Agglomeration economies convert initially random location choices into locked-in paths

Evidence

The path-dependence and lock-in perspective (Arthur, 1985; David, 1985) might be of help in this regard. In fact, both Arthur and David themselves have used geographical examples while developing the concept of path dependence (Martin and Sunley, 2006). Accordingly, many social processes may start off as purely random events but, if agglomeration economies are at work, the choice of location for additional units entering the system will become less and less random. — Georg Schreyögg and Jörg Sydow, The Hidden Dynamics of Path Dependence, 814

Categorization

• DEFINE: Names the equifinality/multifinality vocabulary for why path-dependence analysis resists single-cause stories.
• XREF: connects to: Aggregated past innovations trap groups on locally optimal yet suboptimal trajectories — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 114