1st Edition

Path Dependence and Regional Economic Renewal

Edited By Arne Isaksen, Stig-Erik Jakobsen Copyright 2018
    220 Pages
    by Routledge

    220 Pages
    by Routledge


    This book investigates the mechanisms that may stimulate or hamper the renewal of the regional industry structure. Recent years have witnessed a strong interest in, and need for, the modernization and upgrading of existing industries and the introduction of new industries. Informed by the evolutionary perspective this book argues that innovations within existing industry paths and the creation of new industries are strongly rooted in the established economic practice. Historically developed skills, existing industrial structure and regional and extra-regional networks form the basis for future regional growth. This volume consists of 11 chapters studying different aspects of regional industrial path development illustrated with cases from Norway, Sweden and Spain. The book also look into the role of policy for regional economic renewal, and argues that economic renewal is fostered by policies that incorporate both actor-based and system-based elements. Such policy mix will provide a vital push towards renewal and new path development. The chapters were originally published as a special issue in European Planning Studies.

    1. New path development between innovation systems and individual actors Arne Isaksen and Stig-Erik Jakobsen 2. A review of (almost) 20 years of regional innovation systems research David Doloreux and Igone Porto Gomez 3. Developing cross-industry innovation capability: regional drivers and indicators within firms Elisabet S. Hauge, Nina Kyllingstad, Natalia Maehle and Ann Camilla Schulze-Krogh 4. Entrepreneurial industry structures and financial institutions as agents for path dependence in Southwest Norway: the role of the macroeconomic environment Martin Gjelsvik and Jarle Aarstad 5. Unfolding the relationship between resilient firms and the region Mary Genevieve Billington, James Karlsen, Line Mathisen and Inger Beate Pettersen 6. Extra-regional linkages through MNCs in organizationally thick and specialized RISs: a source of new path development? Heidi Wiig Aslesen, Katja Maria Hydle and Kristin Wallevik 7. Foreign direct investment and renewal of industries: framing the reciprocity between materiality and discourse Arnt Fløysand, Rune Njøs, Trond Nilsen and Vigdis Nygaard 8. Paving the way for new regional industrial paths: actors and modes of change in Scania’s games industry Johan Miörner and Michaela Trippl 9. Regional agency and constitution of new paths: a study of agency in early formation of new paths on the west coast of Norway Ann Karin T. Holmen and Jens Kristian Fosse 10. Regional skill relatedness: towards a new measure of regional related diversification Rune Dahl Fitjar and Bram Timmermans 11. Public policies and cluster life cycles: insights from the Basque Country experience Aitziber Elola, Jesus M. Valdaliso, Susana Franco and Santiago M. López

    Biography

    Arne Isaksen is a Professor in Economic Geography at the Department of Work Life and Innovation at the University of Agder, Norway. He is an expert in studies of regional innovation system and innovation policy, and has published a large number of articles in international journals.



    Stig-Erik Jakobsen is a Professor in Innovation Studies at the Western Norway University of Applied Science. He is experienced in studies of industrial development, innovation and innovation policy, and has an extensive publication record in international journals. He is also Associate Editor of European Planning Studies.