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Obesity (overweight) is a widespread concern not only in high‐income nations but also in low‐income countries across sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although many studies attribute this trend to economic development triggering a shift in nutrition patterns within SSA, they tend overlook a critical factor: the level at which these determinants are measured. Assessing them nationally while drawing comparisons with individual‐level obesity data introduces a statistical challenge known as the ecological fallacy. To address this, we utilize local‐level night light data as a proxy for local economic development. Analyzing demographic and health surveys from 44 SSA countries spanning the period 1992–2019, we find that local development is associated with a 0.002% increase in the body mass index of women. In addition, we find that night light intensity is associated with 0.2%–0.3% increases in probabilities of a woman being overweight and obese. Our results remain robust when we employ an instrumental variable approach by using a control function based on peer effect. In terms of policy implication, our research highlights that local development may entail potential health costs, emphasizing the need for African governments to invest in healthcare and also build physical infrastructure that can promote active lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperatives have long been recognized as a collaborative effort by a group of individuals to address their social and economic needs. In South Africa, cooperatives have been adopted to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Drawing on 15 face-to-face interviews with members of agricultural cooperatives in a township in South Africa, this study interrogates the extent to which agricultural cooperative can enhance local economic development and sustain livelihoods. Agricultural cooperatives have been widely supported and promoted as a vehicle for smallholder farmers to directly participate in the mainstream economy of South Africa. The interviews suggest that some cooperatives were found to efficiently sustain livelihoods, and create limited job opportunities in the community. However, challenges like lack of resources, inadequate training, unregulated management, as well as other underlying internal and external shocks are hindering the contribution of the cooperatives to the local economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the local economic development (LED) planning paradigm has gained widespread acceptance worldwide as a locality-based response to the challenges posed by globalization, devolution, and local-level opportunities and challenges. Noticeably, governments in the Global South are seen to be supporting linkage policies that directly couple profitable growth and investment with redistribution and community development in rural-based localities. To attract potential investors to circulate more resources within the local rural communities, local governments must ensure that the local investment climate (LIC) is functional for business investment. Unlike in urban areas, rural localities, by their nature of periphery location from economic development nodes, prospective business investment projects (BIPs) are often faced with delays and uncertainty. This is mainly because the factors underlying the enabling environments for business investment in rural localities are poorly understood and based on speculation. Against this backdrop, this study therefore set out to explore and unveil the key factors that are fundamental for ensuring a conducive and functional local investment climate (LIC) in rural communities. Through a qualitative case study approach with the application of a conventional content analysis method, performed with coding methods, the study unveiled five key factors presented in a thematic approach. Namely, market and customer needs; government and regulatory support; access to infrastructure and services; land availability and zoning; and participatory community engagement. Understanding these fundamental factors that underpin conducive and operational investment environments is important for viable business decision-making in the feasibility study of investment projects toward LED in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Village Fund (VF) drives local economic growth by fostering ecotourism development. This study investigates the impact of the VF program on Local Economic Development (LED) in the Bah Biak Waterfall Ecotourism area, located in Sidamanik Sub-district, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra. The VF program aims to enhance community income, create employment opportunities, and improve the productive capacity of rural communities. We use a purposive sampling method to collect data from 64 households out of 174 in the area. Critical indicators of LED, including local employment, household income, and expenditure, were analyzed using paired sample t-tests to compare conditions before and after using the VF. The results indicate a significant increase in local employment, household income, and expenditure following the utilization of the VF. This research underscores the importance of community participation in all stages of program activities, from planning to evaluation, and highlights the need for enhanced involvement in monitoring processes. The findings contribute to understanding how the VF can effectively support local economic development and provide recommendations for future ecotourism package development that integrates local resources and attractions. Future studies will focus on developing integrated ecotourism packages that combine multiple attractions and activities in the region, such as the panorama of tea plantations, Arabica coffee farming, creative economics based on beekeeping, and educational tourism related to sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas previous research has acknowledged the significance of capacity building for development, there is little research on the capacity building typologies for local economic development (LED) actors at the local level. Adopting the community capitals framework, this study attempts to fill this gap by examining the LED capacity-building typologies and challenges in Ghana. Data for the study was collected through in-depth interviews with local government officials and LED experts in Ghana. The findings revealed six capacity building typologies and three LED capacity building challenges. This study argued that LED capacity building is an indispensable element in the development of local economies. It is recommended that these LED capacity typologies be used to develop a comprehensive LED capacity building framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach for developing a sustainable property tax system, aimed at enhancing economic stability and promoting sustainable regional development. This research employs a phenomenological methodology, which includes a comprehensive review of the scientific and practical literature, and their critique and synthesis. The authors also draw on their experiences with the tax system transformation within their own country. This study explores the integration of a consensual governance approach and the concept of antifragility into the complex issue of property taxation. The primary objective is to design a property tax management model that not only fulfills its economic functions, but also fosters an antifragile taxpayer society, contributing to the creation of a resilient and socially cohesive community. The findings demonstrate that a consensual and transparent property tax system, actively involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes, not only reduces resistance to tax reforms but also strengthens a community's ability to adapt to economic fluctuations. By integrating the principles of good governance and sustainable development, the proposed model promotes socio-economic stability and provides a flexible framework that can accommodate diverse stakeholders needs, ultimately benefiting the broader community through enhanced social cohesion and long-term sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of decent work has few explanatory references and comparative descriptions due to limited research. So far, the concept of decent work only refers to standards and concepts issued by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Meanwhile, the Local Economic Development (LED) approach is an alternative strategy that prioritizes local aspects and resources for effective development. The research method chosen in this research is the phenomenological method. The phenomenological method explores human experiences (people’s lived experiences). This is in line with the concept of decent work and local economic development, which is highly influenced by the opinions and narratives described by the community, in this case, the research participants. This research explains the concept of decent work and local economic development based on the conditions of Banjarmasin City. It generated five explanatory clusters in this research. Cluster of general perspectives and specific perspectives related to the concept of decent work. The general perspective is that decent work should meet minimum standards and protect workers’ rights. While a specific perspective emphasizes subjectivity in viewing various decent work concepts. The other three clusters were formed from the exploration of the concept of local economic development, such as the challenge cluster, the opportunity cluster, and the relationship cluster between the concept of local economic development and decent work. These three clusters emphasize that the development concept requires comprehensive planning. Development faces challenges, such as insufficient government support, uncooperative communities, and disinterest among local people, but there are opportunities to boost local economies and improve work decency and conditions.

