Publications
Publications
- 2015
- Strategies for Shaping Territorial Competitiveness
What Is Regional Strategy? Lessons from Business Strategy
Abstract
Regional policy, especially in Europe, makes increasing reference to the notion of strategy, a conceptual tool developed in the area of business studies. This chapter reviews some key aspects of strategy as defined by the so-called "positioning school" and discusses how these ideas can be translated into the context of regions. It identifies differences between the two areas but also finds sufficient similarities for the concept of strategy to be useful for regions. The value of a more thorough reflection on the notion of strategy becomes clear when the conceptual framework is contrasted with the reality of strategies as defined by regions. We find that some important aspects of strategy, especially the notion of strategic positioning based on specific business environment qualities, are systematically missing. Regions would benefit from a closer look at the insights from businesses when developing their strategies.
Keywords
Competitiveness; Regional Policy; Strategic Planning; Globalized Economies and Regions; Competition; Policy
Citation
Ketels, Christian H.M. "What Is Regional Strategy? Lessons from Business Strategy." Chap. 3 in Strategies for Shaping Territorial Competitiveness, edited by Jesus M. Valdaliso and James R. Wilson, 37–54. New York, NY: Routledge, 2015.