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Rethinking Regional Path Dependence: Beyond Lock-in to Evolution

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Abstract

This paper argues that in its 'canonical' form, the path dependence model, with its core concept of 'lock-in, affords a very restrictive and narrowly applicable account of regional and local industrial evolution, an account moreover that is tied to problematic underpinnings based on equilibrist thinking. As such the canonical path dependence model actually stresses continuity rather than change. The paper goes on to explore recent developments in historical sociology and political science, where there are active attempts to rethink the application of path dependence to the evolution of institutions so as to emphasise change rather than continuity. These developments are used to argue for a rethinking of path dependence ideas in economic geography.

Suggested Citation

  • Ron Martin, 2009. "Rethinking Regional Path Dependence: Beyond Lock-in to Evolution," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 0910, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Sep 2009.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:0910
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    File URL: http://econ.geo.uu.nl/peeg/peeg0910.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dawley, Stuart & Pike, Andy & Tomaney, John, 2010. "Towards the resilient region?: policy activism and peripheral region development," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 33523, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Angeon, Valérie & Bates, Samuel, 2015. "Reviewing Composite Vulnerability and Resilience Indexes: A Sustainable Approach and Application," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 140-162.
    3. Michael Stierle & Ulrike Stierle-von Schütz & Stijn Rocher, 2018. "How did Regional Economic Structures in the EU Change during the Economic Crisis?," European Economy - Discussion Papers 088, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    4. Markus Steen, 2016. "Reconsidering path creation in economic geography: aspects of agency, temporality and methods," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(9), pages 1605-1622, September.
    5. Brita Hermelin & Hans Rämö, 2017. "Intermediary activities and agendas of regional cleantech networks in Sweden," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(1), pages 130-146, February.
    6. Jerker Moodysson & Lionel Sack, 2016. "Institutional stability and industry renewal: diverging trajectories in the Cognac beverage cluster," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(5), pages 448-464, July.
    7. Peter Sunley & Ron Martin & Peter Tyler, 2017. "Cities in transition: problems, processes and policies," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 10(3), pages 383-390.
    8. Arnt Fløysand & Rune Njøs & Trond Nilsen & Vigdis Nygaard, 2017. "Foreign direct investment and renewal of industries: framing the reciprocity between materiality and discourse," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 462-480, March.
    9. Christine Liefooghe, 2011. "The creative Economy and the dynamics of regional systems : an evolutionary perspective," ERSA conference papers ersa10p1040, European Regional Science Association.
    10. Martin Ron & Sunley Peter, 2022. "Making history matter more in evolutionary economic geography," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 66(2), pages 65-80, July.
    11. Sverre J. Herstad, 2018. "Beyond ‘related variety’: how inflows of skills shape innovativeness in different industries," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(2), pages 396-420, February.
    12. Jean Dub� & Mario Pol�Se, 2016. "Resilience Revisited: Assessing the Impact of the 2007-09 Recession on 83 Canadian Regions with Accompanying Thoughts on an Elusive Concept," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(4), pages 615-628, April.
    13. Clara Turner & Marco R Di Tommaso & Chiara Pollio & Karen Chapple, 2020. "Who will win the electric vehicle race? The role of place-based assets and policy," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 35(4), pages 337-362, June.
    14. Heike Schroeder, 2011. "Application possibilities of the micro-meso-macro framework in economic geography," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1115, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Aug 2011.
    15. Wang, Boyi & Tian, Li & Yao, Zhihao, 2018. "Institutional uncertainty, fragmented urbanization and spatial lock-in of the peri-urban area of China: A case of industrial land redevelopment in Panyu," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 241-249.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    path dependence; lock-in; equilibrium evolution; layering; conversion; adaptation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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