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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1995

Carlos Lémbarri

One of the most important challenges that the member states of theEuropean Union have before them lies in future decisions that will haveto be adopted in relation to fiscal…

1447

Abstract

One of the most important challenges that the member states of the European Union have before them lies in future decisions that will have to be adopted in relation to fiscal policy. Most of the economies share the aim of achieving public deficit reductions, without increasing fiscal pressure unduly, and through measures to control public expenditure, as well as the problems derived from fiscal integration and fiscal reform. The Basque Country is a region endowed with most of the instruments of economic policy, fiscal policy included. The “Concierto Económico” (Economic Agreement) means that the Basque Country can regulate and collect all taxes of the tax system in an autonomous manner, as any other member state of the European Union can. That is why all the above mentioned questions are as relevant to the Basque Country as they are to all other countries. This is especially true at a moment where initiatives of a structural character are all the more necessary, but where also considerable weight has to be laid on measures tailored to the current circumstances which not only enable us to get out of the crisis as quickly as possible, but also promote investment, improve competitiveness and reduce unemployment as well. Explains and analyses the main current problems of fiscal and financial policy from the particular perspective and initiative of the Basque Country.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 95 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 July 2014

Jonatan Calero and Julio del Corral

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether the protection that some football teams submit to the football players from its region has a positive effect on the quality of the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether the protection that some football teams submit to the football players from its region has a positive effect on the quality of the football players from these regions. Particularly, it is analyzed the natural experiment offered by the Basque Country.

Design/methodology/approach

First are evaluated the productivity of the regions and thereafter it is analyzed the efficiency of the regions using a production function approach. Lastly, it is evaluated the evolution of the human capital from the under-19 to the absolute national team to determine if the human capital protection of the Basque Country clubs is effective in improving the human capital.

Findings

The main finding is that the protection's effect to the productive factors submitted into a competitive environment, exerts a positive influence on the development and growth of this factor, because the protection offers more possibilities of promotion and improving his productive capacity.

Originality/value

To the best of knowledge there is no paper that has analyzed the effectiveness of a human capital protection policy.

Details

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-678X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2016

Jesús M. Valdaliso, Aitziber Elola and Susana Franco

This paper aims to examine whether in old industrial regions, the trajectory of clusters follows that of their corresponding industry or deviates from it and which are the factors…

2110

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether in old industrial regions, the trajectory of clusters follows that of their corresponding industry or deviates from it and which are the factors that account for cluster evolution. This paper deals with the issue of how established clusters either renew or transform themselves in such regions and how they adapt to changes in their corresponding international industries.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper draws from in-depth case studies on six industrial clusters, takes a longitudinal perspective and uses a multi-level and qualitative analysis. Based on existing literature, the paper suggests and exploratory analytical framework with four alternative scenarios for cluster evolution and three broad factors: cluster knowledge base, social capital at cluster and region-level and public policies.

Findings

Clusters do not always follow the life cycle of its dominant industry. The paper clearly shows a diversity of cluster evolution across clusters and even within clusters (at subcluster level). This study suggests that cluster knowledge diversity and heterogeneity allow to broaden the scope of evolutionary trajectories available; the same goes for social capital at cluster and region levels.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this paper lies in its qualitative approach that makes its conclusions more suggestive than conclusive. In any case, further research on other Basque clusters may corroborate or question its findings.

Originality/value

The paper offers an empirical and longitudinal study on cluster evolution, very much needed to the ongoing theoretical discussion on this issue. So far, there are very few empirical studies on cluster evolution with this perspective. At the same time, it presents a theoretical framework to analyse diversity of cluster evolution in old industrial regions that builds on Menzel and Fornah’s (2010) model.

Details

Competitiveness Review, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1999

Leo Paul Dana

Two entrepreneurs operate a very successful business enterprise, in a small rural community. The entrepreneurs are seeking to expand, but this will need capital. Students are…

370

Abstract

Two entrepreneurs operate a very successful business enterprise, in a small rural community. The entrepreneurs are seeking to expand, but this will need capital. Students are encouraged to discuss the product line and its suitability for export.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 101 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2017

Lucía Sáez, Iñaki Periáñez and Iñaki Heras-Saizarbitoria

This paper aims to identify the main dimensions that determine the ability of cities to compete as locations for business and hubs for investment which can help policymakers to…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the main dimensions that determine the ability of cities to compete as locations for business and hubs for investment which can help policymakers to manage and prioritize urban development strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A composite indicator is proposed as a weighted aggregate of sub-indicators for the identified component dimensions (basic, efficiency-related and innovation-related competitiveness). The indicator is used to draw up a ranking of 159 European Large Urban Zones (LUZs) located in 26 EU countries based on 31 indicators, broken down into the three core dimensions of urban competitiveness identified.

Findings

The dimensions underlying urban competitiveness in relation to the location of firms and attracting investment determine the level of economic development of the LUZs. The most competitive cities in the sample have a high level of economic development, and the innovation dimension is the most significant one for the three groups of cities considered, followed by the efficiency dimension and, to a lesser extent, the basic dimension.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance to policymakers on the most relevant dimensions for urban competitiveness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature shedding light on the complex relationships between efficiency-related and innovation-related factors with regard to urban competitiveness.

