For multiple choice, true/false questions and short answer, you may be asked about the following concepts or issues:
Neo-classical assumptions about markets
Know the three different kinds of agglomeration economies – what is the difference between them? which one is significant for innovation?
Diseconomies of scale – know definition
Human capital
Comparative advantage
Know the three assumptions that inform the ‘monocentric city’ perspective (refer to Kloosterman & Musterd article).
As a supply-side strategy for influencing the location choices of firms, tax policy is used to address what kind of costs? Do taxes influence location decisions?
Staple theory vs. export (or 'economic) base theory - know the difference
If provided with the location quotients, know how to differentiate non-base and base industries
If provided with data, know how to calculate a multiplier effect (know the formula!) & know what the number represents.
Know what ‘leakage’ is (can refer to Loxley and Lamb reading), and what effect it has on the multiplier.
Within the shift-share approach, what does the ‘shift term’ represent?
Know the key assumption of the early version of ‘location theory’
In a polycentric city, does the central city still matter? Why or why not? (refer specifically to the Kloosterman and Musterd article)
According to Rutland & O’Hagan (2007), the vertical disintegration of the traditionally large integrated firm (or ‘corporation’) has led to a greater dependence on what kind of firms?
What does the ‘staples trap’ refer to?
Economic (or ‘export’) base theory emphasizes exports as the primary source of economic growth. According Loxley and Lamb (2007), what does a focus on exports fail to acknowledge?
According to Hirschman, linkages are a key mechanism by which investments can lead to a
