bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book Reviews
Authors: Dunn Leslie , Dunn Robert
Published: March 2021

“House of Debt: How They (and You) Caused the Great Recession, and How We Can Prevent It from Happening Again” is reviewed by J. Sebastian Leguizamon. “Environmental & Development Economics: Essays in Honour of Sir Partha Dasgupta” is reviewed by Elham Erfanian. “Exceptional People: How Migration Shaped Our World and Will Define Our Future” is reviewed by Thomas A. Knapp.
Is Regional Science the Embodiment of the Engaged University?
Authors: Deller Steven C.
Published: March 2021

In this Presidential Address, the author explores the role of the “Engaged University.” He argues that the relevance of work in regional science is an exemplar for activities that enable a university to engage with real-world issues that have an impact on society.
Willingness to Pay for Hospital Access in Areas with High Concentrations of Blacks
Authors: Christafore David , Leguizamon Susane
Published: March 2021

We estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) of individuals to have increased spatial access to hospitals using a spatial hedonic price model. Employing a dataset of 6,093 observations at the census block group level, we find that the WTP of individuals to live one mile closer to a hospital is positive if the hospital is a designated public hospital, lower for private hospitals, and insignificant for nonprofit hospitals. Areas comprised of a relatively large population of black residents value spatial access significantly more and, for higher concentrations, exhibit a positive WTP for all hospital types. This is likely due to increased transportation costs of individuals in minority areas.
Book Reviews
Authors: Dunn Leslie , Dunn Robert
Published: March 2021

“A Twenty-First Century U.S. Water Policy” is reviewed by Alan R. Collins. “The Creative Class Goes Global” is reviewed by William Hatcher. ” Energy Poverty: Global Challenges and Local Solutions” is reviewed by Nyakundi M. Michieka.
Explaining Canadian Regional Wage Differentials
Authors: Cahill Ian G. , Gager Michael P.
Published: March 2021

We explore the potential of a human capital model augmented with controls for industry and occupation in explaining Canadian regional wage differentials. We place our approach in a broader theoretical context by first reviewing the literature on potential explanations for regional wage differences and also on the related issues of migration, population growth, industrial location, and agglomeration economies. We then estimate an econometric model using subprovincial wage data from the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey. A striking finding is that subprovincial wage differences, including the urban-rural divide, can be explained by our model, but that the differences between broad regions defined by provincial boundaries cannot.
Market Reach for Retail Services
Authors: Klaesson Johan , Öner Özge
Published: March 2021

Retail is concentrated in areas where demand is high. A measure of market potential can be used to calculate place-specific demand for retail services. The effect of distance on market potential depends on the willingness of consumers to travel for the products they purchase. The spatial reach of demand is frequently operationalized using a distance-decay function. The purpose of this paper is to estimate such distance-decay functions for different branches of the retail sector. The paper uses spatial data from the Stockholm region in Sweden. The results indicate that, in line with theory, there are indeed differences in the distance decay of demand among retail subsectors.
Book Reviews
Authors: Dunn Leslie , Dunn Robert
Published: March 2021

“The New Science of Cities” is reviewed by Steven Jige Quan. “Industrial Cities: History and Future” is reviewed by Ravi K. Perry. “Asian Responses to the Global Financial Crisis: The Impact of Regionalism and the Role of the G20” is reviewed by Leslie Dunn. “The Political Economy of City Branding” is reviewed by J. Zachary Klingensmith.
Assessing Regional Quality of Life: A Call for Action in Regional Science
Authors: Rickman Dan S.
Published: March 2021

Intellectual appeal and simplicity of use has led to the widespread application of the spatial hedonic model in assessing regional quality of life. Yet, the traditional spatial hedonic approach contains numerous assumptions, which typically are untested. Violation of the assumptions in practice can lead to significantly biased estimates of regional quality of life. More sophisticated econometric approaches have been developed to reduce the biases. However, each approach typically only addresses one or two of the concerns. More promising is the use of structural models, which by design have the potential to overcome all the limitations of the spatial hedonic approach.
Returns to Education across the Urban-Rural Hierarchy
Authors: Backman Mikaela
Published: March 2021

Returns to education are mainly influenced by the characteristics of the individual. However, returns also depend on location characteristics, suggesting location premia can exist for educational attainment. This paper analyzes regional variations to returns from education using Swedish municipalities. The political geography of Sweden assists the analysis since it can be divided into four categories based on size and commuting patterns. Based on the obtained results, the often-assumed hypothesis of equal returns to education for all regions in a country can be rejected. The highest returns to education are found in municipalities at the top of the urban-rural hierarchy (dense and large municipalities), and the lowest are in the most peripheral municipalities.
A Note on the Effects of Popular Music Concerts on Hospitality Sales: The Case of Waterfront Concerts in Bangor, Maine
Authors: Gabe Todd M. , Lisac Nicholas A.
Published: March 2021

