Components of change analysis: Problems of alternative approaches to industrial structure

Bishop K. C. and Simpson C. E. (1972) Components of change analysis: Problems of alternative approaches to industrial structure, Reg. Studies 6, 59–68. The article examines some of the problems of interpreting the results of the components of change technique as applied to analysis of regional employment growth. Even if used pragmatically in conjunction with other techniques of regional analysis, alternative definitions of individual industry structural components produce problems of interpretation. A synthesis of the methods normally used is proposed, enabling more meaningful interregional and intertemporal comparisons of the effects of industrial structure to be made. Numerical examples from the West Midlands are used in illustration.