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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGION AS DIDACTIC
MATERIAL FOR ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Dr., assoc. prof. TEODORAS TAMOSIUNAS, Siauliai University, Lithuania
Paper presented at the European Conference on Educational Research, University
College Dublin, 7-10 September 2005
Abstract
The application of the methodology of the preparation of region’s development plan in the
intended researches of sociology module is analysed in the article. The sectional reports of ten groups
of sociological researches of students comprise the base of the research. In groups students carried out
a potential studio of the preparation of the plan. The structure of the reports of researches is presented,
and the results of students and the topic of researches are analysed.
Keywords. Sociology, sociological researches, university studies, development plan of the region.
Introduction
Relevance of the research and topic. Universities are often accused of the insufficient
link of science and studies with surroundings, requirements of employers, and unbalanced
practice. Social researches of students enable to try theoretical knowledge in reality, adapt
theoretical models in particular situations. It is especially topical now when pragmatic science
philosophy orienting towards scientific researches of utilitarian character flows from the West
to Lithuania
Regional policy is a new phenomenon in Lithuania, which is especially emphasised of
late years because of the increase of economic and social differences among Lithuanian
regions (districts) and significance attached to regional policy by the EU. Hopefully,
specialists of economics and management will often confront with regional policy, that is why
a detailed research of the regional problems and professional analysis, even of scientific type,
becomes an essential part of the training of specialists of such type.
The aim of the work – to investigate: 1) the application of the methodology of the
preparation of region’s development plan in the intended researches of sociology module for
students of Bachelor economy and management study programmes; 2) the main development
tendencies of Šiauliai county in the general context of Lithuanian development.
The object of the research – economic, social situation in Šiauliai county.
1. Development Plan of the Region
In February – September of 2003 36 lecturers of the Faculty of Social Sciences prepared a
plan of the development of Šiauliai region for 2004 – 2006. A new task has become topical at
once: to apply planned material and databases to studies and transform it into educational
media in training Economics and Management specialists for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
A text of 182 pages comprises the plan and its appendixes – 267 pages. In the introduction
a context of the plan is presented as well as vision of the development of the region till 2014
and four priorities are formulated.
In the first part of the plan analysis of the situation of the region after 20 economy spheres
is carried out, SWOT matrixes are abstracted, and results of the poll of 2300 residents are
summed up.
In the second part strategy of the region is formulated and four priorities of the region as
well as objectives and tasks, which correspond to them, are grounded. Means designed for the
implementation of the tasks are presented. Seven municipalities of the region and many
companies and institutions presented 1496 means with concrete indicated tasks, expected
results, and financial estimates. These means were generalized into 183 grand means.
Material of the analysis of the situation, results of the poll, and a 1496 means list, which is
arranged under strategic priorities, objectives, tasks, and grand means, comprise 32 annexes.
There is a list of 110 sources too.
2. The application of the Development Plan of the Region to studies
In spring semester of 2003 material of the plan was applied in lecturing Sociology,
Economics, Business Administration, and Public Administration modules for students of
Bachelor study programmes. They carried out researches, analysed situations of separate
districts of the region, modelled strategy of the region, and formulated plans of the region.
10 groups of students carried out sociological researches on the subject of “Vista Studio of
the Preparation of the Development Plan of Šiauliai region”. These main parts are required in
the report of the research:
2.1. Introduction
2.1.1. Research problem. Formulation of the problem is a difficult task for students.
Students emphasised mostly that basically, Lithuania, having got rid of the dictate of Moscow
planned economy before ten years, has not got strategic plans and planning of state economy
and region has not been treated as an important task of the state. Similarly, Šiauliai region
does not know its significance and potential in the general context of the country, does not see
the tendencies of the development, and does not have experience in strategic region planning.
2.1.2. Research topicality. This part of the introduction of the research report is easier
for students. Here students emphasised that the development of the state and regions has been
being planned in the European Union precisely and responsibly every seven year. The same is
demanded from Lithuania, which is a member of the EU. Hence, Lithuania will join into the
last three years of the septennial plan of the EU, i.e. 2004 – 2006. That is why the
representatives of the EU offered Lithuanian government to plan regional policy for 2004 –
2006 and be ready to prepare a septennial plan of the development of the country and separate
regions together with the EU countries. Hence, strategic planning of the development of
regions has become a very significant and topical task and that is why sociological researches
are particularly topical in this sphere.
