Institutional quality and bioeconomy performance in European countries: Unveiling the evidence

The bioeconomy, emerging as a beacon of sustainable development and global competitiveness, relies on renewable biological resources. This study investigates the interplay between institutional quality and bioeconomy performance in 28 European countries. By employing a Fixed Effect Regression and different sensitivity analyses, we unveil a robust, positive, and statistically significant relationship between the institutional quality and the socio-economic indicator for bioeconomy. The six institutional quality pillars - political stability, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and voice and accountability - positively impact the bioeconomy in Europe. These findings underscore the pivotal role of institutions in shaping bioeconomy performance, emphasizing the profound impact of political stability, regulatory standards, and anticorruption measures. As a result, our research provides valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the significance of enhancing institutional quality as a means to advance sustainability and stimulate economic growth through bioeconomy development.