'Global trends and local effects have been almost ubiquitous since the 1980s. However, few, like this book, have successfully examined the local effects of global trends and processes. Each of this book's ten chapters provides an empirically based analysis that illuminates the local effects driven by global forces.' – Roger Stough, George Mason University, US This timely book investigates the challenges that emerge for local economies when faced with the new globalization trends that characterize today's world economy. In this instance, globalization is interpreted as a process of internationalization of production and markets which can take various forms – such as increasing international trade or increasing foreign direct investments – all of which give rise to the growing integration and interdependency of European economies with regard to the other main world economies. the expert contributors use a fresh perspective in their analysis of globalization trends, emphasizing recent changes and providing an up-to-date picture of current developments in both foreign investments and the consequent migration of human capital. Qualitative rather than quantitative trends in human capital and financial capital flows are taken into account, with a particular focus on their impacts on regional growth perspectives. Highlighting the European economy's strengths and weaknesses in facing the challenges of the new globalization trends, this book will provide a stimulating read for a wide-ranging audience encompassing scholars of regional science, regional economics, economic and regional geography, international economics and international business.

After a description of the new forms of globalization currently shaping our world, and of their possible spatial effects, the book highlights which European regions have in the past succeeded in taking advantage of globalization trends and identifies the major reasons for their success. The book also offers a prospective analysis utilizing scenarios based on different assumptions of how globalization trends will develop, identifying the regional winners and losers for each scenario. The analysis greatly benefits from a unique database which contains, among others, data on FDI by sector and professions at the regional Nuts-2 level for all 27 EU countries. A time-span of more than 10 years is covered, and scenarios are developed for the future development up to 2020.

For millennia, contact between societies was limited to trade or wars, a situation that changed profoundly with the development of global markets serving industrialization. The outcome was the emergence of one global human civilization, and one common future that will depend on the capacity of individuals and societies to manage the potentials for social development. This edited collection is dedicated to the discussion of four global trends: upgrading the rationality of organizations, individualization, the spreading of instrumental activism and universalization of value-normative systems. The mutual influence of these interrelated trends brings about both constructive and destructive effects in social life, social integration and change. Contributors examine questions such as: How do global trends pave their way in regions? What are the similarities and differences of regional development? How do agencies cope with the challenges of global trends in regional development?

Examines the political and economic changes that have reshaped the political geography of certain regions. This book deals with the concept of global bloc formation, examining the impacts that political-economic conditions and relationships in and between nations have on demographic and economic flows.

Pt. I. Analysis of transition. 1. An analysis of determinants of regional disparities in China. 2. A comparative analysis between postwar Japanese economic reforms and polish economic reforms in the 1990s. 3. Key industries and development of industrial policies in Shanghai since the 1990s -- pt. II. International relations. 4. Japanese foreign direct investments in central European transition economies. 5. Development strategies and income disparities in China : comparisons with central Europe. 6. Consequences and trends of Japanese FDI in China and central Europe -- pt. III. Regional development and globalization. 7. The economic development and regional disparity of the Yangtze River Delta. 8. A political economy of East Asian authoritarian development system. 9. Regional integration and path dependence : on the relations among Europe, the USA and East Asia

The definitive volume on globalization from a comparative politics perspective

Looks at how different regions are responding to these challenges and the strategies they have adopted to support existing competitive advantages and to transform their assets to develop new competitive strengths.