The competitive advantage of nations:origins and journey

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the origins and journey of the fundamental ideas underpinning Michael Porter’s The Competitive Advantage of Nations as a means of assessing its influence. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on a reflection of the book’s text and associated works by Porter, the paper shows how Porter’s thinking evolved from his earlier writings, as well as how his ideas went through further periods of development following the publication of The Competitive Advantage of Nations. Findings – The paper focuses on the emergence of Porter’s cluster theory and his growing acknowledgement of the role of innovation within processes of economic development. It shows how these concepts have provided a foundation for contemporary economic development practices. Also, the paper highlights how the fundamental concepts of Porter’s text have shifted from a unit of analysis focused on nations to one where subnational regions are the primary analytical unit. Originality/value – The paper concludes by suggesting that the nature of Porter’s conceptual insights is likely to ensure the long-term endurance of the fundamental lessons contained within The Competitive Advantage of Nations

Designing learning networks in peripheral regions: comparison of two models

In spite of a growth in interest in the implications of networks for regional development, those studies which closely examine applications of learning networks to peripheral regions are still few in number. The authors review how peripheral regions are less favoured in terms of technological adaptation and innovation, and they identify key tasks that network programmes need to perform. The authors consider two typical models of networks that target an industry, one programme calling for participation from all relevant sectors in the industry and the other focusing on a particular firm and its suppliers. Two network programmes in Wales are closely examined. The authors suggest that compared with the other model the ‘supply-chain model’ is a more reliable option for peripheral regions in producing tangible benefits to a wider population of its members in the relatively shor

World knowledge competitiveness index 2008

The 2008 edition of the WKCI compares 145 regions across 19 knowledge economy benchmarks (full data for all indicators across each of the 19 benchmarks is contained in the accompanying Excel spreadsheets). This represents an increase of twenty regions compared to the last edition in 2005: nine from Europe, eight from North America, and three from Asia Pacific. These new regions were selected on the basis of a survey of a wide range of regions appearing to be become more internationally competitive. This year’s report also contains a special chapter on economic development in the three leading Chinese regions

Sourcing knowledge for innovation:the international dimension

Drawing knowledge from external sources in the UK, or internationally, has become increasingly important to small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). SMEs cannot generate all they need to know to develop new products and processes within their own companies, they need to look elsewhere for new ideas and expertise. This practice is known as knowledge sourcing. This report provides a detailed review of patterns of knowledge sourcing, and the key factors influencing these patterns, particularly from a small business perspective. We present key findings from a survey of 393 UK companies and analyse the results. We also highlight case studies of UK SMEs that work closely with overseas partners and agents to widen their own knowledge

Regionalna konkurentnost, gospodarski rast i faze razvoja

This paper positions the concept of regional competitiveness within theories concerning regional economic growth and stages of economic development. It examines the sources of regional competitiveness encompassing an analysis based on the particular stage of economic development that the nations within which regions are situated have reached. As a means to achieve this, the paper undertakes an empirical analysis of data stemming from the World Competitiveness Index of Regions, and identifies regional competitiveness as a dual concept that explains relative differences in rates of economic development across regions, as well as an understanding of the future economic growth trajectories of regions at a similar stage of economic development. As with endogenous growth and development theory, the notion of regional competitiveness presented here places knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship at the forefront of conceptualisations of regional economic differentiation.U radu se postavlja koncept regionalne konkurentnosti unutar teorija o regionalnom gospodarskom rastu i fazama gospodarskog razvoja. Istražuju se izvori regionalne konkurentnosti obuhvaćajući analizu koja se temelji na određenom stupnju ekonomskog razvoja koji su narodi unutar pojedinih regija postigli. Da bi se to postiglo provodi se empirijska analiza podataka koji proizlaze iz Indeksa svjetske konkurentnosti regija i identificira se regionalna konkurentnost kao dualni koncept koji objašnjava relativne razlike u stopama gospodarskog razvoja diljem regija, kao i razumijevanje budućih putanja ekonomskog rasta regija koje su na sličnom stupnju ekonomskog razvoja. Kao i kod endogenog rasta i teorije razvoja, i u ovom radu prezentirani pojam regionalne konkurentnosti stavlja znanje, inovacije i poduzetništvo na čelo konceptualizacija regionalne ekonomske diferencijacije

Networks, space and organisational performance:a study of the determinants of industrial research income generation by universities

