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In the past two decades, Turkey has experienced a noteworthy increase in the establishment of universities and enrollment of students across various degree programs. However, this surge in higher education has been accompanied by a growing number of unemployed higher education graduates. To address this phenomenon, this research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between different levels of tertiary education, undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. (Doctorate) and unemployment. The study utilizes TurkStat's regional database, covering data from 26 provinces in Turkey spanning the years 2008 to 2021. Prior to delving into coefficient analysis, the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) panel causality test was applied to identify the direction of potential causality and to establish an accurate model. The findings suggest a potential causal relationship running from being a higher education graduate, at all levels (bachelor's, master's, and PhD ), to unemployment rate. Subsequently, to further scrutinize this relationship in light of causality findings, the Panel Augmented Mean Group estimator (AMG) was employed. The results indicate that a 1% increase in the total number of Bachelor's degree graduates is associated with a 1.16% increase in unemployment rate. Based on these findings, it can be argued that, instead of further investing in higher education, a policy approach targeting middle-skilled jobs through advanced investment in vocational high schools may be more cost-effective.

We examine the effect of a place-based policy in China, the Northeastern Revitalization Program. In 2003 the State Council of the People's Republic of China initiated the program in northeastern China by removing an agricultural tax, enhancing the urban social security system, facilitating foreign investment, and restructuring state-owned enterprises in the region. Using the synthetic control method, we find that the program had no significant effect on GDP per capita in all three regions. Liaoning had slightly worse GDP per capita post-treatment, as did Heilongjiang (albeit to a lesser extent). While the multiple synthetic control analysis shows that economic outcomes were worse post-treatment, the impact of this program was heterogeneous across the three regions. We argue the lackluster performance likely comes from the continuing dominance of inefficient state-owned enterprises in the provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past two decades, Turkey has experienced a noteworthy increase in the establishment of universities and enrollment of students across various degree programs. However, this surge in higher education has been accompanied by a growing number of unemployed higher education graduates. To address this phenomenon, this research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between different levels of tertiary education, undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. (Doctorate) and unemployment. The study utilizes TurkStat's regional database, covering data from 26 provinces in Turkey spanning the years 2008 to 2021. Prior to delving into coefficient analysis, the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) panel causality test was applied to identify the direction of potential causality and to establish an accurate model. The findings suggest a potential causal relationship running from being a higher education graduate, at all levels (bachelor's, master's, and PhD ), to unemployment rate. Subsequently, to further scrutinize this relationship in light of causality findings, the Panel Augmented Mean Group estimator (AMG) was employed. The results indicate that a 1% increase in the total number of Bachelor's degree graduates is associated with a 1.16% increase in unemployment rate. Based on these findings, it can be argued that, instead of further investing in higher education, a policy approach targeting middle-skilled jobs through advanced investment in vocational high schools may be more cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the economy, many regions have experienced a slowdown in economic growth. In order to promote the development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, the country has also begun to introduce various policies to encourage the development of the EV industry. In this context, many local governments have begun to introduce policies and measures related to the development of the EV industry, such as increasing land use for the development of the EV industry and increasing support for the new energy automobile industry. These policy measures have played a positive role in promoting the development of the EV industry, but there are also some problems. For example, when many local governments introduce policies to support the development of the new energy automobile industry, their support for the EV industry is not significant. This article studied the collaborative optimization of the EV industry chain in response to issues such as insufficient technical strength, imbalanced supply-demand relationship, and insufficient downstream service chain capabilities in the EV industry chain. This article analyzed the composition of the EV industry chain and established an EV industry chain model to address these issues. This article used collaborative optimization algorithms to analyze the production volume of EVs in the EV industry chain, as well as the comprehensive efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency values of upstream, midstream, and downstream. Through experimental analysis, it was found that the comprehensive efficiency value of the upstream of the EV industry chain after using the collaborative optimization algorithm was 0.0792 higher than before. The research results of this article have provided reference significance for the analysis of collaborative optimization algorithms in other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognising the intricate link between ports and regional economies, this study investigates the spillover effects of neighbouring ports on regional industrial diversification and economic resilience. Analysing South Korea's 2006–20 export data from port and neighbouring port regions, it uncovers the unique feature of ports as a distinctive knowledge source within their port regions, mainly attributable to the respective logistic and trade systems governing similar product groups. The paper confirms that ports facilitate industrial diversification through spillover effects when it is related with the regional industries. Emphasising ports' role in strengthening economic resilience, it highlights their significance in nurturing emerging industries post-crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutional theory holds that local governance is essential in shaping regional economic activity. This study evaluates whether local economic growth targets offset the detrimental effect of nationwide policy uncertainty on local business performance. Regression analyses of data from industrial firms and manually collected data on city economic growth targets in China show that higher local growth targets result in greater corporate investment, conditional on nationwide policy uncertainty, and that the impact is substantial through financial subsidies and allocating credit resources. However, local discretion in economic growth target setting might cause investment misallocation and efficiency loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses debates on the role of agency in shaping the economic future of regions. Scholarship on agency departs from the earlier focus of evolutionary economic geography, which highlighted the role of pre-existing structural conditions. This paper challenges the notion that agency is only found in intentional action and is limited to key actors within a region. It questions exclusive focus on the impact of entrepreneurial leaders, place leaders and government, and identifies agency in the accumulated micro-decisions of multiple decision-makers, using the example of workers affected by the closure of Australia's passenger vehicle industry. In so doing, it underscores the twin roles of collective vision and meaningful implementation in the successful transformation of regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can entrepreneurial activity be stronger and more persistent than the continuity of socialist institutions? The answer to this question is overwhelmingly positive. Using the historical data on entrepreneurship, retail trade and cooperatives in Russian regions, this study shows a strong persistence of entrepreneurship activity in Russia during the period 1926–2018, while we also evidence that the restructuring of the Soviet economy resulted in a structural break in the 1970s. By distinguishing three periods of 1998–99, 2000–07 and 2008–18 since the transition started, we demonstrate that the historical persistence of entrepreneurship is not constant and may change from one period to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research examining the economic effects of urban polycentricity remains inconclusive. We contribute to this debate by developing a longitudinal framework in which changes in polycentricity in Chinese urban regions are linked with changes in total factor productivity. While we find no evidence of urban polycentricity being conducive to economic growth, we observe that the relationship depends on population size and the interactions between cities. We also find that cities borrow size from nearby cities in large urban regions, contributing to regional economic growth. We use our findings to reflect on China's regional economic and urban development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of aviation market in Southeast Asia after the Covid-19 pandemic is promising. More aircraft are delivered to the Asia-Pacific region, including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States. The introduction of ASEAN Open Skies (also known as ASEAN Single Aviation Market) a decade earlier together with ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 goals for an integrated and cohesive regional economy highlight the importance of a seamless air connectivity. Liberalisation of the airline industry in ASEAN Member States is crucial to restart the airline industry prepandemic and to grasp the so-called Asian century momentum. However, ASEAN Member States are reluctant towards liberalisation efforts, maintaining protectionism on both freedoms of the air (traffic rights) as well as foreign direct investment (ownership and control). Existing legal framework at regional level, namely ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), only received lukewarm attention from ASEAN Member States. This article discusses the urgency to recall the commitment of a gradual liberalisation based on AFAS and ATISA among the ASEAN Member States, the implementation of which will lead to the establishment of a regional community carrier which benefits ASEAN citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rank-size rule following Zipf's law was tested along a complete urban–rural hierarchy in Greece using 2021 census data released at different administrative levels. Testing five econometric specifications (linear, quadratic, and cubic forms, together with refined logistic and Gompertz forms) on log-transformed population numbers, deviations from the rank-size rule were assumed as an indicator of economic concentration (considering settlements, population, and activities jointly) along the density gradient in Greece. This hypothesis was verified using progressively disaggregated population numbers at (i) regional units (n = 75), (ii) 'Kallikratis' municipalities (n = 333), (iii) 'Kapodistrian' municipalities (n = 1037), and (iv) local communities (n = 6126). Econometric results were stable across geographical levels and indicate a relatively poor fit of linear specifications, the classical formulation of Zipf's law. Quadratic specifications displayed a good fit for all territorial levels outperforming cubic specifications. Gompertz specifications outperformed logistic specifications under aggregate partitions (e.g., regional units and 'Kallikratis' municipalities). Quadratic specifications outperformed both logistic and Gompertz specifications under disaggregated levels of investigation ('Kapodistrian' municipalities and local communities). Altogether, these findings indicate the persistence of non-linear rank-size relationships estimated over a cross-section of population data at progressively detailed observational units. Such evidence enriches the recent literature on Zipf's law, demonstrating the inherent complexity of rank-size rules tested on real data along the whole density gradient in a given country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difference in terms of cost-of-living between rural and urban areas is a frequent theoretical analysis in Regional Economics. Lack of routine measures in rural areas does not usually allow to observe changes in rural costs. We adapt the Big Mac index, typically used to measure purchasing power parity between countries, as a potential quick and inexpensive indicator of short-term local price variations. With a national random sample of McDonald's stores repeated in time, we find prices grew slightly faster in rural areas than in urban areas. Spatial transmission of prices seems to be limited to very localized effects, meaning that rural price increases are not due to urban spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to determine the effect of authenticity on loyalty through the interaction of tourists in Yogyakarta. The City of Yogyakarta, a tourist destination located in the heart of the island of Java, is designated as a Super Priority Tourism Destination area to accelerate the regional economy. Until July 2022, 3.9 million recorded tourists were visiting Yogyakarta City destinations. Understanding tourist loyalty can help destination marketers reduce marketing costs. In previous studies, it has been found that tourist loyalty is influenced by destination brand authenticity and is supported by the involvement of destination brand engagement. This research is quantitative and was carried out using a survey method. Data analysis was performed using simple and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Service Solutions) version 26. The results showed a direct influence of brand authenticity and engagement on tourist loyalty and an indirect effect. Between brand authenticity and tourist loyalty through destination brand engagement. Tourist destination managers, especially D.I Yogyakarta, can use the results of this research to design the Yogyakarta City destination brand in a marketing strategy that can re-attract tourists in Yogyakarta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Industrial Organization, the Resource-Based View, and the Relational View are some classical, well-established, and widely accepted theories in the strategic management domain regarding the understanding, explanation, and prediction of competitive advantage of firms and above-average firm performance. Recent evidence of economic geography and regional economics added to this stream of research new perspectives like cluster theory and microeconomic competitiveness. Despite the high enthusiasm with which companies and policymakers embraced the new advancements, there is some contradictory evidence regarding the positive effect of local conditions on firm performance. Thus, in this paper, we aim to empirically test some aspects of a modern regional development theory, proposed mainly by Michael Porter and collaborators, and the impact of these aspects on firm performance. External determinants considered at three levels of analysis (local economy, local clusters, and industry) will be investigated in relation to firm performance. We will analyze empirical data through detailed correlational analyses and by building multilinear regression models. After the statistical analysis of the answers provided directly by 67 medium and large manufacturing companies operating in Romania, we will provide empirical support for some external determinants, while for other determinants, we will show that the data rejected the proposed associations. The main conclusion derived from this study is that different combinations of external determinants, considered at all three levels of analysis, have a positive and significant effect on different measures of firm performance. The findings in our paper are important for both regional economics and the strategic management literature, suggesting the importance of creating local or urban conditions depending on the type of performance that the firms in the local economy are underperforming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metropolitan area comprises a collection of cities and counties bound by strong socioeconomic ties. Despite the pivotal role that metropolitan areas play in regional economics, their delineation remains a challenging task for researchers and urban planners. Current threshold-based delineation methods select counties based on their connection strength with prespecified core counties. Such an approach often neglects potential interactions among outlying counties and fails to identify polycentric urban structures. The delineation of a metropolitan area is fundamentally a spatial optimization problem, whose objective is to identify a set of counties with high interconnectivity while also meeting specific constraints, such as area, contiguity, and shape. In this study, we present a novel spatial optimization model designed for metropolitan area delineation. This model aims to maximize intercounty connection strength in terms of both industry and daily life. This approach ensures a more accurate representation of the multicore structure that is