Competitiveness Of Rural Areas Research Articles

International regional competitiveness of rural territories as a factor of their socio-economic development: Methodological aspects

The study aims to develop a scientific and methodological approach to the formation of a model for managing the international competitiveness of rural areas based on an assessment of the existing export and production potential to form priorities for their socio-economic development. Research methods involve a systematic approach, an integrated approach, an algorithmization using methods of integral assessment of competitiveness, etc. The research allowed the development of a conceptual model for managing the international competitiveness of rural regions. The model includes a variable list of determinants and indicators of the formation of competitive advantages of rural territories depending on the export-production potential and strategic goals of their development. The paper presents a model management algorithm and a set of complementary methodological techniques used to assess international and regional competitiveness. The scientific novelty lies in the developed scientific and methodological approaches and practical recommendations for the formation of international and regional competitiveness in rural areas. Moreover, a system of determinants of the competitiveness formation of rural territories and a system of indicators for its assessment have been developed.

An Experimental Study of the Social Dimension of Land Consolidation Using Trust Games and Public Goods Games

Most land consolidation projects envisage reducing fragmentation and aim at increasing productivity, land use efficiency, and competitiveness of rural areas. However, recent insights suggest that social aspects are crucial as well. Hence, a critical assessment of the conditions under which land consolidation can be socially beneficial is necessary. This article aims to identify values and qualitative indicators to measure social preferences and to assess whether one can optimize decision support tools for land consolidation projects with such indicators. Based on an exploratory and concept-centric qualitative literature review, we propose game applications from experimental economics to measure empirical indicators of social capital. The games help to disclose conflicting social preferences and enable a more accurate response to public policy programs/interventions. This is achieved by assessing commonly shared norms of trust, reciprocity, and cooperation within and across social groups in a targeted area. We posit, however, the disparity among bonding, bridging, and linking dimensions of a social capital could have a differential effect on land consolidation instruments. This experimental method applied in Kakheti, Georgia reveals that 1. the farmer communities have varying combinations of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital; 2. the local farmer societies are the archetype of the collaborative model and sharing economy; 3. only a few municipalities show the highest potential for sustainably managing land consolidation projects. Hence, applying economic games that explore social scenarios helps to derive more favourable solutions for land consolidation.

RURAL GREEN TOURISM AS A TYPE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE UKRAINIAN VILLAGE IN THE CONVENTION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article analyzes the tourist resources of the region by organizational forms of tourism. The role of rural green tourism as an important branch of the national and world economy is considered. The main trends in the development of this type of tourism are studied, its role in the economy of different countries is determined. The role of rural green tourism in solving socio-economic problems of the village is highlighted. The role and place of rural green tourism in the development of rural regions of Ukraine, the relevance and issues of rural tourism in a pavid-19 pandemic are considered. It is highlighted that the development of the Ukrainian countryside is the main goal of the decentralization reform, which is aimed at developing a high standard of living of the rural population and capable economic competition in a crisis and an exacerbation of the pandemic. Social and economic development of tourism, including "green", increasing its popularity is relevant because it will increase the state budget and employment, maintain a high standard of living, improve education, introduce new means of dissemination of information, create conditions for improving the balance of payments countries, development of territories and other sectors of the economy of Ukraine. Rural tourism can become an independent system capable of solving the main socio-economic problems of the village. In general, the developed segment of rural tourism will have a positive impact on the competitiveness of rural areas and will contribute to employment of the rural population. Subject to the successful implementation of green tourism development projects, the following results can be expected: creation of new jobs; intensification of entrepreneurial activity of all economic forms and motivation of growth of budget revenues; development of related services infrastructure, etc.

