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Abstract: This paper explores the broader setting of urban and economic development that links ports and cities in Europe and aims at enhancing our understanding of the port‐city interface. A relational view is taken for linking local developments and policies with overarching, more remote spheres of influence and impact, which can be considered both beneficial and critical for the port and the city. In order to illustrate the argument, a framework of three issues is applied to discuss the port‐city interface: first, the role of ports as economic engines of their wider region; second, the cruise ship industry as a market segment that re‐connects port and city; third, semi‐political bodies and institutions that play key roles as intermediaries and knowledge brokers. The paper finally discusses the implications of relationality for governing the port‐city interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rapid urbanisation of China has received growing attention regarding its urban residential environments. In this article, we model the spatial heterogeneity of housing prices and explore the spatial discrepancy of landscape effects on property values in Shenzhen, a large Chinese city. In contrast to previous studies, this paper integrates the official housing transaction records and housing attributes from open data along with field surveys. Then, the results using the hedonic price model (HPM), geographically weighted regression (GWR) without landscape metrics and GWR with landscape metrics are compared. The results show that GWR with landscape metrics outperforms the other two models. In summary, this research provides new insights into landscape metrics in real estate studies and can guide decision‐makers plan and design cities while also providing guidance to regulate and control urban property values based on local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A quarter of the European population lives in ‘polycentric urban regions’ (PURs): clusters of historically and administratively distinct but proximate and well‐connected cities of relatively similar size. This paper explores whether tighter integration can increase agglomeration benefits at the PUR‐level. We provide the first comprehensive list of European PURs (117 in total), establish their level of functional, institutional and cultural integration and measure whether this affects their performance. ‘Performance’ is defined as the extent to which urbanisation economies have developed, proxied by the presence of metropolitan functions. In this first‐ever cross‐sectional analysis of PURs we find that while there is evidence for all dimensions of integration having a positive effect, particularly functional integration has great significance. Regarding institutional integration, it appears that having some form of metropolitan co‐operation is more important than its exact shape. Theoretically, our results substantiate the assumption that networks may substitute for proximity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a critical discussion of the political economy of hydropower construction in the communist space. We use political economy, economic history and political ecology literature in order to reveal the economic and political relations in which hydropower is embedded in socialist states. The case analysed is the Iron Gates, a joint Romanian-Yugoslav project which raises specific questions about the techno-political framework of the new 'hydraulic landscape' and its place in socialist economies and societies. The case reveals important transformations in the political and economic relations within the Soviet bloc and provides a description of the complex institutional setting used in the construction of the hydropower system. In parallel, the paper explores the contribution of political power in the construction of the Iron Gates and especially its use in connection with the ideological production of the new communist regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to present a review of the literature on agglomeration economies in a light such that it is possible to uncover the building blocks for use in a multidimentional approach to agglomeration economies. The paper claims that the different conceptual dimensions – industrial, socio-cultural/cognitive and geographic – build upon the three micro-foundations of agglomeration economies – indivisibility, synergy and proximity – and explain their nature, scope and intensity. The paper stresses two main issues. The first is that a socio-cultural/cognitive perspective still today ignored by mainstream approaches to agglomeration economies is an additional important conceptual dimension on which to understand the complex mechanisms whereby exchanges of knowledge, labour or intermediate goods take place in agglomerated areas. The second is that a multidimensional approach comprising the three different dimensions in the study of agglomeration economies makes it possible to overcome a deterministic approach to agglomeration economies and move instead towards a stochastic interpretation which opens the black box of this complex phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the late 1980s there has been a renewed interest in regional inequality, fuelled by the concern over the effects of globalisation and liberalisation, and facilitated by theoretical and methodological developments in geography and economics. In essence, the new convergence theory, like the old convergence theory, is another theory devoid of space and time. Research on China has unfolded a complex landscape of regional development, the existence of distinct models of regional development, and the significant role of institutions. This paper examines regional inequality in China, especially Zhejiang Province, and attempts to uncover the trend and driving forces of regional inequality. It adopts a top-down and bottom-up strategy and employs recent developments in exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). We have found that regional inequality is sensitive to geographic scales and spatial organisation, and that conventional approaches mask spatial agglomeration and the significance of regions in shaping trends of regional inequality. Overall, regional