Economic Change Case Studies and Examples

Economic Change Case Studies and Examples

1. Reasons For The Growth of the Secondary Sector in China

   • Location
     • It is close to markets in the south-east of Asia.
   • Workforce
     • The workforce (labour) is extremely cheap, as many employees will work for only 40p an hour (on average).
     • There is a massive workforce.
   • Raw Materials
     • Lots of coal, oil and natural gas.
   • Government Policy
     • Invested lots of money in improving roads and offered industries money to set up along the east coast.
   • Globalisation
     • Excellent and cheap transport links have enabled factories to set up in China but still transport the products elsewhere.
   • TNCs in China
     • Nike (a third of all of their trainers are made in China), Mattel (the company which makes Barbie dolls), Disney and EUPA.

2. Factors Affecting the Location of a Primary Industry: China Clay in Cornwall

   • Presence of Materials
     • It is where the raw material (kaolin / china clay) is found.
   • Demand
     • There was a demand for kaolin in the 1800s from the pottery company Josiah Wedgwood, which was based in Stoke-on-Trent in the UK.
     • The demand is now mainly from the paper industry, and the toothpaste industry.
   • Accessibility
     • There were good transport links (trams to the ports in Cornwall, ships to Liverpool, barge boats and then packhorses to Stoke-on-Trent). At the time, these were excellent transport links, however most of the transportation is performed now by trains and boats.
     • Today it is transported by train to paper industries, and such.

3. Factors Affecting the Location of a Secondary Industry: Toyota Car Manufacturing, Burnaston near Derby

   • Large Area of Flat Land
     • There are 280 hectares of flat land. This is cheap and easy to build on, and it also provides ample room for expansion.
   • Excellent Transport Links
     • The A38 and A50 lead to the M1, which makes the location extremely accessible.
   • Government Investment
     • Derbyshire County Council offered to pay a £20 million share to help Toyota set up there. They also offered to upgrade the A50 to a duel carriageway.
   • Near to the Peak District
     • This attracts managerial workers as it has attractive surroundings.
   • History of Car Manufacturing
     • There are supplies and skilled workers that may not require much or any training in order to be qualified enough to work in the factory.

4. Factors Affecting the Location of a Tertiary Industry: David Lloyd Health Club, Hatfield

   • Near University of Hertfordshire
     • Offers potential customers and a potential workforce.
   • Excellent Transport Links
     • Near junctions 3 and 4 of the A1(M), so it is very accessible for customers and workers.
   • Near Salisbury Village
     • Fairly wealthy residents who have the disposable income for gym memberships.
   • Near T-Mobile and Ocado
     • Their workers and customers could be potential customers of the health club too.
   • Near the Galleria Shopping Centre
     • The people visiting the shops will see the health club and might be tempted to join.