The role of quality of life in business (re)location decisions

Key decision-makers from 174 businesses that had relocated, expanded, or be en launched in Colorado within the most recent 5-year period were surveyed to identify the role of quality-of-life (QOL) elements in their decision. A comprehensive set of elements considered by businesses in location decisio ns was developed, and their relative importance was assessed by the sample. Five domains of elements were derived. The set of QOL elements consistentl y ranked in importance behind labor and cost issues and daily living concer ns. QOL was most important to companies that moved into Colorado from outsi de the state, had fewer than eight employees, weve relatively footloose, em ployed a high proportion of professionals, who perceived ability to attract and retain professional personnel as being a primary concern, and whose ul timate decision-maker relocated with the company. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.