Keystone sector methodology:network analysis comparative study

provided by Research Papers in Economics

Keystone sector methodology:network analysis comparative study

(assigned to session 31a)

Pedro Guedes de Carvalho*

U.B.I. - Portugal

Visiting Scholar - REAL, University of Illinois

To be presented at the ERSA Conference

Zagreb August 29, 2001

Abstract**

In this paper, we present some new perspectives on rural regional development
strategies.

Contradictory goals in macroeconomic policies, such as maximizing growth, efficiency
and technological innovation with equity or efficient growth with regional disparities,
tend to appear with higher costs to small open economies. A large number of studies
are focused on this trade-off, using national and some regional aggregate indicators
mostly based on economic flows (prices and quantities). However the urbanization
process is still concentrated in a few traditionally big cities, which is particularly the
case in Portugal.

The ‘keystone sector’ methodology we apply here shows that other important flows
embedded in small town social networks can provide complementary understanding of
such issues.

Conclusions about a case study in Portugal, its internal and external relations and the
comparison with some US similar studies described in the literature, will highlight and
enhance the understanding of this approach to the articulation of development strategies
in sparsely populated regions in the E.U.

** - This paper is still in progress. The oral presentation will take into account ongoing improvements.

1. Research background

* I would like to express my appreciation to Geoffrey Hewings and Maureen Kilkenny, who provided
useful support and comments during my empirical research.

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