Modeling the Locational Behavior of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing Industry in U.S. Metropolitan Areas.

摘要

As an important sector of high-tech manufacturing, the communications equipment manufacturing (CEM) industry in the United States (U.S.) is highly concentrated in a few metropolitan areas. Many scholars agree that it is necessary to understand the driving forces behind such concentration and clustering because the CEM industry is an important source of economic development in terms of high value-added jobs and technological innovation. Many studies have explored the locational factors for traditional manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing, but no in-depth studies theoretically analyze the behavioral characteristics of the CEM industry and its locational supporting factors in metropolitan areas.;This study investigated the locational determinants for the spatial concentration of the CEM industry by analyzing its industrial characteristics, supply chain network, and assumed geographic factors that determined the presence and number of CEM establishments. To test the statistical significance of locational determinants, this study employed three regression approaches: logistic, Poisson, and negative binomial regression analyses.;Study results showed that a high-tech manufacturing base, professional scientific and technical services, and region-specific factors in a metropolitan area are statistically significant in influencing the locational decisions of CEM establishments. A metropolitan area is likely to have more CEM establishments if the region has a stronger high-tech base and more professional scientific and technical services. Contrary to other literature findings, spillover effects from proximity to higher education institutions are not statistically significant; transportation services and transportation hubs, important factors for traditional manufacturing, are also not statistically significant for the location decisions of the CEM industry; and factors such as employment density, financial services, and general business support services, do not show clear influence on the location choice of the CEM industry as well. Therefore, policy makers should focus on the development of a favorable regional business environment, including high-tech manufacturing base, professional technical services, a skilled labor pool, and industrial incubator facilities.