Analysis of the locational characteristics of industrial research and development activities

• Other Authors: Shove, Christopher.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Subjects: Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/lib/digcoll/etd/3086836

The goal of this research was to empirically identify the significant locational characteristics of industrial research & development (R&D) activities. The systems theory of industrial location was used as the theoretical framework and 1980 data were used to empirically analyze R&D locational characteristics. The results demonstrate the utility of the systems theory of industrial location and clarify R&D activity locational variables. === The importance of this research is twofold: (1) It expands the location theory body of knowledge for high technology-related industries, and (2) it provides empirical evidence about the locational characteristics of high technology-related industries. Therefore, the results of this research are especially significant to economic development policymaking === The major findings of this research are that R&D activities have the following statistically significant locational characteristics (alpha set at.05): (1) the presence of corporate control--a superior, decision-making part of their corporation nearby; (2) numerous engineers nearby; (3) numerous commercial airflights nearby; and (4) R&D activities are associated with other R&D activities--they tend to be agglomerative. Statistically insignificant locational characteristics were as follows: (1) the supply of non-medical technicians, (2) the Rand McNally quality of life score for a place, (3) nearby defense procurement contracting, (4) nearby defense R&D contracting, (5) nearby manufacturing employment, (6) affordable housing, and finally, (7) number of college students nearby. Furthermore, a review of previous research indicates that R&D activities also are not generally associated with the following: (1) places with low taxes, (2) places with a good Grant Thornton-type of business climate score, and (3) places with universities or government laboratories. === Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: A, page: 1548. === Major Professor: Charles Connerly. === Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.