The drivers of growth and innovation in Swedish metropolitan cities since the 1980’s

Sammanfattning: Metropolitan cities are increasingly becoming the undisputed centers of growth and innovation. This thesis investigates the driving forces of urban growth and innovation in the Swedish metropolitan cities from the 1980’s and onwards through a mixed method case study. The theories of Richard Florida, Enrico Moretti and Edward Glaeser are used to form three hypotheses of how cities attract high-skill people and achieve urban growth and innovation. The results suggest that Moretti’s theories of large successful innovative companies as the drivers of growth and innovation fits the development in Stockholm and Göteborg: the Ericsson company in Stockholm, and Volvo in Göteborg. Malmö-Lund achieved growth and innovation through its human capital potential and its diverse industries, which fits Glaeser’s theories.