This article assesses the relative economic competitiveness of regions and localities in the UK by constructing a single index that reflects, as fully as possible, the measurable criteria constituting "area competitiveness'. Other studies and research on competitiveness within the UK have...

As knowledge becomes an increasingly important part of regional innovation and development processes, the role of higher education institutions has come to the fore. The 'triple helix' model of economic development, which seeks to promote increased interaction across the government, business and...

Benchmarking exercises have become increasingly popular within the sphere of regional policy making. However, most exercises are restricted to comparing regions within a particular continental bloc or nation. This article introduces the World Knowledge Competitiveness Index (WKCI), which is one...

Universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) have come to be regarded as key sources of knowledge utilisable in the pursuit of economic growth. Although there have been numerous studies assessing the economic and innovation impact of HEIs, there has been little systematic analysis...

This paper provides evidence of the movement towards a sector-based approach to regional development by the Welsh Development Agency, its effects on economic competitiveness and its role as a focal point for stimulating the development of specialized industrial clusters. The paper concentrates...

This paper is a study of the skills economy of the rural region of Mid Wales, and the subsequent policy responses that could be activated to stimulate job creation and upgrading through skills development and training. A skills economy approach incorporates the means by which the expectations of...