Suchergebnisse

This article provides an overview of the structure and utilization of the new EU member states (EU-13) energy consumption. During the analysis, it was determined which non-renewable energy carriers were replaced by renewables ones. The replacement of energy sources with each other was analyzed by means of a correlation matrix. Results indicated that coal was replaced by renewable energies in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Furthermore, the renewables basically replaced oil in Malta and gas was replaced by renewables in Lithuania. In other countries the relation between renewables and non-renewables could not be detected. The structure of energy production in the EU countries were different due to the differences of natural endowments. The main goal of the European Union energy policy is to reduce the CO2 emission by decreasing the fossil fuel consumption and this finding new ways to replace traditional energy sources is of utmost importance.

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the current structure and utilization of energy production of six Central European countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania) focusing on the dependence on energy imports. The purpose of the article was to analyse the gross inland energy consumption of these six countries and to examine the relationship between renewable energy and non-renewable energy sources. A comparative time series analysis method using data from 2010 to 2016 was utilized. In addition, partial correlation analysis under control variables to determine whether the relationship calculated in the correlation matrix exists or not was applied. Results indicated that in the European Union, the renewables have mainly replaced nuclear energy. A combination of renewables and natural gas replaced the coal in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria. Findings were inconclusive to prove this in Hungary and Romania. The energy production structure of the six Central European countries varies due to the differences in natural endowments. However, the results showed that the renewables mainly replaced coal.

Tourism is more often than not overlooked in its ability to alleviate poverty and the promotion of regional economic development. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of tourism in regional economic development and to gain a deeper understanding of the Vaal Triangle's tourism profile which includes its potential and obstacles in tourism development. The study region included Emfuleni and Metsimaholo Municipal areas which forms the Vaal Triangle region, located in the southern portion of Gauteng, South Africa. Secondary data from 2001 to 2015 was obtained from Global Insight. The data was analysed with the use of a pooled panel cointegration model. The results from the statistical analysis showed that there is indeed a positive relationship between tourism, regional economic development and economic growth. In addition, a qualitative analysis was conducted by means of semi- structured interviews with key regional tourism stakeholders in the study region to gain in-depth knowledge on the opportunities and constraints facing the tourism industry. The results indicated that there are many underutilized resources and that cooperation between the community, local government and tourism organisations need to be improved. In order to achieve sustainable tourism development and economic growth, increased awareness should be created and with the correct policy measures tourism holds many opportunities for the Vaal Triangle region and other developing regions.

Tourism is more often than not overlooked in its ability to alleviate poverty and the promotion of regional economic development. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of tourism in regional economic development and to gain a deeper understanding of the Vaal Triangle's tourism profile which includes its potential and obstacles in tourism development. The study region included Emfuleni and Metsimaholo Municipal areas which forms the Vaal Triangle region, located in the southern portion of Gauteng, South Africa. Secondary data from 2001 to 2015 was obtained from Global Insight. The data was analysed with the use of a pooled panel cointegration model. The results from the statistical analysis showed that there is indeed a positive relationship between tourism, regional economic development and economic growth. In addition, a qualitative analysis was conducted by means of semi- structured interviews with key regional tourism stakeholders in the study region to gain in-depth knowledge on the opportunities and constraints facing the tourism industry. The results indicated that there are many underutilized resources and that cooperation between the community, local government and tourism organisations need to be improved. In order to achieve sustainable tourism development and economic growth, increased awareness should be created and with the correct policy measures tourism holds many opportunities for the Vaal Triangle region and other developing regions.

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of boardroom diversity (BD) on firms' financial performance (FP), drawing on economic and resource dependency theory. The study further explores the influence of strategic change (SC) on this nexus, using a six-dimensional index to measurse BD and SC. A dataset of 240 non-financial firms listed on four stock exchanges (Moscow, Shanghai, Bombay, and Pakistan) over a 13-year period (2008–2020) is analyzed employing the generalized method of moments to address the common endogeneity problem in econometrics specification. The empirical results indicate that BD has a positive impact on FP, however, the impact is weakened by SC. The robustness of the findings is confirmed through alternative estimators. The study provides useful policy implications for managers and practitioners, suggesting that increasing BD can lead to improved FP, but careful consideration must be given to how SC may influence this connection.

The outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to both developed and less developed local economies. The aim of the book is to uncover the best practises in responding to a pandemic from global perspectives, as well as from a trans-disciplinary point of view. Scholars from various spheres in arts, culture, education, health, environment, business and the public sector present their perspectives on the impacts, responses and consequences for local economies and communities.
As a fundamental part of LED, the arts, culture, education, health, environment, business and the public sector domains were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic. The pandemic has certainly exposed the weaknesses of current development policies and calls for new, innovative measures in developing resilient local regions. This book will form an essential part of the development series of CENLED as it offers insight into how a global pandemic (COVID-19) impacted LED in the global North and Global South and the different responses from different spheres.

This book endeavours to outline case studies that promote sustainable Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives. It is generally believed that local governments are the foot soldiers of LED. However, this seems to be a myth, as local governments in South Africa and elsewhere have not yet fulfilled this mandate and have been struggling for several years to implement LED initiatives. The distinctive merit of this book lies in the way it combines the South African context with the wider international development context in ways that there is a flow of information and ideas both ways. The book is an essential part of this sequence of ideas development and action at a critical time for strategic action directed at a sustainable future. It showcases case studies and responses to the impacts of globalisation as a bridge between urban/rural and institutional action and reveals avenues for local government leadership in communities, research, student engagement and wider interactions.