MANUFACTURERS LOCATION DECISIONS - DO SURVEYS PROVIDE HELPFUL INSIGHTS

Survey responses from 110 branch plant start-ups in South Carolina and Georgia were examined to determine ratings and characteristics of cou nties selected for the plant location. Findings indicate that survey r esponses and community characteristics were correlated only for easily observed criteria (e.g., distance to airport or interstate highway) a nd location factors of critical importance to the firm (e.g., availabi lity of skilled labor for high-tech firms). Also, the correlation betw een factor ratings and county-level proxy measures was stronger for la rger establishments than for smaller ones, indicating a more limited s earch process by smaller manufacturers. Research findings suggest that locational factors should be reported by highly disaggregated categor ies. A return to a ''case studies'' approach may be useful to gain ins ights into location decisions.