| The popular notion that a regional prosperity is synonymous with the growth of its industrial base has been instrumental in the introduction of large-scale, propulsive industries as growth poles in economically lagging regions. In many cases, success has been achieved, and in others, the results have been disappointing. Disappointments in some of the regions have been attributed to limited internal growth and expansion capabilities of selected industries. Consequently, this research was designed with two goals in mind: (1) To investigate factors associated with the growth of propulsive industries using Dow petrochemical industry as a case study, and (2) To apply IMPLAN input-output to analyze the impact of Dow on employment growth in Brazoria County.;An investigation into the determinants of the growth of industries was conducted through a random survey of 450 large and small industries nationwide, drawn from Fortune 500 and other manufacturing directories. Responses received from two groups of industries were tabulated and graphed to depict levels of positive responses for each question. The two graphs were later superimposed to detect the so-called indifference zone. The variables that constituted the indifference zone became the growth factors for large industries and a basis for testing hypotheses related to Dow's industrial operation.;A Multiple Linear Regression with a two-tailed test and a.05 confidence level measured the relationship between the dependent variable, Net Annual Sales, and the independent variables, Research and Development, Marketing and Advertisement, Capital Improvements, Acquisition and Availability of Resource Inputs. An R;In summation, this study finds that Dow's growth is strongly associated with the availability of resource inputs and the annual budgetary allocations for Research and Development, Capital Improvements, Marketing and Advertisements, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures. The study also indicated that, although there might be substantial leakage, Dow has exerted a significant economic impact in the region not only in inducing employment growth but also in value added, total regional income, as well as personal income. |