2.1.3. Research object. Students chose Development Plan of Šiauliai region for 2004 –
2006 as an object.
2.1.4. Research subject. According to the theme students formulated vista studio of the
preparation of the development plan of Šiauliai region as a subject of the research, i.e. what
they decided to research directly and immediately.
2.1.5. Research objective. Since the objective of the research corresponds the theme,
students didn’t have any problems with the formulation of it: the objective of the research – to
carry out a vista studio of the preparation of the plan of the development of Šiauliai region.
2.1.6. Research goals. Many groups of students singled out three main goals:
1. To carry out the analysis of the situation of Šiauliai region.
2. To carry out SWOT analysis of Šiauliai region (S – Strength, W – Weak, O –
Opportunity, T –Threat).
3. To carry out the analysis of Šiauliai region priorities, objectives, goals, and their
implementation.
2.1.7. Scientific hypothesis. Students formulated the priorities of the development of the
region as main evidentiary mostly. According to the collected material about the region
students considered the expansion of the competitive ability of small and medium businesses,
development of human resources, development of economical and social surroundings, and
improvement of the situation of the country and agriculture as main priorities.
2.1.8. Research base: methodology, methods, and strategy. Describing sociological
researches about the development base of the region, students singled out three main parts of
this basis.
1. Methodology. In the report it is divided into two parts: a) in the first part students shortly
described the main theories of regional policy and the topicalities of the development of
the regions, and summarized the material of the theoretical part of the report; b) the
second part is more complicated: here students had to ground the logic of their research,
reveal the philosophy of the research, and answer the questions why the research was
carried in such a way.
2. Methods. In the report it was divided into three parts: a) in the first part students
described the research methods of their group members: the analysis of theoretical
sources, the analysis of documents, the method of experts, and poll; b) in the second part
exploratory section was introduced: the main data about the development of the region
and the situation in each of six regions of the district and Šiauliai is shortly presented; c)
in the third part the instruments of the research, mainly questionnaires made during
laboratory proceedings in computer classes and distributed among the regional specialists
of various spheres, heads of companies and enterprises, and students were described.
3. Strategy. This is a detailed research plan made in the beginning of the semester and
coordinated with study plan: eight seminars and accordingly seven tests for separate parts
of the report of the research; eight laboratory proceedings with appropriate defence of
accomplished work.
2.1.9. The novelty of the results and their theoretical and practical significance. This
is the final and perhaps the most difficult introductory part.
The novelty was grounded on the basis that the results of the research were collected and
worked up especially for the development plan of the region and summarised into strategic
provisions. The biggest part of the data was not published in scientific and study reports and
was collected from the Internet and the accounts of companies and institutions. Vista studio of
the preparation of the development plan of Šiauliai region was carried out for the first time.
Describing theoretical significance of their researches, students emphasised that the theories
of the development of the regions were supplemented with real empirical material as well as
expanded in additional and concrete levels. In the several reports it was stressed that theories
of the development of the region acquired utilitarian character and became significant to
particular regional surrounding thanks to the results of the researches. But, students did not
dare to state that the researches enriched at least one theory with new ideas.
To ground the practical significance of the results was considerably easier for students
than to ground theoretical significance. Really, potential studies of all ten groups revealed real
ways of the preparation of the development plan of Šiauliai region and projected particular
means, and collected data may be of service in grounding separate components of a real
development plan.
2.2. Theoretical foundations of the research.
This is the first part of the research report comprising over 20 – 30 percent of it and
occupying 2 – 5 sheets. Each of ten student groups presented an individual package of
theoretical material characteristic only to the prepared report of their group members.
Students analyzed four main factors of the competition among the regions: the amount of
industrial resources (main funds and other), the size of natural resources, and human
resources.
Much attention was paid to the policy of the development of the regions: experience,
models, and the systems of various countries and regions were described. The increase of the
significance of the processes of strategic planning was emphasised. In the majority of the
reports of the research the review of the experience of the development of regions in foreign
countries was carried out and encouragement methods and means of economic development
of regions were analysed.
