The Impact of smart specialization strategies on sub-cluster  efficiency: simulation exercise for the case of Mexico

By: V. E. Zarate-Miron, R. Moreno Serrano. Competitiveness Review, DOI: 10.1108/CR-01-2021-0010, September 2021.

Abstract: “Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate whether the integration of smart specialization strategies (S3) into clusters significantly impacts their efficiency for countries that still do not implement this policy. This study tests three effects: whether the kind of policies envisaged through an S3 strategy impacts cluster’s efficiency; whether this impact changes with the technological intensity of the clusters; to determine which S3 is more suitable for sub-clusters at different levels of technological intensity. Design/methodology/approach – The Mexican economy is taken as case of study because it has a proper classification of its industries intro Porter’s cluster’s definition but still does not adopt the S3 policy. Through data envelopment analysis (DEA), this study evaluates the cluster’s efficiency increment when variables representing the S3 elements are included. Findings – The results show that strategies following the S3 had a significant impact in all clusters, but when clusters were classified by technological intensity, the impact on efficiency is higher in clusters in the medium low-tech group. Practical implications – According to the results in the DEA, it can be concluded that these S3 strategies have the potential to increase the clusters’ productivity significantly. These results make convenient the adoption of the S3 policy by countries that already count with a properly cluster definition. Originality/value – These findings contribute to the lack of studies that analyze the join implementation of S3 on clusters.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

How closeness matters: the role of  geographical proximity in social capital development and knowledge sharing in  SMEs

By: O. Chumnangoon, A. Chirlaksanakul, A. Chintakananda. Competitiveness Review, DOI: 10.1108/CR-03-2021-0038, August 2021.

Abstract: “Purpose – This study aims to investigate the impacts of geographical proximity on social capital development through the inter-relationship between three social capital dimensions (structural, relational and cognitive dimension) and the knowledge sharing between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The authors empirically test a main hypothesis that the mechanism of social capital development that subsequently results in tacit knowledge sharing is different for SME buyer-supplier partners across their different geographical distances. Design/methodology/approach – Multiple-group analysis in structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the research hypotheses using data collected from approximately 200 SMEs in Thailand’s food industry. Findings – At a great geographical distance, the structural dimension impacts the cognitive dimension only in an indirect way through a relational dimension, which subsequently leads to knowledge sharing between SME buyer-supplier partners. At close geographical proximity, while the indirect impact of structural dimension on cognitive dimension through a relational dimension is still presented as it is in a great geographical distance, structural dimension has a positive and direct impact on the cognitive dimension as a complementary way to jointly reinforce knowledge sharing between SME partners. Among distant SME partners, the relational dimension shows a stronger impact on the cognitive dimension. In contrast, the direct influence of structural, relational and cognitive dimensions on knowledge sharing is identical, regardless of geographical distance. Practical  implications – The managers of SMEs can design their network-building approach in such a way that different location partners can enhance knowledge sharing. Policymakers could consider these results as a guideline when imposing SME development policies and geographical cluster policies in emerging economies. Originality/value – This study provides empirical evidence that demonstrates how geographical proximity between SME partners in an emerging economy influences their social proximity through the lens of social capital development mechanism and thus leads to knowledge sharing between them.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Benchmarking of Singapore maritime  cluster: the role of cluster facilitators

By: O. Shahrin, S. Balan, R. Torger. Benchmarking: An International Journal, DOI: 10.1108/BIJ-11-2020-0574, August 2021.

Abstract: “Purpose – This article analyses the role of cluster facilitators in the Singapore maritime cluster. Singapore has been recognised for its pro-business policies and its ability to attract international shipping companies to set up the ship ownership headquarters and ship management activities in Singapore. Design/methodology/approach – The research is an empirical investigation on the approach for industrial cluster development of the Singapore maritime cluster, using the case study research methodology. The case study approach leverages on multiple sources of evidence from deep interviews (of 24 Singaporean firms and 13 Norwegian firms) related observations, documentation and archival records. As a means of contributing to the cluster renewal process, Singapore as the country embarks on the next stage of maritime cluster development, a benchmarking against the Norwegian Innovation Cluster has been incorporated. Findings – The research findings reveals that Singapore is lacking in innovation activities that entails multi-firms collaborations and collaboration between multi-firms and research institutions. The existence of cluster organization to facilitate collaborations between firms in the cluster and between firms in the cluster with research institutions is another contributing factor that are not institutionalised in the Singapore maritime cluster. Research limitations/implications – Though the research is grounded primarily on the international business theory, particularly from firm- and country-specific advantages of location decisions, the economic geography theory and cluster theory also complement the theoretical grounding. Practical implications – The findings derived from this research aim to facilitate policy makers, maritime leaders and practitioners to develop effective courses of action in current and future maritime industry development. Originality/value – The research provides value to maritime industry stakeholders, maritime leaders and policy makers in their firm positioning strategy. Thus, the research adds values to the maritime industry with similar country perspectives and firm values for developing policies” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Knowledge Networks and the Role of Family Firms: The Case of  an Italian Regional Cluster

By: S. Ghinoi, R. De Vita, B. Steiner, A. Sinatra. Journal of Open Innovation, DOI: 10.3390/joitmc7030193, September 2021.

