Globalization, local economic development and the branch plant region: Thecase of the Aberdeen oil complex

In recent years, there has been considerable debate over the consequences o f globalization for local economic development. For some, globalization is seen as strengthening the position of transnational corporations (TNCs) and core regions over branch plant regions. For others globalization offers op portunities for the latter to create local advantages, particularly if they can construct more effective 'learning' relationships with the branch plan ts of transnational corporations. This paper contributes to this debate thr ough a case study of the Aberdeen oil complex in the North East of Scotland . It suggests that while there are opportunities for branch plant regions t o upgrade their activities in the short term, they still face huge structur al problems in creating more sustainable forms of competitive advantage.