1st Edition

Controversies in Local Economic Development Stories, strategies, solutions

By Martin Perry Copyright 2010
    270 Pages
    by Routledge

    270 Pages
    by Routledge

    Efforts to promote the economic development of individual localities engage the attention of academics, students and professionals. Many such analysts argue that competitive advantage can be fostered within local economies, complimenting the advent of a more globalised economy. Intensified efforts to build new economic foundations show no sign of abating despite the apparent increase in the international mobility of businesses and employment.

    Unpicking the arguments supporting different strategies for promoting local economic development, Controversies in Local Economic Development is an introductory guide to some of the major ideas and policy tools that have influenced academic debate and development practice. Taking the view that economic processes are mechanisms that promote desired outcomes only in particular contexts, the book asks questions of both academic debates and the prescriptions of policy experts.

    1. Local Economic Development as Controversy  2. The Case for Local Economic Development  3. The Learning Region  4. Enterprise and New Venture Growth  5. Innovation and Employment  6. Enterprise Clusters  7. Inward Investment beyond Zero Sum  8. Being Business Friendly  9. Quartering the Creative Class  10. Prospects for Local Economic Development

    Biography

    Martin Perry is an associate professor in the Department of Management, Massey University (Wellington). His publications include two books published by Routledge, Business Clusters: An International Perspective (2005) and Small Firms and Network Economies (1999).

    I would strongly recommend that practitioners and policymakers who are charged with the responsibility of promoting their local communities and/or developing economic development strategies to read this book - James E. Rowe, Regional Science Policy and Practice.

    Winner of the Regional Studies Association Best Book Award for 2011.