This monthly selection of articles is been carried out by Philippe Gugler and Basile de Raemy, from the Center for Competitiveness, University of Fribourg. The entire selection, carried out since 2013, can be consulted on the academic articles page of our web.

Intermediation in European aerospace  clusters: a configurational approach

By: D. Speldekamp, J. Knoben, A. Saka-Helmhout. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2022.2149725, December 2022.

Abstract: “This paper investigates which intermediary practices among European aerospace clusters support their diverse membership. Using a configurational approach, we find nine successful sets of practices spanning cluster members with varying levels of internal resources. We unpack important trade-offs, with no single approach to intermediation being ideal in every context. However, the presence of mutual trust is necessary, hinting that its importance in brokered networks has been understated by past research. Furthermore, equifinality exists even for similar types of members, suggesting the need for future research to be attentive to the existence of multiple viable approaches to cluster intermediation.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Mapping the state of the art of creative  cluster research: a bibliometric and thematic analysis

By: P. Casadei, M. Bloom, R. Camerani, M. Masucci, J. Siepel, J. Velez Ospina. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2022.2158722, January 2023.

Abstract: “The notion of creative clusters has become the focus of a growing number of policy initiatives aimed at revitalizing economies by means of creativity. However, despite their prominence in policy discourse, creative clusters are still a ‘fuzzy’ concept, defined and treated differently in different strands of research. To address these disparities, this paper presents a systematic literature review of creative cluster research (CCR), with the aim of: (1) exploring the state of the art in the field, (2) pointing out some important limitations, and (3) outlining a future research agenda. A total of 355 articles published between 1986 and 2019 were analysed, drawing upon a combination of manual coding, bibliometric analysis, and text mining techniques. This multimethod approach allowed us to provide both a meta-analysis of CCR and an exploration of its thematic content. In so doing, our paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how creative clusters have been studied over time, both broadly and in relation to different creative sectors and geographical contexts. Moreover, through the identification of research gaps and boundaries of knowledge in the field, it points to key methodological and conceptual development issues to be addressed in future studies.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Assessment of energy efficiency  investment in Onitsha business cluster, Nigeria

By: S. K. Dimnwobi, E. S. Nwokoye, C. I. Igbanugo, C. S. Ekesiobi, S. A. Asongu. International Journal of Energy Sector Management, DOI: 10.1108/IJESM-11-2021-0012, January 2023.

Abstract: “Purpose: This paper empirically assesses energy efficiency (EE) adoption among firms by examining the factors that drive investment in EE in the Onitsha plastic cluster, South-East, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach: Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to the selected enterprises. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered of which 423 were certified valid and used for the analysis. A Heckit model was developed and estimated. Findings: Gender, firm size, Joneses effect and expected cost reduction benefits are the significant determinants of EE investment. However, firm structure, government incentives, regulatory requirements and reduction of carbon emission are insignificant drivers of EE investment decisions in the Onitsha plastic cluster. Originality/value: This paper presents a foremost attempt at analysing the determinants of energy investment in a cluster in Nigeria.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Green Development Efficiency and Spatial Characteristics of  Urban Clusters: A Case of Yangtze River Delta City Cluster

By: X. Li, L. Han, L. Yang, T. Zhang. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, DOI: 10.1080/1540496X.2022.2161301, January 2023.

Abstract: “Green development efficiency has become an important research topic as many countries are striving to transform development model. This study conducts static measurement and dynamic decomposition analysis of the green development efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta in China using a DEA-Malmquist model. The result shows that the green development efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta is generally on an upward trend, but varies considerably within the region. Moreover, this study analyses the influencing factors and spatial effects of green development efficiency using the spatial Durbin model, which shows that there are obvious spatial correlations and spatial dependencies in the green development efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster, and the influencing factors such as financial development and industrial structure have a positive effect on the city’s green development efficiency and have a positive spillover effect on the surrounding areas. However, technological innovation has a negative spillover effect on green development efficiency. Finally, this study proposes to improve the regional coordination mechanism of green technological innovation, guide the development of financial agglomeration and leverage the spatial spillover effect. In addition, industry structure transformation should be further facilitated, and the development of advanced manufacturing clusters should be supported.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Exploring regional industrial  culture. Changing industrial culture and human agency in a Norwegian region

By: E. L. Eriksen, A. Isaksen, J. O. Rypestol. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2022.2162333, January 2023.

Abstract: “This paper explores the role that industrial culture and human agency play in regional industrial development. It makes three contributions. First, it discusses and explores the concept of regional industrial culture and examines its relevance for regional industrial development. Second, it identifies and investigates two main forms of regional industrial culture: one self-interest dominated type and one community dominated type. Third, the paper discusses how firm – and system-level agencies can contribute to changing the dominant form of industrial culture at the regional level. The paper also provides a study of the regional industrial culture and change in the culture by key actors and agency in the Molde region in Western Norway since 2010. The empirical study demonstrates that the concepts of self-interest and community dominated culture and their link to firm – and system – level agency is relevant to capture and describe a regional industrial culture and potential changes within it. We found that the industrial cultural change in the Molde region could be regarded as mainly being the outcome of system level agency performed by both firm – and system – level actors.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Overcoming knowledge network failures: evidence from a  French interregional scientific alliance in green chemistry

By: M. Maisonobe, B. Bernela. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2022.2155296, January 2023.

Abstract: “Competition in research has led to the emergence of new regional spaces and interorganizational arrangements, designed to improve their participants’ visibility, at the crossroads of regional systems and global exchanges. This article investigates the determinants of the formation of interregional scientific alliances through the in-depth case study of a federation of research laboratories in green chemistry in western France. Working from bibliometric and qualitative data and using a network analysis approach to evidence interurban network failures in this scientific field, we examine the federation’s geographical scope. We highlight the decisive role of (1) the spatial organization of the field (structure effect), (2) interpersonal ties between consortium members (network effect) and (3) national scientific guidelines and incentives (policy effect). We propose a novel mixed-method approach to understand interregional alliances and defend its potential to uncover the importance of interregional institutional arrangements in prompting interurban knowledge exchanges.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Reconsidering actor role in regional innovation systems:  transformative industrial change in the forest-based bioeconomy

By: H. Martin, I. Grundel, M. Dahlström. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2022.2151581, January 2023.

Abstract: “This paper reconsiders the roles of actors in regional innovation systems in the context of transformative industrial change. Empirically, it draws on evidence from the Värmland region of Sweden, where regional innovation system actors, with partial funding from the Swedish Innovation Agency, are striving to build a bioeconomy upon the traditional forestrelated industries. The main findings include that transformative industrial change adds a variety of responsibilities to regional actors, including the provision of change legitimacy, influencing the industry’s innovation directionality and achieving social acceptance for change. A combined perspective on sociotechnical transitions and path development in regional innovation systems theoretically informs the case.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

To Transform Economies, Promote Specialization

By: J. Dhar,  R. Rafih, L. Hoteit, C. Daniel, A. Flynn, V. Chin, L. Koleilat. Boston Consulting Group, Available at: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/promoting-economic-clusters-to-transform-economies, December 2022.

Abstract: “Catalytic specialization areas (CSAs) can jump-start and diversify an economy by tapping into current trends—enabling rapid commercial growth with relatively low investment.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]