Relevance. Local governments in both developed and developing countries act as a vital link between central governments and local communities. Central government funding transfers to local governments are often based on performance measures. In Ghana, the District Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) has been utilized to evaluate local government performance since 2018, with a primary focus on improving service delivery to meet the needs of local residents. Research objective. This paper aims to analyze how the DPAT was conducted for the five selected local governments in the Central Region of Ghana from 2021 to 2022. Data and methods. The study employs a qualitative approach to the analysis of the primary data gathered from ten technical officers and 16 Assembly members, who served as key informants. A document review guide was also used to collect secondary data. Results. While the DPAT indicators aimed at assessing service delivery to communities, many were focused primarily on the internal operations of local governments. Although the DPAT represents an improvement over the District Development Facility’s Functional and Organizational Assessment Tool, the assessors did not interview Assembly members to verify the services delivered in the communities. Conclusions. The findings and methods of this study can inform analyses of local government performance in Ghana. It is recommended that DPAT assessors conduct field visits to interview Assembly members to enhance the assessment process. This study contributes to the understanding of financial resource allocation and service delivery in local governments.
Relevance. Libya has been struggling with fresh water shortages for much of its history. This issue started to be resolved only after significant underground water reserves were discovered in the southern part of the country in the late 1960s. From 1970 to 2010, the country became one of the world leaders in terms of water consumption per capita. Research objective. The study aims to evaluate compliance adopted and proposed solutions for developing the water supply system for urban settlements and agricultural enterprises in Libya, implemented during Muammar Gaddafi’s leadership, align with the canonical theories of Spatial Science. Data and method. Methodologically, the study relies on the principles of the isolated state theory and the central place theory. The transformation of the water supply structure in Libya studies within the evolutionary approach on using the example of agricultural projects and settlement projects in the Kufra region, as well as the “Great Man-Made River” project. Results. Each state farm in Libya represents a quasi “isolated state” which is the first stage in the development of the country’s water supply system. However, it only becomes a system in the proper sense at the second stage, with the emergence of private farms in settlements: central place systems with one (rarely two) levels of hierarchy arise “from” the rural areas. The transition to the third stage-the formation of a full-fledged central place system-was made possible by the “Great Man-Made River” project. Conclusions. The water supply systems for the population and economy of Libya in their current form are characterized by fairly high spatial stability. The government’s decision to merge the previously separate water supply systems of Al-Kufra - Sirt / Benghazi and Hasouna - Sahl Jefara through the “Great Man-Made River” project was quite reasonable. Equally prudent was the choice to maintain the Ghadames - Zwara - Zawia system as an isolated entity. However, the project to extend the water pipeline from Ajdabiya to Tobruk, which is currently less than 1% complete, should be discontinued. Instead, it would be more practical to revisit the previously rejected plan to supply freshwater to the cities along Libya’s eastern coast from the local underground sources.
Relevance. Africa presents a unique case: despite having the lowest urbanization levels in the world, it demonstrates the highest rates of urban population growth. Universities in large African cities play a key role in developing human capital by providing educational opportunities and training in digital skills necessary for participation in the digital economy. Objective. This article aims to assess the relationship between digital higher education, a key component of human capital, and economic development in African countries. It also explores the Digital Education Index and the factors influencing it in African cities and countries. We hypothesize that the composite Digital Education Index will reveal connections between economic development, urbanization, digital infrastructure, and digital education. Data and Methods. The study uses data from African cities and countries for 2019-2022, sourced from Trading Economics, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Free Apply, UNESCO, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The methodology is based on an index approach, using measures of central tendency. The Digital Education Index is calculated through three sub-indices: technical accessibility of digital technologies, financial-economic accessibility of digital education, and population digital skills. Results. Digital education contributes to human capital development in Africa while reducing inequality and social vulnerability. However, progress in improving the Digital Education Index has been limited, as African universities face challenges such as restricted technology access and low living standards, which limit access to paid education. Conclusion. The study provides policy recommendations highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges of digital education development in Africa.
