The role of a firm's absorptive capacity and the technology transfer process in clusters: How effective are technology centres in low-tech clusters?

This paper analyses how the internal resources of small- and medium-sized enterprises determine access (learning processes) to technology centres (TCs) or industrial research institutes (innovation infrastructure) in traditional low-tech clusters. These interactions basically represent traded (market-based) transactions, which constitute important sources of knowledge in clusters. The paper addresses the role of TCs in low-tech clusters, and uses semi-structured interviews with 80 firms in a manufacturing cluster. The results point out that producer–user interactions are the most frequent; thus, the higher the sector knowledge-intensive base, the more likely the utilization of the available research infrastructure becomes. Conversely, the sectors with less knowledge-intensive structures, i.e. less absorptive capacity (AC), present weak linkages to TCs, as they frequently prefer to interact with suppliers, who act as transceivers of knowledge. Therefore, not all the firms in a cluster can fully exploit the available research infrastructure, and their AC moderates this engagement. In addition, the existence of TCs is not sufficient since the active role of a firm's search strategies to undertake interactions and conduct openness to available sources of knowledge is also needed. The study has implications for policymakers and academia

The economic geography of the meso-global spaces: integrating multinationals and clusters at the local-global level

This is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published in: “European Planning Studies"; Volume 21, Issue 7, 2013; copyright Taylor & Francis; available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2013.733853[EN] The local global phenomenon literature is fragmented between the fields of international business and economic geography (EG). In the case of the latter, the literature, produced within the global production networks (GPNs) and global value chain frameworks, does not address the central role of firms, especially multinationals which co-locate and connect territories along GPNs. This paper develops a cross-field conceptual integration in order to enrich the EG perspective, using qualitative research methodology to test the framework. The results have important implications for scholars and policymakers.We are very thankful to the “Ministry of Economics” funding ECO2010:17318 and “Generalitat Valenciana” for its support in visiting the London School of Economics and Political Science (BEST 2011 grants)Hervás Oliver, JL.; Boix Domenech, R. (2012). The economic geography of the meso-global spaces: integrating multinationals and clusters at the local-global level. European Planning Studies. 21(7):1064-1080. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2013.733853S1064108021

Dynamizing Knowledge Processes Through Actional Intelligence in an Engineering Context

[EN] Knowledge management and engineering management are closely related. However, the latter has focused primarily in the codification and systemization of knowledge. This article proposes a schema based on organizational learning and cultural values that enhance the latter and aims at explaining how knowledge can be actioned and deployed successfully in an organization. The construct was field tested among the technical staff of a large perfumes firm. This article parts from the influential concept of actionable knowledge introduced by Chris Argyris and his school and follows with subsequently-developed paradigms, such as the knowledge maturity model, organizational competencies, and Actional Intelligence. From a practical point of view, it proposes concrete recommendations for the utilization of knowledge management by engineering managers and fills the cultural and organizational gap of traditional knowledge engineering approaches. Additionally, it aims at contributing to a better understanding of knowledge management systemization and practice. It fills a particular research gap in the state of the art of knowledge management practice, while it suggests a more reasonable and comprehensible focus of knowledge management and a more precise and dynamic perspective to engineering management and knowledge engineering.Albors Garrigós, J.; Ramos Carrasco, JC.; Peiró Signes, A. (2016). Dynamizing Knowledge Processes Through Actional Intelligence in an Engineering Context. Engineering Management Journal. 28(3):168-178. doi:10.1080/10429247.2016.1199748S16817828

Investigation of the effects of strategic management and innovation on performance together with technological capabilities

The acceleration of technological advances has significantly improved sectoral efficiency and provided service providers the opportunity to produce an unprecedented variety of products and services. As a result, more supply has started to form in a growing number of sectors than demand. As the liberalization rate in trade increased with the influence of global organizations such as the World Trade Organization and regional organizations such as the European Union, the brand addiction and product price differences decreased, and the logic of monopoly began to disappear with the effective competition of those who challenged the markets and leading organizations. For this reason, although the importance of strategy and innovation is emphasized in the study, it focuses on the strategic importance and technological innovation capabilities of innovation, and criticisms are made in terms of strategic management