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Human Capital and Economic Activity in Urban America

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  • Jaison Abel
  • Todd Gabe

Abstract

Abel J. R. and Gabe T. M. Human capital and economic activity in urban America, Regional Studies. The relationship between human capital and economic activity in US metropolitan areas is examined, extending the literature in two ways. First, new data on metropolitan area gross domestic product are utilized to measure economic activity. Results show that a 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of residents with a college degree is associated with about a 2% increase in metropolitan area gross domestic product per capita. Second, measures of human capital are developed that reflect the types of knowledge within US metropolitan areas. Regional knowledge stocks related to the provision of producer services and information technology are important determinants of economic vitality. [image omitted] Abel J. R. et Gabe T. M. Le capital humain et l'activite economique dans l'Amerique urbaine, Regional Studies. On examine le rapport entre le capital humain et l'activite economique dans les zones metropolitaines aux Etats-Unis, elargissant la documentation a deux temps. Primo, on emploie de nouvelles donnees sur le produit interieur brut des zones metropolitaines afin d'estimer l'activite economique. Les resultats laissent voir qu'une augmentation de 1% de la proportion des habitants diplomes se rapporte a une augmentation de 2% du produit interieur brut par tete dans les zones metropolitaines. Secundo, on developpe des mesures du capital humain qui refletent la connaissance qui caracterise les zones metropolitaines aux Etats-Unis. Le stock de connaissance regionale qui se rapporte a la fourniture des services aux entreprises et de la technologie de l'information s'averent un determinant non-negligeable de la vitalite economique. Capital humain Connaissance Nouvelle economie Productivite Abel J. R. und Gabe T. M. Humankapital und Wirtschaftsaktivitat in Stadten der USA, Regional Studies. Wir untersuchen die Beziehung zwischen Humankapital und Wirtschaftsaktivitat in Grossstadtgebieten der USA und erganzen die Literatur in diesem Gebiet auf zweierlei Weise. Erstens nutzen wir neue Daten uber das Bruttoinlandsprodukt von Grossstadtgebieten zur Messung der Wirtschaftsaktivitat. Aus den Ergebnissen geht hervor, dass eine einprozentige Erhohung des Anteils der Einwohner mit Hochschulabschluss mit einer etwa zweiprozentigen Erhohung des Pro-Kopf-Bruttoinlandsprodukts in einem Grossstadtgebiet einhergeht. Zweitens entwickeln wir Massstabe fur das Humankapital, die den Arten von Wissen in Grossstadtgebieten der USA entsprechen. Der regionale Wissensschatz im Zusammenhang mit der Bereitstellung von Wirtschaftsdienstleistungen und Informationstechnik ist ein wichtiger Determinant fur die wirtschaftliche Vitalitat. Humankapital Wissen Neue Wirtschaft Produktivitat Abel J. R. y Gabe T. M. Capital humano y actividad economica en areas urbanas de los Estados Unidos, Regional Studies. Examinamos la relacion entre el capital humano y la actividad economica en las areas metropolitanas de los Estados Unidos extendiendo la literatura de dos formas. Primero, utilizamos los nuevos datos del producto interno bruto de areas metropolitanas para medir la actividad economica. Los resultados muestran que un aumento de un 1% en la proporcion de residentes con un titulo universitario se asocia a aproximadamente un aumento de un 2% en el producto interno bruto de areas metropolitanas per capita. Segundo, desarrollamos mediciones del capital humano que reflejan los diferentes tipos de conocimiento en las areas metropolitanas de los Estados Unidos. Los stocks regionales de conocimiento relacionados con el suministro de servicios para productores y la tecnologia de la informacion son determinantes importantes de la vitalidad economica. Capital humano Conocimiento Nueva economia Productividad

Suggested Citation

  • Jaison Abel & Todd Gabe, 2011. "Human Capital and Economic Activity in Urban America," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(8), pages 1079-1090.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:45:y:2011:i:8:p:1079-1090
    DOI: 10.1080/00343401003713431
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital; Knowledge; New economy; Productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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