Knowledge, Innovation and Institutions: Global and Local Dimensions of the ICT Cluster in Waterloo, Canada

Abstract

Bramwell A., Nelles J. and Wolfe D. A. Knowledge, innovation and institutions: global and local dimensions of the ICT cluster in Waterloo, Canada, Regional Studies. This paper presents research findings on the information and communication technology (ICT) cluster in Waterloo, Ontario. Cluster dynamics in Canada do not conform to some of the key assumptions in the literature on clusters that emphasize the importance of local intra-cluster dynamics based on inter-firm linkages at the local level. The results of this case study indicate that many inter-firm linkages in the Waterloo ICT cluster are non-local, and that extra-firm institutional supports, such as the local university and industry association, are critical in sustaining and strengthening the cluster. Knowledge-based cluster theories that emphasize the role of local and global knowledge flows and learning processes, and the interaction effect of civic capital and local institutions in supporting the development of a local 'learning economy', provide more compelling explanations for the resilience of the ICT cluster in Waterloo, Ontario. [image omitted] Bramwell A., Nelles J. et Wolfe D. A. La connaissance, l'innovation, et les institutions: les dimensions mondiales et locales de la grappe TIC a Waterloo, au Canada, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche a presenter les resultats des recherches effectuees sur la grappe de technologie de l'information et de la communication (TIC) a Waterloo, dans l'Ontario. Au Canada, la dynamique de grappes ne se conforme pas a quelques-unes des suppositions cle de la documentation sur les grappes qui met l'accent sur l'importance de la dynamique locale des grappes fondee sur les rapports interentreprises d'envergure locale. Les resultats de cette etude de cas indiquent que beaucoup des rapports interentreprises de la grappe TIC a Waterloo ne sont pas locaux et que le soutien institutionnel externe, tel l'universite locale et les relations industrielles, s'avere indispensable pour maintenir et consolider la grappe. Les theories de grappes fondees sur la notion de connaissance et soulignant le role des flux de connaissance locale et mondiale et des processus d'apprentissage, et l'impact de l'interaction du capital municipal et des institutions locales dans le but de soutenir le developpement d'une 'economie d'apprentissage' locale, fournissent des explications indiscutables de la faculte de reprise de la grappe TIC a Waterloo, dans l'Ontario. Dynamique de grappes Technologie de l'information et de la communication Competitivite Economie d'apprentissage Amenagement du territoire Bramwell A., Nelles J. und Wolfe D. A. Wissen, Innovation und Institutionen: globale und lokale Dimensionen des Clusters fur Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie in Waterloo (Kanada), Regional Studies. In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse der Forschung uber den Cluster fur Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie in Waterloo (Ontario, Kanada) vorgestellt. Die Dynamik der Cluster in Kanada entspricht nicht einigen der zentralen Annahmen i...

The Effects of National and International Interaction on Innovation: Evidence from the Irish CIS: 2004–06

“…They also support recent case studies (Asheim and Isaksen 2002;Wolfe et al 2005;Bramwell et al 2008) and industry analyses (Gertler and Levitte 2005;Weterings and Ponds 2009) which suggest that distant interaction is important for innovation. This paper contributes to the empirical literature in three ways.…”

“…However, recent case study evidence (Asheim and Isaksen 2002;Wolfe, Davis and Lucas 2005;Bramwell, Nelles and Wolfe 2008) and industry analyses (Gertler and Levitte 2005; Weterings and Ponds 2009) have questioned the premise that geographically proximate interaction is more important than distant interaction for innovation. Indeed, Boschma (2005) has argued that geographical proximity is neither a necessary or sufficient condition for organizational learning.…”

The effects of the frequency of spatially proximate and distant interaction on innovation by Irish SMEs

“…The paper echoes the emerging evidence in the international literature that distance may not be a barrier to knowledge flows and that global interaction is important for innovation (see for example GALLIE, 2009 andBRAMWELL, NELLES andWOLFE, 2008).…”

Análise de redes como ferramenta de gestão para empreendimentos interorganizacionais

“…It is an approach that contrasts or even evolves the approach that inter-organizational networks are mainly characterized by being local productive clusters, where geographic location is an important factor for maintenance of competitive, as established by the first studies on networks due to Marshall (1890) and also supported by the strategic perspective of Porter (2009). Bramwell et al (2008), presented a case analysis of the technological cluster of Waterloo, confirming that sustainability and resilience of a cluster is based on the knowledge flow that occurs on the network, as the learning processes between a network of agents and even the dynamics between different networks form important innovation development factors.…”

“…While geographic location is no longer considered an obstacle to participation in the network, the external environment of operation will invariably impact on management. Tigre et al (2011) in his study on software clusters, and Bramwell et al (2008), present public policy actions to regional development as important impacting factor in the success of a network.…”