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

Network dynamics in regional clusters: The perspective of an emerging economy

Regional clusters are spatial agglomerations of firms operating in the same or connected industries, which enable innovation and economic performance for firms. A wealth of empirical literature shows that one of key elements of the success of regional clusters is that they facilitate the formation of local inter-organizational networks, which act as conduits of knowledge and innovation. While most studies analyze the benefits and characteristics of regional cluster networks and focus on advanced economies and high tech Ôhot spotsÕ, this paper advances with the existing literature by analyzing network dynamics and taking an emerging economyÕs perspective. Using longitudinal data of a wine cluster in Chile and stochastic actor-oriented models for network dynamics, this paper examines what micro-level effects influence the formation of new knowledge ties among wineries. It finds that the coexistence of cohesion effects (reciprocity and transitivity) and the presence of inter-firm knowledge base heterogeneity contribute to the stability of an informal hierarchical network structure over time. Empirical results have interesting implications for cluster competitiveness and network studies, and for the burgeoning literature on corporate behavior in emerging economies.Regional clusters, knowledge networks, network dynamics, wine industry, Chile

The Structure of Cluster Knowledge Networks Uneven, not Pervasive and Collective

This study focuses on the relationship between industrial clustering and innovation. It contributes to this literature by showing two empirical properties of the cluster learning process: first, that the structure of the knowledge network in a cluster is related with the heterogeneous distribution of firm knowledge bases and, second, that business interactions and inter-firm knowledge flows are not highly co-occurring phenomena. In particular, this paper highlights how the heterogeneity of firms’ knowledge bases generates uneven distribution of knowledge and selective inter-firm learning. This study has been based on empirical evidence collected at firm level in three wine clusters in Italy and Chile. Methods of social network analysis have been applied to process the data.Industrial clusters, knowledge flows, business interactions, networks.

Multinational Corporations, Technology Spillovers and Human Rights's Impacts on Developing Countries

This paper stems from the recognition that, in the current globalized world, the achievement of economic development goals is not necessarily accompanied by improved social conditions, or respect of people?s human rights more generally. Through their internal resources and capabilities, which often exceed those of many developing countries, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) can either positively or negatively condition their route towards development. While there are reported cases of positive economic effects generated by MNCs operations in developing countries, there is also plenty of evidence about MNCs involvement in human rights' abuses in these countries. To date, no scholarly research has analysed the factors that favour a positive (negative) MNC effect on host developing countries, by looking jointly at economic and human rights? impacts. This paper is a first attempt to take into account and integrate evidence coming from two distinct streams of literature, which have so far poorly interacted -- i.e. studies on MNCs' economic impact with a focus on technology spillovers; and studies on MNCs' human rights? impact on host developing countries.Multinational corporations, development, human rights, technology spillovers

What drives innovative output in emerging clusters? Evidence from the wine industry

Industrial clusters, innovative output, firm knowledge base, network closure, structural holes, external openness, wine

When Micro Shapes the Meso: Learning Networks in a Chilean Wine Cluster

Most analyses of the relationship between spatial clustering and the technological learning of firms have emphasised the influence of the former on the latter, and have focused on intra-cluster learning as the driver of innovative performance. This paper reverses those perspectives. It examines the influence of individual firms' absorptive capacities on both the functioning of the intra-cluster knowledge system and its interconnection with extra-cluster knowledge. It applies social network analysis to identify different cognitive roles played by cluster firms and the overall structure of the knowledge system of a wine cluster in Chile. The results show that knowledge is not diffused evenly 'in the air', but flows within a core group of firms characterised by advanced absorptive capacities. Firms' different cognitive roles include some - as in the case of technological gatekeepers - that contribute actively to the acquisition, creation and diffusion of knowledge. Others remain cognitively isolated from the cluster, though in some cases strongly linked to extra-cluster knowledge. Possible implications for policy are noted.clusters, absorptive capacity, knowledge communities, technological gatekeepers

What drives the formation of 'valuable' University-Industry linkages? An under-explored question in a hot policy debate

University-Industry linkages, knowledge diffusion, social network analysis, wine, Chile, Italy

Networks and heterogeneous performance of cluster firms

This paper explores the relationship existing among the heterogeneous nature of firms in industrial clusters, their structural position in knowledge networks and their performance. Following the rising interest for spatially agglomerated industrial firms and their learning and innovative potential the paper shows empirically that the performance of firms in clusters is related with firm-level knowledge endowments and their position in the knowledge network using firm-level data on three wine clusters.knowledge networks, clusters, firm performance, evolutionary economics, wine sector

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

The uneven and selective nature of cluster knowledge networks: evidence from the wine industry

Most of the studies about industrial clusters and innovation stress the importance of firms’ geographical proximity and their embeddedness in local business networks, as factors that positively affect their learning and innovation processes. More recently, scholars have started to claim that firm-specific characteristics should be considered to be central in the process of learning and innovation in clusters. This paper contributes to this latter direction of research. It applies social network analysis to explore the structural properties of knowledge networks in three wine clusters in Italy and Chile. The results show that in spite of firms’ geographical proximity and the pervasiveness of local business networks, innovation-related knowledge is diffused in clusters in a highly selective and uneven way. This pattern is found to be related to the heterogeneous and asymmetric distribution of firm knowledge bases in the clusters.Clusters; firm knowledge base; knowledge network; business network; wine industry.