scholarly journals Institutional efficiency versus stability of local governments in basic areas of activity: the case of Poland

Equilibrium ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-487
Author(s):  
Renata Marks-Bielska ◽  
Wiesława Lizińska ◽  
Magdalena Wojarska ◽  
Karolina Babuchowska
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Linear Ordering ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Synthetic Index ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Institutional Efficiency ◽  
The Relationship

Research background: In the last decade, the importance of institutions in determining economic processes and the economic growth is increasingly emphasized. Only a few papers deal with the efficiency of institutions, especially at a local level. Thus, a question arises whether the local authorities, in their pursuit of performing the assigned tasks, make every effort to attain a high level of efficiency? Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper was to determine the relationships between institutional efficiency and identified areas of stability achieved by local governments in their basic roles. Supplementary aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the type of a municipality (urban, rural or mixed urban-rural) and the efficiency and stability of undertaken tasks. A research hypothesis was put forth, assuming that the institutional efficiency of municipal governments depends on the level of stability in basic areas of activity pursued by a given municipality. Supplementary aim of this study was to analyze and assess the relationship between the type of a municipality (urban, rural or mixed urban-rural) and the efficiency and stability of undertaken tasks. Methods: An accumulated synthetic index of institutional efficiency and partial indices of efficiency in five areas: economic and spatial, financial, administrative, human resources management in municipal offices, provision of social, cultural and educational services, were derived from data acquired from public statistics (Local Data Bank) and from direct investigations conducted in 2015/2016 in 1220 municipalities out of 2479 ones present in Poland. The method for obtaining the index was linear ordering of multi-feature objects. Findings & Value added: The analyses have confirmed the hypothesis assuming that there is a relationship between the institutional efficiency of local governments and stability of the tasks they performed. These dependences varied in individual provinces of Poland. It is more beneficial for local governments to raise stability by attaining some improvement in these areas where it is low, but not at the expense of those areas where it is high. A specific group of municipalities consisted of urban-rural communities. Their complex and diverse structure must meet the challenge of performing their tasks in specific conditions (urban and rural areas).

scholarly journals The diversity of socioeconomic development of rural areas in Poland in The Western Borderland and the problem of post-state farm localities

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Bartkowiak-Bakun
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Peripheral Areas ◽  
High Share

Research background: Rural areas in Poland occupy more than 93% of the country’s area. This high share somehow automatically becomes a source of causes and effects of differences both at the regional and local level. Development disproportions in rural areas become vividly visible in the places of accumulation of developmental barriers, which derive from the effect of social, economic, environmental and historical factors. The arguments which refer to the place-based policy stress the fact that making use of the unused potential of intermediate and poorly developed territories may actually influence the local and national level of development (Farole et al., 2011). Rural areas, especially peripheral areas, are undoubtedly the territories of unused potential. Purpose of the article: The aim of the research is to measure the socioeconomic development, including the spatial diversification leading to the development of rural peripheral areas. Methods: Development is a multidimensional phenomenon. There-fore, its level will be determined by means of the synthetic feature. The synthetic feature will be used as the starting point for identification of peripheral areas and their delimitation. The Jenks method was applied to group entities into classes characterised by similar levels of development (Jenks Natural Breaks Classifica-tion, Jenks, 1967). The spatial scope of the research comprises rural areas in Poland in the western borderland, i.e. West Pomeranian, Lubuskie and Lower Silesian Voivodeships. The research subject were rural and rural-urban communes of the regions under investigation. The empirical material were obtained from the following sources: the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office, unpublished data of the Agricultural Property Agency. Measurements referred to 2015.The object of the study was the development of rural areas in the western borderland, which was identified by comparison of the synthetic features of the following factors: location rent, technical infrastructure, social infrastructure, human capital, social capital and local finance. Findings & value added: The results of the analysis showed significant differences level of socioeconomic development of rural areas in the western borderland. The research findings did not show a simple dependence between rural development and the share of former state-owned farms in the communes. Areas with a high share of former state-owned farms could be found both in the group of best- and least-developed communes. Due to the range of research, it is illegitimate to make other than intuitive inferences. Thus, we can intuitively indicate that the following group of factors triggered the process of development and helped to break the barriers resulting from the liquidation of state-owned farms: location in an urban agglomeration, natural and tourist values as well as the activity of local authorities. The research should be continued in order to identify the factors and pathways of development in individual areas under analysis.

scholarly journals Urbanization and the Urban–Rural Income Gap in China: A Continuous Wavelet Coherency Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8261
Author(s):  
Yiguo Chen ◽  
Peng Luo ◽  
Tsangyao Chang
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Income Gap ◽  
Rural Income ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Wavelet Coherency ◽  
The Relationship

This study applies wavelet analysis to examine the relationship between the urbanization and the urban–rural income gap in 31 provinces in China over the period 1978–2019. We find three patterns of causality between urbanization and the urban–rural income gap. Empirical results show that urbanization does Granger-cause an urban–rural income gap, the urban–rural income gap does Granger-cause urbanization, and there exists a two-way causality between the urban–rural income gap and urbanization. Furthermore, these relationships mainly exist at high frequencies (short term). The results obtained by considering the resident population are more significant than those by the registered population. These results could help local governments develop fair policies for urban and rural income distribution in the process of urbanization of different provinces, promoting the coordinated development between urban and rural areas.

