In identifying the key elements of regional culture that impact upon socio-economic development, this informative text concentrates on three main factors: the Socio-Industrial Culture that is concerned with the knowledge, beliefs and values associated with production. A particular contrast is drawn between the socio-industrial culture associated with Taylorist mass production and that associated with anthropocentric production systems the Research Culture which is concerned with the generation and organisation of scientific and technological knowledge, and how these are related both to teaching in universities and to the needs of industry the Political Culture that is concerned with beliefs about the capacity of governments to intervene in socio-economic development and their willingness to do so. Ideal for postgraduate students, this key volume by respected author Hilpert, part of the Studies in Global Competition series, provides an excellent bridge between economics and management and will have wide appeal to all those working in the social sciences.