International Journal of Regional Development

1-11

Authors: Sigei K. Geoffrey, Bett, K. Hillary, Kiprop, K. Jonah, Odipo, O. Timothy

Markets act as pivotal point in the agricultural transformation process. Access to market plays crucial role in exploiting the marketing opportunities for the pineapple farmers. In the study area, the strategies to unlock the market access among pineapple farmers are wanting and these have resulted to limited marketing outlets. This study therefore seeks to determine the factors influencing the choice of pineapple marketing outlets in Bureti district. The cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 100 small-scale pineapple farmers. Data was analyzed using descriptive and Multinomial Logit model. The results showed that gender, group marketing, pineapple produce, price information, marketing under contract and vehicle ownership significantly influenced the choice of pineapple marketing outlets. The study has potential policy implication of improving the pineapple marketing performance and the welfare of the farmer.

27-43

Authors: Larisa A. Popova, Anastasiya S. Barashkova,

The article deals with the mechanism of modern demographic development in Russia’s northern regions. The article studies the dynamics of marriage processes in the North in the post-war period, and reveals the current specifics of marriage and family relations. The authors analyze in more detail the situation in the two big northern republics: the Komi Republic and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They identify factors that determined a significant decrease of marriage rate in the 1990s and the relative normalization of marital and family processes in recent years. The article outlines the main directions of demographic policies in the northern regions.

61-70

Authors: Christina Oh, Gert Tinggaard Svendsen

Using Olson’s 1965 logic of collective action and group theory, we argue that the “small group” of the “iron triangle” is able to collectively act to push for command-and-control regulations in Californian water policy. There are individual rent-seeking incentives in the small group because the politicians do not want to impose tax, and they would like to have short-term development and economic growth during their term in order to gain a positive reputation from the public or to get re-elected. The developers would like more work and prestige and the water bureaucrats have little incentive to limit development and alienate politicians. However, by focusing on command-and-control (CAC), the citizens may end up paying more to fund these projects. CAC is easier to hide than environmental taxes which are more explicitly shown to citizens. Thus, the ignorant majority is exploited by the knowledgeable minority. Thus, the small group of the iron triangle defends the status quo at the expense of the citizens and the public interest at large.

1-16

Authors: Daniel Kramos

The main task of my research was to present the process of developing renewable energy regions (RER) in Western Europe and that of it in Hungary. In regional science one always has to face the problem of accurately defining the concept, size, institution and the function of regions, because of manifold region definitions. The 3 types are as follows: Sustainable Energy Action Planning, the Modelling region and the risk based regional developing. In my research I evaluated KÁT report data published by Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority, thus assigning settlements constituting potential RERs in Hungary. Results could demonstrate renewable energy cities, micro-regional and regional spatial initiations started their institutionalization process before the national formal codification of RERs. A few typical examples were found in the Western Hungarian Region, but some of them can be found in Central and Northern Hungary as well as in the Northern Great Plain.

39-57

Authors: Konstantinos Zougris, M.A., M.A., ABD., Richard Gee, & Dimitrios Zaras, B.S.

Limited research has been done about the applicability of World-Systems Theory (WST) on meso-sociological domains. This paper discusses the theoretical framework of the WST spatial divisions, applies it in subnational geographic domains, and examines the phenomenon of spatial income inequality across the Illinois’ counties. We argue that the Human Development Index (HDI) could serve as a suitable classification measure of WST regional taxonomies. Our findings indicate equivalence of structural classification between local and global geographical domains at the state of Illinois. Also our analysis on spatial inequality supports the findings of vanguard studies of the field suggesting a negative association between rurality and development, as well as an inverse relationship between rurality and income inequality at a county level.

1-11

Authors: Dafina Nazaj & Ermelinda Tolica

The transition period has undoubtedly deserved, and it still does, in-depth analysis of the overall economy. Different studies in transition countries have served for the recognition of realities, taking action and policy development needed for economic development. Almost all transition countries are still undergoing a deep economic crisis. The nature of this crisis comes from a restructuring of the infrastructures created for a centralized economy. Many countries have been concerned with the problems that the development has caused in the environmental aspect. Transition countries are faced even with greater environmental problems because of their need to be developed rapidly. At low levels of development, both the quantity and the intensity of environmental degradation are limited to the impacts of subsistence economic activity on the resource base and to limited quantities of biodegradable wastes. As agriculture and resource extraction intensify and industrialization takes off, both resource depletion and waste generation accelerate. From an environmental perspective a decline in GDP is positive if hazardous materials pollution reduced. However, if one wants to analyze the dynamics of release per unit of production these relations will grow along with GDP in almost all transition economies. Economic situation in Albania, was very difficult due to the political instability of the country, which impede the development and implementation of a sustainable strategy and long-term economic reforms. Secondary data about economic growth and environmental indicators such as air pollution, water pollution and land pollution are analyzed for Albania as a country in transition. The figures follow the model of relationship between variables, relevant also to the choice of environmental policy instruments. The cost-effective policy becomes important in the case of Albania. Policies should also involve the population and make the necessary improvements.

26-38

Authors: Larisa A. Popova

The article reveals how the demographic processes in Russia are influenced by federal and regional demographic policy measures of 2006-2011 and by the national project “Health” and health care modernization programmes for 2011-2012. The author dwells upon the modem trends in the birth rate of Russia’s population, upon the changes in its structure by the age and marital status of mother. The article evaluates which actual generations have received the maximum reproductive benefit from pronatalist demographic policies, and what are the prospects concerning fertility. The article considers the dynamics of life expectancy of Russia’s population and the changes in the structure of mortality by causes.

65-78

Authors: Rasoul Babanasab, Asghar Zarabi & Masoud Taghvaei

The current study aims at investigating the indexes effective on the establishment of electronic city (E-city) in the Metropolitan Tabriz. Research type is applied-developmental and dominant approach is descriptive-analytical. To collect data, field and documentary research have been made us of. Based on those procedures, data has been gathered from among specialists of ICT and urban issues working in different organizations of Tabriz through 45 questionnaires. Then, data has been analyzed using SPSS and valuation of variables through Likert Spectrum. Findings reveal that, in the opinion of the specialists, among 7 indexes studied effective on the establishment of E-cities, management index is on average-to-low level. Total evaluation of indexes using One-Sample T-Test indicates while those indexes are available for the implementation of E-city in the Metropolitan Tabriz, it is possible, to some extent, that citizens perform electronic activities and organizations present electronic services regarding available infrastructures in order to move toward full electronic city. Also, there is significant relationship between the indexes and factors paving the way for the establishment of E-city. And, improving those indexes makes electronic Tabriz more possible in such a manner that management indexes, with correlation coefficient of 0.674, are the most effective ones among the indexes. Therefore, the first priority in making the metropolitan Tabriz electronic city is the serious attention paid by managers and authorities to new technologies in urban planning, coordination among organizations for decision making and specification of incumbents in implementing E-city.