Regional resilience and interconnectedness: A multilevel approach

Globalization can be understood in terms of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among regions and countries mainly through the movements of capital, goods and services, workers, and information. Such interconnectedness not only creates opportunities for regional growth but also increases the region’s exposure to adverse shocks. In recent times, such shocks become a dominant characteristic of the economic and business environment globally. The rise of geopolitical tensions and wars, climate change and related natural catastrophes, and the unprecedented speed of technological change contribute to the mounting uncertainty and vulnerability. Against this background, the notion of resilience becomes increasingly essential and critical to help regions recover and prosper, and understanding the implications of the aforementioned interconnectedness for resilience is indispensable.

This dissertation uses a multilevel approach to investigate the implications of spatial and digital interconnectedness for resilience both at the regional and firm levels. One of the main findings in this dissertation is that geography matters for regions’ ability to recover after shocks. And since geography matters for trade, the findings suggest that trade boosts regional resilience. When zooming in on the firms within the region, the findings suggest that multinational enterprises (MNEs) enjoy several advantages and are more resilient than their local counterparts. When approaching interconnectedness from a digital-technology-adoption perspective, the findings suggest that firms that use information and communication technology (ICT) are better equipped and prepared to survive and thrive during shocks.

Shaheen, I. (2024). Regional resilience and interconnectedness: A multilevel approach. Dissertation, University of Groningen, doi:10.33612/diss.1145070997.