Prof Simona Iammarino STC S410

This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Local Economic Development, MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is aimed at understanding the micro dimension of local economic development, that is the determinants and effects of the behaviour, strategies and choices of key economic actors: local firms, both small and large, multinational enterprises, universities and other education and research organisations, industry associations, NGOs, government agencies, etc. The study of different theoretical approaches, empirical evidence and implications of the behaviour of such actors, and their interactions, will help building up the complete analytical framework to interpret the genesis of local economic systems, their dynamics and evolution over time and the policy options from a bottom-up perspective. We will make use of an extended array of empirical examples and case studies – and the transferability of their lessons across space and time – across regions and industries, both in advanced and developing and emerging economies. The course is concerned with 'bottom-up' approaches and focuses on locally initiated and managed processes which may involve a wide range of actors in shaping and implementing local economic development initiatives.

20 hours of lectures and 18 hours of seminars in the LT.

A. Pike, A. Rodriguez-Pose & J. Tomaney, Local and Regional Development, 2006; B-A. Lundvall, KJ Joseph, C. Chaminade & J. Vang (eds.), Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries, 2009; R Boschma and R Martin The Handbook of Evolutionary Economic Geography, 2010;  S Iammarino & P McCann Multinationals and Economic Geography. Location, Technology and Innovation, 2013; J Cantwell & E Amann (eds.), Innovative Firms in Emerging Market Countries, 2012; R Crescenzi and M Percoco (eds), Geography, Institutions and Regional Economic Performance, Springer.

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.