commonly seen in developed metropolitan areas. Additionally, our model avoids the possibility of holes in metropolitan area delineation, leading to more coherent and logical metropolitan boundaries. We provide a mixed-integer programming formulation for the proposed model. Its efficacy is demonstrated by delineating the boundaries of the Nanjing and Lhasa metropolitan areas. This study also delves into discussions and policy implications pertinent to both of these metropolitan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though most studies find that sports stadiums are not strong drivers of economic activity in metropolitan areas, localized development effects may be sufficient to justify public subsidies for a host municipality if circumstances are favorable. This analysis examines the economic ramifications of an intra-metropolitan area relocation of Atlanta's professional baseball team from a traditional standalone downtown stadium to a new stadium-anchored mixed-use development in suburban Cobb County. Using the synthetic control method, the study employs metro-Atlanta counties to construct a counterfactual outcome for estimating changes in sales tax revenue after the ballpark opened. The findings indicate a net increase in taxable sales in the county; however, the magnitude of the effect is small and not statistically significant. Though net new spending is evident, approximately one-third of the project's sales appear to derive from crowding out other local economic activity. In total, added tax collections fall well short of covering the public subsidies provided by Cobb. The stadium's limited economic impact, despite its favorable location and ancillary mixed-use development, further supports past findings that sports venues are poor investments as economic development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to analyze the behavior of the dynamism and distribution of the economy in the regions of Mexico in the period 2019-2021. A brief explanation of economic growth and economic structure is provided, as well as the importance of territorial analysis for planning development strategies in the territories. The territorial analysis techniques applied in this work and the methodology for their implementation are explained. The work is based on the study of the dynamics and structure of the economy based on the "gross value added" indicator, which allows for measuring the contribution made by the different sectors in the municipalities. As a result of the research, the main economic activities within the regions of Mexico and those processes of structural change that have favored the development of the regions are identified. The most lagging sectors and the municipalities whose economic structure does not favor the dynamics demanded by their economic development are pointed out. Finally, a set of conclusions is reached that can be used to define strategies and public policies aimed at promoting investment and local economic development management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Forests and farms are often replaced by counter-urbanization, in which people move from urban to rural areas, causing the progressive growth of rural areas beyond cities. This article delves into the counterurbanization process in the peri-urban forest of Guadalajara, Mexico known as “Bosque La Primavera'' (BLP), discussing three key elements: (1) the absence of a forest buffer zone, (2) the shift from agricultural to industrial and tertiary activities, and (3) green tourism and neo-ruralism moving to the countryside. A mixed methodological approach based on the Theory of Change (ToC) was used. Data was collected from an organization implementing a forest conservation program in 2020 and 2021. Twelve interviews were conducted with brigade members and academics. From the counterurbanization perspective, this study illustrates how unregulated urbanization, land use changes, and green tourism have all contributed to the progressive degradation of forest reserves in the BLP. Due to the growing links between urban and rural areas, rural economies in peri-urban forests are gradually being replaced by industrial and tertiary practices, whereas tourist amenities require new services that alter rural living patterns.

A rank-size rule following Zipf’s law was tested along a complete urban–rural hierarchy in Greece using 2021 census data released at different administrative levels. Testing five econometric specifications (linear, quadratic, and cubic forms, together with refined logistic and Gompertz forms) on log-transformed population numbers, deviations from the rank-size rule were assumed as an indicator of economic concentration (considering settlements, population, and activities jointly) along the density gradient in Greece. This hypothesis was verified using progressively disaggregated population numbers at (i) regional units (n = 75), (ii) ‘Kallikratis’ municipalities (n = 333), (iii) ‘Kapodistrian’ municipalities (n = 1037), and (iv) local communities (n = 6126). Econometric results were stable across geographical levels and indicate a relatively poor fit of linear specifications, the classical formulation of Zipf’s law. Quadratic specifications displayed a good fit for all territorial levels outperforming cubic specifications. Gompertz specifications outperformed logistic specifications under aggregate partitions (e.g., regional units and ‘Kallikratis’ municipalities). Quadratic specifications outperformed both logistic and Gompertz specifications under disaggregated levels of investigation (‘Kapodistrian’ municipalities and local communities). Altogether, these findings indicate the persistence of non-linear rank-size relationships estimated over a cross-section of population data at progressively detailed observational units. Such evidence enriches the recent literature on Zipf’s law, demonstrating the inherent complexity of rank-size rules tested on real data along the whole density gradient in a given country.

