The Beak of the Finch: Insights into the Economic Development of Small Economies

Abstract

Many scholarly analyses of small economies over the past two decades have been premised on the implicit understanding that a state's small population size, compounded by such factors as islandness and remoteness from markets, is to blame for an inherent and unavoidable economic vulnerability. The article critiques the core features of this approach, and proposes in turn to discuss and profile the development trajectories of small economies from the vantage point of the strategic flexibility used by small states (at multiple levels as individuals, household units, corporate entities and complete jurisdictions) in seeking to exploit opportunities and maximize economic gains in a turbulent and dynamic external environment with which they must engage. Keeping alive a portfolio of skills and revenue streams enables these actors to migrate intersectorally as well as trans-nationally.

The Models Of Economic Development And The Level Of Human And Economic Development In Small Island Developing States

“…Występują również nieliczne przypadki gospodarek o cechach MIRAB/PROFIT (Bertram, Poirine, 2007;Baldacchino, Bertram, 2009). …”

“…Kompilując dwie powszechnie akceptowane w literaturze przedmiotu klasyfikacje (Oberst, McElroy, 2007;Bertram, Poirine, 2007;Baldacchino, Bertram, 2009 -patrz: tab. 1, kolumny: E, F) oraz konfrontując je z nowszymi danymi statystycznymi (za 2013 r.) dotyczącymi wpływów z eksportu towarowego, turystyki, pomocy rozwojowej oraz przekazów z zagranicy (w odsetkach) w PKB (patrz: tab.…”

“…1, kolumny: I, J). Pomoc rozwojowa stanowi na Palau istotne źródło dochodu, w wyniku tego gospodarkę tę należy potraktować jako hybrydę MIRAB/SITE, co jest zgodne z klasyfikacją (Bertram, Poirine, 2007;Baldacchino, Bertram, 2009). Na Dominice zaklasyfikowanej w obu przypadkach jako MIRAB (o względnie niewysokim udziale pomocy rozwojowej i przekazom z zagranicy -łącznie 8,6% w stosunku do PKB) towarzyszyły w 2013 roku znaczne wpływy z turystyki (20,1%).…”

Musical Performances in the Hebridean Experience Economy

“…Historically, the population of the Islands was decimated by waves of out-migration due to the Highland Clearances (see Devine, 2001) as well as boom and bust economic cycles like the growth and collapse of the herring trade (Keay and Keay, 1996 (Royle, 2001, Baldacchino, 2002. In small islands there is often occupational pluralism, where people do several jobs as each is scaled down to the island situation (Royle, 2001: 176) and this can often be true of those employed within local authorities who are employed in both the public and private sectors (Baldacchino and Bertram, 2009). This is true for the Hebrides where almost 45% of the working population are employed in the public sector (Office for National Statistics, 2010) and many are also involved in small tourism enterprises such as offering bed and breakfast or selling handicrafts.…”

The role of science in sustainability transitions: citizen science, transformative research, and experiences from Samothraki island, Greece

“…There has been some criticism on the economic vulnerability concept, for carrying an element of fatalism (Armstrong & Read, 2002, but even when vulnerability is substituted by resilience or "strategic flexibility" (Baldacchino & Bertram, 2009;Bertram & Poirine, 2007) this does not sufficiently challenge the view that islands must follow a certain developmental trajectory (Barnett & Waters, 2016). Clark (2013) raises many important points in his critique to conventional views of island development dominated by 'ideal type' acronym models that position islands in the economic development ladder, and propose ways to 'grow up' the ladder by smart investments and policy options, emphasising flexibility, investment, and competition.…”