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Towards an epigenetic understanding of evolutionary economics and evolutionary economic geography

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  • Jon Barrutia

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU))

  • Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia

    (University of Deusto)

Abstract

In this theoretical paper, we focus on one of the recent findings that have been produced in the last decades in biology, namely epigenetics, weighing how it can help evolutionary economics to gain a better description of economic phenomena. The interest of our conceptual contribution lies in understanding how firms and territories adapt to their respective environments in contexts of high velocity. We discuss the Epigenetic Economic Dynamics approach in the light of other methodological frameworks that have emerged in the field of evolutionary economic geography, such as developmental systems theory, evolutionary developmental biology, and the concept of resilience. We aim to introduce this concept in the field of evolutionary economics and evolutionary economic geography, and illustrate how it can also complement existing approaches, concepts and theories being used in such scientific discipline.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Barrutia & Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, 2018. "Towards an epigenetic understanding of evolutionary economics and evolutionary economic geography," Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 213-241, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eaiere:v:15:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s40844-018-0109-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s40844-018-0109-6
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    Cited by:

    1. David Doloreux & Jose Gaviria de la Puerta & Iker Pastor-López & Igone Porto Gómez & Borja Sanz & Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, 2019. "Territorial innovation models: to be or not to be, that’s the question," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 120(3), pages 1163-1191, September.
    2. Silvina A. Romano & Jon Mikel Zabala‐Iturriagagoitia, 2022. "Davids versus Goliaths: Epigenetic dynamics and structural change in the Swedish innovation system," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 1737-1761, December.
    3. Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, Jon Mikel & Porto Gómez, Igone & Aguirre Larracoechea, Urko, 2020. "Technological diversification: a matter of related or unrelated varieties?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Evolutionary economics; Epigenetic economic dynamics; Resilience; Time; Decision-making;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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