Special Issue "Regional Economic Adaptability and Sustainability Transition"
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Economics and Policy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 12 November 2021.
Special Issue Editor
Interests: human geography; local and regional development; maritime economy; transport geography; regional economic adaptability; sustainability transition
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The question of why some regional economies successfully cope with sudden shocks and long-term structural challenges while others fail remains one of the vital issues in regional studies. Repeated attempts to explain this phenomenon through “general” theories of regional development did not yield satisfactory results in an evaluation of empirical research on the territorial variability of development factors. The concept of adaptability, sensitive to the specific, historically conditioned context of regional development, has provided exciting insights into the wealth and poverty of regions for several decades. Adaptability has shed light on the processes of industrial restructuring. Enriched with a multi-scalar agency, it allowed us to better understand the interactions between regional development and globalisation. The global financial crisis of 2008 prompted the development of this concept towards the notion of regional resilience. Sudden anthropogenic climate change is a crisis which requires a profound, sustainable transition. Although the issue of technology (renewable energy sources, saving and recovery of energy and raw materials) lies at the core of these transformations, they are also commonly dependent on social and cultural conditions (socio-technical regimes). As the research conducted so far shows, there are relatively few innovative regions, and they owe their success to unique endogenous factors. The Special Issue aims to combine the scientific achievement of the regional economic adaptability school with research outcomes in the field of sustainability transition. This transition occurs in real places, sometimes with connections to relevant spaces. It is hoped that showing the active role of different places and spaces in the processes of sustainability transition will pave the way toward obtaining significant scientific and practical results. The core topics of the Special Issue are as follows:
- theoretical research at the crossroads of regional adaptability and sustainable transition,
- regional adaptation–adaptability trade-off in the context of sustainable transition,
- development pathways of sustainable socio-technical regimes,
- organisations and industries in sustainability transitions,
- practices of adaptation to sustainability,
- places and spaces of sustainable transition,
- participatory processes for sustainable transition,
- sustainable place-based policies.
Dr. Maciej Tarkowski
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Adaptation
- Adaptability
- Development pathways
- Sustainability transition
- Urban or regional resilience
- Socio-technical regimes
- Energy transition
- Circular economy
- Places and spaces
- Regions
- Multi-scalar agency
- Place-based policies
- Smart specialisation
- Participatory process
- Innovations
Planned Papers
The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.
Title: Towards Electrification of Urban Waterborne Public Transport Systems: An Overview of Socio-Technical Landscape of Electric and Hybrid-Electric Ferry Development
Authors: Maciej Tarkowski 1,*
Affiliation: Division of Regional Development, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland; [email protected]
Abstract: The maritime sector is under growing pressure to reduce emissions of greenhouse along with other hazardous gases. While in the sea-going transportation the set of improvements in fuels, internal combustion propulsion systems and slow-steaming is developing, the ferry systems successfully start to introduce electric or hybrid-electric propulsion. While the primary challenge is relatively well-reviewed, the latter is fragmentarily highlighted. Consequently, the purpose of this article is to assess the conditions, status and prospects being a part of the socio-technical landscape of the electrification of urban waterborne public transport systems. A comprehensive study focuses on over 20 cities representing currently available experience in planning and operating water transport based mainly on secondary, mostly qualitative data such as industry reports, feasibility studies, urban policies, and scientific papers. Urban transport policy and financial resources, structural and operational features of the ferry system, access to design and manufacturing capacity also public perception consist of main ferry electrification conditions. The study also shows the full spectrum of the advancement of electrification processes - from systems in which even preliminary planning works have not been carried out to those that are fully electrified. The operational experience so far and the undertaken development activities indicate that the latter will continue to grow.
Title: Quality of life measurement in view of ISO 37120 indicators at the example of selected European cities
Authors: Piotr Przybyłowski 1, Adam Przybyłowski 2* Agnieszka Kałaska 3
Affiliation: 1 Gdynia Maritime University; [email protected]
2 Gdynia Maritime University; [email protected]
3* WSB University in Gdańsk; [email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: (+48-605-140-225)
Abstract: Improving the quality of life still remains the main goal on the global, national, regional and local level. Also, this ambitious challenge should be consistent with the principles of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental aspects. ISO 37120 indicators may be a useful tool allowing monitoring urban performance overtime. However, the interpretation of the results is not always easy and requires sometimes a complex analysis. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility to illustrate in a transparent way the urban changes at the example of selected European cities: Amsterdam, Gdynia, London and Zagreb. The hypothesis is as follows: it is possible to use total and partial utility method in order to compare urban quality of life level with regard to three dimensions of the sustainable development. Research results indicate that the most progress is necessary in the case of the economic aspects, whereas better situation is in the case of environemental and social ones. This method may be useful for decision makers and may be an introduction to the development of more complex models in the future.
