Professor Robert Huggins is Chair of Economic Geography at Cardiff University’s School of Planning and Geography and Director of its Centre for Economic Geography. Prior to this he was Chair at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (2008-2011), and Senior Lecturer at University of Sheffield (2005-2008). Also, he was head of a management and research consultancy (2000-2004) and Senior Research Associate, Cardiff University (1998-2000). He holds degrees in Social Anthropology (BA Hons, University of Kent at Canterbury, 1987), Technical Change and Regional Development (MSc, Cardiff University, 1992), and a Ph.D. in Regional Economic Development, Cardiff University (1998). Prof Huggins has published three books and more than forty articles in peer-reviewed journals, a significant number of which are rated as ‘world-leading’ journals.

Alongside peer-reviewed publications, he has also written more than 100 other contributions including practitioner articles, conference and working papers, and research consultancy reports, which has significantly enhanced the dissemination of his research beyond the academic community. His research has generally been supported by external funding, and as well as a number of successful applications to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), he has attracted support from a wide range of organisations in the UK, as well as international institutions such as the European Commission and the OECD.

Prof Huggins’s key areas of interest include regional economic development, in particular the study of competitiveness, knowledge flows, entrepreneurship, innovation, and inter-organisational networks. Research projects have focused on: the analysis of regional competitiveness; inward investment; the knowledge economy and high-technology industry; and the culture of entrepreneurship and business development – in particular, the creation and evolution of business networks and knowledge clusters; and the development and mobilisation of knowledge and skills. As the originator of the European Competitiveness Index, the UK Competitiveness Index and the co-founder of the World Knowledge Competitiveness Index, Robert is committed to furthering research that informs public policy.

His publications include:

Books

Huggins, R. and Izushi, H. (Eds) (2011) Competition, Competitive Advantage, and Clusters: The Ideas of Michael Porter, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Huggins, R and H. Izushi (2007) Competing for Knowledge: Creating, Connecting, and Growing, Routledge, London.
Huggins, R. (2000) The Business of Networks: Inter-firm Interaction, Institutional Policy and the TEC Experiment, Ashgate, Aldershot.
Refereed Journal Articles

Huggins, R., Luo, S. and Thompson, P. (forthcoming) ‘The Competitiveness of China’s Leading Regions: Benchmarking their Knowledge-Based Economies’, Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, accepted for publication.

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (forthcoming) ‘Competitiveness and the post-regional political economy’, Local Economy, accepted for publication.

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (2013) ‘A Network-based view of regional growth’, Journal of Economic Geography, doi:10.1093/jeg/lbt012.

Huggins, R. and Izushi, H. (2013) ‘Knowledge-based Development in Leading Regions across the Globe: An Exploratory Analysis of the co-Evolution of Resources, Capabilities and Outputs, Urban Studies, Vol. 50, No. 5, 1030-1048.

Huggins, R. and Williams, N. (2013) ‘Supporting Entrepreneurship in Deprived Communities: A Vision too Far?’, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 20, No. 1, 165-180

Huggins, R. and Kitagawa, F. (2012) ‘Regional Policy and University Knowledge Transfer: Perspectives from Devolved Regions in the UK’, Regional Studies, Vol. 46, No. 6, 817-832.

Huggins, R. and Strakova, L. (2012) ‘Knowledge-Based Economic Development in Emerging Regions: Policy Issues and Implications in the Balkan Peninsula’, Regional Studies, Vol. 46, No. 7, 961-975.

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (2012) ‘Well-Being and Competitiveness: Are the Two Linked at the Local Level?’, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 5, No 1, 5, 45–60.

Huggins, R., Thompson, P. and Johnston, A. (2012) ‘Network capital, social capital, and knowledge flow: How the nature of inter-organisational networks impacts on innovation’, Industry and Innovation, Vol. 19, No. 33, 203-232

Huggins, R. and Johnston, A. (2012) ‘Knowledge alliances and innovation performance: An empirical perspective on the role of network resources’, International Journal of Technology Management, Vol. 57, No. 4, 245-265.

