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The bioeconomy, which would utilize biomass resources for the renewable production of energy, fuels, and products, has been proposed as a mechanism by which Ontario’s resource-dependent communities might be revitalized. This thesis applies a knowledge economy framework to the establishment of a bioeconomy, with a strong focus on bioenergy as a first step, in Kingston and the surrounding region. The knowledge economy approach was examined in relation to other measures of sustainability and security. A series of 25 expert interviews informed an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats on the topic of the knowledge-based bioeconomy study region. The ability of the knowledge-based approach to assess the requirements of the bioeconomy was then evaluated using a statistical assessment of the study region based on Florida’s ‘creative economy’ framework, and this assessment was compared to key factors noted in the SWOT analysis. Research findings indicate that basic necessities such as feedstock, technology and transportation routes are likely available across the study region. However, key elements of the knowledge economy are absent particularly human resources in the ‘creative’ class. The knowledge-based approach is not particularly well suited to capturing all aspects of the bioeconomy, as it overlooks physical geographical features, which may be better measured by other tools. More focused policy with regard to renewable energy locally, provincially and nationally is seen to be important for advancing the bioeconomy. Acting on opportunities and using regional strengths will insure a successful implementation of a knowledge-based bioeconomy that will provide the benefits of economic growth associated with knowledge economies. / Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2012-09-28 14:01:25.454

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This thesis studies the relationship between technology and industrial structure in the context of a growing market economy. Chapters 2 and 5 develop some general equilibrium models which permit a study of the relationship between quality competition, market structure and growth. Both market structure and the rate of growth are determined endogenously as functions of underlying parameters describing the pattern of technology and tastes, and the institutional environment. It is argued that quality competition constitutes an economic mechanism of primary importance, which provides essential incentives for innovation at the industry level, while also contributing to aggregate technological progress by way of R&D spillover effects. A related theme of the thesis is that constraints on quality competition are detrimental to growth. Chapter 3 presents a theoretical model which explains certain statistical regularities regarding cohort survival patterns, the persistence of firm turnover, and the appearance of shakeouts during an industry life cycle. By treating the market as comprising a number of strategically independent submarkets, this analysis separates the strategic interaction effects which occur at the submarket level, from the independence effects which operate across submarkets. Chapter 4 studies competition between two cohorts of radically different but substitutable technologies. By analyzing the entry of new-technology- based firms, the exit of incumbents and subsequent quality competition, this chapter explores the impact of a radical innovation on market structure and on the turnover of firms. Two critical levels of the parameter which measures the efficiency of the new technology are identified: the first must be attained for 'creative destruction' to take place, while the second must be attained for this 'creative destruction' process to take a 'drastic' form which involves the complete replacement of currently active firms by a wave of new entrants.

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This thesis examines the relationship between the property market and urban economic development. The impetus for the research lies in the rapid process of urban economic change and the failure of economic approaches to explore adequately the important role of the property market in that process. The study draws on institutional economics to advance the argument that the property market as an institution is a mediator through which economic potential can be realised and served. Due to major philosophical and theoretical deficiencies in the area, focus is placed on the establishment of an appropriate philosophical framework, the development of a new theory, and the specification of a research design for empirical investigation of the issues. The thesis's foremost contribution therefore lies in the formation of a holistic research programme to conceptualise the property market as an institution and to explore its role within the urban economy. Critical realist principles provide the basis for the development of the philosophical position of the study. These are combined with institutionalist insights to construct a three-layer ontological framework discussing the nature of urban socioeconomy. The thesis then lays down a rich theory of urban economic organisation, placing explicit emphasis on the institutional mechanisms, processes and dynamics through which the built environment is provided. The interrelation between property market process and the wider institutional environment is explored, particularly in terms of efficiency in providing appropriate market institutions and property outcomes that support urban economic potential. From this discussion the institutionalist concept of 'property market purpose efficiency' is developed. Building upon the conceptual framework, the thesis explicitly addresses the requirements for concrete analysis. It, first, lays down a generic analytical approach specifying appropriate research methods and techniques for investigation, and, second, sets up a research design providing an operational frame in which developed theory is translated into empirical practice. This research design provides a blueprint for empirical case studies. Finally, a case study of Madrid is employed to empirically explore the research design.

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Il presente studio si inserisce nel quadro di quel prolifico filone di studi che ormai da anni cerca di indagare il mondo dei network, analizzandone le ricadute organizzative, sia in termini di profitto, sia in termini di accrescimento della conoscenza organizzativa. L’idea di fondo, già ampiamente dibattuta, è che il network contribuisca efficacemente al miglioramento delle performance aziendali, generando fiducia e conoscenza attraverso una varietà di alleanze (orizzontali, verticali, trasversali…) e di legami (forti, deboli). In particolare, e questo è il focus principale del lavoro, ciò che ho voluto sottolineare è il ruolo particolare che le attività di networking possono esercitare durante le fasi di start up, quando cioè l’azienda prende forma e si costituisce: è durante questa fase che l’esistenza o meno di alleanze costituisce infatti un chiaro elemento differenziante, contribuendo al successo di quelle imprese che più di altre trovano nel sistema delle reti un valido ed efficace supporto al loro sviluppo. In sintesi, l’obiettivo di quest’analisi è stato quello di evidenziare l’impatto del networking, sia sugli asset finanziari, sia sulla generazione di nuove conoscenze e quindi sull’innovazione. In particolare, recuperando il concetto di learning economy, si è cercato di dimostrare il forte legame che esiste tra conoscenza e innovazione, soffermandosi in special modo sul cosiddetto “effetto spillover”. / This research is embedded in a prolific strand of studies investigating the world of networks with the aim to understand how they can generate organisational benefits, both in terms of profit and organisational knowledge. The driving idea, already extensively discussed, is that network-based organisations can achieve better performances, generating trust and knowledge through a variety of alliances (horizontal, vertical, transversal…) and ties (strong, weak…). In particular, aim of the present research is to stress the networking contribution to the start-up phase, when firms are established. Indeed it is during this phase that the existence or not of alliances makes the difference, contributing to the success of firms operating in a network-based system and recognizing its important contribution to the business results. In synthesis, goal of this analysis was to highlight the impact of networking activities, either on the financial assets or on the generation of innovation through the spread of new ideas. In particular, resorting to the concept of “learning economy”, I attempted to demonstrate the strong ties existing between knowledge and innovation, with a particular emphasis on the so-called “spillover effect”.

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