inequality in Zhejiang rose during the reform period and a division between coastal and interior Zhejiang formed, additionally sustained by weak linkages between the two regions and the significance of location and nonstate enterprises in development. This paper further reveals the emergence of Wenzhou, and discusses its effect on regional inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on regional innovation systems (RIS) suffers from two research gaps: The lack of focus on the entrepreneurial dimension and the dominance of empirical studies on intraregional networks and linkages between innovative actors. Referring to the agenda set by Oinas and Malecki, this paper deals with both interrelated issues. It is shown that while intraregional connections are without any doubt of great relevance for the functioning of RISs they bear the risk of lock-in effects. The complementary importance of extra-regional relationships for the innovativeness of economic regions is emphasised. Entrepreneurial migrants play a crucial role in such relationships. This paper provides a discussion of the five dimensions of proximity recently introduced by Boschma. It is argued that geographical proximity is only one, but often not the most important dimension. For international connections of innovative actors within RIS, cognitive and institutional proximity might be even more relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract It can be argued that development geography has left few traces either on the broader canvas of development theory or on the thought and practices of social actors engaging with material processes of change typically framed within the language of development. This paper argues that this is because the sub-field has been somewhat too case study oriented, and because its prac-titioners have, with some exceptions, kept themselves – or at least their identities – at the margins of debates within and among development actors. Yet development geography has much to con-tribute to on-going reflections on the nature of development. The paper explores themes that might be at the centre of an empirically grounded but theoretically oriented development geography that might speak to contemporary processes of globalisation and local change. It suggests that comparative case study work exploring the ways in which the development of capitalism and processes of intervention are both linked and vary across space still offers fruitful terrain for theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the coming years, the share of the working-age population in the total population will start to decline in all countries of the European Union. All other things remaining equal, this so-called demographic burden will have a downward effect on economic growth. This paper examines whether the Europe 2020 employment targets would be sufficient to compensate for the downward impact of demographic burden and whether the impact of demography on economic growth differs between EU countries and between urban and rural regions. The results show that raising employment rates to the Europe 2020 targets can restore positive opportunities for economic growth, but not in all countries and only to a limited extent. They also show that even though urban and rural regions differ in terms of population growth and growth of the working age population, the prospects for demographic burden are highly similar for both types of regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of start‐up communities is seen as critical to the successful development of entrepreneurship in a region. However, it remains unclear what exactly start‐up communities are and how they can be facilitated. Ambiguity concerning the geographical scale and membership of start‐up communities leads to different conceptualisations. In this paper, we apply communities of practice (CoP) theory to understand how conceptualisations of start‐up communities work and how they can be facilitated. To this end, we qualitatively study start‐up communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, Australia. Our results show that start‐up communities that are confined to a particular workspace strongly resemble a CoP. Furthermore, many elements of CoPs can also be found in regional start‐up communities. Finally, we find that workspace communities have more direct and top‐down facilitation activities, while regional start‐up communities have more indirect and bottom‐up facilitation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the importance of the Randstad agglomeration is often discussed in terms of the economic coherence between its four largest cities. This is remarkable when several leading authors argue that the economic importance of cities is strongly determined by economic networks between cities worldwide. This discrepancy stems from the fact that limited empirical research exists on corporate networks. Furthermore, the relative importance of cities within various studies is based on different functional types and spatial scales of data, making the results incomparable. Therefore, in this paper, the relative importance of the four largest Randstad cities is explored within three independent, comparative networks (top 100 global firms, top 100 European firms, and top 100 Dutch firms). Employing network analysis techniques, this paper evaluates the local, supra-regional and global importance of the four Randstad cities within the three independent networks. The results show that the relative importance and network structures of these four cities are highly dependent on the economic size and locality of the initial headquarters and that Amsterdam proves to be the most important Randstad city in all three scales of corporate networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares new forms of political economy based on export orientation in New Zealand and Chile and relates them to the evolution of the wine industries in those countries. The wine sector is seen as a key example of an export-driven agro-industry in both countries. The paper applies the new political economy to a comparative analysis of land, production and exports in the wine sectors of both Chile and New Zealand. The nature of firms in the wine sector in both countries is examined and some broad implications