sektorihaarast

Sektorihaarast is a theoretical concept used in economic geography and systems modelling to describe how a central sector can give rise to subsidiary sub-sectors through branching development. The term combines sektor, meaning sector, with haarast, meaning an offshoot or branch, reflecting its etymology and typical usage in Estonian-language texts.

The concept envisions a growth process in which outputs, knowledge, or capital within a main sector spur the formation of specialized sub-sectors. This branching can increase complexity, resilience, and productivity by spreading risk and enabling targeted innovation. In practice, sektorihaarast is often discussed as a mechanism in regional development, industry policy, and organisational theory, and is sometimes used as an analogy in ecological and network contexts.

Key mechanisms associated with sektorihaarast include learning effects, spillovers from one activity to another, investment in transportation and communications infrastructure, and policy incentives that favour new specialisations. The process is typically viewed as dynamic and path-dependent, with the particular branches emerging from historical conditions, comparative advantages, and institutional settings.

Critics argue that the concept can oversimplify how diversification occurs and may be difficult to quantify or test empirically. Some also warn against conflating sektorihaarast with generic diversification or fragmentation, stressing the need for clear theoretical definitions and appropriate indicators.

As an illustrative example, a hypothetical region reliant on traditional agriculture might experience sektorihaarast as it develops agro-processing, packaging, distribution, and agri-tourism as interconnected branches stemming from the primary sector. See also sectoral diversification, economic development, and network theory.