The learning region tradition: a cultural reappraisal

Abstract

Purpose

The learning region has over the years become popular as a concept to portray and analyse subnational geographic entities heading for future growth and well-being. Claiming analytic and political relevance, the concept nevertheless retains much unclarified ideological content.

Design/methodology/approach

This study traces its roots to varieties of heterodox economic thinking where it has gained a prominent place.

Findings

While being strong on the value of different kinds of knowledge to economic development, the concept has a much weaker grip on the cultural rationales for knowledge and learning.

Originality/value

Thus, the study concludes with a need for a cultural reorientation to take place if the concept is going to retain its significance in the future academically as politically.

Citation

Knudsen, J.P. (2020), "The learning region tradition: a cultural reappraisal", The Learning Organization, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 223-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-01-2020-0017