Date of Award:

5-1979

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Economics and Finance

Department name when degree awarded

Economics

Committee Chair(s)

Gary B. Hansen

Committee

Gary B. Hansen

Abstract

With the profound interest in regional planning by local administrative units to establish a more definitive criteria for policy implementation and framework for decision analysis, this study seeks to formulate a simplistic methodological approach in the construction of a fundamental tool for socioeconomic research. By utilizing the Bear River District as a case study, we have focused on the generation of basic informational requirements for manpower planning in analyzing the size, structure and distribution of the population and labor force; changes in the employment capacity of the region; sector interdependence; and historical economic base.

Based on the results of the study, the input-output analysis has shown the predominance of labor-intensive industries which is indicative of low productivity growth. Specifically, the emergence of the services sector has been influenced partly by the expansion of the population base in the domestic market in view of its personalized character. However, such industries generate low income and employment multiplier effects in the economy due to their weak links with the other sectors.

The projections of the labor force have depicted the changing working-age structure of the population and the divergent patterns in the labor force participation of the males and females in the Bear River District. On the other hand, the economic analysis of the demand for labor has depicted a gradual reorientation of jobs to more technical and mechanical operations. At the same time, there is a proliferation of part-time work which is more suitable for the employment of women in view of the time-flexibility it can offer between familial obligations and market activities.

The historical economic base study has shown the various components of employment growth. Cache County has the most favorable distribution of industries while Box Elder County and Rich County represent regions losing employment. Generally, most of the industries are nonspecialized with a competitive advantage.

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