Search

The article reports on the market for wholesale goods and the need for improved research in the field of wholesale trading. Past studies have primarily focused on geographic areas, while the author wishes to see further work in the field of market density. A market pattern study is described in which sales were tracked by county. The market areas for several products are evaluated; the products include dry goods, drugs, confectionary goods, tobacco and grocery traders. The article specifically focuses on the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and New York market region. Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce is presented in the article.

The article discusses studies pertaining to U.S. Intra-City Business Areas in the 1930's. The study was designed to determine specific business conditions in various parts of the city. The study revealed four principle types of retail structure. They are the central business district, the outlying business center, the neighborhood business district, and the isolated store cluster. The central business district draws customers from all parts of the city and outlying suburbs. Intra-city business data reveals the relative importance by volume of sales and number of stores of each business area within a given city.

The authors present an economic forecasting model which they use to predict the annual growth of Southern California for 1967 using information from 1953 through 1961. Some of the assumptions used include a further escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, strong inflationary pressure, and that U.S. defense expenditures and defense department payrolls in the area will remain unchanged. The econometric model predicts that the economy of Southern California will grow faster than that of the U.S. for 1967.

The article refers to economic activity in California with a focus on the Southern California economy and its shifting economic base. Statistics from the California State Development Plan show wages in four regions--Northern California, Bay Area, Central California, and Southern California--and in eight public or private sector industries. Data shows the growth rates for salaries and wages during the period of 1959 to 1963 and the ranking of industries. A long-run structural trend in Southern California is toward service industries, which will be the base economy with support from the manufacturing industries. The investment-employment relationship, export multiplier, preconditions for service exports, diseconomies, and obstacles to accelerated economic growth are mentioned.

The article discusses business climate and industrial location specifically in California in 1964. It has been contended that the high rate of economic growth experienced by California has been dictated primarily by both the high income character of its large population and the high rate of government expenditures within the state. According to research California has 10% of the national population, 10% of the annual national and personal income, and 25% of the annual government expenditures on prime defense contracts. Considering the size and character of California's industrial economy the number of firms going out of business or otherwise reducing employment is small.

Explores the structural changes and pattern of specialization that followed the formation of the Central American Common Market (CACM) in the 1960s. Obstacle to the integration movement in Central American countries; Reciprocity-without-planning structure of the intra-regional trade; Intra-industry trade and specialization in the manufacturing sector; Implications of the CACM on the problem of balanced growth.

Discusses an effort to delineate a new development region for the United States mid-South. Evaluation of the economic relationships among the various areas of the proposed region; Evaluation of a geographic configuration as an economic planning region.

This paper attempts to broaden our knowledge of how countywide financial flows and banker behavior influence economic growth in specific parts of Appalachia and to test a variety of hypotheses about this relationship. The findings suggest that it is unlikely that banks or bankers play a significant or distinct role in regional growth. This conclusion is circumscribed by the difficulty found in the study of isolating the "banking" role in regional growth from a myriad of possible growth determinants.
The results of this study strongly suggest that economic growth occurs because of factors unrelated to the performance of banks or bankers in the counties studied. It is difficult to conclude that banks through their lending and investing have any unique or even significant role to play in the regional growth process. Regional growth cannot be obtained simply by liberalizing bank laws or having liberal, well-educated bankers. The availability of bank funds may be a necessary condition for regional growth (and even this may be questioned), but it certainly is not a sufficient condition.
On the basis of the results of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that regional development policy has become an essential component of full employment and welfare policy in Great Britain. The established policy contributed to the spread of opportunities and facilities between regions. Moreover, the approaching completion of the traditional industries and inflation problems points to the need for a clearer investigation on regional issues.

This article presents a comment from R. R. MacKay on the evaluation made by Barry Moore and John Rhodes on the effects of regional economic policy (REP) on manufacturing employment in Great Britain from 1963 to 1971. In their study, Moore and Rhodes maintain that regional policy added to Development Area manufacturing employment. They show that there was a clear improvement from 1963, but both the claim that the net annual increase in employment, such as the gap between actual and expected employment, accelerated after 1967 and their assessment of the effect of the REP are questionable. Without the REP, the gap between actual and expected employment might have been smaller in 1971 than it was in 1967. Although Moore and Rhodes refer to the importance of the national economic situation, they do not compare the labor markets of the pre- and post-REP periods. Moore and Rhodes acknowledge that their provisional estimates are substantially below official expectations, but nevertheless claim that the total abolition of the REP could have serious adverse consequences for the Development Areas. They tend to overstate the effect of regional economic and while gifts are usually gratefully accepted it is possible that the introduction of the wage subsidy has diverted attention and emphasis from more promising forms of intervention.

A vigorous body of theoretical formulation in the area of urban and regional economics has been developing during the past two decades. Social and economic problems in the lagging regions of the developed nations have been extensively studied from the theoretical standpoint. Economic base studies, shift-share analyses, input-output and labor supply or migration studies have gained their popularity in one form or another in terms of theoretical development and, to a lesser extent, in empirical analysis.

