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Entrepreneurship and regional competitiveness: The role and progression of policy

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  • Robert Huggins
  • Nick Williams

Abstract

Regions have gained a position at the forefront of the economic development policy agenda. However, the regional approach to economic strategy remains contested. This paper tests the extent to which regional policy in less competitive regions is accounting for issues relating to entrepreneurship and enterprise development as a tool for improving regional competitiveness. It does so by examining policies undertaken by the UK Labour government 1997--2010, drawing on interviews with policy makers and an analysis of relevant policy documents. This paper finds that entrepreneurship policy at the regional level is multidimensional, with policies broadly ranging from those that are either economically or socially driven. Although there is a considerable policy activity in these areas across less competitive regions, enterprise policy making remains relatively undifferentiated across the regions. There are a number of evolutions in regional policy occurring, especially a shift from policies relating to the facilitation of clusters to those focused on developing regional innovation ecosystems. It is found that regional policy makers are under pressure to measure short-term outputs at the expense of long-term nurturing. The paper also finds that there is a tension between using enterprise policy as a tool for improving regional competitiveness or for addressing economic and social disadvantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Huggins & Nick Williams, 2010. "Entrepreneurship and regional competitiveness: The role and progression of policy," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(9-10), pages 907-932, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:23:y:2010:i:9-10:p:907-932
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2011.577818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. André van Stel & David Storey & Pamela Mueller, 2006. "The effects of new firm formation on regional development over time: The case of Great Britain," Scales Research Reports H200618, EIM Business and Policy Research.
    2. Roy Thurik & Sander Wennekers & Ingrid Verheul & David Audretsch, 2001. "An eclectic theory of entrepreneurship: policies, institutions and culture," Scales Research Reports H200012, EIM Business and Policy Research.
    3. Simon Bridge, 2010. "Rethinking Enterprise Policy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-28983-3, June.
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