Overview

Through an analysis of national data and detailed case studies, From Combines to Computers examines how the transition to a service economy is playing out for rural America. It answers two important questions: Will services fill the gap left by lost farming, manufacturing, and mining jobs? And will services stabilize, even revitalize, rural areas? Glasmeier and Howland document the intraregional spatial patterns and trends of services in the national economy, compare services in urban and rural communities, and identify the potential and limitations of rural development strategies based on services. In particular, they document the growing dominance of branch plants, the displacement of ""mom-and-pop"" enterprises, and the declining access to services for residents in the least populated rural areas. The authors conclude that services are unlikely to be the basis of widespread sustainable development unless policies are designed to help firms and communities compete successfully in an increasingly global and information-based economy

Full Product Details

Author:   Amy K. Glasmeier ,  Marie Howland
Publisher:   State University of New York Press
Imprint:   State University of New York Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.431kg
ISBN:  

9780791422007

ISBN 10:   0791422003
Pages:   291
Publication Date:   22 November 1994
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgments 1. Introduction Why a Concern about Services Now? The Transformation of the Structure of the U.S. Economy The Role of Services in Rural America: An Outline of the Book The Current Rural Situation 2. Rural Services in an Age of Information Technology: Definitions, Theories, and Empirical Evidence Defining Services Social Change and the Growth of Services The Growth Experience of Services in Peripheral Areas What the Service Sector Means for Development in Rural Areas Models of Service Industry Development and Location Conclusion 3. Rural Services: A New Source of Export-Led Development or a Continuing Dependence on Traditional Sectors? Manufacturing's Experience An Overview of Services Growth in America The Top Ten Job-Generating Industries: A Comparison of the National and Rural Experiences Percentage Change in Services at the National Level Economic Diversity and the Structure of Services Services as a Share of Total Rural Employment Conclusion 4. Producer Services: Back Offices, Niche Markets, New Exports? The National View of Complex Corporate Activities Patterns of Growth in Export-Oriented Producer Services Conclusion 5. Rural Computer Services in an International Economy Computer Services: The Expectation Overview of Rural Computer Services Computer Programming in Rural Economies Data Entry and Processing in Rural Economies Conclusion 6. The Changing Face of Banking in Rural Communities Competitive Context Steers Structural Changes and Market Orientation The Case Studies Discussion of the Case Studies and Their Implications Conclusion 7. The Transformation of the Residentiary Sector: From Local Services to Branch Operations Retail Services Case Study: Olney, Illinois Consumer Services Conclusion 8. Conclusions The Service Economy in Rural America Implications for Development Practice Strategies for Rural Service Exporters Implications for Development Theory Appendix I: Geographic System Used to Identify Rural Areas Appendix II: Data Sources and Limitations The Organizational Basis of County Business Patterns, Recent Revisions and Classification Changes USEEM Dataset Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

"""This book targets an important but little understood element of the rural economy and systematically debunks some prevalent myths about changes that are occurring in rural America. While doing this, the authors clearly articulate key theoretical issues about rural socioeconomic change and convincingly ground their conclusions with their empirical analyses."" - Forrest A. Deseran, Colorado State University ""This is the first large-scale, systematic treatment of service industries in rural areas. It is an original and genuine contribution to the literature on rural industrial development."" - Charles M. Tolbert, Louisiana State University"

This book targets an important but little understood element of the rural economy and systematically debunks some prevalent myths about changes that are occurring in rural America. While doing this, the authors clearly articulate key theoretical issues about rural socioeconomic change and convincingly ground their conclusions with their empirical analyses. - Forrest A. Deseran, Colorado State University This is the first large-scale, systematic treatment of service industries in rural areas. It is an original and genuine contribution to the literature on rural industrial development. - Charles M. Tolbert, Louisiana State University

Author Information

Amy K. Glasmeier is Associate Professor of Geography and Regional Planning at The Pennsylvania State University. Marie Howland is Director and Associate Professor of the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland.

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