Zur Bedeutung von Ressourcen in der relationalen Wirtschaftsgeographie

Abstract

The importance of resources in relational economic geography: From substantive concepts towards a relational perspective. In this paper, we aim to show that resources are of central importance in relational economic geography. Resources are constituted in a relational way in two aspects. First, resources are relational in that their generation, interpretation and use is contingent. This depends on the institutional structures and social interaction, as well as the knowledge contexts and mental models of the agents involved. Second, some types of resources, such as power and social capital, are also relational in that they cannot be possessed or controlled by individual agents. They are being built and mobilized through day-to-day social practices. Only the returns, and not the resources themselves, can be attributed to agents or groups of agents. We conclude that a relational concept of resources reflects the contextual and interactive nature of the selection, use and formation of resources. This offers new insights into the explanation of heterogeneity in firm strategies and trajectories, as well as regional differences in cluster development.