Citation

Braddon D, Dowdall P. Def. Peace Econ. 1996; 7(1): 47-59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10430719608404841

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Most defence-dependent regions of the major arms-producing nations have experienced adverse economic consequences following the decline in global defence expenditure since 1990. In the context of one defence-dependent region, the South West of England, this paper explores the impact upon the regional defence industrial base and the important linkages that exist between prime contractors and companies in their supply network. The authors identify a number of critical imperfections embedded in regional defence industrial supplier networks. These imperfections both present barriers to change, hamper the smooth adjustment of the regional economy to external shocks and are not captured by orthodox regional impact assessment methodologies. This may result, therefore, in a failure to predict the full impact of changes in defence expenditure at the regional level and may incorrectly inform policy-makers.