Strategic coupling in ‘next wave cities’: Local institutional actors and the offshore service sector in the Philippines

The outsourcing and offshoring of services to developing countries has created new opportunities for economic development for countries in the global South. This paper looks at the scope for agency of local institutional actors in the investment attraction of business process outsourcing companies. Drawing on empirical work from the Philippines, an analysis of the process of integrating lower‐tier cities into global service production networks is presented. Specifically, the roles of local institutional actors in facilitating FDI attraction and strategically coupling local assets with the needs of multinational service corporations are discussed. Two contrasting cases, the cities of Baguio and Bacolod, show that considerable scope for intervention rests with local institutional actors. The findings have implications for policymaking and research concerned with the newest phase of outsourcing and offshoring in developing countries.     

The Baikal problem: History and present (the 25<Superscript>th</Superscript> anniversary of the establishment of the Government Commission for Baikal)

This paper provides an overview of the documents on the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources within the Lake Baikal drainage basin. An analysis is made of the results of the environmental activity during the period of planned economy and post-perestroika. In the reform years, Baikal was included on the List of the World Natural Heritage Sites, the Federal Law “On the protection of Lake Baikal” was adopted as well as three federal target programs of the protection of the lake and socioeconomic development of the Baikal natural territory. Due to funding shortages, however, they are hardly implemented. The latest legal acts substantially restrict the rights of local residents to land privatization, the development of the social infrastructure, and to use natural resources. Furthermore, in spite of a large number of federal nature conservation directives, closure of many enterprises and reductions in emissions, the ecological situation on Lake Baikal is not improving. Among the problems is the negative attitude of local residents toward the restriction of their constitutional rights to property and economic activity. In addition, all ecological legislative acts are adopted without any public discussion and funding of environmental protection expenditures is not a priority. An improvement of the ecological situation on Baikal is possible only through a further development of the region’s environmentally safe economy and by raising the living standards of the local population on the principles of sustainable development with due regard for the interests of future generations.     

沈阳铁西区社区弹性特征与成因分析

基于问卷数据,运用统计分析、地理探测器,分析沈阳铁西区不同社区弹性差异、影响因素及其成因。研究发现：① 商品房社区社会弹性、制度弹性、社区资本分值高于单位社区;单位社区的经济弹性、物质弹性分值高于商品房社区。② 物质弹性、制度弹性对社区资本影响作用较为显著,社会弹性、经济弹性影响作用较小。③ 从制度转型、地方政府、经济发展、社区服务和社会与个人5方面探讨了沈阳铁西区社区弹性成因。沈阳铁西区在搬迁改造、产业转型等冲击下,城市更新过程表现出较强的适应能力和较弱的学习能力,这是社会弹性、经济弹性、制度弹性、物质弹性共同作用的结果。     

Institutional environments and the livelihood impacts of voluntary sustainability standards: A Village‐based analysis from southern Sumatra's coffee sector

Lead roasting firms are operating through Indonesia's coffee exporters to introduce voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in an attempt to secure supply, and to simultaneously meet corporate social responsibility requirements, even as empirical studies continue to show uncertain benefits for producer livelihoods. Value chain interventions like VSS, however, are not rolled out over a blank canvas, and many contributing factors determine their overall impact on livelihoods, particularly the local institutional environment. This study assesses the extent to which variability of empirical outcomes is determined by the institutional environment, by identifying specific processes through which VSS interact with pre‐existing social, political and economic institutions to influence livelihood outcomes. These include: firm‐specific corporate strategies (including producer training); livelihood strategies of households (including access to assets); government programs; and local political economy, as manifest particularly through patronage between traders and suppliers. VSS have thereby become an additional institutional layer shaping livelihood strategies and regional development outcomes, best viewed as providing access to a new social network that may be exploited by producers. The interaction between VSS programs, livelihood strategies and pre‐existing institutional environments in a particular place often dictates the variable outcomes for producers, making attribution of impact causation to VSS enrolment problematic.     

THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL EXPANSIONS OF CHINA'S CITY SYSTEM

Most studies of the size, growth, and distribution of cities have been based on Western economies and have identified economic factors such as scale and agglomeration economies and level of economic development as major determinants of urban growth. It is unclear whether these generalizations are applicable in socialist economies. In this paper, I argue that institutional factors have played key roles in shaping China's city system, which is characterized by declining population concentration across cities and by tremendous vertical (population growth of cities) and horizontal (addition of new cities) expansions. The empirical analysis focuses on describing the size distribution of cities, estimating a multivariate model predicting the population growth of cities, and performing a logistic regression analysis of new and existing cities. The findings underscore the effects of urban and regional development policies, socialist institutions, changes in the urban administrative system, and state and local government interests, and suggest that they as a whole are more important than economic factors in explaining the attributes and changes of China's city system. [Key words: urban growth, city system, institutional factors, China.]     

近30年延安市耕地变化的政策背景及其作用机理

建立健全生态保护的长效机制以巩固现有生态退耕成果,是目前和未来中国生态建设需要解决的一个重要问题。针对这一问题,本文以最早开始退耕试点的延安市为研究区,利用统计资料,分析了延安市近30年耕地变化过程、耕地变化的政策背景及其作用机理。研究发现,面积逐步减少是延安市1978年以后耕地变化的长期趋势,减少的耕地主要流向果园、林地和草地;政策措施对退耕过程虽具有显著的加速作用,但在市场经济条件下,耕地的长期流向最终决定于各种用途间的比较效益和农户的生产投入能力。研究结果表明,要形成生态保护的长效机制,必须改变退耕土地的比较效益和农户的生产投入能力。     

新疆全要素生产率估算及其经济增长源泉分析

为深入探究新疆经济增长的驱动因素,基于1990-2015年新疆统计数据,运用索洛残差法对新疆的全要素生产率进行了估算,并对估算结果与影响新疆全要素生产率变动的技术进步因素和制度变迁因素进行了计量分析。研究表明：（1）新疆经济增长主要依赖资本和劳动力等要素投入驱动,是一种典型的要素投入型经济增长方式。（2）新疆全要素生产率变化具有很强的累积性和路径依赖性,其中技术转移和转化是新疆全要素生产率变化的主要原因,而制度进步和自主研发对新疆全要素生产率变化的影响不明显。（3）新疆制度发育尚不完全,阻碍生产要素优化配置的因素很多。（4）新疆的R&D经费投入偏低,尚未形成规模效应,未能显著地促进新疆全要素生产率的提高。基于本文的研究结论给出相应的政策启示。     

Distribution of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb in sediments of tidal flats in north Jiangsu Province

Seven cores were collected from different sediment zones of tidal flats at Xinyanggang in north Jiangsu province in August 2007. Sediment grain-size distribution and radioisotopes of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb analysis were carried out for these cores. Sediment rates of the cores and radioisotopes distribution in surface sediment in different zones of the tidal flat were calculated from the ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb activities in sediments cores. The results indicated that each tidal zone had experienced different evolution phases, hydrological dynamics in the tidal flats made the grain-size of the surface sediment change gradually. ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb activities on the superficial layer of the cores varied spatially and the reason was discussed. On tidal flats, the fluctuation of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb activities in the cores reflected the special sedimentary characteristics. Vegetation affects the grain-size distribution and the vertical profiles of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb in the upper depths. ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb chronology got the comparable average sediment rates on the tidal flat. The characteristics of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb in the cores reflected various depositional dynamical environments in different tidal zones and gave information on the different evolvement phases of the tidal zones. Based on the information of grain-size distribution, texture of the cores, sediment rates and topography, the evolution lines of the tidal flat were reconstructed.     

