Embedded and disembedded practice in the firm–place nexus: a study of two world‐leading manufacturers of ski equipment in the lillehammer ski cluster

Abstract.

Studies of agglomerations and clusters in economic geography anticipate strong interdependency between firms and places. However, despite the extensive literature, we lack a coherent micro‐theoretical foundation. The relationship between the rationales and practices of firms remains somewhat unspecified. In this article, we analyse the diversity of rationales and practices in a firm–place nexus. Possible rationales for firm practice are outlined, examining the assumptions of three, main theoretical perspectives in economic geography. This microeconomic approach is applied through an analysis of the two key firms in the Lillehammer skiing industry cluster in Norway. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how the agency of firms influence and are influenced by co‐location.

Key words:

• co‐location
• embeddedness
• evolutionary economic geography
• firms
• institutional economic geography
• neoclassical economic geography