Industrial Location Economics

Because space is not homogenous, economic activities occur in different locations. Understanding the reasons behind this and understanding exactly how industries are spatially organized is the central theme of this book. Industrial Location Economics discusses different aspects of industrial location behaviour from a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives. Each of the analytical traditions provides insights into the nature of industrial location behaviour and the factors which can influence it. The authors, internationally renowned scholars from around the world, detail the issues and characteristics surrounding spatial economic behaviour. Classical approaches to location analysis are compared and contrasted with more recent approaches in order to highlight common analytical themes and the strengths and limitations of each approach. The arguments are extended to cover questions of industrial clustering and the growth and development of cities. Finally the organization, technology and location inter-relationships associated with multinational firms are discussed, in order to provide insights into the relationship between investment patterns and geography. The theoretical approaches are discussed empirically using a range of case studies drawn from many different industries throughout the world. The general theme which runs throughout the book is that successful industrial location analysis depends on both the nature of the location questions to be addressed and on the appropriate choice of analytical methodology. A uniquely broad range of different analytical approaches are integrated in this book, ensuring it will be accessible and highly valuable to academics interested in economics, management and geography, as well as students and scholars of economic geography, urban and regional economics, and regional planning.