Prevention in social security: Theory and policy consequences

Social Security;social security

Identification of employment concentration and specialization areas : theory and application

This paper presents a new method to identify 'Employment Concentration & Specialization areas' for a particular industry, by simultaneously analyzing absolute and relative employment concentration. This allows for analyzing the performance of these areas in relation to different characteristics such as infrastructure availability and the housing and labor market. This is relevant for scientists, corporate decision makers and local governments, as it can support investment decisions related to new plants or infrastructure. The method is developed and applied to five industries in a Dutch province subdivided in 502 areas. Keywords: Employment concentration, Geographical analysis, Location patterns, Agglomeration economies. JEL classification: R12, R30, J2

Identification of employment concentration areas

This paper presents a method to identify 'Absolute and Relative Employment Concentration (AREC) areas' for a particular industry. Two novel characteristics of the method are that it simultaneously analyzes absolute and relative employment concentration, and that it combines spatial concentration per area with the spatial concentration in neighboring areas. The method is easy to understand and apply. It is developed to assist regional policy makers and corporate decision makers with their investment decisions related to new infrastructure or plants. The identifcation of concentration areas also allows for analyzing the performance of these areas in relation to characteristics such as infrastructure availability and the housing and labor market. This can yield new academic insights that are relevant for regional planners. An application of the newly developed method to five industries in a Dutch province subdivided into 502 areas illustrates the value of the method in comparison to other methods

Spatial concentration and location dynamics in logistics : the case of a Dutch province

To better understand spatial concentration of logistics establishments, this paper analyzes location dynamics in relation to spatial clusters. Such an analysis is relevant for both decision makers within logistics ??rms and regional policy makers, as both co-located logistics ??rms as well as society as a whole can bene??t from co-location of logistics ??rms. For this analysis, longitudinal empirical data on logistics establishments in a Dutch province are used. Six general conclusions are drawn on spatial concentration over time and location decisions of logistic ??rms in relation to spatial concentration in logistics as well as the proximity to intermodal terminals. First, logistics employment spatially concentrates in particular areas, called Absolute and Relative Concentration areas (AREC areas). Second, logistics establishments that relocated within the province locate relatively more in AREC areas than in other areas; new logistics establishments do not. Third, larger logistics establishments locate relatively often in AREC areas. Fourth, logistics establishments that came from AREC areas are more likely to relocate in AREC areas than establishments that came from non-AREC areas. Hence, experience matters in location decisions of logistics establishments. Fifth, transport establishments locate relatively often in newly formed AREC areas. Finally, data on employment growth show that intermodal container terminals attract logistics employment, in their direct vicinity as well as on a municipal level

Proximity matters : synergies through co-location of logistics establishments

Although anecdotic evidence suggests that co-location of logistics activities can bring several benefits to the co-located logistics companies and hence, can be important to incorporate in the location decisions of these companies, this is the first paper to empirically research these benefits. This paper contributes to the understanding of spatial concentration of logistics firms by empirically analyzing synergies through co-location and investigates whether spatial concentration of logistics activities indeed results in classical agglomeration economies as well as benefits, which are specific for the logistics sector. Hypotheses related to synergies through co-location of logistics activities are tested based on a survey among managers of 507 logistics establishments in the South of the Netherlands. The findings show that co-located logistics firms more often combine transport and storage capacity, are better accessible, have better availability of repair and maintenance facilities, and have better expansion opportunities than non-co-located logistics firms do. As this research shows that synergies through co-location of logistics activities indeed exist, manager of logistics companies may need to take these benefits into account in location decisions, academics in facility location models, and policy makers in spatial planning

Co-location synergies : specialized versus diverse logistics concentration areas

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of spatial concentration of logistics firms by empirically analyzing synergies through co-location and investigating whether co-location of logistics establishments in specialized logistics concentration areas results in benefits compared to co-location in diverse logistics concentration areas. Methodology: A survey among managers of 128 logistics establishments located in logistics concentration areas was used to test for differences between synergies through co-location on specialized versus diverse logistics parks. Findings: The findings show that logistics firms co-located on fresh logistics parks more often share knowledge, combine transport and storage capacity, and trade products last minute than other co-located logistics firms do. Research implications: This research shows that there are synergies through co-location of logistics activities on specialized logistics parks. Managers of logistics companies may need to take these benefits into account in location decisions, academics in facility location models, and policy makers in spatial planning. Originality/value: Although anecdotic evidence suggests that co-location of logistics activities can bring several benefits to the co-located logistics companies and hence, can be important to incorporate in the location decisions of these companies, these benefits are not (much) empirically researched before. This paper analyzes synergies through co-location of logistics establishments on specialized and diverse logistics parks

Acceleration of mass transfer in methane-producing loop reactors

Gas bubbles entrapped in methanogenic granules subjected to hydrostatic pressure oscillations during recirculation in loop reactors will induce intraparticle liq. flows and thereby enhance mass transfer in excess of diffusion. This 'breathing particle' concept was clearly demonstrated in a well defined inorg. model system. The exptl. results could be described satisfactory with a structured math. model, in which a 30% improvement is predicted for methanogenic loop reactors as compared to const. pressure systems. It is concluded that acceleration of mass transfer in gas-producing systems offers challenging perspectives for both heterogeneous catalysis and biol. fermns. [on SciFinder (R)

To co-locate or not? : location decisions and logistics concentration areas

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