The practice came of age during the 20th century, as governments and corporate operations expanded to new geographies on a national and international scale and as detailed data regarding vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns could be captured and analyzed.
Large companies began using a formal site selection process to identify ideal locations for new corporate campuses and, in particular, manufacturing operations.
In his book "The Location of Economic Activity", Hoover compiled crucial criteria of industrial site selection as early as 1948 that still apply today.
Even though since the 1990s it has no longer been only major corporations that expand abroad, and any foreign direct investment results in a site selection, there are still very few well-researched studies on this topic.
Many current and more recent publications either review site decisions made by individual corporations or analyze them as reference cases.
Other publications focus on a cost-specific approach largely driven by site relocations in the context of cost structure optimization within major corporations.
Theodor Sabathil's 1969 dissertation is considered one of the early in-depth studies in the area of international site selection.
The site selection process includes a detailed evaluation of project needs which are then measured against the merits of potential locations.
[7] When choosing new locations for retail outlets, chain restaurant, and fast food franchises, site selection consultants will analyze the volume and travel patterns of cars and pedestrians as part of their process.
[8] According to the U.S. General Services Administration, site selection considerations should begin early in the capital development process and play a significant role in pre-planning discussions.
In private industry, site selection consultants[14] are hired for complicated projects including manufacturing facilities, corporate headquarters, and research and development operations.