Services of General Interest Indicators: methodological aspects and findings

Abstract

Abstract:The paper presents an analysis of an overview of services of general interest in 9European countries (Austria, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Romania and the UK) which carried out the overview on both national and regional levels. An empirically grounded analysis describes the level of services of general interests in various geographical scales. The methodology used for individual cases to investigate SGI at two levels (national and regional) in nine countries followed a cumulative-circular method with clear phases, intending to show the regional diversity but also ensuring comparability and a crosscut analysis. The Authors conclude their study with a crosscut analysis, focusing on selected features of services of general interests: availability, accessibility, affordability and quality.

Services of general interest – the concept and its application in scientific research and spatial development

“…Takvo tumačenje zahtjevno je i u pravnom i u operativnom smislu jer otvara mogućnosti za različita tumačenja ovisno o prostornim, vremenskim, društvenim i drugim okolnostima u kojima se upotrebljava. Štoviše, pojam usluga od općeg interesa rijetko je propitivan u literaturi sam za sebe (Breuer i Milbert, 2013). Zelena knjiga (2004) u sažetku navodi četiri osnovne odrednice usluga od općeg interesa:…”

“…Such an interpretation poses significant challenges, both in legal and operational aspects, as it allows for varying interpretations depending on the spatial, temporal, social, and other contextual factors in which it is applied. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the concept of services of general interest is seldom critically examined in existing literature (Breuer and Milbert, 2013). In the Green Paper of 2004, four fundamental determinants of services of general interest are succinctly outlined:…”

Fostering Rural Urban Relationships to Enhance More Resilient and Just Communities

“…Nevertheless, it is also important not to have the perception of belonging to a lower category of citizens, if resident in rural areas. Thus, it is relevant that rural areas are on the radar of the political agenda and to have communication instruments ready to be interconnected for promoting political, institutional, and personal networks with urban areas, to strengthen the functioning of societies in general (Breuer and Milbert 2013). The maintenance of SGI in rural areas is considered fundamental in discussions on the European integration process (Fassmann et al 2015).…”