Economic Geography: A Contemporary Introduction » (1st Edition)

Neil M. Coe is Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography at the University of Manchester.

Philip F. Kelly is Associate Professor of Geography at York University, Canada.

Henry W.C. Yeung is Professor of Economic Geography at the National University of Singapore.

Economic Geography is a comprehensive introduction to this growing field, providing students with a vibrant and distinctive geographical insight into the economy.



Contrasts a distinctively geographical approach with popular conceptions and assumptions in economics and management studies

Debates a wide range of topics including economic discourses, uneven development, commodity chains, technology and agglomeration, the commodification of nature, states, transnational corporations, labour, consumption, economic cultures, gender, and ethnic economies

Is richly illustrated with examples, vignettes, and case studies drawn from a variety of sectors around the world

Is written in a clear, engaging and lively style

Includes a rich array of photos, figures, text boxes, sample essay questions and annotated lists of further reading

List of Figures     xi
List of Tables     xiv
List of Boxes     xvi
Preface     xviii
Acknowledgements     xxiv
Conceptual Foundations     1
A Geographical Approach to the Economy     3
Economic Discourse: Does 'the Economy' Really Exist?     31
Dynamics of Economic Space     57
Uneven Development: Why Is Economic Growth and Development So Uneven?     59
Commodity Chains: Where Does Your Breakfast Come From?     87
Technology and Agglomeration: Does Technology Eradicate Distance?     119
Environment/Economy: Can Nature Be a Commodity?     153
Actors in Economic Space     185
The State: Who Controls the Economy: Firms or Governments?     187
The Transnational Corporation: How Does the Global Firm Keep It All Together?     223
Labour Power: Can Workers Shape Economic Geographies?     254
Consumption: Is the Customer Always Right?     284
Socializing Economic Life     319
Culture and the Firm: Do Countries and Companies Have Economic Cultures?     321
Gendered Economic Geographies: Does Gender Shape Economic Lives?     348
Ethnic Economies: Do Cultures Have Economies?     377
Index     406