Title: Location strategies and implementations from an eco-friendly viewpoint

Authors: Alan D. Smith; Terry Damron

Addresses: Department of Marketing, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3099, USA ' Department of Management and Marketing, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044, USA

Abstract: This examination of location strategy implementation by Pittsburgh-based service firms, particularly eco-friendly initiatives, was pursued via a case-study approach. The factors selected for comparison were site size and cost; air, rail, highway, and waterway systems; zoning restrictions; proximity to markets/suppliers/competitors; and environmental impact issues. The study included five service-based firms, most of which made decisions concerning new locations within the last few years, and highlighted those factors most significant in the location strategies of local service firms. Findings evidence proximity to market/suppliers/competitors was the most heavily weighted factor in site selection among Pittsburgh-based service firms. The least considered factor in site selection was economic impact. Further, while each firm practiced various eco-friendly initiatives, those initiatives were largely intended to reduce firm costs rather than minimise environmental impact.

Keywords: business strategy; case study; eco-friendly initiatives; location strategy; operations management; technology; USA; United States; Pittsburgh; case study; service industry; services; transport infrastructure; site size; costs; environmental impact; proximity; economic impact; facility location.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2016.075607

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2016 Vol.6 No.2, pp.235 - 257

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 05 Mar 2015
Published online: 30 Mar 2016 *

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