On the importance of regional location factors: Empirical analyses as decision aid of regional and municipal economic policy

The knowlegde of the importance of regional location factors is essential for regional policy to place the locational advantages on the market. Furthermore players in economic policy should be given references for the improvement of business environment. Three firm surveys done between 2002 und 2010 form the basis to inquire about the importance of location factors. As a result of this locational factors are ranked according to their importance. Furthermore the results indicate that there are many similarities concerning the importance of location factors between trading companies and service companies, while industrial firms have different requirements. In addition the importance of some location factors have changed in a period of six years. Differences can also be recognized between companies that actually changed their location and those that did not. © 2010, List-Gesellschaft e.V.