This paper examines the extent to which both network structure and spatial factors impact on the organizational performance of universities as measured by the generation of industrial research income. Drawing on data concerning the interactions of universities in the UK with large research and development (R&D)-intensive firms, the paper employs both social network analysis and regression analysis. It is found that the structural position of a university within networks with large R&D-intensive firms is significantly associated with the level of research income gained from industry. Spatial factors, on the other hand, are not found to be clearly associated with performance, suggesting that universities operate on a level playing field across regional environments once other factors are controlled for

The digital divide and ICT learning in rural communities:examples of good practice service delivery

This article aims to gain a greater understanding of relevant and successful methods of stimulating an ICT culture and skills development in rural areas. The paper distils good practice activities, utilizing criteria derived from a review of the rural dimensions of ICT learning, from a range of relevant initiatives and programmes. These good practice activities cover: community resource centres providing opportunities for ‘tasting’ ICTs; video games and Internet Cafe´s as tools removing ‘entry barriers’; emphasis on ‘user management’ as a means of creating ownership; service delivery beyond fixed locations; use of ICT capacities in the delivery of general services; and selected use of financial support

Conflict Between Two Industrial Networks: Technological Adaptation and Inter-firm Relationships in the Ceramics Industry in Seto, Japan

IZUSHI H. (1997) Conflict between two industrial networks: technological adaptation and inter-firm relationships in the ceramics industry in Seto, Japan, Reg. Studies 31, 117-129. An examination of technological adaptation by small and medium sized firms in a Japanese district of traditional ceramics manufacturing, which has moved into high technology applications, reveals contrasting attitudes of the firms toward regional co-operation. Firms were active in forming regional alliances when loosely linked to customer firms outside their district. In contrast, firms did not co-operate with one another when relations with outside customer firms were co-operative ones. The paper suggests that external ties to semi-vertically integrated networks prevailing in Japanese industries endanger the existence of innovative networks in an old industrial region asserted by traditional literature on 'industrial districts'. IZUSHI H. (1997) Le conflit entre deux reseaux industriels: l'adaptation technologique et les rapports interentreprises au sein de l'industrie de la ceramique a Seto, au Japon, Reg. Studies 31, 117-129. Un examen de l'adaptation technologique par les petites et moyennes entreprises situees dans un district japonais de la ceramique traditionnelle, qui a developpe des applications avancees, laisse voir des opinions contrastees des entreprises envers le partenariat regional. Des entreprises se revelaient pretes a conclure des alliances regionales quand elles se montraient liees librement a des entreprises clients situees al'exterieur de leur district. Par contraste, les entreprises ne collaboraient pas les unes avec les autres quand leurs rapports avec des entreprises clients situees a l'exterieur de leur district s'annoncaient bien. L'article laisse supposer que les liens exterieurs avec des reseaux integres semi-verticalement qui predominent au sein des industries japonaises, mettent en danger l'existence des reseaux innovateurs dans une vieille region industrielle, ce qui est affirmee par la documentation classique sur 'les districts industriels'. IZUSHI H. (1997) Konflikt zwischen zweierlei industrienetzwerken: Technologische Anpassung und Beziehungen zwischen Firmen der Keramikindustrie in Seto, Japan, Reg. Studies 31, 117-129. Eine Untersuchung der technologischen Anpassung kleiner und mittlerer Firmen in einem japanischen Gebiet mit einer Tradition in der Keramikmanufaktur, das auf hochtechnische Gera�te umgeschaltet hat, weist gegensa�tzliche Haltungen der Firma im Hinblick auf regionale Zusammenarbeit auf. Firmen betrieben die Bildung von regionalen Allianzen, wenn sie nur lose Verbindungen mit Kundenfirmen ausserhalb ihres Gebietes hatten. Im Gegensatz dazu arbeiteten Firmen nicht zusammen, wenn die mit ausserhalb ansa�ssigen Firmen geknu�pften Beziehungen bereits ko-operativer Natur waren. Der Aufsatz deutet darauf hin, dass die in der japanischen Industrie vorherrschenden Beziehungen mit halb-vertikal integrierten Netzwerken das Bestehen von Netzwerken in einem alten, in der traditionellen Literatur u�ber 'Industriegebiete' als solches besta�tigten Industriegebiet in Frage stellt.Networks, Industrial Districts, High Technology, Small And Medium Sized Firms, Japan, Ceramics,