PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AGENCY

Wen-tao LI; Can-fei HE

doi:10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2025.06.001

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HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6) : 1-10. DOI: 10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2025.06.001

PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AGENCY

Wen-tao LI ¹ ,
Can-fei HE ¹^,²^,*

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Abstract

How new regional industrial paths emerge constitutes one of the core issues in evolutionary economic geography. Recently, evolutionary economic geographers have recognized that a singular structural perspective is insufficient to explain the development processes of new regional industrial paths. By integrating concepts from innovation systems theory, transition studies, and institutional research, they emphasize the critical role of actors and their agencies in shaping new regional industrial paths. However, current research remains fragmented and has yet to develop systematic literature reviews or comprehensive syntheses. Thus, this study distinguishes between structural and agency perspectives in evolutionary economic geography, delineates how different types of agencies influence new regional industrial path, clarifies the strategic actions of diverse actors and their exercised agencies, and underscores the critical role of collective action and collective agency in regional new industrial path. Building on existing research, this paper argues that future studies should prioritize agency research within the Chinese context, clarify the roles of reproductive agency and peripheral actors in new regional industrial path, and differentiate types of agencies involved across distinct path development models.

Key words

evolutionary economic geography / new regional industrial paths / agency / actor

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Wen-tao LI , Can-fei HE. PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AGENCY[J]. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY. 2025, 40(6): 1-10 https://doi.org/10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2025.06.001

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