Regional competitiveness, economic growth and stages of development

Abstract

This paper positions the concept of regional competitiveness within theories
\nconcerning regional economic growth and stages of economic development. It
\nexamines the sources of regional competitiveness encompassing an analysis based
\non the particular stage of economic development that the nations within which
\nregions are situated have reached. As a means to achieve this, the paper undertakes
\nan empirical analysis of data stemming from the World Competitiveness Index of
\nRegions, and identifies regional competitiveness as a dual concept that explains
\nrelative differences in rates of economic development across regions, as well as an
\nunderstanding of the future economic growth trajectories of regions at a similar
\nstage of economic development. As with endogenous growth and development
\ntheory, the notion of regional competitiveness presented here places knowledge,
\ninnovation and entrepreneurship at the forefront of conceptualisations of regional
\neconomic differentiation.