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Prospects for growth and prosperity in West Cumbria: Nuclear decommissioning and regional economic adjustment

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  • Allen J Scott

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to trace out the effects of decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear complex on the economy of West Cumbria. I seek to show how decommissioning expenditures are stimulating the formation of an agglomeration of advanced nuclear processing and engineering firms in the region and how this process is reinforced by a diverse array of emerging private and public institutions. With the aid of patent data, I indicate some possible pathways of industrial development in the region. I then proceed to examine how policy makers might enhance the developmental impacts of decommissioning especially in regard to measures focused on inter-firm network activities, training, and institutional infrastructures.

Suggested Citation

  • Allen J Scott, 2023. "Prospects for growth and prosperity in West Cumbria: Nuclear decommissioning and regional economic adjustment," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(2), pages 100-118, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:38:y:2023:i:2:p:100-118
    DOI: 10.1177/02690942231190020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott, Allen J., 1995. "The Geographic Foundations of Industrial Performance," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 319-320, December.
    2. Ron Martin & Peter Sunley, 2006. "Path dependence and regional economic evolution," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 6(4), pages 395-437, August.
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    5. Henry Farrell & Jack Knight, 2003. "Trust, Institutions, and Institutional Change: Industrial Districts and the Social Capital Hypothesis," Politics & Society, , vol. 31(4), pages 537-566, December.
    6. Allen Scott, 2006. "Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Industrial Development: Geography and the Creative Field Revisited," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Melissa Haller & Michael Haines & Daisaku Yamamoto, 2017. "The End of the Nuclear Era: Nuclear Decommissioning and Its Economic Impacts on U.S. Counties," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 640-660, December.
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    9. Peter Sunley & Jack L Harris & Andy Pike & Richard Harris & Ron Martin & Emil Evenhuis, 2022. "Industrial policies, strategy and the UK’s Levelling Up agenda," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 37(5), pages 403-418, August.
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