This article focuses on multi level governance (MLG) in Turkey by examining EU pre-accession funds by developing an interdisciplinary, multidimensional approach integrating vertical and horizontal relations at different levels of governance with the main principles (concentration; programming; partnership and additionality) of EU structural funds. It analyzes the dual governance structure on the efficient utilization of EU funds allocated to 191 municipality and local authority projects executed under two calls covering seven NUTS II regions and twenty cities in Turkey and demonstrates the differences in efficiency levels by using an empirical approach. Results show that pre-accession funds promote the formation of an EU-model MLG structure by generating new forms of relations among the authorities at different levels.
KEYWORDS: • multi-level governance • efficiency analysis • DEA • EU pre-accession funds • Turkey
Author Biographies
Arzu Tektas is associate professor of quantitative decision methods. Her research interests include efficiency and productivity analyses at sector level, innovation and SMEs, supply chain management, efficiency analysis of EU pre-accession funds. Her works have been published in journals such as The European Journal of Operational Research, Contemporary Economic Policy, International Journal of Risk Finance, International Journal of Social Sciences, International Journal of Business, Economics, Finance and Management Sciences.
Asli Deniz Helvacioglu Kuyucu is assistant professor of European Union law at the Department of International Trade, Bogazici University, Turkey. Her research interests include EU funds and policies in EU harmonization process, micro credit, innovation and culture. Her works have been published in journals such as International Journal of Social Sciences and International Journal of Intercultural Information Management.