| This dissertation explores the spatial distribution of biotechnology industry activities across fifty major metropolitan areas in the United States in 2002. The biotechnology industry is composed of the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry and the physical, engineering, and life science research and development industry. When measured by the number and density of establishments, employment amount and density, and specialization, metropolitan areas where the majority of biotechnology industrial activities are clustered in the United States in 2002 include New York City, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Raleigh. Using Porter's (1990, 1998) cluster theory as analytical framework, this study finds out that local input factor conditions, represented by local life science research base, local biotechnology innovation capability, local supply of life science PhDs, and local entrepreneurship are very important for biotechnology industry development. A local atmosphere of creation and networking among biotechnology professionals is important as well. Also, biotechnology industry is generally located close to its buying, related, and supportive industries at metropolitan level. However, there is no clear agglomeration effect from biotechnology anchor establishments, and anchor impacts may depend on individual anchor's business culture. |
