An ecosystemic model for the technological development of  social entrepreneurship: exploring clusters of social innovation

By: F. Gerli, M. Calderini, V. Chiodo. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1999396, November 2021.

Abstract: “Social-tech enterprises are organizations that create social value by employing technological innovation as part of their value proposition. The complexity and the cross-institutional character which link technological innovation to social business models makes these organizations inherently ecosystemic in their necessity of developing dense interactions to enact their social and technologically innovative objectives. This paper investigates which ecosystem configurations can enable the technological development of social entrepreneurship. Indeed, the research analyses European clusters of social innovation to understand if clusters can represent a viable ecosystemic option to promote technology transfer and adoption by social enterprises. Results reveal that current social innovation clusters display peculiar features as the necessity of bilateral networking with specialized actors, the low weight attributed to physical proximity, and the scarcity and informality of technology transfer processes. These elements, which are not typically displayed by a traditional cluster model, suggest considering different ecosystemic strategies to actively promote the technological development of social enterprises or for reconceptualizing clusters towards a demand-side perspective. Despite such a claim, our evidence shows that specific cluster configurations involving openness, low specialization on social economy, high cognitive proximity and structured governance models may informally unleash the generation of jacobian externalities fostering technological development.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Playing the innovation subsidy game:  Experience, clusters, consultancy, and networking in regional innovation  support

By: A. Rodriguez-Pose, J. A. Belso-Martinez, I. Diez-Vial. Cities, DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103402, 2021.

Abstract: “Government support to promote firm-level innovation is seen as a crucial factor for economic growth. This support is frequently channeled through firm-level subsidies. Despite their relevance within the policy portfolio, there is an open academic debate on whether subsidies are effective for innovation. This is by no means related to a potential inadequacy of subsidies, but because the mechanisms of assignment may be unsatisfactory. We argue that this may be the case when subsidies are awarded to larger firms with a solid international and innovative trajectory or to those that know how toplay the system,” rather than to the most deserving firms and projects. To test whether this is the case, we use data from 17,866 applicants for innovation subsidies managed by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness. We find that firms with specific knowledge accrued through previous submissions, public funding and grant consultancy or cluster location, are the main beneficiaries of public innovation support, generally at the expense of more promising candidates that lack the know-how to navigate a complex and often flawed process. This inertia gets policy-makers stuck in a sub-optimal assignment system that should be deeply reconsidered.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The Duluth International airport  aviation business cluster: The impact of COVID-19 and the CARES act 

By: D. L. Rust, R. D. Stewart, T. J. Werner. Research in Transportation Economics, DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2021.101135, November 2021.

Abstract: “The COVID-19 pandemic struck the U.S. aviation sector in March 2020, reducing air passenger volumes by more than 50 percent versus March 2019. Airlines dramatically reduced available seat miles, leaving airports nearly vacant as the pandemic took hold. The Federal government responded with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that provided aid and relief to airlines and airports. The Act generally achieved its intended purpose as a stopgap measure, but not all segments of the nation's aviation industry received immediate relief. Utilizing data from the Duluth Airport Authority, airport tenants, as well as governmental sources, this study examines the economic impact of the pandemic during 2020 on businesses in the Duluth, Minnesota, aviation business cluster and the efficacy of Title XII under Division B of the CARES Act in addressing the adverse effects of the pandemic on the Duluth aviation cluster. This paper does not make a judgment whether future relief packages should or should not be offered.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Coupling or lock-in? Co-evolution of cultural embeddness and  cluster innovation-exploratory case study of Shaoxing textile cluster

By: X. Yongsheng, Z. Xiailei, W. Wei. Technology in society, DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101765, November 2021.