Transfer-based decentralisation, economic growth and spatial inequality: Evidence from China’s 2002–2003 tax sharing reform

Urban Studies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-826
Author(s):  
Fan Fan ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Ran Tao ◽  
Dali Yang
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Spatial Inequality ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
Interregional Inequality ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Tax Sharing

China has adopted a transfer-based fiscal decentralisation scheme since the mid-1990s. In the 1994 tax sharing reform, the central government significantly raised its share of government revenue vis-à-vis local governments by taking most of the newly created value-added tax on manufacturing. One aim for the adoption of the transfer-based fiscal scheme was to channel more funds to less developed regions and rural areas, and to alleviate growing interregional inequality and urban–rural income disparity. In 2002 and 2003 the Chinese central government further grabbed 50% and 60%, respectively, of the income taxes previously assigned only to local governments while providing more fiscal transfers to the country’s poor regions and the countryside. Utilising the 2002–2003 change in China’s central–local tax sharing regime as an exogenous policy shock, we employ a Simulated Instrumental Variable approach to causally evaluate the effects of the policy shock on growth, interregional inequality and urban–rural disparity. We find the lower local tax share dis-incentivised local governments and led to lower growth. Although higher central transfers helped to reduce interregional inequalities in per capita GDP and per capita income, the equalising effects were only present for urban incomes. We argue that transfer-based decentralisation without bottom-up accountability was detrimental to economic growth and had limited impact on income redistribution.

Agriculture Biomaterial Industry in Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-44
Author(s):  
Irina Bancescu
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Poverty Rate ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Income Gap ◽  
Rural Income ◽  
Urban Rural

Rural areas in Romania are underdeveloped, with the main economic activity being agriculture. Urban-rural income gap and poverty levels are indicative of an underdeveloped rural area. Urban-rural absolute income gap for average monthly income increased from 352 RON in 2007 to 663 RON in 2017. Moreover, the work poverty rate is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Economic rural development can be achieved by improvements of the labour market and introduction of new value-added products. Agricultural and non-agricultural activities are dependent on each other for a successful rural development leading to poverty alleviation. An industry that combines the two types of economic activities is agriculture biomaterial industry. In this paper, the authos investigates the factors influencing rural poverty and analyses the current stage of the bioplastics market in Romania and its economic implications. Bioplastics industry can reduce urban-rural income gaps and poverty in rural areas.

Współpraca gmin obwarzankowych na płaszczyźnie gospodarczej. Zarys problemu

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-259
Author(s):  
Lech Jańczuk
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Rural Municipality ◽  
Research Hypothesis ◽  
Economic Level ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Rural Municipalities ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

There are “urban-rural municipalities” in Polish administration nomenclature. They are territorial units where urban and rural areas have one name and one local government. There are also urban and rural municipalities that have one name but different local governments. That neighborhood of municipalities in Polish may be described as “municipalities bagel”. The aim of this article was to investigate whether and to what extent the “municipalities bagel” cooperate (coordinate) the exercising public tasks on the economic level. The article attempts to verify the research hypothesis: in “municipalities bagel” there is a lack of coordination of the exercising public tasks”. The research method was a diagnostic survey in which the questionnaire was conducted. In December 2019, questionnaire forms were sent to all “municipalities bagel” in Poland. The results of the research indicated a lack of coordination in the performance of public tasks between “municipalities bagel”. The result is a reduction of the efficiency of performance of public duties in such municipalities. The “municipalities bagel” are functionally related areas. This link is characterized by the subordination of the interests of the rural municipality (especially economic). The development of bagel rural communes is determined by the development and cooperation with their urban counterparts.

HEALTH AS THE MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL ON RURAL AREAS IN ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE REGION

2018 ◽  
Vol XX (3) ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
Maria Klonowska-Matynia
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Health Capital ◽  
Local Data ◽  
The West ◽  
Synthetic Index ◽  
Development Data ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Health Quality

The paper aimed to examine the level and asses the spatial distribution of human capital defined in the area of health quality in rural areas of the West Pomeranian province. The selected methods of multicriteria taxonomy to estimate the synthetic index HCSIh and agglomeration methods for grouping objects with a relatively homogeneous internal structure were used. It was assumed the correlation between the level of health capital HCSIh and the type of commune separated due to the component of the level of socio-economic development according to the MROW typology. The obtained results indicate uneven distribution of health capital, but they do not give grounds for accepting the verified hypothesis. The study covered rural areas of the West Pomeranian province, defined according to the CSO administrative criterion as rural and rural-urban communes. The Central Statistical Office Local Data Bank and the Monitoring of rural areas development data were the main source.

