Mapping Several Kinds of Special Economic Zones in Europe: A Review on Features, Priorities, and Objectives

Over the last decades, policymakers have resorted to Incentive Zones to attract foreign investments, boost industrial production (particularly in export-oriented manufacturing), stimulate circular and cumulative growth processes, and expand exports. These policy instruments are diversified across countries, thus leading to a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of their effectiveness. Based on this, the research aims to analyse the main features and describe different types of incentive zones in terms of contextual factors, features, priorities and objectives, and to map the existing zones in Europe. To achieve this goal, a two-step analysis has been employed. In the first step, a systematic literature review has allowed us to identify the key factors recognized by the literature to describe incentive zones. Subsequently, according to the defined characteristics, the operating incentive zones in the European Union have been mapped and described. The research provides a first EU-wide mapping and description of IZs, based on a comprehensive theoretical and data framework. These data might serve to evaluate the primary issues behind IZ functioning, facilitate solving the complex policy harmonization challenges and serve as a foundation for future analyses.