This service program aims to educate the community about the ecoprint method, an environmentally friendly printing technique that uses natural materials, such as local plant leaves, to create value-added products. The service method includes counseling, skill development, as well as lectures, practice, mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation. The data analysis used is descriptive analysis. The results of this service activity are increased community knowledge and skills in optimally utilizing natural potential and supporting sustainable economic development in Nyatnyono Village. Evaluation results showed high satisfaction with the relevance of the material, clarity of presentation, team responsiveness, and resource availability, although areas for improvement included language clarity, presentation structure, and ensuring adequate time for skill mastery. Overall, the community service activity had a significant positive impact on enhancing technical skills and creating new economic opportunities for the community.

The concept of decent work has few explanatory references and comparative descriptions due to limited research. So far, the concept of decent work only refers to standards and concepts issued by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Meanwhile, the Local Economic Development (LED) approach is an alternative strategy that prioritizes local aspects and resources for effective development. The research method chosen in this research is the phenomenological method. The phenomenological method explores human experiences (people’s lived experiences). This is in line with the concept of decent work and local economic development, which is highly influenced by the opinions and narratives described by the community, in this case, the research participants. This research explains the concept of decent work and local economic development based on the conditions of Banjarmasin City. It generated five explanatory clusters in this research. Cluster of general perspectives and specific perspectives related to the concept of decent work. The general perspective is that decent work should meet minimum standards and protect workers’ rights. While a specific perspective emphasizes subjectivity in viewing various decent work concepts. The other three clusters were formed from the exploration of the concept of local economic development, such as the challenge cluster, the opportunity cluster, and the relationship cluster between the concept of local economic development and decent work. These three clusters emphasize that the development concept requires comprehensive planning. Development faces challenges, such as insufficient government support, uncooperative communities, and disinterest among local people, but there are opportunities to boost local economies and improve work decency and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis uses a difference-in-differences approach to examine the impact of the Regional Cities Initiative (RCI) on economic development outcomes in counties that participated in the program relative to those that did not participate. The RCI was a place-based economic development program that was implemented in Indiana beginning in 2015. Through a competitive process, this program provided funding for projects meant to improve the quality of life in three regions of the state. The results indicate that participating counties had higher gross domestic product growth and higher employment growth than nonparticipating counties. There is limited evidence that the program had a positive impact on population growth. There were no discernable effects on house prices or earnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Srigonco Village is located in the southern region of Malang Regency. The village is directly adjacent to the south coast and the Southern Cross Route ( JLS), which can be a strategic location to drive the economic force toward raising tourism in Balekambang Beach. Using the Local Economic Development (LED) method, this research aims to map the potential of community-based villages in improving the economy. LED is an instrument for developing local resource-based economic activities for the welfare of the local communities. The result is From the four alternative scenarios, a scenario is estimated to be closest to predicting the situation in Srigonco Village, i.e., scenario IV. Unfortunately, this scenario drives the worst possible results compared to other scenarios. Some reasons for this selection are the minimal role of the government through Bumdes and the absence of MSMEs, which are supposed to use natural resource potential for their benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of processed bamboo products has a great potential for establishing welfare among the people of Petungsewu and Pandanrejo villages, Wagir sub-district, Malang district. However, the bamboo products in these villages are still manufactured traditionally and at a smaller scale. The condition of MSMEs in these villages also lacks priority over raw materials, marketing, technical production, and expertise. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the optimization of processed bamboo products so that they develop rapidly and support the sustainable development goals, optimize creativity, identify problems that cause bamboo products to be constrained and preserve the environment to create go-green areas and improve the economy of the local people in Petungsewu and Pandanrejo villages, Wagir subdistrict, Malang district. This study uses a quantitative approach with SWOT analysis which aims to determine strategies that can be used to develop and maintain the business. Data used are primary data obtained from observation activities and through questionnaires. The primary data obtained were analyzed statistically using SEM and operated through the SMART PLS program. The SWOT analysis is also equipped with analytical methods (Internal Factors Analysis Summary) and EFAS (External Factors Analysis Summary) to determine the SWOT Quadrant Positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops an integrated framework for the development of sport tourism, using Cameroon as a case study. A qualitative research approach was used to critically analyse existing sport tourism frameworks in the Global North and Global South contexts to draw key comparisons for the contrasting economies therein. Documentary analysis with in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in sport and tourism was conducted. Findings reveal that the sport tourism sector has great potential to make a meaningful socioeconomic contribution to economies