Huggins, R. and Weir, M. (2012) ‘Intellectual Assets and Small Knowledge-Intensive Business Service Firms’, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 19 No. 1, 92-113.

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (2012) ‘Entrepreneurship and Community Culture: A Place-Based Study of their Interdependency’, Entrepreneurship Research Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1. 1-34.

Vejzajic-Ramhorst, A., Ketikidis, P. and Huggins, R. (2012) ‘Social capital, clusters, and interpretive fuzziness: A survey of the key literature (with specific reference to economic development in South East Europe’, International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, Vol. 4, No. 1 60-78.

Huggins, R. and Williams, N. (2011) ‘Entrepreneurship and Regional Competitiveness: The Role and Progression of Policy’, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Vol. 23, No. 9/10, 907-932.Huggins, R., Johnston, A. and Stride, C. (2011) ‘Knowledge networks and universities: Locational and organisational aspects of knowledge transfer interactions’, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, DOI:10.1080/08985626.2011.618192

Huggins, R. and Clifton, N. (2011) ‘Competitiveness, Creativity, and Place-Based Development’, Environment and Planning A, Vol. 43, No. 6, 1341-1362.

Huggins, R. (2011) ‘The Growth of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services: Innovation, Markets and Networks’, European Planning Studies, Vol. 19, No. 8, 1459-1480.
Huggins, R. (2010) ‘Regional Competitive Intelligence: Benchmarking and Policymaking’, Regional Studies, Vol. 44, No. 5, 639 – 658
Huggins, R. and Johnston, A. (2010) ‘Knowledge Flow and Inter-Firm Networks: The Influence of Network Resources, Spatial Proximity, and Firm Size’, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Vol. 22, No. 5, 457-484.

Huggins, R. (2010) ‘Forms of network resource: Knowledge access and the role of inter-firm networks’, International Journal of Management Reviews, Vol. 12, No. 3, 335-352

Huggins, R. (2010) ‘Network Resources and Knowledge Alliances: Sociological Perspectives on Inter-firm Networks as Innovation Facilitators’, International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, 515-531

Huggins, R. and Johnston, A. (2009) ‘The Economic and Innovation Contribution of Universities: A Regional Perspective’, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, Vol. 27, No. 6, 1088-1106.

Huggins, R. and Johnston, A. (2009) ‘Knowledge Networks in an Uncompetitive Region: SME Innovation and Growth’, Growth and Change, Vol. 40, No. 2, 227-259

Huggins, R. and Williams, N. (2009) ‘Enterprise and Public and Policy: A Review of Labour Government Intervention in the United Kingdom’, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, Vol. 27, 19-41.

Huggins, R. and Izushi, H. (2009) ‘Regional Benchmarking in a Global Context: Knowledge, Competitiveness, and Economic Development’, Economic Development Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 4, 275-293.

Huggins, R. (2008) ‘The Evolution of Knowledge Clusters: Progress and Policy’, Economic Development Quarterly, Vol. 22, No. 4, 277-289.

Huggins, R., Johnston, A. and Steffenson, R. (2008) ‘Universities, Knowledge Networks and Regional Policy’, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 1, No. 2, 321-340.

Huggins, R. and Izushi, H. (2008) ‘Benchmarking the Knowledge Competitiveness of the Globe’s High Performing Regions: A Review of the World Knowledge Competitiveness Index’, Competitiveness Review, Vol. 18, No. 1/2, 70-86.

Huggins, R. (2008) ‘Universities and Knowledge-Based Venturing: Finance, Management and Networks in London’, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Vol. 20, No. 2, 185-206.

Huggins, R., Jones, M. and S. Upton (2008) ‘Universities as Drivers of Knowledge-Based Regional Development: A Triple Helix Analysis of Wales’, International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, Vol. 1, No. 1, 24-47.

Huggins, R. and M. Weir (2007) ‘Managing Intellectual Assets in SMEs: Evaluating the Scope for Policy Intervention’, International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, Vol. 4, No. 4, 412-429.