for development at the local scale introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within regional science there is a need for a general theory of regional economic development, one that evaluates and integrates existing approaches. In this paper, the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd is used as a basis for conceptualising the contours of such a theory. Contributions of this philosophy especially relevant for regional economic development are functional pluralism and non-reductionism, interweaving among entities, a broad understanding of the human person and built-in normativity. While all the aspects are significant in regional economic development, the spatial aspect is singled out for particular attention. Dooyeweerd's philosophy is able to incorporate existing approaches to regional economic development though not without criticising and revising them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the economic convergence of the European Union in terms of the effects of European Monetary Union (EMU), which began in 1999 and possible conflict with, ‘social mobility’ in Europe. Our focus is on the low rate of mobility in the labour market. We assume that this is due to psychological and social aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper explores how transnational corporations can ‘transform’ place and livelihoods within a country that has decided to insert itself forcefully within the evolving world economy. The aim is to explore some of the linkages and flows across space that characterise contemporary global capitalism. More specifically, the paper examines the relationship between transnational corporations and fruit production in Chile through examining the formation of global networks and the regulatory system within Chile. The more precise networks created between fruit transnationals and contract farming are examined before the analysis focuses on how the relationship between local development and transnational capitalism has evolved through time in the Guatulame Valley. Two distinct phases are outlined: an early growth phase and one of consolidation and land concentration. The paper ends by pointing to some key themes of transnational capitalism and local development theory in non-core economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper shows how the control over land and resources in rural Thailand in the present phase of globalisation is a struggle between economic, social and political powers at the global, national and local level. Ever since Thailand was integrated into the world market by signing the Bowring Treaty in 1855 and especially after it embarked on rapid development in the late 1950s economic growth has changed the rural (and urban) landscapes. Since the mid 1980s, export-oriented manufacturing industry has led Thailand into the present phase of globalisation by further liberalising its economy and increasingly leaving natural resources open to be exploited. Two socio-political tendencies have been competing in influencing territorialisation of rural Thailand. However, decentralisation and devolution of power promote local institutions that emphasise various degrees of self-reliance and sustainable utilisation of natural resources opposed to further liberalisation on the world market as promoted by national and transnational businesses and global institutions like the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. Territorialisation of rural Thailand and management of local natural resources is therefore contested space where institutions at the local level operate in a contextual framework of policies formulated at the global level and implemented through national government agencies. The conflicts inherent in the multi-layered process of local territorialisation are blurred by the different institutions at different geographical levels having different perceptions of the environment. Political ecology or political environmental geography – promoted by a ‘counter-coalition’ of potentially like-minded actors operates on various levels in developing alternative territorialisation premised on socially just and sustainable livelihoods. Such approaches, it is proposed, are crucial to the study of local development in the context of globalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper explores new insights generated by livelihood research with respect to poverty problems in the world and how people deal with global challenges. Through the examination of the changing outlines of livelihood in the present era of globalisation, the authors unravel the fuzzy relationship between globalisation and local development from an actor point of view. First, the paper analyses the historical and theoretical context in which the modern livelihood approach developed, followed by a short explanation of its contemporary definition. Globalisation trends in livelihoods are then considered in order to determine the consequences for local development. The main issues reviewed are the decomposition of households, the increased diversification of livelihoods, and the emergence of multi-local livelihoods and livelihood networks. In the conclusion it is argued that the future agenda on local development in development geography should include the study of rooted and dispersed livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the introduction to a TESG ‘dossier’ on regulation and discourse in Europe. Regulation is explained as a set of social adjustments motivated by the economy, or its crises, but not always clearly related to its performance. By way of supplement to the other papers in this issue, special attention is paid to the Netherlands. Regulation hi the Netherlands is a product of self-regulation and balancing induced by the comparative weakness' of the different social and political actors (interest groups). Finally some conclusions are drawn about the reactions to the neo-liberal challenge in the countries dealt with in this special issue: the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The author argues that the differences in regulatory discourse reflect differences in political tradition and culture in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including Dutch cities and political economy, gentrification, and liberalization.

