| The central goal of this thesis was to assess and evaluate the export activity of the producer service sector in Edmonton. The accomplish this goal, a survey of selected producer service sub-sectors was undertaken. The following producer service sub-sectors were included in the survey: marketing, advertising, computer, data processing, management, engineering, legal, and accounting services. It is postulated here that these producer services help other firms to become more efficient and competitive. Moreover, they export part of their output and, thus, contribute directly to the export base of cities. They also may attract other industries to the local economy.;The research design of the thesis was arranged in four stages. In the first stage, the number, size, and type of producer service firms based in Edmonton were determined. In the second stage a survey of a sample of producer service firms was conducted. At this stage, the volume and destination of exports of producer services from Edmonton were determined. The third stage of the research was designed to determine who were the customers of the producer service firms and what type of inputs were being purchased. The fourth stage was designed to establish what were the factors in the location of exporting firms.;The major findings of the thesis can be summarized as follows. Edmonton has a large and diversified producer service sector. Seventy five per cent of firms surveyed exported at least 10 per cent of their services. Over one third of the total revenue of the sector came from exports. In monetary terms the export revenue reached over 800 million dollars in 1987. Thus, the producer service sector contributed a substantial revenue to the economic base of Edmonton. The major sources of demand were government and producer service firms themselves. The survey revealed that the future of producer services in Edmonton depends on the combination of demand from the government and service sectors.;There are three major policy implications of the thesis for the producer service sector in Edmonton. First, the export of producer services can be significantly increased. Second, the government can play a key role in promoting export of these services. Third, reliability and quality of some producer services should be improved in order to increase exports of the sector.;The major success of this study is that the contributing role of the producer service sector was assessed and evaluated. Although the thesis focused on empirical testing of the assumptions relating to the export activity of producer services, some policy recommendations were possible. These results help us to understand the role producer services play in urban economies of medium size cities and thereby open the way to improve our understanding of the nature of complex changes in the economies of these cities. |
