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Related Variety and Regional Development

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  • Harald Bathelt
  • Michael Storper

Abstract

Evolutionary approaches have contributed substantially to the growing knowledge body about regional development processes and their underlying mechanisms. They have advanced our understanding particularly by going beyond case study methods, using empirical, mostly regression- based statistical analyses. One key concept that underlies evolutionary economic geography (EEG) is that of “related variety†. In EEG studies, regional industry structure is represented through its level of related variety, which in turn is found to be positively associated with favorable types of regional economic development. In this paper, we raise questions regarding the internal logic of the concept, its spatial expressions, measurement specifics, empirical regularities and biases, and the short- and long- term effects of related variety on regional development. Based on this examination, we make suggestions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Bathelt & Michael Storper, 2022. "Related Variety and Regional Development," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2214, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Aug 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic geographies of places; evolutionary economic geography (EEG); regional development; regional specialization; related variety;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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