Theories of Local Economic Development: Linking Theory to Practice

by James E. Rowe (Editor)

Overview

In economic development, theory and practice exist as two seemingly separate realities. Academics strive to develop or refine theory by drawing on abstract concepts about the way people behave and institutions work, while practitioners draw from a stock of experiences. By bringing together leading theorists and practitioners such as Blakely, Blair, McCann, Luger, Gunder, Stough and Stimson, this book provides the first comprehensive overview of local economic development theories for over fifteen years. It explores the theory behind the key concepts that every economic practitioner must understand and in doing so, ties together the various theories from across the disciplines to practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138270039
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/09/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	398
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr James E Rowe is Senior Planner in Economic Development at Manukau City Council, New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword, Jeffrey A. Finkle; Preface; Part 1 Introduction: The importance of theory: linking theory to practice, James E. Rowe. Part 2 Defining the Discipline: Theory and practice in economic development: 80 entangled years in search of Panacea, Mark Miller; The evolution of American (spatial) local and regional economic development policy and planning, Edward J. Blakely; The theory and practice of developing locally, Andrew Beer. Part 3 Theoretical Concepts: 'Globalisation' and 'local economic development' in a globalising world: critical reflections on the theory-practice relation, Richard Le Heron; Configuring to be globally competitive, Michael I. Luger; Location theory, Philip McCann; The theory behind business clusters, Martin Perry; Regional economic development methods and analysis: linking theory to practice, Robert Stimson and Roger R. Stough; The role of universities in theories of regional development, Paul Dalziel, Caroline Saunders and William Kaye-Blake; Philosophies in entrepreneurship: a focus on economic theories, Luke Pittaway; Theory and practice of technology-based economic development, Harvey A. Goldstein; Social capital and local economic development, John P. Blair and Michael Carroll. Part 4 Theoretical Frameworks: Imperatives of enjoyment: economic development under globalisation, Michael Gunder; Moving the discipline beyond metaphors, James E. Rowe; Towards an alternative theoretical framework for understanding local economic development; James E. Rowe; Appendices; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'This impressive book really delivers! The authors are all highly regarded international experts and leaders in regional science, planning, analytical geography, and regional economics who are known for both cutting-edge scholarship and for applied work which is widely accepted in the market place. I am certain that it will be warmly received by thoughtful economic development and planning practitioners who want to know where their field is heading and by faculty and graduate students who are interested in seeing theory put to the ultimate test - policy and practice.' Lay James Gibson, University of Arizona, USA '...this book provides an interesting selection of 16 papers that highlight the sheer variety of perspectives and frameworks available to economic policy maker and local development practitioner today.' New Zealand Geographer

From the Publisher