What Is Spatial Business?

Spatial business is the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and location analytics to gather business intelligence that can be used for effective decision-making. The integration of spatial business includes gathering spatial location data and organizing layers of information into visualizations like maps and 3D scenes. This data can then deliver powerful insights into markets, customers, services, logistics, supply chains, and asset and risk management. (Source: Esri)

About the Center

Incorporating spatial thinking and GIS into the business programs at the University of Redlands School of Business, the Center for Spatial Studies:

• Seeks to stimulate, support, and provide thought leadership for spatial business research and education through applied location analytics and GIS research
• Provides training toward accomplishing excellence in pedagogical aspects of spatial business
• Enriches education and curriculum for business schools and provides outreach to academic and professional communities
• Works to enhance and grow understanding of location value, spatial decision-making, and locational strategies in business through research and scholarship
• Creates contemporary curricula in spatial business and provides global leadership in spatial thinking for businesses and organizations
• Develops networks of collaborative partnerships and projects with companies, communities, and academic organizations to promote cooperation in furthering scientific understanding of place and location for organization and business success

Resources

Curricular materials, workshop slides, and industry and academic journals are available through the Center to support the understanding and advancement of business GIS and spatial analysis.

Expertise

The Center sponsors a Speaker Series that features experts in geo-technology.

Thought Leadership

The Center for Spatial Business team includes thought leaders whose research forwards the study and understanding about location value, spatial decision-making, and locational strategies in business. 

Awards

Students are eligible to be nominated for awards for outstanding course projects involving business applications of GIS. The honoraria awarded to students are courtesy of donations provided by University of Redlands School of Business alumnus Kazuo ‘Kaz’ Takeda ’12 (MBA, Location Analytics Concentration), Director of Operations at SprintRay, Inc. and former Manager of Industrial Engineering at Disneyland Resort. Takeda’s donations are a result of the Disneyland Resort’s “Ears to You” grants.