Multidimensional networks:the changing character and framework

of interfirm collaboration

Michael Steiner

Michael Ploder

13th TCI Annual Global Conference, New Delhi

Delhi, 29th November - 3rd December 2010

CLUSTERS, KNOWLEDGE and COMPETITIVENESS

- new focus of cluster research:

from analysis of forces of agglomeration to forms and

contents of knowledge exchange

- successful regions display innovative capacity, create

knowledge and stay one step ahead of competitors

- shift in emphasis: from material links to immaterial

knowledge flows within clusters

- interfirm alliances and networks as important form of

innovative activity

- Marshall (1890/1920), Weber (1929), Hoover (1948),

Myrdal (1957), Kaldor (1972), Dixon/Thirlwell (1975),

Storper (1995, 1997), Granovetter (1994), Amin/Thrift

(1995), Mariotti/Delbridge (2001), Gay/Dousset

(2005), Belussi (2006), Gordon/McCann (2000,

GEOGRAPHICAL AGGLOMERATIONand LOCAL NETWORKS

(2005), Belussi (2006), Gordon/McCann (2000,

2005), Rychen/Zimmermann (2008),

Reid/Smith/Carroll (2008) ….

- externalities are widely enforced by informal

dimensions, need for “institutional thickness”

- need for micro-perspective – selective interaction of

actors

- important to distinguish between content (type of

relation) and form (social structure of relation)

- intersectoral differences in spatial agglomeration

depending of prevailing sectoral + technological

pattern

SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS in a QUALITATIVE CONTEXT

- case study on automobile / machinery sector in Styria /

Austria: 18 producers, 5 technical business services, 9

R+D institutions

- interaction: DELIV

PRE-COMP R+D

COM R+DCOM R+D

- resulting network

- main results:

density strongest for PRE-COMP R+D

different position of actors in network as to centre /

periphery, kind of interaction, gate-keeper

depending on firm-specific characteristics (size, R+D-

intensity, export-orientation …)

- also: human resources and regional labour market

discriminative capabilities and heterogeneous

strategies of firms

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Fig. 1: Network of firms and knowledge generating institutions

Source: present authors

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- changing historical background resulting in changing

role of geographical agglomeration:

learn to cooperate, develop potential for innovation,

focus on market niches, specialize technologically

- different dimensions of interaction:

NEW PERSPECTIVES for CLUSTERSand COMPETITIVENESS

- different dimensions of interaction:

network is dominated by knowledge intensive relations

- diffusion of knowledge within clusters highly selective,

depending on firm capabilities and firm behaviour

- no automatic agglomeration effects but:

clusters as institutions for knowledge generation and

diffusion leading to a higher competitiveness