Towards a problem-oriented regional industrial policy: possibilities for public intervention in framing, valuation and market formation

Flanagan, Karen; Uyarra, Elvira; Wanzenböck, Iris

doi:10.1080/00343404.2021.2016680

Cited by 29 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 118 publications

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“…Although many societal problems are globally shared, their contextuality and place-sensitivity regarding their regional and local manifestations should be noticed . Furthermore, the nature, identification and significance of these problems vary because places and regions approach environmental and societal problems through specific contextual frames (Flanagan et al 2021). Hospers and Syssner (2018) present an illustrative example of how shrinkage appears as a problem in Nordic peripheries, and how its meaning can vary only by changing the perspective.…”

Section: Towards Green and Inclusive Growth?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More precisely, I understand them as translators of the strategies, providers of guidance, and supporters of innovations and funding, and thence crucial links between policy and practice (Howells 2006;Medd & Marvin 2007;Inkinen & Suorsa 2010). Respectively, I expect them to be able to assess a range of alternatives, and provide normative values and judgements (Kivimaa et al 2019;Flanagan et al 2021), which are valuable for the framing analysis.…”

Section: Interview Data Of Regional Development Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…meanings beyond growth in terms of GDP) (ibid.). By Flanagan, Uyarra and Wanzenböck (2021), framing the problem is expected to clarify its complexity, and to reveal the boundaries and expectations of what should be assessed and legitimated. I understand describing, linking, and bridging as a part of the analytical framing, whereas setting goals, contesting, valuing, and statements on how things should be as a part of the normative framing (Rothman 2011).…”

Section: Framing Through Discoursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, I expect them to provide different types of framings, which reveal the multidimensional meanings of growth. As a means to understand the discourses of development, analysis of frames enables the assessment of the situations or circumstances in which growth is presented (Flanagan et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiple meanings and boundaries of growth in shrinking regions in East and North Finland

Halonen

2023

Fennia

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Growth stands out as a key development object in contemporary green economy policies. It is particularly interesting in the Nordic context such as in East and North Finland, where many regions are rich in natural resources, but also shrinking and lagging. Therefore, their regional development is simultaneously framed by an expected sustainability transition that alternates between green growth and degrowth agendas, and the socio-economic phenomenon of shrinkage. This article examines how growth is understood and framed among regional development actors, with special interest placed on different meanings, possible critics, and the boundaries of growth. The interviewed actors are positioned as intermediaries who possess special knowledge regarding regional development. The interviews show that the understanding of growth in this context requires various framings that combine global, regional, and local perspectives on sustainable development, as well as the burdens of shrinking and lagging regions balanced against cohesive and inclusive promises of green growth. The hegemonic frame is approached through a lens of green growth, yet the shrinking population remains in the background. Growth appears as a favoured means to tackle societal problems, which reflects a mission-oriented goal setting. Critical statements are directed at growth policies and funding instruments that do not seem to promote cohesive and inclusive growth. The clearest boundary for growth relates to nature, but it is far too early to make interpretations on an intentional degrowth agenda. From the regional actors’ perspective, setting boundaries for growth in a context of long-term shrinkage, sparse population, and extensive natural surroundings seems trivial. Handling the peripheries’ societal problems related to shrinkage and their struggle for resources appears as the more relevant mission that also requires growth in various forms.

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Section: Towards Green and Inclusive Growth?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Interview Data Of Regional Development Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Framing Through Discoursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiple meanings and boundaries of growth in shrinking regions in East and North Finland

Halonen

2023

Fennia

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“…This includes the opportunities for local diversification and technological innovation targeted by smart specialisation and entrepreneurial discovery, but it is not limited to them. It will also mean that local industrial policies will not be problem-based in the sense that they are responsive to pressing local needs and issues, and local environmental and social needs (Flanagan et al, 2022). The potential for local industrial policies to support and drive local foundational economies will continue to be foregone.…”

Section: Co-ordination and Place-based Capacitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Industrial policies, strategy and the UK’s Levelling Up agenda

Sunley

Harris

Pike

et al. 2022

Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit

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In the context of the UK economy’s slow and unbalanced growth, this paper discusses the degree to which recent Conservative Governments in the UK have moved towards the adoption of a strategic and coherent set of industrial policies to enhance economic performance across the country. It starts by outlining the priorities and principles of new forms of industrial strategy which emphasises the importance of cross-sectoral goals, intensive dialogue between government and the private sector, co-ordination between different policies and levels of government, directions to address societal and environmental challenges and the role of place-based policy making. The paper discusses the degree to which these principles have shaped, or been largely absent from, recent industrial policy development in the UK and particularly the interface between industrial and regional policies. It discusses the May Government’s move to set up an Industrial Strategy with a place ‘pillar’ and the influence of a mission approach. It then reviews the Johnson’s Government’s ‘Plan for Growth’ industrial policy agenda, focussing on the recent Levelling Up White Paper and examines how far and in what ways it has embedded these reforming principles. It finds that despite reflecting some of these principles in its rhetoric, the current government programme has substituted innovation and infrastructure policies for an actual industrial strategy, and continues to rely mainly on a top-down and technologically driven type of approach. The agenda lacks the capacity to deliver its levelling up goals due to inadequate funding, an incomplete devolution agenda and insufficiently developed place-based capacities and policies. Future development needs to move the principles from rhetoric into industrial policy direction and design, and to remedy the continuing lack of local and regional collaboration and co-ordination.

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