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In the midst of the Great Recession, cities across the country were impacted in a variety of ways, and most saw rapid increases in foreclosures. This report uses a conceptual framework composed of three elements, stressors, vulnerability, and resiliency, to look at the implications of foreclosures for cities. First, factors that cause foreclosures in the 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas are examined. Then this report looks specifically at the economic impact of foreclosures. Using multiple regression analyses, the findings suggest that foreclosures have negative economic impacts and can be considered a stressor on a city’s economy. The application of this stressor has implications for a city’s vulnerability and resiliency. To some extent, local authorities have limited authority and capacity to prevent foreclosures. Therefore, this report also explores alternative approaches that cities can take to increase economic resiliency and competitiveness in the context of stressors such as foreclosures. / text

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 339-343).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed May 23, 2007). PDF text: vi, 149 p. : col. ill., col. maps ; 1.89Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3237052. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

A linear model to determine the optimal policy for investment in social infrastructure is formulated and its solution is obtained using the Maximum Principle. The unique solution is characterized by a-bang-bang control, with only one interval of investment in social capital, and the endpoints of this interval can be numerically determined, given values for the parameters of the model. A generalization of the model which allows instantaneous jumps in the level of social capital is also analyzed, and the solution to the modified problem is shown to be a uniquely determined impulse control. The final extension of the model allows us to determine an upper bound for the optimal time horizon. / Science, Faculty of / Mathematics, Department of / Graduate

由於科技的飛速發展以及全球化的進程的加深，競爭力這個概念在各個尺度都受到廣泛的關注。特別是最近20年，隨著城市間競爭的加劇，有關城市尺度的競爭力的研究也十分興盛。城市競爭力受到了學術界和政府等的普遍關注，然而大家對城市競爭力的概念解釋各執己見，無法統一，導致至今沒有統一的衡量城市競爭力的體系。本文從城市競爭力的角度出發，對中國24 個主要的地級及地級以上的城市競爭力進行實證研究，研究時間跨度從1995年到2008年。為了使競爭因素重要程度得到正確的反應，層次分析法被創造性的應用於此研究中。實證研究的目的是分析城市的優勢和劣勢，城市競爭力的動態演化以及具體的政府政策對城市競爭力的影響。 / 城市競爭力模型中各因素的建立是基於大量前人的有關解釋城市競爭與城市增長等理論和實證研究。該綜合競爭力模型集合了經濟，社會，環境以及外部聯繫四個重要部分。以該綜合競爭力模型為基本框架，我們進一步建立了城市綜合競爭力評價體系，該體系由四個競爭力方面組成，每個競爭力方面又有數個競爭因素，每個競爭力因素又由多個指標來代表。因此，整個競爭力評價體系是包含4個分項競爭力，15個競爭因素和59個指標的層級結構。本文采用層次分析法作為賦權重的方法以更準確的反應各競爭力方面和因素的實際重要程度。實證分析的結果可以反應更城市的優勢與劣勢，競爭力的動態變化，以及競爭力的政府含義。本研究希望對城市競爭力的概念和理論體系，研究方法以及實證研究方面有所貢獻和突破。 / 根據2008年城市競爭力排名結果可知，每個城市的四個部分的相對排名都不是完全匹配。北京，上海，廣州位於城市競爭力體系的頂端，在經濟，社會和外部聯繫上都佔據优势位置，但是都存在環境競爭力較弱的缺點。重慶，溫州和哈爾濱排在24個城市的最後面。此外，城市的優勢與劣勢組合具有多樣性，構成了城市獨特的競爭力表現。 / 城市在1995 到2008年競爭力得分和排名的變化反應了城市長期競爭力的形態。所有城市的競爭力在這一時期都有提升，但是城市競爭力在早期越強的城市其競爭力指數提升的空間越小。如珠海、北京、深圳、廣州和上海在1995年的競爭力得分排在前列，但是他們的競爭力指數增長率都非常低。通過相關性分析，該研究發現前後年份間的競爭力指數相關性很高，表明競爭力具有路徑依賴性，過去競爭性因素的積累有利於將來競爭力的提升。此外,這些主要城市間的競爭力差距在縮小，表明排名落後的城市正在追該排名靠前的城市。 / 該研究以北京為案例，通過分析其在各競爭力方面的表現，分析該表現的影響因素，得出中央政府和地方政府在推動城市競爭力發展中起到了重要作用。北京的各優勢因素和劣勢因素的組合，相互作用，構成了北京的競爭優勢。北京過分追求經濟競爭力也使得環境競爭力受損。 / 綜合以上研究發現，該研究認為綜合考慮和衡量城市競爭力是符合中國現實城市發展的必然選擇。儘管經濟競爭力仍然是重要的方面，其他因素也是影響城市發展和競爭的重要因素。 / Under the deepening influence of globalization and advancement in science and technology, the issue of competitiveness, from national to local levels, has won considerable attention from researchers as well as policy makers. For more than two decades, the contention on its definition has been persisting, leading to inconsistent measurement methods. Some studies of competitiveness at the municipal level in China have also been done. / This study conducts an empirical study on urban competitiveness of 24 major Chinese cities at prefecture-level or above in a period from 1995 to 2008. Based on intensive previous research on this issue, urban competitiveness is interpreted from a comprehensive perspective integrating economic, social, environmental and external connection competitiveness components. Based on this comprehensive understanding of urban competitiveness, a composite indicator system has been constructed including four competitiveness components, fifteen subgroups and fifty-nine indicators. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighting method is used in order to reflect the opinions of experts on the importance of various components as precisely as possible. Based on empirical analysis, this research has revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the major cities, the dynamic changes of urban competitiveness and the policy implications of urban competitiveness results. All these contribute to the study of urban competitiveness conceptually, methodologically and empirically. / The empirical research in 2008 revealed that each city does not have same performance in their economic, social, environmental and external connection competitiveness. Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou are the most competitive cities which take the top three positions in the ranking list, but they all show disappointing performance in environmental competitiveness. Chongqing, Wenzhou and Harbin are ranked at the bottom in terms of composite indicator. In other words, each city has its special complex of strengths and weaknesses. / This thesis makes the first attempt to reveal the changes in urban competitiveness over a period of time using the same indicator system. The changes of urban competitiveness scores and ranks during the period from 1995 to 2008 indicate long-term competitiveness patterns. In general, all cities obtained improvement in urban competitiveness scores during this period, but cities with higher competitiveness scores in the early years tended to obtain less significant improvement. Zhuhai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai obtained a relatively higher competitiveness scores in 1995 but had the smallest growth rate from 1995 to 2008. The high correlation coefficient of competitiveness ranks between two sub-periods indicates that most major cities tend to remain in their relative position. However, there is also a catching up effect among the major Chinese cities revealed by the decreased disparities. / The policy implications of this empirical study are significant. By tracing the performances of Beijing’s competitiveness in the four components, it is concluded that both the central government and the local government played an important role in enhancing local competitiveness. Economic competitiveness has been overemphasized, but environmental problems have become severe, which restricts Beijing’s development. / With the above findings, this research concludes that a comprehensive understanding and measurement of urban competitiveness is necessary, especially in the context of China. Although economic competitiveness is still the key issue, the other three components are also of importance in affecting the success of cities. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yang, Xiaolan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-245). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT OF THESIS ENTITLED --- p.I / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.X / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XI / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XII / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND CHALLENGES --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Increasing concerns on the issue of competitiveness --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Growing concerns on Chinese urban competitiveness --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- SCOPE OF THIS RESEARCH --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVITIES --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- A REVIEW OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS: CONCEPT AND MEASUREMENT --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- UNDERSTANDING COMPETITIVENESS AT THE URBAN LEVEL --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3 --- DETERMINANTS OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Trade and globalization forces --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Agglomeration and urban growth --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Innovation and knowledge-based development --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Institutional thickness --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Environment impact on competitiveness --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- COMPETITIVENESS MEASUREMENT --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Competitiveness measurement model --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- The applications of indicators in the competitiveness researches --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- RESEARCH ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CHINESE CITIES --- p.31 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- The economic competitiveness measurement model --- p.31 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- The comprehensive competitiveness measurement model --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Weighting methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.6 --- Conclusion --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION, ANALYSIS MODEL AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK ON URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2 --- CONCEPTUALIZING URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3 --- URBAN COMPETITIVENESS MEASUREMENT MODEL IN THE CHINESE CONTEXT --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Economic competitiveness component --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Social competitiveness component --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Environmental competitiveness component --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- External connection competitiveness component --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- The role of government --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Differences in the measurement of urban competitiveness and sustainable development --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR THIS STUDY --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- METHOD OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS --- p.62 / Chapter 4.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2 --- CONSTRUCTING THE INDICATOR SYSTEMS --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Indicators in Economic Competitiveness Component --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Indicators in the Social Competitiveness Component --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Indicators in Environmental Competitiveness Component --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Indicators in External Connection Competitiveness Component --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- SAMPLE CITIES --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Section of the sample city --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Urban area --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Urban population --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4 --- THE TIME PERIOD --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5 --- DATA PROCESSING AND NORMALIZATION --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Log transformation --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Normalization methods --- p.76 / Chapter 4.6 --- WEIGHTING METHOD BASED ON AHP --- p.76 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Expert survey and pair-wise comparison matrixes --- p.78 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Consistency testing --- p.79 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Computing the weighting --- p.79 / Chapter 4.7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.84 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN COMPETITITVENESS OF 24 MAJOR CITIES IN 2008 --- p.85 / Chapter 5.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2 --- AN OVERVIEW OF THE URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF 24 CITIES --- p.87 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The top 8 cities --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- The bottom eight cities --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3 --- THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE FOUR COMPETITIVENESS COMPONENTS --- p.91 / Chapter 5.4 --- A COMPARISON OF THE CITIES ACROSS THE FOUR COMPETITIVENESS COMPONENTS --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Economic competitiveness --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Social competitiveness --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Environmental competitiveness --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- External connections competitiveness --- p.104 / Chapter 5.5 --- THE WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS OF INDIVIDUAL CITIES --- p.109 / Chapter 5.6 --- COMPARISON OF RELATIVE RANKS WITH PREVIOUS RESEARCH --- p.113 / Chapter 5.7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.115 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- ANALYSIS ON THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS FROM 1995 TO 2008 --- p.117 / Chapter 6.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.117 / Chapter 6.2 --- THE CHANGING PATTERN OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.117 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Improvement in scores --- p.119 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Shift in ranks --- p.122 / Chapter 6.3 --- THE GROWTH PATTERNS OF THE SUBGROUP COMPONENTS --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Shifting patterns in the economic competitiveness component --- p.124 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Shifting patterns in the social competitiveness component --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Shifting patterns in the environmental competitiveness component --- p.130 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Shifting patterns in external connection competitiveness component --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4 --- THE RELATIONS AMONG SUBGROUP COMPONENTS --- p.135 / Chapter 6.5 --- TREND OF DISPARITY IN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.137 / Chapter 6.6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.141 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- A CASE STUDY ON URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF BEIJING --- p.143 / Chapter 7.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.143 / Chapter 7.2 --- BEIJING’S COMPETITIVENESS POSITION --- p.145 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Economic competitiveness of Beijing --- p.147 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Social competitiveness in Beijing --- p.149 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Environment competitiveness of Beijing --- p.155 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- External connection competitiveness of Beijing --- p.155 / Chapter 7.3 --- THE DETERMINANTS FOR URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF BEIJING --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Specialized industries in Beijing --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Social capital and institutions --- p.162 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- The environmental constraints --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Impact on external connection competitiveness --- p.169 / Chapter 7.4 --- GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES IN ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS --- p.171 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Knowledge-based development strategy --- p.171 / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Attracting high talented people --- p.173 / Chapter 7.4.3 --- Information strategies --- p.174 / Chapter 7.4.4 --- Olympic strategy --- p.177 / Chapter 7.5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.179 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- CONCLUSION --- p.182 / Chapter 8.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.182 / Chapter 8.2 --- MAJOR FINDINGS --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Understanding and assessing urban competitiveness: a comprehensive perspective --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- The overall evaluation of urban competitiveness in major cities --- p.184 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- The shifting pattern of urban competitiveness in major cities --- p.185 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- The case study on urban competitiveness in Beijing --- p.186 / Chapter 8.3 --- DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATION OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS STUDIES --- p.187 / Chapter 8.4 --- LIMITATION AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCHES --- p.188 / Chapter APPENDIX A --- DATA PROCESSING AND SOURCES --- p.191 / Chapter APPENDIX B --- JUDGING THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERN --- p.202 / Chapter APPENDIX C --- CHINESE URBAN COMPETITIVENESS EVALUATION RESEARCH: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CALCULATING THE WEIGHTS OF VARIOUS EVALUATION FACTORS --- p.203 / Chapter APPENDIX D --- INFORMATION OF THE EXPERTS AND RESEARCHERS WHO GIVE FEEDBACK TO SURVEY --- p.209 / Chapter APPENDIX E --- EIGENVECTORS AND CONSISTENCY TEST --- p.212 / Chapter APPENDIX F --- THE LOCATION QUOTIENT IN MANUFACTURES AND SERVICES IN PART CITIES --- p.220 / REFERENCES --- p.226

本文採用新的分析框架研究城市競爭力。筆者認為城市競爭力是一個與地方有關的概念，研究應分為三個階段。首先，城市競爭力學者應先選定研究的理論視角，然後按理論找出可比的研究對象。第二，學者可根據指標體系進一步研究城市間的相對競爭力，這一指標體系應該細分為表現部份及解釋部份。最後，學者可集中研究個別城市的發展。本文選定香港進行案例研究，先從世界城市角度確定新加坡是香港在亞太區內的主要競爭對手，比較香港與新加坡的經濟體系。分析結果顯示，香港的整體競爭力比新加坡高，尤其在全球控制功能及金融業方面較新加坡優越；新加坡則在服務業及對外聯繫兩方面稍勝一籌。不過，由於香港與新加坡並非全面處於直接競爭的關係，故香港競爭力的提升不一定意味著新加坡的競爭力被削弱。本文再以較完備的指標體系研究香港的城市競爭力，表現部份細分為全球控制功能、金融業、服務業及對外聯繫，而解釋部份則包括經濟的繁榮程度、勞動力的教育程度及數量、環境質量、社會穩定、交通及電信基礎設施。所有指標都能反映香港作為世界城市應有的特徵。本文發現香港的世界城市地位在不斷鞏固，而表現部份的四個組成部份在近年也有優越的表現。經過量化分析，本研究發現香港的城市競爭力與解釋部份的經濟繁榮程度、勞動人口的教育程度及數量、交通及電信基礎設施及環境質量的關係最為密切。 / This study attempts to develop a new analytical framework for the study of urban competitiveness. It is argued that urban competitiveness should a place-specific concept and be studied in three steps by identifying comparable competitors from a particular theoretical perspective, comparing their relative competitiveness through an indicator system consisting of a performance and an explanation sections, and studying the urban strength of each subject. Hong Kong is chosen as the case study. From world city perspective, Singapore is selected as a comparable competitor to Hong Kong in the Asian-Pacific region. Due to data limitation, a succinct comparison between the two economies is made. It is found that Hong Kong has stronger overall competitiveness than Singapore. Among the four aspects, indexes of control functions, financial sector, services sector and external linkages, Hong Kong excels in the indexes of global control functions and financial sector while Singapore outperforms Hong Kong in some indicators in the aspects of service sectors and external linkages. Nevertheless, because the two cities are not in completely direct competition, the world city development of Hong Kong does not, necessarily, grow at the expense of Singapore. In the analysis of the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong with a more detailed indicator system, it is revealed that all aspects and respective indicators in both the performance and explanation section are related to the unique situation of Hong Kong as a world city. The four aspects in the performance section are global control functions, financial sector, services sectors and external linkages and the five pillars in the explanation section are vibrant economy, educated and adequate workforce, quality environment, stable society and adequate transportation and telecommunication infrastructure. In brief, from world city perspective, the city of Hong Kong becomes stronger and all the four aspects in the performance section have shown an impressive performance, both in terms of their resilience and growing trend, in recent years. The analysis also reveals that the changing urban competitiveness of Hong Kong is best explained by the indexes of vibrant economy, educated and adequate workforce, adequate transportation and telecommunication infrastructure, and then by the index of quality environment. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Lo, Sai Kuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-230). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Chapter Table --- of Content --- p.v / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Research background and questions --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research methodology --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research significance --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure of the dissertation --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- A literature review on urban competitiveness of Hong Kong / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Debate on competitiveness --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Clarifying the concept of competitiveness --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Defining urban competitiveness --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Operationalizing the concept of urban competitiveness --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3 --- Competitiveness studies on Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- The urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Methodology / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2. --- A framework for the study of urban competitiveness --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Comparison: degree of competition --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Beyond comparison: the urban development of a city --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3 --- A framework for the study of urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Methodology of urban competitiveness analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Review of previous approaches --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- A two-step approach --- p.45 / Chapter 3.5 --- Two-step indicator system in the study of urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- The indicator system --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Weighing of indicators --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Combination of indicators --- p.72 / Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- The urban development of Hong Kong towards world city / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2 --- The urban development of Hong Kong from world city perspective --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3 --- Summary --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Review of Hong Kong's role and competitiveness in the world / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Competitors of Hong Kong --- p.84 / Chapter 5.3 --- A comparison on the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong and Singapore --- p.87 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- World Competitiveness Report by the International Institute for Management Development --- p.87 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Global competitiveness index by World Economic Forum --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- A descriptive analysis on the changing urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.108 / Chapter 6.2. --- Descriptive analysis of urban competitiveness: Performance section --- p.109 / Chapter 6.3. --- Descriptive analysis of urban competitiveness: Explanation section --- p.113 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Vibrant economy --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Educated and adequate workforce --- p.120 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Quality environment --- p.122 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Stable society --- p.125 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Transportation and telecommunication infrastructure --- p.129 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.130 / Chapter Chapter 7: --- An explanatory analysis and discussion on the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.132 / Chapter 7.2 --- Major characteristics of the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.132 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Strengthening world city status of Hong Kong --- p.133 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Outstanding performance in all aspects --- p.134 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Synergy effect of the four components --- p.147 / Chapter 7.3 --- Explaining the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.149 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Two-edged effects from mainland China --- p.152 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Strong economic foundation --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Increasing supply in workforce holding a degree --- p.166 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Serious air contamination and inadequate amenities --- p.170 / Chapter 7.3.5 --- Delayed effects of an unstable society --- p.174 / Chapter 7.3.6 --- World-class infrastructures --- p.179 / Chapter 7.3.7 --- Urban competitiveness of Hong Kong in the future --- p.184 / Chapter 7.4 --- A comparative analysis of the urban competitiveness in Hong Kong and Singapore from world city perspective --- p.184 / Chapter 7.5 --- Summary --- p.196 / Chapter Chapter 8: --- Conclusion / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.199 / Chapter 8.2 --- Major findings --- p.199 / Chapter 8.3 --- The urban competitiveness of Hong Kong in the future --- p.203 / Chapter 8.4 --- Limitations of the study --- p.204 / References list --- p.205

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2009. / Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-212).

Firms seeking sites for new or expansion plants rely on their ability to assess the benefits and costs generated by locating operations in a given state. State governments strive to understand the issues important to firms who are seeking a site for new operations or branch plants. They do so because attracting branch plants and new firms is critical to their economic growth. In addition to factors traditionally considered important to industrial location decisions (energy prices, wage levels, unionization, taxes, and public services), this study also considers the impact of the average level of education attained by the population of a state. Specifically, this study hypothesizes that the average level of education attained by a state's labor force significantly affects the location decisions of firms oriented toward local inputs. Results indicate that educational attainment is a significant determinant of where firms in the transportation industry decide to locate or expand operations. However, educational attainment is not a significant determinant for the electronic equipment industry. Wage and unemployment levels are significant factors for both industries. With the exception of educational attainment and tax levels, the results do not vary across industries. Since industries such as transportation equipment seem to place a premium on states with a relatively high level of education attainment, states wishing to attract this type of companies may find it beneficial to encourage higher education, both for the well-being of its residents and for the economy of the state. / Master of Arts

No description available.