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We analyse binding constraints to productivity growth in the UK's regions outside London and the greater South East. These analyses challenge a number of common arguments about the UK's regional economic inequality problem. We find little evidence consistent with the hypotheses (i) that low shares of university graduates remain the primary constraint on growth for the UK's regions; (ii) that there is a generalised issue with access to finance for firms outside the South East; or (iii) that low or falling regional migration rates are to blame for the persistence of the UK's regional economic inequalities. Instead, we find evidence consistent with (i) a specific relative shortage of STEM degrees; (ii) binding transport infrastructure constraints within major non-London conurbations; (iii) a failure of public innovation policy to support clusters beyond the South East, in particular through the regional distribution of public support for Research and Development (R&D); and (iv) missed opportunities for higher internal mobility due to London's overheating housing market. We also find some suggestive evidence consistent with constraints on access to early-stage equity financing for high-growth-potential SMEs in certain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of interregional trade for building effective regional economic policies, there are very few hard data to illustrate such interdependencies. We propose here a novel research framework to predict interregional trade flows by utilizing freely available Web data and machine learning algorithms. Specifically, we extract hyperlinks between archived Websites in the United Kingdom and we aggregate these data to create an interregional network of hyperlinks between geolocated and commercial Web pages over time. We also use existing interregional trade data to train our models using random forests and then make out-of-sample predictions of interregional trade flows using a rolling-forecasting framework. Our models illustrate great predictive capability with R2 greater than 0.9. We are also able to disaggregate our predictions in terms of industrial sectors, but also at a subregional level, for which trade data are not available. In total, our models provide a proof of concept that the digital traces left behind by physical trade can help us capture such economic activities at a more granular level and, consequently, inform regional policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the heterogeneous effect of student spending in UK NUTS-2 regions. Impact analyses of the more than £45 billion students spend each year have so far been agnostic of the regional absorptive capacity to benefit from this expenditure. Building a multi-regional input–output model for the UK and combining it with data on student expenditure, domicile and level of study, the paper finds significant regional heterogeneity in gross value added and employment multipliers as well as in interregional spillovers. The analysis shows how important student expenditure is for regional economies and the symbiotic relationship between student spending and regional industrial structures that produce varying impact outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclical synchronization of home prices has important implications for monetary (and other) policies. Regional house price divergence, even over a business cycle, can inhibit labour mobility and prevent workers from moving to where they could add most to their own wages and overall growth. We study house price co-movement across the different UK regions with a method, that, unlike previously employed techniques, allows for time-varying estimates. We find first, that the UK exhibits more home price divergence compared to previously reported results for the US. Second, regions near London exhibit the most co-movement, and those further from London the most divergence. Third, London itself is in the 'middle of the pack' in terms of synchronization compared to other regions. This may reflect London's status as a 'global city' and being the destination for housing demand from sources abroad. Lastly, segmentation has clearly been increasing, rather than decreasing in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides insights into the structural role that knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in de-industrialized regions in the UK at a critical time of change. It establishes what contribution KiBS make to their regional economies in terms of exports to other regions in the UK as well as abroad, but also what is their role in providing support to other sectors in their respective regions. The paper draws evidence from a survey of KiBS SMEs in the North East and West Midlands conducted during the recent recession. The results exhibit a degree of wider generalizability to other regions, which may be characterized as de-industrialized. Results from the West Midlands and North East survey show that although KiBS play an important role in the local economic base of de-industrialized regions, they are not as important as their elite, tradable counterparts in global cities such as London. However, KiBS SMEs in the North East and West Midlands provide important support to their regional clients, many of which are in the declining manufacturing and public service sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of fundamental concerns have been raised over the recent abolition of regional economic and planning institutions processes and associated plans and strategies in England. In particular, questions have arisen over the strength and democratic accountability of the new arrangements emerging at a sub-regional scale--namely local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) that as yet have neither legal powers nor any formal planning role. Consequently, this article critically assesses the