The Economic Impact of Cardiff University: Innovation, Learning and Job Generation

Abstract:     
This paper discusses two economic functions of the University of Wales Cardiff (Cardiff University) in relation to local and regional economic development. The first concerns its direct and indirect impact as an economic force in its own rights in the locality and the wider city-region of South East Wales. Through the application of impact analysis it shown that the University is responsible for generating a gross local output of approximately £100 million a year and sustaining over 3,000 jobs. The second aspect of the paper concerns the knowledge impact of the University and its contribution to the development of regional industrial clusters in the automotive and electronics industries, and enhancing the `learning capacity' of the locality.

Keywords: economic impact, university, economic development, regional, local, industrial clusters

JEL Classification: O18, O20, O30

Accepted Paper Series