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Can Administrative Capacity Explain Differences in Regional Performances? Evidence from Structural Funds Implementation in Southern Italy

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  • Simona Milio

Abstract

Milio S. (2007) Can administrative capacity explain differences in regional performances? Evidence from Structural Funds implementation in Southern Italy, Regional Studies 41, 429-442. Why do some regions after 15 years of receiving Structural Funds still have difficulties in spending their allocated resources? Empirical evidence shows that Funds implementation rates have been very poor in Italy. However, by investigating individual Italian Objective 1 regions, it appears that not all follow this general trend. The paper identifies the administrative capacity of regional governments as an independent variable accounting for Structural Funds implementation variation. It introduces a novel definition of administrative capacity and by using two regions as case studies, it measures the degree of the existing capacity. The investigation provides evidence to suggest that administrative capacity is positively correlated to implementation. Furthermore, the factors that might account for the different degree of capacity between these regions are indicated. Milio S. (2007) La capacite administrative, peut-elle expliquer la variation de la performance regionale? Des preuves provenant de l'execution des fonds structurels en Italie du Sud, Regional Studies 41, 429-442. Ayant recu des fonds structurels depuis 15 ans, pourquoi certaines regions ont-elles des difficultes a depenser les ressources qui leur sont affectees? Des preuves empiriques demontrent que le taux d'execution des fonds n'est pas honorable en Italie. Cependant, en examinant des regions italiennes qui remplissent les conditions selon l'Objectif 1, il semble que cette tendance ne se generalise pas. On identifie la capacite administrative regionale comme variable independante susceptible d'expliquer la variation de l'execution des fonds structurels. On introduit une definition nouvelle de la capacite administrative et, employant deux regions comme etude de cas, on mesure l'importance de la capacite existante. L'etude fournit des preuves qui laissent supposer que la capacite administrative est en correlation etroite avec l'execution. En outre, on indique les facteurs qui pourraient expliquer la variation de la capacite entre les regions en question. Fonds structurels Capacite administrative Politique regionale Politique de cohesion Regions selon l'Objectif 1 Italie Milio S. (2007) Lassen sich Unterschiede in der regionalen Leistung durch die Verwaltungskapazitat erklaren? Belege im Zusammenhang mit der Implementierung von Strukturfonds in Suditalien, Regional Studies 41, 429-442. Warum haben einige Regionen, die schon seit 15 Jahren Strukturfonds erhalten, noch immer Schwierigkeiten, die zugewiesenen Ressourcen auszugeben? Aus empirischen Belegen geht hervor, dass die Fonds in Italien ausserst mangelhaft implementiert wurden. Allerdings zeigt sich bei einer Untersuchung der einzelnen italienischen Ziel-1-Regionen, dass offenbar nicht alle diesem generellen Trend folgen. Wir identifizieren die Verwaltungskapazitat der Regionalregierungen als unabhangige Variable, die zu Unterschieden bei der Implementierung der Strukturfonds fuhrt. Wir fuhren eine neue Definition der Verwaltungskapazitat ein und verwenden zwei Regionen als Fallstudien, um das Ausmass der vorhandenen Kapazitat zu messen. Die Untersuchung lasst darauf schliessen, dass zwischen der Verwaltungskapazitat und der Implementierung ein positiver Zusammenhang besteht. Daruber hinaus zeigen wir auf, welche Faktoren fur die unterschiedliche Kapazitat in diesen Regionen verantwortlich sein konnten. Strukturfonds Verwaltungskapazitat Regionalpolitik Kohasionspolitik Ziel-1-Regionen Italien Milio S. (2007) ¿Se pueden explicar las diferencias en el desempeno regional mediante la capacidad administrativa? El ejemplo de aplicar los Fondos Estructurales en el sur de Italia, Regional Studies 41, 429-442. ¿Por que algunas regiones aun tienen dificultades en gastar sus recursos asignados despues de recibir Fondos Estructurales durante 15 anos? Las pruebas empiricas demuestran que las tasas de aplicacion de los Fondos han sido muy escasas en Italia. Sin embargo, si investigamos las regiones individuales del Objetivo 1 en Italia, observamos que no todas siguen esta tendencia general. Aqui identificamos la capacidad administrativa de los gobiernos regionales como una variable independiente responsable de la variacion en la aplicacion de los Fondos Estructurales. Introducimos una nueva definicion de la capacidad administrativa y, con ayuda de dos casos practicos de regiones, medimos el grado de la capacidad existente. Con esta investigacion demostramos que existe una relacion positiva entre la capacidad administrativa y la aplicacion. Asimismo indicamos los factores que podrian explicar las diferencias entre estas regiones en cuanto a su capacidad. Fondos estructurales Capacidad administrativa Politica regional Politica de cohesion Regiones del Objetivo 1 Italia

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Milio, 2007. "Can Administrative Capacity Explain Differences in Regional Performances? Evidence from Structural Funds Implementation in Southern Italy," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(4), pages 429-442.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:41:y:2007:i:4:p:429-442
    DOI: 10.1080/00343400601120213
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    1. Robert Leonardi, 1995. "Convergence, Cohesion and Integration in the European Union," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-37278-8, August.
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    3. Sjef Ederveen & Henri L.F. de Groot & Richard Nahuis, 2002. "Fertile Soil for Structural Funds?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 02-096/3, Tinbergen Institute.
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