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The location processes of industrial research laboratories

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Abstract

This paper examines the location of industrial research laboratories in order to make inferences about the location decision process. Utilizing data gathered fromIndustrial Research Laboratories of the United States, the analysis of spatial point patterns reveals that labs are clustered within roughly equivalent local environments leading to the conclusion that labs are imitating each other. The hypothesis is that uncertainty about environmental hospitality leads to the observed clustering behavior resulting in location patterns that do not reflect actual constraints or preferences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Urban and Public Affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 15213-3890, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Stephen J. Appold

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  1. Stephen J. Appold
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Additional information

Jack Kasarda, Eric Leifer and Mike Luger gave extensive and very helpful advice. Luis Suarez-Villa made useful comments on an earlier version. Francois Nielsen suggested the use of the Theil index as a summary measure. Carla Knip assisted in the collection and coding of the data. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Western Regional Science Association, 1988.

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Appold, S.J. The location processes of industrial research laboratories. Ann Reg Sci 25, 131–144 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01581891

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01581891

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