Economic, Technological and Locational Trends in European Services

Discusses the key conceptual problems associated with definition and classification of service activities, the reasons for service sector growth and the importance of the information economy in Europe. Reviews and assesses the implications of key emerging trends: the increasing industrial concentration of services; diversification and externalisation processes; the role of new and small service firms; the development of international service transactions and its impact on regional economic development and the moves towards deregulation and the removal of barriers to trade in services. Technological innovation and service activity is discussed; and the trends in information services examined. Finally, discusses the long term policy implication of service development in relation to regional economic growth. -from Publisher