Driving directions.(BOOK OF THE MONTH)

Many factors are important in location decision making, including transportation infrastructure, ease of regulatory procedures, existing work force skills, city and state incentive programs, higher education presence and land and building prices. But when information is collected that matches each of these determinants, there is another layer of untapped questions related to the geography of a new store, distribution center or transportation hub. What is the population of the state? How many surrounding businesses are there? What are the demographics of bordering states?

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The focus of the book Business Site Selection, Location and GIS by Richard L. Church and Alan T. Murray, a geographical information system (GIS) is a type of information system that can either reinforce where that next address should be or destroy the desire to move in. The formal definition of GIS is hardware, software and procedures that support decision making through the acquisition, management, manipulation, analysis and display of spacially referenced information. Additionally, the system combines the disciplines of geography, engineering, mathematics and economics.

For students who may never have to make an important location decision but are enrolled in facilities design, facilities planning or statistical analysis in geography classes, the case studies and glossary are generous and useful. Others who are curious why a hospital, fire station or shopping mall was built in a certain location will find the chapters on suitability assessment and problem definition and motivation informative.

The technical sections of the book comprise data modeling and mathematical representation of location analysis that use sophisticated optimization packages. Technical terms are well-defined and then listed at the end of each chapter. And because the book was written to serve as a textbook when applicable, chapter exercises are meant to help the reader better interpret information, not run to the glossary for cover. The book does not require any prerequisites.

Church and Murray are geography professors who have worked with a number of professionals in industrial engineering, urban planning, business and location science.

Business Site Selection, Location Analysis, and GIS is published by Wiley ($120).

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