Location and rank-size distribution of Arts and Entertainment : A study of US Metropolitan Regions

• Main Author: Ruett, Benjamin
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Internationella Handelshögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, IHH, Nationalekonomi 2010
• Subjects: Firm location; firm size; economies of scale; Zipf’s law
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-14826

This thesis describes and analyzes the location and size distribution of artand entertainment establishments and metropolitan regions in the UnitedStates. The included sectors are sound recording, motion picture and video,book and newspaper publishing as well as the live performing arts. Their sizeis analyzed by total employment and brought in context to their respectivemarkets and the rank-size rule. The results are interpreted within the economictraits specific to the art and entertainment industry.The results show that most analyzed sectors are over proportionally concentratedin one location, making it the center for these activities. In addition, thesize distribution in all sectors except sound recording follows Zipfs law to agreat extend. Explanations for this can be found in lock-in mechanisms overtime and classic agglomeration advantages.