Networks of Clusters: A Governance Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to further our emerging knowledge on the external linkages of clusters. We adopt a network governance perspective and study connected clusters as goal-directed, multilevel whole networks that we denote as 'cluster networks'. Based on an analysis of four empirical cases varying in regional scope, age, and industry context, we identify two governance forms: internally governed cluster networks are formed to establish ties among cluster representative organizations to share knowledge and pool resources on selected activities; externally governed cluster networks are formed to systematically develop crosscluster ties and competences on and across levels and are brokered by a central inter-cluster administrative organization and several decentralized lead organizations. Our findings show that cluster connectivity can go beyond organization-based pipelines and personal relationships to include clusters as governed entities, albeit with different intensities regarding the brokerage of ties on lower levels.

Identifying configurations of multiple co‐located clusters by analyzing within‐ and between‐cluster linkages

“…Much work highlighted that proximity effects are not just purely spatial phenomena, but crucially depend on the organizational, institutional, social, and cognitive affinities of economic actors (Boschma, ; Mattes, ; Moodysson, Coenen, & Asheim, ; Rallet & Torre, ; Torre & Rallet, ). While geographical proximity is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for learning to take place (Boschma, ; Gibson & Bathelt, ; Rallet & Torre, ; Schüßler et al, ), it enables and facilitates interactive learning by building on these multiple affinities. However, proximity can also have negative impacts on innovation if lock‐in processes or over‐embeddedness (Uzzi, ) lead to situations where external knowledge and business opportunities are overlooked.…”

“…Yet at the same time, these clusters may be distant enough from each other and linked to many other knowledge networks, allowing them to avoid lock‐in and unwanted knowledge leakage. Meanwhile, a shared institutional context enables learning within and across clusters (Boschma, ; Rallet & Torre, ; Schüßler et al, ). It guides the transfer of knowledge, project guidelines, and joint goals from the organizational level to the network, cluster, and potentially the cross‐cluster level (Bathelt & Li, ; Bathelt et al, ; Bunker Whittington, Owen‐Smith, & Powell, ; Gilding, ; Menzel & Fornahl, ; Schüßler et al, ), where organizations or individuals residing within clusters can act as brokers of ties to other clusters (Burt, ).…”

“…Much research has aimed to understand why such industrial agglomerations or clusters exist, and comes to the conclusion that local collaboration, learning, and knowledge flows are key. While we know that successful clusters crucially depend on extra-cluster connections to other markets and technology pools, few studies have explicitly investigated interrelationships among industrial clusters, regardless of whether these are located in different cities (e.g., Asheim, 2003;Conlé & Taube, 2012;Lu & Cao, 2012;Lu, Ruan, & Reve, 2016;Lu, Zhang, & Reve, 2013) or different countries (e.g., Engel & del-Palacio, 2011;Hsu, 2005;Hsu & Saxenian, 2000;Meyer-Stamer, Maggi, & Seibel, 2004;Oliver, Garrigós, & Porta, 2008;Schüßler, Decker, & Lerch, 2013;Scott, 1994;Scott & Pope, 2007). Related studies have started a discussion of the interrelationships between industrial clusters, suggesting that linkages external to clusters, but internal to the value chain, are important to cluster development and competitiveness (Albors-Garrigos & Hervás- Oliver, 2012;Nadvi & Halder, 2005) and lead to the emergence of global technology networks (Bathelt & Li, 2014;Li, 2014).…”

Why do Firms Locate Across Multiple Clusters? Cluster Density, Capabilities and Ethnic Ties

“…Location-focused literature has so far focused on network formation within and between various clusters (Asheim and Isaksen 2002;Boschma 2005;Humphrey and Schmitz 2002;Lorenzen and Mudambi 2013), governance mechanisms at the level of multi-level connected clusters (Schü ßler, Decker, and Lerch 2013). Taking a similar view, in this paper, we investigate the phenomenon of multi-cluster presence by examining three drivers based on which firms choose to locate across multiple clusters.…”

Recorded music supply network reconfiguration: the dual effect of digital technology

“…It has been applied either, in a general sense, as a synonym to network as a structural form between markets and hierarchies (Kenis and Provan, 2006;Verwaal, 2004), or, more specifically, as how resources are allocated, and coordination and control among them are performed (Gereffi, 1994;Provan and Kenis, 2008). It has been discussed from a neutral, functional perspective (Kilduff and Brass, 2010;Schüßler et al, 2013), in which the discussion on networks and public policy is prolific (Lewis, 2011), or from a power asymmetry angle (Gereffi, 1999).…”