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Firm Location and the Creation and Utilization of Human Capital

Author

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  • Andres Almazan
  • Adolfo de Motta
  • Sheridan Titman

Abstract

This paper presents a theory of location choice that draws on insights from the incomplete contracts and investment flexibility (real option) literatures. We provide conditions under which human capital is more efficiently created and better utilized within industrial clusters that contain similar firms. Our analysis indicates that location choices are influenced by the extent to which training costs are borne by firms versus employees as well as by the uncertainty about future productivity shocks and the ability of firms to modify the scale of their operations. Extensions of our model consider, among other things, endogenous technological choices by firms in clusters and how behavioral biases (i.e., managerial overconfidence about their firms' prospects) can affect firms' location choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres Almazan & Adolfo de Motta & Sheridan Titman, 2003. "Firm Location and the Creation and Utilization of Human Capital," NBER Working Papers 10106, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:10106
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    Cited by:

    1. Gilles Duranton & Michael Storper, 2008. "Rising trade costs? Agglomeration and trade with endogenous transaction costs," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(1), pages 292-319, February.
    2. Giorgio Brunello & Francesca Gambarotto, 2004. "Agglomeration Effects on Employer-Provided Training: Evidence from the UK," CESifo Working Paper Series 1150, CESifo.
    3. Matouschek, Niko & Robert-Nicoud, Frederic, 2005. "The role of human capital investments in the location decision of firms," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 570-583, September.
    4. Zheng Shi & Zheng Wen & Jin Xia, 2010. "A Simple, Analytically Solvable, Dual-Space Economic Agglomerations Model," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 261-271, June.
    5. Brunello, Giorgio & Gambarotto, Francesca, 2007. "Do spatial agglomeration and local labor market competition affect employer-provided training? Evidence from the UK," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 1-21, January.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R3 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior

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