Today, the study of regions is central to academic analysis and policy deliberation on how to respond to the rise of the knowledge economy. Regional Economies as Knowledge Laboratories illustrates how newer types of regional analysis - utilising scientometrics, knowledge services measures and university networks, and concepts such as knowledge life cycles, experimental knowledge creation, and knowledge ethics - are leading to a perception that regional economies increasingly resemble knowledge laboratories.

In addition to these measures and concepts, the book features case studies and assessments of policies implemented to facilitate regional engagement with the knowledge economy, and a critique of 'knowledge economy' as ideology. The importance of maintaining a balanced perspective in assessing the depth and reach of the role of knowledge in the market economy is also examined.

Aiming to contribute to the better understanding of theories and practices associated with knowledge regions, this book will appeal to a wide ranging audience, including regional and industrial economists, innovation scientists, academics and practitioners with an interest in knowledge and management organisation, regional scientists, economic geographers, and economic sociologists.

About the Author
Edited by Philip Cooke, formerly University Research Professor in Regional Development and Director, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK and Andrea Piccaluga, Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Lecce and Research Associate, Laboratory of Economics and Management, St Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy

Reviews
'The book covers a large variety of topics related to regional economies and knowledge economies. An important merit of this book is the use of case studies of regions and firms to illustrate arguments. . . The book will be very instructive for students as well as researchers interested in regional economics, policy makers and regional planners.' -- Valerien O. Pede, Papers in Regional Science
'The book offers useful insights to readers interested in regional economic development from either a theoretical or applied standpoint. Most importantly, it provides a number of empirical examples that reach beyond the well-documented list of "usual suspects" (e.g. Silicon Valley, etc.) and shows how policymakers in a wide range of regional and national settings have responded to the challenges of regional economic development in the knowledge economy.' -- Tara Vinodrai, Journal of Regional Science
'The book is a very useful contribution to the literature on a subject that is becoming increasingly popular. . . Despite the welter of related academic articles in this general area of discipline, there has been remarkably little that attempts to bring the different levels of academic analysis together to provide some coherent, underpinning theory for the view that regional economies can be manipulated, or experimented with, utilising knowledge management as a development strategy, so the book deserves to be well consulted on this aspect alone.' -- Economic Geography Research Group
'. . . the book is an accessible and valuable addition to the debate. Balanced with a discussion of the theoretical conception of the knowledge economy is a strong use of international case studies, which makes the book an informative read for anyone interested in the knowledge economy.' -- Jessica Barker, Town Planning Review



Book Information
ISBN 9781843768210
Author Philip Cooke
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd