Localized Learning and Policy: Academic Advice on Enhancing Regional Competitiveness through Learning

Abstract

The theoretical perspective of 'localized learning' has been accused of not only being 'fuzzy', but also of being incapable of providing policy prescriptions. This paper sets out to discover whether deducting policy advice from the localized learning literature does in fact pose a problem, and if so, to contribute to its solution. The first section of the paper reviews recent localized learning literature and finds its policy advice scarce indeed. The paper does not adopt the view, however, that the localized learning perspective per se is incapable of providing policy advice. On the contrary, the two following sections of the paper attempt a first step in this direction, as they deduct from the literature some general principles for formulating a localized learning policy, and point towards some policy means at hand for adhering to these principles. Central issues in need to be addressed when designing and implementing such a policy are also treated. It is concluded that while the localized learning perspective is still in an early stage, it is well suited to inspire a much-needed new policy agenda for regional development.