Understanding city‐regional cooperation: what works where
International Journal of Public Sector Management
ISSN: 0951-3558
Article publication date: 3 April 2009
Abstract
Purpose
Advocates of the role of city‐regions in economic development seek lessons from other countries to boost the case. But processes of lesson learning raise many challenges and the purpose of this paper, therefore, is to argue that it is necessary to shift from descriptive comparison to a better understanding and explanation of what works where.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken in the paper is to review recent debates about the design of comparative studies and suggests a range of comparative questions.
Findings
The paper draws on insights from the ESRC Research Seminar and other papers in this issue and helps clarify some of the issues that may be involved in developing a better comparative understanding of the emergence and impacts of new “experimental”, time‐limited regional institutions.
Research limitations/implications
The paper argues for more rigorous comparative research.
Practical implications
Questions are raised about current lesson learning concerning the governance of city regions.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to new debates about the potential of comparative study.
Keywords
Citation
Newman, P. (2009), "Understanding city‐regional cooperation: what works where", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 183-191. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550910949163
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited