Factors influencing innovation in maritime clusters: An empirical study from Australia

Abstract

The extant literature on innovation in maritime clusters is predominantly concerned with understanding the innovative activities of maritime firms in terms of outputs and how they are influenced by cluster and extra-cluster environments. As such they overlook the firm-level practices also contributing to innovation in these maritime clusters. Substantial empirical evidence reveals that irrespective of location, firms' innovative outputs are also influenced by their internal organisational practices. The purpose of this paper is to provide a more complete picture of the factors influencing innovation in maritime clusters. The analysis is based on survey data from 54 maritime firms located in two Australian maritime clusters using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results suggest that the innovation activities of firms located in maritime clusters are indeed not only influenced by cluster-specific and extra-cluster specific factors but also by firm-specific factors. These firm-specific factors relate to harnessing the competence base, structures and systems and culture and climate for innovation.