Digital innovation in rural area. A vision for smart village in Dropull

The rural areas in Albania are undergoing rapid demographic, social and economic changes concerning emigration, depopulation, population ageing, little use of agriculture, livestock, tourism potential, and marginalization due to market and service centralization and poor infrastructure. In the present condition of isolation and rural decay, the creation of an easy two-way connection between territory and the people can open up new opportunities to revitalize rural areas. The crucial role of these networks is to collect community potentials, create partnerships and offer benefits to the rural community. In this sense, the use of innovative digital technologies can become an important instrument to develop virtual networking through which a smart multimedia interactive platform can provide information, knowledge sharing and interconnection among different sectors. EU has already launched and promoted these concepts since 2017, through Smart Village initiative (European Commission, 2017), paying particular attention to the use of innovative digital technologies that create a new form of network cooperation beyond the village boundaries, involving the surrounding countryside and towns. Smart village means effectively and efficiently services delivered to the residents and businesses to improve their economic, social and environmental conditions, in particular finding out solutions offered by digital technologies. Digital innovation based on computing, communication and information technologies can act as an accelerator exploiting the hidden potential in the area. In the case of the proposed smart villages in the Municipality of Dropull, the first step to developing virtual networks through digital tools that support smart development is to provide digital infrastructure, broadband internet and to build a rural digital hub. This multi-service hub structure will be located in Jorgucat village, the municipality center, and it will manage digital services that respond to local needs offering support and training for the community. The aim is to create a network between the local community and other actors in different fields by facilitating the delivery of public services and offering new opportunities. Based on community needs, the objective of this study is to create a fast network of information and exchange between the territory and its governance, which enables information sharing and resource access for the people and tourists. In order to create this network, different e-tools (apps.) can be used to support and facilitate the process, focusing on the following vulnerable sectors of this Municipality: 1. Access to e-health, education, training and other essential services 2. Online market and promotion of local products 3. Online booking service, promoting tourism, heritage and cultural activities 4. Mobility 5. Governance. These tools are considered as a catalyst for the proposed network, which serves to reactivate human, environmental and financial resources in these villages and improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of rural areas. Successful networking models and e-tools already used in EU “smart villages” will be introduced to understand the structure of the information system and management. This will constitute the basis for the development of specific networking models inherent to the particularities of the Dropull villages, which can be supported by e-tools.

Directions of diversification of agricultural production in Ukraine on the basis of sustainable development

The article substantiates the directions of diversification of agricultural production in Ukraine on the basis of sustainable development in order to improve the quality of life of the rural population, ensure the competitiveness of rural areas, achieve environmental safety. In the process of research in the areas of diversification of agricultural production used a monographic and graphic methods and scientific generalization. Diversification is seen as the diversification of the object of study and giving it a multidisciplinary, combined nature, which is realized by expanding the scope of the enterprise. Attention is drawn to the fact that in rural areas diversification should be based on the basis of sustainable development and on the relocation of resources to new areas of agricultural and non-agricultural activities. It is proposed to diversify agricultural production in the areas of expanding the range and markets, support and development of organic production, increase the volume of niche crops, which will contribute to the production of agricultural products with a larger share of value added, increase exports of agricultural products, expand the population. Declining trends in agricultural production have been identified in parallel with the growth of more profitable types of crop and livestock products (rapeseed, sunflower, pigs, poultry). It is emphasized that during the formation of the species structure of agricultural production it is necessary to take into account not only the demand for it but also to ensure efficient and rational use of available labor, raw materials, land, technical, technological, financial and other resources. The expediency of growing niche crops (garlic, sorghum, chickpeas, mustard, nuts, flax) is substantiated, the main advantage of which is the growth of demand for these products in combination with small production volumes, which will expand markets and increase the competitiveness of agricultural production. It is proved that in Ukraine there are all the prerequisites for the spread of organic land use as a direction of diversification of rural development on the basis of sustainable development. This allows not only to make a profit, but also to produce environmentally friendly food and reduce the destructive anthropogenic impact on the environment. Further research should be carried out in the field of formation of the scientific concept, development of the mechanism of organizational and economic support and selection of priorities of diversification of agricultural production.

