Regional Analysis Framework Research Articles

Global Production Networks in the Regional Analysis Framework: Case of the EU Peripheral Automotive Manufacturing

Recent transformations following the global financial crisis of 2009, COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains disruptions and newest shocks have radically reshaped global production landscape and challenged comparative benefits of global production networks (GPN) vs global value chains (GVC) paradigms in international production analysis. The study tests the hypothesis that GPN concept allows for a better identification of structural shifts in international production structures while revealing regional patterns of cooperation. In the first section, the main methodological constraints of GVC paradigm are specified. Additionally, the reasons for the application of network-based approach to international production are outlined. The second section dissects the EU automotive manufacturing to support the theoretical propositions. While comparing GVC and GPN quantitative toolkits, the possible trade-off has been reached which is to calculate network indicators (transitivity, centrality, etc.) on the inter-country input-output tables. As a result, the hypothesis was confirmed. Specifically, betweenness centrality metric suggests that Czechia and Slovakia have immediately favoured a positive effect of the entry into the EU, whereas neither of GVC indicators reveals such a shift. Simultaneously, 2008 crisis is depicted via GVC indicators, whilst network metrics suggest no structural changes in the production system. These results corroborate to our theoretical juxtaposition of GVC/GPN approaches. The methodological cohesion of two sets of indicators further advances the views on European regional coreperiphery integration and automotive production networks dynamics. At the same time, the findings may contribute to the reassessment of regional integration developments in Europe, as well as in Latin America and Eurasia.

The Limits of “Civilianization”: The New Policies and Shaanxi’s Territorial Administration in the Late Northern Song

Abstract Previous scholarship has examined various aspects of the origin, development, and eventual collapse of military programs under the New Policies introduced by Wang Anshi (1021-1086), but less attention has been paid to them within a framework of regional analysis. The manuscripts discovered in 1907-1909 at Khara-Khoto in Inner Mongolia contain a wealth of information on daily administration and legal disputes in the military regions of Shaanxi during the early twelfth century. They show that by the early twelfth century, military establishments under the New Policies had become an integral part of Northern Song territorial administration. Therefore, if we confine our analysis to the usual three-tiered hierarchical arrangement of circuits, prefectures, and counties, we will not be able to fully discern the spatial organization of the Song state and the changes it underwent over time.

Assessing the Regional Concept with Sub-Sampling Approach to Identify Probability Distribution for at-Site Hydrological Frequency Analysis

The framework of regional analysis allows superior discrimination as well as better identification of the shape of a population distribution in a hydrological frequency analysis. The aim of this study is to incorporate the better of regional concept while performing an at-site frequency analysis. The study proposes a new method in the form of sub-sampling technique with the aid of a regional distribution selection procedure to choose an appropriate probability distribution function for frequency analysis. The technique is evaluated against common distribution selection methods: a widely used goodness-of-fit method in Anderson–Darling (AD) and a popular graphical assessment tool in L-moment ratio diagram (LMRD). The performance is evaluated by applying the technique to gauged annual maximum daily precipitation data series of 24 stations located across China. It is found that the technique accomplished a better performance in discriminating among distributions which or else may not be achievable only by the AD or LMRD test. In general, all results indicate that the proposed technique can be an attractive means in discriminating as well as identifying the best distribution for at-site frequency analysis.

Regional analysis of runoff thresholds behaviour in Southern Italy based on theoretically derived distributions

Abstract. The analysis of runoff thresholds and, more in general, the identification of main mechanisms of runoff generation controlling the flood frequency distribution is investigated, by means of theoretically derived flood frequency distributions, in the framework of regional analysis. Two nested theoretically-derived distributions are fitted to annual maximum flood series recorded in several basins of Southern Italy. Results are exploited in order to investigate heterogeneities and homogeneities and to obtain useful information for improving the available methods for regional analysis of flood frequency.

Beyond Regional Analysis: Manufacturing Zones, Urban Employment and Spatial Inequality in China

Current understanding of spatial inequality in China is largely informed by the regional analysis framework (RAF). The RAF is built upon the proposition that the best geographical partition of the Chinese landmass for understanding spatial inequality is a partition into three supra-provincial regions: coastal, central and western. Empirical discussion revolves around how equal the three regions are along several different outcome measures (e.g. per capita income). However, a better framework for understanding spatial inequality is the one developed by Paul Krugman, the “manufacturing zones framework” (MZF), although this framework requires theoretical elaboration to encompass the Chinese reality in a realistic manner.

Economic and environmental impacts of water quality protection policies: 1. Framework for regional analysis

Agricultural production systems provide some unique challenges for assessing the regional impacts of water quality protection policies. A modeling framework is proposed for assessing the environmental and economic consequences of groundwater quality protection policies at the regional level. The model consists of three components: (1) a crop simulation/chemical transport model, (2) a regional economic optimization model, and (3) an aquifer groundwater flow model. The three submodels are linked and run recursively to simulate producer response to alternative water quality policies over a multiple‐year time horizon. Model solutions provide projections of production practices employed on various resource situations across the region. Economic evaluation of alternative policies may be based upon regional agricultural income, crop production levels, input use, and changes in aquifer water levels over time. Measures of agricultural nonpoint source pollution provided by the model include nitrate, phosphorus and pesticide loadings in deep percolation and runoff water, as well as sediment losses.

The Utility of Production Trajectory Modeling as a Framework for Regional Analysis

Lithic assemblage from seven regions in Mississippi are analysed using flake and biface classifications designed to measure activity at different stages in the production trajectory. All seven industries are based on gravel resources with restricted geological distribution. The factors responsible for differences in biface production strategy are examined. These include differences in access and settlement strategy.

The role of Ireland in the new international division of labour: A proposed framework for regional analysis

Sperrons D. C. (1981) The role of Ireland in the new international division of labour: a proposed framework for regional analysis, Reg. Studies 15, 81–100. This paper aims to justify and exemplify a new approach to regional analysis and then to outline how it might be used to account for Ireland's role in the new international division of labour. It argues that traditional location theory is unable to account adequately for the present structure of the Irish economy and proposes an alternative methodological approach which seeks to understand both the processes giving rise to the existing regional structure and to the formation of the fragmented units of production presently being established in Ireland. It concludes with some brief comments on the development potential of the new industrial structure.