Abstract: “Based on an exploratory case study of the development of Shaoxing textile cluster for more than 30 years, through the cross-level and multi-dimensional deconstruction of cultural embeddednesss(CE), this article dynamically analyzes the co-evolution relationship and results of its effect on the innovation capabilities of the cluster. The case study results show that CE affects the network structure and network behavior of cluster firms, which leads to the differences of innovation capabilities between cluster firms and the overall clusters. There exists a co-evolution relationship between CE and cluster innovation capabilities, and the result will lead to coevolution coupling or lock-in. Co-evolution coupling appears in the early stage of cluster development; while coevolution lock-in appears in the later stage of cluster development. So the embeddedness of same regional cultures may have completely different roles at different stages of cluster development. The root cause is that the network structure and behavior influenced by CE cannot dynamically match the demands for innovation in different stages of cluster’s development, and the path dependence of CE evolution leads to change difficultly.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Crisis-induced Innovation: Quality Upgrading in Chinese  Industrial Clusters

By: H. Xiangting, R. Jianqing, Z. Xiaobo. The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, DOI: 10.1093/jleo/ewab008, 2021.

Abstract: “Supporting institutions and policies play a key role in facilitating upgrades to product quality among manufacturing firms. However, the emergence of quality-supporting institutions has not been well studied. Based on qualitative and quantitative evidence in Chinese clusters, this paper shows that quality-enhancing institutions and policies often emerge in response to crises, such as consumer boycotts and impositions of export barriers, which can catalyze collective action from entrepreneurs and local governments to improve product quality.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Renewing  industrial region? Advanced manufacturing and industrial policy in Britain

By: P. Sunley, E. Evenhuis, J. Harris, R. Harris, R. Martin, A. Pike. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1983163, October 2021.

Abstract: “The UK’s industrial strategy, with local variants, aims to support manufacturing in ‘traditional industrial regions’ (TIRs). Using novel data for advanced manufacturing (AM) industries over several decades, we examine long-term changes in their geography by regions and local authority districts. These industries have shifted away from large urban regions, and local authority districts in TIRs have lost ground relative to those in other regions, although there are variations between industries. Foreign direct investment has tended to locate in non-TIR locations. AM industries have not shifted decisively towards research-intensive regions. We consider the implications for policy initiatives seeking to spark clusters around innovation districts.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Investigating the success factors of  Nordic entrepreneurial ecosystem – talent transformation as a key process

By: L. Steigerthal, R. MauerProf. The international journal of entrepreneurship and innovation, DOI: 10.1177/14657503211051217, November 2021.

Abstract: “This paper explores talent transformation from a pool of entrepreneurial talent to successful entrepreneurs as a central characteristic of a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem. To this end, we link related literature streams around cluster theory and regional innovation systems and expand them by drawing on the literature of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Starting out, we review literature on contextual factors that drive the success of entrepreneurial ecosystems and employ qualitative expert interviews to uncover nuances of a qualitative entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based on the interviews and by interlinking the factors identified in literature to have a positive influence on entrepreneurial ecosystems, we introduce talent transformation as a potential key process for the flourishing of entrepreneurial ecosystems and find the social and contextual business environment to be the main independent co-factors. By investigating the European best-practice example of the Nordic countries, we develop and introduce a three-phased talent transformation process and make concrete recommendations for entrepreneurial ecosystem development that can be applied in any geographic context.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The role of regional innovation system in mission-oriented innovation  policy: exploring the problem-solution space in electrification of maritime  transport

By: M. M. Bugge, A. D. Andersen, M. Steen. European planning studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1988907, October 2021.

Abstract: “The innovation literature increasingly addresses grand challenges and transformative change. However, the issue of to what extent transformative change can build upon the resources, actors and institutions of existing innovation systems has not received sufficient attention. Against this background this paper aims to advance our understanding of the geographies and continuities of transformative change, by exploring the role of regional innovation systems in mission-oriented innovation. Based on an in-depth case study of electrification of ferries in Western Norway, the paper finds that the accomplishment of the mission was in large part due to the fact that it created new regional economic opportunities and built upon and mobilized existing regional resources, actors and structures. This mission re-orientation of an existing regional innovation system was characterized by (a) limited contestation, low complexity and low uncertainty about the technological battery-driven solutions pointed at, (b) multi-actor and multi-scalar agency and finally (c) asset modification of strong and pre-existing RIS structures, institutions and regulatory context.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]