Locational disadvantage and the regional problem: Manufacturing industry in Scotland, 1961–1971

Abstract

Rich D. C. (1980) Locational disadvantage and the regional problem: manufacturing industry in Scotland, 1961–1971, Reg. Studies 14, 399–417. Geographical disparities in economic growth performance are largely attributable to the operation of locational processes: manufacturing enterprises tend to seek locations which maximize the intensity and minimize the costs of potential input and output links, subject to the need to avoid the diseconomies of excessive urbanization. Spatial patterns of manufacturing employment change in Scotland between 1961 and 1971 were consistent with this explanation, particularly in times and industries experiencing net employment growth. Pre-existing industrial structure was of little importance in explaining local growth performance and is a product of the long-term evolution of the locational preferences of manufacturing. Regional policy was successful in raising the aggregate level of manufacturing activity in Scotland but appears not to have been a major determinant of the geographical pattern of change within Scotland.