role, provenance and value of the abolished regional institutions together with the parallel criticisms. It also examines the potential for LEPs as their replacement and to develop into democratically accountable, locally self-determined strategic planning bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the mid-1950s, social scientists in the USA began trying to understand the geography of economic problems using quantitative methods and theoretical models. Subnational regions had the ideal proportions for performing this research, which led to the creation of a new subject area, ‘regional science’. When regional economic imbalances shot up the political agenda in Britain in the 1960s, advocates of regional science saw an opportunity to expand the reach of their subject. This article examines the migration of American regional science to Britain and explores why its ideas and organisational model met with opposition. It argues that the transnational transfer of academic networks is more complex than has been acknowledged and that British regional research and policy was more influenced by American ideas than is commonly recognised. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

FaggianA., ComunianR., JewellS. and KellyU. Bohemian graduates in the UK: disciplines and location determinants of creative careers,Regional Studies. The human capital and regional economic development literature has become increasingly interested in the role of the ‘Bohemian occupations’ on economic growth. By using UK higher education student micro-data, the characteristics and location determinants of creative (Bohemian) graduates are investigated. Three specific subgroups are examined: creative arts and design graduates; creative media graduates; and other creative graduates. It is found that these disciplines influence the ability of graduates to enter creative occupations and to be successful in the labour market. The role of geography is also highlighted, with London and the South East emerging as hubs for studying and providing Bohemian graduates with more labour market opportunities. Clase creativa?Capital humano?Estudios superiores?Mercado de trabajo?Economía regional FaggianA., ComunianR., JewellS. and KellyU. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? “???????????” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????? FaggianA., ComunianR., JewellS. et KellyU. Les diplômés au Royaume-Uni et les professions bohèmes: les filières et les facteurs de localisation des carrières créatives,Regional Studies. La documentation sur le capital humain et l'aménagement du territoire a porté de plus en plus d'intérêt au rôle des ‘professions bohèmes’ quant à la croissance économique. En employant des données micro-économiques pour le Royaume-Uni auprès des étudiants dans l'enseignement supérieur, on examine les caractéristiques et les facteurs de localisation des diplômés à l'esprit créatif (à savoir, bohèmes). On examine trois sous-groupes particuliers: les diplômés des arts créatifs et du design; les diplômés des médias créatifs; et d'autres diplômés à l'esprit créatif. Il s'avère que ces filières influencent la capacité des diplômés de s'insérer dans des professions créatives et de réussir sur le marché du travail. On souligne aussi le rôle de la géographie, alors que Londres et le Sud-Est ressortissent comme le noyau pour les études créatives et mettent à la disponibilié des diplômés bohèmes davantage de possibilités d'emploi. Classe créative?Capital humain?Enseignement supérieur?Marché du travail?Économie régionale FaggianA., ComunianR., JewellS. und KellyU. Hochschulabsolventen kreativer Studiengänge in Großbritannien: Disziplinen und Standortdeterminanten von kreativen Berufen,Regional Studies. In der Literatur über Humankapital und regionale Wirtschaftsentwicklung wird der Rolle der kreativen Berufe für das Wirtschaftswachstum zunehmend Beachtung geschenkt. Wir untersuchen anhand von Mikrodaten über britische Hochschulstudenten die Merkmale und Standortdeterminanten von Hochschulabsolventen kreativer Studiengänge. Untersucht werden drei spezifische Untergruppen: Hochschulabsolventen im Bereich Kunst und Design, Hochschulabsolventen im Bereich der kreativen Medien sowie Hochschulabsolventen in weiteren kreativen Studiengängen. Wir stellen fest, dass sich diese Disziplinen auf die Chancen der Absolventen bei der Suche nach einem kreativen Beruf und der erfolgreichen Teilnahme am Arbeitsmarkt auswirken. Ebenso wird die Rolle der Geografie hervorgehoben, wobei sich London und der Südosten als Zentren für kreative Studiengänge sowie als Gebiete mit mehr Beschäftigungschancen für Hochschulabsolventen im kreativen Bereich erweisen. Kreative Klasse?Humankapital?Hochschulbildung?Arbeitsmarkt?Regionalwirtschaft? FaggianA., ComunianR., JewellS. y KellyU. Licenciados bohemios en el Reino Unido: disciplinas y determinantes de ubicación de carreras creativas,Regional Studies. En la bibliografía sobre el capital humano y el desarrollo económico regional se menciona cada vez más el papel de las ‘ocupaciones bohemias’ en el crecimiento económico. Con ayuda de microdatos de estudiantes de estudios superiores en el Reino Unido, investigamos las características y los determinantes de ubicación de los licenciados creativos (bohemios). Examinamos tres subgrupos específicos: licenciados en artes creativas y diseño; licenciados en medios creativos; y otros licenciados creativos. Observamos que estas disciplinas influyen en la capacidad de los licenciados de dedicarse a ocupaciones creativas y tener éxito en el mercado laboral. También destacamos el papel de la geografía, siendo Londres y el sureste del país los centros para estudiar y ofrecer más oportunidades del mercado laboral a licenciados bohemios. