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On the 'Nobel Prize in Economics' and the monopoly of neoclassical theory at university departments of economics February 12, 2010pesodLeave a commentGo to comments from Peter Söderbaum,  peter.soderbaum@mdh.se Early in October 2009 a journalist from a French business journal, Challenge, called me to discuss the so called Nobel Prize in Economics. He referred to a translated version of my critical article in Dagens Nyheter from 2004. I hope that the result from the interview was meaningful but at the same time I felt that I need to consider once more where I stand in relation to these issues. In what follows, there is a 'socially constructed' interview with myself in both roles; the person asking questions and the one responding. I hope this will clarify my position. At the final stage of writing these pages I heard of the new winners of the Economics Prize, Elinor Ostrom and Oliver Williamson. A short comment on this is made as a postscript. Is economics a science as you understand it? I have nothing against thinking of economics as a science. Economics is one of the social sciences, such as political science, sociology, psychology, management science. There are also important relationships to the humanities, such as a possible focus on individuals as actors and their subjectivity. I am skeptical to the attempt to emphasize similarities between economics on the one hand and physics, chemistry, medicine on the other. The latter disciplines are too limited to positivism as a theory of science (standing outside, watching ecosystems and nature, looking for regularities in a value neutral way, making experiments etc.) You are skeptical to, if not against a Nobel Prize in economics; why is this so?For me, it is the combination of two states of affairs or facts that make me question the economics prize in its present form:  There is a dominance and monopoly for one kind of economics, 'neoclassical economics' at university departments of economics in

Publications 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 2010 Gregory Spencer, Tara Vinodrai, Meric Gertler, and David Wolfe, "Do Clusters Make a Difference: Defining and Assessing their Economic Performance", Regional Studies, 44:6 (July, 2010): 697-715. David A. Wolfe, "The Strategic Management of Core Cities: Path Dependency and Economic Adjustment in Resilient Regions", special issue of the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 3:1 (March, 2010): 139-52. 2009 David A. Wolfe, "21st Century Cities in Canada: The Geography of Innovation," the 2009 CIBC Scholar-in-Residence Lecture, (Ottawa: Conference Board of Canada, 2009). David A. Wolfe, "Universities and Knowledge Transfer: Powering Local Economic and Cluster Development," in G. Bruce Doern and Christopher Stoney, eds, Research and Innovation Policy: Changing Federal Government-University Relations, (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2009): 265-287. David A. Wolfe, "Social Dynamics of Innovation and Civic Engagement in City Regions," special issue on Social Innovation and Territorial Development, Canadian Journal of Regional Science 32:1 (Spring, 2009): 59-72. David A. Wolfe, "The Waterloo ICT Cluster," in Clusters, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: International Comparisons, eds Jonathan Potter and Gabriela Miranda (Paris: OECD, 2009): 193-216. David Arthurs, Erin Cassidy, Charles Davis and David A. Wolfe, "Indicators to Support Innovation Cluster Policy," International Journal of Technology Management 45:3/4 (2009): 263-279. David A. Wolfe, "Introduction: Embedded Clusters in a Global Economy," European Planning Studies, 17:2 (Feb. 2009): 179-87. Matthew Lucas, Anita Sands and David A. Wolfe, "Regional Clusters in a Global Industry: ICT Clusters in Canada," European Planning Studies 17:2 (February 2009): 189-209. John N. H. Britton, Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay, Richard Smith, "Contrasts in Cluster

New Horizons in Regional Science series Series editor: Philip McCann, University of Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Waikato, New Zealand Regional science analyses important issues surrounding the growth and development of urban and regional systems and is emerging as a major social science discipline. This new series will provide an invaluable forum for the publication of high quality scholarly work on urban and regional studies, industrial location economics, transport systems, economic geography and networks. New Horizons in Regional Science aims to publish the best work by economists, geographers, urban and regional planners and other researchers from throughout the world. It is intended to serve a wide readership including academics, students and policymakers. For submissions in this series please contact our commissioning editor - http://www.e-elgar.co.uk/proposal.lasso The Regional Economics Of Knowledge And Talent Karlsson, C. Johansson, B. Stough, R.R. 'The Regional Economics of Knowledge and Talent, edited by Charlie Karlsson, Börje Johansson and Roger R. Stough brings together a wide range of cutting edge studies and research on the role of talent... read more... Hardback c$160.00 on-line price c$144.00   Qty Innovation, Global Change And Territorial Resilience Cooke, P. Parrilli, M.D. Curbelo, J.L. 'Innovation, Global Change and Territorial Resilience is indeed a timely contribution addressing the challenges that the global economy poses for local, regional and national economies. In the current... read more... Hardback c$210.00 on-line price c$189.00   Qty Creative Knowledge Cities van Geenhuizen, M. Nijkamp, P. This book adopts a holistic, integrated and pragmatic approach to exploring the myths, concepts, policies, key conditions and tools for enhancing creative knowledge cities, as well as expounding poten... read more... Hardback $205.00 on-line price $184.50   Qty Societies In Motion Frenkel, A. Nijka