Competitiveness of rural areas: formation, assessment, growth reserves aspects

New models for organizing agricultural production and management are the basis for the stability of rural development trends in the long term. The study presents the main directions of improving institutional environment of government, business structures and population in order to ensure the economic growth of agro-industrial complex and rural territories. The authors propose to consider changes in the methodology for assessing the organizational and economic potential of rural development as a direction for improving the system of managing rural areas. The authors consider the algorithm for assessing the rural territories development, which include characterizing certain aspects of rural territories socio-economic development, their comparative analysis, integrated assessment, selecting factors of changes in the rural territories socio-economic development and forecasting the parameters of this development. The degree of effective interaction between the subjects made it possible for the authors to highlight two basic models of interacting between state power, business and population of the territory: territories with great growth potential and territories in which there are significant reserves for growth in this direction and territories for which it is important to mobilize the state’s efforts and the private sector in order to search for innovative sources of development stimulation and the population life quality.

УСТОЙЧИВОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ КАК ОБЪЕКТ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ И УПРАВЛЕНИЯ

The formation of the concept of sustainable and competitive development of rural areas on the basis of a balanced socio-naturaleconomic space is studied by the authors as an object of research and management. The purpose of the article was to study scientific prerequisites as the basis for developing the concept of a balanced socio-natural-economic space of the agroindustrial complex and rural areas as a condition for their competitive and sustainable development. The tasks of the research include a critical analysis and the development of a system of categories that ensure implementation of the research goal. The ideas of the foreign scientists, accepted by the international scientific community, are generalized and adapted to the purpose of the study. These include the need to resolve the problem of sustainable development of sociobiotechnical systems in the face of global threats and risks to humanity; taking into account and reducing the risks in the developing harmonious relations between natural and social environments due to the formation of a global information space; scientific substantiation for the role of clusters in forming the competitive advantages of the countries; substantiation of the importance of digital economy in modern agriculture. Basing on generalization of the theoretical and practical provisions of the concept of agriculture multifunctionality in reproducing goods and public goods, a methodology has been developed that allows to identify and scientifically substantiate the role of a balanced socionatural-economic space of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas as the basis for their competitive and sustainable development. In the research methodology, an interdisciplinary integrated approach was used, within the framework of which the main theoretical and applied directions of the formation of a balanced, sustainable and competitive socio-natural-economic space of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas were identified. The use of a systematic approach made it possible to scientifically substantiate the state policy priority directions for creating a sustainable and competitive socio-natural-economic space in the agro-industrial complex and rural areas. As part of the study, a terminological and expert analysis was carried out on the material of the current regulatory acts of the Russian Federation. The article deals with the issues of sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas as an object of research and management. The main current challenges in the spatial development of the rural areas in Russia are identified. The author's interpretation of the category “socio-natural-economic space of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas” has been substantiated. A new trend of radical changes in agro-industrial policy in the field of spatial development of the productive forces of the agroindustrial complex is revealed and scientifically substantiated. New approaches to assessing the competitiveness of rural areas as one of the targets of their sustainable development have been identified. It was recommended to include in the concept of sustainable development of rural areas new categories “agro-space” and “healthy food”. The main result of the study was the confirmation of the author's hypothesis and the acquisition of new knowledge about the availability of scientific prerequisites that allow developing a new concept of competitive and sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas on the basis of a balanced socio-natural and economic space. The conclusion is substantiated that the competitive and sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas can be effectively formed and supported through the use of strategic management. The practical result of the study, which can be applied in management activities, is the methodological approaches proposed by the authors to the implementation of strategic management of sustainabl

Agrarian and economic aspect of food supply and its safety at the regional level

The article deals with the need of increasing the competitiveness of rural areas in the food market and the share of local products in food supply of the population of the Saha Republic with local products. A system is substantiated that covers the necessity of state protectionist economic and social policy strengthening on the development of the northern regions, the creation of conditions for the agricultural sector of the economy effective functioning and the need to maintain a state support. It is emphasized that a stable economy always plays a crucial role in ensuring food security.

