The determinants of industrial growth across Mexican regions: a review of the empirical evidence and the role of public policies

Abstract

The primary objective of this research paper is to review and contrast the results of these investigations in a way that yields sorne insight into the determinants of the regional pattem of manufacturing growth. Particular attention is given to the deconcentration stage and the role of public policy variables. It proved to be very difficult to draw definite conclusions on the basis of the quite limited number of studies and their quite dissimilar methods and design-even studies using similar methods do not bear close relationship to each other as they are designed to answer different questions. Nevertheless, sorne preliminary inferences could be drawn on the basis of this analytical review, which appears to be the first one in the subject for Mexico.