Winner takes all? Tech clusters, population centers, and the  spatial transformation of U.S. invention

By: B. Chattergoon, W.R. Kerr. Research policy, DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2021.104418, November 2021.

Abstract: “U.S. invention has become increasingly concentrated around major tech centers since the 1970s, with implications for how much cities across the country share in concomitant local benefits. Is invention becoming a winner-takes-all race? We explore the rising spatial concentration of patents and identify an underlying stability in their distribution. Software patents have exploded to account for about half of patents today, and these patents are highly concentrated in tech centers. Tech centers also account for a growing share of non-software patents, but the reallocation, by contrast, is entirely from the five largest population centers in 1980. Non-software patenting is stable for most cities, with anchor tenants like universities playing important roles, suggesting the growing concentration of invention may be nearing its end. Immigrant inventors and new businesses aided in the spatial transformation. One Sentence Summary: The growing concentration of patenting in tech centers masks an important stability in non-software patenting for most U.S. cities.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Innovative Cluster as a Structuring  Element of Sustainable Spatial Development in the Region

By: I. A. Morozova, E. V. Kuzmina, I. S.K. Volkov, S.A. Shevchenko. In Cooperation  and Sustainable Development (pp 1579-1587), December 2021.

Abstract: “The purpose of this research is to study the sustainable development of the region and propose a model for the effective functioning of an innovative cluster that meets modern technologies and economic conditions. The research used empirical, theoretical, general biological methods of scientific knowledge, which allow identifying and substantiating the directions of sustainable development of territories. The work proposes a methodological approach, which consists in the development of organizational and methodological tools for the functioning of the innovation cluster in the context of ensuring sustainable regional development. The feasibility of forming an innovative cluster is due to the fact that it serves as a vector of growth in economic, production and social indicators of the efficiency of the region. The cluster within the region’s economy creates infrastructure links that enable the generation, dissemination and application of new technologies and innovations. The authors highlighted the criterion features of the innovative cluster: the presence of modern infrastructure; the use of digital and information and communication technologies; specialization in innovative developments and their introduction into production; Large data and information flows using the latest digital platforms and software products a certain structure of participants. The use of an innovative cluster provides opportunities that contribute to sustainable regional development: ensuring the investment attractiveness of the region, increasing cash flows to the regional economy, increasing gross regional product, increasing business activity of production and financial structures, increasing tax revenues to the budget of the territorial unit, increasing exports of knowledge-based products, developing the regional industrial complex and related industries. The creation of innovative clusters contributes to the sustainable development of the territories within which they operate. The implementation of the cluster activities allows to significantly increase economic, production and investment indicators, while significantly reducing the costs of organizations for the production of products. Such a multiplier effect is achieved not only by the enterprises participating in the cluster, but also by the region as a whole.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Synergy and correlation Optimization  Analysis of Innovation System and Institutional Governance System from the  Perspective of Cluster Ecosystem 

By: J. Sun, H. Zou, D. He. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, DOI: 10.1155/2021/2769992, December 2021.

Abstract: “Innovation and institutional governance are the key enabling factors of cluster ecosystem development. Its synergistic effects play an important role in enhancing ecosystem competitiveness. In this paper, pseudocode language is applied to cluster ecosystem cooperative model reasoning. The coordination and optimization of the innovation system and institutional governance system were studied in a biomedical cluster. Besides, Pearson algorithm was used to test the correlation degree of elements in three Chinese biomedical clusters. The results show that, in Zhangjiang and Nanchang biomedical clusters, the synergistic correlation coefficient between the innovation system and the institutional governance system fluctuates around 0.8. However, in Tonghua biomedical cluster, the synergy correlation coefficient fluctuated around -0.2. The fluctuation range between the two clusters was large. After adjusting the range of order parameters, the rank of synergy trend was Zhangjiang > Nanchang > Tonghua. Finally, further analysis shows that Zhangjiang and Nanchang biomedical clusters can achieve the optimal synergy state by adjusting innovation and institutional governance, but Tonghua cannot. Therefore, the collaboration between the innovation system and institutional governance system provides some reference for the high-quality development of the cluster ecosystem.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Entrepreneurial ecosystem and well-being in European smart  cities: a comparative perspective

By: L. Penco, E. Ivaldi, A. Ciacci. The TQM journal, DOI: 10.1108/TQM-04-2021-0097, December 2021.