in the region through interlinkages. For sustainable sports tourism to contribute to government priorities around regional development, global competitiveness, infrastructural development and community development, an integrated framework is needed. The study has implications for policy and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's economic performance has been negatively impacted by factors including political instability, protests, power outages, and natural disasters, leading to economic decline and difficulty in recovery thereof. Small businesses and municipalities, especially in remote areas, face significant losses and struggle to recover. Local Economic Development (LED) in the country is crucial for economic growth and job creation. However, challenges such as corruption, political interference, capacity limits, and lack of funding hinder successful implementation of LED. This paper focuses on difficulties faced by municipalities, necessitating them to implement resilience methods to adjust to current situations. It explores the tremendous changes caused by the pandemic, analysing its influence on several aspects of society and the local economy. The study conducted in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, examined challenges faced by stakeholders in implementing LED with emphasis on the need to enhance resilience to address challenges in the 'new' normal. Through qualitative analysis, the research engaged LED practitioners using interviews to gain insights into their lived experiences and issues affecting LED implementation. The findings suggest the need for enhancing urban and rural resilience through adopting adaptive strategies and facilitating stakeholder collaborations as key factors for the district to address these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on the insights of municipal officials and community members concerning the significance of public participation in promoting local economic development at Jozini Local Municipality. The study aimed to determine the challenges hindering the function of public participation in the uplifting of the local community and how these challenges influence community development. This study adopted a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research method to collect and analyze the data. Both methods ensured various data collection techniques, including questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were presented to community members because several people could be reached in a brief time as numerous community members were targeted. Interviews also served to collect data from the municipality staff, since they were not that many. The study identified the challenges hindering public participation in community development; it also revealed politics as the bearer of public participation between the municipality and the community. The findings also revealed municipal officials struggle with financial resources during their course of work. Corruption and maladministration among municipalities were identified, hampering community development through public participation. The study suggests that the municipality should improve communication between the officials and the residents, enabling them to raise their opinions. The study also suggests providing adequate funding to be effective in development that will satisfy the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to create optimally located Facilitation Centers on this tourist circuit, evaluated through network analysis, thus creating an effective linkage between tourism and economic activities of the craftsmen who are the custodians of the cultural heritage of Puri. Design/methodology/approach: The craft villages lying in and around this tourist circuit are surveyed to establish socio-economic condition of artisans, significance of the craft and spatial distribution of craft villages and the willingness of artisans to travel closer to the transport spine. Network analysis is used to assess the suitability of Facilitation Center location using travel time and distance as parameters. Finally, the sustainability of the Facilitation Centers is evaluated using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Findings: The Facilitation Centers can be spatially developed at the strategic locations to expand tourist market. This will help in leveraging the economic benefits of tourism to a marginalized rural artisan community by creating a sustainable model. Originality/value: The focus on festival can help to protect local cultural traditions, develop tourism and promote the economic, social and cultural developments of the destination. Dispersal strategies adopted aim to increase visitors' satisfaction with the product and thus entice them to stay longer in the destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the local economic development (LED) planning paradigm has gained widespread acceptance worldwide as a locality-based response to the challenges posed by globalization, devolution, and local-level opportunities and challenges. Noticeably, governments in the Global South are seen to be supporting linkage policies that directly couple profitable growth and investment with redistribution and community development in rural-based localities. To attract potential investors to circulate more resources within the local rural communities, local governments must ensure that the local investment climate (LIC) is functional for business investment. Unlike in urban areas, rural localities, by their nature of periphery location from economic development nodes, prospective business investment projects (BIPs) are often faced with delays and uncertainty. This is mainly because the factors underlying the enabling environments for business investment in rural localities are poorly understood and based on speculation. Against this backdrop, this study therefore set out to explore and unveil the key factors that are fundamental for ensuring a conducive and functional local investment climate (LIC) in rural communities. Through a qualitative case study approach with the application of a conventional content analysis method, performed with coding methods, the study unveiled five key factors presented in a thematic approach. Namely, market and customer needs; government and regulatory support; access to infrastructure and services; land availability and zoning; and participatory community engagement. Understanding these fundamental factors that underpin conducive and operational investment environments is important for viable business decision-making in the feasibility study of investment projects toward LED in rural communities.

