This study aims to elucidate firm and performance attributes of a population of small, elite firms that assume prominent positions in their respective technological spaces and product markets. More specifically, this study addresses the role and impact of industrial agglomeration on the location and performance characteristics of serial innovator firms. The dissertation was conceived as a collection of three distinct but related essays. The first essay on the geographical location of firms with high levels of innovative prowess i.e. serial innovator firms vis-à-vis technology clusters and research universities indicates that these firms are not necessarily located in Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with higher average levels of industry clustering than non-serial innovator firms of similar size. Serial innovator firms and their less innovative counterparts appear to have the same need and capacity to absorb knowledge spillovers in technology clusters. Further analysis, however, revealed that serial innovator firms in the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology and IT hardware industries are located in MSA's with significantly higher levels of regional specialization than non-serial innovator firms in that industry which suggests an asymmetric need for knowledge spillovers by these firms. Furthermore, serial innovator firms seem to be located in MSA's with a significantly higher number of research universities than a non-serial innovator firm although differences across industries can be noted. This again indicates an asymmetric use and need for academic knowledge spillovers and pecuniary advantages offered by these institutions. The analysis in the second essay reveals that serial innovator firms located in MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) with elevated levels of industrial clustering announce significantly more new products than their counterparts located in MSA areas with low levels of industrial clustering. However, no differences in the pace of technological progress of the technologies developed by serial innovator firms located in technology clusters and those outside of clusters was found. Finally, the research reported in the third essay indicates that the level of industrial agglomeration has a positive impact on the export performance of serial innovator firms and that these firms benefit proportionately more from technology clusters than non-serial innovator firms.

Thesis (M. S.)--International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Breznitz, Dan; Committee Member: Bowman, Kirk; Committee Member: Taylor, Zak.

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala University, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-153).

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala University, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-153).

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Issues relating to self-employment and the development of the so-called New Economy gained not only new founded momentum, but also more all round interest over the last two decades, especially from academic researchers. During this time, new emphasis was placed on the importance and significance of location. Consequently, urban areas were finally regarded as instrumental within providing the central backdrop for the competing nature of the global economy. Due to this fact, the emphasis again shifted from competition to the stimulation of investment. Local Economic Development (LED) was the South African method of doing so. Entrepreneurship became a major driving force of the South African market. Within the same past two decades substantial growth took place within Home-based Work, especially within Home-based Enterprise (HBE) activities. This can be attributed to the flexible organization of production that a home-based work (HBW) lifestyle can provide. Within the South-African context there does exists some empirical observations relating to HBW and TBE activities, but these studies have mostly focused on informal neighborhoods and other less affluent areas. This study however places the emphasis on the existence of HBW, selfemployment and HBE’s within all the income-group neighbourhoods in George. The existence of the traditional Spazashops and Shebeens is included, because these examples are extremely relevant within the South African context, but other specialized careers such as medical practitioners, childcare professionals, consultants, and producers of various products are also examined. The study wants to contribute to the discussion of urban sustainable development through the inclusion of HBW and HBE’s as potential strategies to reach sustainability within communities. Because of this, the primary aims and objectives of this study include the nature and extent of HBE activities throughout various neighbourhoods located on the periphery of the urban centre in George. A deeper understanding regarding the reasons behind the locational decision process (thus why participating home- businesses chose George as the location for their Small, Medium or Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) and the consequential location movement of these businesses was also examined. The spatial and structural relationships that exist between the growth and/or movement of formal businesses in the study area was further observed by the creation of a database stretching from 1995 to 2005 that lists and map these locational changes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kwessies wat verband hou met selfwerksaamheid en die ontwikkeling van die sogenaamde Nuwe Ekonomie het oor die afgelope twee dekades reeds heelwat aandag vanaf navorsers geniet. Hernieude klem is geplaas op die belangrikheid van ligging, en stede word deesdae beleef as instrumenteel om ’n sentrale en mededingende rol te speel binne die globale ekonomie. As gevolg van hierdie stedelike mededingendheid het die fokus verskuif na die bevordering van investering. Gevolglik het Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling (PEO) in Suid-Afrika toenemende verandering na markgedrewe entrepreneurskap veroorsaak. Daar het ook tydens die afgelope twee dekades ’n aansienlike groei in Tuisgebaseerde Werk (TGW), veral onder Tuisgebaseerde Besigheid (TGB) aktiwiteite plaasgevind. Hierdie fenomeen kan toegeskryf word aan faktore soos die buigbare organisasie van produksie wat met ʼn TGW lewenswyse kan voorsien. Daar bestaan wel ’n aantal empiriese waarnemings rakende TGW en TGB aktiwiteite in Suid-Afrika maar hierdie studies is meestal gemik op informelenedersettings en mindergegoede areas. Hierdie studie plaas dus groter klem op die bestaan van TGW, selfwerksaamheid en TGB’e binne al die inkomste woonbuurte in George. Die bestaan van TGB’e in die minder-gegoede areas vorm ook deel van hierdie studie (byvoorbeeld die tradisionele Spaza of Huiswinkel en Smokkelhuis/ "Shebeen“ aangesien dit onmisbaar is binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, maar ander gespesialiseerde beroepe wat ook in ’n woonbuurt kan voorkom (byvoorbeeld mediese praktisyns, kinderbewaarskole, konsultante en vervaardigers van allerlei) word ook ondersoek. Hierdie studie will graag bydra tot die bespreking van stedelike volhoubare ontwikkeling deur TGB’e te oorweeg as potensiële strategie om hierdie volhoubaarheid te bereik in gemeenskappe. Daarom is die primêre doelstellings van hierdie studie om die aard en omvang van TGB aktiwiteite tussen verskillende woonbuurte op die stedelikehinderland (in die omtrek van die stedelike kern) in George te ondersoek, ’n diepere begrip te bereik rakende die redes vir die besluite van hierdie deelnemende tuisondernemings (Klein-, Medium- en Mikro-ondernemings) om spesifiek George as vestiging te kies en laastens, die ruimtelike en strukturele verhoudinge wat duidelik is vanuit die formele groei (formele besighede se uitbreiding en/of verskuiwing) in George sedert 1995.

