Roepke Lecture in Economic Geography—Rethinking Regional Path Dependence: Beyond Lock‐in to Evolution

Abstract

This article argues that in its "canonical" form, the path dependence model, with its core concept of lock-in, affords a 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 article explores recent developments in political science, in which there have been active attempts to rethink the application of path dependence to the evolution of institutions so as to emphasize change rather than continuity. These developments are used to argue for a rethinking of path dependence ideas in economic geography. Copyright (c) 2010 Clark University.

Is one path enough? Multiple paths and path interaction as an extension of path dependency theory

“…Multiple progression can be parallel (when the number of paths is the same in two successive stages), convergent (when there are fewer paths at a later stage) or divergent (when there are more paths at a later stage). The existence of multiple paths also implies that coexisting paths can be linked to each other and evolve together (Martin, 2010) through learning and recombination of knowledge and other elements between paths (Håkansson and Waluszewski, 2002).…”

“…In this literature, path dependency is described at the level of complex societal systems. A primary focus in this literature is the path dependent character of institutions, including legal systems and other regulatory frameworks (Martin, 2010). Here, paths are defined in terms of institutional persistence, i.e.…”

“…Here, paths are defined in terms of institutional persistence, i.e. stable institutional patterns that have deterministic properties or are locked in for considerable periods of time (Mahoney, 2000;Martin, 2010). Two examples are the dominance of markets and large firm corporate capitalism in the US (Schneiberg, 2007) and persistence of competition regimes in the US and Germany (Djelic and Quack, 2007).…”

“…Here, the main focus is persistence in terms of stable patterns of technological and industrial specialization of sectoral, regional and national innovation or production systems. For example, Fai and von Tunzelmann (2001) show that the technological profiles of a number of industrial sectors are characterized by long-lasting specificity; Martin (2010) relates path dependency to various forms of localized forms of industrial specialization; Essletzbichler and Winther (1999) demonstrate that the Danish food processing industry is characterized by persistent regional differences in production technologies; and Narula (2002) argues that technological specialization patterns vary between national innovation systems and exemplifies this with the case of the Norwegian national innovation system, with its stable 4 specialization in low-technology, resource-based sectors (cf. also Niosi, 2002;Rycroft and Kash, 2002;Cantwell and Vertova, 2004;Boschma and Frenken, 2006;Storz, 2008;Fagerberg et al, 2009).…”

Do Temporary Creative Clusters Promote Innovation in an Emerging Economy?—A Case Study of the Beijing Design Week

“…It is believed that without external linkages, local knowledge transferred among local firms tends to be homogeneous, and local development tends to be exposed to the risk of being 'locked' in the original path or the dilemma of 'path dependence' [4]. Path dependence highlights the influence of specific conditions on the evolution of regional economies, such as preexisting resources, competences, skills, and experiences [5]. Too much path dependence leads to lock-in, so it has negative consequences on economic clusters, which in turn leads to economic stagnation or even decline [6].…”