Wirtschaftsgeographie – Vorlesung Nr. 3

Study Notes

Wirtschaftsgeographie – Vorlesung Nr. 3

Neoklassische Standorttheorien are too static and based on the 'homo oeconomicus' model, often impractical in real-world applications.
Behavioral approaches to location theory focus more on the decision-making process during site selection, emphasizing factors like satisficing (settling for good enough) and optimizing (pursuing the best option) strategies.
Decision-making matrices in site selection involve a complex evaluation of information quality and quantity, recognizing that perfect information is rare.
Company abilities to process information are critical and can vary. Companies may be optimizers (seeking the ideal location) or satisficers (accepting a satisfactory – but not necessarily best – location).
Location choices can be less than ideal despite substantial information gathering, as factors beyond simple data analysis play a crucial role (e.g. experience, personal preferences, uncertainties).
Location analysis tools like scoring models often quantitatively evaluate factors affecting site selection. These assessments may be based on specific points awarded to different aspects of a location.
Analogous reasoning (comparing the new location to previous, suitable locations) forms an important strategy in location decision-making.
Parasitic planning is a location strategy of relying on the successful location choices of other similar firms. This approach can be especially important for smaller companies.
Small business challenges frequently include limited access to data, reliance on intuition, and mimicking the success of established businesses.

Ansätze der Standortlehre

Social factors dramatically affect company decision-making, emphasizing the role of norms and laws.
Economic interdependence between companies often pushes companies to locate in proximity to their customers or suppliers.
Personal preferences play a part in the location decision-making (e.g. seeking specific neighbourhoods or avoiding certain areas).
Influence of companies on the location (e.g. through lobbying to influence infrastructure or legislation changes) is also considered in location theory.
Location factors driving relocation decisions are diverse and include factors like wage costs, transportation costs, and resources availability.
Companies often actively influence their chosen locations, with actions like lobbying efforts.
Company-specific criteria (based on business type and objectives) regarding the optimal site are important factors affecting selection.
Physical and tangible elements (e.g. land prices, transportation costs) are considered 'hard factors' while less tangible ones (e.g. image, community appeal) are 'soft factors'.
Creative Class, as referred by the author, highlights the importance of having a high quality of life to attract businesses.

Standortwahl als Entscheidungsprozess

Macroeconomic factors, like country stability and regulations, are paramount in the overall location decision-making process.
Micro-level elements (like specific qualities of a location) are also critical.
Steps in location determination include assessing the country, region, specific site, then eventually the site.
Location analysis approach (using the example of BMW) involves several phases - defining requirements, objectively analyzing locations, and choosing a site.