This monthly selection of articles is been carried out by Philippe Gugler and Basile de Raemy, the Center for Competitiveness, University of Fribourg. The entire selection, carried out since 2013, can be consulted on the academic articles page of our web.

Trademarks  as an indicator of regional innovation: evidence from Japanese prefecture

By: J. Block, C. Fisch, K. Ikeuchi, M. Kato. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1887843, March 2021.

Abstract: “Regional science has long been concerned with measuring the spatial distribution of innovation activity. We introduce trademarks as a new indicator for regional innovation and argue that they are particularly useful to measure the ‘soft’ side of innovation that is difficult to capture with conventional indicators. We explore the spatial distribution of trademarks using a detailed and comprehensive dataset of 47 Japanese prefectures from 1999 to 2012. In addition to mapping differences in trademarking across regions, we identify correlates at the regional level that provide insights into determinants of regional innovation measured via trademarks. For example, regional trademark activity positively correlates with population density, income per capita, entrepreneurship rate, the number of universities, and strong private service and finance sectors. Overall, the results reveal associations unique to trademarks that other measures of innovation cannot uncover. Our findings contribute to research in regional science and the evolving literature on trademarks.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Global  connectedness, local embeddedness and creative economies in European cities

By: X. Huang, D. Fan. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1880002, March 2021.

Abstract: “Embracing the global–local debate, this study examines how cities configure their global connectedness and local embeddedness attributes in order to achieve the high performance of urban creative economies in Europe. Using the configurational approach, a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is undertaken to investigate urban creative economy performance in a sample of 168 European cities from 30 countries during the period 2000–17. The findings reveal a taxonomy of four distinct types of cities with the high performance of the creative economy and the contingent effects of cultural vibrancy and industrial diversity. This study provides novel insights into the variations among creative cities.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The  Role of system-building agency in regional path creation: insights from the  emergence of artificial intelligence in Montreal

By: C. Gherhes, T. Vorley, P. Vallance, C. Brooks. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1886273, March 2021.

Abstract: “The emergence of new industries that are not closely related to existing regional paths remains an under explained process in evolutionary economic geography. This paper responds to this gap through a case study of a maturing ecosystem of activity related to artificial intelligence in Montreal, Canada. Conceptually it brings together recent thinking in economic geography about agency in path development with complementary concepts from the literature on technological innovation systems. The empirical findings demonstrate the role of multiple agents in system-building and legitimation activities that have varied across pre-formative and formative phases of new path development in this analytical knowledge field.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

What  do place-makers actually do to sustain knowledge dynamics? Place-making  practices in Czech suburban knowledge location

By: A. Coblence. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1889990, February 2021.

Abstract: “Knowledge locations are expected to generate interactions among multiple knowledge actors, address these actors’ ongoing spatial needs, and provide the conditions of their engagement for a meaningful experience. However, little is known about the practices needed to overcome these challenges. This article investigates three place-making practices through which actors (public research labs, public institutions, firms, municipalities, and local communities) build a commonly shared identity and meaning of place. Focusing on a case study of the ‘Star Cluster’ on the southern outskirts of Prague, Czech, we discuss how these practices contribute to overcoming the challenges of knowledge locations in a suburban environment and help to establish intangible experiences, tangible features, and a new identity of place. The agency of various actors and place-making practices contributes to enriching our understanding of the link between urban and knowledge dynamics.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The  location patterns of audio-visual communication firms in Barcelona

By: J. M. Arauzo-Carod, E. Coll-Martinez. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1894096, March 2021.

Abstract: “This paper analyses the location patterns of audio-visual communication firms, a cultural and creative industry that includes activities related to motion picture, video, and television programme production, post-production and projection activities, as well as sound recording and music publishing activities. Firms in the industry tend to agglomerate in the core of large metropolitan areas to benefit from the economies arising from this clustering. Using Mercantile Register data, our results indicate a strong agglomeration pattern at the core of the Barcelona metropolitan area, as well as close inter-industry linkages with other cultural and creative industries. This location behaviour is explained by path dependence processes rather than as the result of cluster-based policies to encourage the concentration of such firms in some areas of the city. In view of these results, policy measures aiming to foster firms’ competitivity should be more selective and target the specific areas preferred by audiovisual communication firms” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The  effect of maritime knowledge clusters on maritime firms’ performance: An  organizational learning perspective

By: Y. Zhou, K. F. Yuen, B. Tan, V. V. Thai. Marine Policy, DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104472, March 2021.

Abstract: “Maritime Knowledge Clusters are known to facilitate regional economic growth. Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted to examine their impact on maritime firms’ performance. Drawing on organizational learning theory, this study investigates the effect of maritime knowledge clusters on the constituent maritime firms’ performance. A conceptual model was proposed and examined using survey data collected from shipping professionals in Singapore. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were employed as the data analysis approach. The results show that the positive relationship between maritime knowledge clusters and maritime firms’ performance is fully mediated by the firms’ social capital and absorptive capacity in a sequential manner. This indicates that maritime firms should focus on strengthening not only their social capital but also absorptive capacity so as to fully enjoy the benefits brought about by maritime knowledge clusters. In addition, regulators should endeavor to develop global linkage, global systemic mechanisms and local knowledge clusters to facilitate organizational learning of the constituent maritime firms.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Location  patterns of service activities in large metropolitan areas: the Case of Sao  Paulo

By: E. T. de Almeida, R. da Mota Silveira Neto, J. Macedo de Brito Bastos, R. Lopes Pereira da Silva. The Annals of Regional Science, DOI: 10.1007/s00168-021-01054-1, February 2021.

