Non-technological innovation and multi-local territorial knowledge dynamics in the Swiss watch industry

Abstract

Abstract:Over the last few decades, territorial approaches have generally tried to explain how regions have specialised their production systems around specific path dependencies and technological innovation; how their specialisation enabled them to compete locally in the global market. Some socio-economic changes and recent theories have addressed new theoretical questions regarding new dynamics of knowledge, new territorial relations and new types of innovation.The case of the Swiss watch industry is used here to illustrate different aspects of this new approach. We propose to look at the present Swiss watch industry as a complex system of production-consummation of authenticity where non-technological innovations have become critical. We also explain the importance of combinatorial knowledge dynamics as well as diffusion and legitimisation processes. Finally, we propose analysing the region within complex multi-local knowledge dynamics, rather than considering it as a specialised local system in a global market.

Urbanize or Perish? Assessing the Urbanization of Knowledge Locations in Europe

“…This is not to say that activities primarily reliant on a symbolic knowledge base cannot take place outside of the urban fabric. The cases of goods such as gourmet food, tourism products, or luxury watches are some examples (Jeannerat and Crevoisier, 2011). However, the actors involved in such types of activities do not seem to show enough preference for a public policy provision such as a knowledge location (as we define it), which probably makes limited sense to their activities.…”

Staging experience, valuing authenticity: Towards a market perspective on territorial development

“…On the other hand, innovation also occurs through the development of parallel cultural activities. This implies, for instance, the editing of dedicated publications (historical books, special issues and dedicated publications), the production of multi-media supports (online editing, blogs or web television), the creation of stages (architecture of headquarters, museums, exhibitions) and the organization of events (Jeannerat and Crevoisier, 2011).…”

Towards Materials for Computational Heirlooms

“…Furthermore, the notion of wristwatches as a special kind of heirloom is a recent one, which has been largely cultivated through marketing efforts of Swiss watchmakers who were decimated by the introduction of cheaper electronic "quartz" watch movements in the 1970s. The "comeback" of the Swiss watch industry in the face of competition in the 1980s, through efforts to alter the public perception of their mechanical craft objects, is given as an example of "non-technological innovation" in business literature [39,88]. The success of the effort is evident in that a very prominent Swiss watchmaking company, whose watches are renowned for being some of the most expensive in the world (as well as for holding and even increasing their monetary value as they age), has for more than 20 years driven their marketing strategy based on a slogan which states that you never actually own one of their watches, but merely look after it for the next generation [62].…”