Abstract
AbstractCulture matters for regional economic development and is one source of cognitive lock-in that influences path creation and dependency. However, little is known about the sources of regional variation in culture. This study explores the long-term imprinting effect of the Industrial Revolution on cultural practices across local communities in Great Britain. Historical data from 1891 on the employment in large-scale industries (e.g. textiles and steel) is used to estimate causal effects of industrialisation on five cultural dimensions. It is found that historical industrialisation is still reflected in contemporary local cultures marked by lower engagement with education and employment, less adherence to social rules but stronger collective action and social cohesion. It is concluded that one reason for the relatively poor effect of the public policies on local and regional economic development is that historical industrialisation has left a lasting legacy on contemporary culture in many places that impairs institutional efforts to foster change.
Highlights
Communities, regions and nations differ in their culture (e.g. Hofstede, 1980; Tabellini, 2010; Obschonka et al, 2018; Huggins and Thompson, 2021)
As Sackmann and Haussermann (1994) stress, any regional economic analysis should consider the fine details relating to the different gendered organisation of work and home roles across regions. This is undoubtedly true, but given the general role of historical industrialisation in separating the home and gainful employment, we tentatively suggest a positive link between large-scale industry and the feminine and caring activities cultural dimensions: H3: In localities where large-scale industry was more important, contemporary community culture will place a greater importance on feminine and caring activities
These areas display community cultural practices with lower engagement with education and employment ( Wales and Scotland); greater social cohesion (South Wales Valleys, West Midlands and Scottish Central Belt); more feminine and caring activities (North West, East Midlands and West Midlands); low adherence to social rules (Yorkshire and Humber, North West, South Wales Valleys and Scottish Central Belt); and greater collective action (North East, Wales and Scotland). It is not clear whether any statistical relationship will be present between historical industrialisation and contemporary cultural practices, especially after controlling for other influences
Summary
Communities, regions and nations differ in their culture (e.g. Hofstede, 1980; Tabellini, 2010; Obschonka et al, 2018; Huggins and Thompson, 2021). Hofstede, 1980; Tabellini, 2010; Obschonka et al, 2018; Huggins and Thompson, 2021). Such culture is often defined as the collective programming of the mind, distinguishing one group from another, and refers to beliefs and values that are transmitted within groups over generations (Guiso et al, 2006).
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