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- Development of Business Activities in Peripheral Parts of Rural Areas,
Western Bohemia
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to assess the development of business activities in the Czech countryside in the period from 2008 to the present and to show possible limitations and perspectives of this area. The research was conducted by analysing economic entities located in rural municipalities in the peripheral areas of Western Bohemia. The assessment is based on the use of the Public Database of the Czech Statistical Office (statistics on economic entities, number of economic entities, number of economic entities created in 2008–2020) and a dataset on economic entities defunct in 2008–2021 provided by the Czech Statistical Office. We have analysed the economic entities by geographical location, size of municipality and industry specification. We use analysis of variance to assess whether the population size of a municipality has a statistically significant effect on the number of economic entities per 100 residents of the municipality, and we use visualization cartographic methods, density maps and cartograms to assess spatial differentiation. We have found that the nature of business activities in the study area is changing along the lines of urban locations, but, due to a number of factors, many rural economic entities are in a more economically precarious position.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Tokenism in Territorial Development: Enabling Factors and Mitigation
Measures
Abstract: Most EU policy documents highlight the need to ensure and contribute to the achievement of the multifaceted goal of social sustainability. In this framework, the paper investigates tokenism, a common phenomenon of crucial importance for rural development, although not widely studied. The paper focuses on a scoping literature review to analyse the forms of tokenism affecting the territorial development practices and which factors can prevent this phenomenon. More specifically, recent scientific papers dealing with tokenism, social capital, rural areas, and decision processes were analysed to shed light on the various underhand practices in which tokenism occurs and possible limiting factors. The results show the role played by adopting participatory approaches and by some variables (e. g., trust, influence, involvement, civic engagement, information) in reducing the phenomenon of tokenism. It is important to highlight how improving the local amount of social capital represents a key factor positively affecting the success of territorial development strategies. The originality and the value of the present study lie in the fact that notwithstanding tokenism is analysed by several authors, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies focusing on the relationship between tokenism and territorial development.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Hungarian Farmers and the Adoption of Precision Farming
Abstract: Definitions of precision farming emphasise that it is at the heart of the pursuit of economic, environmental and social sustainability. In our study, precision farming is understood as a form of farming that seeks to optimise and manage efficiently, where technology is the key factor, but is primarily based on human knowledge and willingness to use technology. We discuss precision farming as a social innovation of artificial intelligence. Primarily, the social conditions of the application were the focus of our research, which is characteristically different from economic, financial and productivity approaches. The potential for the application of precision farming varies widely from country to country. Our aim is to analyse the diffusion and limitations of precision farming in Hungary and the motivations of farmers. In our qualitative research, we interviewed 60 precision farmers and 10 experts about their perceptions of precision technology and their motivations and barriers to the use of AI. Our results show that the main barriers to the uptake of precision technologies are the low education level of farmers, their inexperience, low interest level and lack of commitment. They are not aware of the benefits of precision technologies and do not take the time to acquire information and knowledge. There is a lack of willingness to cooperate and a very low level of trust among Hungarian farmers.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Small, Smart and Sustainable: Networking to Develop the Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants Value-Chain in Portugal
Abstract: The paper aims to study the use of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) farmers’ networking activities to overcome challenges in the development of their business. MAPs are mostly cultivated in small farms located in rural territories. This presents many challenges in different dimensions of business development through the value-chain, namely in commercialization. That is why networking and collaboration with other actors may have an important role, by providing the scale and critical resources towards business success and value-chain sustainable development. The paper draws on a purposefully collected set of data on a network of Portuguese producers of MAP, organized under the EPAM project. The data was collected through a questionnaire and quantitatively analyzed in order to understand: i) how MAP farmers perceive the importance of networks for the development of their businesses' ii) How are networks enabling farmers with different profiles to develop their businesses' The results confirm the importance of networks for the development of these businesses, namely with other firms. However, it is possible to identify some diversity in the assessment of the role of those networks, both by taking into consideration the location of the farms and their positioning in the value-chain. The study contributes to a better understanding of how networking contributes to overcome barriers in the sustainable development of an agri-food value-chain, by stressing a variety of networking proposes and partners and the existence of differences across types of firms.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Rural Residence: Dreams for the Future and Foreseen Obstacles by Young
Adults From the Netherlands
Abstract: This paper examines the dreams for the future of young adults in Midden-Noord-Brabant and Zeeland, the Netherlands. Through 274 qualitative surveys and focus groups with 12 participants, it explores their dreams for the future, the obstacles they foresee in realising these dreams, and the influence of these obstacles on their stated life plans. The findings reveal a preference for areas outside settlements in residential dreams. Limited housing and career opportunities are identified as foreseen obstacles. These obstacles shape participants' stated life plans, which become more urban-oriented. Removing these obstacles can facilitate the realisation of rural residential dreams and promote rural areas as attractive areas to settle for new generations.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Olive Grove Landscapes in Andalusia: In Search of Synergies Between
Agrarian Cultural Heritage and Rural Development
Abstract: SummaryThis paper analyses the strategy developed thus far to have Andalusian olive-growing landscapes included as a Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List (UNESCO). The research method used is descriptive, reflexive and prospective, and seeks to achieve a systematic and holistic overview of a complex reality. In addition to the corresponding bibliographical review, the research has been nourished by qualitative information from land surveys (field visits) and interviews with experts consulted during the preparation of the two technical dossiers of the candidacy produced so far. The results include the rationale for Outstanding Universal Value and the basis of the protection and management plan for the property. Subsequently, the paper discusses the possibilities for rural development that can be derived from this initiative through the virtuous interactions between the property, the region and the food (olive oil) obtained from traditional olive groves.
PubDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Examine Structural Relationships Between Hunting Tourism Product Quality
and Tourist Hunters’ Satisfaction
Abstract: The hunting tourism product is based on various hunting game and other types of services (accommodation, food, transport, educational services, cultural and recreational activities). This study reveals four factors that influence choosing a hunting destination and satisfaction with consuming tourism services. The study aimed to analyze the relationship between hunting tourism products quality and overall tourist satisfaction and to examine the measurement model for hunting tourists’ satisfaction. This scale focuses on specific elements of hunting tourism products and contributes to a better understanding of the quality of hunting tourism offers. Using the CFA, the reliability and validity of the hunting tourism satisfaction scale (HUNTSS) were confirmed on the sample in Serbia, and this scale was validated as a reliable four-factor model which could be assessed for future research improvements. Results of SEM showed the influences of four factors of hunting tourism products on overall satisfaction.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Comments on the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report on the
Leader Programme
Abstract: Concerning the efficiency of the different development methods, especially the definition of added value, neither science nor practice has so far established a universally accepted opinion. A special report of the European Court of Auditors in July 2022 on the “other values” of the LEADER/CLLD development method also pointed out which factors that are closely linked to added value might be missing from an EU evaluation. These factors are the conditions that, in a highly logical correlation, can guarantee the success of a development method. The study, while presenting the most important conditions for the efficiency of the LEADER method, evaluates and responds to the Court of Auditors’ Special Report, which does not sufficiently address these issues. In doing so, it contributes to a multi-faceted presentation of the role of the LEADER method in development policy and to the formulation of the reader’s own, independent judgement.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Do the Subsidies of the Rural Development Programme Increase Employment in
Rural Firms' A Counterfactual Impact Evaluation from Mainland Finland
Abstract: This study examines the effect of the subsidies given to firms through the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for Mainland Finland in Finland during the 2007–2013 period. In order to understand the impacts that this programme had, the study uses counterfactual modelling to analyse what forms of subsidies impact job creation in supported firms. The results showed that subsidies from the RDP had a positive impact on the development of subsidized firms and thus, the RDP was a key instrument for the renewal of the countryside and the promotion of rural viability in Finland.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- The Role and Territorial Characteristics of Adult Training on the
Integration of Registered Jobseekers into the Labour Market in
Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County (Hungary), 2010–2020
Abstract: The primary aim of adult training for job seekers is to help participants reintegrate into the labour market as soon as possible. The high unemployment rate and the low employment rate in the examined area (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county) led the Hungarian Government to retrain job seekers. The aim of the study is to examine the spatial pattern of training for registered job seekers and its effectiveness in helping them to find a job in the primary (or secondary) labour market. The research was carried out using secondary data, provided by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the National Employment Service in Hungary. Our research has highlighted the territorial links between human resources, adult learning and job opportunities. Adult training and public employment opportunities had a strong impact on the development of the labour market.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Polish Rural Non-Governmental Organizations During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Abstract: This article describes the extent and nature of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of communitybased organisations in rural Poland. The analytical foundation of the study is the research carried out in 2021 on a sample of three hundred and thirty-three rural NGOs. The negative and positive impact of the pandemic on the activities of these organisations were noted. Negative phenomena include a significant slowing down of existing tasks, abandonment of the completion of projects, an exodus of volunteers and active members. The bottom-up organised activity of the rural third sector during the pandemic also brought about noticeable positive phenomena: a widening of the activity field of organisations by new dimensions, an expansion of the cooperation network of rural organisations, and a significant increase in the appreciation of civic activity as a result of the speed and flexibility of self-help activities.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Development of Educational Activities and Counseling in Social Agriculture
in Slovakia: Initial Experience and Future Prospects
Abstract: Slovakia has significantly changed the structure of its economy by switching to a market management system. There has been a shift away from agriculture, traditional farming methods and careful land management. The result is unused lands and labor force, a broken relationship of society towards the environment, the agricultural land and due to the low social status of agriculture, towards the education in this area too. There is no information on the potential of social agriculture. Educational initiatives in this area are unique and fragmented. The importance of educational activities and counseling lies mainly in education in an effort to help implementers or those interested in the implementation of social farming projects to obtain basic information about the concept of social agriculture, avoid mistakes and get the most comprehensive picture of current conditions in this area. The article outlines a view of the development of social agriculture in the area of the social economy in the conditions of the Slovak Republic, which corresponds to the changing needs of society. It draws attention to the initial steps in the development of educational activities and counseling in social agriculture. We reflect on the potential and pitfalls of education as part of a broader understanding of social agriculture. The elimination of the shortcomings would have significant effects on rural development and less developed regions. The benefits would be reflected in inclusive development and in more sustainable agriculture by influencing other sectors. Our article is based on desk review and qualitative research. We conducted 6 in-depth expert interviews. We focused on experts who were able to provide us with a specialized insight into our research.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Rural and Alpine Gentrification Impact on Lifestyle Mobilities During