This piece examines the local tourism-related expenditures made by attendees at large, outdoor popular music concerts held from 2010 to 2012 in Bangor, Maine. A regression analysis of the relationship between monthly taxable retail sales—e.g., restaurant and lodging sales—and the number of concertgoers is used to estimate local spending figures of between $33.81 and $52.31 per attendee on restaurant meals, and $18.92 to $23.12 per concertgoer on lodging in the Bangor region. Results suggest that an estimated 29 to 31 percent of attendees spend the night in the local area, which is very similar to the share of concertgoers who travel more than two hours to attend shows.
On the Macroeconomic Impact of a Regional Development Policy with Endogenous Residential Choice
Authors: Boonprakaikawe Juntip , Tournemaine Frédéric
Published: March 2021

This paper develops a simple two-region endogenous growth model in which individuals must choose where to reside and the government decides the amount of productive public investments for each area. In such a framework, we analyze the implications of a change in government’s regional policy on individuals’ residential choice, growth, inequality and welfare. In doing so, we put in evidence the key role played by the strength of congestion effects in production. When they are strong, we show that an increase in the amount of public infrastructure in the poor region not only increases growth and welfare but also reduces economywide inequalities. Therefore, there is no trade-off between growth, welfare and inequality. Interestingly, we also show that inequality can always be dampened if the development gap across regions is initially high.
If You Build it, Will They Come?: Fiscal Federalism, Local Provision of Public Tourist Amenities, and the Vision Iowa Fund
Authors: Premkumar Deepak , Quackenbush Austin , Artz Georgeanne , Orazem Peter
Published: March 2021

Iowa provided partial state funding to communities to build tourist attractions, a potential solution to local under-provision of public goods. A 10 percent increase in state funds increased county taxable retail sales by 0.1 percent. The State’s return from resulting sales tax revenue averaged 11.8 percent. Local communities paid more and received less tax, and so their return was much smaller at 1.2 percent. Neighboring community sales also increased. The positive spillovers to neighbors and the state suggest that local communities will undersupply public amenities without state subsidies.
Investment in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): The Role of Geographic Distance and Industry Proximity
Authors: Carboni Oliviero A.
Published: March 2021

Employing data from Italian manufacturing firms, this paper attempts to check the existence of geographic and industry distance effects on the investment in information and communication technology (ICT). Geographic distance is defined by the Euclidean distance between each possible pair of locations (municipalities) according to their geographical coordinates. Industry proximity is measured by the firms’ industry distance according to the trade intensity between sectors. The model specified here refers to the combined spatial autoregressive model with autoregressive disturbances (SARAR), which are modelled simultaneously. The results show that both geographical and industry proximity have positive effects on the amount of ICT investment by firms. Furthermore, an econometric analysis shows that productivity, R&D activity, subsidies, reorganization, and labor composition are jointly correlated to ICT investment.
The Determinants of Credit A llocations in a Market-based Trading System: Evidence from the RECLAIM Program
Authors: Bento Antonio M. , Henry Emeric , Lowe Scott E.
Published: March 2021

This paper examines the determinants of emission credit allocations under the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) —a program aimed at reducing nitrogen oxides (NO) and sulfur oxides (SO) – in the greater Los Angeles area. Our results suggest that deviations in the allocation of emission credits can be systematically explained by firm-level factors and the location of the facility. Our results also indicate that deviations in the allocation of emission credits may have been made in an attempt to regulate toxics, and that certain industries were protected in the early stages of the program.
Does Urban Density Promote Soci al Interaction? Evidence from Instrumental Variable Estimation
Authors: Hawley Zackary B.
Published: March 2021

To test the common assumption that increased local area population density implies high levels of social interaction, I use instrumental variable estimation to examine a causal link between social interaction and urban population density. I instrument for local population density using earthquake and landslide hazard rates in addition to the presence of hard rock beneath the soil. I find the social interaction type matters when determining the relationship with population density. Social interaction with friends is positively related with population density, whereas neighbor interaction is negatively related. Group involvement does not seem to be systematically related to population density.
Book Reviews
Authors: Leguizamon J. Sebastian , Leguizamon Susane
Published: March 2021

“Societies in Motion: Innovation, Migration and Regional Transformation” is reviewed by Joanna Ganning. “Brands and Branking Geography” is reviewed by Neil Reid. “From Agglomeration to Innovation: Upgrading Industrial Clusters in Emerging Economies” is reviewed by Charles van Marrewijk.
The Role of Regional Science in Shale Energy Development
Authors: Court Christa D. , Jackson Randall W. , White Nancy
Published: March 2021

