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  • 2017
  • Chapter
  • Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development

Upgrading Regional Competitiveness: What Role for Regional Governments?

By: Christian H.M. Ketels
  • Format:Print
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Abstract

The literature on the competitiveness of locations has traditionally focused on countries. Over the last decade, however, subnational regions have gained increasing attention both as a level of analysis and as a level for policy making. This chapter aims to explore what this new context implies for the role of regional governments. It is motivated by a concern that regional policy is facing an “implementation gap.” There is much thinking on the importance of regions and the policies that should be designed towards them. But there is comparatively little work on what regional governments’ role should be in implementing these policies relative to that of other levels of government as well as what implications this has on the capabilities they need.

Keywords

Competitiveness; Regions; Economic Policy; Competition; Geographic Scope; Governance; Economy; Policy

Citation

Ketels, Christian H.M. "Upgrading Regional Competitiveness: What Role for Regional Governments?" Chap. 22 in Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development, edited by Robert Huggins and Piers Thompson, 501–517. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017.
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About The Author

Christian H.M. Ketels

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  • Growing a Cluster: The Singapore Biomedical Sciences Initiative By: Michael Porter and Christian H.M. Ketels
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  • Cluster Mapping as a Tool for Development By: Christian H.M. Ketels
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