Samenvatting
Clusters and the spatial concentration of economic development are themes
which crop up more and more in recent debates in social and economic
history. This special issue wants to foster an interdisciplinary crossover of
theories and ideas between economic geographers and historians, and
focuses on the development of several branches of agribusiness (dairy,
horticulture, olive oil and agricultural machinery) in South-western and
North-western Europe during the past two centuries. The five case studies
unravel and analyse the connections and interdependencies between economic
actors, knowledge institutions and the State in the agro-food chain.
This analysis results in four main conclusions. Firstly, in the formation of
regional economic clusters not only natural conditions played a major role, or
other economic determinants such as an easy access to markets. Social and
cultural connections between individuals and organizations that were shaped
over time, and related to geographical proximity, were important too.
Secondly, governments, entrepreneurs and interest organizations, who were
firmly rooted in the region’s history, often cooperated and stimulated cluster
development via regulatory frameworks, educational and scientific policies.
Thirdly, not only consensus but also discord and competition can foster the
clustering of economic activities. Finally, multi-scalar perspectives are needed
in order to grasp the importance of connections between clusters and actors
outside the region.
which crop up more and more in recent debates in social and economic
history. This special issue wants to foster an interdisciplinary crossover of
theories and ideas between economic geographers and historians, and
focuses on the development of several branches of agribusiness (dairy,
horticulture, olive oil and agricultural machinery) in South-western and
North-western Europe during the past two centuries. The five case studies
unravel and analyse the connections and interdependencies between economic
actors, knowledge institutions and the State in the agro-food chain.
This analysis results in four main conclusions. Firstly, in the formation of
regional economic clusters not only natural conditions played a major role, or
other economic determinants such as an easy access to markets. Social and
cultural connections between individuals and organizations that were shaped
over time, and related to geographical proximity, were important too.
Secondly, governments, entrepreneurs and interest organizations, who were
firmly rooted in the region’s history, often cooperated and stimulated cluster
development via regulatory frameworks, educational and scientific policies.
Thirdly, not only consensus but also discord and competition can foster the
clustering of economic activities. Finally, multi-scalar perspectives are needed
in order to grasp the importance of connections between clusters and actors
outside the region.
| Originele taal-2 | Engels |
|---|---|
| Pagina's (van-tot) | 1-16 |
| Aantal pagina's | 16 |
| Tijdschrift | Tijdschrift voor Sociale en Economische Geschiedenis |
| Volume | 13 |
| Nummer van het tijdschrift | 4 |
| DOI's | |
| Status | Gepubliceerd - dec. 2016 |