Mike Danson

Confusing clusters?: Making sense of the cluster approach in theory and practice

In recent years, there has been the peculiar rise of a new object of study in geography and regional economics, drawing heavily on past ideas but carrying with it the entice of the novel, the cluster. Drawing heavily on well-developed theories of agglomeration and industrial districts, but incorporating advances in the scientific state-of-the-art around learning and innovation, the idea has been widely adopted by policy-makers, and academics are now coming to make sense of the approach. The centrality of policy-makers to the adoption of the idea has manifested itself in a flexible and often confusing approach to the idea, posing the risk that clusters may fail to fulfil their considerable theoretical potential. This confusion exists at a range of scales, and fundamentally hinges on whether clusters are a theory or a practical phenomenon. If clusters are a theory, then questions exist as to what it is a theory of. If clusters are practical entities, then there is practical confusion over whether particular economic configurations are clusters, and if so, then whether or not they are significant as motors of economic development. How can we make sense of an idea so riven with confusion? Indeed, is it possible to make sense of ‘clusters’ in a way that adds value to theories of regional development? In this edited collection, the notion emerges through the papers that this confusion arises because clusters have been a polycentric idea, many people are simultaneously trying to do many different things with the idea. This presents a very chaotic image but, underlying this surface chaos, we argue that substantial progress is being made in identifying points of regularity in the clusters idea. We have witnessed an unprecedented period of theoretical and practical experimentation in clusters, as policy-makers, consultants and academics have tried out new combinations of knowledge and practice to explain and harness persistent beneficial agglomeration in ad-

Devolution, Institutions, and Organisations: Changing Models of Regional Development Agencies

Prior to devolution, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each had their own autonomous development organisations to undertake and promote regional economic planning and development within their respective territories. These operated within a national UK regional policy framework. An expectation of devolution was that the development organisations would continue to evolve in different ways according to the prevailing and anticipated economic conditions and differentiated needs and priorities of the regional economies. Indeed, the model was further extended. In England, for example, regional development agencies were established as an integral part of the new intended Regional Assembly infrastructure—providing important economic development delivery functions to the new political bodies. In general terms, a more effective integration of planning, infrastructure provision, business development and investment, and economic development was anticipated at the regional level. This was held as an effective means of contributing to national economic growth and competitiveness objectives: themselves key and pivotal rationales for political devolution. On the basis of benchmarking exercises and academic and policy literature we review and analyse the significant changes that have taken place in the institutions which have been generated across the UK since the late 1990s, presenting and contrasting each nations and regions experiences with an appreciation of their specific powers and resources.

Old Industrial Regions and Employability

Inactivity has been growing across the developed world and is especially high in old industrial areas. A general move towards more flexible labour markets and the restructuring in these regions over the past quarter of a century have led to a change in the supply and demand conditions for employment. There is an increasing dependence on school and higher education qualifications and associated transferable skills and competencies, while the decline of traditional occupations has left many without jobs and facing multiple barriers to regaining employment. Often lacking demonstrable and accredited human capital and work experience, individuals with such employability problems have been concentrated in particular households and communities-polarising society. Policy interventions are required to address these obstacles and social exclusion, but central government appears reluctant to face the full direct costs of implementation. More radical innovative solutions are now being proposed at the metropolitan level.

Governance, institutional change and regional development

Part 1 Introduction: regional governance, institutional change and regional development, Mike Danson et al. Part 2 Partnership and regional development: the European partnership model and the changing role of regional development agencies - a regional development and organization perspective, Greta Cameron and Mike Danson developing a culture of collaboration concepts and experiences in a regional context, Thomas Jud et al local development networks in England, Cecilia Wong. Part 3 Networking and regional governance: development bodies, networking and business promotion - the case of North Jutland, Denmark, Henrik Halkier and Charlotte Damborg cohesion policy and the role of RDAs in the making of an intelligent region - lessons from the Southern European periphery, Grigoris Kafkalas and Elisavet Thoidou regional government in the United Kingdom - democratic representation or economic success? Peter Garside persuasive storytelling about the reform process - the case of the West Sweden region, Christian Jensen and Svante Leijon. Part 4 Regional development and multi-level governance: towards the end of a Norwegian regional policy model? Oddbjorn Bukve the regionalisation of Danish regional policy - governance and resource dependencies in transition, Henrik Halkier EU and national regional policies in Austria, Ruth Downes. Part 5 Perspective: institutional change, governance and regional development - problems and perspectives, Greta Cameron et al.

