The classical economic approach to the Single European Market remains centred too much on the advantages of competitiveness and access to markets. Without under-estimating the importance of these factors, it is necessary to place them in the wider context of changes in the globalization of the economy and the techno-industrial system. The results of analysis indicate that indirect impacts such as technological change, non-technical economies of scale and industrial co-operation will have a disruptive effect on the productive fabric of all the less favoured regions. The traditional industrial regions will have to implement an adjustment strategy based on an intra-industrial scenario, and the lagging regions need a strategy oriented to an inter-industrial scenario.
Quevit, M. (1992). The Regional Impact of the Internal Market - a Comparative-analysis of Traditional Industrial Regions and Lagging Regions. Regional Studies, 26(4), 349-360. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343409212331347041 (Original work published 1992)