Technological Change, Economic Development and Space: An Introduction

In recent years there has been growing scientific interest in the complex relationships between technological change, economic development and space. Research efforts are still hampered however by a lack of both theoretical and empirical insights. The main aim of this present book is to provide a compact and refreshing state-of-the-art review of current developments. It includes general reflections on theoretical issues and the findings of specific empirical investigations,withaview to furtheringourunderstandingoftheabove research triangle. The common theme of all contributions is change, not only concerning techniques of production and the characteristics of products, but also the behaviour leading to new knowledge, the general structure of economies and their performance. There is, of course, also a spatial dimension to the changes occurring, and it is important to underline that the spatial aspect is not merely a consequence, but an integral part of the process of change (inherently spatial phenomena such as incubator niches and the diffusion process are fundamental to technological innovation).