Students went deep into encouragement facilities of local business, obstacles to the
development of business, and forms of the support to business.
Democratic theories of the Western World widely propagate the experience of regional
social partnership. Students analysed the resources of social partnership and compound parts
of this partnership.
The fluctuation of regional policy of Lithuania while integrating into economic and social
sphere of the European Union and conformation to the demands of structural policy of the EU
received particular attention among the students.
2.3. Research results analysis.
2.3.1. Situation analysis. Students, having grouped into nine teams, carried out this
analysis in each group in nine parts. Situations in Šiauliai as well as in six districts – Akmenė,
Joniškis, Pakruojis, Radviliškis, Šiauliai, and Kelmė – were analysed. The eighth team carried
out the analysis of the situation of Šiauliai district, and the ninth team compared the main
rates of Šiauliai district with appropriate rates of Lithuania, the EU, and its’ countries.
2.3.2. SWOT analysis. Here students worked in the same nine teams and singled out the
strengths, weaknesses, facilities, and threats of Šiauliai, its district, and six regions. Much
attention was paid to the grounding of each factor with concrete facts.
2.3.3. Strategic analysis. In this part the same nine teams of each group set the strategies
of the development of Šiauliai, its district, and six regions for the 2004 – 2006, singled out the
main priorities of development, detailed them with concrete objectives and tasks, and
projected the means of their implementation.
2.4. Conclusions and proposals.
It was demanded that conclusions would follow from the statements of theoretical part or
from the results of research and would be grounded in as faithful way as possible. Proposals
were also grounded with definite facts and were designed to particular addressees:
municipalities, specialists of adequate spheres, and heads of companies and institutions.
2.5. Discussion. It consists of two parts. In the first one the authors of the report stated
their attitudes towards the preparation of the report and collected data and conclusions, and
described the success and failures of their research. In the second part the possible
continuations of researches and future plans of the researches of research groups were
forecasted and readers were encouraged to initiate researches analysing the development of
Šiauliai region.
2.6. Literature list. In report from 25 to 80 resources constituted this list. A lot of foreign
literature and Internet information were used.
2.7. Appendix. The number of them is not limited, but students didn’t make a
convenience of it. The main documents, which students used in the research as well as
additional material directly connected with the research but not fully used were added to
appendixes. References must be used in the main text of report in all appendixes.
The size of reports amounted from 145 to 378 sheets of A4 format printed in 12 type. The
reports are supplied in bound books and compacts in electronic form.
Students carried out researches and prepared reports within a semester, i.e. within 20
weeks. A conference proceeded in every group during examination: the presentation of a
report using Power Point programme.
The majority of students enjoyed carrying sociological researches in groups. They
broadened their knowledge about the facilities of the development of the region, collected a
lot of theoretical an empirical material and systemized, generalized it as well as singled out
the main directions of development. The main thing is that they felt visibly how the truth is
being searched and grounded in social researches.
3. Tendencies of Šiauliai county (by student’s researches)
Šiauliai county is situated in the North of Lithuania and covers the parts of Western
Higher Lithuania and Samogitian ethnographic regions. The county is the second largest one
in the country (13 per cent of total area of Lithuania) and covers 8540 km2.
The county includes areas of Šiauliai town and district, Akmenė, Joniškis, Kelmė,
Pakruojis, and Radviliškis districts. According to the data of Census, the population of
Šiauliai county in 2002 was 370 096 (including 134 000 inhabitants of Šiauliai town),
constituting approximately tenth of total population of Lithuania. The county stands the fourth
by population (Šiauliai Regional Development Plan for 2004 – 2006, p. 7).
At the beginning of 2003 Šiauliai county stood the fourth by population density among
ten Lithuanian counties: 43 people per square kilometre (43/km²). Vilnius and Kaunas
counties are the most densely populated – 87/ km², and Klaipėda county – 74/km², obviously,
thanks to these large towns. The average of Lithuania is 53/ km².
