Regional Economic Development: Research & Education

Professor Morgan D. Thomas, was past President of both the Western Regional Science Association in 1961 and the Regional Science Association International in 1975. He was a leader in regional economic development research and education. He was well known for his research and teaching in the field of regional economics. His specialization dealt with the role of innovation and technology in regional economic growth theory. The author of this book referenced Professor Thomas' work in an earlier study, which concentrated on the role of technology, and economic theory in government policy to promote economic development and jobs. Excerpts of Thomas' contribution in the study are presented in this book as they were categorized earlier. The main categories include structural change, unemployment and government policy; conceptualizing structures and processes; theories and employment change; technological change and trajectories; and policy decisions. A conceptual framework that is based on Professor's Thomas' teaching is presented. It was developed by the author to organize and explore linkages between theory and policy. The elements making up the framework include "technological change", "economic theories", "forces influencing change", and "policy decisions". The framework was used to show how structural change as related to technological change can be impacted by policy decisions that may, or may not, come from accurate interpretations of economic theories.