eprintid: 3813
rev_number: 5
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1
dir: disk0/00/00/38/13
datestamp: 2022-04-28 08:35:31
lastmod: 2022-04-28 08:35:31
status_changed: 2022-04-28 08:35:31
type: thesis
metadata_visibility: show
sword_depositor: 1
creators_name: Houthooft, Coen
creators_id: S3190358
creators_email: coenhouthooft@gmail.com
title: The spatial preference of Dutch firms
ispublished: unpub
full_text_status: public
abstract: The location of a firm is an important factor that determines the economic performance of the firm.
The current literature suggests that firms do not have full rationality and that private and personal
factors can influence the spatial preference of firms. This thesis will focus on the spatial preference of
Dutch firms and explaining the factors that influence the pattern of spatial preference of Dutch firms.
This will be done by creating a mental map of the spatial preference of Dutch firms. The factors that
influence spatial preference can be divided into three categories. Firstly, firm-specific factors, such as
size and sector. Secondly, locational characteristics, such as agglomerations and accessibility. And
thirdly, personal factors, such as social cohesion and pride. Furthermore, special attention will be
given to personal characteristics self-preference, and to stereotypes that can influence the
perception of firms. The mental map in this thesis shows that firms prefer central locations like
Utrecht and Rotterdam with ratings dropping as the distance from these centers increases. The
results from an ordered logistic regression show that firm-specific characteristics, locational
characteristics, and personal characteristics all influence how Dutch firms rate different places in the
Netherlands. By including this broad set of factors, policymakers can use these results to better
adjust local marketing strategies by enforcing factors that positively influence the spatial preference
of Dutch firms and tackling the negative factors that influence the spatial preference of Dutch firms.
date: 2021
pages: 47
thesis_type: master
degree_programme: EG
tutors_name: Koster, S.
tutors_organization: Fac. Ruimtelijke wetenschappen, Basiseenheid Economische Geografie
tutors_email: Sierdjan.Koster@rug.nl
security: validuser
keywords_local: Spatial preference
keywords_local: Firm location
keywords_local: Firm location behaviour
keywords_local: Economic geography
keywords_local: Mental map
language_iso: en
agreed_repository: yes
date_issued: 2022-04-21
citation:   Houthooft, Coen  (2021) The spatial preference of Dutch firms.  Master thesis.   
document_url: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3813/1/MasterThesis_Coen_Houthooft_Final.pdf