research notes and comments: Regional issues in the Pacific Rim

The economic space of the Pacific Rim, which is complex and dynamic, is now undergoing restructuring for survival and subsequent regional integration. This research note suggests four emerging regional issues which will be important for regional scientists in the Pacific Rim in the 21st century. They are: 1) the role of global finance in the regional and national economy in reshaping the space economy and city regions in the Pacific Rim; 2) formation of inter-firm networks and inter-city networks; 3) regional innovation systems and regional growth in the Pacific Rim; and 4) emergence of the knowledge-based economy and new industrialization. In this dynamic and complex process of change in the Pacific Rim, an active role of regional scientists is required with respect to creative research on regional analysis, reappraisal of the region, development of new methodology and theory of regional growth.