The text is a book review of "Empirical Regional Economics: Economic Base Theory, Models, and Applications" by Richard S Conway Jr. It highlights the importance of regional economists in government, academia, and the private sector, who analyze factors contributing to economic growth and decline and develop policies to attract businesses and improve residents' quality of life. Regional economists use economic theory, statistics, and analytical tools to study regional economies, identify patterns and trends, and forecast economic conditions. The book provides a comprehensive guide to regional economics, including economic base theory, models, and case studies, and emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of a region's unique economic characteristics. [Extracted from the article]

"Empirical Regional Economics: Economic Base Theory, Models and Applications" is an accessible textbook by Richard Conway that provides an introduction to regional economics for undergraduate and graduate students. The textbook is divided into three parts: theory, application of models, and case studies. It focuses on the Puget Sound region of Washington State, but the lessons learned can be applied to other regions. The book offers a comprehensive overview of regional economic growth, models, and case studies, although it lacks engagement with contemporary issues such as climate change. Overall, it is a valuable resource for educators and researchers in the field of regional science. [Extracted from the article]

Assessing the urban rooftop photovoltaic (PV) economics is important for scaling up rooftop PVs for rapid decarbonization. In this study, socioeconomic, technological, and policy factors were integrated into a rooftop PV economic assessment. This comprehensive method was applied to 21 cities in the Guangdong province of China, in combination with local real parameters. The results show that, with higher urbanization levels, electricity tariffs, and PV self-consumption rates, cities in the Pearl River Delta area generally had better economic performance in terms of both economic scale and profitability. They accounted for 75% of the total rooftop PV potential in Guangdong Province and had an internal rate of return (IRR) as high as 14.6–19.2% for Commercial and Industrial buildings (C&I), and 9.9–15.9% for residential buildings (R). Socioeconomic, technological, and policy factors jointly affect the economic performance and create a promising future for Guangdong rooftop PVs. It is projected that the IRR of current worst performing cities will grow by 4.9–5.8, and 4.4–5.9 percentage points, and the payback period will be shortened by 5.8–6.7 and 3.4–4.1 years by 2030 for R and C&I buildings, respectively. Among the three factors, technological advancement had the most significant long-term effect, followed by socioeconomic development. Policy factors play an important role in alleviating short-term cash flow pressure. Integrating the three factors in the assessment provides us with a more comprehensive picture of how urban rooftop PV economics will evolve and a better idea of how to prioritize rooftop PV development. Suggestions for prioritizing the deployment of rooftop PV systems in Guangdong by 2030 were provided. • Socioeconomic, technological, and policy factors were integrated into the urban rooftop PV economics assessment. • An orderly deployment plan for urban rooftop PVs in the Guangdong province of China is proposed. • The technology factor had the most significant effect on rooftop PV economic trends through capital cost reduction. • Socio-economic development contributes to higher electricity demand and revenue. • Policy factors play an important role in the short term in alleviating the cash flow pressure through preferential loan rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the effectiveness of place-based policies, which are interventions aimed at specific geographic areas, in addressing regional economic disparities. Proponents argue that these policies can benefit underserved areas, while critics raise concerns about inefficiency and gentrification. Evaluating the impact of these policies is challenging due to various factors, such as data limitations and competing programs. The article suggests that a balanced approach, combining place-based and people-based policies, may be more effective in addressing regional disparities. [Extracted from the article]