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What drives innovativeness in industrial clusters? Transcending the debate

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  • Marjolein C. J. Caniëls
  • Henny A. Romijn

Abstract

The paper throws new light on the debate about the role played by local knowledge spillovers (LKS) as a driver of regional innovative activity. It transcends the regional level of analysis that has been commonly adopted in the literature so far, using insights from the evolutionary theory of the firm. This makes it possible to derive a typology of mechanisms through which regional agglomeration may stimulate learning and innovation at the firm level. When this typology is brought to bear on the extant approaches in the debate, the contrasting viewpoints can be reconciled to some extent. The main conclusion is that little theoretical ground for the LKS debate remains. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Marjolein C. J. Caniëls & Henny A. Romijn, 2005. "What drives innovativeness in industrial clusters? Transcending the debate," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 29(4), pages 497-515, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:29:y:2005:i:4:p:497-515
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    2. Pradhan, Jaya Prakash & Zohair, Mohammad, 2014. "Subnational Export Performance and Determinants: Evidence from Two Indian States," MPRA Paper 60029, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Marek Jemala, 2009. "Strategic Business Alliances: Qualitative Analysis of Specific Factors of Business Clusters [Strategické podnikateľské aliancie: kvalitatívna analýza špecifických faktorov podnikania v klastroch]," Acta Oeconomica Pragensia, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2009(4), pages 19-33.
    4. Theresia Gunawan & Jojo Jacob & Geert Duysters, 2013. "Entrepreneurial Orientation and Network Ties: Innovative Performance of SMEs in an Emerging-Economy Manufacturing Cluster," Working Papers 2013/28, Maastricht School of Management.
    5. Jaya Prakash Pradhan & Mohammad Zohair, 2015. "Subnational Export Performance and Determinants," Review of Market Integration, India Development Foundation, vol. 7(2), pages 133-174, August.
    6. Fiorenza Belussi & Silvia R. Sedita, 2012. "Industrial Districts as Open Learning Systems: Combining Emergent and Deliberate Knowledge Structures," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 165-184, April.
    7. Christ, Julian P., 2009. "New Economic Geography reloaded: Localized knowledge spillovers and the geography of innovation," FZID Discussion Papers 01-2009, University of Hohenheim, Center for Research on Innovation and Services (FZID).
    8. Shrimali, Gireesh & Rohra, Sunali, 2012. "India’s solar mission: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 6317-6332.
    9. Sara Cruz & Aurora Teixeira, 2010. "The Evolution of the Cluster Literature: Shedding Light on the Regional Studies-Regional Science Debate," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(9), pages 1263-1288.
    10. André Spithoven & Bruno Merlevede, 2023. "The productivity impact of R&D and FDI spillovers: characterising regional path development," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 560-590, April.
    11. Franz, Peter, 2010. "Knowledge Spillovers as a Central Element in Theories about Knowledge-Based Regional Development: Advancement in Theory and Obstacles for Empirical Research," IWH Discussion Papers 5/2010, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).

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