The article examines the mechanisms and extent of lead firm induced growth in a regional economy. The empirical analysis focuses on the role of Boeing Co. as a lead firm in Pungent Sound and Washington regions during 1963-1968 period. This period of extremely rapid Boeing growth had dramatic impact upon the regional economy. It was seen that although the Boeing output level soared during 1963-1968, the regional growth-generating impulses of the technological linkage system focused on Boeing were relatively weak. Evidence does not support the notion that a significant backward-linked industrial complex was developing during the firm's rapid growth phase. In contrast, the capital goods linkage system was shown to be a comparatively potent regional economic growth generative force and thus substantial value-created component and regional backward linkages of the construction industry generated a comparatively high multiplier effect in the local economy. The principal generator of Boeing related economic growth in the region was the lateral-induced system.

There is evidence in the literature of interest in the inflation-unemployment trade-off as a concept having relevance to regional analysis in Britain. Two avenues of enquiry have been pursued. The first has involved attempts to define the Phillips curve at the regional level, both separately for each region and using pooled cross-section and time-series data the second to test the significance of the dispersion of regional unemployment rates as a factor affecting the position of the aggregate Phillips curve. Both approaches relate, the latter more directly than the former, to a matter of importance for policy purposes: the influence, if any, of regional unemployment rate dispersion on the rate of income inflation. In none of the works cited above where the unlagged rate of change of prices is included as an independent shift variable in the Phillips curve equation is the problem of simultaneous equation bias squarely faced. The undoubted interdependence between the rate of change of wages or earnings and the rate of change of prices would generate bias in the structural parameters of the fitted functions. The modest purpose of this note is to report the results of some research in the second avenue of enquiry, taking account of the simultaneous determination of incomes and prices.

The purpose of this paper was to provide an examination of criteria for allocating EDA aid to redevelopment areas. The need for such a study has been noted by researchers in the field of regional economic development, but very little empirical work has been done. In this study the advantages and disadvantages of actual and proposed criteria for guiding development efforts were reviewed. An analysis of county designation under alternative criteria was then provided. The empirical analysis indicated that unemployment was the criterion given the greatest weight in selecting counties for special EDA benefits. The use of this criterion tended to focus EDA efforts upon industrialized counties which tend to have high median income, low incidence of poverty, and immigration. Selection of counties on the basis of unemployment omitted many counties with both the greatest labor potential and economic need for expanded industrialization. Underemployment, on the other hand, was a much better indicator of both underutilized labor and economic need. Such a criterion could and should be used to guide programs directed toward job creation in lagging areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Border Industries Program was initiated in 1965 as a series of agreements between Mexico and the United States to bring U.S. industries to the Mexican side of the border, and thereby provide employment and income opportunities in a region of relatively high unemployment. Since 1965, many U.S. industries have taken advantage of the Program, and located firms on the Mexican and U.S. side of the border. Supposedly this has fostered economic development of not only the Mexican border region, but also U.S. border communities. Part of this impact has resulted from the expenditures of Mexican Border Industry employees in the adjacent U.S. town. The objective of the research presented in the present article is to empirically estimate the impact of these expenditures on income, employment, and population in a specific U.S. border community. An input-output model of the Nogales, Arizona, area is used in a case study in making the analysis. The results indicate that the impact of the Mexican Border Industry wage payments on the Nogales, Arizona, economy have been significant. Policy implications for those interested in regional economic development are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is divided into two main sections: the first deals with the theoretical and practical interpretation of statistical data concerning a given region of a larger economy. We argue that much of the raw data are inherently faulty without more sophisticated statistical manipulation. Policy recommendations based upon such data can be no better than the data. The second section is devoted to illustration of the problems faced in using regional statistics. These illustrations are drawn primarily from the Canadian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents alternate detailed forecasts of occupational requirements for the state of Illinois in 1980. These manpower forecasts, developed on the basis of different national economic policies and Federal budget priorities, are compared with the 1980 Illinois employment projections estimated by the State manpower planning agency and the differences in methodology are analyzed. Sources of possible error in the official State forecasts are indicated and a potentially more accurate picture of Illinois 1980 manpower requirements is developed. It is discussed how the model utilized here could be adapted to other States and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports some results on the determinants of regional growth at the state level, using gross state product estimates for 1955-64 and drawing upon 28 independent variables. Theoretical hypotheses relating to the influences of demographic variables, amenities, agglomeration economies, business behaviour, labour market and policy variables are tested as well as a descriptive equation. Also, 'good fit' equations were derived by stepwise regression procedures. The equations had a high explanatory value. Several variables showed that the more backward states grew faster, supporting the convergence hypothesis. Differences in the spatial distribution of population and economic activity within states were closely associated with variations in growth rates, suggesting that the non-spatial models that have dominated regional growth analysis are deficient. Two instrumental variables, tourist expenditures and federal government spending, were highly significant. It is important, therefore, to incorporate the government sector in regional growth theory. On the other hand, several plausible independent variables either were insignificant or had the wrong sign: education, scientific and technical personnel, the profit rate, gross savings, income potential, unemployment and air pollution. Monocausal explanations were not supported; the regional growth process appears a much more complex and interrelated phenomenon than implied by the simple growth models. Finally, current state growth performance was not independent of past conditions, indicating that the regional growth process is to some extent historically determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo presenta varias consideraciones sobre los pagos intracentroamericanos. Las estimaciones del comercio intracentroamericano para los próximos diez años muestran la necesidad de crear un sistema regional de pagos. Este sistema es necesario para estimular el intercambio de productos y servicios entre los países en la región.

The article focuses on the concept of regional research in agricultural economics. The land economist, attempting to discover rational alternative uses of land would find it necessary to include an entirely different regional unit structure than either marketing or farm management. In regional research, the unit is the competitive area having some sort of geographic dimensions; while non-regional research need not have geographic boundaries and may be thought of as test-tube research. Regional research must subordinate analytical dissection to synthesis. In fact, the discovery of the means of balancing the regional economy into the most effective utilization of the available resources in an operating unit should be its primary function. The methods to be used in regional research are more difficult to set forth because of lack of precedent. The methods used thus far in regional research have little to recommend them beyond the methods used in non-regional research. As a usual practice, in a larger area the common feeling seems to be that more statistics are needed.

This paper suggests significant processes associated with regional industrial change. Particular emphasis is given to the sensitivity of an open regional economy to shifts in external trade relationships and the ability of management to assess and adapt to the changing forces influencing theft industries. The case study of Northern Ireland between 1950 and 1968 attempts to explain the transition followed by the leading older industries and why certain alternative paths for regional transition were followed. A recurrent theme is the crucial role played by the regional government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple statistical model is developed to assess the implications of random measurement errors in reported per capita incomes and of the bias caused by the use of official exchange rates for (1) regional per capita incomes and (2) regional income inequality. It appears that regional per capita incomes can be estimated with a fair degree of accuracy, provided that the measurement errors of the reported per capita incomes of individual countries are not too highly positively correlated. The measurement of regional inequality is characterized by considerable uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses issues related to regional planning and economic development in the United States as of April 1973. Trouble with teacher salaries; Slow growth in the number of preplanned cities; Unsettled problems in community power studies.

Describes the regional economic program development at the Office of Business Economics' Regional Economic Division in the United States. Economic structure of area; Geographic origin of corporate profits; Personal income analysis.

Examines the implications of aggregation in regional input-output models. Test of the aggregation hypothesis in G.A. Doeksen and C.H. Little's study; Theorems for the absence of aggregation bias; Evidence showing the difficulties of unweighted aggregation; Effect of aggregation bias when the changes in final demand where not proportional to those observed in the base period.

Introduces a series of articles on urban development published in the journal 'Growth & Change.' Definition of a city compared to a grapevine; Formation of welfare programs; Development of a national policy framework; Problems of water pollution.

Compares the effects of business cycles on employment in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the Appalachian Region and in the South with the effects on the U.S. Impact of business cycles on regional growth; Relation between national economic growth and regional employment spread effects; Problems in the institutional structure and industrial mix in the regions.

Presents a study which examined the regional flow of credit funds through private financial institutions in Mexico. Analysis of the requirements for regional industrialization; Use of a different framework from the formal Flow of Funds Accounts model; Characteristics of the financial system.

Deals with a study which demonstrated the objective procedure for the selection of subregions for analysis. Characteristics of subregions required for analysis; Evaluation of the efficiency of the pulpwood industry in Pennsylvania; Principal results of the discriminant analysis.

Discusses the impact of the economic policy of increasing educational fund for poor regions in the United States. Overview of government's educational funds and expenditures; Migration of human capital to economically stronger regions; Implications.

Discusses the impact of economic fluctuations on Standard Metropolitan Areas selected from various areas in the United States for the period 1961-1968. Trade-off between undifferentiated payroll maximization and achievement of relative cyclical stability; Vulnerability of durable goods manufacturing on economic fluctuations; Implications for metropolitan industrialization and administration planning.

Describes spatial multiplier and other factors which affected the selection of a Montreal airport site in Quebec. Background of the investment project; Investment cost of the airport construction project; Income and employment multipliers of the project; Implications for regional development.

Discusses the goal problems in regional policy including efficiency and equity. Allocation of resources and maximization of growth in the national economy; Reduction of interregional disparities; Trade-off functions of regional growth and equity; Conflict between efficiency and equity; Fiscal constraints of regional development.

Discusses the steps involved in determining the input-output structure of a regional economy from secondary data. Types of information needed by states or regions concerning the relationships between the private and public sectors of the economy to plan effectively for future growth; Reasons that a regional input-output structure developed by using national production coefficients can differ from a national structure; Advantages associated with the secondary data method.

Assesses the developments in the field of regional economics in the United States in both their theoretical and empirical aspects. Representative bibliography of the works in regional economics; Theories and techniques for tackling the problems of regional economic change; Reasons behind the growth of interest in regional planning.

Analyzes the potential impact of federal participation on regional economic growth in the United States. Pattern of investments; Calculations for per capita earnings of states; Expenditures in human resource investments.

Explores the developments in the relationship between regional economics and the regionalism embodied in the regional development legislation of 1965 in the United States. How regional theory might be made more relevant to policy problems; Ways to make regional policy more efficient by greater regard for economic theory.