Entry determinants of the Software and Video games firms in Barcelona

Identifier:  PC:3563

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/PC3563

Authors:  Méndez Ortega, Carles

Abstract:
This paper aims to determine which reasons lead Software and Video games firms (SVE hereafter) to locate in certain areas of Barcelona. This high-tech industry is a key industry in developed economies mainly located in urban areas. To carry out this analysis, we use SVE firm entries at neighbourhood level between 2011 and 2013 and a set of covariates that capture neighbourhood characteristics (localization and agglomeration economies, high-tech amenities, diversity, human capital and crime). Our results show that i) SVE firms tend to choose locations with a high diversity and good high-tech amenities (e.g. 22@ district), ii) the importance of the localization and agglomeration economies, since spatial spillovers are a key factor for this type of firms and iii) the role of the diversity in the location process of these firms, since SVE firms choose places with a high diversity of cultural and creative activity. JEL Codes: R10, R30, L86. Keywords: Software and Video games Industry, location determinants, Count Data models, Barcelona