Economic agglomeration in the age of Industry 4.0: developing a digital industrial cluster as a new policy tool for the digital world

Abstract

Purpose This conceptual paper aims to develop the vision of a novel policy tool called the digital industrial cluster (DIC) thought for a future context shaped by digital economies and Industry 4.0. The DIC departs from the industrial cluster’s precepts and take them into the digital agglomeration phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a discursive and theoretical approach. To create a clear picture related to the research topic, this paper reviews the literature on how industrial clusters deal with digital transformation. The review takes a particular interest in industrial clusters, information and communication technologies, Industry 4.0 and policy tools for digital agglomeration. Findings The research develops the vision of the DIC as a new policy tool, building its foundations on both industrial clusters and digital economies; furthermore, the DIC was compared with other policy tools based on digital agglomeration to understand the similarities, differences and advantages of the former. Finally, this paper discussed where the DIC could find its way toward implementation and what externalities could be expected from doing so. Practical implications This research could be useful for policymakers and cluster organizations looking to deploy policy tools that take advantage of industrial clusters and digital transformation. Besides, the theoretical foundations presented could lead researchers to empirical identification of early incarnations of the DIC. Originality/value This paper develops theoretical principles for a new policy tool that connects industrial clusters, digital agglomeration and Industry 4.0 for the first time.

Research on the Measurement and Characteristics of Virtual Agglomeration Based on Social Network Analysis: Evidence from 29 Manufacturing Industries in China

“…The government has introduced policies to encourage and guide the virtual agglomeration of the manufacturing industry. This finding has also been confirmed in the process of the virtual agglomeration of manufacturing in other countries [40,41].…”

“…Systems 2023, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 18 confirmed in the process of the virtual agglomeration of manufacturing in other countries [40,41].…”

Cluster mapping in Spain: Exploring the correlation between industrial agglomeration and regional performance

“…Empirical studies also show that clusters, as innovation networks, enhance collaboration among government, industry, and research centers, creating more stable and less uncertain business environments in which digital transformation and Industry 4.0 have better probabilities to evolve and improve the innovation capabilities (Babkin et al, 2018;Fernandez-Escobedo et al, 2023;Götz & Jankowska, 2017;Jasinska & Jasinski, 2019;Vlaisavljevic et al, 2020). Furthermore, research made on different models of industrial agglomeration has reached similar results (Hervás-Oliver, 2021).…”

Аналіз Інноваційних Підходів До Територіального Планування Як Фактор Підтримки Сталого Розвитку У Поствоєнний Період

“…and Sharma, A., Oke, A.E. and Stephen, S.S., Fedirko, O. and Fedirko, N., Matos, S., Jorge, S. and Moura e Sá, P., Губа, М. І., Злепко, Н. І., Тацій , О. В., Fitz-Oliveira, M. and Wasgen, A.M. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] та інші автори.…”

“…У кінці 20-го століття та на початку 21-го століття стає актуальною концепція смарт-міст. Інноваційні підходи у територіальному плануванні активно включають цифрові технології, дані та зв'язані з ними аналітичні інструменти для створення ефективних та гнучких міських об'єктів [1].…”