The role of efficient resource management in strengthening national competitiveness
Farid Babayev, Zahra Samadova, Ummuhabiba Galandarova, Jala Vagifli, Laman Azizova
Streszczenie
The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between efficient resource management and the level of
international competitiveness of the national economy. The system of natural resource management in the Republic of Azer
baijan is examined as an example. The methodological approach includes a comprehensive analysis of official statistics in
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovakia, and France, comparison of physical and financial indicators of resource use, and an
expert survey conducted among business representatives. The survey involved 25 entrepreneurs and enterprise managers op
erating in sectors directly engaged in the utilisation of natural resources. The results confirm a stable and statistically significant
correlation between such indicators as energy intensity of the economy (r=-0.62, p<0.01), labour productivity (r=0.68,
p<0.001), waste recycling rate (r=0.54, p<0.05), investment in human capital (r=0.71, p<0.001), and efficiency of budget
expenditure (r=0.59, p<0.01) and positions of the country in international competitiveness indices. The survey identified key
institutional deficiencies: 76% of respondents pointed to a lack of coordination between water, environmental, and economic
governance, 68% noted the fragmented regulatory framework, 64% highlighted limited access to digital solutions, and 72%
stated a low level of awareness and engagement in environmental, social, and corporate governance practices. Only 28% of
companies confirmed the integration of elements of environmental, social, and corporate governance into organisational pro
cesses. The need was substantiated for practical implementation of digital platforms for environmental monitoring, the estab
lishment of effective interdepartmental coordination mechanisms, and the development of specialised educational programmes
aimed at preparing qualified professionals in the field of environmental management. It is important to integrate sustainable
development criteria into key strategic documents of socio-economic planning for ensuring a comprehensive and long-term
approach to natural resource management. The practical value of the study lies in establishing a basis for institutional trans
formation of natural capital management systems.
international competitiveness of the national economy. The system of natural resource management in the Republic of Azer
baijan is examined as an example. The methodological approach includes a comprehensive analysis of official statistics in
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovakia, and France, comparison of physical and financial indicators of resource use, and an
expert survey conducted among business representatives. The survey involved 25 entrepreneurs and enterprise managers op
erating in sectors directly engaged in the utilisation of natural resources. The results confirm a stable and statistically significant
correlation between such indicators as energy intensity of the economy (r=-0.62, p<0.01), labour productivity (r=0.68,
p<0.001), waste recycling rate (r=0.54, p<0.05), investment in human capital (r=0.71, p<0.001), and efficiency of budget
expenditure (r=0.59, p<0.01) and positions of the country in international competitiveness indices. The survey identified key
institutional deficiencies: 76% of respondents pointed to a lack of coordination between water, environmental, and economic
governance, 68% noted the fragmented regulatory framework, 64% highlighted limited access to digital solutions, and 72%
stated a low level of awareness and engagement in environmental, social, and corporate governance practices. Only 28% of
companies confirmed the integration of elements of environmental, social, and corporate governance into organisational pro
cesses. The need was substantiated for practical implementation of digital platforms for environmental monitoring, the estab
lishment of effective interdepartmental coordination mechanisms, and the development of specialised educational programmes
aimed at preparing qualified professionals in the field of environmental management. It is important to integrate sustainable
development criteria into key strategic documents of socio-economic planning for ensuring a comprehensive and long-term
approach to natural resource management. The practical value of the study lies in establishing a basis for institutional trans
formation of natural capital management systems.