Spatial models of port system evolution often depict linearly the emergence of hierarchy through successive concentration phases of originally scattered ports. The Chinese case provides a fertile ground for complementing existing works by a long-term perspective, given the early importance of river ports and seaports and the development irregularities caused by periods of closure and openness over time and across such a large land mass. In both qualitative and quantitative ways, this paper describes and analyses the changing spatial pattern of China's port system since the first unified empire (221 bc). Main results underline a certain stability of the port system with regard to the location of main sea-river gateways, notwithstanding important regional shifts from one period to the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the side activities of non-farmers in rural areas in the Netherlands and more specifically on their impact on rural development. Empirical evidence from 36 Dutch municipalities on three key aspects was examined: economy, social and physical environment. The findings indicate that although side activities do not have a large direct impact on the local economy and employment, their contribution in terms of local collaboration and promoting rural tourism is highly valued. Furthermore, side activities have an important role in building and strengthening social capital in rural communities. Where their impacts on physical environment is concerned, side activities are not perceived to damage or alter rural morphology but are considered a reinforcement of the character of rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tries to assess the impact of borders on cross-regional spillovers and regional competitiveness by using a shift share analysis. Based on sector data on employment, it is examined to which extent border regions experience positive (or negative) spillovers from neighbouring regions. The analysis proves that Europe's internal borders still suffer from lower spillovers which gives them a structural disadvantage as compared to non-border regions. The hypothesis that this is due to low levels of labour mobility has been supported by various studies. The analysis also shows, however, that border regions of weaker performing economies (Germany and Belgium) experience positive cross border spillovers from stronger neighbouring economies (the Netherlands). This finding indicates that other modes of economic integration (trade, capital and inter-firm relations) are less inhibited by the presence of borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examine one aspect of agglomeration, namely the geography of human capital. In some contexts, human capital may be very mobile, and understanding local agglomeration processes therefore requires us to consider inter-regional flows of human capital. In particular, here we discuss the flows of students in Great Britain from domicile into university and then the flows of graduate human capital from university into first employment. We then estimate the local/non-local pattern of these flows as a function of the characteristics of the university, of the student population, and of the local region. Our findings suggest that university attendance in Great Britain is generally associated with very significant levels of human capital mobility, and only certain types of higher education institutions play a significant employment role in their local economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that migration studies are too parochial, focusing exclusively on ostensible immigration and incorporation policies and failing to take into account the ‘structuring’ effects of the overall institutional framework. The need for more comparative and more economically-oriented research is presented through a reflection upon the recent Dutch debate on the causes of the lagging performance of Turks in the Netherlands compared to those in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academics, policy-makers and consultants have been increasingly focusing upon the‘region’ as the crucible of economic development. This regionalist approach places institutions at the centre of the process of stimulating growth. Much debate has been ongoing in academic circles, particularly those inhabited by economic geographers, about the veracity of the regionalist approach and the explanatory power of the terminology associated with it. This paper analyses explicit efforts to engender regional economic development in the West Coast of South Africa. Our empirical evaluation indicates that policy actors have sought to upgrade the institutional infrastructure of the region and that some significant achievements are evident within this realm. However, these achievements are yet to be associated with sustained regional economic takeoff. The paper concludes by asking searching questions about the ability of the regionalist approach to deliver meaningful socio-economic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies on regional inequality in China are based on macro regions and provinces. Studies on intraprovincial inequality remain limited, although there is a growing literature on Guangdong and Jiangsu. Zhejiang is a leading coastal province of China experiencing rapid economic growth and has been known for its Wenzhou model of development based on private enterprises. This paper uses time-series county data to examine regional inequalities in Zhejiang from 1952 to 1998, with a focus on the reform period of 1978–98. We find that intermunicipal and intercounty inequalities in Zhejiang increased substantially, and overall inequality also increased, especially in the 1990s when more radical market reforms were implemented. While cities like Hangzhou and Ningbo have maintained their higher level of wealth, some counties, particularly coastal counties in municipalities like Wenzhou and Taizhou, have recorded dramatic growth, centred on private enterprises. However, municipalities such as Quzhou, which were favoured by Mao's industrialisation policy, recorded slower growth, as