RSA Annual International Conference 2011 17th - 20th April 2011, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK Academic Papers Author(s) Title of Paper/Presentation Cristina Aragón, Mari Jose Aranguren, Maria Angeles Diez, Cristina Iturrioz and James R. Wilson Creating cooperation for clusters? Lessons from the implementation of a participatory policy evaluation process Jānis Balodis Polieconomics of African Civil Wars: Period 1950. - 2010 - Military Geographical Distribution Professor Andrew Beer Subversive Leadership: Hegemony, Contestation and the Future of Regions Professor Andrew Beer and Dr Selina Tually The Drivers of Regional Housing Markets in Australia: Evidence and Implications for Future Growth Paul Benneworth and Roel Rutten Territorial Innovation Models beyond the Learning Regions Bianchi P. and Labory S. Industrial Policy after the Crisis: the Case of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy Michail Biniakos The changing politics of Local and Regional Development and Governance in Romania Ph.D. Luis Felipe Martí Borbolla Business and social responsibility Petter Boye (Econ. Dr.) The changing role of OECD Territorial Reviews in policy conception and regional development David L. Brown, Benjamin C. Bolender, Laszlo J. Kulcsar, Nina Glasgow and Scott Sanders Inter-County Variability of Net Migration at Older Ages as a Path Dependent Process Dr Ignazio Cabras Community Cohesion in Rural UK: The Case of Rural Co-operatives and their Potential for Local Communities H. Caraveli and M. Tsionas Regional Inequalities in Greece: Determining factors, trends and perspectives Tony Champion and Alan Townsend British City Regions' Economies into Recession Anastassios Chardas Exploring the differential enforcement of the EU's Cohesion Policy added value: Administrative and institutional adjustments in Greece and Ireland. Nick Clifton, Phil Cooke and Høgni Kalsø Hansen Creative Knowledge Workers across 'Varieties of Capitalism': evidence from Sweden and the UK Joa

Ray Hudson Resilient regions in an uncertain world: wishful thinking or a practical reality? Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 11-25 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp026 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article James Simmie and Ron Martin Editor's Choice: The economic resilience of regions: towards an evolutionary approach Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 27-43 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp029 Abstract FREE Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Robert Hassink Regional resilience: a promising concept to explain differences in regional economic adaptability? Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 45-58 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp033 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Andy Pike, Stuart Dawley, and John Tomaney Resilience, adaptation and adaptability Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 59-70 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsq001 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Rolf Pendall, Kathryn A. Foster, and Margaret Cowell Resilience and regions: building understanding of the metaphor Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 71-84 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp028 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Karen Chapple and T. William Lester The resilient regional labour market? The US case Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 85-104 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp031 Abstract FREE Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Carey Durkin Treado Pittsburgh's evolving steel legacy and the steel technology cluster Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 105-120 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp027 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select this article Jennifer Clark, Hsin-I Huang, and John P. Walsh A typology of 'innovation districts': what it means for regional resilience Cambridge J Regions Econ Soc (2010) 3(1): 121-137 doi:10.1093/cjres/rsp034 Abstract Full Text (HTML) Full Text (PDF) Permissions Select

