Abstract:

This research investigates the patterns and changes in the concentration of the Health Care Industry in New York State at county scale for the past three decades (1969 to 2000).  The study integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) and various spatial-temporal analytical tools to conduct empirical regional economic analyses.  The method is built upon a loose-coupling of the GIS module using ArcView, and various statistical and temporal analytical modules using Excel, Visual Basic, SPSS, and SAS.  This method allows both spatial and temporal analyses of regional economic development.  Various analytical tools such as the location quotient (LQ) technique and Moran’s I statistic are employed.  The paper applies this method to trace and analyze both spatial and temporal clustering patterns and spillover effects on the healthcare industries across the 62 counties in the New York State over the past three decades.