Details

Journal of Place Management and Development, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2002

Angel Luis Arboníes and Mónica Moso

Clusters have basically been conceptualised as a concentration of firms that prosper on the basis of their interaction. However, the classical cluster concept is developing in a…

2205

Abstract

Clusters have basically been conceptualised as a concentration of firms that prosper on the basis of their interaction. However, the classical cluster concept is developing in a more cultural perspective. The so‐called Knowledge Society and the development of information and telecommunications technologies have opened the playing field. New countries and regions can thus meaningfully reduce their distance with respect to other leading regions, provided they create a structure to acquire and disseminate knowledge. This emerging concept also offers more possibilities to be used by all the types of regions in different circumstances, including developing countries. The basic tool for beginning this learning capability will be the creation of a co‐operation structure such as a cluster, including all actors of the innovation system in a country or region. They can be called knowledge clusters: the knowledge cluster in the Basque Country is one of these experiences.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2019

Xabier Barandiarán, Natalia Restrepo and Álvaro Luna

This paper aims to examine through a case study how the creation of collaborative spaces between local stakeholders can foster decision-making and collective development of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine through a case study how the creation of collaborative spaces between local stakeholders can foster decision-making and collective development of projects that improve the governance of tourism destinations and their sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the analysis of a case study based on the Etorkizuna Eraikiz (Building the Future) programme developed in the Gipuzkoa region located in the Basque Country, Spain. The programme is based on a strategy that seeks to institutionalize a new model of collaborative governance in the long term through the co-design of public policies involving stakeholders of the territory. Through the description and analysis of the results achieved so far, the paper presents the implications of this public programme for the design of policies.

Findings

Etorkizuna Eraikiz emerges as a model to develop an exercise of active experimentation. The analysis of this collaborative governance process has derived in practices and agendas promoted by a variety of agents within the region. The programme has important implications for the formulation of public policies in the field of tourism through the creation of formal interaction spaces and the implementation of projects in support of tourism development (Tourist Eco-tax and information and communication technology tools).

Originality/value

This paper provides a contemporary approach to the practices in governance within the context of tourism. This case study may be of interest to practitioners and researchers to adopt destination governance practices through the creation of collaborative spaces between local stakeholders. These practices can foster decision-making and the collective development of projects that impact and lead to better governance of tourism destinations and their sustainability.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 74 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 February 2019

Ander Garcia, Maria Teresa Linaza, Aitor Gutierrez and Endika Garcia

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to…

2098

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to DMOs by analytics tools integrated on gamified mobile experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Staff from three DMOs have generated a gamified mobile experience using a custom authoring tool designed and developed to fulfil their requirements. This gamified experience has targeted families with children visiting Basque Country during off-peak season. The experience has been validated over a period of seven weeks within a pilot project promoted by the local tourist information offices of the DMOs. Data directly provided by tourists and data gathered from analytic tools integrated on the gamified mobile experience have been analysed to fulfil the research objectives presented on the paper.

Findings

Both DMOs and tourists can benefit from gamified mobile experiences. The integration of analytics tools to gain insights into the behaviour of tourists can be a relevant information source for DMOs.

Research limitations/implications

The pilot project has targeted a niche tourism market, families with children visiting Basque Country, and has been running during off-peak season. Further studies focusing on other tourist types and different tourism season and destination types will be required to strengthen the validation of the research objectives presented on this paper.

Practical implications

The paper promotes both the development of gamified mobile experiences and the inclusion of analytics tools for DMOs to obtain relevant information about tourists and the mobile experiences.

Originality/value

A gamified mobile experience is generated by DMOs, validated on the basis of experience of real tourists. The analytics tools inside the gamified mobile experience provide DMOs with relevant information.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 74 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2020

Mari Jose Aranguren and Edurne Magro

This paper aims to contribute to understanding regional competitiveness policy-making and the role academic organisations can play in that process. Competitiveness policies have…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to understanding regional competitiveness policy-making and the role academic organisations can play in that process. Competitiveness policies have evolved in the past decades from a single to a multiple-domain field, which has made the policy-making process more complex by adding more actors with their particular experience and view. This complexity, together with the relevance of overcoming traditional policy implementation failures, pleads for a new approach to competitiveness policy-making, in which academic organisations can act as “anchor institutions”. This framework is based on the adaptive implementation concept.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the Basque case to analyse the role of universities in competitiveness policy-making and focuses on a specific academic organisation, which has contributed through different projects to regional policy-making. Evidences from those projects through different policy phases are included in the case.

Findings

The case shows how academic organisations might play a key role in fostering an adaptive implementation approach in competitiveness policy-making at the regional level and which specific characteristics these organisations should develop to fulfil this role.

Originality/value

This paper brings together two important issues for regional competitiveness: the importance of policy implementation and the particular role of engaged universities in such a process.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal , vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

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