinguished: interaction, relationships, institutions, and management decisions. The regional sustainable development, the achievement of high indicators of its socio-economic development is presented as a balanced interaction of three components: economy, social sphere, and ecology. Russian scientists consider regional ESG transformation in terms of economic security, regional economic growth, and increasing its attractiveness, development of technological potential, improvement of the institutional environment, and competencies of managers at all levels in the field of sustainable development and ESG.

한국과 일본의 중앙지방협력회의법의 비교연구

The National-Local Cooperation Council Act is the “Act on the Composition and Operation between the National and Local Government Cooperation Council (hereinafter referred to as the National-Local Cooperation Council” in Korea, and the “Act on Place of consultation between National and Local Government” in Japan. The purpose of enacting the National-Local Government Cooperation Council Act in Korea is to determine matters necessary for the composition and operation between the National and Local Government Cooperation Council, which is established to strengthen communication and cooperation between the state and local governments and to deliberate on important policies related to balanced development between local autonomy and regions. The purpose of enacting the Act on the Place of Japanese Consultation is to promote effective and efficient national and local government policies in consultation with relevant ministers and local representatives on the planning, formulation and implementation of national policies affecting local autonomy. The venue for consultation in Japanese law means a place of opportunity for the state (National government) and provinces to exchange opinions on an equal footing, that is, a “place of joint decision” through mutual consultation (meeting), and does not refer to a specific administrative agency. Korea's National and Local Government Cooperation Council is used in the same sense as the venue for Japan's consultation. Comparing the purpose of enacting the two laws, Japan, as the legal name implies, focuses on the meaning that the National and Local governments consult to effectively and efficiently promote specific policies, while Korea includes balanced regional development beyond the scope of discussing other policies, including the purpose of Japan's enactment. It can be said that the purpose of enacting the law is much wider and more diverse. Although Korea and Japan have slightly different legal names, this study aims to analyze the pros and cons of the National and Local Government Cooperation Council Act, which has similar legislative objectives and contents, and derive suggestions for Korean law.

Can mandatory local-talent hiring policy reduce regional starting wage gap? Causal evidence from Korean graduates

This study investigates the impact of Korea's mandatory local-talent hiring policy on regional starting wage disparities between non-Seoul Metropolitan Area (non-SMA) and Seoul-based university graduates. We use a difference-in-differences approach with micro-level data from Korean university graduates between 2010 and 2019. Our findings demonstrate that the policy has significantly reduced wage disparities by creating demand for skilled graduates from non-SMA universities, particularly benefiting those from top-ranking institutions. This demand has driven them to enhance their educational standards, leading to improved rankings and average GPAs. Our mechanism analysis confirms that these improvements are crucial in narrowing wage disparities. Interestingly, the treatment effects are stronger for humanities graduates compared to those in science and engineering. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote balanced regional development in similar contexts.

Analysis of the spatial association network structure of China’s green innovation efficiency

Improving the green innovation efficiency (GIE) is the main approach to high-quality development in China. Identifying the spatial distribution and influencing factors of GIE is conducive to sustainable and balanced regional development. In this research, the slack based measure-data envelopment analysis model (SBM-DEA) is used to measure the GIE of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2023. The gravity model and social network analysis methods are used to explore the spatial correlation of GIE in the provinces. The influencing factors of GIE are analyzed by the Tobit model. The results show that: (1) During the study period, the GIE of China’s provinces presented a high level, the spatial accumulation characteristics were obvious and the spatial correlation showed a complex network structure; (2) The association network is still in the primary stage, and the network strength and network association degree are low; (3) Provinces with strong innovation ability do not affect the green innovation of other provinces. In addition, these regions have obtained higher innovation linkage benefits from other provinces; (4) The amount of patent, education and government support have a significant positive impact on GIE, while total energy consumption and the secondary industry’s share of the gross domestic product have a significant negative impact on GIE. This study will reveal the characteristics of green innovation behavior of China from a new perspective, and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of green innovation behavior and related policies of China.