[URBGEOG] CALL FOR PAPERS: Networked Regions and cities in times of fragmentation, 13-16 May 2012, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands Entrada X   Responder a todos Cristina Comunian Cristina.Comunian@regionalstudies.org para URBGEOG mostrar detalhes 10:13 (3 horas atrás) Regional Studies Association International Conference 2012 13 - 16 May 2012 - Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places Call for papers Extended deadline for abstract submission: 20th February 2012 (early bird rates are also extended to the 20th February, after this date the full rate will apply)   http://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2012/May-Delft/    "…..Regions and cities are increasingly interdependent; economically, socially and environmentally. They are becoming more reliant on interregional flows of trade, labour and resources. Patterns of interactions between regions are experiencing rapid changes as a result of dramatic shifts in production and consumption patterns, advances in communication technologies and the development of transport infrastructure(…) The governance of regions faces multi-level, multi-actor and multi-sectoral challenges. New spatial interactions at new scales demand new approaches for consultation and coordination. More flexible forms of governance are emerging, working around traditional governmental arrangements. The result is a complex pattern of overlapping governance and fuzzy boundaries(…)"   The 2012 RSA conference in Delft provides a timely opportunity for participants to come together and reflect on the various strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities of networked cities and regions within these different contexts of fragmentation.   Gateway Themes A. EU Regional policy and practice B. Climate change, energy and sustainability

Latest Working Papers WP48 - Inflation, Liquidity Risk and Long-run TFP - Growth Size: 668.0K bytes WP47 - Do Foreign Mergers and Acquisitions Boost Firm Productivity? Size: 256.8K bytes WP46 - What Determines the Attractiveness of the European Union to the Location of R&D Multinational Firms? Size: 280.5K bytes WP45 - What Determines the Attractiveness of EU Regions to the Location of Multinational firms in the ICt Sector? Size: 167.9K bytes WP 44 - Foreign Direct Investment in Developed Economies: a Comparison between European and non-European Countries Size: 162.5K bytes Earlier Working Papers WP 1-Dynamic Growth Regions, Innovation and Competitiveness in a Knowledge Based World Economy: A Survey of Theory and Empirical Literature Size: 251.5K bytes WP2-Theoretical and Methodological Study on Dynamic Growth Regions and Factors Explaining their Growth Performance Size: 196.4K bytes WP3-Theoretical and Methodological Study on Comparative Advantages in Dynamic Growth Regions, Convergence and Inequalities Patterns Size: 124.7K bytes WP4-Theoretical and Methodological Study on the Role of Public Policies in Fostering Innovation and Growth Size: 898.3K bytes WP 5 - Explaining Knowledge-Based Economic Dynamism in a Global Scale Size: 3.2M bytes WP 6 - Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Growth Size: 1.2M bytes WP 7 - The Effects of Human Capital on Output Growth in ICT Industries: Evidence from OECD Countries Size: 1.1M bytes WP 8 - Analysis of Educational Distribution in Europe: Educational Attainment and Inequality Within Regions Size: 1.7M bytes WP 9 - Education and Income Inequality in the Regions of the European Union Size: 1.3M bytes WP 10 - Productivity Spillovers and Multinational Enterprises: in Search of a Spatial Dimension Size: 559.3K bytes WP 11 - Productivity Spillovers from Foreign Investment: The Role of Neglected Conditionalities Size: 351.9K bytes WP 12 - A Generalize

Critical reflections on regional competitiveness: theory, policy and practice Gillian Bristow 0 Resenhas Routledge, 2010 - 186 páginas Since the early 1990s, governments and development agencies have become increasingly preoccupied with the pursuit of regional competitiveness. However, there is considerable confusion around what exactly regional competitiveness means, how it might be achieved, whether and how it can be measured, and whether it is a meaningful and appropriate goal for regional economies. The central aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive and critical account of these debates with reference to theory, policy and practice, and thus to explore the meaning and value of the concept of regional competitiveness.The book is structured into three parts. Part one introduces the concept of regional competitiveness by tracing its origins and exploring its different meanings in regional economic development. This will critically engage with political economy approaches to understanding the nature and dominance of the competitiveness discourse. Part two interrogates the pursuit of regional competitiveness in policy and practice. This critically evaluates the degree to which the pursuit of competitiveness is encouraging convergence in policy agendas in regions through an examination of key determinants of policy sameness and difference, notably benchmarking and devolved governance. Part three explores the limitations to regional competitiveness and explores whether and how its predominance in the policy discourse might be challenged by alternative agendas such as sustainable development and wellbeing. This focuses on the developing qualitative character of regional development.This volume critically engages with the theory and policy of regional competitiveness, thus providing the first integrated critique of the concept for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as academics interested in regional development and policy. It will unpack the co

