Full Citation

Title: A Study of the Video Game Industry in U.S. Metropolitan Areas Using Occupational Analysis

Citation Type: Dissertation/Thesis

Publication Year: 2011

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Abstract: The video game industry is a billion dollar industry with an ever-growing fan base. Massachusetts, along with other states, has begun to take an interest in further developing this dynamic industry. A problem facing many policy makers and economic developers is accurately defining the video game industry, determining the types of workers that form of human capital within its workforce and where these businesses are located. This study helps to solve thisproblem by converting video game credits, found in all video games, into Standard Occupational Codes to identify the types of workers who comprise the industry and by conducting spatial analysis using Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS). It also uses the Occupational InformationNetwork to evaluate what forms of human capital comprises the video game industry. The results show the video game workforce comprises both creative workers such as artists and musicians, but also computer programmers, engineers, and business management and marketing professionals. This workforce tends to be concentrated not only in larger U.S.metropolitan areas but also in regions with a significant high-technology workforce, college towns, and government laboratories. Also, as this diverse workforce contains a wide variety of skills and abilities, a common theme is being able to work together as a team to develop a product. This study is part of a growing body of research and initiatives to identify and to locate new, creative industries within metropolitan regions. This research will contribute to future research using occupational analysis to identify new and growing industries.

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Authors: Wong, Hinlan P.

Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst

Department: Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning

Advisor: Henry C. Renski

Degree: Master's

Publisher Location: Amherst, MA

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Other

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