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.

The attractiveness of university and corporate anchor  tenants in the conception of a new cluster

By: C. Dimos, F. M. Fai, P. R. Tomlinson. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1889490, March 2021.

Abstract: “Using an ex-ante, policymaker perspective, this study focuses upon a proposal for a new university (automotive) research institute (URI) – the University of Bath’s Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) – and its role in the conception of a new industrial cluster. Analysing unique survey data, we identify the key characteristics of the firms most likely to observe future potential benefits from the presence of this proposed public anchor (1) in isolation and (2) when the proposed public anchor is established with a research-based relationship with a co-located private anchor. We find the presence of a private anchor amplifies the attractiveness of the public anchor, heightening the likelihood of a cluster emerging. We discuss implications for policy.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Knowledge exchange and innovation in clusters: a dynamic  social network analysis

By: F. G. Alberti, F. Belfanti, J. D. Giusti. Industry and Innovation, DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2021.1904840, March 2021.

Abstract: “Innovation is deeply rooted in clusters and is strongly related to knowledge exchanges. In literature, scholars have started suggesting that innovation rates are expected to be higher in dynamic networks, where there is variation in roles and knowledge exchanges. This paper contributes to this debate by studying the correlation between knowledge exchange and innovation at the cluster level, with a dynamic view. Using dynamic social network analysis as a methodological approach and the literature on Collaborative Innovation Networks (COINs) and knowledge exchanges as the theoretical framework, we investigated how varying over time cluster members’ leadership role and contribution in the flow of knowledge benefit cluster-level innovation. We relied on data collected from a collaborative cluster-based platform, focusing on technological knowledge exchanges. Our findings indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between rotating leadership and innovation as well as between rotating contribution and innovation.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Mapping the potentials of regions in Europe to contribute to  new knowledge production in Industry 4.0 technologies

By: P.-A. Balland, R. Boschma. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1900557, April 2021.

Abstract: “ This paper aims to identify the future Industry 4.0 technology (I4T) centres of knowledge production in Europe. We expect I4Ts to thrive in regions where they can draw on local capabilities in I4T-related technologies. We use patent data to identify I4T-related technologies and find that I4Ts are positioned in the periphery of the knowledge space. The study shows that European regions with a high potential in terms of I4T-related technologies are more likely to diversify successfully in new I4Ts. We find huge differences across regions: some show high, but most regions show weak I4T potential.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Systematic literature review on innovation capabilities in  clusters

By: M. S. De Almeida Tavares, C. F. Gohr, S. Morioka, T. R. da Cunha. Innovation & Management Review, DOI: 10.1108/INMR-12-2019-0153, March 2021.

Abstract: “Purpose – This paper aims to map literature about innovation capabilities (IC) taking into consideration industrial clusters to propose a conceptual framework that synthetizes the main factors and subfactors responsible for ICs; in addition, the paper also proposes a research agenda. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed; academic papers were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings – The authors provide a descriptive analysis followed by a thematic synthesis, in which we present 05 enablers and 20 critical factors (CF) of IC in clusters. The proposed framework emphasizes what needs to be done or improved to increase IC in cluster-based companies. Based on this systematic review and the framework proposed, the authors identified opportunities for future research. Research limitations/implications – The enablers and CF identified through SLR were not validated empirically. Therefore, future studies on the current topic are required to validate the framework by investigating which factors are more relevant to cluster-based companies that intend to improve their innovative performance. Practical  implications – The present findings have important implications for the identification of the factors and subfactors that may contribute to the development of IC, which may help managers and decision makers in recognizing which factors are the most responsible for business innovation. Originality/value – The paper identifies enablers related to the development of IC in industrial cluster and presents a research agenda. The framework represents a guideline for companies to achieve better innovation performance.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The development efficiency of China’s  innovative industrial cluster-based on the DEA-Malmquist model

By: M. Kong, X. Wang, Q. Wu. Arabian Journal of Geoscience, DOI: 10.1007/s12517-021-06927-5, March 2021.

