High Tech Computer Occupations in Ohio, 2001
High Tech & Regional Growth
Studies have documented a positive link between high technology activities and regional economic growth. These studies also point out the need for a knowledge infrastructure such as an ample supply of computer specialists, engineers and scientists to support high technology growth. Also indicated by these studies is that the link between innovation and job growth is long term, uncertain, and is influenced by the overall business climate of the region.
High Tech Computer Occupations
This study compares high tech computer occupations in Ohio with high tech computer occupations in five states recognized for their leadership in high tech economic development. The high tech computer occupational mix of the U.S. economy is used as the standard of comparison. Location quotients were calculated to express the percent of total employment in high tech computer occupations in each state and the nation.
The table indicates that Ohio lags the nation by 22 percent in the relative share of high tech computer occupations. Ohio falls behind North Carolina, which lags the nation by 8 percent in computer specialist occupations, but Ohio significantly lags Massachusetts, Texas, California and Utah in concentrations of high tech computer occupations. These states exceed the national norm for computer specialist occupations by 55, 6, 21 and 24 percent, respectively.
Policy Implications
An adequate supply of human and knowledge capital is necessary to support industry. Without it, initiatives such as the Third Frontier will have difficulty in making good on the promise of high tech jobs for Ohio.
Rather than the Third Frontier’s approach of selecting targeted companies and technologies for special grants and subsidies, a strategy of building Ohio’s high technology infrastructure is more promising. This will require a carefully crafted long-term tax and expenditure program to support the development of a high tech infrastructure consistent with the needs of the state’s economy.
Robert Premus, Ph.D. is a Senior Fellow in Technology and Economic Development with The Buckeye Institute and a professor of economics at Wright State University.