中国经济增长与制度变迁的空间面板数据分析

以North的体制经济学为理论依据,将新古典经济学的Solow增长模型扩展为一个包含制度变量的计量经济学模型,并结合空间面板数据分析方法,使用1997—2005年中国省区的社会经济数据实证检验了经济制度环境对经济增长的影响。研究结果表明:该时期的制度变迁对中国的经济增长具有显著贡献力,证实了North的制度经济学理论假设。此外,空间面板数据的分析方法深入地揭示了省域经济活动之间存在的空间自相关性,即地区之间通过技术扩散、要素转移以及社会文化交流等在地理空间上发生相互影响。     

资源枯竭型城市发展困境与中央政府的作为

在我国,资源枯竭型城市的问题性质更主要的是社会问题而不是经济发展问题。文章阐述了以资源开采为主导部门的城市走向经济衰退的经济规律,细致分析了在我国发生这类问题的制度因素和历史背景。针对具体的资源枯竭型城市,分析了它们在实践中遇到的种种困难。作者认为,中央政府必须为解决资源枯竭型城市的困难承担历史性和制度性的责任,并且提出了中央政府可以有所作为的工作领域、工作措施和措施目标。     

制度对城市都市区制造业空间演变的影响——以长沙市为例

改革开放以来,伴随中国制度变革的不断深化,长沙市制造业实现了快速发展,其制造业空间也在转型中得到重构。论文以长沙市都市区为例,基于长沙市工业用地矢量数据,采用空间分析、测度指标评估等研究方法,将制度变迁纳入城市制造业空间动态分析,深入探讨改革开放以来,制度变迁对制造业空间演变的影响作用。基于此,构建了制度体系作用下的制造业空间演变解析框架。研究发现,长沙都市区制造业空间郊区化迁移明显,并在开发区内形成集聚,整体呈现出“大分散、小集聚”的空间格局特征;长沙制造业空间演变很大程度上受到土地制度、开发区制度、环境保护制度和产业制度等的综合影响。其中,土地制度加速了制造业空间郊区化;开发区制度吸引了制造业园区集聚;环境保护制度约束了制造业发展规模;产业制度影响了制造业产业组织结构。     

大湄公河次区域城市群空间经济联系分析

以大湄公河次区域(GMS)47个城市为研究对象,运用社会网络分析和Multilevel p2模型方法,分析GMS城市群空间经济联系结构、程度及影响因素。结果表明,目前GMS城市群空间经济联系呈"核心-边缘"分布的三级圈层结构,各层级之间经济发展差异较大,空间经济联系程度比较松散。同时,GMS城市群空间经济联系程度还受单个城市经济、资源集聚效应的影响,而城市间要素的扩散效应影响尚不显著。随着各成员国经济发展速度加快,GMS城市群空间经济网络正迅速形成与拓展,中心城市的增加与城市之间相互建立新的经济联系将显著增强该次区域空间经济关联度,未来强化产业支撑、拓展通道建设、完善合作机制是加深GMS城市空间经济联系的发展方向。     

经济地理学制度理论的发展与建构的重要方向

在中国制度差异显著与目前区域发展不平衡不充分的现实下,经济地理学与制度相结合的研究显得尤为必要。通过系统地梳理经济地理学与制度的关系发现,经济地理学与制度在历史上存在先分离后融合的情况,并且目前经济地理学与制度研究结合态势不容乐观,制度研究在本体论、方法论、时间维度、空间尺度、研究方法等方面仍然存在不足。通过文献梳理与理论分析,认为经济地理学的制度理论应基于演化经济地理学进行建构,并提出了建构的方向:1)以系统论、层级观为指导,注重构建制度的层级结构;2)以反还原论为基础,寻求方法论的突破;3)借助演化的思想与路径依赖理论,强调时间在制度系统中的作用;4)加强对各空间尺度的制度研究;5)注重工具方法的借鉴与创新。     

