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The industrial policy of competitiveness: A review of recent developments in the UK

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  • Colin Wren

Abstract

The article reviews the recent developments in UK competitiveness policy, and explores its relationship with industrial policy, including regional industrial policy. It argues that competitiveness is virtually synonymous with productivity growth, but that while four Competitiveness White Papers of the 1990s potentially broadened the scope of UK industrial policy, the shift from 'sectoral' to 'horizontal' measures has in fact helped much reduce the content of this policy. The article reviews current industrial policy and expenditure, distinguishing between the areas of science and technology, small firms and regional policy. It argues that industrial policy is now a part of competitiveness policy,being closely aligned to the efficiency role of government. It finds that while policy has converged on a narrower set of measures, the traditional boundaries between the science and technology, small firm and regional policy components have become much less clear-cut.

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  • Colin Wren, 2001. "The industrial policy of competitiveness: A review of recent developments in the UK," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(9), pages 847-860.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:35:y:2001:i:9:p:847-860
    DOI: 10.1080/00343400120090266
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    Cited by:

    1. Crafts, Nicholas, 2012. "Creating Competitive Advantage: Policy Lessons from History," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 91, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    2. Sue Konzelmann & Marc Fovargue-Davies, 2013. "'Picking Winners' in a Liberal Market Economy: Modern Day Heresy - or Essential Strategy for Competitive Success?," Working Papers wp441, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    3. Tim Vorley & Jen Nelles, 2010. "Innovation Policy as Industrial Policy: Some Lessons from Hamburg's Regional Innovation System," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 25(8), pages 631-649, December.
    4. Shu-Yi Chi & Tsorng-Chyi Hwang & Li-Hsien Chien, 2023. "Business Policy and Competitiveness of Farmers’ Organizations—Empirical Evidence from Taiwan," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Thelma Quince & Hugh Whittaker, 2003. "Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurs' Intentions and Objectives," Working Papers wp271, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    6. Dranev, Yakov & Kuznetsov, Boris & Kuzyk, Mikhail & Pogrebnyak, Evgeny & Simachev, Yuri, "undated". "Experience in Implementing Industrial Policy in the Russian Federation in 2000-2012: Institutional Features, Interest Groups, Main Lessons," Published Papers nvg137, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    7. Salvador, Elisa, 2008. "Regional Innovation Policies In The United Kingdom: The New Industry-Heis Relationship And The Role Of Science Parks," Revista Galega de Economía, University of Santiago de Compostela. Faculty of Economics and Business., vol. 17(1).
    8. Thelma Quince & Hugh Whittaker, 2003. "The Beer Beneath The Froth: Preliminary findings from case studies of 25 small high technology firms," Working Papers wp272, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    9. David Bailey & Nigel Driffield, 2007. "Industrial Policy, FDI and Employment: Still ‘Missing a Strategy’," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 189-211, December.
    10. Nicholas Crafts & Alan Hughes, 2013. "Industrial Policy for the Medium to Long-term," Working Papers wp455, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    11. Colin Wren, 2002. "Evaluating the effect of soft business support upon small firm performance," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 54(2), pages 334-365, April.
    12. Richard Harris & Catherine Robinson, 2004. "Industrial Policy In Great Britain And Its Effect On Total Factor Productivity In Manufacturing Plants, 1990–1998," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 51(4), pages 528-543, September.

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