Abstract

This paper is a theoretical contribution to interrogate and elucidate a term commonly used (but rarely inter-rogated) from the perspective of the economic geography field within which we work: peripheries. As researchers of "peripheries" we are all too familiar with the fuzziness and problematic nature of this term, and our long-standing research agenda is to work towards clarifying and nuancing it, addressing its role in either stigma-tizing or assuming some predetermined destiny for different regions and territories. This paper reviews the work conducted on peripheries within economic geography, and identifies a number of gaps or problems in the way in which this term is used. The paper proposes a way forwards for addressing these problems, in a series of "suggestions" as to how we can do better in researching economic geographies of peripheries. The final dis-cussion reorients our debate towards possible avenues for the research community to anchor peripheries in theoretical advancements and a more systemic approach to empirical investigations. Finally, this paper proposes a holistic framework for studying peripheries in economic geography, which take into account environmental, socio-cultural, and political elements as well as pure economic issues.

Keywords

Periphery; Innovation; Entrepreneurship; Regional policy; Place-based development

Published in

Journal of Rural Studies
2021, Volume: 87, pages: 267-275 Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

SLU Authors

• Dubois, Alexandre

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG8 Decent work and economic growth
SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure


UKÄ Subject classification

Economic Geography


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.09.007

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/114243