Same Sea, Different Ponds: Cross-Sectorial Knowledge Spillovers in the North Sea

Abstract

Knowledge spillovers are crucial to innovation and upgrading, but it is largely unclear what knowledge spillovers are made of and how they actually happen. The importance of MAR vs. Jacobs externalities is also a debated matter, whereas the concept of "related variety" has recently come to occupy a middle-ground position. However, the relatedness concept is ambiguous in terms of operationalization and emphasises codified knowledge on behalf of other knowledge resources that are important for innovation, particularly if firms cross into new sectors. This paper sheds light on the "black box" concepts of knowledge spillovers and relatedness by exploring cross-sectorial transfers from the mature offshore oil and gas sector into the emerging offshore wind industry. A qualitative research design allows for a more nuanced understanding of the contents of knowledge spillovers and (un)relatedness between sectors.

Measuring relatedness in a multisectoral cluster: an input–output approach

“…Purchasing and sales linkages provide one means for transmitting both codified and tacit knowledge between firms, in terms of technology, skills, products or new management ideas (Midmore et al, 2006). Thus, tighter buyer--supplier linkages may provide agglomeration externalities (Steen and Hansen, 2013;Boschma & Frenken, 2011) within clusters. Considering the complexity of these inter--linked elements, it would be an enormous task to trace and measure the backward and forward links between each of the firms, as well as their external connections within a cluster (Cai and Lueng, 2002).…”

“…In assessing the future impact of the cluster, it is important that IMERC partners have access to appropriate methods to evaluate the relative strengths of the cluster from its onset. As outline above, studies suggest that clusters are more successful when they are related via similar inputs and/or outputs of production (Steen and Hansen, 2013;Boschma & Frenken, 2011) rather than multi--directional intra--cluster linkages. Given the multi--sectoral profile of IMERC, it is important that a method for analysing the interlinkages or the 'relatedness' between each of the four pillars; Marine Energy, Shipping, Logistics and Transport, Maritime Safety and Security, and Yachting Products and Services is available.…”

“…Much research has focused on whether spillovers occur primarily when a cluster is specialised in a few sectors (localisation economies), or diversified into a large variety of sectors (Jacobs externalities). Recent studies in evolutionary economic geography suggest that new industries are more successful when they evolve from the knowledge and resource base of existing industries that are related via similar inputs and/or outputs of production (Steen and Hansen, 2013;Boschma & Frenken, 2011). Thus, research argues that while Jacobian externalities are important, knowledge spillovers will only be effective among complementary sectors with shared competencies (Frenken et al, 2007).…”

“…The development of clusters with a diverse range of sectors may be more advantageous to clusters than a high degree of sector specialisation. Further studies expand on this notion of diversity and suggest that new industries are more successful when they evolve from the knowledge and resource base of existing industries that are related via similar inputs 4 and/or outputs of production (Steen and Hansen, 2013;Boschma & Frenken, 2011). However, the extent to which firms are related has an important effect on the actual impact of differing knowledge spillovers and learning within a region.…”

A study on the motivation of knowledge spillovers under the influence of high speed railway

“…Under the influence of this kind of mechanism, in the industrial agglomeration theory based on the theory of spatial adjacency knowledge spillover [1], the hypothesis that the spatial distance and the individual interaction opportunity is the reverse relation is no longer established [2]. Because of the high speed railway connection, the regional interaction between the two regions is more frequent than the adjacent space [3]. According to the classification of Fallah and Ibrahim on knowledge spillovers (tacit knowledge spillovers and explicit knowledge spillovers), tacit knowledge spillovers is more dependent on the individual activities, while explicit knowledge spillovers is influenced by individual, enterprise, government policies and other factors [4].…”