ARHOLIADAU EXAMINATIONS
Mai / Mehefin 2011 May / June 2011
EC36520 REGIONAL ECONOMICS
Time allowed: TWO hours
Answer TWO questions
Question 1
“What does a University add to its local economy?” (Michael F. Bleaney et al., 1992).
Discuss the ways in which any such large institution may contribute to economic vitality in a
specific location.
Question 2
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of shift-share analysis as a tool for diagnosis,
description and building understanding of major differences between the industry pattern of
employment growth at local and national levels.
Question 3
How does an input-output model predict the overall effects of a sectoral development on a
regional economy? Critically assess the implications of the underlying assumptions of the
model, paying special attention to the issue of supply elasticity.
Question 4
Either: Outline the key stages of regional policy in Britain from the 1930s to the present
day, and discuss the relative effectiveness of the measures implemented over this
period.
Or: Discuss whether traditional regional policies, such as the EU Structural Funds
programme, are still relevant in contemporary institutional circumstances.
Question 5
Explain why we tend to observe geographic concentration in innovative activity. What are the
main reasons why innovation occurs in cities? How does innovation contribute to city
growth?
Question 6
Discuss the different types of externalities that contribute to (and counteract) agglomeration.
END OF PAPER