THE NEW URBAN QUESTION Urbanism beyond Neo-Liberalism Conference Themes | The New Urban Question | The New Urban Economy | The Urbanized Society | Urban Technologies and Sustainability | | The Transformation of Urban Form | The Design of the New Urban Space | The New Metropolitan Region | | New Approaches of Urban Governance | Changing Planning Cultures | [ Click here to download all papers at once] Table of contents Introduction Jürgen Rosemann The New Urban Question Beyond The Crisis: Towards a New Urban Paradigm Laura Burkhalter and Manuel Castells Bridging the Ecologies of Cities and of Nature Saskia Sassen Looking Forward to Architecture of the New Millennium Wu Liangyong Fibercity as a Paradigm Shift of Urban Design Hidetoshi Ohno Dutch Spatial Planning and Hierarchy: Making Differences, Think-do-act, and Renewed Re-activism Henk W.J. Ovink The Formation of the West Coast Metropolitan Region of Taiwan in the Network Society Chu-Joe Hsia ^ back to top The New Urban Economy Full papers Studies on Asian Mixed Use Urban Blocks and Their Applications on the Mono-functional Office Districts in the Netherlands Tsaijer Cheng, Changfang Luo Mega-event Strategy As a Tool of Urban Transformation: Sydney's Experience Yawei Chen, Marjolein Spaans The Strength of Connections: Innovation Engines in Creative Industries A.P. Drogendijk, M. J. W. van Twist Tracing the Roots of Cultural Industries: Employment Trends in Cultural Industries in Dutch Cities Since 1899 Michaël Deinema and Robert Kloosterman Tourism and Urban Economy: Branding Cities and Producing Contradictory Spaces of Consumption L. Girardi, P. F. Meliani The Decline of The Industrial City: the Limits of Neoliberal Urban Regeneration Tahl Kaminer The Mall in the Online Shopping Era Cristian Suau, Margarita Munar Bauzá Macau's Urban Image Production - Before and After the Credit Crunch Hendrik Tieben Global Capitals Role in the (De)Structuration of Urban Space Nikolaos T

hanks to everyone who has shared links and leads to webinars and other programs! To clarify. I will post the final list of FREE webinars and other distance learning programs late next week. I will also post separate lists of FOR-FEE online degree programs, certification programs, and fee-based distance learning programs. Examples of these include Ryerson University's Certificate in Food Security and Green Mountain College's new Masters in Sustainable Food Systems. So, please do continue to send me examples of all of the above! Cheers, Duncan -----Original Message----- From: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group [mailto:SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU] On Behalf Of Duncan Hilchey Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 12:59 PM To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU Subject: [SANET-MG] Food System Webinar Compilation Dear SANET List, Below is what I've collected so far toward a compilation of free webinars and distance learning programs of potential interest to food system and agricultural development professionals.  I do not believe this is exhaustive by any means. However, this is based on what folks (on COMFOOD, SANET, and FOOD PLANNING lists) led me to and what I was able to glean on my own from the Internet. I excluded some recommendations which I felt were too limited in scope. On the whole, the sustainable/organic agriculture and "good food" communities seems to have done an excellent job getting comprehensive programs online. I was less successful in identifying webinars and distance learning programs on food security. I do not know if there's a niche to produce these or whether I was simply not looking in the right place. In any case, please continue to send me links and leads-as well as corrections (I did this rather hastily). I will post the final compilation in the next few weeks-once your suggestions are exhausted. I would eventually like to see a one stop shopping clearing house created where e

