Industrial Restructuring and the Limits of Industry Data: Examples from Western New York

Abstract

KRAUSHAAR R. and FELDMAN M. A. (1989) Industrial restructuring and the limits of industry data: examples from Western New York. Reg. Studies 23, 49–62. Economic data organized around industrial classification systems, such as the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, are coherently used in traditional urban and regional economics because of its emphasis on product markets. In contrast, recent ‘economic restructuring’ research emphasizes other economic dimensions, and industries are less appropriate units of analysis. Under the headings of corporate organization, technological change, and the growth of services, this paper shows the divergence between emerging theory and industry-based data. Using micro data for a region in western New York State, the paper illustrates the kinds and magnitudes of errors resulting from over-reliance on industry data. KRAUSHAAR R. et FELDMAN M. A. (1989) La restructuration industrielle et les limites des donnees sur l'industrie: des exemples provenant de l'Ouest d...