Spatial Search Processes and Spatial Interaction: 1. Sequential Search, Intervening Opportunities, and Spatial Search Equilibrium

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In this paper some of the main properties of spatial interaction models deriving from a spatial search process are examined. First, a rigorous definition of the idea of sequentiality of a spatial search process is developed. The departure point of this definition is that if one moves from some region in space to another, so does the spatial repartition of opportunities to be found. Then, the probability of finding an opportunity within the region one leaves decreases, whereas it increases for the region one is going into. Second, it is shown that when a spatial search process is sequential, the corresponding spatial interaction function is one of intervening opportunities. In the last part of the paper a spatial search equilibrium when searchers are competing for the same opportunities is examined. It appears that the effect of competition on one's search process is given by a competing searchers effect, corresponding to the mean duration of vacant opportunities.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: