This article provides a firm-centred interpretation of why some industrial clusters forge ahead and others lag behind. It argues that the dynamic growth of a cluster depends on its absorptive capacity and therefore on the capacity of firms to absorb external knowledge and diffuse it into the intra-cluster knowledge system. This article speculates on the relationship existing between the heterogeneity of firms’ knowledge bases with both intra- and extracluster knowledge systems. It concludes by illustrating that a conceptual link exists between firm-level knowledge bases, the cluster absorptive capacity and its potential for growth.
Cluster Absorptive Capacity: why some clusters forge ahead and others lag behind?
GIULIANI, ELISA
2005-01-01
Abstract
This article provides a firm-centred interpretation of why some industrial clusters forge ahead and others lag behind. It argues that the dynamic growth of a cluster depends on its absorptive capacity and therefore on the capacity of firms to absorb external knowledge and diffuse it into the intra-cluster knowledge system. This article speculates on the relationship existing between the heterogeneity of firms’ knowledge bases with both intra- and extracluster knowledge systems. It concludes by illustrating that a conceptual link exists between firm-level knowledge bases, the cluster absorptive capacity and its potential for growth.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.