E-SMART Assessment for Rural Areas (Case Study of Veliko Tarnovo Region, Bulgaria)

Ilcheva Maria (), Tsonkova Vanya, Byanov Ivan, Mateev Iliyan, Byanova Nevena, Dimanov Daniel and Nikolov Yordan
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Ilcheva Maria: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Tsonkova Vanya: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Byanov Ivan: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Mateev Iliyan: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Byanova Nevena: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Dimanov Daniel: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Nikolov Yordan: St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, 2024, vol. 18, issue 1, 1912-1928

Abstract: The research topic is motivated by the fact that rural areas in Bulgaria are lagging behind in their economic, social and territorial development compared to urban areas, despite European Union support policies for regional development and cohesion. Regardless of the fact that more and more the specialized literature investigating the development of rural areas emphasizes multifaceted factors, including environmental, social and technological aspects, there is a lack of a complex approach to analysis and assessment of their condition. Therefore, the authors set out to develop and demonstrate the application of a comprehensive E-SMART evaluation model based on a combination of 6 groups of factors with a significant impact on the socio-economic development of rural areas. The approbation of the toolkit was carried out in the seven rural municipalities in the Veliko Tarnovo region. The analysis of the results of the groups of factors – economic, social, manufacturing, agriculture, resources and technologies, as well as the complex indicator E-SMART-score, reveals the general and specific problems, as well as the competitive advantages of the rural areas included in the analysis. E-SMART model can be used as a reliable tool to increase the administrative capacity of municipalities when making strategic decisions for the development of the region.

Keywords: rural areas; social and economic development; global challenges; innovation; green transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:poicbe:v:18:y:2024:i:1:p:1912-1928:n:1026

DOI: 10.2478/picbe-2024-0161

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