The most recent boom in fossil fuel extraction is noteworthy through its extensive use of advanced technologies called hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. The papers in this issue demonstrate the role that regional science can and should play in guiding policy, usefully complementing research from physical science and engineering disciplines that focuses on the important geological and environmental consequences of shale energy production. Furthermore, we underscore the need for expanding the traditional regional science focus in policy discussions pertaining to shale energy.
Book Reviews
Authors: Leguizamon J. Sebastian , Leguizamon Susane
Published: March 2021

“Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Second Tier Regions” is reviewed by Elizabeth Mack. “Systems Thinking and Decision Making in Urban and Environmental Planning” is reviewed by Andy L. Krause. “Handbook of Creative Cities” is reviewed by William Hatcher.
Industry Location, Economic Deve lopment Incentives, and Clusters
Authors: Woodward Douglas P.
Published: March 2021

In his Presidential Address, Professor Woodward uses South Carolina’s economic development experience as a case study of significant challenges in regional development. The state has re-industrialized and emerged as a leader in attracting capital investment through generous financial incentives, after watching the demise of its major industry cluster (textiles and apparel) since the 1970s. The address argues that regional science research continues to advance our understanding of regional policies promoting industrial location. He urges caution regarding development incentives as a regional strategy. Instead, emerging research suggests that stronger agglomeration and cluster-based strategies are better suited to promote contemporary economic development.
Pitfalls in Higher Order Model Extensions of Basic Spatial Regression Methodology
Authors: LeSage James P. , Pace Robert Kelley
Published: March 2021

Spatial regression methodology has been around for most of the 50 years (1961-2011) that the Southern Regional Science Association has been in existence. Cliff and Ord (1969) devised a parsimonious specification for the structure of spatial dependence among observations that could be used to empirically model spatial interdependence. Later work (Cliff and Ord, 1973, 1981; Ord, 1975) further developed these ideas into basic spatial

regression models, which were popularized and augmented by Anselin (1988). We discuss several issues that have arisen in recent work that attempts to extend basic models of spatial interdependence to include more types of spatial and non-spatial interdependencies. Understanding these issues should help future work avoid several pitfalls that plague current and past attempts at extensions along these lines.
Debt Overhang in the Eurozone: A Spatial Panel Analysis
Authors: Romero Alfredo A. , Burkey Mark L.
Published: March 2021

The debt overhang hypothesis suggests that high debt levels retard prospects for GDP growth. We investigate the impact that debt overhang has had on recent GDP growth in the Eurozone, paying particular attention to the spillover effects that debt has on neighboring countries. We argue that in the Eurozone spatial effects are of crucial importance in modeling regional GDP growth, and find that a Spatial Durbin model is appropriate. We find strong evidence for the debt overhang hypothesis, confirming a concave relationship that has been found in other studies where low levels of debt can have a positive impact on GDP, but at some level a “turning point” occurs. The present study finds that this turning point occurs at a lower Debt/GDP ratio than found in prior studies, and separates out the direct and indirect (spillover) effects on neighboring countries’ GDPs.
Determinants of Innovative Versus Non-Innovative Entrepreneurs in Three Southern States
Authors: Gallardo Roberto , Scammahorn Roseanne
Published: March 2021

Entrepreneurship is becoming an important economic development strategy for communities across the nation. This research distinguishes between innovative and non-innovative entrepreneurs as well as “traditional” entrepreneurs—percent nonfarm proprietors of total employed—across counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Three sets of predictor variables were used to better understand the determinants of these entrepreneurs: demographic/location, infrastructure, and socioeconomic. Results indicate that innovative entrepreneurs are more sensitive to highway proximity and rurality while non-innovative are more sensitive to educational attainment, creative class, and access to broadband. Important differences surface comparing innovative versus non-innovative

versus nonfarm proprietors.
What Drives Intra-county Migration: The Impact of Local Fiscal Factors on Tiebout Sorting
Authors: Grassmueck Georg
Published: March 2021

This study adds to the abundant and rich literature on the Tiebout-sorting hypothesis by investigating the motivation for intra-county migration within a state, the move from one municipality to another municipality within the same county. Using the data available from the Census on intra-county migration and demographic characteristics, as well as the Census of Government on local government expenditures, this study employs a difference model to test which local public services and products, in combination with taxes and demographic characteristics, encourage intra-county moves. Ultimately, this study presents a test to determine whether people at the local level are attracted to or repelled by higher spending and taxes. Results indicate that intra-county movers are

attracted to local government units with both higher adjusted property taxes and higher government expenditures for certain local public goods and services. The results do not

support the notion of the destructive force of competition among local government units resulting in the inability to levy local taxes to fund public goods and services.
Green Taxes in a Federal Context: An Empirical Model for Industrial Waste in Spain
Authors: Vallés - Giménez Jaime , Zárate - Marco Anabel , Trueba - Cortés Carmen
Published: March 2021