Microbrewing and entrepreneurship: The origins, development and integration of real ale breweries in the UK

This paper reports on an exploratory two-stage study of microbreweries in the UK. The first stage comprises an analysis of data from the Small Independent Breweries Association to offer an aggregate picture of the sector. The second stage reports on a qualitative study of the experiences of 14 microbreweries. The findings from the fieldwork show that the UK microbrewing sector is growing, that competitiveness within the brewing establishment is based on artisan manufacture, provenance and diversity rather than price, and that the sector is contestable but operates as a competitive fringe within the greater industry. The study illustrates that microbreweries can contribute to local economies and that, because of the innovation, diversity and growth in the sector, entrepreneurship is in evidence. While saturation seems a threat, the evidence presented here suggests that UK microbrewing is a healthy sector, with the prospect of ongoing growth and contribution.

Adding or Subtracting Value? Constructions of Rurality and Scottish Quality Food Promotion

Attempts to diversify and regenerate the rural economy often embrace a particular representation of the local culture and society. The quality food product industry in particular has secured its status as a key player in the future of rural Scotland, Analysed here is the development of the cluster and enterprise strategies which seek to add value to advance competitive advantage in both domestic and global markets. Based in a consideration of the policy frameworks for rural Scotland, and of the food and tourism sectors especially (both prioritised by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise as key sectors), this paper presents a critical evaluation of how value is construed through an examination of current case studies of Scottish quality food production and promotion. The paper considers how the promotion of particular signifiers of “added value” has implications for how regionality, rurality, quality and Scottishness are all defined.

'Going grey': demographic change and the changing labour market in Scotland

& INTRODUCTION This article outlines the nature of demographic change in Scotland and how this will affect the labour market in the future. Importantly for Scottish policymakers, demographic change will be more marked in Scotland than other parts of the UK (Brown, 2001). The demographic changes facing Scotland at the beginning of the 21st Century are very different from those facing the country 50 years ago. Although the overall population is very similar, at just over five million, this apparent stability masks big changes in the age structure and geographical distribution of the population within Scotland. The population is now considerably older than 50 years ago, with half the population aged over 38 years in 2001 and ten per cent aged over 71 years compared with 31 years and 64 years respectively in 1951 (GROS, 2002). This raises a number of important issues relating to the labour market for older workers. This paper begins with a brief outline of the main demographic changes in Scotland. It then examines the labour market situation of older workers in the Scottish labour market. We then explore the main barriers to employment facing older workers. An examination follows of the productivity of older workers and the estimated costs of age discrimination. The penultimate section explores attitudes towards age diversity in Scotland. The final section examines the policy issues which face Scotland as a result of this changing demographic profile.

New Firm Formation and Regional Economic Development: An introduction and review of the Scottish experience

This paper introduces this special edition ofSmall Business Economics on ‘New Firm Formation and Regional Economic Development’. It integrates the articles appearing in this volume with others presented at the Economic and Social Research Council Urban and Regional Economics Seminar Group conference on this theme in January 1994 in Ayr, Scotland. Many of the studies are derived from a Scottish Enterprise research programme on the contribution of new enterprises and entrepreneurs to economic development, and the factors explaining the low levels of business start-ups in Scotland. Comparative data, research and experiences from across the UK, European Union and US are called upon to improve the understanding of the processes involved. The findings are sometimes unsuspected, challenging the super-structure of business development agencies and their attitudes and behaviour towards indigenous potential entrepreneurs.

Evidence on Employer Attitudes and EQUAL Opportunities for the Disadvantaged in a Flexible and Open Economy

A neglected area of analysis in improving the progression of those facing barriers to the labour market concerns the role of employers. Unless their attitudes and behaviour are suitable, well informed, and sympathetic to the aspirations of disadvantaged groups in the labour market, then strategies and policies to raise employability and inclusion will be less than effective. In this paper we report on a project to identify a better understanding of employer considerations in recruiting, retaining, and progressing those who face barriers. We assess employer attitudes and behaviour to EQUAL Access client groups by researching examples of companies who have been active users of such labour, those who have not, and the labour market intermediaries and institutions. In this context we discuss the evolving issues for these groups in the secondary labour market with the migration of significant numbers of skilled workers from Central and Eastern Europe.

Glasgow: A tale of two cities? Disadvantage and exclusion on the european periphery

About the book: Persistent high employment and growing labour market inequality have become entrenched features of many European countries. This edited collection of papers focuses on the regional and local dimensions of these problems across the European union as a whole and, more particularly, in the UK. In the addressing the contemporary landscape of unemployment, social exclusion and public policy the contributors highlight several key themes, including: How the process of unemployment and social exclusion have an important local level operation. The increasing gender dimension and counts of unemployment to provide effective guides to the true scale of joblessness The need for more local-focused policy interventions to help reduce the problems of unemployment, employment insecurity and low incomes that now characterise many of the advanced countries.