Huggins, R. and M. Weir (2007) ‘Intellectual Assets and Public Policy’, Journal of Intellectual Capital , Vol. 8, No. 4, 708-720.

Huggins, R., Demirbag, M. and V. Ratcheva (2007) ‘Global Knowledge and R&D Foreign Direct Investment Flows: Recent Patterns in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America, International Review of Applied Economics, Vol. 21, No. 3, 437-451.

Cooke, P. and R. Huggins (2004) ‘A Tale of Two Clusters: High Technology Industries in Cambridge’, International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations Vol. 2, No. 2, 112-132.

Huggins, R. and S. Harries (2004) ‘The Skills Economy and Workforce Development: A Regional Approach to Policy Intervention’, European Journal of Education Vol. 39, No. 1, 47-68.

Huggins, R. (2003) ‘Creating a UK Competitiveness Index: Regional and Local Benchmarking’, Regional Studies, Vol. 37, 89-96.

Huggins, R. and H. Izushi (2002) ‘The Digital Divide and ICT Learning in Rural Communities: Examples of Good Practice Service Delivery’, Local Economy, Vol. 17, 111-122.

Huggins, R. (2001) ‘Inter-Firm Network Policies and Firm Performance: Evaluating the Impact of Initiatives in the UK’, Research Policy , Vol. 30, 443-458.

Cooke, P. and R. Huggins (2001) ‘The Cambridge High-Technology Cluster’, Sviluppo Locale, Vol. 8, 34-60.

Huggins, R. (2001) ‘Embedding Inward Investment through Workforce Development: Experiences in Wales’, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy , Vol. 19, 833-848.

Huggins, R. (2001) ‘The Skills Economy and its Development: Examples and Lessons from a Rural Region’, Policy Studies , Vol. 22, 19-34.

Huggins, R. (2000) ‘The Success and Failure of Policy-Implanted Inter-Firm Network Initiatives: Motivations, Processes and Structure’, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development , Vol. 12, 111-135.

Cooke, P., Manning C. and R. Huggins (2000) ‘Industrial Liaison and Academic Entrepreneurship in Wales’, Zeitschrift fur Wirtschaftsgeographie , Vol. 3-4, 246-260.

Huggins, R. (1998) ‘Reviewing Conservative Government Local Economic Development Policy from the Perspective of Training and Enterprise Councils’, Policy Studies , Vol. 19, No. 1, 51-72.

Huggins, R. (1998) ‘An Evaluation of European Union Objective 2 Programmes in Industrial South Wales 1989-1993’, European Urban & Regional Studies , Vol. 5, No. 4, 291-303.

Huggins, R. (1998) ‘Local Business Co-operation and Training and Enterprise Councils: The Development of Inter-firm Networks’, Regional Studies , Vol. 32, No. 9, 813-826.

Huggins, R. (1998) ‘Building and Sustaining Inter-firm Networks: Lessons from Training and Enterprise Councils’, Local Economy , Vol. 13, No. 2, 133-150.

Huggins, R. (1997) ‘Regional Competitive Specialization: Development Agency Sector Initiatives in Wales’, Area , Vol. 29, No. 3, 241-252.

Huggins, R. (1997) ‘Training and Enterprise Councils as facilitators of a networked approach to local economic development: forms, mechanisms, and existing interpretations’, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy , Vol. 15, 273-284.

Huggins, R. and P. Cooke (1997) ‘The Economic Impact of Cardiff University: Innovation, Learning and Job Generation’, GeoJournal, Vol. 41, No. 4, 325-337.

Huggins, R. (1996) ‘Innovation, Technology Support and Networking in South Wales’, European Planning Studies, Vol. 4, No. 6, 757-768.

Huggins, R. (1996) ‘Technology Policy, Networks and Small Firms in Denmark’, Regional Studies, Vol. 30, 523-526.