Title: Newcomers from the periphery: the international expansion of Polish automotive companies
Authors: Grzegorz Micek 1, Robert Guzik 2, Krzysztof Gwosdz 3, Bolesław Domański 4
Affiliation: 1 Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management; [email protected]
2 Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management; [email protected]
3 Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management; [email protected]
4 Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management; [email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-12-664-5331 (G.M.)
Abstract: The rapid growth of Central-Eastern European economies has been related to inward FDI and these countries are often regarded as dependent market economies, which rely on capital and technologies provided by foreign TNCs. What is an interesting recent phenomenon in this context is the international expansion of some domestic-owned manufacturing companies from Central-Eastern Europe. Looking through lens of global production networks (GPN) and evolutionary resilience perspective, the paper aims to identify paths and mechanisms of development of new multinational companies, namely Polish automotive firms expanding in the global markets through acquisitions and greenfield investments in Western Europe, North America, and Asia. The authors ponder on the underlying motives and barriers of this process, the capabilities and features of Polish-owned companies as well as the impact on their position in global production networks. The international expansion of domestic-owned firms is interpreted as a specific critical conjuncture of three mechanisms: 1) development of Central-Eastern European economies since the end of communism, 2) the evolution of the Western European core, and 3) the trajectory of individual Polish firms. It is argued that the development trajectories of the firms going global cannot be understood without taking into account the dynamic interdependence between firm-specific capabilities (including the position within GPNs) and the changing characteristics of the countries (e.g. evolving regional assets).
Title: Infrastructural dimension of cross-border cooperation - investment projects in transport, environmental protection and social infrastructure in 2007-2020 on the example of Poland
Authors: Sylwia Dołzbłasz, Andrzej Raczyk
Affiliation: Department of Spatial Management, Institute of Geography and Regional Development
University of Wroclaw
Kuźnicza 49-55, 50-138 Wrocław, Poland
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Cross-border co-operation is a very important element shaping borderlands in Europe, and within it a special role is played by projects implemented under EU Cohesion Policy and EU Neighbourhood Policy. The main aim of the study was to analyse the scope of cooperation in the borderlands of Poland in the field of investment projects related to transport, environmental protection and social infrastructure. The goal was also to identify regularities in the differentiation of projects’ structure by type, the institutional structure of programmes’ beneficiaries, as well as the projects’ spatial distribution depending on the borderland (and its diverse conditions). The research covered over 400 cross-border cooperation projects implemented within the EU programmes along all land borders of Poland in the years 2007-2020.
Key words: cross-border co-operation, investment projects, transport, environment protection, social infrastructure, borderlands, Poland.
Title: Carbon accounting measurement possibilities with digital non-financial corporate reporting and a comparison to current European automotive companies statements
Authors: Árpád Tóth 1,*, Cecília Szigeti 2 and Alex Suta 3
Affiliation: 1 Vehicle Industry Research Center, Széchenyi István University, 9026 Győr; [email protected]
2 Department of International and Theoretical Economics, Kautz Gyula Economics Faculty, Széchenyi István
University, 9026 Győr, Hungary; [email protected]
3 Doctoral School of Regional and Economic Sciences, Széchenyi István University, 9026 Győr, Hungary
* Correspondence: [email protected]
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to highlight the possibilities of a new digitalized reporting technique, which is an emerging technology and based on its versatility and automation in financial reporting in the past decade it became a generally accepted technique. In our study we reviewed the potential application of this technology for the European Automotive OEMs’ CO2 emissions measurement.
There is a change in the regulatory environment as both sustainability and financial reporting, its standardization and digital reporting (XBRL, iXBRL) are goining traction within regulators. The measurement methodology is yet to be decided for corporate CO2 footprints as well as the success of the currently discussed (IASB, GRI, SASB, ESMA) CO2 (and general sustainability) disclosure implementation in corporate reporting.
We reviewed the last five years sustainability reporting statements (2015-2019) of the leading automotive company groups (by 2019 revenues) in Europe. As an additional layer we highlight the difference between those corporate practices in the context of the applied regional non-financial reporting techniques. This research methodology is carried out with a text-mining aided content analysis.
In the conclusion the focus was on the applicability of the XBRL reporting, together with the contrast of the reviewed companies’ current practice.
