Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Regional disparities are a research and political theme that has received considerable attention. This is also because regional disparities constitute a pull factor of migration, because high regional disparities may seriously threaten territorial integrity, and because socioeconomic development potential is not fully realized in lagging regions. Not surprisingly, regional disparities are an important research and political theme for New Silk Road countries and this is also reflected in the focus of this paper. The primary aim of this paper is to characterize regional disparities in selected New Silk Road countries, namely in China, in Russia and in Visegrad Four countries, and subsequently to discuss the relationship between regional disparities and the One Belt, One Road Initiative. The results point out the presence of a pattern of regional disparities in the countries. In this regard, the importance of the East-West gradient, of spatial hierarchy, and of inherited specialization is particularly emphasized. Reflecting the pattern of regional disparities, the potential of the One Belt, One Road Initiative to stimulate development of lagging regions is indicated.

The intention of this paper is to evaluate whether the spatial distribution of
Structural Funds (SF) for enterprise support interventions follows the relevant territorial
cohesion objectives specified in the strategic documents of the Czech Republic in the
programming period 2007-2013. The evidence provided suggests mixed results. A
relatively high SF allocation to the regions, characterized by strong agglomeration
economies and a strong entrepreneurial climate, supports the competitiveness objective,
particularly for innovation-oriented interventions. Nevertheless, little support is given to the
objective of balanced development because socio-economically disadvantaged regions do
not receive a higher SF allocation, in particular traditional industrial regions suffering from
industrial decline, high unemployment and with a poor entrepreneurial climate. In this
regard, the absorption capacity concept is emphasized as being important for explaining
the spatial distribution of SF.

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