Cambridge science park case study for industry

Question 1

why is high quality research and development so important for hi-tech industries

Answer 1

It’s important for companies to keep up and stay ahead of their competition by developing new products and new machines to make them.

Question 2

examples of hi-tech companies that you would expect to find at CSP (4)

Answer 2

• microsoft
• toshiba european research
• epson
• kodak european research

Question 3

is skilled labour important and why ( or locational factor)

Answer 3

important
- because industries need large numbers of high skilled workers so there’s smart brains and also more development happening.

Question 4

is proximity to universities important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 4

important
- The closer they are to universities the more options they have regarding skilled workers as most workers would rather work close to where they live. The closer to universities, the more skilled workers that have had an education.

Question 5

is proximity to raw materials important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 5

unimportant
- The silicon chips and electricity inputs needed aren’t expensive to transport so the industry doesn’t have to be close to the raw materials

Question 6

is proximity to markets important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 6

unimportant
- Because most of their products are exported worldwide, the proximity to market isn’t important

Question 7

are high speed road and rail links important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 7

important
- Because the product needs to beat its competitors to the market, so; efficient, nearby and close transport is a must.

Question 8

is proximity to aeroport important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 8

important
- As transport is essential, and it needs to be fast and they export worldwide, they need to be located near the airport so they can get their products shipped as fast as possible.

Question 9

is cost of land important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 9

important
- Land is needed for car parks and infrastructure.. Etc

Question 10

is it important that it is a greenfield site and why ( locational facotr)

Answer 10

unimportant
- The land just needs to be flat and big, but usually companies locate themselves on science parks or development parks that have been developed by the governments and local authorities to promote the growth of industry

Question 11

is a pleasant environment important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 11

important
- can help attract high skilled workers who value a good work-life balance and an aesthetically pleasing workplace.

Question 12

is government support important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 12

important
- It’s important because they fund the industries, they like to encourage the industries with the development of the technology. Especially in aerospace.

Question 13

is the presence of pre-existing hi-tech industries important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 13

important
- Building in a place where other hi-tech industries have already been is crucial since it can build a good reputation for them. It also promotes competition that leads to development of new ideas.

Question 14

are cultural and recreational facilities important and why ( locational factor)

Answer 14

important
- Its important to have different recreational facilities (like golf clubs) since the people that work there have money to spend on entertainment which attracts many people to come live there. These are things that can appeal to skilled workers which are look for an area to live

Question 15

4 facts about the CSP

Answer 15

established by trinity college in 1970

There are over 90 research and development companies with Cambridge science park

Received a huge boost when microsoft gave them 50$million to build its first european computer centre in 1997

They have facilities like nurseries, landscape surroundings, health and fitness centres and conference facilities.

Question 16

EXPLAIN WHY HI-TECH FIRMS BASE THEIR R&Ds IN MEDC LOCATIONS BUT HAVE BRANCH FACTORIES IN LEDCs.

Answer 16

Because there is cheaper land, labour cost and transport cost in India and China so while they do research in areas which have more merit, better reputation and better facilities, they can make their actual products in countries where it will cost less overall.

Question 17

what are 9 important locational factors

Answer 17

• pleasant environment
• government support
• pre-existing hi-tech industries
• cultural/recreational facilities
• cost of land
• proximity to aeroport
• high speed road and rail links
• proximity to universities
• skilled labour