Developing a competitiveness index at sub-national level for India: an economic growth measure

PurposeThe objective of this study is threefold–first, to develop a Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI) for measuring competitiveness of sub-national regions for India; second, to test this index for its ability to explain regional growth, which validates usage and applicability of this index; and third, to further investigate if the competitiveness of states is in turn caused by economic growth, i.e. it is tested if there is a bidirectional causality between competitiveness and regional growth.Design/methodology/approachThe data of indicators used in the index are from sources available freely in public domain. The competitiveness index is constructed using equal weightage supported by principal component analysis (PCA) technique. The causal relationship analysis is done using panel data of 10 years from 2008 to 2017 for 32 Indian states/union territories. The generalized method of moments (GMMs) is used for this dynamic regression estimation.FindingsBased on RCI score, states have been ranked and through rank analysis, the authors observe the performance status of these sub-national regions and are able to categorize them as improving, no change or deteriorating in regional competitiveness. Using the GMM estimation, the association between RCI and economic growth is found to be significant at 10% level. This shows that regional competitiveness as captured through the RCI score is able to explain regional economic growth and economic disparity among the sub-national units. Further, that RCI score is found to Granger-cause growth, while growth does not lead to better RCI scores. This establishes the usefulness of RCI as an important policy variable to compare states and provide direction for sectoral reforms.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study include (1) broad assumption that these sub-national regions belong to a uniform macro-economic and technology environment, and (2) data constraints as it is a longitudinal study. The study implies that the composite index could capture differences in regional competitiveness explaining regional economic disparity and that competitiveness causes higher economic growth and not vice versa.Practical implicationsThe RCI score can prove to be a useful indicator of economic performance of different states and can be used by national and state policymakers to compare and assess regional disparity among different states. The pillar-wise scores will be useful for in-depth study of weakness and strength of the sub-national territories.Originality/valueConstruction of an RCI for sub-national territories and analysis of panel data for longitudinal study of ten years is unique in the regional competitiveness literature.

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.

Regional Competitiveness

The aim of the chapter was to model the impact of selected determinants (trade openness, human capital, entrepreneurship, and innovation) on regional competitiveness, as well as to propose future activities and measures required to be implemented to improve the competitive performance of the regions. The research was conducted on the sample of 18 regions in six European countries: Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania. The database was prepared, and the statistical processing was performed in SPSS. In this data analysis, the following methods were used: comparative analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The results of the research showed that the impact of the determinants—import dependence, the number of pupils enrolled in secondary education, gross domestic expenditure on research and development, and the number of companies per 10,000 inhabitants on the competitiveness of the region—are (statistically) significant.

Cluster Analysis of Regional Competitiveness in the European Union and the Role of ICT

This article represents an empirical research on the competitiveness of the European Union Member Countries. The main objective is to analyze the level of competitiveness of these countries, focusing on the situation of the new non-Eurozone member countries. At the same time, we want to identify the main measures to stimulate competitiveness. The research methodology we applied is based on critical comparative analysis, statistical data and econometric analysis. The results showed that there are large gaps in competitiveness between the new EU Member Countries that are not part of the Eurozone and the EU-28 average, and even larger compared to the performers Netherlands and Germany, gaps that in the current conditions will be very difficult to be reduced. Research has also shown that ICT adoption do not have a significant impact on the competitiveness indicator, and the main factors influencing this indicator are innovation capability, financial system, institutions, business dynamism, product market and skills. Thus, we believe that for a sustainable growth of competitiveness and for meeting the economic objectives, developing countries must adopt concrete measures to develop these fundamental pillars of competitiveness.

Analisis Posisi dan Upaya Peningkatan Indeks Daya Saing Daerah Pada Aspek Pilar Pendidikan Di Kabupaten Konawe Selatan

This study aims to determine the position and efforts to increase the Regional Competitiveness Index on the education pillar in Konawe Selatan Regency. This study uses a quantitative approach. The data used are primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through a questionnaire, while secondary data in the form of HDI data, education level of the workforce was obtained through documentation/publication studies from the Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Education Office of South Konawe Regency. The data analysis technique used is descriptive analysis. The results showed that the Regional Competitiveness Index of South Konawe Regency was in a high position with a score of 2.66. Efforts made to improve the competitive position of the South Konawe Regency include increasing the average number of years of schooling; the role of local governments that are proactive in taking a persuasive approach to parents of students; providing scholarships for underprivileged students; as well as opening easier access for students to obtain educational services.

THE EFFECT OF FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ON REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF BUNGO DISTRICT WITH CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND BUDGET GOVERNANCE AS INTERVENING

This study aims to determine the effect of financial and non-financial performance, capital expenditure, budget management on regional competitiveness. Second, this study also determines the impact of financial and non-financial performance on regional competitiveness through capital expenditures and budget management in the Bungo Regency. Primary data were collected through direct interviews with respondents with predetermined criteria and processed using Structural Equation Model analysis with PLS. The results study found only financial and non-financial performance and budget management had a significant effect on regional competitiveness, while capital expenditure had no effect. This study also found that financial and non-financial performance affects regional competitiveness through budget management, but it had no effect if capital expenditures were intervening.

Guest editorial: The entrepreneurship challenges in Latin America

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue “The Entrepreneurship Challenges in Latin America”. Design/methodology/approach Latin America and the Caribbean is a region with many potentialities. Like one of the largest markets in the world, entrepreneurship activities can constitute a key element to enhance regional competitiveness. Findings This study makes a general overview of entrepreneurship dynamics in Latin America and its contexts. This study presents the eight manuscripts that constitute the special issue. Originality/value This study contributes to current academic conversations and highlights the relevance of continuing inquiring about the entrepreneurship phenomena at the regional level. Contribution to impact This study expects that this special issue will help the region’s scholarly entrepreneurship community and others interested in Latin America. This study also believes that this special issue manuscript makes a relevant contribution to policy and practice.