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Soft Variables in Regional Science

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  • Malecki, Edward J.

    (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL)

Abstract

This paper outlines briefly how "soft" variables related to social, political, and psychological phenomena are involved in issues central to regional science, such as development. The discussion centers around three concepts-knowledge, social capital, and institutions that influence or catalyze economic development. Each of these concepts has crept into regional science over the past decade, but they have not been integrated into our mainstream understanding of how development takes place. These soft variables may be more important to regional and local economies than the traditional considerations of economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Malecki, Edward J., 2000. "Soft Variables in Regional Science," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 30(1), pages 61-69, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:rre:publsh:v:30:y:2000:i:1:p:61-69
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Indergaard, 1996. "Making Networks, Remaking the City," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 10(2), pages 172-187, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shideler, David W. & Kraybill, David S., 2003. "Social Networks, Social Capital And Community Economic Growth," 2003 Annual meeting, July 27-30, Montreal, Canada 22174, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    2. Murphy, James T., 2002. "Networks, Trust, and Innovation in Tanzania's Manufacturing Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 591-619, April.
    3. Hefner, Frank, 2002. "The Role of Beliefs and Cultural Attitudes in Economic Development," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 32(1), pages 1-8, Winter/Sp.
    4. Päivi Oinas & Edward J. Malecki, 2002. "The Evolution of Technologies in Time and Space: From National and Regional to Spatial Innovation Systems," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 25(1), pages 102-131, January.
    5. Nicola Pontarollo & Mercy Orellana & Joselin Segovia, 2020. "The Determinants of Subjective Well-Being in a Developing Country: The Ecuadorian Case," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 3007-3035, December.
    6. Basco, Rodrigo & Suwala, Lech, 2021. "Spatial familiness and family spatialities—searching for fertile ground between family business and regional studies," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, pages 7-32.
    7. Smith, Stephen M., 2002. "The Role of Social Capital in the Industrialization of the Food System: Comment," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 31(01), pages 1-3, April.

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