Paper IV Concept of Resources B A II

Paper –IV Concept of Resources B. A. -II (H), A. N. College, Patna Patliputra University --- N. B. July 2020

Re-Source --- indicating any thing or substance that can occur many times. “Concept of Resource” first propounded by economist Erich W. Zimmermann in 1933, while deliberating on contemporary Economic Geography literature

Study of Resource Geography • “Resources are the bases of both security and opulence; they are the foundations of wealth. They affect man’s desiny in war and peace alike” (Zimmermann, 1933). • Importance of “ resource” emerged after the age of discoveries and inventions was established, when “social controls were loosened both by revolution and by evolution” • Growth of “Free Enterprise” led to the acknowledgement of resources being vital for our survival and growth

Definition of RESOURCE Dictionary definitions: • That upon which one relies for aid, suport, or supply • Means to attain given ends • An expedient • Capacity to take advantage of opportunities Therefore, resources “presupposes a person---”. It also implies that a resource may also exist within a person.

Definition of RESOURCE (contd. ) • Hence, to collate the diverse meanings of Resource, two definitional ideas become cleari. Taking advantage of opportunity and ii. overcoming barriers or resistance Leads to the formation or emergence of a RESOURCE. Resource: positive or negative, subjective or objective

Zimmermann’s definition--- • “the word resource does not refer to a thing or a subtance, but to a function which a thing or a substyance may prform or to an operationit which it m, ay take part, namly, the function or operation of attaining a given end such as satisfying a want. In other words, the word resource is an abstraction reflecting human appraisal and relating to a function or operation”

Two characteristics of resource-- • It’s Function – concerned with location, time and space • It’s Utility – concerned with economic activities

Wealth vs. Resource Utility Functionality Wealth Scarcity Transferability Ref: Roy, 2000)

Wealth vs. Resource (contd. ) Utility RESOURCE Functionability “All wealth are resources, but all resources are not wealth” Ref: Roy, 2000)

The Resource Cycle Resource Resistance Resource

Static Concept of Resources. A Misconception Resources perceived as: 1. Tangible 2. Natural substances/ objects 3. Measurable in terms of quantum and magnitude 4. Fixed assets

Dynamic Concept/ Functional Theory of Resources“Resources are not, they become” --- to be discussed in next class

Types of Resources ---to be discussed in next class

References • Zimmermann, E. W. (1933), Introduction to World Resources: ed: Henry L. Hunker; Harper and Row, London • Roy, P. (2000), Resource Studies; Central Educational Enterprises; Kolkata