Regional development is a highly complex concept that depends on multiple social, economic and cultural factors. Depending on these, different regions can be characterized in terms of their growth potential or the way they are able to compete with other areas. This diversity has given rise to a wide range of theories on regional development, and many scholars have been working on the topic for decades.
Some of them have been focused on revealing the different forms of power and related power relations within different regional development systems through an analysis of narratives. The use of narratives is an effective way to reveal biases that are deeply embedded in the various social systems involved in regional development. In this context, the study of metaphorical language can also be very useful as it reveals how certain ideas are being conveyed.
Other scholars have been looking into the ways in which different ideas about regional development are constructed and shaped. These scholars have used a social constructivist approach to research and have emphasized that regional development is not only about economic growth, but it is also influenced by a variety of noneconomic processes and factors.
These noneconomic factors can include things like natural resources, the quality and availability of labor, the financial support available, entrepreneurial culture, the physical infrastructure, the sectoral structure, technological progress, public support systems, the open mind and attitude of local residents and more. By taking into account these factors, it is possible to create a more accurate image of the development of different regions.