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Do amenities matter in attracting knowledge workers for regional economic development?

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  • Vijay K. Mathur
  • Sheldon H. Stein

Abstract

. The productivity of knowledge workers (the “H people”) relative to that of unskilled workers (the “L people”) could warrant that a region formulate economic development policies in order to raise this ratio via the in‐migration of skilled labour. This article presents a theoretical model which demonstrates the conditions that must be satisfied before an amenity based programme for economic development can succeed. The ratio of H to L turns out to play a crucial role as does the assumption that H’s are L averse. We also examine the possibility that an adverse amenity shock can push a region into an “L trap”.

Suggested Citation

  • Vijay K. Mathur & Sheldon H. Stein, 2005. "Do amenities matter in attracting knowledge workers for regional economic development?," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 84(2), pages 251-269, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:presci:v:84:y:2005:i:2:p:251-269
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1435-5957.2005.00016.x
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    2. Ming Guan, 2021. "Associations Between Perceptions of the Work Environment and Job Burnout Based on MIMIC Models Among 679 Knowledge Workers," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, March.
    3. Toshiharu Ishikawa, 2011. "Firm's location choices by referring to chaotic phenomenon and the central place system," ERSA conference papers ersa10p102, European Regional Science Association.
    4. Luisa Gagliardi & Teresa Schlüter, 2015. "The Role of Education for Amenity Based Sorting in British Cities," SERC Discussion Papers 0184, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    5. Fangwu Wei & Tony H. Grubesic, 2015. "A Typology of Rural Airports in the United States: Evaluating Network Accessibility," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 45(1), pages 57-85, Spring.
    6. Jens Abildtrup & Virginie Piguet & Bertrand Schmitt, 2011. "The impact of agro-food industry on employment and population changes: The case of Denmark and France'," ERSA conference papers ersa10p1622, European Regional Science Association.
    7. Haoxuan Zou & Guannan Teng, 2021. "Measuring Hukou Amenity by Using Urban Land Price in China," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 11(3), pages 1-5.
    8. Maier, Gunther & Kurka, Bernhard & Trippl, Michaela, 2007. "Knowledge Spillover Agents and Regional Development: Spatial Distribution and Mobility of Star Scientists," Papers DYNREG17, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

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