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The adoption of creative and cultural industries (CCIs) as drivers of regional economic development in the UK has been unquestioned by policymakers. However, the academic literature which looks at work practices and patterns of creative workers highlights contradictions between business and creative goals and issues of sustainability and growth within the sector. This article tries to engage with these two perspectives and assess in what ways CCIs practitioners balance their work between business and creativity. Looking at a specific regional context, the north-east of England, and in particular Newcastle-Gateshead, it highlights the limits of looking at the CCIs from a narrow economic development perspective. The article concludes by arguing for a re-assessment of regional agendas and for a more realistic and holistic approach in understanding the needs and practices of the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake of clusters as a model with which to develop regional economies has been variable since the UK government first issued advice to regional development agencies in the late 1990s. The West Midlands made clusters one of its key strategies for economic growth and nominated the audio-visual sector as an embryonic cluster in order to help support its development. This article examines the development of this cluster from its inception and identifies issues in the way it was conceived and the roles played by the regional development agency, industry and higher education. The author draws on government and regional policies, cluster strategies and other internal documentation produced for the cluster, as well his own experience as an innovation manager for the cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is a growing body of research into the cultural and creative industries, little work has focused specifically upon on the geography of design and its role in regional economies. The relative neglect of the geography of the UK design industry is surprising given recent assertions about the sector's role in national economic competitiveness; its contribution to product innovation; and its importance as an urban regeneration resource. This paper explicitly considers the extent to which existing conceptualizations of agglomeration and creativity provide insights into the realm of design. Our discussion reflects upon recent surveys of the design sector and analyses current design organization membership data, both of which reveal an overwhelming concentration of design activities in London and the South East. Our analysis of the strategies, organization and practices of agencies in London reveals that a number of the key features associated with cultural industries in general are significantly less discernible within design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the recommendations of the Allsopp Review on the adequacy of UK regional economic statistics. It raises general concerns over the philosophy underpinning the review and specific questions as to whether the review's recommendations are sufficient to operate effectively the present UK regional policy regime. In particular, the institutional arrangements that make up the 'new localism' in UK regional policy have data requirements that are more extensive than simply monitoring performance against government targets. Many of these in formational requirements were simply not considered or were given an inappropriately low weight in the Review's deliberations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midmore P., Munday M. and Roberts A. (2006) Assessing industry linkages using regional Input–Output tables, Regional Studies 40, 329–343. The regional policy literature has shown renewed interest in the promotion of industries with the potential to embed themselves into regional economies. Unfortunately, analysis of sectors within strategy-led documents often fails to tie the identification of key industries to any specific methodology. The paper demonstrates the use of several alternative methods of evaluating inter-industry linkages using Input–Output tables. In particular, and following the work of Dietzenbacher (1992), it uses financial information from Welsh Input–Output tables for 1995 to derive a measure giving specific insights into regional industry interdependency, and the presence of relatively self-contained groups of activity. This is the first time that this more complex measure has been applied to a regional transactions table in the UK, with the method shown to be of direct relevance to a smaller open economy. The results reveal differences in the rankings of key sectors compared with more conventional approaches. Conclusions discuss the importance of assessing industry interdependencies for the regional strategic planning process, and the problems associated with using Input–Output frameworks for such assessment. Midmore P., Munday M. and Roberts A. (2006) Assessing industry linkages using regional Input–Output tables, Regional Studies 40, 329–343. The regional policy literature has shown renewed interest in the promotion of industries with the potential to embed themselves into regional economies. Unfortunately, analysis of sectors within strategy-led documents often fails to tie the identification of key industries to any specific methodology. The paper demonstrates the use of several alternative methods of evaluating inter-industry linkages using Input–Output tables. In particular, and following the work of Dietzenbacher (1992), it uses financial information from Welsh Input–Output tables for 1995 to derive a measure giving specific insights into regional industry interdependency, and the presence of relatively self-contained groups of activity. This is the first time that this more complex measure has been applied to a regional transactions table in the UK, with the method shown to be of direct relevance to a smaller open economy. The results reveal differences in the rankings of key sectors compared with more conventional approaches. Conclusions