Covid-19: The Yayla Experience at the Taurus Mountains in Turkey
Abstract: COVID-19 has had significant impacts on social and economic sectors worldwide. International travel and tourism are restricted as preventive measures to combat the disease. However, it is clearly visible that the mobility from urban to rural areas continues within the borders of the countries during the pandemic. Mobility to the countryside is named as lifestyle mobility. It varies significantly in motivations, frequency, push and pull factors, and duration of stay. It is also considered an essential agent of change that causes gentrification in rural vicinities regarding economic structure, real estate market, and sociocultural life. The recent spread of COVID-19 has also been deemed a vital push for urban-rural mobility. The present study is aimed to explore the gentrification of lifestyle mobilities in the Yaylas of the Taurus Mountains during the pandemic. A mixed-method approach using questionnaire and interview techniques was applied. Results revealed that the duration and frequency of seasonal mobility towards second homes in Turkey have changed with the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, it is found that the selected mountain areas confront the impacts of urbanization, increase in housing prices, and commercial occupation of land. The research concludes that such changes are augmented due to the increased mobility of urbanites belonging to the new middle class of Mersin and Adana metropolitan cities to rural areas to escape COVID-19. Due to the increase in lifestyle mobility, gentrification takes place in rural and mountainous areas, and accordingly, rural residents tend to move to the city.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Examining Seasonality in Tourism with Special Reference to the Recent
Effects of Covid-19 – The Case of the Sopron-Fertő Tourism Destination
(Hungary)
Abstract: Seasonality, meaning that the vast majority of tourist locations do not distribute arrivals evenly throughout the year, in tourism, it is widely regarded as one of the most crucial problems for the majority of the world’s destinations, particularly in terms of sustainability. Nevertheless, despite its importance and that this unbalanced nature has become one of tourism’s most distinguishing characteristics, we can say that no globally comparable international measurement of seasonality is currently available. Based on the abovementioned phenomena, the main objective of the present study and research is to detect and analyse the tourism seasonality of a case study area, the Sopron-Fertő destination (Hungary), using multiple methodologies such as the Gini index, a representative consumer questionnaire and expert interviews. The analysis demonstrates seasonality in tourism demand between 2008–2021, based on which implications on product development and new directions and challenges, influenced by the most recent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, are revealed and suggested.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Tourist Behavior: A Case Study on South
Moravia
Abstract: The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly influenced tourism and has led to a change in the consumer behaviour of tourists. The purpose of the study was to find out how the profile of the visitor of the rural area had changed in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The quantitative survey with 1026 visitors was conducted and its results were analyzed within three main segments of visitors – groups with children, couples and the others (without children). The results of the research confirm the persisting fact – due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand in tourism is shifting from urban areas to rural ones, but overall tourists in research rural area can benefit from the fact that it is a relatively small area and can get the best of both rural areas as well as of near cities in the area. Visiting rural areas is generally a shorter-term option for all visitors, which does not require long-term planning. The findings confirmed that rural areas are a great opportunity for domestic tourism. The results bring a deeper and actual insight into the consumer behaviour of tourists in rural areas and at the same time the findings show the possibilities for service quality improvement. Both can be beneficial for service providers as well as destination managers.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- What Can Hungarian Counties do for the Countryside'
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to contribute to the scientific discussion on the transmitting, coordinating role of meso level governments in regional development focusing mostly on rural areas. We can distinguish between the power position of rural local governments and communities and the strongly networked urban areas that tend to govern themselves according to different leadership models and logic. Rural, municipal governments and agents are working under assymetrical power relations and rely on the interventions of the „upper level” for assistance. The paper, besides the theoretical literature review, includes empirical elements based on empirical research conducted (first in all Hungarian counties (2018) and after focusing on Baranya county between 2020 and 2022) to illustrate how the weak legal, political and social position and administrative capacity of county self-governments hinder such a role, and why it would be necessary to strenghten the coordination and interest representation at meso-level (Pálné, 2019; NKFIH no. 132294). The county governments have a long history, depending on the centralized or decentralized model of governance in the given period. Hungarian counties have recently been tasked with the mission of regional development, especially in rural areas, but as our preliminary results indicate, rural municipalities have not benefited so much from this new role. Despite Baranya being one of the poorest Hungarian counties dominated by rural small municipalities, the empowerment and embeddedness of county governments hardly enable the enforcement of rural priorities and representing the interest of municipaliities within a dominantly centralized regional development system. The paper intends to offer a theoretical approach rather than a policy analysis, however, the concluding chapter formulates some ideas on the directions of future reforms arguing for the necessity of re-decentralization in Hungary.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
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