Geography 450 - Fall 2000

Midterm Quiz #2

There are three (3) parts to this brief test (2 to be done here, 1 at home):

Part I : In pursuit of our class objective to gain a full understanding of the nature of classical location equilibria.... select ONE of the following questions:(10 minutes)

Articulate and explain, in your own words, that (why & how)

  1. the THRESHOLD (or "break-even-point") concept as applied to Central Place Theory, represents an equilibrium of forces found on
    1. the supply (or cost) side as well as
    2. the demand side.
    Under what conditions (or assumptions) would you introduce spatial variables on the supply side or on the demand side (or both)?

  2. William Alonso's Bid Rent surface represents an amalgam (combination) of
    1. an indifference curve surface (which considers utilities but not prices), and
    2. price/rent considerations

  3. Leon Moses' spatial iso-outlay(cost) lines (curves or surfaces) combine
    1. the concept of iso-cost/outlay curves and
    2. locational/ spatial considerations

 

Part II: Select one of the two topics for a thoughtful and well-organized statement. (20 minutes)

  1. Assuming that built-in flexibilities or adaptabilities are costly (since they would not be very interesting if they would be costless and would not have to be traded off against some advantages of specialization, commitment or rigidity): Would it be plausible to suggest that the many different uncertainties which the typical organization faces in its environment would be better countered (ceteris paribus) by specialized, "uncertainty-specific" flexibilities or adaptabilities than by "general-purpose" flexibilities or adaptabilities? Why or why not? Do you see a locationally significant dimension to this discussion?

  2. The "expected value/payoff maximization criterion" and the "minimax/maximin (Wald) criterion" represent the bases for two normative decision-theoretical strategies. Discuss the advantages and shortcomings of each and suggest locational decision contexts which might be reasonably well accounted for by each of these decision principles.

 

Part III: Open Book (Take-Home [optional]):

Correct, modify and/or expand any of your answers and/or tackle the non-selected questions. Due (if you decide to accept this 'challenge'): Nov.28 (class time, on paper)