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The Functional Form of the Gravity Model

Author

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  • James B. Kau

    (Department of Real Estate and Urban Development The University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602 USA)

  • C.F. Sirmans

    (Department of Real Estate and Urban Development The University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602 USA)

Abstract

Gravity models have been used extensively in regional planning and transportation studies in order to examine spatial interaction. These models have been criticized, however, because their precise functional form is difficult to determine empirically. In this paper an application of a maximum likelihood method, developed by Box and Cox, is presented that allows an investigator to choose the most appropriate functional form from a general class of alternatives. This method, which imposes no additional information requirements, is applied to 1970 data on 489 trip flows among approximately 700 different travel nodes in Georgia. The log-linear functional form for the gravity model performs best in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • James B. Kau & C.F. Sirmans, 1979. "The Functional Form of the Gravity Model," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 4(2), pages 127-136, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:4:y:1979:i:2:p:127-136
    DOI: 10.1177/016001767900400202
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Felipa Mello Sampayo, 2006. "The Geographic Distribution of Economic Activities of the USA Multinational Enterprises," DEGIT Conference Papers c011_040, DEGIT, Dynamics, Economic Growth, and International Trade.

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