Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Unknown: A Framework on Micro-Locations Strategy

Country-level indicators can obscure strategically valuable subnational locations. This article defines a micro-location by strategic distinctiveness rather than by physical or economic scale. Integrating international business knowledge on subnational location choice with place branding competences, we propose four archetypes: “Extractive and Energy Clusters”, “Strategic Special Economic Zones”, “Urban Innovation and Fintech Hubs”, and “Blue Oceans and Unknown Places”. This decision-support framework helps executives match investment purposes with appropriate locations, assess enabling conditions and trade-offs, and design place-based implementation approaches – by identifying opportunities beyond global cities. This practical tool helps policymakers identify the institutional, infrastructural, and human-capital interventions to make overlooked locations more investment-ready.