The challenges of entrepreneurship in peripheral post-industrial places

The UK has a long history of spatial disparity in economic prosperity across its regions which, despite periodic shifts in its geographies of economic development governance, have persisted. As such, a key question that continues to preoccupy economic geographers is why some local and regional economies are more capable of renewal and transformation than others which remain locked in decline or underperformance. Research has hitherto highlighted the importance of ‘place’ and institutional context in shaping the outcomes of economic development. At the same time, the role of entrepreneurship as an engine of economic development is widely acknowledged, yet there is significant heterogeneity in the nature and level of entrepreneurial activity across places, with previous research highlighting the key role of institutions in shaping its outcomes. The thesis addresses these debates through a focus on entrepreneurship in peripheral post-industrial places (PPIPs), with the aim of examining the institutional challenges to fostering more entrepreneurial and resilient PPIPs.