Policy Analysis of Transport Networks Imprint: Ashgate Illustrations: Includes 44 b&w illustrations Published: January 2007 Format: 234 x 156 mm Extent: 332 pages Binding: Hardback ISBN: 978-0-7546-4547-4 Price : £65.00 » Website price: £58.50 BL Reference: 388 LoC Control No: 2006928102   Print friendly information sheet Send to a friend Edited by Marina van Geenhuizen, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, Aura Reggiani, University of Bologna, Italy and Piet Rietveld, Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Series : Transport and Mobility Interdisciplinary contributors from across Europe and the USA join together in this book to provide a timely overview of the latest theories and policies related to transport networks. They cover topical issues such as: environmental benefits of substitution of aviation by high speed trains; incident management; impacts of aviation deregulation; and time savings in freight transport. The book also breaks new ground on the development of new methods of cost benefit analysis and other approaches in policy analysis. Contents: Preface; New trends in policy making for transport and regional network integration, Marina van Geenhuizen, Aura Reggiani and Piet Rietveld. Part I Policy Analysis in the Transport Field: Equity issues in the evaluation of transport policies and transport infrastructure projects, Piet Rietveld, Jan Rouwendal and Arno van der Vlist; Economic impact assessment for analysing the viability of regional airports in Norway, Svein Brathen and Knut S. Eriksen; Modelling the short-term impacts of a nuclear accident on transportation flows, Peder Axensten; Models and realities: choosing transit projects for New York City, Robert Paaswell and Joseph Berechman; A framework for identifying and qualifying uncertainty in policy making: the case of intelligent transport systems, Marina van Geenhuizen and Wil Thissen; An evaluation of benefits from aircraft and high-speed train substitution, Mo

Rethinking regional innovation and change: path dependency or regional breakthrough Gerhard Fuchs, Philip Shapira 0 Resenhas Springer, 2005 - 321 páginas Rethinking Regional Innovation and Change brings together papers from leading international scholars in the field of regional development and policy. The contributors examine the interactions between path-dependent developments, institutions, and governance structures that influence regional innovation capacity. Up-to-date case studies present diverse theoretical perspectives from economics, political science, geography, planning, and public policy. " Taken as a whole, the volume offers a broad and up-to-date perspective on the inheritance aspect of an area's future. Without exception, the chapters are insightful, interesting and a pleasure to read. Let us hope that this excellent work will find its way to the desks of authorities in charge for regional policy. If anything, the book still urges policy makers to start from the simple piece of wisdom that regions tend to go from where they are coming. Paradoxically, it is from this very notion of path dependency that most regional breakthroughs can be expected. " (Gert-Jan Hospers, Regions, Volume 256, April 2005)

he Social Region Beyond the Territorial Dynamics of the Learning Economy Frank Moulaert University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and IFRESI-CNRS, France, frank.moulaert@ncl.ac.uk Jacques Nussbaumer IFRESI-CLERSÉ-CNRS and University of Lille I, France The purpose of this paper is to launch a debate on a broader meaning of the term 'innovation' and its significance for local and regional development. Innovation and related economic and social categories have been at the centre of policy discussions on the future of the European economy and society. Reflections on the innovative and learning region (Territorial Innovation Models; TIMs) have underpinned regional and local development policies. Yet dissatisfaction with the technologist and market-competition-led development concept of the TIMs is growing and today its shortcomings are well known. But to formulate an alternative based on a different ontology requires a multidimensional reflection on the pillars of territorial development. The first section briefly refers to the critical evaluations of the literature on regional innovation and the so-called Territorial Innovation Models. The second section returns to basic questions about the meaning of regional economic development and innovation. It puts forward community development based on social innovation as an alternative to market-led territorial development. The third section examines the consequences of the community ontology for the definition of a number of basic concepts. Categories such as capital, knowledge, learning, evolution, culture and so on receive a different meaning in a model where the economic is only one dimension of the overall dynamics of community development. The fourth section integrates the role of power relations and the articulation between various spatial scales and institutional settings into the community-development approach. The final section dwells on the consequences of this community-oriented territorial approach for contem

Regional Knowledge Economies Markets, Clusters and Innovation Philip Cooke, University Research Professor in Regional Development and Director, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff, Carla De Laurentis, Researcher, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK, Franz Tödtling, Professor and Head, Institute for Regional Development and Environment, WU Wien, University of Economics and Business, Austria and Michaela Trippl, Researcher, Institute for Regional Development and Environment, WU Wien, University of Economics and Business, Austria 2007 336 pp Hardback 978 1 84542 529 6 £79.95 on-line discount £71.96 2009 336 pp Paperback 978 1 84844 524 6 £35.00 on-line discount £28.00     This book is also available as an ebook 978 1 84720 693 0 'This volume represents an important information source for a broad range of disciplines - regional and development economics, public policy, economic geography and industrial studies. It will interest teachers, researchers, students and policymakers within these fields.' - Economic Outlook and Business Review Contents: Preface Part I: Conceptual Issues 1. Introduction: Aims of the Book 2. The Emergent Knowledge Economy: Concepts and Evidence 3. Knowledge-based Sectors: Key Drivers of Innovation and Modes of Knowledge Exchange 4. Local Clusters and Global Networks 5. Varieties of Business System and Innovation Part II: Empirical Findings 6. Introduction to Key Research Results 7. UK ICT and Biotechnology Performance: The Significance of Collaboration and Clustering 8. Austrian Catch-up in Knowledge-based Sectors: Research Exploitation, Spatial Clustering and Knowledge Links 9. Comparing the Cases and Lessons for Knowledge-based Sector Policy 10. Reflections on the Research and Conclusions for Policy Index

