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Abstract databases as information sources in economic geography
Author(s) -
Chapman Keith,
Edmond Helen
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
area
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1475-4762
pISSN - 0004-0894
DOI - 10.1111/1475-4762.00008
Subject(s) - restructuring , obstacle , strengths and weaknesses , mergers and acquisitions , business , production (economics) , data science , service (business) , database , knowledge management , economic geography , computer science , political science , geography , marketing , economics , finance , philosophy , epistemology , law , macroeconomics
The limitations of existing information sources on mergers/acquisitions within the EU are a serious obstacle to the study of the restructuring of the European production system. The experience of using a computerized abstracting service as a source of information on mergers/acquisitions in the chemical industry is reviewed. This experience informs an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of similar databases as information sources in economic geography. The proliferation of such databases, together with advances in text management software, suggests that their potential has not been fully appreciated. This potential is considerable in providing easy access to detailed factual information on economic events and processes at continental and global scales. It is, however, strictly limited when it comes to interpreting the corporate strategies and motivations responsible for these developments.