Competing destinations and intervening opportunities interaction models of inter-city telecommunication flows

This research makes use of a large sample of individual telephone calls between local exchanges (cities, towns, villages) within a U.S. region. The interlocational flows, measured in conversation seconds, are analyzed by estimating, in a simultaneous equation framework, spatial interaction models that account for (1) the role of the spatial structure, which reflects the competition and agglomeration effects that take place among the flow destinations, and (2) the role of the reverse flows, which reflect the process of information creation necessary to complete economic and social transactions. A particular focus is set on Fotheringham’s competing destinations model and Stouffer’s intervening opportunities model. The implications of the results are discussed and areas for further research are outlined. JEL classification: L96, R1, R4, R12, R15