The competitiveness of a region largely consists of the quality of its economic foundations, including human capital and the physical infrastructure. The term “competitiveness” largely is synonymous with “business climate.” Economic development refers to efforts to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in a region by retaining and creating jobs, and by maintaining and increasing incomes.
University Economist Reports
A Comparison of Arizona to Nations of Comparable Size (PDF), July 2009
Compares Arizona to 11 nations with developed economies of comparable size on a range of economic and demographic data.
Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth (PDF), November 2008
A shorter version of the background report (see below), this report was distributed at the infrastructure conference held at Arizona State University on November 17, 2008.
Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth – Background Report (PDF), October 2008
Arizona's infrastructure needs are placed into national and historical contexts, the changing conditions in infrastructure provision that make building Arizona's infrastructure in the future a more problematic proposition than in the past are identified, and projections of the possible costs of providing infrastructure in Arizona over the next quarter century are provided.
Targeting Federal Laboratories as a Catalyst for Private Investment in Research and Development (PDF), January 2008
A brief discussion of how the attraction of a federally funded research and development center would aid economic development, particularly private-sector research and development.
University Research and Local Economic Development (PDF), August 2006
A review of studies that examine the extent to which university research contributes to economic growth and development.
Lessons From the Irish Miracle (PDF), June 2005
An analysis of Ireland’s dramatic improvement in economic growth and prosperity, with comparisons to Arizona.
Related Articles and Reports
Innovative Thinking: Meeting Arizona's Infrastructure Needs, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, November 19, 2008
Heads Up, Arizona, Part 5: The Huge Cost of Transportation Infrastructure to 2032, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, August 13, 2008
Heads Up, Arizona, Part 4: The Cost of Telecommunications Infrastructure to 2032, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, July 30, 2008
Heads Up, Arizona, Part 3: The Cost of Energy Infrastructure to 2032, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, June 18, 2008
Heads Up, Arizona, Part 2: The Cost of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure to 2032, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, June 4, 2008
Heads Up, Arizona, Part 1: The High Cost of Getting Ready for Growth, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, June 4, 2008
Infrastructure Needs and Funding Alternatives for Arizona: 2008-2032 (PDF), ASU L. William Seidman Research Institute, prepared for the Arizona Investment Council, May 2008
Developing a Globally Competitive Economy: Challenges and Opportunities, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, November 8, 2006
The Effects of University Research on Local Economies, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, September 13, 2006
Study: Tax-Break Incentives for Business Seldom Pay Off, Knowledge@W. P. Carey, May 10, 2005
Related Links
Arizona Department of Commerce, Economic Information and Research
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Harvard Business School Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness
National Competitiveness Council (Ireland)
University of Arizona, Office of Economic and Policy Analysis