This paper reveals that the design of the green taxes levied on the production of

industrial waste by certain regional governments in Spain does not appear to reduce environmental damage. This may be because these taxes try to mitigate financial shortfalls, tax rates are too low and are fixed arbitrarily, and agents react to tax differentials

across regions by disposing of their waste in regions with lower or null tax rates or illegally dumping it. This suggests that the environmental issues related to the disposal of industrial waste should be supervised by the national government or somehow coordinated across regions.
Spatial Variations in the Role of Microenterprises in Economic Growth
Authors: Deller Steven C.
Published: March 2021

Using U.S. county data from 1990 and 2000, a family of spatial models examining growth in population and employment are reported. Special attention is paid to the role of microenterprises—firms with less than five employees—in predicting economic growth. Results suggest that microenterprises play an important but complex role in economic growth. Depending on the industry classification of the microenterprises, and coupled with the metric of growth, there is significant heterogeneity in the policy implications of microenterprises and economic growth. Policy implications are that blanket statements about how small businesses influence growth can be misleading. Spatial heterogeneity in the determinants of economic growth using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is also examined. These results provide strong evidence supporting the idea that there is significant spatial variation and that policies must be crafted to fit specific regional needs.
Wage Divergence between the Rocky Mountain States and the U.S.: Idaho Measures and Sources, 2001 – 2009
Authors: Cooke Stephen C. , Kulandaisamy Bharathkumar A.
Published: March 2021

In 2005, the Rocky Mountain States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming) average annual wage per job was about $4,000 less than the U.S. average. In 2009, Idaho’s average wage per job was $10,700 less. The difference in wage elasticities measures, sector bias, and Theil inequality indices were used to identify the sectors that were the source of the growing wage gap between Idaho and the U.S. across 81 sectors. Idaho’s wage gap was the result of positive sector bias on employment growth in influential low-wage sectors and negative sector bias on employment growth and the low level of wages in the influential high-wage sectors. The economy of the Rocky Mountain region can be characterized as caught in a low-skill/low-wage equilibrium trap.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lipscomb Clifford A.
Published: March 2021

“The Dynamics of Regions and Networks in Industrial Ecosystems” is reviewed by Perry A. Burnett. “Industrial Policy and Development: The Political Economy of Capablities Accumulation” is reviewed by Nalitra Thaiprasert. “International Handbook of Urban Policy, Volume 2: Issues in the Developed World” is reviewed by Peter L. Stenberg. “The Integration of European Labor Markets” is reviewed by George W. Hammond.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lipscom Clifford A.
Published: March 2021

“Costs and Challenges of Local Urban Services: Evidence from India’s Cities” is reviewed by Michael C. Farmer. “Smal Victories and Bitter Harvests” is reviewed by William A. Schaffer. “Industrial Policy and Development: The Political Economy of Capabilities Accumulation” is reviewed by Nalitra Thaiprasert.
Urban Sprawl and Transportation Externalities
Authors: Holcombe Randall G. , Williams DeEdgra W.
Published: March 2021

One argument in support of minimizing urban sprawl is that sprawl creates transportation externalities. A problem with empirically examining the relationship between sprawl and transportation externalities is that sprawl is a difficult concept to quantify. This paper uses a measure of sprawl designed by Ewing, Pendall, and Chen (2002) to examine the relationship between sprawl and commute times, automobile ownership, miles driven, fatal auto accidents, air pollution,and highway expenditures. An empirical investigation finds that there is no statistically significant relationship between sprawl and and of these transportation externalities.
Gender Inequality and Economic Growth in Spain: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Domínguez Martín Rafael , Guijarro Garvi Marta
Published: March 2021

This paper compares the geometric variant of the Gender-Related Development Index with that of the Human Development Index for Spanish provinces (EUROSTAT Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics-3, NUTS-3) in 1959, 1981, and 1999. The main objective is to carry out an exploratory analysis of the relationship between these indices and two alternative indices of gender inequality—the Relative Status of Women and the Gender Inequality Index. An analysis of the relationship between these indices and economic growth at the provincial level is also conducted.
Core-Periphery Market Failure in the Location of Economic Activity
Authors: Malul Miki , Bar-El Raphael
Published: March 2021

Using a simplified theoretical model, we illustrate the potential existence of a market failure in the location of economic activity, which could lead to an exaggerated concentration in

the core region. Based on this, we analyze whether a public policy intervention of decreasing the mobility costs of production factors could lead to the elimination of, or at least a decrease in, the consequences of a market failure. We show that the market failure can be eliminated only when the reduction in mobility costs is made concurrently with changing exogenous conditions in the peripheral regions (such as improvements in infrastructure).
Book Reviews
Authors: Lipscomb Clifford A.
Published: March 2021

