Occupational Organization: Understanding the Geography of Jobs

by Kevin Stolarick

Abstract

Industrial Organization studies the behavior of firms, markets and economies through the lens of industry.  With the transition to a knowledge or creative economy, occupation has become an equally important consideration for understanding regional economies and markets. Industry alone is no longer a sufficient discriminator to understand regional markets and structures.  This paper discusses the rising importance of occupation as a unit of analysis for understanding regional economies and economic structures. However, occupation does not supplant industry as occupation alone is also not sufficient.  Rather, an understanding of the organization of occupations and industries across regions and occupations within industries is required. The study of Occupational Organization is needed.

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