This study aims to assess the potential of rural tourism as a strategy for local economic development in three rural villages in the Thulamela Local Municipality, which falls under the Vhembe District Municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Rural tourism is considered a promising industry for rural development and a popular approach to local economic growth. Sustainable rural tourism is recognised as a crucial component of rural development and is particularly important in developing nations, such as South Africa, where substantial rural populations and limited economic activity exist. The study utilised a qualitative research approach, drawing on an exploratory design and interpretive paradigm. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select participants. Focus group discussions were conducted with the participants, and content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The study indicates that rural tourism could effectively promote local economic growth in the three rural villages by providing residents with employment opportunities, thereby reducing poverty rates in rural areas. However, challenges remain, including the lack of funding to support small tourism businesses and the need for human capital development in local communities. The study recommends a gradual approach to knowledge and skills development within local communities to support the business aspects of rural tourism development, as well as the provision of funding assistance.

Large cities are becoming increasingly valuable in the spatial structure of globalized economies. Although these centers vary significantly regarding population, economic structure, and income conditions, they--compared to their surroundings--generally show a higher productivity level, a higher rate of employment, higher education, and higher innovation performance. However, this metropolization and concentration of the economy in large cities made the development of cities regarded as medium-sized on an international scale an issue of competitiveness in Europe, characterized by dense town networks, a small number of metropolises, and a significant weight of medium- and smallsized towns. However, one of the main preconditions for achieving success in this competition is to form a comprehensive and complex concept with a significant emphasis on economic development. Therefore, the aim of our study is to analyze the local economic development strategies for the last three decades, as elaborated in Debrecen. In the framework of our empirical analysis, we examined how different mainstream concepts appear in local development strategies and which development objectives are determined by the local strategies. Furthermore, we also aimed to identify possible changes in ideas about city roles by referring to the organization of economic space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how local authorities address the challenges of prolonged austerity by making use of collaborative innovation, financed through bidding for instrumental technology-based projects. Based on two case study projects within a local authority in England, analysis shows how local authority managers change their role, from brokers before and during bidding, to institution-builders during implementation, and networkers when attempting to capture long-term value from the projects. The findings also highlight the limits of this approach, as the limited nature of the projects makes it difficult for local authorities to capture long-term value, especially if there is no follow-up funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sister city relationships (SCRs) are a platform through which local governments (LGs) engage internationally. Increasingly, there is an expectation that such international engagement delivers economic opportunities and returns. Many LGs are therefore pursuing local economic development (LED) through their SCRs. Drawing on a national survey of Australian LGs (stage 1) and interviews with key council staff and stakeholders in five LG areas maintaining Australia–China SCRs (stage 2), this paper contributes to growing literature on LED by examining how LGs have developed their own capacities and supported local small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage internationally. Our findings reveal insights into how Australian LGs have achieved international engagement through two strategies that leverage their SCRs, namely building government's capabilities and developing SMEs' capabilities. This paper contributes new insights into the evolving role of LGs in LED, including both current experimentation, challenges, and future opportunities. Points for practitioners: A growing number of Australian local governments pursue LED through their Chinese sister city relationships.Supporting the internationalisation of SMEs is an emerging component of local government pursuit of LED.International engagement of local governments has necessitated enhanced capacities in human, external, and financial resources.Findings highlight the unique and often overlooked role of local‐to‐local diplomatic and economic relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Local Economic Development strategies were formulated in response to the stipulations made by the national government of South Africa. The national mandate placed the responsibility on the local sphere of government to promote economic progression from a grassroots level and to contribute to developmental activities within the state. The National Framework LED has been created as a basis for the effective practice of LED in terms of implementation. This paper focused mainly on evaluating the effectiveness of Local Economic Development strategies in uMhlathuze Local Municipality within Empangeni town. This paper and its problem were developed by the researcher due to the growing unemployment rate in South Africa which mostly affects young people, more especially at the municipal level. The researcher was convinced to evaluate how the economic development strategies or initiatives addressing the issue of unemployment and assisting economic development within the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, intending to come up with mechanisms that may be put at hand to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies provided to address economic issues with the municipality. This paper employed qualitative methods to collect and analyze data. Qualitative data were collected from community members and staff of the municipality within the Department of Economic Development through the use of questionnaires. The analysis of qualitative data was done through thematic analysis. The findings of the research revealed that there is a communication breakdown between the community and the municipality to enable the community to use the opportunities for economic development. This paper recommends that the municipality needs to develop/advance communication methods to ensure that the community is informed and aware of the development opportunities that are provided by the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LED initiatives were planned to magnify economic development, share the alleviation objectives, and incorporate previously excluded groups in social and economic life. Section 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) outlines the primary objectives of the local government (municipalities); Subsection (1) stipulates that (a) municipalities must provide a democratic and accountable government for local communities; (b) ensure to provide services to local communities sustainably; (c) promote social and economic development. This paper focuses on youth community members' perceptions of LED in the Mpembeni and Bazaneni local areas. The sample also included municipal officials within the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality. The paper's primary aim is to analyse initiatives toward poverty mitigation within the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality. Qualitative methods were employed to collect and analyse data obtained from the youth community members and municipal officials with the LED department. Qualitative data were collected from the youth community members through questionnaires and from the municipality staff through interviews. The analysis of qualitative data was conducted through thematic analysis. This study and the identified problem were developed to analyse the possibility of LED initiatives to mitigate the poverty level and unemployment rate. For over two decades of democracy, "South Africa is still battling with the issues of poverty, inequality, unemployment, and hunger" (Stats SA, 2017). The study findings confirm South Africa's remaining battle with the elevated level of poverty in rural areas and the high youth unemployment rate. The recommendations and innovative ideas may assist the municipality in facilitating the LED initiatives effectively through local community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conceptual review aims to examine the international difficulties and the strategic application of the local economic development agenda. The study argued that for South Africa to implement its local development strategy at the grassroots level effectively, it can learn from global initiatives. The study contextualized local economic development (LED) from the global perspective and discussed the challenges it encounters in practice. According to researchers, local economic development (LED) is something that everyone—citizens, business owners, and the general government—should be concerned about. LED is frequently viewed as the solution to problems like increased quality of life, unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Several opposing theories and techniques constantly influence the development of policies, planning processes, and implementation methods because of the relative infancy of the area of LED research. The article discusses LED uncertainties domestically and internationally in South Africa. While concentrating on the South African context, it also examines the steps taken by the chosen countries worldwide to address the issues with LED. The study used the qualitative method by gathering information via secondary sources. The information obtained from various databases was analyzed thematically. The study identified challenges faced by LED in South Africa, such as poor leadership, lack of alignment of policies between the spheres and lack of skilled workers. The paper recommended a nine-stage strategic programme that could aid the full actualization of LEDs in South Africa.

