Suchergebnisse

Master's thesis analyses the problem of Free Economic Zones as a source of regional development process and its impact on the regional economic development. The goal of the thesis is to reveal economic impact of Free Economic Zones on regional economic development in Baltic States. Master's thesis consists of introduction, main part, conclusions, recommendations, references and appendixes. Main part consists of 3 sections. The first section analyses the conception of free economic zones in the context of regional economic development. The second part presents methodological part of free economic zones' impact on the regional economic development in Baltic States. The third part presents the results of the research of free economic zones' impact on the regional (economic) development in Baltic States. The research has shown that although at different level in each investigated region, FEZs in Baltic States have impact on the regional economic development, providing new economic activities, investments in infrastructure, attraction of advanced businesses as well as formation of new businesses creates an impact on the regional economic development. In reference to the results of the research the following directions (recommendations) for the public administration bodies and the executive bodies of the FEZs of the sample were formulated: The national public administration bodies of Baltic States should concentrate on the improvements and possible investments on infrastructure of the FEZs. Also author strongly recommends the local public administration bodies of the host regions of the sample FEZs (Sillamäe, Liepaja and Šiauliai) to take (even) more active role in the development process. Strongly recommended by the author that both national and local public administration bodies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to work on the policies in order to prevent or at least minimize the emigration and outflowing brain drain. Author strongly recommends that the sample FEZs to work on regional alliances such as clusters in order to maximize number of elements. Author strongly recommends Sillamäe Free Zone and Šiauliai Free Economic Zone to work on the future development activities concentrating on environmental issues as Liepaja Special Economic Zone already works on the topic.

Purpose and Originality: The purpose of this research was to identify how Free Economic Zones (hereinafter – FEZs) influence regional development process and to give some evidences from Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). The value of the research is achieved by revealing what kind of challenges FEZs are dealing with participating in the regional development. This research is presenting results of the original empirical research made in Baltic States. Method: The purpose of the study was achieved by using approaches of Theory of Economic Development and System Theory to explain how Free Economic Zones are acting (in relations with other regional actors) to influence the regional economic development in Baltic States. The data was collected by applying the explanatory qualitative research. The main method was the semi-structural interviews with representatives of FEZs in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The method of qualitative content analysis was used for the analysis of research data. Results: Results of this research has shown that FEZs actively interact with regional actors of host region such as public administration bodies, NGOs, businesses, universities and EU Commission in certain regions. It was revealed that although at different level in each investigated region, FEZs in Baltic States make influence on the regional development, providing new economic activities, investments in infrastructure, attraction of advanced businesses as well as formation of new businesses creates an impact on the regional development. Society: The research results give some ideas for regional actors (stakeholders of FEZs, public administration bodies) what are main challenges for FEZs and what is needed to be done to exploit their potential to gain more added value for regions. Limitations / further research: As the empirical research was conducted in three FEZs, results can not be generalized for all FEZs in Baltic States. But in the future the sample could include all FEZs from Baltic States and more representatives of them. More over a comparative analysis of countries with similar economic and social development level is recommended.

Purpose and Originality: The purpose of this research was to identify how Free Economic Zones (hereinafter – FEZs) influence regional development process and to give some evidences from Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). The value of the research is achieved by revealing what kind of challenges FEZs are dealing with participating in the regional development. This research is presenting results of the original empirical research made in Baltic States. Method: The purpose of the study was achieved by using approaches of Theory of Economic Development and System Theory to explain how Free Economic Zones are acting (in relations with other regional actors) to influence the regional economic development in Baltic States. The data was collected by applying the explanatory qualitative research. The main method was the semi-structural interviews with representatives of FEZs in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The method of qualitative content analysis was used for the analysis of research data. Results: Results of this research has shown that FEZs actively interact with regional actors of host region such as public administration bodies, NGOs, businesses, universities and EU Commission in certain regions. It was revealed that although at different level in each investigated region, FEZs in Baltic States make influence on the regional development, providing new economic activities, investments in infrastructure, attraction of advanced businesses as well as formation of new businesses creates an impact on the regional development. Society: The research results give some ideas for regional actors (stakeholders of FEZs, public administration bodies) what are main challenges for FEZs and what is needed to be done to exploit their potential to gain more added value for regions. Limitations / further research: As the empirical research was conducted in three FEZs, results can not be generalized for all FEZs in Baltic States. But in the future the sample could include all FEZs from Baltic States and more representatives of them. More over a comparative analysis of countries with similar economic and social development level is recommended.

In modern society, a region has been considered not only a territory, but a system of different economic and social interconnected participants as well. Regional development as a form of systematic progress, including social, economic, environmental, cultural and other aspects, is becoming less dependent on public policy implemented on the European level and requires more national or regional efforts. Therefore, development is closely connected to the activity of all regional players (participants in the regional institutional system). Free Economic Zones (hereinafter FEZs) aim to function as the catalyst for economic activity in regions; however, some zones are more successful and create greater potential for regional development than others. The main problem of this article can be seen in the following question: how can regions which have FEZs enhance their potential in terms of regional development? The main aim of this paper is to reveal how regional development potential is enhanced in regions with FEZs in the Baltic states. It presents the results of empirical research which was undertaken in three regions with FEZs (Šiauliai in Lithuania, Liepaja in Latvia and Sillamäe in Estonia) by using scientific methods such as statistical data analysis and interviews with three representatives of the executive administration of the analysed FEZs. The research has revealed that, even given the favourable socio-economic environment (on both national and regional scales) for FEZs, all three FEZs in the Baltic states cannot guarantee the realisation of the full potential of FEZs. The analysis has disclosed that FEZs face certain challenges – infrastructural, attracting resources (investment and professionals), and even political ones - in their activities. All those challenges have to be dealt with, which can lead the FEZ to make a successful contribution to the growth of regional development potential.

In modern society, a region has been considered not only a territory, but a system of different economic and social interconnected participants as well. Regional development as a form of systematic progress, including social, economic, environmental, cultural and other aspects, is becoming less dependent on public policy implemented on the European level and requires more national or regional efforts. Therefore, development is closely connected to the activity of all regional players (participants in the regional institutional system). Free Economic Zones (hereinafter FEZs) aim to function as the catalyst for economic activity in regions; however, some zones are more successful and create greater potential for regional development than others. The main problem of this article can be seen in the following question: how can regions which have FEZs enhance their potential in terms of regional development? The main aim of this paper is to reveal how regional development potential is enhanced in regions with FEZs in the Baltic states. It presents the results of empirical research which was undertaken in three regions with FEZs (Šiauliai in Lithuania, Liepaja in Latvia and Sillamäe in Estonia) by using scientific methods such as statistical data analysis and interviews with three representatives of the executive administration of the analysed FEZs. The research has revealed that, even given the favourable socio-economic environment (on both national and regional scales) for FEZs, all three FEZs in the Baltic states cannot guarantee the realisation of the full potential of FEZs. The analysis has disclosed that FEZs face certain challenges – infrastructural, attracting resources (investment and professionals), and even political ones - in their activities. All those challenges have to be dealt with, which can lead the FEZ to make a successful contribution to the growth of regional development potential.