Orientador: Eliseu Savério Sposito / Banca: Marcos Kazuo Matushima / Banca: Paulo Fernando Cirino Mourão / Resumo: Os eixos de desenvolvimento referem-se às grandes vias de circulação de pessoas, mercadorias, bens, serviços e informações, balizados por uma rede de centros urbanos, e que estimulam a localização das atividades industriais. No Estado de São Paulo, os eixos de desenvolvimento podem ser visualizados ao longo de importantes rodovias que fazem a ligação da metrópole paulista com o interior e que funcionaram como canais para a desconcentração urbano-industrial que se iniciou na década de 1970 e se intensificou na década de 1980. O eixo da rodovia Washington Luiz (trecho Araraquara São José do Rio Preto), duplicado no início da década de 1990, somente nos últimos anos passa a atuar como um dos fatores de localização industrial para o município de Itápolis na atração de algumas indústrias desconcentradas de outras regiões. No entanto, a maioria das indústrias de Itápolis é de capital local (70,37% das indústrias pesquisadas). Os principais ramos industriais observados na pesquisa foram as agroindústrias e as confecções. São indústrias classificadas como tradicionais ou de trabalho intensivo e estão ligadas aos antigos fatores de localização industrial, como a proximidade das matériasprimas e a disponibilidade de mão-de-obra. A economia de Itápolis é baseada fundamentalmente na agropecuária. O município possui o maior PIB agrícola do Brasil e foi responsável por 0,6% de toda a produção agrícola brasileira em 2002. Em 2003, a participação de Itápolis no valor adicionado da agricultura estadual foi de 1,8%. A citricultura é responsável pela geração de 80% do ICMS. O dinamismo da agricultura constitui-se em um importante atrativo para a atividade industrial, seja...(Resumo completo, clicar no acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Development axles refer to big circulation routes of people, goods, services and information marked out by a network of urban centers, which foster industrial activities location. In the State of São Paulo, these development axles can be seen along important freeways that connect the capital with the country and they worked as channels for urban-industrial concentration changes, which began in the 70's and became stronger in the 80's. The axle of Washington Luiz freeway (between the cities of Araraquara and São José do Rio Preto), which was doubled at the beginning of the 90's, has only contributed to attract some industries from other areas to the district of Itápolis in the last few years. However, most of the industries in the town were born with local investment (70.37% of the ones researched). The main industrial branches observed were agriculture-industry and clothes. They can be considered traditional or intensive work and are linked to old factors of industrial location, such as being close to raw materials and work force availability. Itápolis economy is essentially based in agriculture. The district has the highest agricultural GDP of Brazil, being responsible for 0.6% of the Brazilian agricultural production in 2002. In 2003, its participation in the state agriculture was 1.8%. The citrus culture is responsible for producing 80% of ICMS (Brazilian tax over goods and services movement). A dynamic agriculture fully attracts industrial activity in the...(Complete abstract, click eletronic address below) / Mestre