Federalismo fiscale e finanza locale

1984 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-84
Author(s):  
Giorgio Stefani
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Choice ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Fiscal Crisis ◽  
Economic Rationality ◽  
Local Finance ◽  
Simple Basis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Public Decision

Abstract The «fiscal crisis» cannot be solved on the simple basis of principles of economic rationality, without taking account of the institutional mechanisms. Politicians, bureaucrats, voters, do have a role in public decision-making and their behavior cannot be ignored.According to a generally shared view, local finance looks as an interesting field of research for Public Choice scientists since at local level the voter's ability to control the institutions is higher than at national level.This is true, however, only if we limit our attention to the relationship between local administrators and citizens. When the analysis includes the competition for funds among local governments, we have to deal with national problems, requiring the inclusion of variables whose behaviour is uneasy to predict.

scholarly journals DIVERSIFICATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS IN POLAND

2020 ◽  
Vol XXII (1) ◽  
pp. 300-311
Author(s):  
Paweł Siemiński ◽  
Jakub Hadyński ◽  
Walenty Poczta
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Synthetic Index ◽  
Spatial Diversification ◽  
High Level

The aim of this paper is to estimate, as well as analyse and assess spatial diversification in human capital resources in rural and urban areas of Poland. Studies have static nature and relate to the state of the situation in 2018 year. A synthetic index of human capital resources (IHCR) was applied, based on which a hierarchy was developed for rural and urban areas, depending on the administrative division into provinces determining the degree of their diversification in terms of their human capital resources. Human capital resources were analysed in four categories, i.e. in terms of employment, education, entrepreneurship and unemployment, using data from the Local Data Bank CSO database. Research results indicate considerable regional (spatial) diversification of rural and urban areas. We may distinguish two homogeneous classes, including urban areas with a high level of human capital development, as well as rural areas with their low level. Moreover, there is a heterogeneous group of the so-called medium level of human capital, composed of both urban and rural areas. Particularly, observed polarization in human capital resources may in the future reduce the absorption of development impulses within both national and EU development policies.

scholarly journals POPULATION DENSITY IN RURAL AREAS AS A DRIVER OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan POLCYN ◽  
Bazyli CZYŻEWSKI
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Education System ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Nursery Schools ◽  
Capital Development

Rural areas are typically characterised by uneven access to education and the resulting varying levels of pupils’ educational attainment. The inefficiency of the education system may lead to a decreased level of human capital development in the society. It is therefore vital to identify the factors responsible for the inefficiency of the education system and take steps to mitigate their negative impact. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between the population density in rural areas, the pupils’ average level of examination performance and the educational value added. The analyses were based on the exam results achieved by lower secondary school-leavers in 1,372 rural communes between 2012 and 2014. The original intention was to include all rural communes in the analysis. However, due to the incompleteness of the data concerning some of the communes, they were eventually excluded from the study. The final sample for analysis consisted of about 58% of all rural communes in Poland. The communes were divided into classes, based on the criterion of population density. The objects under study were arranged in an ascending order according to the value of the population density variable, and then divided into four classes (class A contained 25% of communes with the highest population density). The classes thus defined were used as a qualitative predictor in the subsequently performed ANOVA test. As a next step, contrasts were determined by applying a simple contrast to the analysed classes of communes. The analyses revealed that the highest examination results were achieved in the communes with the highest population density, while the lowest examination results were found in the communes with the lowest population density. This dependence may be indicative of educational negligence at lower levels of education, in this particular case - at the stage of primary school. The results of the analyses point to the need for expanding the network of nursery schools. To address the above problem, financial support should be provided from the state budget to social initiatives aimed at increasing the access to nursery schools, e.g. by creating an appropriate system of subsidies for nursery schools run by both local governments and private entities.

scholarly journals Management of rural territories land resources in decentralization conditions

2019 ◽  
pp. 24-36
Author(s):  
Andriy Sava ◽  
Borys Sydoruk ◽  
Roman Voloshyn
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Community Needs

Introduction. Under decentralization, there is a gradual transfer of powers and resources to local governments. In this case, one of the most urgent problem for rural areas, is the organization of rational land management from the position of financial support improving through the disposing of lands, and using available lands for community needs. Methods. General and special methods – monographic and abstract-logical, methods of generalization, comparison and analysis have been applied for data processing. Results. During the decentralization reform, it was found that 488 rural united territorial communities were formed, covering almost half the area of all UTCs created. In addition, nearly 800 village councils joint to the city-based UTCs. The ways of the redistribution of powers on the UTC land resources management are established at the expense of acquiring their own powers, obtaining delegated ones, as well as acquiring the rights of other institutions. Emphasis is placed on the benefits of managing land resources of rural communities at the local level. It has been determined that the applicable law restrict communal land use of UTC. At the same time, the importance of agricultural land outside the settlement transfer to the disposal of communities is emphasized. The importance of the land payment in the structure of local budget revenues is analyzed in detail, the key problems and contradictions that accompany the process of land management powers reallocation are identified. Suggestions are made to improve the rural communities land resources management through their inventory, accounting and monitoring, revision of rental rates for communal property, strengthening control over compliance with the terms of land use agreements, use of free lands in the interests of communities. Discussion. Further studies in this area are going to be aimed at developing a comprehensive mechanism for ensuring effective management of land resources in rural areas after the completion of decentralization. Keywords: land resources, rural territories, decentralization, united territorial communities, local governments.

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