RPER

Institutional analysis of creative economy policy transfers at the local level: a study in Lisbon (Portugal)

2024-11-29T08:03:49-05:00

The municipality of Lisbon, Portugal, has stood out for its rupture with standard public management by assuming the responsibility for developing a creative economy Public Policy (PP) and initiating this process separately from the cultural sector. From the standpoint of institutional theory and through the case study method, the objective is to understand the policy transfer processes that influenced this policy. It was identified that the PP transfer began through the isomorphic adoption of the British model, which was driven by the need for international acceptance. Later on, the interpretation of the transferred PP occurred by adopting new practices with different influences, such as the valuation of incubators and the formation of support networks for new ventures. So, this study contributes to broadening discussions relate to the role of institutional theory in analyzing public policy, mainly on up-and-coming sectors.

The Influence of Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies on Portugal's Competitiveness

2025-01-10T16:50:30-05:00

Smart specialisation has become the reference framework for the EU's Innovation and Cohesion Policy as a regional development strategy, promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and is an ex-ante conditionality for the allocation of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in the 2014-2020 programming period.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the contribution of the Regional Strategy for Smart Spe- cialisation to the competitiveness of Portugal's NUTS III sub-regions in the 2014-2020 programming period.

This article adopts a deductive approach, based on a quantitative methodological choice. We began by analysing the RCI in the various NUTS II regions of the EU. Next, we analyse the evolution of competitiveness in Portugal's NUTS II and III, comparing the years 2014 and 2021. Finally, we carry out a regression analysis with various explanatory indicators divided into the 3 sub-indices of the ICR.

How can Design Thinking improve food sustainability in the Minho Region? A multi-actor perspective

2024-07-16T10:54:35-04:00

Using the Design Thinking methodology and the multi-actor approach, the aim was to find an innovative and collaborative perspective that reconciles gastronomic traditions with health and sustainability criteria. To this end, two workshops were held, bringing together 12 participants from the agri-food ecosystem in the Minho region. We concluded that the topics discussed and the solutions proposed highlighted the intrinsic relationship between local production and sustainability, emphasizing that the proximity between producer and consumer translates not only into a lower carbon footprint but also into the socio-economic and cultural enhancement of the region. The richness of Minho products, from their flavors, textures, and stories, deserves to be celebrated but also protected and adapted to the new challenges of today's society. This study has a very original and multidisciplinary approach. Integrating different actors, specialties, and perspectives has promoted a rich exchange of knowledge and experience, materialized in convergent ideas. To improve the future of enogastronomy, the design thinking approach is used for the first time in literature to promote integrated solutions in the Minho food system.

Economic science and the problematisation of housing in Portugal: analysis of an epistemic network

2024-11-18T09:09:51-05:00

This article sets out a preliminary exploration of the role of the production and diffusion of mainstream economic science in the problematisation of housing in Portugal, building on the empirical analysis of an epistemic network made up of three organisations: a public university school (Nova School of Business and Economics), Portugal’s central bank (Banco de Portugal) and a private foundation (Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos). Through systematic literature reviews and network analyses, I explore the role of the endogamy of economic sciences in the reproduction of marginalist and neoclassical ideas, with deep implications for political and media debate – i.e., in contrast with problematisations of urban and housing studies, in policy solutions fundamentally in line with long-term governmental policies.

Economic reconversion and the creation of new trajectories in peripheral mining regions: Proposing a theoretical framework

2024-06-09T05:18:28-04:00

Several regions around the world face the challenge of renewing their economies when the usual growth trajectory begins to weaken. In territories where a particular economic activity predominates—a lock-in, as in the case of mining regions—it is considered essential to define new trajectories that allow for economic diversification following the closure of extraction activities. These regions are at a critical juncture to plan for future diversification. This article seeks, based on the literature of evolutionary economic geography (EEG), to expand the understanding of the relationship between mining in peripheral areas and regional diversification, highlighting the role of regional actors in creating new trajectories, whether related to mining or not. The search for a path creation model that considers social, environmental, and economic aspects is becoming increasingly important, both for civil society and for initiatives from national, international, and regulatory bodies. As such, the discussion about path development has gained significant prominence in political agendas and civil dialogues. It presents a theoretical framework that cyclically integrates the creation of new trajectories, influenced by the actions of local agents, who also contribute to strengthening territorial resilience.

Perceptions of Residents of Porto Region on Traditional Gastronomy with a Generalized Q Analysis

2024-12-26T04:44:03-05:00

Gastronomy is considered a stimulus for the development of the local economy and has been progressively recognized as a main strategy for promoting tourism. Contemporary tourists are increasingly seeking values of authenticity and gastronomy serves as a marker of cultural identity. In this context, the role of residents is essential who, through their knowledge, passion and dedication, ensure that gastronomic traditions are preserved and passed on from generation to generation. This dynamic not only maintains cultural succession but also provides tourists with valuable opportunities to explore and understand local heritage through gastronomy-related experiences. The primary aim of this study is to analyse residents’ perceptions from the North of Portugal regarding the recognition of gastronomy as a cultural heritage and its role as a tool for tourism development. To achieve this aim, structured questionnaires were distributed to residents in popular urban tourism areas of Porto. The Generalized Q Analysis on 262 valid questionnaires, with 20 simple responses and 1024 combined statements allowed the identification of 15 robust components. Combination of tradition with innovation, rather than the antagonism between these concepts, shows up as an important condition for the sustainability of culturally rooted gastronomy.

Technical Information

2025-09-23T06:39:57-04:00