High-risk municipalities in South Africa are identified by their inability to render public goods and services owing to their almost dysfunctional operating systems and structures. Such municipalities are in financial distress and struggle to ensure inclusivity in implementing Local Economic Development (LED) projects that target poverty alleviation in impoverished communities. To understand how high-risk municipalities, expose citizens to dire poverty and inequalities, the study draws from an interpretive paradigm that allows for the use of a qualitative approach. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) was adopted to examine the implementation of various LED programmes in South African high-risk municipalities to alleviate poverty and promote socio-economic development. Peer-reviewed journal articles were used to validate the discussions emanating from the extensive document review. Findings derived from the study have shown that LED strategies as poverty alleviation techniques in high-risk municipalities have been met with several challenges. These include coalition politics, skills shortage, poor financial accountability, lack of compliance with legislation, weak oversight structures, poor strategic planning and budgeting skills including lack of monitoring and evaluation of the LED programmes. Derived from this study is that in high-risk municipalities, dedicated budgets are required to support municipal officials' training and development, which is critical for driving inclusive LED and poverty reduction programmes. Inclusive citizen participation in LED projects is fundamental for creating the citizen's sense of gain while triggering innovative capacities that lead to employment regeneration. Conclusions drawn for this paper indicate that regular monitoring and evaluation are key to ensuring that systems and structures of high-risk municipalities become responsive to the needs of citizens while accelerating developmental local government in South Africa. The study recommends co-production in the form of active stakeholder networking of public officials since fostering close ties with the mutually beneficial private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can help enhance public service delivery in high-risk municipalities.

Globalization has accelerated competition and exposed regions, localities, and firms and forced them to adapt to changing economic circumstances and conditions. More recently, researchers have become more interested in food as an essential element of Local Economic Development (LED). Even though LED has previously been focused on increasing production in industries such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing, etc., food tourism has been identified as a niche economic driver. A sample of 149 respondents made up of 82 women and 67 men were randomly selected for the study. Frequency analyses were used to present the sample and dimensions in focus. Significant differences were tested using independent sample t-tests and ANOVA. The results show that eating food is not just what we enjoy but it is a medium of cultural exchange and experience. The use of food tourism LED is based on its role in driving the destinations' competitiveness. For domestic and international tourists, the presence and availability of food fulfill a cultural and emotional gap. Food builds stronger bonds between people and countries and offers an important setting to enhance investment and trade ties. Food has a multiplier effect, which adds value to the local economy by rejuvenating the economic fortunes of the local economy. Food as a tool for economic development presents a fascinating idea about identity, everyday life, and pleasure since it bears a symbolic meaning which determines the destination’s attributes and the overall distinct attractiveness. Therefore, certain spaces and assets for tourism development are required as preconditions for successful tourism-LED development. The paper concludes that food tourism has accelerated the growth of investment in events, conferences, and meetings in Durban. However, more scholarly and rigorous research is needed to untangle questions about local economic development and the consumption of local food.

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses different categories of legacy from socialist central planning policies (SCPP) for urban development. How have city-specific measures by SCPP affected local economic systems, and have there been long-term consequences for cities even after their return to a market economy? Drawing from case studies of four East German cities, we identify several types of socialist policy measures that determine the local economic performance up to now. The impact of some measures was primarily displayed via ‘soft’ factors such as local image and identity and the attitudes of residents, local decision-makers.

