RT Journal Article
T1 Cross-Border Networks in Informal and Formal Cooperation in the Borders Regions of Andalusia-Algarve-Alentejo and South Finland-Estonia
A1 González Gómez, Teresa
A1 Gualda, Estrella
AB Fostering border relations among the people in border regions seems a precondition forthe future envisagement and success of cross-border regions and European Integration. Relatedstudies to border relations observe the weakness of these informal border contacts and relations.However, weak ties represent an opportunity for interaction, and little has been said about howthey might play in the construction and performance of institutional cross-border cooperation(CBC). In this work, we examine the nature of personal border networks of professionals workingin CBC and how they are interconnected with the institutional CBC. This paper is based on amainly qualitative research of two different border regions: Andalusia, Algarve and Alentejo(AAA) and South Finland and Estonia (SFE). Nevertheless, the methodology is multi-method,using semi-structured interviews, with specific questions for applying a social network analysis.Conclusions point out different patterns of border relations in both border regions. In AAA, mostof the cross-border relations are weaker and related to their professional involvement ininstitutional CBC. In SFE, border relations rely both on working and personal reasons. All ofthese cross-border relations imply a significant value as opportunities for social capitalconstruction across the borders and, hence, for greater interaction and cross-border integration.
PB Routledge Taylor & Francis Group
SN 0965-4313
YR 2013
FD 2013-05-01
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10272/6701
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10272/6701
LA eng
NO González-Gómez, T, Gualda, E: "Cross-Border Networks in Informal and Formal Cooperation in the Border Regions Andalusia-Algarve-Alentejo and South Finland-Estonia". European Planning Studies, 1-18 (2013). ISSN 0965-4313
NO Primary data used in this paper are part of the Teresa Gonza´lez-Go´mez Doctoral Thesis in process, titled “Social Capital Applied to Cross-border Cooperation: A Comparative study of two border regions”, supervised by Estrella Gualda, and supported by the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Science and Enterprise (Government of Andalusia,Spain) granting one of the co-authors with a Pre-doctoral Scholarship. This paper has also been partially supported by the ESEIS, Social Studies and Social Intervention Research Centre (University of Huelva, Spain, www.eseis.es), by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and the Centre for Spatial and Organizational Cross-Border Networks 15Downloaded by [Universitaria De Huelva], [Teresa González-Gómez] at 02:44 02 May 2013Dynamics (CIEO, University of Algarve, Portugal, www.cieo.pt). At the same time, thiswork is partially integrated in the project “Territorial Analysis and Cross-borderCooperation of Euroregion Alentejo–Algarve–Andalusia: Historical balance and potentialitiesfor the new European period/frame 2014–2020”, University of Huelva.Research project of Excellence (Call 2011). Financed by the Regional Ministry ofEconomy, Innovation and Science, Secretary of Universities, Research and Technology,Andalusia (Government of Andalusia, Spain).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 31 may 2026