did the traditionally poorer municipalities. We have analysed the role of localities, the state, and globalisation in the changing patterns of regional development in Zhejiang, with an emphasis on local agents of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The blurring of rural and urban space in Sub-Saharan Africa has been a topical theme in recent years. Under economic duress, occupational distinctions between the two have tended to disappear. It is often inferred that burgeoning trade and service sector activities have encouraged greater personal mobility and rural-urban linkages as heightened movement of economic actors bridge the physical distance between town and countryside. Meanwhile, the theme of globalisation applied to Africa has tended to suggest that physical distances are contracting as cyberspace and mobile phones spread. But amid this debate, the fluctuating cost of oil as a key determinant of physical movement and distance perception has largely been overlooked. This paper examines Zimbabwe's rural and urban economies’ vulnerability to international oil price fluctuations. Possible future oil price trends and their effect on African development are probed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic internationalisation and globalising processes have a dialectical appearance. The trend towards homogenisation in an economic, social, political and cultural sense will meet with regionally generated production, innovation and knowledge systems that, while responding to these external influences, develop their own manifestation of the global-local nexus. The developments in Mexico's North East, with the industrial city of Monterrey as its core centre, present an example of the impact of these forces. Until 1988 Monterrey industries were operating on a protected domestic market. This situation changed with the opening up of the Mexican economy in that year and the signing of the NAFTA agreement with the USA and Canada in 1993. This paper analyses this insertion in the world economy and the regional response, first on an institutional level where the special brand of family capitalism — as found in Monterrey — is confronting the exigencies of international competitiveness and the organisation of business practice it requires. Second, on a sub-regional level, we observe the reaffirmation of regional idiosyncracies in the social, political and cultural sphere. The interaction between these two processes has been creating a most interesting case of glocalisation within the context created by NAFTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments within the regulation approach have highlighted the importance of discourse in securing the conditions for the stabilisation of new modes of regulation. This paper considers the discursive construction in the UK of Britain's relationship to European integration. Despite claims that the politics of the ‘Third Way’ offer an innovative and coherent framework for New Labour's political strategy, the evidence suggests that discourses of national sovereignty and pragmatic economic national self-interest dominate. In conclusion it is suggested that the development of transnational discursive formations is a necessary precondition for the consolidation of regulatory forms and processes that break with previous nationally focused modes of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of localisation and urbanisation economies on regional manufacturing development in Poland 1976-96 is assessed in terms of employment and the regional convergence or divergence of the economy. Current research on the role of dynamic production externalities in regional manufacturing development is examined, starting with a review of recent literature on the nature of such externalities in manufacturing location, and how positive externalities may influence the spatial clustering of manufacturing industries. The paper shows that radical changes have occurred in patterns of Polish regional manufacturing employment, both with regard to sectors and regions. Transition is refocusing the regional economy on strong regional centres, and on sectors regarded with little favour in the planned economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic network theory emphasises the importance of external resource mobilisation. In this paper, the relations between the mobilisation and use of internal and external resources in innovation processes, and the innovative performance of firms, are explored empirically, using an adapted version of Hakansson's (1987) economic network model. The main research question was: to what extent do network variables contribute to the innovative performance of firms? To answer this question, we assessed the explanatory power of economic network theory within the empirical study of innovation. Firms were found to engage in various configurations of internal and external resource bases, enabling them to innovate with better results. The relations in the estimated models are strongly influenced by moderating variables such as sector, and type and level of innovations produced. Our main conclusion is that models that include both internal and external resources explain the innovative performance better than models in which only internal resources are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on regional innovation systems has considerably enhanced our understanding of the critical role played by geographical proximity and local institutional conditions for the production of new knowledge and its economic exploitation. In most cases, however, both theoretical and empirical work has focused on regional innovation systems situated within a national context. Little research has been done so far on cross-border regional innovation systems. The aim of this paper is to explore conceptually whether the theoretical approach of regional innovation systems can be applied to cross-border settings. It investigates some critical conditions for the emergence of transfrontier innovation systems and concludes that cross-border areas differ enormously regarding their capacity