Abstract
Regional economic development is critical for national growth and prosperity. However, regional communities differ in several ways. This diversity also deepens inequity in achieving regional economic development as these communities are confronted with different challenges. Often, one-size-fits-all solutions are proposed, and they are no longer helpful – necessitating a need for new sustainable pathways and solutions. In Australia, for example, rural communities constitute about 85% of the total land size but they have the least infrastructure distribution and generate little revenue for providing and maintaining them. These inequalities in infrastructure access have systemically stifled business investment and economic development in rural communities. We explore how rural councils stimulate infrastructure projects to emerge towards their regional economic development. Particularly, our research examines the role of project management in addressing infrastructure challenges and supporting regional economic development in Australia. We analyse two case studies of emergent projects (i.e., wind farm and service worker housing) in Western Australia. Documentary analysis was also conducted using secondary data such as government policy documents and professional institutional reports. Our analysis draws on the concept of emergence in complexity theory and the projectification literature. We find that a project-based approach helps to address local infrastructure problems, by stimulating non-deterministic interaction among actors of the regional project system. These interactions accommodate technical alternative solutions and local capacity development that leads to infrastructure project emergence, usually offering various community benefits. Implications for policy and practical pathways to addressing inequalities in infrastructure access and promoting regional economic development are discussed.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 08 Apr 2025 |
| Event | International Research Society in Public Management (IRSPM) - Bologna Congress Centre, Bologna, Italy Duration: 07 Apr 2025 → 09 Apr 2025 Conference number: 2025 https://www.irspm.org/conferences/conference-2025 |
Conference
| Conference | International Research Society in Public Management (IRSPM) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Civic engagement and social capital in contemporary public administration: facing the challenges of social equity and environmental sustainability |
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Bologna |
| Period | 07/04/25 → 09/04/25 |
| Internet address |