Title: The Excellent Effect of Natural-Based Solutions in Blocking Sand and Conserving Water---A Case Study of Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm in China
Authors: Shi Beibei [email protected]
Affiliation: School of Economics and Management, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
Abstract: Natural-Based Solutions (NBS) refers to the environment-friendly way to meet the challenge of sustainable development through the combination of nature and technology. Various countries have carried out a series of explorations and practices in the field of NBS and provided many demonstration cases, including China. And land desertification is the natural enemy of ecological civilization construction, so in order to build ecological civilization, we must attach great importance to the prevention and control of land desertification, and focus on solving the problem of land desertification. Therefore, based on the case of Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm Project in China, this paper analyzes its problems, measures and implementation plans, further explains how NBS practice in reality, and evaluates the benefits it brings. This will not only enable more people to see the contribution of China to NBS, but also make more people understand the role of NBS and improve the recognition of NBS from people. It will also provide a good case for blocking sand and conserving water for the benefit of countries affected by desertification globally.
Title: Efficiency of achieving the climate and energy goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and structural diversity between old and new Member States
Authors: Barbara Kryk; Małgorzata Guzowska
Affiliation: University of Szczecin Poland
Abstract: The most important goals on the Europe 2020 Strategy contained were the climate/energy goals, which determine the achievement of other targets of the strategy. The aim of the article is to assess the efficiency of achieving the climate and energy goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and to analyze the level of their implementation, taking into account the diversity / structural differences between the old (EU = 15) and new EU members (EU = 10) in the period 2010-2019. The main task of this study is to assess the efficiency and indicate differences in the level of achievement of goals between countries/groups of countries, by applying the Data Envelopment Analysis method and time-series dynamic efficiency analysis in the form of output-oriented Malmquist Productivity Index. The added value in relation to other studies is the use of individual indicators, instead of general ones obtaining additional information about the internal structure and nature of the implementation of multidimensional groups of goals between old and new EU members multidimensional groups of targets and focusing solely on the achievement of climate/energy targets. This study includes changes to the key climate/energy indicators related to the Europe 2020 Strategy, which are the basis for taking further actions related to the energy transition and achieving zero emissions in 2050. Additionally, the impact of the implementation of these goals on the national economy and progress in achieving them was determined. The analysis showed a significant difference between the old and new members of the EU.
Title: Risk Management and Sustainable Development of Agriculture: Evaluating the Effects of Crop Insurance
Authors: Virginia Namiotko, Aistė Galnaitytė, Irena Kriščiukaitienė, Tomas Baležentis, Xueli Chen
Affiliation: 1 Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Lithuania
2 China Academy of Social Sciences, China
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of crop insurance in Lithuania. This issue is of particular importance in the period of the development of risk management measures in the Common Agricultural Policy beyond 2020. This may help adapting farming to changing climate conditions. Using farm-level data from Farm Accountancy Data Network, the propensity score matching approach was applied to measure the effects of insurance. Empirical results suggest that adoption of crop insurance in Lithuania in 2008–2017 was influenced by a number of socioeconomic factors, including farmer’s age, farm’s wealth, specialization, location. However, it was also found that crop insurance did not yield statistically significant effects on the main production and investment indicators of farms. This is mainly due to governmental ad hoc disaster payments and support under the CAP.
Title: On the Road to a Green Economy. Are European Union Countries Doing their Homework?
Authors: Kasztelan Armand
Affiliation: University of Life Sciences in Lublin Department of Economics and Agribusiness Akademicka 13 20-950 Lublin POLAND
Abstract: Multidimensional crisis phenomena (financial-economic, environmental and social), plaguing the international community especially in the last 30 years, have intensified the resentment towards the traditional models of growth and socio-economic development. In this context, the ‘Rio+20’ climate summit in 2012 indicated that the green economy is to be the key to resolving conflicts of interest between the economy, society and the environment. The European Union has placed the idea of a green economy at the heart of the Europe 2020 strategy. The paper presents an assessment of the implementation of the green economy assumptions in EU countries in 2018, taking as the base the year 2010. Using taxonomic methods, a synthetic evaluation index (GEI - Green Economy Index) was constructed based on a multi-criteria set of 28 indicators. This paper attempts to answer the following questions: How green are the European economies? What are the main challenges in this context? The average value of the index for the EU countries decreased in the studied years from 0.3335 to 0.3239, which can be interpreted as a slowdown in the greening processes. The paper discusses the reasons for this state of affairs, at the same time indicating recommendations aimed at improving the existing situation.