As we move further into the 21st century, the prominence of regions can no longer be taken for granted. A certain skepticism has developed with regard to the feasibility of marginal regions achieving self-sustained growth and states have maintained their role as regulators of economic and social activities. Thus, the notion of the region and its significance is currently much debated and contested. Illustrated with a wide range of European case studies, this volume brings together the main strands of these contestations, as economic, political and social actors attempt to institutionalise their vision of their region as the dominant form of territorial governance. It questions both the external delimitation and the internal constitution of regions and critically analyses the societal processes circumscribing ways in which regions are created, maintained and undermined.The volume provides a wide range of analytical perspectives to enable an understanding of the current mosaic of regionalism in Europe

Social innovation and territorial development Diana MacCallum, Frank Moulaert 0 Resenhas Ashgate, 2009 - 172 páginas Over the past twenty years, regional development and urban regeneration strategies have traditionally centred on the economic: economic strategies to make regions and cities more market-feasible and competitive; physical renewal strategies to strengthen the economic basis of territories; and institutional transformations. However, the economy may be regarded in a more societal way, as a set of social practices, ranging from the everyday of family and community life to norms of consumption and social regulation of work habits and professional practice.The concept of social innovation offers an alternative perspective on development and regional transformation which puts forward innovation in social relations. Multi-disciplinary and global in approach, this volume presents a comprehensive and insightful exploration of social innovation and how it affects life, society and economy, especially, but not exclusively, at the local and regional level. It addresses key questions about the nature of social innovation as a process and a strategy and what opportunities may exist, and may be generated, for social innovation to nourish human development. It puts forward alternative options which highlight issues of solidarity, co-operation and economic, human and cultural diversity, situated outside and in combination with the market, within or outside cultural-artistic arenas, and at various spatial scales of social empowerment. In doing so, this book offers a provocative response to the predominant neoliberal economic vision of spatial, economic and social change.

Economic Geography Developing Evolutionary Economic Geography This research programme aims to develop Evolutionary Economic Geography both theoretically and empirically. By taking an explicit dynamic perspective, Evolutionary Economic Geography complements neoclassical and institutional modes of analysis in economic geography. Evolutionary Economic Geography explains the spatial evolution of firms, industries, networks, cities, and regions from the elementary processes of the entry, growth, exit, and (re-)location of firms. The main theoretical resources are evolutionary economics, small business economics, and social network theory.

Creative regions: technology, culture and knowledge entrepreneurship Philip Cooke, Dafna Schwartz 0 Resenhas Routledge, 2007 - 294 páginas This unique book focuses on regional creativity, analysing the different factors that can affect creativity and innovation process within regions in the knowledge economy. Approaching creativity from technological, organizational and regional viewpoints, it attempts to break down the influence of oppositional approaches and take account of multi-level interactions in economy and policy. The variety of papers presented looks at: how regions can be creative and competitive how research and development is outsourced and the scientific knowledge and technology transferred what types of technology based cultural activities can operate the relevant financing and development of knowledge entrepreneurship. Whilst many of these aspects are driven by market forces Creative Regions demonstrates that the regional and national public sectors have a significant role to play and is essential reading on how to generate a competitive advantage for regions in the knowledge economy in the global market.

The learning region: foundations, state of the art, future Roel Rutten, Frans Boekema 0 Resenhas Edward Elgar, 2007 - 301 páginas The aim of this book is to present a much-needed conceptualization of the learning region. Early publications are scrutinized for key concepts that are then discussed in the context of recent literature. The authors present a state-of-the art discussion of concepts such as regional networks and social capital. The learning region is introduced as a theory to explain how regional actors perform regional learning. Contrary to competing theories, this gives the learning region a relational approach. It focuses on learning between regional actors and the ongoing relations they have with one another and with other actors in their social context.