Refereed journal article or data article (A1)

The multiple-theories problem: The case of spatial industrial clustering




List of Authors: Marchionni Caterina, Oinas Päivi

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Environment and Planning A

Journal acronym: EPA

Volume number: 55

Issue number: 1

Start page: 46

End page: 62

eISSN: 1472-3409

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0308518X221122791

URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0308518X221122791

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176462352


Abstract

Multiple theories of the same phenomenon abound in many interdisciplinary research areas, but it
is often unclear how the theories relate, and there are no clear guidelines for dealing with this
plurality. The history of research on spatial industrial clustering is a case in point. We identify a
number of solutions to the problem of multiple theoretical accounts proposed in this literature.
We label them definitional, taxonomic, integrative, and multi-perspectival. We then offer the
erotetic solution as an indispensable complement to any attempt at resolving the multiple-theories
problem. It accounts for theoretical plurality in terms of different explanation-seeking questions
different theories aim to address. We analyse three prominent explanations in the recent history
of research on spatial industrial clustering and show how the erotetic approach can contribute to
foster interdisciplinary dialogue.


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Last updated on 2023-02-02 at 08:42