Abstract: “Studies on open innovation (OI) have highlighted the importance of inter-organizational knowledge networks. However, little is known about OI networks established by family firms, and their roles in such knowledge networks. By focusing on one of the most important Italian footwear clusters, this paper applies Social Network Analysis to investigate the role of family firms in exchanging knowledge according to their intra-cluster position and extra-cluster openness. Our results provide novel evidence on the role of family firms in OI networks, as they suggest that family firms mainly operate as gatekeepers in the technological and managerial networks, while they act as external stars in the market and managerial networks.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Top-down and bottom-up legitimization of emerging  industries: evidence from two Italian mechatronics clusters

By: V. Forrer, M. Plechero, A. Rossi, E. Santini. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1962839, September 2021.

Abstract: “The paper investigates the legitimization of emerging industries in traditional manufacturing areas by focusing on two inner structures: the cognitive and institutional structure. These structures and their interplay inform about the heterogeneity of routes and capabilities to enter legitimization trajectories. We compare two mechatronics clusters, both located in the North-East Italian area, namely in the provinces of Vicenza and Trento. The cases reveal how the evolution and legitimation of emerging industries might surface from bottom-up dynamics related to the technological upgrading of local historical industrial specializations, and from top-down institutional strategies, when the business community remains fragmented.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Social constructing of a rural bioeconomy cluster: The case  of the Processum biorefinery complex in northern Sweden

By: I. Kristensen, A. Dubois. Journal of Rural Studies, DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.05.027, August 2021.

Abstract: “This paper unpacks the relational processes that shape industrial developments in rural settings and offers a springboard for reflecting upon rural clusters as social constructs that result from a complex and dynamic process, which is a subject to constant change. To identify and map different types of social ties as well as analyze their role in different phases of bio-cluster development, the paper proposes an analytical framework that combines the function of social ties (bonding, bridging and linking) with aspects of geographical and organised proximity. A ‘critical case’ design has been employed to operationalize the analytical framework proposed and test its suitability for grasping and explaining real-life phenomena. This ‘critical case’ illustrates the long and winding relational routes collegially taken by local entrepreneurs in bringing together what eventually became a rural cluster.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The rise of urban tech: how innovations for cities come from  cities

By: P. Adler, R. Florida. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1962520, September 2021.

Abstract: “This research investigates the economic geography of urban technology, or ‘urban tech’, start-up enterprises. Comprised of ride-hailing, co-living, co-working, smart cities and other urban-oriented activities, urban tech is a suite of innovations that enable and are premised upon growing urbanization. We investigate where urban tech comes from by analysing Pitchbook, a database of venture capital deals, to chart the evolution and geography of urban tech start-up firms. We show urban tech firms to be highly clustered in two kinds of places: specialized tech hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area and large cities such as New York, London and Beijing. Furthermore, we find that urban tech geography is associated with two classes of factors: the scale of existing tech activity, and the size and extent of metro areas. Together these findings suggest that the geography of urban tech is shaped by the innovative capabilities of urban areas and, to a lesser extent, by urbanization itself. Urban tech investment is less common in areas associated with ‘Industry 4.0’ industrial policy.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Pathways of regional transformation  and Industry 4.0

By: L. De Propris, D. Bailey. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1960962, September 2021.

Abstract: “We explore the impact of technological changes brought in by the Fourth Industrial Revolution on local systems of industrial specialization. To do so we connect the Evolutional Economic Geography literature on regional diversification with the literature on systems change, notably the multilevel perspective (MLP) framework, expanding the latter with a place-based dimension enabling the application of technological transition to regional economies. Here, a local system’s ability to transform rests on three capabilities: innovation capabilities, docking capabilities and translational capabilities. Building on these, we identify four transformative paths: an endogenous transformative path; a hyper-transformative path; an importation transformative path; and a regional obsolescence path. We stress that local systems are not locked into a particular pathway, with implications for place-based industrial policy.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]