Title: Determinants of competitiveness in European regions: a test of the emerald model

Authors: Murat Akpinar; Özge Can; Melike Mermercioglu

Addresses: School of Business, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Rajakatu 35, 40200, Jyväskylä, Finland ' Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Yasar University, Agacli Yol 35-37, Bornova 35100, Izmir, Turkey ' Koc University Graduate School of Management, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: This study assesses the impact of the dimensions of the emerald model on regional competitiveness and contributes to the competitiveness literature in moving ahead to establishing causal links with its determinants. Data is collected from 2000 to 2011 for 97 NUTS-1 regions in Europe, and multiple regression analysis is performed. The results suggest that in the long term (eight-year time period) ownership attractiveness is the most influential dimension of the model, followed by talent attractiveness, educational attractiveness, R&D and innovation attractiveness, cluster attractiveness in technology and knowledge-based sectors, and environmental attractiveness. Cluster attractiveness in all sectors does not have a significant impact, while knowledge dynamics has a negative impact on competitiveness.

Keywords: competitiveness; emerald model; regional development; regional competitiveness; Europe; ownership attractiveness; talent attractiveness; educational attractiveness; R&D; research and development; innovation attractiveness; cluster attractiveness; environmental attractiveness; knowledge dynamics; technology clusters; knowledge-based clusters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIS.2015.077187

International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems, 2015 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.114 - 130

Received: 22 Sep 2015
Accepted: 04 Dec 2015
Published online: 22 Jun 2016 *

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