The number of inhabitants has a tendency to decline. In 1996 – 2001 in Šiauliai town and
Akmenė district the number of inhabitants declined notably. In 2001 in all Lithuanian
counties natural increase of population was negative and Šiauliai county conforms to the
average level of the republic. In most countries of the European Union this rate is positive.
According to the data of Census of the RL dated at the beginning of 2002, 61 percent of
inhabitants lived in a town. According to this rate, we stand in the fourth place, being behind
the counties of the biggest towns. In Vilnius county 78 % of population live in the town.
In Šiauliai county in 2003 the level of unemployment constituted 11,8 %, whereas in
Vilnius county – only 7,6 %, and the average of Lithuania – 10,3 %. However, currently,
there is a considerable decline of the level of unemployment because in Šiauliai county in
2001 it was 16,5 %, and in Lithuania – 12,5 %.
Žemės ūkis
Agriculture
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Šiaulių apskr
49
Pramonė
Industry
50
64
67
59
73
79
64
Paslaugos
Facilities
54
60
63
64
71
73
74
74
90
21
30
21
28
30
20
.Lietuva
Airij
Šiauliai
Lithuania
29
29
25
17
25
38
30
32
23
25
20
8
10
8
7
5
4
4
4
2
2
1
Italija
Olandija
Austrija
Belgija
Danija Britanija Graikija Ispanija Liuksemburgas
Pranczūzija
Portugalija
Ireland Austria Belgium Denmark Great Britain Greece Spain Italy Luxembourg Holland Portugal
D.
4
Suomija
Franc
33
24
8
3
2
Švedij Vokietija
Finland Sweden Germany
Fig. 1. The handling of men in Lithuanian and in the EU countries in 2001
Source: http://www.std.lt / 2003 12 22
However, the handling of men in 2001 shows that Šiauliai county is agrarian: even 30 %
of the manpower is employed in agriculture in Šiauliai county, and 20 % in Lithuania (see
Fig. 1). Whereas agricultural sector of Great Britain employs only one per cent of the
employees, of Sweden – two, of Germany and Belgium – three, and of France, Denmark,
Holland, and Austria – 4 %. The first tendency follows from here: the percentage of
agriculturalists will decline, so their retraining into other preserves is necessary.
GDP for one inhabitant increased by approximately 20 % in the county in 1996 – 2001.
However, in 2001 the GDP of the county constituted only 8 % of Lithuanian product and
totalled only 71, 5 % of the average of the country for one inhabitant (see Fig. 2).
Comparing with the average of the country, GDP for one inhabitant of the county
declined from 90 per cent in 1996 to 71 per cent in 2001, that is the reduction constitutes
approximately 20 per cent. Accordingly, an average monthly salary in 2001 does not gladden:
801 Lt for one inhabitant of the county – the seventh rate among counties, the average of
Lithuania – 982 Lt, in 2002 – 825 Lt, and the average of Lithuania – 1180 Lt.
14,0
12,0
91,7
93,2
10,0
8,0
6,0
4,0
2,0
0,0
8,4
88,4
9,7
100,0
79,7
10,0
79,5
9,8
77,4
10,1
74,2
10,3
74,0
11,0
12,2
80,0
74,8
60,0
6,5
40,0
20,0
0,0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003*
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, thousand LTL
Compared to national average, %
Fig. 2. Relative decline of GDP in Šiauliai county
Source: http://www.std.lt / 2005 07 20
The second tendency: economy and not very marketable agricultural production
determines low GDP in Šiauliai county. The transition from agriculture to industry,
business, and public services is necessary.
Quite a few means of the development of industry and business are scheduled in
Šiauliai county. Šiauliai Industrial park and projects of Auštrakiai waste clearing system stand
out among them. The activity of the agencies of Šiauliai regional development, Šiauliai
Business incubator, Science and Technologic park, Business information centres in Šiauliai
county is promising. We have to state that in Lithuania little attention is paid to the researches
in industrial and business spheres. In 2003 investments into science and researches constituted
only 0,68 % of GDP. Whereas Finland and Sweden, which allocate 3 – 4 % of GDP for this
purpose, are notable for industrial and business competitive ability. In Šiauliai county the
programme of business development and industrial and business monitoring are not
developed.
