Regional Competitiveness

There is now a wide spread interest in regions as a key focus in the organization and governance of economic growth and wealth creation. This important book considers the factors that influence and shape the competitive performance of regions. This is not just an issue of academic interest and debate, but also of increasing policy deliberation and action. However, as the readings in this book make clear, the very idea of regional competitiveness is itself complex and contentious. Many academics and policy makers have used the concept without fully considering what is meant by the term and how it can be measured. Policy formulation has tended to rush ahead of understanding and analysis, and the purpose of this book is to close this important gap in understanding. This book was previously published as a special issue of Regional Studies.

Ron Martin is Professor in Economic Geography in the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge., Michael Kitson is a University Lecturer in Global Macroeconomics, Judge Institute of Management, University of Cambridge., Peter Tyler is a Professor in Urban and Regional Economics, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge.

1. Regional Competitiveness: An Elusive Yet Key Concept? 2. The Economic Performance of Regions 3. The Competitiveness of Regions from an Evolutionary Perspective 4. A Conceptual Framework for Regional Competitiveness 5. Competition, Collaboration and Cooperation: An Uneasy Triangle in Networks of Firms and Regions 6. Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Growth Across the European Regions 7. Cities, Regions and Competitiveness 8. Globalization and Competitive Strategy in Europe's Vulnerable Regions: Firm, Industry and Country Effects in Labour-Intensive Industries 9. Jockeying for Position: What it Means and Why it Matters to Regional Development Policy when Places Compete