Call for Papers Conference theme, invitation, major thematic fields, conference publication, important deadlines
Conference Theme
Rethinking Economic Geography in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution:
Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship, Employment and Industry 4.0
Invitation
In the course of history there were several industrial revolutions. Each of them had its special characteristics and own driving forces, which induced enormous changes in all fields of life. In the 21st century, after the latest economic crisis, the modern economy has to face newer challenges. We are at the dawn of a new era, which is the fourth industrial revolution. It is also known as industry 4.0 based on automation, digitalization and robotization. The new digital industrial technology contributes to the increasing networking and deepening vertical and horizontal integration. New technologies and the feats of industry 4.0 will have a great impact on the economy and society but to a different degree in time and space. Industry 4.0 results in the transformation of the operation of companies and breaking up value chains into smaller ones. Networks which are today already the fundamental units of economy will also transform. Industry 4.0 can be also connected to smart specialization which can promote the development of regions and reduce the spatial differences among them. From the aspect of the conference particularly important is, how the economy, mainly manufacturing, enterprises, employment and economic spaces will be affected.
New models of traditional industrial production are starting to develop which will bring very considerable changes. The borders between manufacturing and services, producers and consumers will be blurred. Traditional industrial production increasingly transforms and it will have geographical or spatial consequences too. The real world will merge with the virtual one, and this means a new economic space for human activity. Everything (location choice, production, manufacturing, services, enterprises, upgrading in value chains and labor force on macro and micro levels), the whole economic space and its dynamics will change and new challenges will appear. What are those regions where industry 4.0 is more advanced and why? Will the center-periphery dichotomy increase further, or will new opportunities open for peripheries in the age of digitalization? All these changes, new approaches and new perspectives will be required from researchers. This conference in Budapest will offer a great opportunity to discuss these issues in detail.
We do hope that you will accept our call for papers and submit your abstract by 25 August, 2019.
Major thematic fields
of the autumn conference focusing on the dynamics of economic spaces in connection with the fourth industrial revolution are the following:
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Economic Geography meets Industry 4.0, geographical perspectives
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Implementation of industry 4.0, smart manufacturing
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Sharing economy and platform economy
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Entrepreneurship and firm level adjustment
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New challenges for location choice and relocation
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Cooperation and competition: clusters, networks
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Upgrading in global value chains and 4th industrial revolution
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Transforming industrial spaces, central-peripheral regions
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Disruptive innovations and Industry 4.0
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Pressure on employment and labor
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Smart specialization and Industry 4.0
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Governmental attitudes and regional development policies
Conference Publication
All papers presented at the conference will be considered for publication in an edited book of the Commission Series after the conference. Details: https://www.routledge.com/The-Dynamics-of-Economic-Space/book-series/ASHSER1030.
Another publication possibility for selected papers is the special issue of a peer-reviewed journal (Hungarian Geographical Bulletin) published in Hungary.
Important DEADLINES
Deadline for Registration and Abstract Submission
25 August, 2019
Date of Conference
2-4 October, 2019
Final version of papers
30 November, 2019
Publishing can be expected in
2020