Understanding knowledge networks and knowledge flows in high technology clusters: the role of heterogeneity of knowledge contents

Abstract

Previous research into regional innovation clusters has argued that high technology clusters exchange primarily technological knowledge in developing innovations. In this paper, I propose that high technology innovation clusters will include technological knowledge but also may include two other types of knowledge. Drawing from market pull research, I examine the role of market knowledge and then I introduce the concept of managerial knowledge to regional innovation clusters research. I propose that the communication of different kinds of knowledge between organisations – through formal and informal ties – creates different knowledge flows that produce different types of networks. To explore these arguments, I analyse whole-network data for 56 electronic information firms in a Dongguan, China cluster. Specifically, I identify and illustrate these different knowledge networks for a focal company, analyse the resulting network structures for each type of knowledge, and explore which actors in the network contribute which type of knowledge. The research contributes to the knowledge-based view by elucidating the importance of different knowledge content to the enterprises’ innovation and illustrates different knowledge flows in knowledge networks in the clusters.