Assessing the Regional Socio-Economic Disparities, Evidence from Jordan

Objectives: Regional disparity in development among regions in developing countries is a common issue. Despite being a small, emerging economy, Jordan suffers from this problem. This study aims to identify and explore regional disparities in Jordan between 2010 and 2018 by integrating social and economic factors. Methods: A mixed-methods approach combining statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques was employed to uncover the economic and social disparities in Jordan, and classify the governorates accordingly. This study presents the results of the Lorenz curve and the site quotient and shows the direct interactions between social disparities on economic disparities in Jordan. Results: The results indicated significant differences between the twelve governorates in Jordan. The capital city, Amman, possesses the highest share of social and economic factors in Jordan and is the only governorate with the highest economic growth. The second and third-ranking governorates in terms of ratios are Irbid and Zarqa. Conclusions: The study recommends implementing balanced and obligatory regional development plans, utilizing an integrated team of experts, decision-makers, investors, and local representatives. Emphasizing the importance of decentralization and empowering local councils in the governorates is crucial.

Economic assessment of the export potential of the Kyrgyz regions: Methodology for calculating and analysing the rating

The purpose of the study was to develop a methodology for assessing the export potential of the regions of Kyrgyzstan and conduct an analysis aimed at identifying key factors affecting competitiveness and the development of export opportunities. The methodology was based on the analysis of statistical data from official sources such as the websites of government agencies, ministries, statistical agencies, and international organisations to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the assessment of the export potential of the regions of Kyrgyzstan. The results of the study showed that from 2019 to 2023, there was an overall increase in export volumes in the regions of Kyrgyzstan due to successful economic reforms and infrastructure improvements. The greatest achievements are observed in Batken, Jalal-Abad, Talas regions and the city of Bishkek, while Issyk-Kul and Naryn regions need additional measures. The positive dynamics of the gross regional product (GRP) per capita confirms economic growth and an increase in living standards. The implementation of tax reforms and investments in infrastructure creates favourable conditions for exports. In turn, the international experience of countries such as Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Chile, and India demonstrates the effectiveness of investments in infrastructure and support for innovation to increase the competitiveness of the country's regions. The conclusions highlighted the importance of targeted government initiatives and investments for the balanced development of regions and maximising their contribution to the national economy through the effective use of export potential. Special attention was paid to the need to develop regional support programmes that promote the growth of export activity, improve infrastructure, and attract international investors. This, in turn, contributes to reducing economic disparities between regions and ensuring sustainable economic growth of the country in general

Evaluation of Decentralisation Policy: Impact on Regional Development

This study evaluates the impact of decentralisation policies on regional development, focusing on the redistribution of administrative powers from central to local governments. Decentralisation is often implemented with the aim of improving governance, promoting local autonomy, and enhancing public service delivery. This research explores how these policies have influenced economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare at the regional level. Using a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of regional development indicators and qualitative case studies, the findings reveal a complex relationship between decentralisation and regional outcomes. While some regions have experienced significant improvements in governance efficiency and socio-economic conditions, others continue to face challenges such as uneven resource distribution and capacity constraints. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at optimizing decentralisation frameworks to ensure balanced and sustainable regional development.

Methodological approaches to the assessment of balanced spatial development of regions

Subject. This article discusses the problem of uneven development of regions. Objectives. The article aims to analyze the methods of smoothing spatial polarization and develop an algorithm for assessing the balance of regional development. Methods. For the study, we used a comparative analysis, and the tabular and graphic visualization techniques. Results. The article finds that the processes of polarization are due to socio-economic inequality, and it presents an original methodology for assessing the balance of spatial development, developed on the basis of the cluster approach. Conclusions. At the State level, it is necessary to approve a unified methodology for assessing the balance of Russia's spatial development. When developing programmes for the development of regions, it is necessary to be guided by the concept of leveling spatial imbalances.