This article explores the concept of industrial districts and outlines how they can be applied to economic history. The methodological debate centres around Italy, Spain, France, French-speaking Switzerland and the USA, and focuses on: the impact of institutional arrangements at the beginning of industrial development; co-operation between small and medium-sized firms in joining regional networks; the existence of governance structures in place to help mitigate district-internal conflicts; the institutionalisation of conjoint vocational training; producers' willingness to share information, thus creating a skills market; and the common marketing of goods through the introduction of regional trade marks. The theoretical framework is contrasted with neighbouring approaches, such as the cluster economies. Finally, reasons behind the concept's poor reception in German-speaking research are discussed.
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