Book Chapters

Huggins, R. and Weir, M. (2011) ‘Managing Intellectual Assets in Small Knowledge- Intensive Organizations’, in Schiuma, G. (ed) Managing Knowledge Assets and Business Value Creation in Organizations: Measures and Dynamics, IGI Global: Hershey

D. Fletcher, Huggins, R. and L. Koh (2008) ‘Institutional Entrepreneurship in the Emerging Regional Economies of the Western Balkans’, in Phan, P.P, Venkataramanm, S. and R. Velamuri (eds.) Entrepreneurship in Emerging Regions around the World: Theory, Evidence and Implications, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar, forthcoming.

Huggins, R. (2006) ‘Switzerland and Knowledge Competitiveness’, in Kälin, C.H. (ed.) Switzerland Business & Investment Handbook, Sussex: Wiley.

H. Izushi and R. Huggins (2004) ‘Empirical Analysis of Human Capital Development and Economic Growth in Europe’, in P. Descy and M. Tessaring (eds.) Impact of Education and Training, Third Report on Vocational Training Research in Europe: Background Report, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, pp. 71-118.

Huggins, R. (2004) ‘Regional Stock Exchanges in the UK: Addressing the Mirage of Global Markets’, in Skeete, H. (ed.) The Handbook of World Stock, Derivative and Commodity Exchanges, Hertfordshire, Mondo Visione.

Cooke, P. and R. Huggins (2003) ‘High-Technology Clustering in Cambridge (UK)’, in Sforzi, F. (ed.) The Institutions of Local Development, Aldershot, Ashgate.

Huggins, R. (2000) ‘An Index of Competitiveness in the UK: Local, Regional and Global Analysis’, in Lloyd-Reason, L. and Wall, S. (eds.) Dimensions of Competitiveness: Issues and Policies, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.

Huggins, R. (1997) ‘Competitiveness and the Global Region: The Role of Networking’, in Simmie, J. (ed.) Innovation, Networks and Learning Regions?, London, Jessica Kingsley.

Huggins, R. and R. Thomalla (1995) ‘Promoting Innovation through Technology Networks in North-Rhine-Westphalia’, in Cooke, P. (ed.) The Rise of the Rustbelt , London, UCL Press.

Other publications

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (2011) Culture and Place-Based Economic Development: Perspectives from Wales, CASS Papers in Economic Geography, Paper No. 1, Centre for Advanced Studies, School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University.

Huggins, R., Izushi, H., Clifton, N., Jenkins, S., Prokop, D. and Whitfield, C. (2010) Sourcing Knowledge for Innovation: The International Dimension, NESTA, London.

Huggins, R. and Thompson, P. (2010) UK Competitiveness Index 2010, Cardiff, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

Huggins, R. and Prokop, D. (2010) The Internationalisation of the Economy of Wales, Report to the International Business Chamber Wales, Cardiff.

Huggins, R. and Prokop, D. (2010) Regional Systems of Equity Finance: The Case for a Wales Stock Exchange, Report to the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff.

Huggins, R., Schiuma, G., Lerro, A. and Prokop, D. (2009) Identifying and Assessing Knowledge Assets in Renewable Energy SMEs, Intellectual Assets Centre, Glasgow.

Huggins, R., Schiuma, G., Lerro, A. and Prokop, D. (2009) Knowledge Asset Management in the Energy Industry: Implications for Scottish SMEs in the Renewable Energy Sector , Intellectual Assets Centre, Glasgow.

Huggins, R. and Izushi, H. (2008) UK Competitiveness Index 2008, Cardiff, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

Huggins, R., Izushi, H., Davies, W. and Shougui, L. (2008) World Knowledge Competitiveness Index 2008 , Cardiff, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

Huggins, R. and Davies (2008) Conceptualising and Measuring the Competitiveness of Regions: A Review of the European Competitiveness Index, Red Review, Vol. 1, 48-57

Mahroum, S., Huggins, R., Clayton, N., Pain. K. and Taylor, P. (2008) Innovation by Adoption: Measuring and Mapping Absorptive Capacity in UK Nations and Regions, NESTA, London

Huggins, R. and H. Izushi (2007) ‘The Knowledge Competitiveness of Regional Economies: Conceptualisation and Measurement’, Bank of Valletta Review (35): 1-24.