Direct foreign investments in the county increased by 3.6 times from 1995 to 2003 (see
Fig. 3). In 2000 investments into the county constituted only two per cent, and in 2002 1,4 %
of all direct foreign investments into Lithuania (see Table 1). Here Vilnius dominates steadily:
two thirds of foreign investments of Lithuania; that is 47.4 times more than in Šiauliai county.
In Šiauliai county, during 1997 – 2000, direct foreign investments for one person constituted
only 1620 Lt, while in Vilnius county – 20670 Lt, the average of Lithuania – 8396 Lt.
The third tendency of the county development: the increase of the attraction of the
county for foreign investors, and the establishment of more favourable economic,
infrastructural and social conditions for them.
1200
1000
855
3976
1002
3808
940
906
3068
800
2678
600
400
419
449
514
488
200
0
2000
2001
Šiauliai county
2002
Šiauliai
2003
National
Fig. 3. Direct foreign investments per capita in Šiauliai county and city
Source: http://www.std.lt / 2005 07 22
In 1996 – 2000 in Lithuanian counties material investments for one inhabitant are not
characteristic of such a huge disproportion as foreign investments, however, even here,
Šiauliai county is behind Vilnius county more than three times. In 2001 only 2,9 % of the
material investments of the country fell to Šiauliai county. According to the investments in
house building, Šiauliai county outnumbered the average of the country in 2002.
In 2002, the export of Lithuanian goods constituted 76, 4 % of the total export of the
country. Here Šiauliai county contributed only 3,8 %. During 1997 – 2001, textile and its
products, clothes and their accessories, fur and their ware, milk and its products, manure, and
furniture were particularly competitive among the export of Lithuanian goods.
A situation of Šiauliai county in respect of industrial production sold has relatively gotten
better: in 2001 – 4, 7 %, in 2003 – 5,6 % of total production of the country.
According to the general plan of the area of Lithuania dated 29/10/2002, Šiauliai is
identified as a 1st level metropolitan centre of regional category. Vilnius and Kaunas are
metropolitan centres of international category, Klaipėda is of state category, and Panevėžys,
Alytus, and Marijampolė are of 2nd level of category A. But, the general plan states that
currently Šiauliai does not meet the criteria of metropolitan level centre and is the weakest
link in this level. Four possibilities are scheduled to develop Šiauliai into the centre of
metropolitan level: good demographic situation of Western Lithuania, university, possibility
to interact intensively with the potentials of neighbouring regions, and the increase of the
importance of Via Hanseatika highway. Having used the potentials of this highway, main line,
and airport, which does not have weight restrictions, Šiauliai region may become an
international centre of logistics.
The fourth tendency of the county development: the development of the system of
material investments into Šiauliai county and of domestic industry, business, and public
services.
4. The possibility of further studies
In autumn of 2003 a new specialization of Business Administration study programme
– Project Management, which consists of 4 semesters of 4 credits module each, is going to
begin. Students, who will choose this specialization, will go deep into preparation of projects
and their management. Projects will result from the means confirmed in the plan. The
lecturers of the faculty receive proposals from the companies to prepare projects under means
presented in the plan.
The development plan of the region becomes an important educational media not only
to Sociology and Project Management modules. Many lecturers have an opportunity to take
practical examples from the material of the plan and concrete problems of the region become
good educational media for the analysis of optimal solutions.
The plan will be issued in a book format in autumn. The lecturers of the faculty
qualify for the monitoring of this plan for three years. That is, the lecturers will supplement
and correct this plan and measure the results of achievements. Educational media for students
and experience of the studies should develop together. This will be generalized in the
textbook of strategic planning of the activity of regions and companies.
Economic and social information of the Šiauliai region is used by students in master and
bachelor works of economic and management studies.
Conclusions
1. Students developed theoretical competence in regional planning and carrying out
sociological research projects.
2. They gained skills in selecting and generalising empirical findings.
3. They gained competence in grounding and proving statements of sociological character.
4. They developed analytical skills and relate theoretical assumptions to empirical findings.
5. The results of incorporating empirical information into theoretical courses proved to be
benefit for quality assurance in the teaching and learning process.
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