Introducing sequence analysis to economic geography

Abstract

In this short paper, we introduce sequence analysis methods to economic geography. Sequence analysis is a rich set of research methods that is widely used to analyze temporal variance in several disciplines in the social sciences, including sociology, demography and employment research. However, the toolbox of sequence methods has yet to gain significant attention among economic geographers. Sequence analysis methods can be used to analyze and understand patterns and structures of various phenomena over time. It employs mathematical and statistical techniques to study the sequential order, duration, and transitions between temporal conditions. We argue that sequence analysis holds great potential for advancing research in (evolutionary) economic geography. In the paper, we explain how to use sequence analysis, we ponder on empirical applications for research in economic geography, and we demonstrate its applicability in a use case. We also provide a reproducible R script and manual for the use case in the online appendix.