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Agency and Economic Change in Regions: Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to identify Routes to New Path Development

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Listed:
  • Grillitsch, Markus

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Sotarauta, Markku

    (Tampere University)

  • Asheim, Björn

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Fitjar, Rune Dahl

    (University of Stavanger)

  • Haus-Reve, Silje

    (University of Stavanger)

  • Kolehmainen, Jari

    (Tampere University)

  • Kurikka, Heli

    (Tampere University)

  • Lundquist, Karl-Johan

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Martynovich, Mikhail

    (Lund University)

  • Monteilhet, Skirmante

    (University of Stavanger)

  • Nielsen, Hjalti

    (Lund University)

  • Nilsson, Magnus

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Rekers, Josefine

    (Lund University)

  • Sopanen, Sami

    (Tampere University)

  • Stihl, Linda

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of human agency in 40 phases of regional economic development in 12 Nordic regions over 30 years. The paper contributes with a theoretical framework to study agency over time and a fuzzyset qualitative comparative analysis based on a unique dataset combining over 200 interviews, with printed and online sources, and quantitative data. The paper identifies which combinations of agency types and context conditions make industrial upgrading or diversification possible, and investigates how such combinations come into being. The causal claims from this analysis are illustrated with empirical examples and discussed in relation to previous literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Grillitsch, Markus & Sotarauta, Markku & Asheim, Björn & Fitjar, Rune Dahl & Haus-Reve, Silje & Kolehmainen, Jari & Kurikka, Heli & Lundquist, Karl-Johan & Martynovich, Mikhail & Monteilhet, Skirmante, 2022. "Agency and Economic Change in Regions: Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to identify Routes to New Path Development," Papers in Innovation Studies 2022/5, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2022_005
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    regional development; industrial diversification; innovation; entrepreneurship; place-based leadership; institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

    NEP fields

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