The development of high technology industry in Newbury District

Abstract

MacGregor B. D., Langridge R. J., Adley J. and Chapman B. (1986) The development of high technology industry in Newbury District, Reg. Studies 20, 433–448. Newbury District is an area which has experienced substantial new firm and high technology industry development in recent years. The expansion has led to a further polarization of skill categories between males and females. Future opportunities for male manual workers are not good. Firms seem to have set up in the area for access to good communication rather than availability of premises or labour. Government research establishments are no longer an important factor. The high technology firms are relatively isolated from the local economy. While there are grounds for optimism in Newbury District the analysis of the factors leading to growth in the area suggests that the success is not widely replicable.