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Title: Research Proximity and Productivity: Long-Term Evidence From Agriculture

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2014

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Abstract: The spatial concentration of ideas is central to economic geography. Yet, how proximity to research aff ects productivity is not well studied. We use the late 19th century establishment of agricultural experiment stations in the United States to estimate research proximity eff ects. Our analysis of county-level agricultural census data from 1870 to 2000 reveals three results. First, research proximity e ffects are dynamic: they peak 20 years after station opening, and subsequently decline, until becoming largely absent today. Second, proximity to station-based discoveries a ffects productivity for 20 to 40 years. Third, research proximity eff ects remain today where: (i) stations focused on basic research, and (ii) few farmers were producing with frontier technology. We conclude that research proximity e ffects can be meaningful depending on research outcomes and the composition of final good producers.

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Authors: Kantor, Shawn; Whalley, Alexander

Publisher: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Other

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