Os condomínios empresariais são produtos imobiliários do período contemporâneo capazes de influenciar a decisão locacional de atividades econômicas, em especial, indústria e serviços. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo permitir a compreensão da relação entre a produção imobiliária e a localização industrial. Com base em entrevistas com agentes imobiliários responsáveis por estes empreendimentos e representantes de empresas que se instalaram nos condomínios, foi possível analisar alguns aspectos desta relação. A necessidade de caracterizar este fenômeno exigiu o monitoramento da produção e dispersão dos condomínios empresariais nas áreas metropolitanas do Estado de São Paulo, que permitiu ser feito seu mapeamento, bem com a elaboração de sua definição, classificação e periodização. Estes empreendimentos são expressão de um novo processo no que tange à localização de indústrias, pois implica considerar o agente imobiliário, interessado em influenciar estas decisões, diferentemente de momentos anteriores, quando estavam alicerçadas apenas no âmbito microeconômico ou a partir da ação do Estado. Participando deste processo, os condomínios intensificam o uso corporativo do território, já que permitem flexibilizar as localizações e dispõem de funcionalidades que tendem a facilitar a ação das empresas. Dessa forma, apontam para fatores de localização contemporâneos que permitem pensar a relação entre as empresas e o território no período técnico-científico-informacional. Além disso, estes empreendimentos são expressão de um processo de urbanização no qual as formas são fragmentadas por meio do estabelecimento de espaços exclusivos e de acesso controlado, resultando na conexão muito mais forte com o exterior por meio da elevada fluidez territorial de que dispõem, do que em relação à sua vizinhança adjacente, o que evidencia contradição na tendência da produção de espaços exclusivos em detrimento do espaço público. / Business condominiums are real estate products of the contemporary period that can be an influence to the locational decisions about economic activities, in particular to the industry and services activities. This dissertation aims to enable understanding the relation between real estate production and industrial location. Based on interviews with real estate agents responsible for these enterprises and representatives of companies that settled in the condominiums, was possible to analyze some aspects of this relationship. The need to characterize this phenomenon required the monitoring of production and dispersion of these enterprises in metropolitan areas of São Paulo, has allowed it mapping as well as the preparation of its definition, classification and periodization. These enterprises are an expression of a new process regarding industries location, because it implies considering the real estate agent, interested in influencing these decisions, unlike in previous occasions when they were grounded in microeconomic scope or only from the state action. By participating in this process, the condominiums enhance the corporate use of the territory, as they allow flexible locations and have features that tend to facilitate the actions of companies. Thus, point to contemporary location factors that allow the understanding of the relation between companies and territory in the technical-scientific-informational period. Moreover, these enterprises are an expression of urbanization process in which the forms are fragmented through the establishment of enclosed spaces and controlled access, resulting in much stronger connection with the outside through the territorial fluidity at their disposal, than in respect to their surrounding environment, which shows contradiction in the trend of production of exclusive areas at the expense of public space.

The Port Elizabeth College (PE College) was founded in January 2002 as a result of the merger between the three technical colleges in Port Elizabeth, namely, Russell Road, Bethelsdorp and Iqhayiya. Similar courses are offered in duplicated facilities, contrary to the sentiment of the legislation requiring the reduction of the number of technical colleges from 152 to 50. A further problem experienced by the management of PE College is that the Russell Road campus is so full that it is necessary to turn prospective students away, while the other campuses are under-utilised. The focus of this study is the evaluation of the location and coverage offered by the six PE College sites of delivery. The study examined the physical facilities of the PE College and investigated the requirements of staff and students, regarding their campuses of choice. The objectives were achieved through site visits to the six campuses, as well as a quantitative, structured, self-administered survey of all staff and students of the PE College in October 2003. The questions used in the survey were selected only after a literature review of location theory, which highlighted the factors to be considered in location decisions. Completed questionnaires were received from 1 256 student and 120 staff respondents. The empirical study showed that 13,2% of students and 9,2% of staff wished to study or work at a different campus. Sixty-eight percent of students who wanted to change campuses preferred to be based at the Russell Road campus, which is already full. As a result, this study has led to the recommendation that the PE College should use a product-based location strategy, where each campus specialises in a different field of study. Although this location strategy will not necessarily offer the greatest accessibility to students and staff, it will result in the least amount of duplication, and, therefore, reduced costs.

