Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries

Abstract

Emerging clusters: Theoretical, empirical and political perspectives on the initial stage of cluster evolution. Dirk Fornahl, Sebastian Henn and Max-Peter Menzel (eds). Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar. 2010. 373 pp. £85.45. ISBN: 978-1-848-44522-2. Many current approaches regard to emergence of cluster 1 are either accident-based or deterministic (strategic action). This book positions itself somewhere in between by trying to see accident and strategic action together (Part I). In addition, it takes into account the role of localized knowledge and institutions for endogenous cluster dynamics (Part II). Finally, it challenges the commonly accepted view on agglomeration economies to be the dominant force behind clustering, instead suggesting the new patterns of emergence (Part III).The first part of the book is concerned with the link between new clusters and established regional paths, that is, path-dependency, by looking at two distinct and probably contrary perspectives explaining the cluster emergence, namely, accident-based (bottom-up) and strategic action (top-down). First, Cooke suggests the related variety between sectors within a region (Jacobian cluster) as the 'evolutionary fuel' for cluster emergence. However, it is not obvious which of the two perspectives he is adopting. Next, Dorenkamp and Mossig show in German TV production clusters that the policy intervention (a manifestation of strategic action) have been extremely influential in cluster emergence (unlike many studies assuming the influence of policy intervention to be the most only after critical mass). They highlighted the influence of 'regulations of policy system' on location decisions of both first-movers as well as subsequent private broadcasters. In the last chapter (and probably the most consistent one with the stated aim of Part I), Henn and Laureys clarify how two presumably contrary perspectives on cluster emergence can simultaneously explain the re-emergence of the Antwerp diamond cluster. Unlike the literature treating 'chance' as the major reason for emergence of clusters, this study mentions the role of chance only as "a factor that opens the space for strategic action." Accordingly, they highlight the critical role of key regional organizations (called CoFDI) as the doer of strategic actions, while on the other hand, they acknowledge the accidental events, that is, the post-war leftover of knowledge base within the region. The strategic action (by CoFDI) was manifested (among other things) by 'lobbying' between them and Belgian government. However, as authors themselves acknowledged, the mechanism behind such lobbying process is not clear.In Part II, the book is concerned with endogenous dynamics responsible for the emergence of clusters. It aims to focus on the connection between the localization of knowledge generation (e.g. through local labour mobility) and the collective establishment of cluster-specific institutions. First, Otto and Fornahl try to investigate the endogenous dynamics of clusters in G...

Innovative rural development through networks and partnerships

“…Lundvall et al (18) identify that the interaction and interdependence in the innovation process presupposes non-linearity and complex relations among its participants. For that reason one unifying factor is stability of the institutional environment that provides for accurate legal provisions and support in channeling market information, property right protection and regulation of competition.…”

Innovative Performance and Innovation System of Latvia

“…The innovative performance reflects the preconditions for innovative output provided by the institutional and socio-economic structures of the national innovation system as a whole (Lundvall, 2009). Each country should develop its own national innovation system as each country has its own institutional profile depending on the governance regime for enterprises, the organisation of the university sector, the level and orientation of government-funded research, priority sectors etc.…”

Farmers' Participation in Knowledge Circulation and the Promotion of Agroecological Methods in South India

“…Such a network is governed by an institutional setting that includes formal regulations as well as the informal sociocognitive routines. Together these organizations and institutions form an innovation system (SI) that can be defined at various levels: the national (e.g., R. R. Nelson 1993;Lundvall, Johnson et al 2002;Lundvall, Joseph, et al 2009), regional or local (e.g., Cooke et al 1998;Doloreux and Parto 2005), and sectoral/technological (e.g., Carlsson and Stankiewicz 1991;Breschi and Malerba 1997;Malerba and Mani 2009). In general, as Markard and Truffer (2008) point out, SI's promote innovative activity in existing technologies (incremental innovations) and toward novel technologies (radical innovations).…”