This process was triggered by Spain's entry into the common market and assisted by the action of regional institutions. Upgrading of machinery and the externalisation process have changed the production and labour organisation of companies. Furthermore, new qualifications have been introduced and the technological level in small and medium-sized enterprises has improved. Costs in SMEs have also been reduced and new engineering departments have been set up. About measurement in social geography.
Measurement is the necessary way towards a scientific approach.
Appropriate measurement methods may be used in various geographical matters, such as the optimal location of public services, the pattern of transportation networks, GIS for environmental monitoring or policy simulations, etc. The bias in the choice of such research programs is not immediately obvious, but may lead to an inability for geography to find out answers for the main social problems. These answers need an effort, beyond the scientific methods, to imagine more convenient scientific options to approach social targets. This is particularly true for the spatial and social segregation in the metropolitan cities.