The University and Economic Development: The Case of Johns Hopkins University and Baltimore

Although there are many examples of the role that universities might play in fostering regional economic development, this article considers a counterfactual case. The presence of a prominent research university provides no guarantee that an area's economic development potential is enhanced. Using an innovation process model as a framework, the author studies the relationship between Johns Hopkins University and the Baltimore metropolitan area. This provides an opportunity to consider the other factors that might enhance the ability of an area to capitalize on the benefits that proximity to a research university may provide.