Impresa Publications

Many of Impresa's publications are publicly available, either from our clients or from this website. You can download several of our reports here.

Signs of Life:
The Growth of Biotechnology Centers in the US
Our nationwide study of the development of the biotechnology industry in the 50 largest US metropolitan areas, published by the Brookings Institution. Not only is biotechnology highly concentrated in 9 leading areas, but these areas have accounted for an increasing share of biotech commercialization in the past few years. We present detailed data on biotech research, patenting, venture capital investment, and new firm formation in each metropolitan area.

New Growth Theory, Learning and Technology: This literature review prepared for the US Economic Development Administration explains some of the latest theories of the knowledge economy and their practical implications. Knowledge creation is the critical ingredient propelling economic growth. Incorporating knowledge into our theories of development has important implications for how we understand economies and develop economic policy. History, institutions and location are all critical factors in shaping knowledge based growth.
Ecology of the Silicon Forest: Our cluster study of the Portland Metropolitan Area's high technology industry. Describes the region's key technological specializations and the dynamic process which has lead to Portland's emergence as a nationally important high tech center.
Transportation, Industrial Location and the New Economy: How will changes in technology, like the widespread use of computers and the Internet, change patterns of economic activity and industrial location, and in turn, re-shape the demand for transportation? (Available through the Foundation for Intermodal Research & Education).

High Tech Specialization: A comparative analysis of high technology industry clusters in 14 US metropolitan areas. We find high tech varies enormously from place to place, and that enduring technological specializations shape the opportunities for economic development in different metropolitan regions.
The Economic Importance of Being Different: How do differences in attitudes, beliefs and behaviors from one place to another influence opportunities for economic development? This paper argues that a region's distinctive tastes help shape the direction and magnitude of business growth.
Myths & Realities of Work in Oregon: Rapid changes in technology and eth economy are reshaping the kinds of jobs that are available and the skills needed to get them. This Impresa report, aimed at a wide, non-technical audience explains many of the new lessons we must learn (and the old lessons we must un-learn) to prosper in a new world of work.

Oregon Fiscal Flow Analysis: Impresa analyzed the geographic patterns of state revenue collection and expenditure and documented a consistent pattern of net revenue flows from the Portland metropolitan area to the non-metro areas of the state. Willamette Week called our study "a remarkable report that should be required reading for everybody in public office" (January 29, 1999).
Metropolitan Portland's Nursery Industry Cluster: Our analysis of the fast-growing nursery products industry located on the fringes of the Portland metropolitan area. Selling a wide variety of high quality products throughout the nation, and supported by a strong industry association, the nursery industry is now the leading sector in Oregon agriculture.
A Vision for Public Finance in Oregon: Working on behalf of the Oregon Business Council, Impresa developed a thorough review of Oregon's tax and expenditure systems and long term budget outlook. The report describes a vision for the state's economy and outlines policy steps for achieving that vision.
Understanding the Two Oregons: In a White Paper prepared for the Portland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Impresa analyzed the economic, fiscal and social trends shaping Oregon's destiny and laid out a series of seven myths and realities about the divisions between urban and rural Oregon.