discuss the importance of assessing industry interdependencies for the regional strategic planning process, and the problems associated with using Input–Output frameworks for such assessment. Echanges interindustriels, Analyse des secteurs clés, Tableaux d'échanges interindustriels, Vecteurs d'Eigen, Pays de Galles Midmore P., Munday M. and Roberts A. (2006) Assessing industry linkages using regional Input–Output tables, Regional Studies 40, 329–343. The regional policy literature has shown renewed interest in the promotion of industries with the potential to embed themselves into regional economies. Unfortunately, analysis of sectors within strategy-led documents often fails to tie the identification of key industries to any specific methodology. The paper demonstrates the use of several alternative methods of evaluating inter-industry linkages using Input–Output tables. In particular, and following the work of Dietzenbacher (1992), it uses financial information from Welsh Input–Output tables for 1995 to derive a measure giving specific insights into regional industry interdependency, and the presence of relatively self-contained groups of activity. This is the first time that this more complex measure has been applied to a regional transactions table in the UK, with the method shown to be of direct relevance to a smaller open economy. The results reveal differences in the rankings of key sectors compared with more conventional approaches. Conclusions discuss the importance of assessing industry interdependencies for the regional strategic planning process, and the problems associated with using Input–Output frameworks for such assessment. Industrieverknüpfungen, Analyse von Hauptsektoren, Aufwand-Ertragstabellen, Eigenvektoren, Wales Midmore P., Munday M. and Roberts A. (2006) Assessing industry linkages using regional Input–Output tables, Regional Studies 40, 329–343. The regional policy literature has shown renewed interest in the promotion of industries with the potential to embed themselves into regional economies. Unfortunately, analysis of sectors within strategy-led documents often fails to tie the identification of key industries to any specific methodology. The paper demonstrates the use of several alternative methods of evaluating inter-industry linkages using Input–Output tables. In particular, and following the work of Dietzenbacher (1992), it uses financial information from Welsh Input–Output tables for 1995 to derive a measure giving specific insights into regional industry interdependency, and the presence of relatively self-contained groups of activity. This is the first time that this more complex measure has been applied to a regional transactions table in the UK, with the method shown to be of direct relevance to a smaller open economy. The results reveal differences in the rankings of key sectors compared with more conventional approaches. Conclusions discuss the importance of assessing industry interdependencies for the regional strategic planning process, and the problems associated with using Input–Output frameworks for such assessment. Vínculos industriales, Análisis de sectores clave, Tablas Input–Output, Eigenvectores, Gales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a critical exploration of the issues raised by the attempt to integrate aims and concerns derived from one European Union (EU) policy domain into another. It does this via an examination of the ways in which the European Employment Strategy (EES) has been taken into account in the design and initial implementation of Structural Fund program in the 2000–2006 round. In particular, it examines the nature of this ‘mainstreaming’ relationship in terms of the structures and mechanisms associated with current Objective 1 program operating in the UK. It maps out the vertical and horizontal linkages between European, national and regional levels, and assesses the extent to which strategic frameworks, program guidance and program content have successfully integrated EES considerations. The article concludes by identifying some implications for theories of European governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism increasingly features in strategic regional policy documents, being considered important to regional economic prospects. Consequently many regions, notably those less prosperous, have expended significant resources in developing tourism attractions, promoting tourism events and supporting tourism-based operations. In this resource context, the difficulties in assessing the economic contribution of this diverse (and often atomised) set of activities are of concern. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and others have suggested Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs) as a suitable method of providing consistent economic evaluation of tourism-based activity. Yet the provision of an accurate and reliable set of accounts, which informs policy decisions and resource directions, is far from easy. This paper examines some of the methodological difficulties in constructing a TSA at the regional level and implications for deriving an effective tourism policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R ICE P. and V ENABLES A. J. (2003) Equilibrium regional disparities: theory and British evidence, Reg. Studies 37 , 675-686. Regional inequalities in many countries, including the UK, are large and persistent. They show up in a number of economic variables, most of them endogenous, making it difficult for the researcher to identify the underlying causes of the disparities. This paper uses sub-regional data for Great Britain to identify spatial patterns of disparities. It then compares these patterns with those predicted by a theoretical model under a number of alternative hypotheses about the underlying cause of the disparities. The approach lays the groundwork for theory based econometric modelling of the