“The Polycentric Metropolis: Learning from Mega-city Regions in Europe” is reviewed by Sidney C. Turner. “Making Cities Work: Prospects and Policies for Urban America” is reviewed by Todd Gabe. “A Handbook of Industrial Districts” is reviewed by Joshua Hall. “Geography, Structural Change, and Economic Development: Theory and Empirics” is reviewed by Dayton M. Lambert.
Factors Affecting Hospital Choice for Rural Iowa Residents
Authors: Jintanakul Kanlaya , Otto Daniel
Published: March 2021

This study uses Iowa Hospital Association records related to inpatient and outpatient procedures performed at rural Iowa hospitals to examine how institutional, locational, and individual characteristics affect choice of hospitals for rural residents. The rural residents most likely to bypass their local hospitals are younger people with private outpatient insurance already living a long distance from any hospital. Complex procedures and life-threatening illnesses can reduce the probability of choosing the nearest rural hospital. Rural residents also appear less likely to bypass the nearest rural hospital for outpatient

services.
Spatial Heterogeneity in Environmental Regulation Enforcement and the Firm Location Decision among U.S. Counties
Authors: Morgan O. Ashton , Condliffe Simon
Published: March 2021

We estimate a negative binomial model with fixed effects to examine the impact of spatial differences in environmental regulation on manufacturing capital flows. Using a newly available data set, we find that stricter air quality standards with respect to ozone deter births of polluting plants, suggesting that heterogeneity in regulatory standards may create a spatial browning process. We also find that spatial differences in environmental regulation do not play a role in the location decision of plants that are not pollution-intensive. Finally, we also examine the effects on capital flows with respect to three other criteria air pollutants regulated under the amendments to the Clean Air Act. We find that births of particulates-intensive manufacturers are deterred by stricter regulation with respect to particulates emissions but the location decisions of plants that emit high levels of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide are not significantly affected by increased regulation of the respective criteria pollutant.
Do Charter Schools Affect Property Values?
Authors: Horowitz John , Keil Stanley , Spector Lee
Published: March 2021

Taxpayers are often concerned that introducing a charter school in their neighborhood will decrease their property values. We test this proposition by using three methods. We test the size and significance of the distance from a charter school with respect to property values; whether the intervention of a charter school changes the growth rate of property values; and whether the distance from a charter school has a different impact than the distance from a public school in similar neighborhoods. For the most part, we find little evidence that the existence of a charter school affects property values.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lipscomb Clifford A.
Published: March 2021

” Input-Output Analysis, Foundations and Extensions” is reviewed by William A. Schaeffer. “Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America” is reviewed by Sarah Low. ” Entrepreneurship and Innovations in Functional Regions” is reviewed by Heike Mayer. “Innovation, Agglomeration and Regional Competition” is reviewed by Daniel C. Monchuk.
Implications of Big Box Retail Location on Regional Profits, Consumer Utility, and Land Rents
Authors: Stater Mark , Visser Michael S.
Published: March 2021

This paper uses a monocentric city model to examine the effects of big box retailing on local retail prices, land values and utility. Relative to small local retailers, the big box offers a price discount that increases in its marginal cost advantage. Big box entry reduces local retail prices and profits, but provides an increase in household utility that depends positively on the distance between the big box location and the CBD. However, big box locations are unstable with imperfectly competitive land markets, as developers and local governments have incentives to entice big boxes to switch locations.
Income Convergence in a Rural, Majority African-American Region
Authors: Gyawali Buddhi , Fraser Rory , Bukenya James , Schelhas John
Published: March 2021

This paper revisits the issue of income convergence by examining the question of whether poorer Census Block Groups have been catching up with wealthier Census Block Groups over the 1980-2000 period. The dataset consists of 161 Census Block Groups in Alabama’s west-central Black Belt region. Estimates of a spatial lag model provide support for the conditional convergence hypothesis and explain roughly 60 percent of the variation in income growth. Income growth was positively and significantly correlated with education and employment, and negatively and significantly correlated with majority African-American population.
Geographic and Temporal Heterogeneity in Public Prescription Pharmaceutical Expenditures in Spain
Authors: Lauridsen Jørgen , Bech Mickael , López Fernando , Maté Sánchez Mariluz
Published: March 2021

A panel of aggregate data for 50 provinces is used to analyze Spain’s per capita public pharmaceutical expenditures. In contrast to previous practice, our approach permits the analysis of the effects determinants on pharmaceutical expenditure to be heterogeneous across years and provinces. Considerable parametric heterogeneity over time as well as across provinces is found, even after controlling for residual temporal heterogeneity and interdependence as well as residual spatial spillovers. This underlines the need for using disaggregate spatial data when attempting to model macroeconomic behavior.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lipscomb Clifford A.
Published: March 2021

