Regions at the Crossroads: Strategic Development Case Studies for the New Economy

Joseph Garcea is a professor of political Studies at the University of
Saskatchewan.

This collection of articles provides valuable models and case studies
for those in both the public and the private sectors who are interested
in exploring current theories and practices regarding the bases of
competitiveness of firms and regions.

Two of the book’s themes are of particular interest. First, the
competitiveness of firms depends not just on the natural endowments of a
region but also on a culture of innovation, competitive domestic
environments, and strategic linkages to the continental and global
markets. Second, if regional economic development pol-icy is to succeed,
it must focus on a community-based approach, which includes an
innovation support system of the region’s major stakeholders and the
creation of an environment conducive to high-wage employment.

Interesting models highlight various aspects of competitiveness in the
domestic, continental, and global contexts, which are applied to Canada
and New Zealand. The book also contains comparative empirical material
on a wide range of industries (e.g., footwear and tiles in Italy,
pharmaceuticals in Switzerland, electronics and vehicles in Japan).

Private-sector entrepreneurs, public-sector policy advisers, academics,
and interested laypersons will find much of value in this book.