Restructuring Regional and Local Economies: Towards a Comparative Study of Scotland and Upper Silesia

This title was first published in 2003. Throughout Western Europe and the former Soviet bloc, the structural shift from traditional heavy industry towards lighter manufacturing and services has often had a strong regional dimension. This volume brings together researchers and practitioners from Scotland and Poland to share such restructuring experiences. The Poles, now closer than ever to EU membership, are eager to draw on Western experience while Western experts and institutions have an opportunity to contribute to shaping regional policy in Central Europe. The book is divided into four sections: the first examines economic transformation and restructuring; the second focuses on social partnerships and their role in regional development; the third looks at enterprise-supporting initiatives; the final section questions the role of FDI. Its Scottish-Polish focus provides a fresh perspective on policy for regional and local development, summarising recent developments in both countries and stressing the importance of building appropriate institutional capacity to promote strong local economies.

George Blazyca is Professor of Economics and European Studies in the Paisley University Business School and co-ordinator of the University-wide Centre for Contemporary European Studies.