“Hedonic Methods in Housing Markets: Pricing Environmental Amenities and Segregation” is reviewed by Clifford A. Lipscomb. “Regional and Urban Economics and Economic Development—Theory and Methods” is reviewed by Hart Hodges. “Handbook of Research on Cluster Theory” is reviewed by Edward Feser. “The Economics of Regional Clusters: Networks, Technology and Policy” is reviewed by Henry Renski.
Evaluations of Regional Competitiveness: Making a Case for Case Studies
Authors: Barkley David L.
Published: March 2021

This paper provides an overview of the concepts of regional competitiveness, including definitions, conceptual models, measurements, and the benefits and shortcomings of following a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Next, city-region rankings and indices of competitiveness are reviewed and the usefulness of these studies is summarized. Potential roles for regional scientists for improving (1) evaluations of regional competiveness and (2) applications of evaluations to regional development policy are suggested. Recommendations are made regarding the need for additional case study research by regional scientists in order to improve the quality and relevance of information used by public policy makers. Quality case studies also will enhance the roles of regional scientists in the policy proces
City-Industry Agglomeration and Changes in the Geographic Concentration of Industry
Authors: Gabe Todd M.
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the effects of industry agglomeration on growth in U.S. metropolitan areas, and then examine whether these agglomeration effects contribute to changes in the geographic concentration of industry. Study results suggest that a high localization of industry, measured using location quotients, leads to a decrease in city-industry growth as indicated by the net change in establishment counts. Alternatively, large initial city-industry size is associated with an increase in the change in the number of establishments above or below what is explained by overall metropolitan area growth. Both of these agglomeration effects contribute to a greater dispersion of industry.
Convergence of Voter Turnout Rates in U.S. Presidential Elections
Authors: Heckelman Jac C.
Published: March 2021

Convergence tests are performed on state-level turnout rates for U.S. presidential elections from 1896 to 2004. The degree of dispersion in turnout has steadily declined since 1940, suggestive of general overall convergence taking place. Individually, it is found that 29 of the 48 continental states are stationary in their relative trend levels, and 42 states either do not significantly differ from the national average or are significantly trending toward the national average. In total, 25 of the 48 states pass tests for both stochastic and β-convergence, suggesting that national convergence is being achieved by roughly half the states.
Introduction to The Review of Regional Studies’ First Special Issue on Regional Development in China
Authors: Lahr Michael L.
Published: March 2021

This paper introduces the Special Issue on Regional Development in China.
Labor Productivity Differences in China 1987-1997: An Interregional Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Yang Ling , Lahr Michael L.
Published: March 2021

The literature on regional disparities in China is both broad and deep. Nonetheless, much of its focus has been on the effects of trade liberalization and national policies toward investment in interior provinces. Few pieces have examined whether the disparities might simply be due to differences in industry mix, final demand, or even interregional trade. Using two newly published multiregional input-output tables and disaggregated employment data, we decompose change in labor productivity growth for seven regions of China between 1987 and 1997 into five partial effects—changes in value added coefficients, direct labor requirements, aggregate production mix, interregional trade, and final demand. Subsequently we summarize the contributions to labor productivity of the different factors at the regional level. In this way, we present a new perspective on recent causes of China’s interregional disparity in GDP per capita.
Forecasting Input Demand Shocks on China’s Gross Value of Agricultural Output
Authors: Lambert Dayton M. , Cho Seong-Hoon
Published: March 2021

This paper applies recent developments in forecasting spatial process models to estimate the impact of input shocks on China‘s 1999 gross value added output (GVAO) in agriculture. A Cobb-Douglas production function allowing total factor productivity to vary across regions is used to forecast the geographic distribution of GVAO following shocks in input availability. Results suggest that GVAO will be similar to baseline levels following input shocks, but the differential gains experienced in some areas may correspond with losses in neighboring administrative units.
The Productive Efficiency of the Health Care Sector of China
Authors: Ng Ying Chu
Published: March 2021

Based on four years of province-level health care data, this paper analyzes the productive efficiency of China’s health care sector in the post reform period. Data envelopment analysis is used to compute efficiency measures, which indicate that there was still room for improvement in the technical efficiency of the health care sector in China between 2002 and 2005. This is particularly the case in the coastal provinces. According to the computed Malmquist index and its decomposition components, China’s health care sector suffers from productivity decline, especially for the coastal provinces. Nevertheless, there has been technological improvement across all provinces.
PySAL: A Python Library of Spatial Analytical Methods
Authors: Rey Sergio J. , Anselin Luc
Published: March 2021

