The path to regional competitiveness: Business-civic leadership and geoeconomics in metropolitan Philadelphia

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to present a case study of the Philadelphia region's efforts to implement a rnregional approach to economic development by relying on business-civic leadership to transcend rngovernmental boundaries.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The paper examines the role of leadership in organizations rnrepresenting business interests, and the competing and conflicting perspectives on the "right" scale to rndo so - local and/or regional, drawing on participatory insights into the relevant processes. rnFindings - While ad-hoc partnerships and governance are often recognized as important elements of rneconomic competitiveness for metropolitan areas by key civic and business leaders, established rnlocalist and institutional-organizational interests and strategies may counteract that. Overcoming rnlong-established fragmentation requires a high level of attention to symbolism and the details of rninclusiveness in organizational and spatial terms.rnOriginality/value - The recognition and study of city-regional governance is very topical. The rncontribution of this paper is timely and offers a rare insight into the practical side of city-regional rngovernance, thus illuminating theoretical arguments.