to develop an integrated innovation space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flanders is a densely populated, strongly urbanised region in Northwest Europe, but with still recognisable peri-urban rural territories. These territories have a distinct economic profile that is far from being marginal, but which has a diminishing role for agriculturally related economic activities. From a regionally-based economic approach, the authors argue that these rural areas act as flanking areas for the nearby urban areas, with mutual benefits. Therefore a model representing local economic development in these flanking rural territories can only be relevant if it takes into account this urban-rural partnership, in respect to the territorial identity and cultural features of both these types of areas. The rural-urban partnership should also be an important basis for a rural renewal policy. This policy will undoubtedly contain traditional rural elements stemming from traditional agricultural activities. However, it must also consider economic activities, in particular those of manufacturing and service industries in the countryside. It should also foster those characteristics of the rural environment which can play a decisive role in creating the new opportunities offered by the new localisation factors which are intrinsic to the rise of the new knowledge-based economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In economic geography, geographical proximity has been identified as a key driver of M&A activity. In this context, little attention has yet been drawn to the effect of industrial relatedness, which refers to the similarity and complementarity of business activities. We examine 1,855 domestic M&A deals announced between 2002 and 2008 in the Netherlands, and we assess the extent to which geographical proximity and industrial relatedness affect M&A partnering. Our study shows that geographical proximity drives domestic M&A deals, even at very detailed spatial scales like the municipality level. We also found evidence that companies that share the same or complementary industries are more likely to engage in an M&A deal. Logistic regressions show that the effect of industrial relatedness is stronger than the effect of geographical proximity and that the effect of geographical proximity is stronger in unrelated than related target selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents notes for contributors of articles about economics and social geography.

The relation between exports and productivity is analysed for the case of Morocco using annual panel data for the years 1985–1995 covering six large urban areas and 18 manufacturing sectors. In the empirical analysis two main features are distinguished, i.e. productivity differentials and export externalities. The former is the most dominant one for Morocco, i.e. sectors with low labour productivity export most and within-sectors exporting firms are more productive than nonexporting firms. Regarding the latter, only weakly significant evidence is found of both sector wide or within sector productivity externalities as a result of exporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vast body of economic and development literature assumes that small enterprises in developing countries exist as a form of nascent market capitalism. Nevertheless, if one considers small scale entrepreneurs’ endogenous definitions of success, the picture becomes less clear. This point is demonstrated through an examination of small-scale enterprises in Makassar, Eastern Indonesia, beginning with an assessment of the extent to which enterprise operations are based on ethnic specialisation. Specific decision-making processes among entrepreneurs regarding labour recruitment and workforce obligations are then discussed, which contradict choices that would reinforce the creation of profits, as is also found in regards to the drive for prestige consumption and social status. In turn, the notion of success is problematised, a concept that researchers and development practitioners must have a far more nuanced understanding of, if they wish to help small-scale entrepreneurs genuinely improve their livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses continuity and change in Dutch development co-operation. Characteristics of the Dutch development co-operation; Organizational transformations and frameworks; Approach towards poverty reduction.

Focuses on the consolidation process of the European stock exchanges following the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2002. Overview of the political and economic context of Economic and Monetary Union; Role in the unification on the European stock markets; Impact of the euro on the unification.

In recent years retail geography has featured theoretically rich debates about the restructuring of retail capital and the ways in which this restructuring has changed the dynamics of retailing. New spatial forms of retailing have emerged: the redeveloped retail street in the American urban landscape is one such form. National and multinational chain stores are invading small, main street spaces, which has economic and cultural implications for retailers and consumers. Old Town Pasadena in Pasadena, California, is examined as a case study to trace investment and disinvestment in the retail space of Colorado Boulevard throughout the twentieth century. In addition to archival documents, assessed land and improvement values are examined to reveal the changing dynamics of retail spatiality over a 100-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) businesses in the Netherlands. Definition of ICT firms; Identification of geographical concentrations; Location factors and local networks; Details of ICT firms and urban system.

Suggests that fundamental changes to the demand and supply side of the labor market in Europe can benefit its knowledge economy and transitional labor. Transition from information economy toward knowledge economy; Emergence of life styles and transitional labor; Management of knowledge economy and transitional labor.