What indicators to use when measuring services of general interest?

• The services of general interest (SGI) have received increasing attention of the European Union, which considers them a key element of the European model of society. They not only play an important role in the ongoing competitiveness of the European economy, but are also essential for achieving the goal of promoting social and territorial cohesion. Their potential role in the pursuit of the objectives of European cohesion and convergence policies may be significant which calls for an appropriate measurement and analysis of territorial distribution. The indicators are assumed to be a key element in measuring and describing the SGI, however, it is necessary to make a serious reflection how such indicators should be selected. The selection of indicators can be conditioned by several factors, however, it is imperative to make a qualitative reflection on the adequacy and relevance of indicators to analyse the SGI. This reflection runs through the paper. The concept of indicators is addressed, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The indicators are classified according to the role they play in the cause-effect relations in distinct territories. Three types of indicators are identified. Appraisal of indicators and review of literature render it possible to identify the most frequently used indicators and to see SGI analysis from several perspectives, thus verifying that indicators can present different meanings and relevance, based on a range of factors and the scale of analysis. Some of the uncertainties arising in the SGI territorial analysis, which can contribute to the success of the policy making process, are recognized through an example based on the ICT Telecommunication SGI sub-domain. Some procedures connected with the integration of different types of indicators are proposed in order to limit the emergent uncertainties resulting from their interpretation

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Social och ekonomisk geografi -- Ekonomisk geografi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Social and Economic Geography -- Economic Geography (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Services of general interest

indicators

spatial cohesion

European Union

Socialt arbete

Social work

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)