Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
1996
College/Unit
Regional Research Institute
Document Number
9622
Department/Program/Center
Regional Research Institute
Abstract
Appalachia is a region that has undergone notable socio-economic change over the last twenty years. This change has produced communities of socio-economic “winners” and “losers.” In this paper, I attempt to understand why some communities 'won'and others 'lost'during this period using an analysis informed by two key sociological theories at the opposite end of the structure-agency continuum (new urban sociology, human ecology). The analysis combines shift-share analysis and the Land-Deane two-stage least squares technique for spatial effects to predict earnings change related to local industry mix and county effects for the following business cycles: 1980-82 recession, 1983-88 recovery, 1989-92 recession. The analysis shows that measures from both theoretical perspectives are important, but neither dominates (unlike in previous analyses). Implications for current/future theory and research are discussed.
Digital Commons Citation
Mencken, F. Carson, "Industry Structure and Earnings Growth During National Business Cycles in Appalachia" (1996). Regional Research Institute Working Papers. 197.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/rri_pubs/197