The OECD territorial review of Småland-Blekinge presents an overview of recent trends, regional policies and governance arrangements of this region that is made up of four counties in South-East Sweden: Jönköping, Kronoberg, Kalmar and Blekinge. The challenges include the need to facilitate a shift from the region’s historic specialisation in medium-low and low technology manufacturing towards more knowledge-intensive activities. This will require addressing the supply of human capital, improving connectivity and enhancing the attractiveness of the region. A regionalisation reform is now under discussion in Sweden with potential implications for Småland-Blekinge. Whatever the future administrative structure of Småland-Blekinge, the effectiveness of regional development policies and public service delivery will be directly related to strengthened interaction and co-ordination arrangements among the numerous actors and administrative units involved.
Table of contents:
Assessment and recommendations Chapter 1. Trends and challenges -Introduction -1.1. The national context -1.2. The regional context: uneven patterns in the Småland-Blekinge region -1.3. Factors of growth -Conclusion -Note -Bibliography -Annex 1.A1. OECD regional classification and regional typology -Annex 1.A2. Methodology for the decomposition of factors of growth -Annex 1.A3. Indicators of specialisation Chapter 2.Economic competitiveness in the Småland-Blekinge region -Introduction -2.1. Adjusting to the demographic challenge -2.2. Improving the attractiveness and opportunities of Småland-Blekinge -Conclusion -Notes -Bibliography Chapter 3.Governance and co-operation in Småland-Blekinge -Introduction -3.1. Regional governance and territorial co-operation in Småland-Blekinge -3.2. Analysing territorial reform -3.3. Towards better governance of regional development -Conclusion -Notes -Bibliography -Annex 3.A1. Administrative organisation of some of the main public agencies