Background Fiscal decentralization offers potential for stimulating local economic development in Africa, empowering subnational governments to control revenue and spending. However, challenges such as urbanization, poverty, inequality, insufficient infrastructure, and governance issues hinder the successful implementation of the core tenets of fiscal decentralization. This paper explores the role of digital technologies in promoting greater fiscal decentralization and revenue enhancement, as a strategic response to these local economic development challenges in Africa. Method Through a systematic literature review, this study explores the role of fiscal decentralization in driving local economic development, with a focus on leveraging digital technologies to boost revenue generation and strengthen governance and institutional capacity at the subnational level. Results The research underscores the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, skill development, and regulatory frameworks, while addressing data privacy and security concerns. Conclusion By emphasizing the transformative impact of digital technologies fiscal decentralization and property taxation, this paper contributes to the existing literature and highlights avenues for promoting local economic development across Africa.

The paper examines a paradigmatic example of post-conflict economic development of Vukovar, Croatia. It represents a pertinent case study for localities encountering analogous challenges, most notably urban areas in Ukraine in the near future. The war that broke out in 1991 brought significant human casualties, population displacement, and extensive destruction of residential, social, and economic infrastructure. The completion of the peaceful reintegration of Vukovar into Croatia's legal system in 1998 marked the beginning of the socio-economic revitalization process. The research scrutinizes the primary impediments and prospects for Vukovar's economic growth, probing why substantial investments in reconstructing housing, transport, communal infrastructure, and fiscal incentives for businesses have not paralleled its economic performance. It concentrates on the local business climate and influential factors as potential explanations for this discrepancy. The topic was designed as a case study and was covered by document analysis, survey method, and semi-structured interviews. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study collates perspectives from entrepreneurs and business support institutions. The results confirmed that reconstruction of housing and social infrastructure is necessary, but more conditions are needed for successful post-conflict economic development, and that the business climate in lagging local units highly depends on state- and locally designed business-support measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has profoundly impacted human behaviour, revolutionizing various aspects of life, including business operations. Rural Micro Entrepreneurs (RMEs) were said to gain significant economic benefits from the adoption of ICT in their business including increased productivity, sales, marketing, and ultimately higher income. However, not all rural entrepreneurs effectively leverage ICT advancements to enhance their businesses, prompting a need for further investigations. Derived on quantitative approach i.e., questionnaire guided interview processes, a series of field study have been conducted on March to April 2023, focusing on seven main rural pottery businesses from five villages in the Kuala Kangsar district, Perak. The primary objective is to assess the level of ICT usage among RMEs and identify the factors that motivate the utilization of ICT facilities. The study highlights that majority of respondents acknowledged the importance of ICT that allows flexibility to conduct business alongside with time and cost savings. By embracing ICT, RMEs in the study area not only improve their business efficiency, but also contribute to the overall local economic development. The findings of this study highlighted the opportunities for enhancing ICT adoption among RMEs for local economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though most studies find that sports stadiums are not strong drivers of economic activity in metropolitan areas, localized development effects may be sufficient to justify public subsidies for a host municipality if circumstances are favorable. This analysis examines the economic ramifications of an intra-metropolitan area relocation of Atlanta's professional baseball team from a traditional standalone downtown stadium to a new stadium-anchored mixed-use development in suburban Cobb County. Using the synthetic control method, the study employs metro-Atlanta counties to construct a counterfactual outcome for estimating changes in sales tax revenue after the ballpark opened. The findings indicate a net increase in taxable sales in the county; however, the magnitude of the effect is small and not statistically significant. Though net new spending is evident, approximately one-third of the project's sales appear to derive from crowding out other local economic activity. In total, added tax collections fall well short of covering the public subsidies provided by Cobb. The stadium's limited economic impact, despite its favorable location and ancillary mixed-use development, further supports past findings that sports venues are poor investments as economic development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the potential role of indigenous languages in fostering local economic development through cultural-tourism within the Polokwane Local Municipality. As a region rich in cultural diversity and indigenous heritage, Polokwane presents a unique opportunity to leverage its linguistic and cultural assets for sustainable economic growth. This paper discusses how the incorporation of indigenous languages can contribute to various aspects of local economic development, including tourism, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Therefore, this conceptual paper uses a traditional literature review and secondary data analysis techniques to discuss trends of research on the relationship between indigenous language, cultural tourism and local economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization has accelerated competition and exposed regions, localities, and firms and forced them to adapt to changing economic circumstances and conditions. More recently, researchers have become more interested in food as an essential element of Local Economic Development (LED). Even though LED has previously been focused on increasing production in industries such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing, etc., food tourism has been identified as a niche economic driver. A sample of 149 respondents made up of 82 women and 67 men were randomly selected for the study. Frequency analyses were used to present the sample and dimensions in focus. Significant differences were tested using independent sample t-tests and ANOVA. The results show that eating food is not just what we enjoy but it is a medium of cultural exchange and experience. The use of food tourism LED is based on its role in driving the destinations' competitiveness. For