Clusters in the Wilderness: A Theory of the Economic and Policy Implications of Location-Based Passions

Research output: Types of ThesisDoctoral thesis

Abstract

In the global war for talent and investment, local policymakers are at a seeming disadvantage particularly in smaller cities as talent and capital are mobile while local policies are not. This often results in wasteful “copy thy neighbor” “race-to-the-bottom” in local policies. In these three essays, I develop a theory of Location-Based Passions (LBPs) and show that individual job seekers will accept lower salaries and benefits to be close to what they love, that there are long-term economic benefits in terms of greater per capita income and higher housing values to being recognized as an LBP star city, and look at the case of Boise, Idaho. Using active outdoor sports as a primary example, I argue that people will pay to play, that cities that play also pay, and that a winning strategy for local policymakers and firms is to play to their unique inherent strengths in leisure and cultural amenities to attract and retain top-talent and investment.

Original languageAmerican English
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Public Administration
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Hill, Greg, Advisor, External person
  • Burkhart, Ross, Advisor
  • Utych, Steven, Advisor, External person
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2020

Keywords

  • amenities policy
  • behavioral economics
  • economic clusters
  • regional economic development
  • salary and benefits

EGS Disciplines

  • Behavioral Economics
  • Economic Policy
  • Political Economy
  • Regional Economics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Clusters in the Wilderness: A Theory of the Economic and Policy Implications of Location-Based Passions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this