THEORIES OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE MANAUS FREE ZONE MODEL AND THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Abstract

Taking into consideration since its idealization, expansion and reformulation, the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM) model has already gone through at least five phases if analyzed based on Regional Development Theories. These, in turn, have been shaped by taking into consideration the world economic transformations and have been restructured, thus forming three groups of theories with distinct characteristics. For didactic purposes, this work will be based on the third group of Regional Development Theories: Industrial Districts, Industrial Organization, Growing Returns, Porter Diamond and Innovative Environment with the objective of explaining the ZFM model. In addition, the dissemination of a new industrial paradigm will also be addressed in this work, the 4th Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. To this end, we aim to analyze the ZFM model in the 4th Industrial Revolution, based on the theories of regional development, the study also seeks to characterize this model, as well as denote the main characteristics of these theories. It praises the concept of the 4th Industrial Revolution and finally presents a conception of the model within this new paradigm. Thus, a bibliographic and documentary study was made using the descriptive and explanatory method in order to achieve the proposed objectives. As for this conception, it can be said that the adequacy of the industries of the Industrial Pole of Manaus (PIM) within this new concept of 4th Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 is already evident.