Toward a relational economic geography

In this paper, we argue that a paradigmatic shift is occurringin economic geography toward a relational economic geography.This rests on three propositions. First, from a structural perspectiveeconomic actors are situated in contexts of social and institutionalrelations. Second, in dynamic perspective economic processesare path-dependent, constrained by history. Third, economicprocesses are contingent in that the agents' strategies andactions are open-ended. Drawing on Storper's holy trinity, wedefine four ions as the basis for analysis in economic geography:organization, evolution, innovation, and interaction. Therein,we employ a particular spatial perspective of economic processesusing a geographical lens.     

Economic geography and the evolution of networks

An evolutionary perspective on economic geography requires adynamic understanding of change in networks. This article explorestheories of network evolution for their use in geography anddevelops the conceptual framework of geographical network trajectories.It specifically assesses how tie selection constitutes the evolutionaryprocess of retention and variation in network structure andhow geography affects these mechanisms. Finally, a typologyof regional network formations is used to discuss opportunitiesfor innovation in and across regions.