B. Ohuallachain et N. Reid, THE LOCATION OF SERVICES IN THE URBAN HIERARCHY AND THE REGIONS OF THE UNITED-STATES, Geographical analysis, 25(3), 1993, pp. 252-267
We use regression and factor analyses to explain intermetropolitan var
iation in the proportion of jobs in disaggregated service sectors in A
merican metropolitan areas. Central place theory postulates of central
ly located establishments serving a surrounding complementary region p
artially explain the positive relationship between metropolitan size a
nd the proportion of jobs in an area in services. Regional variation i
n demand following several decades of substantial shifts in population
and economic output is an additional influence. Intermetropolitan clu
stering of service sectors is also occurring. A factor analysis of emp
loyment proportions in twenty-two disaggregate service sectors identif
ied five intersectoral service clusters. The factor analysis accounted
for substantially more variance than the regression equations. We int
erpret this result as evidence of the emergence of service-based spati
al industrial complexes. We argue that agglomeration of information-in
tensive intermediate services is driven by an attraction to labor mark
ets endowed with pools of skilled professionals who can flexibly apply
their talents in a variety of sectors. Unusual demographic characteri
stics of some metropolitan areas probably explain clusters of final de
mand services.