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The Economies of Identities: Recognising the Economic Value of the Characteristics of Territories

Inês Gusman, Alan Sandry Orcid Logo

Sustainability, Volume: 14, Issue: 14, Start page: 8429

Swansea University Author: Alan Sandry Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.3390/su14148429

Abstract

The economic relevance of the characteristics of territories has been addressed by many approaches across different disciplines. While some consider them an important source for the reputation of territories, others rely on the fact that in a global mass market the territorial embeddedness of goods...

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Published in: Sustainability
ISSN: 2071-1050
Published: MDPI AG 2022
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60693
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Abstract: The economic relevance of the characteristics of territories has been addressed by many approaches across different disciplines. While some consider them an important source for the reputation of territories, others rely on the fact that in a global mass market the territorial embeddedness of goods and services increase their market value through the assertion of their uniqueness and authenticity. In this article we propose the integration of these different interpretations on a common framework to better understand the underlying mechanisms and processes associated with the economic consequences of those characteristics that make territories unique and form their identity. We conduct a literature review to identify basic definitions, existing methodologies and core features of the most relevant studies on the topic to provide a broad conceptual framework for the analysis and economic promotion of the identities of territories. Additionally, two illustrative case studies are presented, covering successful strategies where identities have been put in the centre of an economic development strategy: the Way of Saint James (Galicia, Spain) and the Douro Valley (Portugal). Through the lens of the reviewed concepts, both strategies are assessed. Building on a broad repertoire of research approaches and disciplines, we conclude by outlining a new research agenda on the economies of identities and stressing the potentialities and limitations of mobilising the identities of territories as a resource for economic development
Item Description: Data Availability Statement: No new data were created in this study. Data sharing is not applicableto this article.
Keywords: identities of territories; regional development; economies of identities; spatial differentiation; territorial embeddedness
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Funders: This research was funded by the Ministerio de Universidades (Spanish Governement), Next Generation EU, grant UP2021-042 (Ayudas Margarita Salas).
Issue: 14
Start Page: 8429