Economic Geography

On completion of the course the students will be able to:

• Describe various factors affecting the location of economic activity
• Analyze various actors relevant to economic processes
• Be able to set up and analyze a business entry problems using neoclassic economic theory
• By using GIS calculate market potential and market area for different types of economic activities
• Empirically with econometric methods be able to analyze what factors that has affected the localization and migration decisions
• Empirically be able to analyze factors affecting the growth of fast growing firms with a focus on small firms
• Empirically be able to analyze factors affecting firms entry decisions
• Calculate the optimal location using GIS and R
• Evaluate optimal localization patterns for different sectors of the economy

The course deals with economic geography as a field of research and spatial aspects on economic development. The course is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the research area economic geography from a geographical and economical viewpoint. The second part treats entry decision of firms into new markets. A number of practical exercises with enterprise data for analyzing corporate decisions about establishment and growth will be held. The third part of the course is focused on analyzing corporate mobility in space over time. Exercises with different methods for analyzing the mobility will be held. The course ends with a series of exercises where methods for analyzing optimal locations for different sectors are used. These optimal locations are evaluated subsequently and will be compared with the existing location structure. All parts of the course begins with introductory lectures and the result of the practical work will be presented in written papers and discussed in seminars.

The assessment is composed of exercises (4 credits) and a written exam (3.5 credits).

The course contains lectures, seminars and computer based exercises.

The Swedish grades U–VG.