The theory and empirical evidence on FDI location emphasise agglomeration economies over classical location factors, such as grants. This paper uses panel data to analyse the effect of the main instrument of inward investment policy, the UK regional policy grants, on the distribution of FDI...

The paper uses the framework of Markov chains to examine convergence in the location ofinward foreign direct investment across the regions of Great Britain over 1985-2005. Ananalysis is undertaken by industry group that disaggregates manufacturing and services. Itfinds convergence in regional...

This paper seeks to reconcile evaluative practice with theory, focusing on the micro-evaluation of UK regional industrial policy. Two issues are examined: the measurement of the pecuniary external effects, including displacement and linkages; and the concept of 'additionality', which is central...

Data for the UK show Northern Ireland remains at the bottom of the productivity leaguetable, and that its R&D performance is consistently amongst the lowest across the UKregions. This paper analyses the data from a survey of some 250 matched firms operating inNorthern Ireland (approximately half...

Business support policies designed to raise productivity and employment are common worldwide, but rigorous micro-econometric evaluation of their causal effects is rare. We exploit multiple changes in the area-specific eligibility criteria for a major program to support manufacturing jobs...