Abstract
This paper analyses the accumulation process of small sized knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) in the suburbs of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with a focus on the outer-suburban KIBS accumulation at Kamakura-Zushi(KZ) seaside area. Through interviews with KIBS owners, following conclusions were obtained: (1) Most business owners in KZ area commenced their business career in central Tokyo, and later relocated their office to the current location in their 20's and 30's. (2) Major determinants of small KIBS location in KZ area were: proximity to owner's home town, personal familiarity to the place, better working environment compared to central Tokyo, flexible life style and the creative atmosphere. (3) Many of the business owners highly appreciate the value of the regionality of KZ area mainly for the following reasons: abundant opportunities of regional contribution activities, business opportunities generated from casual conversation with other corporate managers, mental rewards gained from nature and people and inspiration from its history.
