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The identification of functional regions: theory, methods, and applications

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Abstract

A functional region is characterised by a high frequency of intra-regional interaction. The text analyses how functional regions can be identified by using labour market data. Three approaches are applied in this task, named the local labour market, commuting zone, and accessibility approach, respectively. The text includes an application using the Fyrstad region. The situation is also studied at two points in time. The outcomes using the different approaches are compared, and the results combined have a richer flavour.

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Notes

  1. A municipality is the smallest civil jurisdiction in Sweden. Counties consist of several municipalities, which include both urban and non-urban areas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, 551 11, Jönköping, Sweden

    Charlie Karlsson

  2. The Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board (IAF), P.O. Box 210, 64122, Katrineholm, Sweden

    Michael Olsson

Authors
  1. Charlie Karlsson
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  2. Michael Olsson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charlie Karlsson.

Additional information

Other Sources

The county administration of Västra Götaland, www.o.lst.se

Florkemeier H, Functional Regions and the Measurement of Economic Integration, http://www.vwl.uni-freiburg.de/fakultaet/stoeko/assis/functional.pdf

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Karlsson, C., Olsson, M. The identification of functional regions: theory, methods, and applications. Ann Reg Sci 40, 1–18 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00168-005-0019-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00168-005-0019-5

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