PySAL is an open source library for spatial analysis written in the object-oriented language Python. It is built upon shared functionality in two exploratory spatial data analysis packages––GeoDA and STARS––and is intended to leverage the shared development of these components. This paper presents an overview of the motivation behind and the design of PySAL, as well as suggestions for how the library can be used with other software

projects. Empirical illustrations of several key components in a variety of spatial analytical problems are given, and plans for future development of PySAL are discussed.
Amenities and Non-Farm Employment Growth in the U.S. Midwest: The Impact of Recreational Amenities in Neighboring Counties
Authors: Monchuk Daniel C. , Miranowski John A.
Published: March 2021

This study examines the role of recreational amenities, both within the county as well in neighboring counties, on employment growth using data from 618 counties in the U.S. midwest. Using a wide range of amenity variables and spatial econometric methods, we find that natural and recreational amenities have played a role in non-farm employment growth over the years 1969 to 2000. Further, the results also indicate that the presence of recreational amenities in neighboring counties have also played an important role in explaining employment growth as opposed to only amenities within the county itself.
Revisiting Tourism Regional Economic Impact: Accounting for Secondary Household Employment
Authors: Hughes David W. , Shields Martin
Published: March 2021

Many argue that tourism development is beneficial for local economies, partly because of spillover effects. Others hold that tourism jobs are lower paying, often seasonal, and can generate a host of social ills with earned income concentrated in low-income households. A Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) of a Pennsylvania region is used to test the impacts of tourism businesses supported by the Progress Fund a regional Community Development Financial Institution, on household income distribution by incorporating secondary and primary employment based income. Analysis indicates that tourism-oriented activity has relatively large contributions to lower and upper as opposed to middle income households.
A Multi-Method Research Strategy for Understanding Change in the Rate of Working Poor in the North Central Region of the United States
Authors: Anderson Cynthia D. , Goe W. Richard , Weng Chih-Yuan
Published: March 2021

Spatial statistics, econometric modeling, and other quantitative research methods provide the dominant approach to conducting research in regional science. This paper contends that a deeper understanding of many regional development processes can be gained by employing mixed method research designs that combine quantitative research methods with qualitative methods. This is illustrated through an analysis of change in the working poor in the North Central region of the U.S. during the post-1990 period. The findings from this paper combined with the subsequent paper by Loveridge et al. (2007) demonstrate that deeper insight into regional development processes can be gained by using mixed method research designs compared to quantitative designs alone.
Advances and Declines in the Rural Working Poor: Complementing Traditional Econometric Results with Case Analysis
Authors: Loveridge Scott , Lobao Linda , Goe Richard , Thomas Pamela , Bradshaw Nicole A. , Brooks W. Trevor , Hess Donna J. , Bokemeier Janet K. , McCurry Michael W.
Published: March 2021

We employ a multi-method approach to more fully explore determinants of greater than expected rural county-level increases and decreases in the proportion of working poor in four states. An econometric model by Anderson, Goe, and Weng (2007) using 1990 and 2000 Census data in the North Central region of the U.S. supplies the error terms to identify our outlier counties. We show that counties performing better than expected may be more self-reliant than counties performing worse than expected (Michigan), that regional attributes contribute greatly to overall performance (Ohio), that the structure of local employment patterns also influences outcomes (Missouri), while devolution of federal government and long-term commuting patterns may also affect outcomes (South Dakota). Future efforts should attempt to replicate these research strategies and may serve to inform the direction of best practice in federal data collection efforts.
Employment Growth and the Allocation of New Jobs: Evidence from the South
Authors: Renkow Mitch
Published: March 2021

A county-level labor market model is estimated for the 13 southern states. The model accounts for inter-county commuting, migration, and within-county adjustments to labor demand shocks. Econometric results indicate that most employment growth during the 1990s was accommodated by changes in commuting flows. The results also suggest that labor force growth and, by extension, population growth and associated fiscal impacts are sensitive to employment growth in nearby counties. These results highlight two opposing forces related to spatial spillovers that are usually neglected in analyses of the economic and fiscal impacts of employment growth.
Reexamining Rural Decline: How Changing Rural Classifications Affect Perceived Growth
Authors: Artz Georgeanne M. , Orazem Peter F.
Published: March 2021

This article illustrates the commonly overlooked sample selection problem inherent in using rural classification methods that change over time due to population changes. Since fast-growing rural areas grow out of their rural status, using recent rural definitions excludes the most successful places from the analysis. Average economic performance of the areas remaining rural significantly understates true rural performance. We illustrate this problem using one rural classification system, rural-urban continuum codes. Choice of code vintage alters conclusions regarding the relative speed of rural and urban growth and can mislead researchers regarding magnitudes and signs of factors believed to influence growth.
Spatial Effects of European Integration: Do Border Regions Benefit Above Average?
Authors: Niebuhr Annekatrin
Published: March 2021