Implementation of Porter’s Diamond Model in the strategic architecture for agricultural financing development of baitul-maal wat-tamwil

In 2018, there were 38.7 million workers in agriculture. The high number in the agricultural sector is not accompanied by an increase in the contribution of the total agricultural sector to the value of the Gross Domestic Product. The condition is exacerbated by the lack of accessibility of rural farmers towards farming capital. Although micro, small and medium enterprises (SME’s) loans grew by 8.0 percent (yoy) in 2016, many studies have revealed the dependence of micro farmers (gurem) on access to capital from informal sources which ultimately makes it difficult for them in terms of repaying capital loans because they are trapped in the practice of money lenders. The existence of Islamic Financial Services Cooperatives (Koperasi Jasa Keuangan Syariah-KJKS) is an interesting subject. KJKS, better known as Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT), is hope for increasing the accessibility of the poor to capital sources because BMT plays a cultural role as a funding intermediary and cultural as a social lending institution (qardhul hasan). This study aims to analyze the development of institutional financing based on Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (BMT) using the Berlian Porter Model approach so that a strategic architecture of agricultural financing development can be formulated based on the competing factors of BMT competitiveness in rural areas. Primary research data was taken in November 2016-January 2017 using the focus group discussion method with expert speakers. The research data is then supplemented by relevant secondary sources in November 2019. The formulation of competitiveness in the Diamond Model is often known to analyze the competitiveness of countries, but several studies reveal that the Berlian Porter approach can be applied to the scale of the country, region, industry, and individual companies, both goods, and services. The ability of an institution to maintain its existence depends on its competitiveness, and in the aggregate will affect the competitiveness of a country.

Infrastruktura jako instrument poprawy regionalnej konkurencyjności obszarów wiejskich

W pracy zaprezentowano podstawowe zagadnienia związane z konkurencyjnością regionalną obszarów wiejskich oraz infrastrukturą. Głównym celem opracowania było przedstawienia znaczenia infrastruktury jako jednego z najistotniejszych czynników konkurencyjności obszarów wiejskich. Infrastruktura stanowi element potencjału konkurencyjności terytorialnej, a wyposażenie infrastrukturalne wpływa na kształtowanie poziom tzw. atrybutów konkurencyjności. Wskazano również na rolę jaką Unia Europejska przypisuje infrastrukturze jako instrumentowi prokonkurencyjnemu. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań potwierdziły, że od czasu wejścia Polski do struktur Unii Europejskiej na obszarach wiejskich miał miejsce systematyczny rozwój ich wyposażenia infrastrukturalnego. Szczególnie szybkie tempo wzrostu charakteryzowało rozwój systemu odprowadzania i oczyszczania ścieków.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Family Farms and the Dairy Industry

There has been increasing recognition that for regional competitiveness in rural areas there needs to be a focus on sustainable farming initiatives especially for family farms that are competing with global conglomerates. Family farms, whilst declining in number, are the purpose of this paper studying the rural entrepreneurship in family farms as they are at the heart of rural communities and the overall agricultural industry and comprise a high percentage of total farms. This paper takes a case study approach using in-depth semi structured interviews to delve into the types of entrepreneurial strategies that are distinctive of family farms in terms of their sustainability approach to farming. Dairy farms in the West Victorian area of Australia are studied and the findings suggest that family farms can increase their regional competitiveness and international standing by focusing on their collaborative, social and sustainable entrepreneurial strategies.