Abstract: “Purpose – This study investigates the relationship between the strength of innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems and subjective well-being in 43 European smart cities. Subjective well-being is operationalized by a Quality of Life (QOL) survey that references the level of multidimensional satisfaction or happiness expressed by residents at the city level. The entrepreneurial ecosystem concept depicted here highlights actor interdependence that creates new value in a specific community by undertaking innovative entrepreneurial activities. The research uses objective and subjective variables to analyze the relationships between the entrepreneurial ecosystem and subjective well-being. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a cluster analysis with a nonaggregative quantitative approach based on the theory of the partially ordered set (poset); the objective was to find significant smart city level relationships between the entrepreneurial ecosystem and subjective well-being. Findings – The strength of the entrepreneurial ecosystem is positively related to subjective well-being only in large cities. This result confirms a strong interdependency between the creation of innovative entrepreneurial activities and subjective well-being in large cities. The smart cities QOL dimensions showing higher correlations with the entrepreneurial ecosystem include urban welfare, economic well-being and environmental quality, such as information and communications technology (ICT) and mobility. Practical implications – Despite the main implications being properly referred to large cities, the governments of smart cities should encourage and promote programs to improve citizens’ subjective well-being and to create a conducive entrepreneurship environment. Originality/value – This study is one of the few contributions focused on the relationship between the entrepreneurial smart city ecosystem and subjective well-being in the urban environment.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Oxford and Grenoble: multiple anchors, strong dyadic  relationships and national policy in fostering cluster architectures

By: D. Assimakopoulos, H. Lawton Smith, N. Baines, S. Romeo, M. Tsouri. Regional Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1998416, November 2021.

Abstract: “This paper explores the divergence in patterns of regional development in twin towns, one in France, Grenoble, and one in the UK, Oxford. Since the early 2000s, a number of changes in national policies in each country have had a direct effect on the dynamics of local technology-led economic development. Here the particular interest is in those that relate to interrelationships (dyads) between anchor organizations (public sector research laboratories) and major local firms. The paper’s focus is on how changes in policy effect strong local relationships and how multiple anchor organizations drive cluster development.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Cluster policy  of Ukraine: Target interests of regions and development of environmental  management

By: O. B. Finagina, I. M. Bitiuk, E.V. Buryak, O. A. Zaporozhets. Collection of scientific works of Cherkasy State Technological University. Series: Economic Sciences, DOI: 10.24025/2306-4420.62.2021.241830, 2021.

Abstract: “The article provides a theoretical and methodological generalization and proposes a new solution to the current scientific problem, which is to substantiate practical recommendations for the formation and development of the scientific direction of the cluster economy and expand the use of modern environmental management. The cluster economy, its theoretical and methodological content as system knowledge and reflection in the newest generalized provisions – social and ecological management are substantiated. The knowledge of management in the formation of cluster economy of Ukraine on the basis of system integration and balance of national interests is considered and systematically analyzed with recommendations for further study of the existing specifics of social progress, knowledge management and practice of improving the effectiveness of government and business. The author’s vision of classification of interests in stimulating cluster formation of enterprises and measures of regional cluster policy on the platforms of action of principles – trust, knowledge-intensive measures, targeted information support, compliance with European integration values is substantiated and given.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

Modelling and Optimization of Hydrogen  Production in an Industrial Cluster Accounting for Economic Cost and  Environmental Impact

By: Y. Ibrahim, D. M. Al-Mohannadi, P. Linke. The Italian Association of Chemical Engineering, DOI: 10.3303/CET2188073, 2021.

Abstract: “According to the Paris agreement and under emissions reduction protocols, the global energy sector is expected to abide by the established restrictions to target zero-carbon resources by 2050. Hydrogen has been known as one of the most plentiful elements in the universe, yet it solely appears as combined with other elements. Therefore, hydrogen production itself is an energy-intensive process and thus could generate significant amounts of CO2. Nevertheless, green hydrogen (produced from renewable resources) rapidly gaining interest as a key material in the decarbonisation of the energy sector and one of the promising solutions to tackle the global warming challenge. This work presents a framework for hydrogen and CO2 utilisation strategies in an industrial park while identifying optimum decisions related to the allocation of the feedstock through possible technologies to produce sustainable and low-cost hydrogen. A techno-economic optimization model based on a superstructure approach has been developed to identify the best possible hydrogen network configurations from a number of technologies, which is achieved by a combination of many possible hydrogen and CO2 utilisation scenarios. A case study that resembles Qatar’s industrial economy is set out to investigate the application of the proposed approach.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]

The geography of lifestyle center growth: The emergence of a  retail cluster format in the United States

By: M. Rice, M. Sorenson, J. Aversa. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2021.102835, December 2021.

Abstract: “Just as geographers have given much attention to the evolution of shopping malls and power center retail complexes, it is equally important for research in business geography to continue to provide developmental evidence as new and distinctive retail cluster formats emerge and grow. The lifestyle center is a unique type of retail complex that has experienced much expansion across the United States yet has not received much research attention from location researchers. This study provides answers to basic questions, including the geography of lifestyle center development, the relationship of lifestyle center development to traditional mall activity, and the characteristics of lifestyle center market areas in comparison with the trade areas of their mall counterparts. The results show that lifestyle centers are developing in distinctive locations and markets within American cities that are not well-served by traditional malls. The study results also establish that lifestyle centers have a significant bias toward location in large cities, representing a clear contrast with traditional malls and their locational orientation toward smaller centers. The study summarizes these findings and argues that the emergence of the lifestyle center format has important implications for retailers, commercial property developers, and local economic development officials.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORS]