Spatial-Structural Relations among Technology Industrial Clusters: A Comparative Analysis of Metropolitan Regions in the U.S

Technical industrial clusters are defined and analyzed for a sample of U.S. metropolitan regions. Economic structure, spatial proximity and shape of the clusters are examined across the metropolitan regions through various economic and spatial measures and statistics. The data for this research are used to test the hypothesis that close spatial proximity results in stronger economic functional interdependence. This hypothesis is examined and the implications of the test are explored.

Modelling leadership and institutional factors in endogenous regional development.

Theories and approaches to endogenous growth and regional development tend to neglect or at best underplay the role of leadership and the way institutional factors are considered is usually simplistic. This paper builds on work the authors have been developing over the last year or so to develop a model framework of regional economic development that explicitly incorporates leadership and institutional factors along with the consideration of resource endowments and market fit and of entrepreneurship. An approach to operationalizing the model is proposed.

Measuring "small-world" connectivity in international trade: a shift-share and ANOVA approach

Improvements in telecommunications and transportation appear to be bringing the world closer making physical location less of a factor in determining interaction between nations. The formation of regional and global trading pacts and arrangements seem to be further contribution to this interaction. Some would argue that what is evolving, as a result of these developments, is a 'small world' network. This type of network has a high degree of cliquishness, or local connectivity, and a relatively short average minimum path, or strong overall network connectivity. 'Small-world networks' is a new concept that is receiving a lot of attention. Introduced by Watts and Strogatz (1998), a 'small-world network' is based on 'six degrees of separation' or the notion that everyone in the world is related to everyone else through at most six acquaintances. 'Six degrees of separation' arises from the existence of cliques and a few popular individuals who provide connections between these cliques. The huge appeal of 'small-world networks' lies in the impact they are said to have on dynamical systems. According to Watts and Strogatz(1998), for example, models of dynamical systems with small-world coupling display enhanced signal propagation speed, computational power, and synchronizability. Furthermore, contagious diseases tend to spread more freely in 'small-world networks'. These findings have profound implications for many manmade and natural systems. In a trading network, 'small-world' topology might contribute to the regional and global economic spillover effects. This paper introduces a method, based on shift-share analysis and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), which can be used to measure the extent of 'small-world' connectivity is evolving in a network. The shift-share model is basically a rule of thumb/empirical method and is used in identifying the "small world" activity. ANOVA is used as a theoretical explanation of the shift-share results and an alternate way to measure "small world". The model is applied to two distinct time periods, the first from 1996 to 1998 and the second from 1989 to 1992. The first time period is representative of the trading network topology that was present in the 1980's, in particular a lot of local trading arrangements (cliques) and very few multilateral alliances and agreements between nations of different cliques, while the latter time period reflects stronger local trading arrangements (cliques) and the introduction of multilateral and bilateral agreements between nations of different cliques. Results are summarized using a geographic information system.

Historic Preservation in Southeast Asia: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

The role of globalization in the rapid economic success of Southeast Asia is exemplified by the growing westernization of the region\u27s cities. While globalization has its benefits, such as encouraging investment and global connectivity, it also threatens the cultural heritage of a given area by encouraging a sort of homogeneity that makes modern cities all look alike. In particular, the goal of economic development often stands at odds with the preservation of structures and properties that reflect the cultural heritage of the region. Furthermore, many of the countries of the region are under pressure to better protect property rights, another policy that can run counter to the goals of historic preservation. In this Note, the Author looks at the state of property rights, urban development, and historic preservation in four Southeast Asian countries and proposes a solution that is able to balance the competing goals of historic preservation, globalization, and economic development. This solution, which has been employed in parts of South America, involves public-private partnerships that incorporate historic preservation into general urban planning and encourage private involvement and investment

Forms and Explanation in the Phaedo

In coming to grips with what are essentially logical and conceptual problems Plato doubtless had in mind and followed the example set by the natural philosophers. It seems very likely, therefore, that he thought of his Forms as causes of certain puzzling facts in a manner initially not wholly unlike that in which others had believed air or fire to be causes of various physical phenomena. Plato\u27s language suggests that his own explanatory formula, though strikingly different in function from any other, was fashioned after those of his precursors

Winter Sun

The blood of death would not shock this sun. The thin winter sun, bare trees, slim straight shadows..

Art in the Science Classroom: Art Integration

The arts should be included in the science classroom as a way of helping students learn. Art integration provides a deeper understanding of the material to students and also gives students the chance to be creative in their school work. Over the next year, I intend to conduct research about the integration of art in a science classroom

Swoopy

ONCE THERE was a little boy cloud. His name was Swoopy. Swoopy was probably the sweetest little cloud in the sky. Everyone loved him dearly—except the other little clouds. He had a sweet mop of curly hair that fell over one of his dear, bright blue eyes..

Take What You Can Carry: a Novella

They say when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but what do you do when there\u27s too many dogs to walk, two postmenopausal muggers on the loose, and one unexpected pregnancy? That\u27s for MJ McCormick to find out. Upon taking a pregnancy test in a coffee shop bathroom one afternoon, she soon finds herself grappling with the reality of a strange genetic condition, its religious connotations, and her family\u27s secrets. Take What You Can Carry is a novella written by Maggie Stough for her Creative Writing Fiction Seminar during the Fall 2014 semester