This research delves into the correlation between institutional quality and tourism development in a panel of nine Mediterranean countries within the European Union spanning from 1996 to 2021. The study gauges tourism development by examining tourist arrivals, while considering GDP growth rate, inflation, higher education, environmental quality, and trade as control variables representing factors influencing tourism. Institutional quality is measured through indicators such as regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption. Utilizing Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) models, the study aims to quantify the impact of these factors on tourism development. The findings indicate a positive relationship between institutional quality and tourism, shedding light on the pivotal role of institutions in tourism management and their influence on the sector. These results have implications for shaping national development strategies.

The economic complexity approach presents a shift from quantitative to qualitative measures of economic performance, while economic complexity refers to the accumulation of know-how. Economic complexity is considered a predictor of economic growth and research evidences a positive relationship between economic complexity and economic growth. In the EU countries, economic convergence is observed. Hence the question of economic complexity convergence arises, too. The paper aims to analyze the convergence of 27 EU countries considering their economic complexity from 1999 to 2021 computing the beta convergence. Using the Barro-type regressions, the econometric estimations focus on four indices of economic complexity—the economic complexity index published by Harvard’s Growth Lab, and economic complexity indices on research, trade, and technology published by the Observatory of Economic Complexity. The absolute beta convergence is observed in the EU except for the economic complexity index referring to trade. When including the dummy referring to the location of EU countries in the West or East of the EU considering their wealth, the conditional beta convergence is observed except for the trade-economic complexity index, again. When altering the condition of location by the GDP per capita and other controls, the conditional beta convergence of economic complexity in the EU is observed when estimating both fixed-effect models and dynamic panel data models based on the system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator.

Over the last few decades, we have experienced a remarkable evolution of technologies, with a consequent impact on the modes of transport used. These developments have made all modes of transport more accessible. This study examines the evolution of transport in the European Union. To this end, we analysed the international framework, followed by the general legal framework and the type of transport sector at the European level. Furthermore, we examined areas where improvements could be made, facilitating a subsequent review of other key aspects of transport. This enabled us to identify a series of future actions to improve accessible transport in Europe.

The Circular Economy is one of the most prominent cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral concepts to emerge in recent decades. It has permeated academia, policymaking, business, NGOs, and the general public, leading to numerous applications of the concept, some of which only partially overlap. In this article, we review recent debates and research trends in the Circular Economy, outlining the ten most common groups of its conceptualizations using the PRISMA (Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) method. We then propose a post disciplinary and transnational research program on the Circular Economy that would not only combine hard and soft sciences in unprecedented ways but also have important practical applications, such as developing tools to embed the Circular Economy in natural, technical, economic, and socio-cultural settings.

This study aims to examine the evolution of the system of support sources in Hungary, focusing on the specific goals supporting higher education in the development programs Széchenyi 2020 (2014–2020) and Széchenyi Plan Plus (2021–2027). The study provides insights into development program evolution and changes, aiming to inform EU funding opportunities for Hungarian higher education institutions over a nearly 10-year period. By focusing on the operational programs that are the basis for the upcoming tenders, the study will display the target system of EU funds that can be utilized to bolster higher education institutions in Hungary. The study is based on document analysis, examining the Hungarian policy tools of the development programs and the operational program strategies of the ten-year time period from 2014 to 2024. By analyzing the support landscape for higher education institutions in Hungary, this study contributes to a better understanding of how the key objectives and criteria of strategic programs have evolved. It also examines the aspects and elements defined in two different development programs over the last ten years. The result of the study can contribute to anticipate the types of funding opportunities that may be available in the future and inform future decision-making processes.