Huggins, R. and W. Davies (2006) European Competitiveness Index 2006-07 [1-902829-03-4

Huggins, R. and J. Day (2006) UK Competitiveness Index 2006 [ISBN: 1-84373 029-4]

Huggins, R. (2005) ‘The Competitiveness of Yorkshire and the Humber’, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Review , Vol. 15, No. 3, 11-13.

Huggins, R., Izushi, H. and W. Davies (2005) World Knowledge Competitiveness Index 2005 [ISBN: 1-902829-02-6].

Huggins, R. and J. Day (2005) UK Competitiveness Index 2005: The Changing State of the Nation 1997-2005 [ISBN: 1-902829-01-8].

Huggins, R. (2005) ‘Competing for Knowledge-Based Business’, Corporate Location , April/May, London: Euromoney.

Huggins, R., Bussell, S., Liu, J., Sootarsing, K., Day, J., Izushi, H. and M. Jones (2004) World Knowledge Competitiveness Index 2004: Benchmarking the Globe’s Leading Knowledge Economy Regions [ISBN: 1-902829-10-7]

Huggins, R., Sootarsing, K., Bussell, S., Day, J., Izushi, H., Liu, J. and M. Jones (2004) European Competitiveness Index 2004: Measuring the Performance and Capacity of Europe’s Nations and Regions [ISBN: 1-902829-09-3].

Huggins, R. (2003) ‘The Competitiveness of Merseyside’s Economy’, Merseyside & North Wales Business Prospect , Vol. 1, No. 2, 24—28.

Huggins, R., Emlyn-Jones, N. and J. Day (2003) Regional Stock Exchanges: A Viable Option for Wales and Other UK Regions? , Institute of Welsh Affairs, Cardiff.

Huggins, R., Izushi, H., Day, J., Emlyn-Jones, N., Liu, J. and K. Sootarsing (2003) World Knowledge Competitiveness Index 2003-2004: Benchmarking the Globe’s Leading Knowledge Economy Regions [ISBN: 1-902829-08-5].

Huggins, R. and H. Izushi (2002) World Knowledge Competitiveness Index 2002: Benchmarking the Globe’s High-Performing Regions [ISBN: 1-902828-05-0].

Robert Huggins Associates (2002) The State of Urban Britain: The Competitiveness of the UK’s Cities [ISBN: 1-902829-06-9].

Huggins, R. (2001) ‘Welsh Futures’, Agenda: Journal of the Institute of Welsh Affairs , Spring, 2-5.

Robert Huggins Associates (2001) UK Competitiveness Index 2001: Regional and Local Benchmarking [ISBN: 1-902829-04-2].

Huggins, R. (2000) An Index of City Competitiveness in the UK: An Urban Perspective , Cardiff Competitiveness Group, Cardiff.

Huggins, R. (2000) An Index of Competitiveness in the UK: Local, Regional and Global Analysis , Cardiff University: Cardiff.

Huggins, R., Morgan, K. and G. Rees (2000) Devolution and Development: The Welsh Assembly and the Governance of Regional Economic Policy , Welsh Governance Centre, Cardiff.

Huggins, R. (2000) ‘Objective One: Building a Competitive Wales’, North Wales and Cheshire Business Prospect , Vol. 6, No. 2, 21-25.

Huggins, R. and K. Morgan (1999) ‘Matching a National Strategy with European Intervention’, Agenda: Journal of the Institute of Welsh Affairs , Summer. 15-18.

Huggins, R. (1998) ‘The Next Step – Training and Enterprise Councils’, Education & Training Review , Autumn, 41-42.

Cooke, P. and R. Huggins (1996) ‘Entrepreneurial Universities’, Agenda: Journal of the Institute of Welsh Affairs , Winter 1996/97, 22-24.

Huggins, R. (1994) ‘Local Sourcing: Machine Tooling and Inward Investment in Wales, Welsh Economic Review , Vol. 7, No. 2, 37-44.