欧盟跨边界合作研究对粤港澳大湾区协同治理的启示

经济全球化与区域一体化是21世纪区域合作的核心动因,跨边界合作议题备受学界关注。欧盟在区域一体化实践方面有丰硕的理论与实证成果,其发展经验为粤港澳大湾区协同治理提供了指引,二者均涉及到跨制度、边界的协作和权力的尺度重组。文章基于Web of Science（WOS）数据库和中国知网（CNKI）,运用Citespace文献计量方法,系统分析了1993—2020年欧盟跨边界合作研究动向。结果发现：1）欧盟跨边界合作研究主要集中在边界区域互动、跨边界合作模式、跨边界合作领域、跨边界合作障碍等方面;2）欧盟跨边界合作的发展得益于国家之间政治上的互动互信、正式与非正式的制度协调和合作范围的扩大与深入,然而在双边差异、跨边界可达性、移民和安全等方面仍存在不足;3）欧盟跨边界合作的实践经验对粤港澳大湾区协同治理具有重要启示作用,增强价值与文化认同,创设特殊制度安排,构建多尺度合作空间与多维度治理体系是实现大湾区协同发展的核心支撑。     

西方经济地理学研究进展

20世纪80年代以来,西方经济地理学与经济学、政治学、社会学、管理学等社会科学广泛融合,呈现出空前繁荣的局面。本文对这一时期西方经济地理学的思潮演变、热点研究领域以及政策研究等方面进行梳理。西方经济地理学在经历了地理学的“新经济地理学”和经济学的“新经济地理学”两个影响深远的变革后,研究领域和主题逐步走向多样化与复杂化。本文综述了8个热点研究领域,包括区域与地方发展、经济全球化、产业地理、劳动力地理、创新与创意地理、消费地理、环境经济地理和金融地理的研究进展,并讨论了经济地理学与政策研究的关系,最后总结了西方经济地理学的特点。     

Socio‐economic and ecological challenges of small‐scale fishing and strategies for its sustainable management: A case study of the Old Brahmaputra River,Bangladesh

Socio‐economic and ecological challenges faced by the small‐scale fishers dependent on the Old Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh are assessed using a combination of questionnaire survey, co‐monitoring of fish catch, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results reveal that the fishers are involved in professional, seasonal or subsistence fishing. Fish catches from the river have declined significantly because of overfishing, destructive use of fishing gear, water pollution, siltation, rapid urbanization and human encroachment, thereby threatening the health of the river ecosystem as well as the future of small‐scale fishing. We evaluate various social, economic and ecological challenges faced by the fisher communities. We propose a conceptual framework that recognizes linkages among social, economic and ecological aspects in devising a sustainable river fisheries management system. We recommend effective legal enforcement of policies and regulations, strong institutional collaboration and active fisher community participation in management to ensure sustainable use of the resource base.     

Potential water sources for Late Quaternary Megalake Jilantai-Hetao,China, inferred from mollusk shell <Superscript>87</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>86</Superscript>Sr ratios

Lake Jilantai-Hetao, a megalake, was formed some time before 60–50 ka, along the Great North Bend of the Yellow River. The basin is now dry, with most of the area covered by aeolian sand. We are investigating this profound hydrologic change using a number of research approaches. Paleoshorelines of this megalake are best preserved in the Jilantai area in the southwestern portion of the megalake basin. We collected aquatic mollusk shells from littoral sediments at different altitudes around Jilantai and measured their strontium isotope compositions. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in shell carbonates are different between the high lake phase (~1,080–1,050 m altitude) and the low lake phase (~1,044–1,030 m altitude), with a small shift in average strontium ratios to more radiogenic values during the low lake phase. Based on regional hydrology and physical geography, we conclude that water from the Yellow River was the dominant water source supplying this megalake. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of modern water samples suggest the Yellow River was the dominant water source during the high lake phase, but that the relative contribution of Yellow River water to the megalake was reduced, and that the relative contributions of local precipitation and groundwater increased, during the low lake phase.     

