Food and agricultural industry locational determinants research: Aggregation bias and size measurement in the agricultural support industry

Abstract Federal administrative data present a valuable opportunity for food and agricultural industry locational outcome research. We review issues with aggregated U.S. public summarize current methods. An example empirical approach combines federal secondary data. compare results differing levels of industrial aggregation. Results indicate determinants vary in magnitude, sign, significance across industries their sub-industries, as well between employers non-employers – nuances commonly missed conclude by emphasizing that studies relying on (more-aggregated) may miss relationships or inappropriately generalize to sub-industries suggest access changes.