Comparative analysis of employment dynamics in leading and lagging rural regions of the EU, 1980-1997.

In this study a comparative analysis of factors hampering and encouraging the development of employment in 9 leading and 9 lagging regions in the EU during the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s is made. Derived from this comparative analysis, some lessons, which leading and lagging rural regions can learn from each other with regard to employment creation, are given. During the period 1980-1995 leading rural regions tend to have both growth in industrial employment and in services employment. Besides, in this period leading rural regions showed also a population growth, whereas that in lagging rural regions stagnated. Leading rural regions are characterized by a rather well developed road infrastructure relatively to lagging regions. So in leading regions infrastructure is no serious economic constraint for entrepreneurs, whereas the poorer condition of infrastructure in lagging regions hampers economic development. On the whole actors in leading regions show a better developed capacity than actors in lagging regions. This is for example reflected in the way in which they co-operate with other actors inside and outside the region, in which they face challenges, in which they innovate and in which they launch projects in line with the strengths and needs of the region. Due to the higher capacity of actors in leading regions, both internal and external networks are rather strong. Lessons, which may be helpful in the creation of employment in rural regions, are: design projects according to the strengths of the region, integrate infrastructure into a broader development concept, follow a multisectoral approach in employment creation, tourism is not the only solution, involve a wide range of local actors in the development process and strengthen both internal and external networks.