Relevance. Urbanization is a crucial transformative process that plays a key role in achieving sustainable economic development in the global economy. An urbanized economy can serve as a vital structural mechanism to foster inclusive economic growth by generating employment, reducing income inequalities, and alleviating poverty. However, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is characterized by a unique and slow urbanization process that sets it apart from other regions, despite steady economic growth in recent decades. Research Objective. This study aims to empirically assess the patterns and determinants of urbanization in SSA, focusing on the question of whether it is driven primarily by mere economic survival or by improvements in quality of life. Data and Methods. Based on Lee’s rural push-urban pull migration theory, the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimator was used to analyze data from 44 SSA countries between 1996 and 2022. Results. Access to basic amenities has a positive and significant impact on urbanization in Africa, although the effect was more modest for improved amenities. Additionally, the agricultural sector was found to hinder urbanization, while the manufacturing and services sectors promote it through structural transformation. Conclusion. The paper concludes that urbanization in SSA is driven by both the need for economic survival and the desire to improve quality of life. To enhance the region’s global competitiveness, it is crucial to invest in and develop critical infrastructure that supports the urbanization process.
In 2007, the world reached a pivotal moment in the ongoing process of urbanization, with the global urban population surpassing the rural population for the first time. Africa is the only continent where this process has not yet been completed. According to UN projections, it is expected to occur no earlier than the second third of the 21st century. Africa, however, is very diverse in this regard: in some countries, the majority of the population has long been urban, while in others, most of the population are still living in rural areas.
Relevance. Intergovernmental budgetary regulation is pivotal for promoting territorial equalization and bridging socio-economic gaps among regions. It ensures equitable access to public goods for all citizens, irrespective of their location. The effective distribution of federal financial assistance, guided by the principles of budget federalism, is essential for maintaining macroeconomic stability and fostering sustainable socio-economic development on the national and regional levels. Research Objective. The study aims to assess the competitive positions of Russian regions within the distribution system of federal intergovernmental transfers. Method and Data. To investigate Russia’s system of intergovernmental transfers, the research employs statistical methods, including structural-dynamic, grouping, and graphical analysis, along with novel analytical tools like the dependence coefficient and income coefficient. The study encompasses data from 2015 to 2022, sourced from the Federal Treasury and Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). Results. The study analyzes the dynamics of transfers from the federal budget to regional budgets and shows significant transformations in the transfer structure, revealing a decrease in non-targeted transfers and an increase in targeted ones. The study also examines the differences between regions in the distribution of these transfers. Russian regions were grouped depending on the share of federal transfers in their total budget income and the average per capita income in their consolidated budget. The study introduces a novel methodological approach through the use of newly developed tools - the dependence coefficient and income coefficient - to evaluate regional competitiveness. Conclusion. Despite an overall increase in federal transfers, persistent regional disparities intensify competition for financial assistance. These findings can be of interest to policymakers at federal and regional levels, researchers, and educators in relevant fields.
Relevance. In the current economic climate, maintaining the integrity of regional economic space is crucial. This involves ensuring uniform socio-economic development across regions and promoting a high rate of technology transfer from the center to the periphery. Therefore, it is essential to identify sustainable points of spatial development that represent centers of power concentration and guide spatial transformation. Research objective. The study aims to assess the connectivity of the region’s economic space by measuring population mobility. This approach will help identify the centers of social and labor communications that represent sustainable points of spatial development. The focus of the study is on the municipal districts of Sverdlovsk region, which are key elements of its economic space. Data and methods. The study employed geoinformation analysis of origin-destination matrix of population flows in Sverdlovsk region (Russian Federation), provided by Russian mobile operators. Results. The paper presents the analysis of intracity and intercity population flows based on the average daily data of mobile operators for 2022. The intensity and diversification of population flows in the region’s municipal districts, reflecting the connectivity of its economic space, were estimated using geographic information systems and the Python programming language. The study revealed that Sverdlovsk region has a bicentric system of spatial interconnections, with two distinct centers of attraction: Ekaterinburg and Nizhny Tagil, with Ekaterinburg being the dominant center. Conclusions. The proposed classification of municipal districts by the level of their inclusion into the economic space of Sverdlovsk region illustrates that only 5% are characterized by intensive and diversified inter-territorial interaction, while 34% are characterized by low indicators of intensity and diversification of mobile population flows. The spatial structure of the municipalities in Sverdlovsk region, which are located in the zone of attraction to the agglomeration centers, will be maintained and reinforced.