The effects of organic removal treatment on the integrity of δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O measurements from biogenic silica

Prior to oxygen isotope analysis of biogenic silica by fluorination techniques, sediments must be cleaned of all organic compounds. Despite the expanding volume of research utilising oxygen isotope ratios in biogenic silica in palaeoclimatology, very little is known about the effects of different standard preparation methods for the removal of organic matter on the isotope values. Here we compare a number of methods for the removal of organic matter in order to assess their effectiveness and influence on subsequent isotope measurements. Not all the methods described here effectively removed organic matter, the best treatments were H₂O₂ and ignition in air at 550°C. Ignition in air at 950°C, and heating in vacuum at 250 and 450°C results in marked alteration of isotope values, whereas use of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric acid (HNO₃) and plasma ashing have little or no effect, within the bounds of analytical error. Ignition in air at 550°C was the most effective technique, and induced no alteration of δ¹⁸O_silica, but practical constraints may limit the application of this method routinely. Our findings indicate that considerable caution is required when preparing sediment for isotope analysis of biogenic silica.     

“一带一路”建设模式研究——基于制度与文化视角

推动“一带一路”建设向高质量发展转变,对学术界提出了新命题,需要对已有建设模式和建设项目进行深入剖析,总结经验和教训,提出对“一带一路”建设具有指导意义的理论知识。以往地理学主要关注企业对外直接投资,而“一带一路”建设项目涉及的范畴要大得多,既包括中国的直接投资,也包括中国提供融资并承建的项目,还包括一些新兴的混合项目。已经进行的“一带一路”建设案例研究表明,中国企业“走出去”比较容易忽视的因素是中国与东道国之间在制度和文化上的差异。利用“制度和文化转向”研究思路来剖析“一带一路”建设项目,总结其建设模式,对于经济地理学的发展以及指导“一带一路”建设都具有重要意义。本文首先简要回顾了“制度和文化转向”出现的背景以及主要研究脉络;而后总结了“一带一路”建设项目的主要形式,提出了基于工程总承包（EPC）、基于特许经营和企业直接投资三大类建设模式;最后借鉴“制度和文化转向”的研究技巧,从“地域嵌入的广度和深度”和“技术及项目的‘破坏性’”两个维度,将“一带一路”建设项目分为变革性项目、支撑性项目、一般性项目和海外经贸合作园区4种类型,用以识别它们的制度和文化敏感性,并举例进行了说明。本文提出的分析框架为进行“一带一路”建设案例研究提供了一个思考方向。     

Assessing the accumulation of sorbed isotope <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs within the upper components of the fluvial network in the zone of Chernobyl contamination

We examine the use of two alternative techniques for assessing the redistribution volumes of sorbed ¹³⁷Cs within the upper components of the fluvial network, based on the concept of catchment as a lithodynamical system. In terms of one of them, we made a substantive analysis of changes in reserves on accumulative positions where the ¹³⁷Cs distribution curves showed a significant increase in radionuclide content levels. We carried out a typization o the accumulation surfaces in order to extrapolate data, obtained for a group of soil profiles, to the territory of the entire catchment and to make a direct assessment of the increases in accumulation. An alternative technique was used to assess the volumes of accumulated sediment loads on accumulative positions by analyzing the ¹³⁷Cs distribution curves, and to correlate with denudation zones in the drainage area under consideration. Values of the wash-out rates for the period 1986–2012 have been obtained, which are necessary for the formation of the accumulative layer observed. We calculated the volume of ¹³⁷Cs swept away during 26 years after the Chernobyl accident, based on information regarding the volumes of initial reserves in the denudation zones and a correlation between the erosion rate and a specific reduction in reserves. It is established that the technique on the basis of analyzing the wash-out zones featuring high economical efficiency can be used in assessing ¹³⁷Cs migration for larger territories with relatively low labor-consuming effort.