Abstract: “We present a set of detailed evidence about the location patterns of service activities in the largest and most important Brazilian metropolitan region, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR). Different from previous analysis of this big urban agglomeration, our results are obtained using a unique dataset of geocoded firms and a distance-based measure of firms’ location, thus not susceptible to the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). We find that around 89% of 3-digit service sectors present significant defined location patterns and, based on maximum distances where significant location patterns are observed, identify spatial location of clusters of some activities. Our results also indicate that firms’ activities of FIRE (finance and real estate), IT-related services, and high human capital-based services present the highest probability of location at shorter distance from each other. The tendency for location at shorter distances between firms engaged in these activities contrasts with the more decentralized patterns observed for firms involved in retail and urban infrastructure services. Additional results indicate that both the location patterns of activities and the degree of proximity or agglomeration of firms are positively associated with human capital, the degree of product differentiation, and the degree of inter-sector dependence between activities.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Economic  analysis of location behavior for maritime service cluster

By: L. Mengchi. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Doctoral Thesis, 2021.

Abstract: “Maritime service clusters benefit both business operations and the national economy. They have a long history, and have contributed significantly to both global and regional economic development, but only in recent decades has their research gained much attention. Recently, the shifting of maritime commercial centers from Europe to Asia has triggered the movement of maritime service businesses. As such businesses are globalized and footless, their location behavior has become a hot topic for researchers in many historical maritime countries, as well as emerging ones. Against this background, the following questions arise: What is the current situation with regard to studies of maritime clusters, especially maritime service clusters? What factors affect the formation of a maritime service cluster, and how do these factors in particular affect their development? What is the evolution pattern of maritime service clusters? To answer these questions, we have conducted three studies examining the location behavior for high-level maritime service clustering. Firstly, a review study on current research into maritime clusters was conducted. We find that most of the researches into maritime clusters are similar to the studies of general industry clusters, with little consideration given to the unique nature of the shipping industry. This study analyses the key elements in maritime cluster studies over the past 20 years, including conceptual development, categories of maritime clusters, research methods, factors for clustering, studies on specific clusters, and the relationships among maritime businesses. From the study, we find that research into maritime service clustering is lacking. Misunderstandings about the relationship II between the International Maritime Center and maritime clusters are also clarified. Such analysis allows us to identify possible problems in the current studies and to point out any insufficiencies so as to meet the needs of maritime cluster development. Secondly, we utilized an empirical study to analyze important factors affecting the location selection decisions of maritime service businesses. Stated preference approaches and discrete choice models are utilized to analyze the contribution of factors to the preference of three alternative locations (Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong), taking into account the impact of the specific nature of the surveyed firm and current location. The results show that increasing government support in Hong Kong will have greater effect on improving its attractiveness to maritime business sectors than that in Singapore and Shanghai. Improving the business legal environment in Shanghai can increase its attractiveness more than that in Singapore and Hong Kong. Also, we find that firms in places other than Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong prefer to move into Shanghai, whereas firms in Hong Kong retain high loyalty to their own location. Finally, considering the trade-offs in policy alternatives, the possible ways for Hong Kong and Shanghai to increase their attractiveness is also provided. The findings of this research identify new directions for setting up public policies and corresponding measures for developing maritime service clusters in these three places. Thirdly, a theoretical model was built to investigate how maritime service clusters develop and evolve under competition. The evolutionary cluster model consists of two parts: short-run equilibrium and long-term development. To model short-run equilibrium, two maritime service clusters compete for clients, based on Hotelling’s model. To study long-term development, maritime service firms enter and exit clusters III according to their profits. Cluster effect is considered in the model. The short-term optimal condition of the model is identified, and long-term evolution of the maritime service cluster is discussed based on the simulation results. The study investigated maritime service clusters from the angle of competition. The forecast on the ultimate development of clusters provides policy makers with a reference for developing local maritime service clusters” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I4.0,  3D printing, deglobalisation and new manufacturing clusters: The view from  Australia

By: A. Rainnie. The Economic and Labour Relations Review, DOI: 10.1177/1035304620981429, 2021.

Abstract: “Before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted onto the world stage, a new narrative was apparently beginning to emerge about the impact of i4.0 and new technologies in general, and three-dimensional printing in particular, on the future of work and employment. This was to have particular geographical implications for the manufacturing sector in particular. Proponents of i4.0 also suggested that this process, particularly in manufacturing, would promote the re-emergence of patterns of clustering. Developments in advanced manufacturing, particularly three-dimensional printing, would accelerate and reinforce these tendencies. This article looks at the role that three-dimensional printing is supposed to play in the new world, and in particular, critically evaluates its role in reinforcing the trend towards deglobalisation on the one hand, and, on the other, new clusters of manufacturing industry.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]