THE LOGISTIC DRIVERS AS A POWERFUL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL COMPANIES OF KOSOVO

Filipos RUXHO

Professor Ass. Dr. , Department of Business and Management, Universum College, Kosovo,

filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org

Christos Ap. LADIAS

Professor, Regional Science Inquiry Journal

Ladias@rsijournal.eu

Abstract

Regional companies in Kosovo operate in challenging economic conditions that hinder their ability to survive and develop. However, the management of logistics supply chain managers can increase their performance and help in their further development. The main purpose of this research is to investigate whether the management of logistics supply chain drivers can serve as a formal predictor and driver of the development of regional companies in Kosovo. The study aims to help Kosovo’s regional companies in a formal and independent way to integrate with supply chains, increasing their performance and development amid the difficult economic conditions in which they operate. The research approach and method is based on a quantitative survey conducted among 103 regional companies of Kosovo. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and hypotheses are tested using Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the management of the six logistics drivers of the supply chain affects the increase in the performance of regional companies. It is mainly influenced by the information logistic driver, compared to other drivers, it turns out that over fifty percent of the respondents believe that the information logistic driver is the most important, followed by the next driver with sixteen percent transport, twelve percent facilities, nine percent resources, seven percent inventory and only one percent price. From the analysis of the questionnaire data, the importance and quality of road transport in the performance of regional companies was clearly highlighted. Implications and managerial practices of this research will serve as an aid to policy makers and institutions when designing development initiatives for regional infrastructure, economic zones and locations.

Keywords: logistic drivers, regional development, inventory, transportation, information

JEL classification: R10, R11, R40, R58, M10

 pp. 95-106

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DETECTING CITY-DIPOLES IN GREECE BASED ON INTERCITY COMMUTING

Dimitrios TSIOTAS

Assistant Professor, Department of Regional and Economic Development, School of Applied Economic and Social Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Amfissa 33100, Greece

tsiotas@aua.gr

Nikolaos AXELIS

Airport Infrastructure Engineer, HAF, – Researcher, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos, 38334, Greece

nik.axelis@gmail.com

Serafeim POLYZOS

Professor, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos, 38334, Greece

spolyzos@uth.gr

Abstract

According to growth poles theory, the areas lacking critical sizes to develop polycentric structures are restricted to the development of structures of special configuration. In Greece, the development of growth poles is restricted to the emergence of “urban dipoles” and “tripoles”, which are often used in the literature within a not well defined context. Based on a recently introduced method, this paper quantitatively detects functional dipoles in Greece by discriminating zones in the distribution of commuting, the number of daily movements for occupational purposes outside the city of residence. The analysis is implemented at three different levels of geographical scale, the intercity, an adjusted intercity (without the metropolitan regions), and the interregional scale. The analysis detects the functional dipoles per geographical scale and reveals the distance levels where polycentric structures emerge in the setting of commuting in Greece. Overall, this examines the applicability of a new dipoles detection method and paper provides insights into the conceptualization of hierarchy in urban structures, into the context of regional science and regional economics.

Keywords: Growth poles, urban structures, city networks, urban hierarchy, city distribution

JEL classification: R12, R40, R58

pp. 11-30

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SPATIAL PLANNING FOR URBAN RESILIENCE. ASSESSING CURRENT PROSPECTS THOUGH A MULTILEVEL APPROACH AND A USE CASE IN NORTHERN GREECE

Margarita ANGELIDOU

Dr. Architect-Urban Planner, School of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

mangel@auth.gr

Christina BALLA

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

chrimpal@civil.auth.gr

Anna MANOUSARIDOU

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

annamanous@civil.auth.gr

Stylianos MARMELOUDIS

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

marmelou@civil.auth.gr

Dimitrios NALMPANTIS

Dr. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

dnalba@civil.auth.gr

Abstract

This paper presents a part of ongoing research into the resilience potential of the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, a medium sized city in northern Greece. It aims to assess whether and to what extent the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, Greece, currently a partially developed area, features elements of resilience and what opportunities can be harnessed to this end. We set out by describing the concept of ‘urban resilience’ drawing upon recently published literature. As primary principles of resilience-driven development, we identify (i) the existence of resilience-focused spatial planning attributes (redundancy, modularity, buffering, connectivity, existence of legally binding land-use or zoning plans) (ii) the presence of a highly adaptive urban spatial management mix, (iii) reflectiveness and the ability to learn from past experience and resilience challenges and (iv) civic engagement, largely facilitated by means of smart city applications. We then shift our focus to the characteristics of the study area. In order to investigate the extent to which the identified from the literature factors affecting urban resilience apply in this area, a profiling of the study area is made, followed by an in-depth analysis of whether and how the identified principles of resilience-driven development are realized through the current urban, regional, transportation and environmental planning and management frameworks applicable to the area. We close with highlighting specific aspects of resilience that call for urgent attention and by making comments and recommendations regarding policy integration needs.

Keywords: Urban, Regional, Transport, Environment, Planning, Management

JEL classification: R00, R1, R4, R5, R11, R14, R19, R40, R49, R52, R58
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