causes of regional inequalities. R ICE P. et V ENABLES A. J. (2003) Déséquilibres régionaux: la théorie et les preuves britanniques, Reg. Studies 37 , 675-686. Dans beaucoup de pays, y compris la Grande-Bretagne, les inégalités sont importantes et persistantes. Elles se manifestent à partir de nombreuses variables économiques, dont la plupart sont endogènes, ce qui le rend difficile pour le chercheur d'identifier les causes sous-jacentes des inégalités. Cet article se sert des données infrarégionales pour la Grande-Bretagne afin d'identifier la distribution géographique des inégalités. Puis on cherche à comparer ces distributions à celles qui sont prévues par un modè le théorique sous quelques hypothèses alternatifs sur les causes sous- jacentes des inégalités. Cette façon fait le travail pré paratoire pour une modélisation économétrique des causes des inégalités régionales basée sur des thé ories. R ICE P. und V ENABLES A. J. (2003) Gleichgewicht und regionale Ungleichheiten. Theorie und Beweise aus Großbritannien, Reg. Studies 37 , 675-686. In vielen Ländern, einschließlich des UK, gibt es große und anhaltende regionale Ungleichheiten. Sie treten in Form zahlreicher wirtschaftlicher Veränderlicher auf, die meisten endogen; das erschwert es dem Forscher, herauszufinden, was den Ungleichheiten zugrunde liegt. Dieser Aufsatz stützt sich auf Daten von Teilregionen Großbritannier's, um räumliche Muster von Ungleichheiten herauszustellen. Anschließend werden diese Muster mit jenen verglichen, die ein theoretisches Modell von einer Anzahl alternativer Hypothesen über die zugrunde liegenden Ursachen der Ungleichheiten vorausgesagt hatte. Der Ansatz legt den Grundstein für auf Theorie gestützte ökonometrische Modelle der Ursachen regionaler Ungleichheiten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper seeks to examine some of the lessons from the past: in particular the 1994-1999 programming period of the EU Structural Funds. It then proposes to examine the current UK implementation of the Structural Fund programmes for 2000-2006 and raise some issues which currently emerge in terms of the UK government's new policy agenda affecting economic development. Thereafter the paper develops this analysis in order to raise some early issues in preparing for post-2006, which need to be considered in the post-devolution era in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The financial settlement has been described as the key to devolution. Public spending above tax in Scotland and Wales has been criticized. Public spending is above tax in seven UK regions, including four English regions. If we treat equal citizens equally, public spending will be above tax in poorer regions. There is nothing extraordinary about spending above tax, but there are important questions with regard to regional levels of expenditure. In four regions (London, South East, Scotland and Northern Ireland) public expenditure is well above the level expected for their degree of prosperity. This article provides possible explanations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the scale of unemployment in the UK, and the differences between regions, are severely understated by claimant unemployment data. It explains how unemployment becomes 'hidden', in particular by a major diversion of older and less healthy workers from unemployment-related benefits, and how this process is especially marked in the traditional industrial parts of northern Britain. The true scale of regional differences in joblessness is also underlined by employment rates in different parts of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the UK Regional Selective Assistance scheme, and critically appraises on-going reforms. These reforms have been triggered by the process of redrawing the map of eligible areas within new European Commission competition policy guidelines. A recent UK government White Paper on competitiveness has also led to significant changes being considered. It is argued that while the existing reforms have not fundamentally changed the nature of Regional Selective Assistance, they may well be harbingers of more threatening challenges, particularly after 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the aspect of local authority income in Great Britan. This aspect is the Rate Support Grant (RSG), as it was distributed to 40 county boroughs in England and Wales in the period 1971 to 1972. This attempt has been made to show how a redistribution based on specific aims could counter some of the criticisms made of the grant. These aims are explicit definition of need and indigenous resource base. It will bring an effect to redistribution of the 1971 to 1972 RSG settlement to the 40 boroughs, weighted according to population size.

The article presents a study which aims to raise various issues involved in the setting and running of project work in planning education. The authors hope to stimulate further discussion towards more effective project work in the education of planners. Learning through simulation of real world decision making. Moreover, planning is decision-making and it is generally accepted that the making of decisions cannot be learnt from formal study alone. However, the study of decision-making theory, decision-making techniques and organisational theory is helpful and essential.

The article introduces several system dynamics methodology used in regional planning in Great Britain. It states that the system dynamics model has been considered to demonstrate the potential of the methodology to represent some of the dynamics and casual relationships of regional systems in a way which has been beneficial for planning. The paper also polarised some discussion of system dynamics methodology in relation to other methods and, in terms of the relative ability to handle time as opposed to space.

Copyright of Regional Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)