Introduction

Abstract

This Introduction discusses aims, objectives, rationale and structure of the book and presents some general conclusions on the role of geography, institutions and culture in shaping regional economic dynamics. An agenda for future research in this multi-disciplinary field is also presented. Regional development is a complex multifaceted phenomenon whose in-depth understanding calls for the joint consideration of a variety of factors and structural characteristics of places and agents. The understanding of regional economic performance hence calls for an explicit consideration of both “hard” and “soft” factors of development, especially in terms of geography, culture and institutions.