Laggard Clusters as Slow Learners, Emerging Clusters as Locus of Knowledge Cohesion (and Exclusion): A Comparative Study in the Wine Industry

This paper adopts sociometric analysis to explore the process of knowledge acquisition and diffusion in clusters of firms. By comparing the knowledge systems of two clusters selected for being at different stages of their development path, this study shows that the knowledge system of the laggard clusterbis weak, highly disconnected and vulnerable, while in the case of the emerging, dynamic cluster, the knowledge system is characterized by a more connected yet uneven knowledge acquisition and distribution process. These differences are then interpreted considering the heterogeneity of firm knowledge bases across and within clusters and the impact of this latter variable on the degree of intra- and extra-cluster connectivity is explored.Clusters, Firm Knowledge Base, Knowledge Systems, Social Network Analysis

The role of technological gatekeepers in the growth of industrial clusters: Evidence from Chile

Industrial clusters are often associated with innovative success. However, there is very little research on what types of organizational models apply to clusters as they grow, to facilitate upgrading and innovation Ð and especially in emerging/developing countries. This paper uses longitudinal micro-level data for a wine cluster in Chile. They show that the most advanced firms in the cluster behave as Technological Gatekeepers Ð i.e. they acquire knowledge outside cluster boundaries and contribute to diffusing knowledge to other, potentially rival, local firms Ð and do so persistently over time. The results are explained by combining three theoretical perspectives: evolutionary economics theory; business studies on communities of practice and knowledge workersÕ know-how trade; and embeddedness theory.Industrial clusters, technological gatekeepers, knowledge networks, wine industry, Chile

Italian economic journals. A network-based ranking and an exploratory analysis of their influence on setting international professional standards

An exploratory analysis of the crossed presence (interlocking editorship) of the same scholars in the editorial boards of Italian and international economic journals is developed. The position and the degree of integration of Italian journals in the worldwide network of economic journals is studied with network analysis techniques and a ranking of Italian journals, based on a measure of centrality, is proposed. Then relatively compact groups of international journals are individuated, representing different specialized sub-field or different methodological approaches to the study of economics. The analysis of the relative position of Italian journals in those groups suggests that Italian journals are not connected to the cores of the various schools operating at an international level, with the only exception of the history of economic thoughtEconomic journals; Italian economic journals; ranking of journals; editorial boards

A manifesto for the creative economy

The UK\u27s creative economy is one of its great national strengths, historically deeply rooted and accounting for around one-tenth of the whole economy. It provides jobs for 2.5 million people – more than in financial services, advanced manufacturing or construction – and in recent years, this creative workforce has grown four times faster than the workforce as a whole. But behind this success lies much disruption and business uncertainty, associated with digital technologies. Previously profitable business models have been swept away, young companies from outside the UK have dominated new internet markets, and some UK creative businesses have struggled to compete. UK policymakers too have failed to keep pace with developments in North America and parts of Asia. But it is not too late to refresh tired policies. This manifesto sets out our 10-point plan to bolster one of the UK\u27s fastest growing sectors

Internationale Hochschulrankings: Ein methodenkritischer Vergleich

Zusammenfassung: Trotz ihrer umstrittenen Validität, Zuverlässigkeit und Wirkung, werden internationale Universitätsrankings immer häufiger von Studierenden und Universitäten als Informationsquellen genutzt. Dieser Artikel vergleicht drei internationale Hochschulrankings und analysiert, basierend auf der wissenschaftlichen Literatur, inwiefern sie relevante Aspekte von Forschung oder Lehre erheben und diese adäquat und verlässlich messen. Untersucht wurden das Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU Ranking), das World University Ranking und das vom deutschen Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (CHE) entwickelte Excellence Ranking für Master- und Doktorandenprogramme. Die Analyse basiert auf den Publikationen der Herausgeber der Rankings und auf wissenschaftlichen Artikeln über diese internationalen Rankings. Basierend auf der Analyse werden Schlussfolgerungen für die Gestaltung internationaler Rankings abgeleitet und weiterführende Forschungsfragen formulier

The state of green technologies in South Africa

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University Technology Enterprise Network in Portugal: A Bottom-up Approach to Improve Regional Innovation Ecosystems

The authors would like to thank the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) for financial support of this work within the UTEN project. Our appreciation also goes to the technology transfer offices for their cooperation and effort in providing information and generously shared their time and experience with us and acknowledge the support from all the people at the IC2 Institute (Austin, Texas), as well as to Prof. José Manuel Mendonça at INESC TEC, and Prof. Aurora Teixeira from the University of Porto. We also acknowledge Ms. Francesca Lorenzini for her diligent remarks.In the new paradigm of Open Innovation (OI), traditional cooperative research agreements or sponsored research are no longer effective enough to meet the needs of the system and the market. Today, any Innovation Ecosystem has a myriad of players, such as: big and small companies, startups, R&D institutions, brokers, and other intermediaries. The UTEN (University Technology Enterprise Network) Program, launched in March 2007 by The University of Texas at Austin’s IC2 Institute to accelerate the development of a sustainable, globally competitive, professional technology transfer (TT) and commercialization network, was founded with the propose of improving the Portuguese international competitiveness in university–based science/technology commercialization. We argue that initiatives taken place in the project have gotten UTEN network presently run in OI fostered mostly by the TT Offices and their own networks and officers. This paper shows the actions taken to develop UTEN and improve the Portuguese Innovation Ecosystem. The data we offer in support of our argument is a collection of implementation that started with 14 Portuguese Universities and select international partners in a five-year program. Our indicators show that UTEN has leveraged this growth by stimulating new competencies in international technology transfer and commercialization, and by facilitating industry access to the world’s leading markets. This bottom-up approach contributed to building the necessary relationships between all actors within this innovation ecosystem by providing the necessary knowledge to play their roles. This case is evidence that critical mass and regional public policies are very important in the development of “high-tech” regions

The complexities of technology-based care : telecare as perceived by care practitioners

Telecare, which offers ‘care at a distance’ (Pols, 2012) through a variety of remote monitoring technologies, has developed rapidly across health and social care policy in many developed countries. Nonetheless, approaches to this development differ; the focus of this paper is the United Kingdom, where implementation has been particularly rapid and ambitious in scope. The paper argues that, while there are clear and tangible benefits from the use of some telecare technologies, there is insufficient research about the complexities of implementation with end users. These complexities include ethical questions raised by the use of monitoring and surveillance equipment, the ability to fine tune technologies to the needs of individuals, and the way in which care relationships may be altered by remote care mediated through technologies. This paper addresses these issues through a particularly under researched area; that is, the perceptions of care practitioners who assess for, and interact with, these technologies. The research was conducted with practitioners using qualitative research methodology. The paper concludes that Telecare practice is uneven in the way it addresses complexities and that more needs to be done to understand the way in which technologies are discussed and utilised by those charged with their implementation