This thesis examines the development of a capital goods industry in Mendoza Argentina through an analysis of linkages and industrial governance systems. Linkages are material, informational, and financial flows among firms. Industrial governance systems are the social practices that cement linkages. Hence, linkages are understood as socially embedded and not as market transactions governed solely by price considerations. The study has two major arguments. First, it claims that contrary to conventional industrial location theory firms do not locate in view of the previous existence of certain favorable factors, but rather construct these factors as they grow. This argument is operationalized by asking how firms generate in time their own linkages. Examples taken from the 1895-1990 period include labor and subcontractors, clientele, services, and the emergence of economic groups. Second, this study argues that the capital-goods industry in Mendoza is undergoing a Substantial (and unprecedented) transition in the way production is organized. The transition is part of the larger shift taking place at both the national and global scales. The analysis focuses on the historical pattern of linkages and governance systems in the industry, and contrasts that pattern with that of the recent decade. Implicit in the previous two arguments are two territorial dimensions. First, the development of “industry produces regions" (Storper and Walker 1989). Second, at the intra-city level this means that the evolution of the industry (and specifically its linkage structure and governance systems) has a direct bearing on the direction and nature of the city’s growth. These two arguments are illustrated through empirical work in Mendoza, a city of close to a million people in western Argentina. Over 100 interviews gathered over ten months reveal the origins, evolution, and current form of linkages in the capital-goods industry. These interviews are complemented by data from a variety of sources. The main conclusions of the study are three. First, the study illustrates the richness and depth that emerges from a project based on substantial fieldwork. Second, it shows the advantages of conceiving industrialization not as the location of plants in response to favorable conditions, but as a process initiated by the firms themselves. Third, the dissertation shows that the capital-goods industry of Mendoza iS in a transitional phase towards new ways of organizing production. The transition is expressed in new linkage structures, new governance systems, and the emergence of new types of firms and institutional arrangements. / Ph. D.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / In the case of an economical activity such as a distribution system, the distribution depot normally forms the nucleus of the network. The market place that is being served is not static and with the passing of time, due to the change in demand together with the change in the product range which is being offered, a tendency develops for the distribution point to move away from the nucleus of the network, thereby not representing the optimal location anymore. There is therefore a constant need for companies to determine whether their distribution system is suitable for their present, as well as their future trading circumstances. This factor together with the normal endeavour to minimise physical distribution costs, results in the need for a sophisticated approach to the whole problem of relocating distribution networks. The aim of this study is therefore to develop a basic model which will set out guidelines for the relocation of distribution centres. With the above mentioned in mind, the first step is a study of the theory to highlight and analyse applicable techniques and methods that could possibly be used in this model. The accent throughout this section is placed on well known and proven theories and techniques. The second part of this research focuses on the empirical study that forms the basis for the building of a relocation model. With the help of practical examples it is shown how to apply the model and each step is being highlighted and illustrated. The model that has been designed in this study clearly outlines the steps that enable the user to undertake and optimally apply a relocation study. Its application does not necessarily require highly trained personnel or complicated programming. It is therefore recommended that this model be applied in the case of the relocation of distribution centres. / In die geval van ekonomiese aktiwiteite soos 'n distribusiesisteem, vorm die verspreidingsdepot gewoonlik die kernpunt van die netwerk. Die markplek wat bedien word is egter nie staties nie en met die verloop van tyd, as gevolg van die verandering in die aanvraag tesame met die verandering in die produkreeks wat aangebied word, ontstaan daar 'n neiging dat die oorsponklike verspreidingspunt weg beweeg vanaf die kernpunt van die netwerk en dus nie meer die optimale liggging verteenwoordig nie. Daar is dus 'n konstante behoefte by maatskappye om te bepaal of hulle distribusiesisteme geskik is vir hulle huidige, sowel as toekomstige handelsomstandighede. Hierdie faktor, tesame met die normale strewe na minimalisering van fisiese distribusiekoste, het tot gevolg dat daar 'n behoefte bestaan aan 'n gesofistikeerde benadering tot die hele problematiek van vestiging van verspreidingsnetwerke. Die studie het dus ten doel die ontwikkeling van 'n basiese model wat riglyne daarstel vir die hervestiging van verspreidingsentra. Met bogenoemde in gedagte, is daar in die eerste plek 'n teoretiese studie onderneem wat toepaslike tegnieke en metodes wat moonlik in hierdie model opgeneem kon word, uitgelig en geanaliseer het. In hierdie gedeelte word die aksent deurentyd op bekende en bewese teoriee geplaas. Die tweede gedeelte van die navorsing fokus op die empiriese studie wat met die bou van 'n hervestigingsmodel gepaard gaan. Daar word aangetoon hoe om die model toe te pas en elke stap word met behulp van praktiese voorbeelde toegelig en verduidelik. Die model wat hier ontwikkel is le duidelike riglyne neer wat die verbruiker in staat stel om 'n hervestigingstudie aan te pak en optimaal toe te pas. Die toepassing daarvan vereis nie noodwendig hoogsopgeleide personeel of ingewikkelde programering nie en word daar gevolglik aanbeveel dat hierdie model toegepas word in die geval van die hervestiging van verspreidingsentra. / Business Management / D. Comm.