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What is infrastructure?

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Abstract

: After having pointed out the diverse uses of the term "infrastructure" in the literature on the market-economy, the different categories of infrastructure will be described. The argument in this context is that the classification of infrastructure suggested by Jochimsen has proved useful: institutional, personal, and material infrastructure. On this basis a concept for the definition of infrastructure will be developed. The hitherto taken approach to understanding infrastructure, especially material infrastructure, mainly referring to the attributes of infrastructure, will be rejected. Rather it will be attempted to characterize infrastructure by its essential functions. We then may discuss the development-theoretic implications of infrastructure. Finally, infrastructure policy will be introduced in relation to institutional, material and personal infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Walter Buhr, 2003. "What is infrastructure?," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 107-03, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    • Handle: RePEc:sie:siegen:107-03
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter Buhr, 2009. "Infrastructure of the Market Economy," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 132-09, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    2. Thomas Christiaans, 2003. "Non-Scale Growth, Endogenous Comparative Advantages, and Industrialization," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 113-03, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    3. Alvin Baskoro Adhi & Fadhilah Muslim, 2023. "Development of Stakeholder Engagement Strategies to Improve Sustainable Construction Implementation Based on Lean Construction Principles in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Mohammed Aliu Momoh, 2019. "Private Participation in Infrastructure: The Nigerian Experience," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(9), pages 1-55, September.
    5. Tyler Andrew Scott & Nicola Ulibarri & Omar Perez Figueroa, 2020. "NEPA and National Trends in Federal Infrastructure Siting in the United States," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 37(5), pages 605-633, September.
    6. Jerzy Korczak & Dorota Janiszewska, 2022. "Diversification of Equipment in the IT Infrastructure of Enterprises in Central Pomerania in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, November.
    7. Yan Xin & Dongchuan Wang & Lihui Zhang & Yingyi Ma & Xing Chen & Haiqing Wang & Hongyi Wang & Kangjian Wang & Hui Long & Hua Chai & Jianshe Gao, 2022. "Cooperative analysis of infrastructure perfection and residents’ living standards in poverty-stricken counties in Qinghai Province," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 3687-3703, March.
    8. Shirley Thompson & Stewart Hill & Annette Salles & Tanzim Ahmed & Ajarat Adegun & Uche Nwankwo, 2023. "The Northern Corridor, Food Insecurity and the Resource Curse for Indigenous Communities in Canada," SPP Research Papers, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 16(20), June.
    9. Small, Sarah F. & van der Meulen Rodgers, Yana, 2023. "The gendered effects of investing in physical and social infrastructure," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    10. Stefan Schönfelder, 2015. "Volks- und regionalwirtschaftliche Bedeutung von Verkehrsinfrastruktur. Schwerpunkt niederrangiges Straßennetz," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 60556, March.
    11. Torrisi, Gianpiero, 2009. "A multilevel analysis on the economic impact of public infrastructure and corruption on Italian regions," MPRA Paper 15487, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Morretta, Valentina & Florio, Massimo & Landoni, Matteo, 2023. "The social value of Earth observation: A new evaluation framework for public high-tech infrastructures," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 407-419.
    13. Thomas Christiaans, 2003. "Aging in a Neoclassical Theory of Labor Demand," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 112-03, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    14. Zulgani Zulgani & Junaidi Junaidi & Dwi Hastuti & Ernan Rustiadi & Andrea Emma Pravitasari & Fadwa Rhogib Asfahani, 2023. "Understanding the Emergence of Rural Agrotourism: A Study of Influential Factors in Jambi Province, Indonesia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-26, June.
    15. Ignas Lukosevicius, 2020. "European Union Transport Infrastructure: Roads and Railways Subsectors Case," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 8(4), pages 305-318.
    16. Torrisi, Gianpiero, 2009. "Public infrastructure: definition, classification and measurement issues," MPRA Paper 12990, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Nikita Malafeev & Irina Baskakova, 2017. "Empirical Evaluation of the Contribution of Infrastructure Capital to the Development of the Region (Based on the Data of Ural Economic Region)," Economy of region, Centre for Economic Security, Institute of Economics of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, vol. 1(3), pages 777-788.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Institutional infrastructure; personal infrastructure; material infrastructure; functions of infrastructure; development theory; infrastructure policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • P10 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - General

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