Regional Pattern of Iron and Steel Production, 1985 and 2000

摘要

In this study the authors try to exploit, as much as possible, other studies that have already analyzed certain aspects of the problem in depth. After examining all the forces that could practically be examined explicitly, they modify their judgment in light of the social, environmental and institutional factors which are more difficult to quantify. Much has been written in the past in regard to the changing locational pattern of the iron and steel industry. Indeed, because the iron and steel industry is so important to a nation's economy and because it readily lends itself to a Weberian locational analysis owing to its limited number of major raw-material requirements, it has become one of the classic examples in location theory. Almost three decades ago, one of the authors (Isard) in an article outlining the history of iron and steel industry location, it was demonstrated that the technological improvements in the steel industry through the years had changed it from a raw-material-location-oriented industry to a market-location-oriented industry. After doing a simple Weberian analysis using today's steel-producing technological coefficients and freight rates, the authors conclude that the steel industry is probably even more market-oriented today than it was previously. Technological changes in iron and steel production now on the horizon will only reinforce the trend towards greater market orientation. 24 references, 40 tables. (ERA citation 05:015866)