The social progress on the development of global competitiveness

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the competitiveness of nations and seeks to answer the following research question: how does the competitiveness of nations include improvements in the quality of life, thus influencing and contributing to social progress in both social and economic indices? Design/methodology/approach This paper collected secondary data from the World Economic Forum and the socioeconomic dimensions of the Social Progress Imperative Index and considered the dimensions of these indices, which were demonstrated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The main focus was on the documentary analysis that was carried out to explain the realities of 121 countries from 2014 to 2017 as taken from these indices, considering the 10 countries at the top and bottom. Findings This study showed the use of new measures for the performance of nations that are less dependent on economics and focus more on social development, which may be a trend for the future of nations, and produce a more holistic view for the study. “Innovation” is the factor with the weakest relationship with social progress, which is justified by a weaker relationship with one of the subcategories, “basic human needs”, when analyzed in isolation. However, when the authors analyze the best and worst nations, the authors observe that economic factors are still prevalent, with the “institutions” and “infrastructure” factors being effective for improving competitiveness and the quality of life. Research limitations/implications The findings represent a new, emerging configuration in country performance, but the study has its limitations, such as the use of only two pooled variables and the fact that it does not correlate their dimensions or variables. Originality/value This study can represents an expansion logic for measuring the performance of countries considering social factors. The main contributions of this study are its statistical evidence and documentary analysis of the relationship between economic and social variables. The main contribution of this paper is to show that over time (2014–2017) economic factors, as measured by the competitiveness index of nations, relate to aspects of social welfare, as measured by the social progress index.

Reporting on Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union: what drives companies’ decisions?

“…In regard to particular countries, Finland tops the 2020 Europe SDG Index, followed by two other Nordic countries – Sweden and Denmark – while Bulgaria, Greece and Romania rank last (SDSN, 2020). It should be noted that, according to Carvalho et al (2020), Finland, Sweden and Denmark are countries, which generally occupy the best positions in social indices and are characterized by social dialogue, successful policies on social well-being and quality of life. Concerning human development, Finland remains prominent.…”

Sustainable Competitiveness: How Does Global Competitiveness Index Relate to Economic Performance Accompanied by the Sustainable Development?

“…[1] Employment in high-technology sectors (% of total employment) [2] Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP) [3] R&D by personnel (% of active population) [4] People at risk of income poverty (%) [5] Tertiary educational attainment (% of population aged 30-34) [6] Gender employment gap (% of total population) [7] Human resources in science and technology (% of active population aged 25-64) [8] Average CO 2 emissions per km from new passenger cars (g CO 2 per km) [9] Share of renewable energy consumption (%) [10] Greenhouse gas emissions (in CO 2 equivalent) [11] Greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes per capita) H3 H2 H1 SDI GDP GCI QL [1] Median equalized net income (in PPS) [2] Living in a dwelling with a leaking roof, damp walls, floors or foundation, or rot in window frames or floor (%) [3] Unemployment rates (%) [4] Average number of usual weekly hours of work in main job by employed persons (number) [5] Inactive population (% of total population) [6] Life expectancy (years) [7] Arrears (mortgage or rent, utility bills or hire purchase) from 2003 (%) [8] Gender pay gap (%) [9] Income situation in relation to the risk of poverty threshold (%) [10] Noise from neighbors or from the street (%) [11] Gender employment gap aged 20-64 (percentage points)…”

“…In the case of CO2 Greenhouse gas emission indicators, a medium-strong negative statistical dependence was based on the correlation coefficient. When the country's GDP increases by a thousand units, emissions (in CO2 equivalent [10]) decrease by an average of 0.93 to 1.74 and in the case of tonnes per capita [11] by 0.21 to 0.26 (CZ, SK). From Poland and Hungary's point of view, the statistical dependence has not been confirmed.…”

“…Tab.8 -The results of the linear regression between GDP and QL. Source: own research QL variables (numbering according to Figure 1) Negative statistical dependence was demonstrated in the following cases (however, it means positive human well-being oriented feature): the Inactive population [5]; Average number of usual weekly hours of work in the main job by employed persons [4] (except Hungary); Gender pay gap [8]; Gender employment gap [11] (except for Poland); the indicator of Income situation concerning the risk of poverty [9]; the indicator of noise from neighbours or the street [10] (except for Hungary); the Unemployment rates indicator [3], where the value of the given indicator decreases on average by 0.69% (CZ) or 1.30% (HU) when the country's GDP improves by one thousand PPS units. With the improvement of GDP, the indicator of Total population living in a dwelling with a leaking roof, damp walls, floors or foundation, or rot in window frames or floor [2] will decrease on average by 0.86% (CZ) and 1.22% (PL).…”

Planteamiento de un proceso participativo para la propuesta y priorización de proyectos de desarrollo regional. Caso de estudio Departamento del Meta en Colombia

“…Se presentan 5 tipos de innovadores sociales: los empresarios sociales y ciudadanos individuales, las ONG y organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro, las instituciones públicas, las empresas, y la sociedad civil (Eichler & Schwarz, 2019). En un estudio realizado a 121 países, entre 2014 y 2017, para conocer si la competitividad de las naciones incide en las mejoras en la calidad de vida, influyendo y contribuyendo así al progreso social tanto en índices sociales como económicos, cuando se habla de progreso social, la "innovación" es el factor más débil, debido a su poca relación con las "necesidades sociales básicas", mientras que las "instituciones" e "infraestructura" son los más efectivos para mejorar la competitividad y la calidad de vida (Carvalho et al, 2020) .…”