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Indivisibilities, Synergy And Proximity: The Need For An Integrated Approach To Agglomeration Economies

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  • ROBERTA CAPELLO

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present a review of the literature on agglomeration economies in a light such that it is possible to uncover the building blocks for use in a multidimentional approach to agglomeration economies. The paper claims that the different conceptual dimensions – industrial, socio‐cultural/cognitive and geographic – build upon the three micro‐foundations of agglomeration economies – indivisibility, synergy and proximity – and explain their nature, scope and intensity. The paper stresses two main issues. The first is that a socio‐cultural/cognitive perspective still today ignored by mainstream approaches to agglomeration economies is an additional important conceptual dimension on which to understand the complex mechanisms whereby exchanges of knowledge, labour or intermediate goods take place in agglomerated areas. The second is that a multidimensional approach comprising the three different dimensions in the study of agglomeration economies makes it possible to overcome a deterministic approach to agglomeration economies and move instead towards a stochastic interpretation which opens the black box of this complex phenomenon.

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  • Roberta Capello, 2009. "Indivisibilities, Synergy And Proximity: The Need For An Integrated Approach To Agglomeration Economies," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 100(2), pages 145-159, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:tvecsg:v:100:y:2009:i:2:p:145-159
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9663.2009.00525.x
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    2. Edward L. Glaeser & David I. Laibson & José A. Scheinkman & Christine L. Soutter, 2000. "Measuring Trust," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(3), pages 811-846.
      • Glaeser, Edward Ludwig & Laibson, David I. & Scheinkman, Jose A. & Soutter, Christine L., 2000. "Measuring Trust," Scholarly Articles 4481497, Harvard University Department of Economics.
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    9. Martijn J. Burger & Frank G. Van Oort & Koen Frenken & Bert Van Der Knaap, 2009. "Networks And Economic Agglomerations: Introduction To The Special Issue," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 100(2), pages 139-144, April.
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    12. Nicola Cortinovis & Frank van Oort, 2017. "Between spilling over and boiling down: network-mediated spillovers, absorptive capacity and productivity in European regions," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 17-118/VI, Tinbergen Institute.
    13. Katarina Bacic & Ivana Rasic Bakaric & Suncana Slijepcevic, 2017. "Sources of productivity differentials in manufacturing in post-transition urban South-East Europe," Working Papers 1706, The Institute of Economics, Zagreb.
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    15. Evert Meijers & Martijn Burger & Roberto Camagni & Roberta Capello & Andrea Caragliu, 2016. "Static vs. dynamic agglomeration economies. Spatial context and structural evolution behind urban growth," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 133-158, March.
    16. Roberto Camagni & Roberta Capello & Andrea Caragliu, 2013. "One or infinite optimal city sizes? In search of an equilibrium size for cities," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 51(2), pages 309-341, October.
    17. Inácio Fernandes de Araújo & Eduardo Gonçalves & Juliana Gonçalves Taveira, 2019. "The Role of Patent Co-inventorship Networks in Regional Inventive Performance," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 42(3-4), pages 235-280, May.
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