Online First

This research analyses the existence of structural breaks and the composition of convergence clubs in the EU-27 using GDP per capita (PPS) over 2003–2023. To this end, the Phillips–Sul log-t approach is combined with the Bai–Perron multiple structural break test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first EU-27 convergence club analysis at the NUTS-3 level. The results suggest that incorporating structural breaks and highly disaggregated regional data improves the understanding of European convergence dynamics and may help reduce the risk of “accidental winners” in the allocation of EU cohesion funds.

Access to housing constitutes a growing global problem, with a particular impact on young people and vulnerable groups. The sustained increase in housing prices, together with stagnant incomes, has generated an excessive financial burden for lower-income households. Spain’s new Law 12/2023 on the right to housing incorporates the concept of affordability, defined as a level of housing expenditure that does not exceed 30 per cent of household income. The study shows that this definition has substantial limitations. The literature on affordability, its indicators, and measurement methods is reviewed, and a redefinition of the term is proposed for a more effective housing policy. The proposal integrates vertical equity, minimum residual incomes, and territorial differences.

This paper examines the entry of new financial actors into the Castellón ceramic cluster between 2010 and 2024. By exploring the relationship between changing ownership structures and corporate growth strategies, it analyses three types of company acquisition with varying effects on the region. Drawing on a selection of news sources and corporate information, this study argues that financial actors do not always contribute to the broader aim of regional development, as they tend to focus on short-term speculative goals, while overlooking other social aspects that enable local companies to offer innovative and distinctive products and services linked to the territory. These concerns are particularly evident in the case of investment funds (IF) that manage a portfolio of investments in various businesses and engage primarily in financial strategies. These new owners have accelerated two different processes in the territory: business concentration and acquisition. However, there is no clear long-term benefit for the future of the acquired companies. The short-term approach driven by the temporary pressures of investment funds reduces incentives to invest in specific assets, and discourages investment in high-risk projects.

This paper presents a methodological framework for the development of a multiregional economic forecasting and simulation model for Spain’s 19 Autonomous Communities and Cities over the medium and long term. Within a context of increasing decentralization and the pressing need for homogeneous statistical data, there is a notable lack of consistent regional data from an aggregate demand perspective. To address this limitation, an annual regional database (1995–2023) was constructed, comprising 40 variables per region. This dataset includes domestic and external demand components—in both nominal and volume terms—as well as labor market indicators.

The model employs a hybrid “bottom-up” and “top-down” approach, implemented in EViews, and is grounded in structural econometric models with error correction mechanisms (ECM). Each region is represented by an independent model that is subsequently reconciled with a national framework. The methodology incorporates region-specific prices, interregional interactions, and exogenous national and international variables. Furthermore, the model facilitates the generation of simulations and alternative scenarios, proving instrumental in evaluating policies such as the implementation of European funds or the impact of tariff fluctuations. Currently, the model generates projections through 2050, providing a robust tool for regional economic planning.

Economic complexity literature highlights the role of productive capabilities and industrial sophistication as central drivers of long-term development, yet most empirical evidence remains concentrated in a limited set of countries. This paper extends the debate by examining Mexico, a middle-income economy deeply integrated into global markets and characterized by stark regional disparities. Using data from the 2004 and 2019 Economic Censuses, we assess changes in manufacturing specialization and complexity across Mexican regions. The results show that while all regions increased their specialization and diversification, only those able to transition into more complex manufacturing industries expanded their share of national output—patterns consistent with findings for China, Italy, and Brazil. These findings underscore the importance of the quality of diversification, not just its extent, as a determinant of regional economic performance. More broadly, the Mexican case illustrates how integration into global value chains does not automatically guarantee convergence: sustained development depends on the accumulation of capabilities and upgrading into sophisticated activities. The study thus contributes to international debates on structural transformation, regional inequality, and the conditions under which emerging economies can leverage industrial complexity for inclusive growth.

This paper analyzes how territorial conditions influence the productivity of manufacturing and service
firms in Ecuador. We employ multilevel models to estimate the effects of the urban population share and
regional sectoral diversity on total factor productivity and labor productivity, also incorporating the
moderating role of innovation. The results show that approximately 5% of the differences in productivity
are attributable to geographic location. The share of urban population has a positive effect in both sectors,
while sectoral diversity benefits manufacturing exclusively. Likewise, it is observed that innovative
manufacturing firms enhance the benefits of both agglomeration and diversity, while service innovative
firms obtain additional advantages from diversity.

