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How to Make Progress in Theories of Spatial Clustering: A Case Study of Malmberg and Maskell's Emerging Theory

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  • Päivi Oinas

    (Economic Geography, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Rehtorinpellonkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Caterina Marchionni

    (Department of Social and Moral Philosophy, University of Helsinki, PO Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Many social science disciplines suffer from a tradition of tolerating vaguely formulated theoretical claims. The authors report a case study of the explanatory claims made in an emerging knowledge-based theory of clusters proposed by the economic geographers Malmberg and Maskell. In doing so they reinterpret and reconstruct Malmberg and Maskells's theory by applying what is called the ‘contrastive approach’ to explanation from contemporary philosophy of science literature. This approach is proposed as a means of enhancing explanatory clarity and thereby of fostering explanatory progress. The contrastive approach is useful in specifying the exact explanation-seeking questions, and answers to them. Specifying the explanatory claims of a theory also makes it easier to identify questions that are not posed and hence remain unanswered; those constitute a challenge for further theorizing. The case study supports the argument that the precise formulation of explanatory questions promotes explanatory progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Päivi Oinas & Caterina Marchionni, 2010. "How to Make Progress in Theories of Spatial Clustering: A Case Study of Malmberg and Maskell's Emerging Theory," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(4), pages 805-820, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:4:p:805-820
    DOI: 10.1068/a42166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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