The limits to localization in declining industrial regions? Trans‐National corporations and economic development in Sedgefield borough

Abstract

’Localization’ has been a recurrent theme in recent debates concerning the regeneration of declining industrial regions. ‘This paper explores the extent and nature of this ‘localization’ in relation to economic renewal and reports on a study of firms and business support organizations undertaken for Sedgefield Borough Council in north‐east England. The findings suggest that, first, production localization is of a limited extent and specific nature. In particular, the nature of localization remains highly dependent upon the decision‐making power concentrated in the hands of a few trans‐national firms. Their continual reorganizations have the capacity dramatically to reshape the fortunes of the local economy and to render local action relatively powerless. Second, the localized approaches to business support that are evident run the risk of reinforcing problems of duplication and fragmentation owing to their relatively narrow focus. In addition, prospects for local economic development remain critically dependent on wider policy and institutional agendas, especially at the regional and national levels.