Industrial complexes in Mexico: implications for regional industrial policy based on related variety and smart specialization

Abstract

ABSTRACTIndustrial complexes in Mexico: implications for regional industrial policy based on related variety and smart specialization. Regional Studies. The goal of this paper is to identify and analyze the location of industrial complexes in Mexico with the purpose of providing an analytical foundation for the construction of regionally based industrial policies based on the principles of related variety and smart specialization that complement current national-level policy efforts to promote investment and stabilize the real exchange rate. The results of this analysis highlight distinct complexes located in particular portions of the country. The location of these complexes points to several regional policy options that will better address regional heterogeneities in the distribution of industry employment, as well as regional differences in workforce competencies, infrastructure quality and extra-regional linkages than have national level industrial policies.