Relevance. Fostering well-being ranks high on regional social policy agendas. With the dynamic shifts in the international economic landscape, known as geo-economic fragmentation, there’s a pressing urgency for stakeholders to optimize resource allocation at the regional level, increasing interest in efficient strategies to adapt to sanctions while enhancing overall well-being. Research objective. This article aims to investigate the dimensions and determinants of the eco- and human capital efficiency in Russian regions in the context of geo-economic fragmentation and sanctions pressure. Data and methods. A proposed three-stage approach integrates factor analysis to identify subjective well-being indicators, data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate socio-eco-efficiency, and panel tobit regression to examine the determinants of efficiency. Microdata from the Rossat Comprehensive Observation of Living Conditions database were utilized, covering the period from 2014 to 2022. To assess efficiency, a DEA model is employed. The output indicators from this model were the estimated measures of subjective well-being. These indicators were validated through factor analysis and included professional satisfaction, safety assessment, accessibility and quality of social and cultural infrastructure in the regions. Results. In the given period, people reported feeling increasingly satisfied with jobs and quality of life, though there was a noticeable slowdown in the growth of human capital development indicators, environmental investments, and real income by early 2023. Efficiency varied significantly among the regions. Industrially developed mining areas and republics in the North Caucasus consistently showed high socio-eco-efficiency, despite limited resources. The efficiency benefited both from digitalization and increased per capita gross regional product, but urbanization had a negative impact. Conclusions. Amid geo-economic fragmentation, regional communities and job markets face significant challenges in adaptation. With the looming risk of declining satisfaction and perceived quality of life, it is imperative for regional policies to bolster tangible well-being indicators and invest in social capital and infrastructure to address these issues effectively.
Relevance. Ensuring equal access to resources is crucial for social development, especially in rural areas. Women in these regions face distinct challenges due to traditional lifestyles and cultural norms, impacting their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Addressing these challenges is vital for the overall development of rural communities. Research objective. This study aims to develop methodological approaches to assessing women’s access to resources in rural areas of Kazakhstan. Data and methods. Based on the investigation of methodological approaches, multinomial logistic regression analysis was proposed to assess the impact of regional differences on gender gaps in access to various resources. The study is based on qualitative data collected from May to June 2023 from a sociological survey conducted among women aged 18-60 in rural settlements of Kazakhstan. A total of 600 respondents were interviewed, and 542 of the respondents had completed questionnaires. This methodology enables the collection, analysis, and processing of primary data, aiding in the assessment of gender disparities in resource access. Results. The proposed methodology facilitated a thorough analysis of qualitative data, offering insights into the problem of gender disparities. Most respondents rated their access to social and economic resources as average, suggesting that while there are available resources, they might not fully meet rural women’s needs or expectations in terms of level or quality. Conclusions. Regions like Akmola, Atyrau, Mangystau, North Kazakhstan, Turkestan, and Zhambyl show significant disparities in resource access, indicating regional inequalities. Addressing this gap necessitates collaborative efforts between government and businesses to enhance resource availability and broaden opportunities for rural women.
Relevance. In the pursuit of sustainable development, the circular economy takes precedence as a fundamental imperative for industrial transformation. The current trend in the development of the circular economy concept is to place the main focus on the technological support of circularization and the corresponding innovations in business models, while the decisive role people play in this model of economy is often overlooked. Individuals with specialized knowledge, skills, and values are essential for developing and implementing circular models, making effective management decisions, and promoting rational consumption patterns. The demand for circular skills and the availability of relevant competencies can significantly differ across regions, necessitating further in-depth study. Research objective. The paper is aimed at developing a new methodological approach to the study of circular economy skills at the regional level. This approach considers these skills in terms of both employer demand and their incorporation into master’s degree programs, accounting for regional specifics. Data and methods. The study employed a comprehensive approach, integrating theoretical methods with empirical analysis. Scientometric and content analysis identified taxonomies of circular economy skills, and employers’ personnel needs were examined through the analysis of the HeadHunter job site using Python software. Additionally, the study encompassed an analysis of educational programs from official websites of universities in southern Russian regions. Results. A new approach to the study of supply and demand of circular economy skills at the regional level has been proposed and tested. As a result, it was determined that there is a demand for sustainable development specialists in various industries in the Russian labor market, which varies across different regions of the country. The relevant skills are included in the master’s degree programs offered by universities. There is a need for greater involvement of regional authorities in shaping educational demands presented to universities, as this is essential for generating demand in the job market for the corresponding competencies. Conclusions. To better achieve targets in sustainable development and facilitate the transition to a circular economy, it is essential to promote a balanced development of all the relevant skills and behavioral patterns. To ensure this, it is important to involve regional authorities in shaping the demand for these skills.