Socio-Economic Differences in the Development of Rural Areas in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Case Study

In Bosnia and Herzegovina some rural municipalities with similar population density are very different regarding key demographic and economic indicators like migration, unemployment and average wages. According to the existing studies in Europe the answer for differential economic performance is firstly in the potential of local community to recognize, strengthen and utilize less mobile assets in the form of economic, social, cultural and natural capital. Secondly, researchers point to the synergy between those assets and external networking and using information and communications technology in reaching new markets and resources. Understanding the reasons for differential economic performance and more or less competitiveness in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina could thus be a key element in devising practical strategies and programs for sustainable rural development. This could also contribute to the programming of Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future. The aim of the study is by comparing the most and least developed rural municipalities to investigate the reasons for the differences in economic performance, in particular, to investigate the role of capitals or tangible and less tangible factors influencing development outcomes. In order to achieve that, the authors have chosen high and low performing municipalities according to the criteria of population density, rurality and proximity to large city. In order to have more clear picture, community profiling is conducted and data was collected by surveying community stakeholders. The analysis showed that in high performing municipality all capitals are accessible and properly utilized with space for improvement while low performing municipality has many problems and higher need for change and new strategy of development.

Explaining Local Action Groups Heterogeneity in a South Italy Region within Measure 311 Axis III Notice of LDP

Abstract Providing programmes to modernize and to sustain both agricultural and non-agricultural activities in rural areas is the main aim deriving from EU and national policies. The Local Action Groups (LAGs) implement local development strategies processing the Measures of Local Development Programme (LDP) and managing financial funds for Firms Modernization Plans (FMP) in order to increase the farm income sources. Starting from our previous work ( Fiore et al., 2014 ), here we address the problem related to the impact of some variables on the farm income; we try to analyze in more detail the influence of these variability sources and their interactions. Our case study is Apulia Region - in Southern Italy – where 25 Local Action Groups cover entirely it. This paper provides suggestions on possible heterogeneity sources between the LAGs. After a policies and literature review on the role of the LAGs for enhancing economic and sustainable competitiveness of rural areas, we present our case study. Statistical analysis and a tree classification method are carried out.

Mobile Banking the Future to Rural Financial Inclusion: Case Study of Zimbabwe

The vitality of technology utilisation by banks in establishing competitiveness in rural areas is unarguable. This paper provides primary information to guide banks in structuring their marketing strategies, quality improvements and business processes on the backdrop of rural milieus in order to achieve financial inclusion. The sample comprised of respondents drawn from various banks, agents of mobile operators, rural residents including farmers from irrigation schemes in Gwanda District. The hypothesis of study was that mobile money is reducing rural financial exclusion faster than traditional rural banking, microfinance and financial development aid. The majority of small scale rural business people were influenced to bank with banks which use advanced modern banking technologies and are partnering with mobile network operators because of convenient service and the reduction of trips made to urban centres for banking purposes. A lot of credit was given by rural dwellers to the Ecocash product of ECONET which enables small scale rural business people to undertake many low value money transfers as well as payments for their business activities. The study concludes that mobile banking has potential in reducing poverty by bringing into mainstream economic activity the previously excluded rural communities.

The Evaluation of Biomass Industry Competitiveness in Rural Areas of Heilongjiang Province Based on the Entropy Method

This paper analyzes the present development situation of biomass industry in rural areas of Heilongjiang province, through the entropy method to quantify the competitiveness of regional industry, evaluates the biomass industry competitiveness in rural areas of Heilongjiang province, points the problem and gives the relevant suggestions.

Helyi termékek a vidéki térségek társadalmi-gazdasági fejlődésének szolgálatában

Local products play a central role in the concept of multifunctional farming, sustainable development, regional competitiveness and regional identity. The study introduces the results of a research carried out in the West-Transdanubian region in Hungary on regional values and local products. We have found that most of the interviewees were unaware of environmental issues, agricultural production or local food processing in the region. These elements are important factors of regional (economical and social) potential and should be highly utilised in order to maintain and increase competitiveness of a region. The production, marketing and sales of local products increase competitiveness in rural areas, but only if local products are imbedded in the actual practise and applied tools of multifunctional agriculture, integrated rural- and regional development.