Since the mid-20th century, a significant number of countries have transferred powers to subnational
governments, which has had a considerable impact on the economic and institutional landscape. In this
context, local governments have become essential in the implementation of policies that directly affect the
firm’s demography. Consequently, we analyze the impact of regional authority on a set of outcomes
previously unexplored in the literature: the level of entrepreneurship and firm survival. Results suggest that
greater autonomy can stimulate regional business dynamics, increasing enterprise creation but lowering
survival rates. Moreover, these effects appear to be conditioned by institutional quality, where a stronger
institutional framework enhances the effect of regional authority on business entry and mitigates its impact
on survival.

Regional cohesion in the European Union (EU) remains a major issue, shaping EU policies, EU budget allocation and regional welfare. We dig into the EU-Social Progress Index published in 2020 to explore its territorial/regional clustering patterns. Are there EU internal frontiers –clusters-? Do they coincide with the member States? Do they have other influences?  What determines belonging to different clusters? Is there any resemblance between the GDP per capita and the SPI regional distribution? We divide the EU NUTS-2 map into clusters using hierarchical clustering. We look for the optimal number of clusters, and we compare the outcome with state borders, paying attention to discrepancies or to state combinations. Our main finding is that the optimal clustering is two, and that they are very robustly defined. Of course, this leads towards reassessing core-periphery approaches and the impact of the great recession and the sovereign debt crisis. Another major finding is that the EU-SPI clustering reveals major discrepancies with the per capita GDP clustering. Some NUTS-2 regions perform in SPI terms much better than expected by per capita GDP. On the contrary, some NUTS-2 regions perform in SPI much worse than expected by per capita GDP. The discrepancies suggest major public policy successes and failures.

The literature on Quality of Life (QoL) and Subjective Well Being (SWB) highlights the idea that economic indicators, such as GDP, do not provide an accurate account of the real progress of societies. We study the evolution of social progress through several social indicators for the 17 Spanish regions during the period 2008-2020. In searching for patterns of convergence, we apply the club convergence approach. The data available point to the existence of three clubs for the indicators considered: material conditions and QoL. Therefore, there are no signs of global convergence. The analysis of the data also reveals that some of the richest regions in terms of GDP (Madrid and Cataluña), achieve only moderate results in terms of quality of life. Some policy recommendations arise from comparing the evolution of well-being and GDP per capita.

This research investigates how museum and city reputations are perceived in online media narratives and explores the role of museums’ online communication in shaping this relationship. To examine these dynamics, the case of the Uffizi Galleries and Florence was investigated.

The study employs a mixed- methods approach, combining the analysis of interviews with museum staff regarding digital communication strategies with topic modelling techniques on newspaper articles. Findings reveal that the Uffizi and Florence possess strong brands, resulting in distinct reputations on both national and international levels. However, a more dynamic interplay between the two reputations emerges within local media narratives, reflecting deliberate efforts by the Uffizi’s management to engage with the city. The results suggest that closer alignment between city branding and cultural institutions’ strategy could enhance the city’s national and global reputation.

This paper aims to reveal the role of entrepreneurial universities in the regional economic development of Türkiye. By using spatial econometrics tools including cluster maps, namely LISA and Geary, and spatial regression models for NUTS 3 regions (81 provinces), the effect of the entrepreneurial universities on regional development indicators, i.e., gross domestic product (GDP), GDP per capita (GDPPC), and the number of enterprises is examined from 2012 to 2017. Both the number of entrepreneurial universities and their presence is effective on all three regional development indicators. Additionally, investing in education, promoting export activities, and developing physical infrastructure should be prioritized in provincial development plans to overcome regional disparities.

A just transition is essential for sustainable policies and a net-zero economy, ensuring that climate action is aligned with social justice and inclusive of vulnerable communities. This note compares the just transition frameworks of Wales and León (Spain), both post-mining regions, which have developed regionally tailored approaches. By examining governance structures, stakeholder engagement, economic restructuring methodologies, and challenges in implementation, this note highlights the distinct and shared features of these frameworks, offering insights into their potential for addressing both ecological and social inequalities in transitioning to a low-carbon future.

This study proposes the application of the methodological framework for functional analysis of technological innovation systems in the context of the implementation of a regional smart specialization strategy. The case focuses on the solar energy industry in the Arequipa region – Peru. For this purpose, interviews, surveys and workshops were conducted with more than 70 stakeholders. The results allowed for the formulation of specific initiatives based on the identification of certain blocking mechanisms. The proposed approach can contribute to the development of innovation policies with regional scope, especially in territories with low scientific-technological infrastructure.