domestic and international tourists, the presence and availability of food fulfill a cultural and emotional gap. Food builds stronger bonds between people and countries and offers an important setting to enhance investment and trade ties. Food has a multiplier effect, which adds value to the local economy by rejuvenating the economic fortunes of the local economy. Food as a tool for economic development presents a fascinating idea about identity, everyday life, and pleasure since it bears a symbolic meaning which determines the destination's attributes and the overall distinct attractiveness. Therefore, certain spaces and assets for tourism development are required as preconditions for successful tourism-LED development. The paper concludes that food tourism has accelerated the growth of investment in events, conferences, and meetings in Durban. However, more scholarly and rigorous research is needed to untangle questions about local economic development and the consumption of local food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whole of South Africa is under municipal jurisdiction. This makes the local government the most important sphere of government because it is closer to the people than other spheres. Therefore, local government is legislated to carry out the state's developmental goals through economic growth and sustainable development. The change from apartheid to democracy saw the redefinition of the local government's role. As per the Constitution, section 152(1)(c), the local government must promote the social and economic development of the community and under section 153(b), it must participate in national and provincial development programmes. However, the failure to provide services and the crumbling infrastructure in municipalities has hindered the local government's developmental agenda and job creation efforts. Municipalities are faced with challenges that include but are not limited to poor service delivery, financial mismanagement, lack of good governance, and worsening corruption. The persistent failure of municipalities to fulfil their obligations affects the national government's ability to lead the country to economic growth and sustainable development. For instance, companies are closing their businesses due to poor service delivery, resulting in job losses. Therefore, for the national government to attain sustainable development, the local government plays an important role. The aim of the paper is twofold; it analyses whether municipalities have failed in their developmental agenda, and it explains their impact on the national government in implementing their national programmes. To attain these objectives the paper uses the case study method with specific reference to Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and an analytical-explanatory approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies and explores the local economic development concepts that are the focus of the most highly cited papers published between 2013 and 2023. It finds that many emergent concepts describe the functioning of modern, knowledge-intensive economies (agglomeration, innovation ecosystems, mission-led innovation, global production networks, Industry 4.0, smart cities and institutions) and the uncertainty they are experiencing (economic resilience, gig economy and work from home). Other concepts deal with the opportunity associated with greater inclusion (female entrepreneurship) and the changing nature of rural economies. Finally, substantial emerging literature tackles the opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to an economy that does not outstrip the planet's natural resources (clean energy transition, circular economy and degrowth). These ideas do not reconcile easily into a coherent framework. The challenge for local economic development practitioners is to work in partnership with others to integrate these concepts into an approach that makes sense for their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses different categories of legacy from socialist central planning policies (SCPP) for urban development. How have city-specific measures by SCPP affected local economic systems, and have there been long-term consequences for cities even after their return to a market economy? Drawing from case studies of four East German cities, we identify several types of socialist policy measures that determine the local economic performance up to now. The impact of some measures was primarily displayed via ‘soft’ factors such as local image and identity and the attitudes of residents, local decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cities are becoming increasingly valuable in the spatial structure of globalized economies. Although these centers vary significantly regarding population, economic structure, and income conditions, they—compared to their surroundings—generally show a higher productivity level, a higher rate of employment, higher education, and higher innovation performance. However, this metropolization and concentration of the economy in large cities made the development of cities regarded as medium-sized on an international scale an issue of competitiveness in Europe, characterized by dense town networks, a small number of metropolises, and a significant weight of medium- and small-sized towns. However, one of the main preconditions for achieving success in this competition is to form a comprehensive and complex concept with a significant emphasis on economic development. Therefore, the aim of our study is to analyze the local economic development strategies for the last three decades, as elaborated in Debrecen. In the framework of our empirical analysis, we examined how different mainstream concepts appear in local development strategies and which development objectives are determined by the local strategies. Furthermore, we also aimed to identify possible changes in ideas about city roles by referring to the organization of economic space.

Background Fiscal decentralization offers potential for stimulating local economic development in Africa, empowering subnational governments to control revenue and spending. However, challenges such as urbanization, poverty, inequality, insufficient infrastructure, and governance issues hinder the successful implementation of the core tenets of fiscal decentralization. This paper explores the role of digital technologies in promoting greater fiscal decentralization and revenue enhancement, as a strategic response to these local economic development challenges in Africa. Method Through a systematic literature review, this study explores the role of fiscal decentralization in driving local economic development, with a focus on leveraging digital technologies to boost revenue generation and strengthen governance and institutional capacity at the subnational level. Results The research underscores the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, skill development, and regulatory frameworks, while addressing data privacy and security concerns. Conclusion By emphasizing the transformative impact of digital technologies fiscal decentralization and property taxation, this paper contributes to the existing literature and highlights avenues for promoting local economic development across Africa.

