Cluster local and global network embeddedness: implications for learning and innovation

Clusters are a geographically proximate group of inter-connected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and complementarities. They have long been recognized as motors of regional economic development. Numerous studies have found their positive influence on entrepreneurship and innovation compared to non-cluster regions. Indeed, there is an ample evidence explaining why clusters are beneficial for regions and why they generate positive externalities: it has been established that they give common access to a regional pool of talent and specialized labor, foster interactions between firms and associated research institutions thereby provoking the exchange of resources and knowledge.

At the same time, due to advances in transportation and communication technology and other globalisation-related trends, firms located in clusters have started to fine-slice production processes and disperse activities over multiple locations as an effective value-creation strategy. In addition to dispersing their value chains, firms also started to form different partnerships and strategic alliances with firms located outside their clusters. Despite the obvious importance of these processes, minimal attention been given to understanding how these transformational processes affect local cluster performance and innovation. […]

Faculty Supervisor:

Ekaterina Turkina

Student:

Partner:

University of Malaya

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Technology; Information and Communications Technology; Advanced Manufacturing

University:

HEC Montréal

Program: