Locational Dynamics in an Era of Global Economic Change: Is the Port of Rotterdam Up to the Challenge?

This paper aims to shed more light on the impact of global economic change on the locational dynamics of maritime firms in the port of Rotterdam, and explores if recent port policy strategies provide an answer to these changes. Globalization and increasing competitiveness have caused a decline in the leading role of the port of Rotterdam. More ports are entering the stage, like the port of Shanghai, which has taken over the lead and is now the biggest port in the world. Also, other inland transport hubs are becoming more and more attractive for the location of port related activities. Furthermore, already for decades the port of Rotterdam faces a loss in employment and added value. The contribution of the port to the Dutch economy is steadily decreasing and causes serious debates about the legitimacy (also in terms of environmental issues) of the port. Firms in the port of Rotterdam have to adapt to the changing global economic playing field and change their strategies. This leads to new dynamics in the location of maritime firms. The paper highlights some developments that indicate changing locational dynamics. For instance, central distribution of consumer goods for the entire European market is likely to change into a decentralised pattern, with regional distribution centres in various countries. Also, the integration of logistics chains has given rise to logistics control functions at high strategic levels, stimulating the need for highly skilled workers and an attractive working environment. The question arises whether the port of Rotterdam is up to the challenge, and can provide an answer to the changing locational dynamics. An outline of the port policy strategy will shed more light on this matter. The cases of the Second Maasvlakte and Stadshavens will provide more insight into future developments.

Locational Dynamics in an Era of Global Economic Change: Is the Port of Rotterdam Up to the Challenge?

This paper aims to shed more light on the impact of global economic change on the locational dynamics of maritime firms in the port of Rotterdam, and explores if recent port policy strategies provide an answer to these changes. Globalization and increasing competitiveness have caused a decline in the leading role of the port of Rotterdam. More ports are entering the stage, like the port of Shanghai, which has taken over the lead and is now the biggest port in the world. Also, other inland transport hubs are becoming more and more attractive for the location of port related activities. Furthermore, already for decades the port of Rotterdam faces a loss in employment and added value. The contribution of the port to the Dutch economy is steadily decreasing and causes serious debates about the legitimacy (also in terms of environmental issues) of the port. Firms in the port of Rotterdam have to adapt to the changing global economic playing field and change their strategies. This leads to new dynamics in the location of maritime firms. The paper highlights some developments that indicate changing locational dynamics. For instance, central distribution of consumer goods for the entire European market is likely to change into a decentralised pattern, with regional distribution centres in various countries. Also, the integration of logistics chains has given rise to logistics control functions at high strategic levels, stimulating the need for highly skilled workers and an attractive working environment. The question arises whether the port of Rotterdam is up to the challenge, and can provide an answer to the changing locational dynamics. An outline of the port policy strategy will shed more light on this matter. The cases of the Second Maasvlakte and Stadshavens will provide more insight into future developments

Home-Based Business: Exploring the Place Attachment of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is crucial to a vital and thriving economy, even on the neighbourhood level. This fits into current urban planning policy in the Netherlands, which aims at combining housing and economic functions within neighborhoods. Since an increasing number of entrepreneurs start from home, this calls for insight in the combination of work and home. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific role of the dwelling in the decision to start a firm from home and to stay put. This explorative paper focuses on the use of the dwelling as location of a firm, both in the start-up phase and beyond in the firm life course, and its explanations. Our research questions are: what determines the decision to start a firm within the dwelling of the entrepreneur and its duration in time, and how does this relate to the propensity and decision to move? In our empirical analyses a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods is used. We analyzed data from 130 questionnaires send out in April 2005 to young entrepreneurs who owned a firm in two Dutch urban neighborhoods. These questionnaires were followed by in-depth interviews with 10 entrepreneurs. We have found that most home based businesses did start from home and are strongly tied to the dwelling - and therefore the neighbourhood. Both firms with past growth in number of personnel and firms with growth aspirations do want to move relatively often. With respect to firm relocation and the personal propensity to move, housing characteristics as adapted dwellings, and owner-occupied, single family and large houses are important. With respect to future home-based business, to most firms breaking the work-home combination is not a realistic option. Household characteristics and more specifically the care of small children keeps entrepreneurs home-based. Also entrepreneurs who work almost full-time are relatively strong attached to their home, which may point to an explicit -and maybe also longlasting- choice for home-basedness. Economic policy should therefore foster start-ups within urban neighbourhoods, as many of them seem to be firmly anchored locally by attachment to their home.

Home-Based Business: Exploring the Place Attachment of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is crucial to a vital and thriving economy, even on the neighbourhood level. This fits into current urban planning policy in the Netherlands, which aims at combining housing and economic functions within neighborhoods. Since an increasing number of entrepreneurs start from home, this calls for insight in the combination of work and home. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific role of the dwelling in the decision to start a firm from home and to stay put. This explorative paper focuses on the use of the dwelling as location of a firm, both in the start-up phase and beyond in the firm life course, and its explanations. Our research questions are: what determines the decision to start a firm within the dwelling of the entrepreneur and its duration in time, and how does this relate to the propensity and decision to move? In our empirical analyses a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods is used. We analyzed data from 130 questionnaires send out in April 2005 to young entrepreneurs who owned a firm in two Dutch urban neighborhoods. These questionnaires were followed by in-depth interviews with 10 entrepreneurs. We have found that most home based businesses did start from home and are strongly tied to the dwelling - and therefore the neighbourhood. Both firms with past growth in number of personnel and firms with growth aspirations do want to move relatively often. With respect to firm relocation and the personal propensity to move, housing characteristics as adapted dwellings, and owner-occupied, single family and large houses are important. With respect to future home-based business, to most firms breaking the work-home combination is not a realistic option. Household characteristics and more specifically the care of small children keeps entrepreneurs home-based. Also entrepreneurs who work almost full-time are relatively strong attached to their home, which may point to an explicit -and maybe also longlasting- choice for home-basedness. Economic policy should therefore foster start-ups within urban neighbourhoods, as many of them seem to be firmly anchored locally by attachment to their home