Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Environmental and resource degradation associated with small-scale enterprise clusters in the red river delta of Northern Vietnam

Konstadakopulos, Dimitrios

Authors

Dimitrios Konstadakopulos



Abstract

The paper reports on an empirical study of the environmental and resource degradation observed in small-scale handicraft clusters in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. Most entrepreneurs in these clusters face important challenges, including depletion of natural resources, linked to acute shortages of capital and land. Such issues are identified as the main cause of overcrowding, poor working conditions and extreme environmental degradation. The study also highlights some industrial ecology practices at the enterprise level, and assesses the role played by the government in providing incentives for enterprises to invest in new technology and pollution control. Drawing from the analysis of a questionnaire survey of 56 handicraft enterprises, the study identifies the major constraints they encounter in adopting new environmentally clean technologies and engaging in environmental management. Shortage of capital and lack of knowledge about the benefits of new technologies were viewed as the most important barriers, followed by shortage of skilled workers, poor market conditions and scarcity of land appropriate for industrial production. © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 Institute of Australian Geographers.

Citation

Konstadakopulos, D. (2008). Environmental and resource degradation associated with small-scale enterprise clusters in the red river delta of Northern Vietnam. Geographical Research, 46(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2007.00491.x

Journal Article Type Conference Paper
Publication Date Mar 1, 2008
Deposit Date Jan 6, 2011
Journal Geographical Research
Print ISSN 1745-5863
Electronic ISSN 1745-5871
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 1
Pages 51-61
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2007.00491.x
Keywords clusters, environmental degradation, land reforms, new technologies, resource depletion, Vietnam
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1014613
Publisher URL http://dx.do.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2007.00491.x


Downloadable Citations