Background: Community participation in democratic societies cannot be overstated, as it is a fundamental pillar that allows community members to have a voice in economic, social, and political discourse. Aim: This article investigated the significance of community participation in LED, identifying the barriers and drivers of community involvement to provide recommendations to enhance and promote greater community engagement in Benoni, South Africa. Methods: The study adopted a mixed methods research approach. It conducted (n = 280) surveys from residents and (n = 5) in-depth interviews with municipal officials regarding the role of community participation in LED. Results: The findings reveal five challenges to community participation: limited avenues for participation, a lack of confidence in leadership, lack of action on residents’ suggestions, limited understanding of the value and importance of participation, and lack of trust in local leadership. However, the study also established that community participation is crucial to LED and contributes to providing legitimacy to local government projects, ensuring leadership accountability and better trust in leadership, and to ascertain that residents affect changes they want to see in their communities. Conclusion: The study concludes that community participation is vital for successful LED in Benoni. Addressing the challenges identified can lead to more effective and sustainable development initiatives. Contribution: This research makes several contributions to the field of LED and community development. It emphasises enabling and encouraging community participation in shaping LED. The study’s insights into the barriers and drivers of community involvement provide a foundation for designing targeted interventions to enhance participation.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth, especially in developing nations like Indonesia. This study focuses on the specific case of Kediri Residency, using 2018 data from the Central Bureau of Statistics of East Java Province to uncover insights for sustainable local economic development. Our methodology involved data acquisition, parsing, mining, filtering, and representation/ interaction. This process yielded a dataset of 168 data points, providing a nuanced view of MSMEs in Kediri Residency. Our analysis highlighted significant trends. Kediri Regency, for example, excelled in the Food and Beverage Industry (270 MSMEs) and Wood Industry (260 MSMEs). Blitar Regency thrived in the Wood Industry (235 MSMEs) and the Food and Beverage Industry (230 MSMEs). Tulungagung Regency showed strength in the Wood Industry (219 MSMEs). These findings have strategic implications for local economic development, such as sectoral strengthening, enhancing competitiveness, forming business clusters, and tailoring policies to MSMEs' unique needs. Comparing Kediri City to Kediri Regency and Blitar City to Blitar Regency revealed disparities and opportunities, highlighting the role of local policies and infrastructure in MSME development. In conclusion, our research provides actionable insights to formulate policies, develop infrastructure, improve financing access, and enhance skills training programs. These actions will catalyze MSME growth, promoting regional economic development and stability.

Abstract South Africa is at present experiencing electricity shortages resulting in loadshedding. Loadshedding is the action from an electricity supplier (Eskom) of rolling power cuts that intend to lessen the load on the power supply system when Eskom is not able to supply a high electricity demand. Loadshedding remains one of the country's most critical challenges and has affected day-to-day business activities leading to some small businesses closing their operations. In developing economies, small businesses play a significant role in the wellbeing of rural dwellers and are a major tool for local economic development. At present, there is limited evidence in the literature pointing out the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Collins Chabane Local Municipality (CCLM) in terms of the effects of loadshedding but there is literature describing similar issues in other geographical areas. The exploration of the effects of loadshedding on SMEs in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality was crucial to empower small SMEs, cover scholarly gaps, contribute to policy development, and participate in academic discourse. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, adopting a triangulation research design. The sample consisted of 125 members of the target population, which included the SME owners/managers and officials from the Collins Chabane Local Municipality such as the Local Economic Development (LED) manager, Electricity manager, and a technician. The sample was selected using purposive, snowball non-probability sampling, and cluster probability sampling. A total of 100 respondents were selected for the quantitative study, while 25 participants were selected for the qualitative study. Therefore, 100 respondents completed questionnaires and 25 respondents participated in the face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), while the qualitative data were analysed using the thematic method of analysis. According to the quantitative findings, loadshedding costs small and medium-sized businesses in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality an average of 61% of their total revenue. Additionally, 59% of these companies had to lay off their employees because they were unable to pay their wages. The Chi-square results demonstrate that loadshedding has been experienced uniformly by everyone, irrespective of their demographic and business demographic status. Therefore, demographics have no significant influence on the experience of loadshedding. The qualitative results reveal that the losses associated with the effects of loadshedding on SMEs’ production are untenable. There is an urgent need to alleviate the effects of loadshedding on SMEs. An alternative source of power is a requirement for small businesses in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality. It is for this reason that the South African government should grant small businesses a subsidy for the purchase of alternative sources of energy such as strong generators and solar panels to support them during periods of loadshedding. In addition, the South African government should encourage and capacitate small businesses in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality to participate in producing and supplying renewable energy by funding them, and further, foster cooperation among small businesses and companies that are successful in the production of renewable energy. This will assist in adding electricity generation capacity to the national grid and help eliminate electricity instability.

Background: Increased economic competition globally, makes local economic development (LED) more critical given its contribution to national economies. Local governments (LGs) are central to steering the direction and growth of local economies through their policy approaches. In the last decade, social innovation (SI) has been on the global policy and research agenda as an approach to address economic development challenges. In South Africa’s LG context, SI’s application as a sustainable approach to LED is however nascent. Aim: To explore SI as a sustainable approach to implementing LED policy approaches adopted in the LED strategies of South African municipalities. Setting: Social innovation’s application is congruent with LED’s embeddedness in partnerships between a municipality and local or other stakeholders. This however appears to be latent in South Africa’s LG context and highlights a research gap. Methods: Using an interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative research approach is applied. A literature review with a predetermined approach was applied to search for relevant research concerning SI and LED to address the research aim. Results: Local government should play a leadership role in initiating SI’s application across different sectors, adopting policies harnessing its application, and cultivating a promotive and enabling institutional culture. Conclusion: Social innovation’s application as a sustainable approach to LED requires an enabling policy framework to yield its benefits. Contribution: Social innovation’s application as a sustainable LED policy approach, is presented as integral to an institutional culture that drives LED across different departments contributing to key deliverables of a municipality’s LED strategy.