Abstract: “Innovative industrial clusters are regarded as regional innovation centers and have become an important support for the national innovation strategy in China. However, in the actual development process of innovative industrial clusters, there are problems of unbalanced development and low development efficiency. This study selected the data envelopment analysis (DEA)–Malmquist model to analyze the development efficiency, spatiotemporal evolution characteristics, and spatial improvement of China’s innovation industrial clusters. This study is different from previous studies that used a single industrial cluster as a decision-making unit. Instead, it uses provinces as a decision-making unit. In calculation and analysis, provinces are used as decision-making units instead of single industrial clusters as decision-making units in previous studies. The results showed the following: (1) The average development efficiency of the innovative industrial clusters was 0.652, which was relatively low and had great potential for effective development. Meanwhile, the average value of the Malmquist index was 0.932, which declined at an average annual rate of 7.5% during the study period, mainly due to the slowdown in technological progress and to the decline in pure technical efficiency. (2) There were no significant differences in the development efficiency, Malmquist index, or decomposition indices of China’s innovation industry among the four regions investigated, indicating that regional advantages have not been significantly exerted. (3) Through further analysis of the potential for improvement, a quantitative improvement of the space of the input–output factors of China’s 19 DEA-inefficient provinces was obtained.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

A chronological exploration of  initiatives in an Automobile Cluster: A case of Pithampur, India

By: P. Madhavi, A. Kumar. In Proceedings of Architecture, Engineering and  Technology (AET) – 4^th Edition 2021, 2021.

Abstract: “Industrial clusters are often used as a tool for economic development. The world follows two models under strategies to support industrial cluster. One is, Cluster-Oriented Economic Development Plans, much followed in Western countries with an intent to integrate cluster strategies into broader Economic Development Plans. The other is Cluster initiatives, which are followed in Asian countries. Cluster Initiatives are more focused and tailored for specific clusters. In India there are many Industrial clusters. Some have historic origin and some are developed deliberately by the government to boost economy of an undeveloped area. Depending on Cluster’s need, the objectives of the Cluster initiatives differ for every Industrial Cluster. Pithampur, in Madhya Pradesh, the case discussed in this research paper, has been developed as a automobile hub of Central India. The development started in the year 1982 in a backward area consisting of villages with an agrarian economy. Apart from proximity to Indore which is a commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, and being logistically ahead, as is in central India, Pithampur had nothing else as an endowed advantage. The automobile industry was chosen for development considering it to be one of the potential industries to leverage the regional economy. As Pithampur lacked basic infrastructure and had poor economies of scale to attract industries, a lot of effort has been consistently made by the state government to develop and grow it as an industrial town. Though initially, the cluster faced an unfavorable industrial scenario, this cluster survived three and a half decades and has attained a good position as an Automobile manufacturing hub in India. Pithampur has seen a complete transformation from agriculture to the industrial economy. The objective of this research is to study the chronological development of Pithampur Automobile Cluster since its initiation, taking in account the different initiatives taken at national and state level which have contributed directly and indirectly in development of the cluster. The methodology relies on extracting evidences from archival records and expert opinion survey. This study documents evolution of a town whose economic base has been transformed from agriculture to industry.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Agro-industrial cluster of the region: potential  participants and management structure

By: E. Volkova. E3S Web Conferences, DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202124403023, 2021.

Abstract: “The article presents the results of the research work carried out to identify potential participants in the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region and designs the management structure of the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region with the definition of the main blocks that make up the external and internal environment of the cluster. The description of potential cluster participants is given. This includes the core of the cluster, which includes a scientific and educational unit and a production unit consisting of representatives of the community of priority sectors of the cluster. In the structure of the internal environment of the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region, specialized and infrastructure blocks are identified. The functions of the first block are performed by the specialized structural divisions of the My Business center. The second block is represented by enterprises of technical support, supply of fertilizers, plant protection products, biological products, agricultural organizations for the breeding of farm animals and elite seed farms. The external environment of the cluster is represented by an administrative block consisting of the regional authorities, an auxiliary block consisting of financial institutions, as well as a public block consisting of non-profit organizations that contribute to the popularization and information support of the cluster development. Design management structure and the proposed composition of the relevant units of internal and external environment of the agro-industrial cluster will facilitate the implementation of cluster policy in the Amur region, the achievement of target indicators of the strategy of development of territorial cluster of small and medium entrepreneurship in the agro-industrial complex of the Amur region, approved by the resolution of the government of the Amur region.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic management of the  development of an innovative energy efficient cluster

By: A. Palamarchuk. E3S Web of Conferences, DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202124411005, 2021.

Abstract: “One of the most important areas of innovative development of economic systems of Russian regions is the formation of clusters. The global changes occurring in the innovation economy within the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution predetermine the emergence of new requirements for the created clusters, including the systemic digitalization of enterprises and organizations that are part of them, as well as increasing their energy efficiency. Taking into account these requirements, the author proposes a new type of cluster structure - an innovative energy efficient cluster. The author develops the structure of the program for the strategic development of an innovative energy efficient cluster, in which seven strategies are identified, reflecting the key directions of its development. As part of the final section of the program, the author develops a classification of target indicators of the effectiveness of implementation of the strategic development program.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]