Regional Variation and Economic Drivers: An Application of the Hill and Brennan Methodology

Abstract

The methodology developed by Hill and Brennan (2000) to analyze economic drivers in the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan area offers a powerful tool to researchers who seek to develop an objective, data-driven assessment of one or more regions. This article presents results of a replication of the Hill and Brennan methodology for seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of New York State. Cross-MSA analyses are used to provide technical insights into the methodology that may be less obvious from a single-MSA analysis. These cross-MSA analyses are also used to demonstrate how the results can speak to key regional economic policy issues, including the role and importance of manufacturing, the extent to which a region is “high-tech,” and an overall assessment of regional economic specialization and performance.

Keywords

regional economic drivers industry clusters quantitative analysis of regional competitiveness

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