A basic result of new economic geography (NEG) models is that the proximity to consumer markets impacts wages and employment within regions. The ongoing process of European integration, being targeted on the reduction of barriers to trade and factor mobility, has presumably changed relative market access in Europe. The present paper aims to provide some evidence on spatial effects of integration caused by declining border impediments and changing market potentials. The analysis is based on a three-region economic geography model. We focus on the impact of integration on European internal border regions and the question of whether they realise above average integration benefits. The empirical analysis concerns integration effects in the EU15 regions arising from a reduction of non-tariff and other barriers since the mid 1970s.
Recreation as a Spatial Good: Distance Effects on Changes in Recreation Visitation and Benefits
Authors: Richardson Robert B. , Loomis John , Weiler Stephan
Published: March 2021

The effects of travel distance on visitation and associated recreation benefits are tested for a large national park. Visitor responses to a survey depicting various natural resource scenarios at Rocky Mountain National Park were used to estimate the effects of distance traveled on nature-based tourism behavior and benefits. Distance was a significant determinant in both the visitation and contingent valuation models. Long-distance visitors were more stable in their visitation patterns in the face of natural resource changes. Marginal recreational benefits per trip increased with distance but at a decreasing rate. However, in-state visitors accrued higher annual benefits because of greater trip frequency. The relative importance of visitor types can help private and public decision-makers better respond to different visitor needs. The findings also provide a unique perspective on consumer spatial tradeoffs and the national value of recreational resources.
On the Nature of Regional Price Differentials: Some Panel Results for Italy
Authors: Massidda Carla , Mattana Paolo
Published: March 2021

We combine panel data with SVECM methodologies to assess the role of real shocks in determining price differentials in Italy. The main results can be summarized as follows. At a national level, we find strong evidence of persistent price and productivity misalignments across regions. In accordance with the Balassa-Samuelson Hypothesis, such misalignments are positively correlated in all samples. Aggregate productivity seems to be the driving force at the national level. The adjustment mechanism is rather intricate and changes across the country. The retrieval of the structural coefficients is also rich in powerful insights into the functioning of the Italian economy.
The Effect of Region, Demographics, and Economic Characteristics on County-Level Voting Patterns in the 2000 Presidential Election
Authors: Levernier William , Barilla Anthony G.
Published: March 2021

This paper seeks to determine how region, demographics, and economic characteristics affected county-level voting patterns in the 2000 U.S. presidential election. The a priori expectation was that the geographic voting patterns that emerged in the election were largely attributable to county-level differences in demographic and economic characteristics. The results of this study indicate, however, that although economic and demographic characteristics were important determinants of the voting patterns, the regional location of a county was also an important determinant. This suggests that unobserved region-specific cultural characteristics in the United States affected county-level voting behavior in the 2000 presidential election.
The Effects of Industry Instability on Sector Entry: The Case of Maine
Authors: Gabe Todd M.
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the effects of industry instability on the entry decisions of a large sample of Maine establishments. Instability is represented by the persistence of industry employment in Maine, measured over 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals. Poisson regression results suggest that the employment persistence measures have a positive effect on the number of establishments that began operations per industry. This suggests that, other things being equal, entrants are attracted to sectors with high regional employment stability.
Which Matters Most to the Estimation of Efficiency and Productivity Growth in State Manufacturing: Method or Measurement?
Authors: Primont Diane F. , Domazlicky Bruce R.
Published: March 2021

The measurement of efficiency and productivity growth at the regional level requires the researcher to select among several choices for capital estimation and methodology. We look at two capital estimation techniques, by Munnell and by Garofalo and Yamarik, and two methodologies, data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier estimation. The measurement of efficiency does not appear to be very sensitive to the choice of capital or technique. However, the measurement of productivity is sensitive to the choice of an estimation technique for a given measure of capital.
R&D Investments and the Spatial Dimension: Evidence from Firm Level Data
Authors: Bertinelli Luisito , Nicolini Rosella
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes to investigate the effect of spillovers on firms’ R&D investment decisions. We develop an analysis merging the geographer’s toolbox with standard econometric techniques. For a chosen sample of sectors, we test the existence of positive spatial autocorrelation at the level of R&D investments. We provide results on how far the local environment may influence the firms’ investment decisions, hence to what extent localization economies matter for agglomeration. Data confirm that the proximity to other firms investing in R&D may produce positive externalities. Finally, the diversity versus specialization debate is tackled.
State-Local Revenue Diversification, Stability, and Growth: Time Series Evidence
Authors: Schunk Donald , Porca Sanela
Published: March 2021

A common argument put forth in tax reform discussions is that a balanced revenue system is better equipped to handle downturns. The purpose of this paper is to consider the empirical relationship between a scalar measure of the diversity of a state’s state-local revenue system and the stability and growth of that revenue system. This evidence is drawn from panel data vector autoregression models. Impulse response analysis from these PVARs indicates that movements toward greater revenue system balance lead to greater revenue growth stability as well as faster rates of revenue growth itself.