Aerospace Cluster Research Articles

Early stage cluster development: a manufacturers-led approach in the aircraft industry

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the early stage of development of a cluster. The literature on early stage of cluster development shows that there are often random effects such as an entrepreneur and spin-off companies, and in this study, a coordinated approach for cluster development is described. Design/methodology/approach – A single exploratory case study approach is followed. The aerospace cluster in the Spokane region, State of Washington, is described. Data from a variety of sources are triangulated to enhance the credibility of the case study findings. Findings – It was found that although there are many types of collaborations occurring in the region, which involve policy and government organizations, the main driver of the early-stage cluster development is manufacturers-led coordinating mechanism. Individual manufacturers are too small to be successful in the aerospace industry, and they are collaborating to present a united “front” to out-of-the-region customers. Once customers place an order, then within this coordinating mechanism, the work is divided among different manufacturers. Research limitations/implications – The research has two main limitations. First, it is a single case study, and therefore, the results may not be generalizable. Second, the cluster is in an early stage of development, so it is not (yet) clear whether this manufacturers-led coordinated approach will have long-term success. Practical implications – The studies offer potential for cluster development that go beyond relying on a single entrepreneur or on mostly government- or policy-driven initiatives. Instead, this is an approach that can be used by industry to lift the overall competitiveness of their region. Social implications – This cluster development approach offers potential for economic development of smaller regions which mainly consist of small- and medium-sized companies without endowment benefits or a large local customer base. Originality/value – This study adds to the existing knowledge on clusters and cluster types. The identified cluster approach does not fit with the main types of clusters that have been identified in the literature. The companies involved are mainly small- to medium-sized companies, but by coordinating their capabilities, they are able to present core capabilities in a much more attractive manner to customers. This cluster development approach is not driven by or achieved through advantages in innovation, vertical or horizontal supply chain competition and advantages, creation of spin-off firms, or a regional demand base as customers are located outside the region. It deviates in terms of the types of companies involved and, mostly, in a sense that it acts as one unit to customers who are located outside the region.

CIAM’s scientific school of strength and its ties with Samara aerospace cluster (for the 85 th anniversary of CIAM’s foundation)

The role of Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) as the leading scientific-research institute in the system of provision of the required dynamic and strength parameters of aircraft engines developed in the country is shown in the paper. Principles and traditions of the CIAMs scientific strength school as applied to solving practical problems, establishing the causes of defects and working out specific certain recommendations on the basis of fundamental and engineering approaches are discussed. The fact that CIAM brings together engineers and researchers, as well as employees of industrial enterprises, universities, academic and branch institutes, research institutions of the Ministry of Defense and civil aviation, working in close contact with them, is a specific feature of the CIAMs scientific strength school. The role of the outstanding scientists I. Sh. Neiman, S. V. Serencen, R. S. Kinasoshvili, I.A. Birger in the forming and development of the CIAMs scientific strength school is also shown. A wide range of subjects dealing with the study of aircraft engine dynamics with an appropriate combination of theoretical, computational and experimental investigations in the area of creating and expanding the unique research-and-trial facilities for strength testing of engines and their assemblies and systems is noted. Much attention is given to conversion programs on ground-based application of gas-turbine engines including the development of Russian and International regulatory documents. Special emphasis is placed on close ties between the CIAMs strength specialists with Samaras aircraft engine manufacturers and the scientific strength school of CIAM and Samaras aerospace cluster, as well as the outstanding role of academician N.D. Kuznetsov in the development and strengthening of these ties.

Aerospace Cluster of Bangalore: Can the SMEs Take up the Challenges?

As per estimates made by leading experts global civil aerospace industry is expected to touch revenue of US $45 billion. The industry is witnessing emergence of developing countries such as India, Brazil and China as players pivoted to play major role in future. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) in India have the potential to garner a major share in Tier-3 and Tier-4 sectors of aerospace value chain. Overseas aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing have recognized the competencies and skills India has in areas such as engineering, production, maintenance & service, etc. In this backdrop, this paper explores the global scenario of SMEs in some of the successful clusters. Some of the prominent clusters discussed in this paper include the clusters at California & Seattle, Toulouse, Hamburg and Chengdu. This would help us in drawing useful lessons for the Bangalore cluster, which is highlighted in the paper. An analysis is done to identify major challenges that influence the future growth prospects of aerospace industry in Bangalore namely Infrastructure, Finance, Technology and Manpower. A summary and discussion of the opportunities and challenges faced by the Bangalore aerospace cluster and draws conclusions, which have a bearing on policy measures.

Knowledge exchanges in innovation networks: evidences from an Italian aerospace cluster

Purpose – This paper aims at investigating the multifaceted nature of innovation networks by focusing on two research questions: Do cluster actors exchange only one type of innovation-related knowledge? Do cluster actors play different roles in innovation-related knowledge exchange? Design/methodology/approach – This paper builds on data collected at the firm level in an Italian aerospace cluster, that is a technology-intensive industry where innovation is at the base of local competitiveness. A questionnaire was used to collect both attribute data and relational data concerning collaboration and the flows of knowledge in innovation networks. The authors distinguished among three types of knowledge (technological, managerial and market knowledge) and five types of brokerage roles (coordinator, gatekeeper, liaison, representative and consultant). Data analysis relied on social network analysis techniques and software. Findings – Concerning the first research question, the findings show that different types of knowledge flow in different ways in innovation networks. The different types of knowledge are unevenly exchanged. The exchange of technological knowledge is open to everyone in the cluster. The exchange of market and managerial knowledge is selective. Concerning the second research question, the authors suggest that different types of cluster actors (large firms, small- and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities and institutions for collaboration) do play different roles in innovation networks, especially with reference to the three types of knowledge considered in this study. Research limitations/implications – The present paper has some limitations. First of all, the analysis focuses on just one cluster (one industry in one specific location), cross- and comparative analyses with other clusters may illuminate the findings better, eliminating industry and geographical biases. Second, the paper focuses only on innovation-related knowledge exchanges within the cluster and not across it. Practical implications – The results have practical implications both for policy makers and for managers. First, this research stresses how innovation often originates from a combination of different knowledge types acquired through the collaboration with heterogeneous cluster actors. Further, the analysis of brokerage roles in innovation-driven collaborations may help policy makers in designing programs for knowledge-transfer partnerships among the various actors of a cluster. Social implications – The paper suggests a clear need of developing professional figures capable of operating at the interface of different knowledge domains. Originality/value – The data illuminate several aspects of how innovation takes place in a cluster opening up intriguing aspects that have been overlooked by extant literature. The authors believe that this may trigger several lines of further research on the topic.

Aerospace Clusters and Competitiveness Poles: A France-Quebec Comparison

Aerospace Clusters and Competitiveness Poles: A France-Quebec Comparison

항공산업 클러스터 활성화를 위한 지원 기능 분석 -경남을 중심으로-

항공산업 클러스터 활성화를 위한 지원 기능 분석 -경남을 중심으로-

Multilevel system of Earth operational hyperspectral monitoring

The paper presents an innovative project of Samara Aerospace Cluster Multilevel system of Earth operational hyperspectral monitoring the goals and tasks of the project are outlined.

Control by proximity: Evidence from the ‘Aerospace Valley’ Competitiveness Cluster

Levy R. and Talbot D. Control by proximity: evidence from the ‘Aerospace Valley’ competitiveness cluster, Regional Studies. This paper is concerned with the links that exist between the control of inter-organizational relationships and effects of proximity. It proposes a theoretical framework that explains how geographical and organizational proximities reinforce formal and informal control mechanisms. This framework is then used to analyse mechanisms of control by proximity in a French aerospace cluster. It is observed that formal and informal control is concentrated in a small number of groups located near the majority of the establishments' members of the cluster. It is also shown that informal control mechanisms require a stronger geographical proximity than formal control mechanisms in order to operate.

The Competitive Position of the Basque Aeroespatial Cluster in Global Value Chains: A Historical Analysis

In this paper, based on the case study of the aerospace cluster of the Basque Country (Spain), we aimed at analysing how local industries develop a new specialization, that is, how a cluster emerges, and how it evolves over time. For that purpose, apart from considering local factors (both forces that are internal to the cluster and to the territory), we explicitly consider the role of institutional and technological changes, and how they affect industry structure and governance patterns of global value chains (GVCs). We observe that global-scale regulations (deregulation and competition policy) and technological change, together with local factors such as the existence of anchor firms, local policies, related variety and social capital at regional and cluster levels played a significant role in the emergence of the cluster and how it became inserted in the GVCs. Later on, the development of suppliers' capabilities also had a relevant role in the evolution of the governance patterns of GVCs.

Centripetal forces in aerospace clusters in Mexico

High technology companies tend to cluster around knowledge-producing organizations. Aerospace follows this pattern, and there are well known examples of aerospace clusters located around large prime contracting aerospace producers. A recent trend that is taking momentum is the setup of manufacturing facilities by leading aerospace companies in Mexico. The objective of this study is to investigate the attracting factors of Mexican clusters and to examine some of the country policy measures to incentive the aerospace sector. A survey applied to selected aerospace firms in Mexico and interviews with regional governments are the information source. Agglomeration forces in Mexican aerospace clusters are strongly related with manufacturing advantages. In addition, policy measures seem insufficient to encourage firms to undertake more complex activities.

COLLABORATION IN AN AEROSPACE SMEs CLUSTER: INNOVATION AND ICT DYNAMICS

The aerospace industry is characterized by an intensive net of relationships and information in the supply chain. The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working for this kind of industry needs to be innovative and adopt information and communication technologies (ICT) tools to work with bigger companies. This paper explore three networks of relations (i.e. complete, R&D, and production) inside an aerospace cluster of SMEs located in Italy with the aims to specify dynamics in the ICT adoption and innovation rising. The centrality in the R&D network emerges as key characteristics to explore innovation and ICT in such firms.

An Analysis of Actual and Potential Clustering Structures, Stakeholder Governance Activities and Cross-locality Linkages in the Welsh Aerospace Industry

Commercial aerospace is a key sector in the Welsh economy, engaged in complex overlapping activities from aircraft manufacture (AM), through maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), to research, development and training (RDT). Defining and operationalizing a framework for analysis using both qualitative and quantitative data, this paper examines the actual and potential roles of the relationships in Wales between commercial aerospace firms, industry, government and institutional stakeholders, at both local and non-local levels. Concentrations of manufacturing in North Wales, and MRO in South Wales along with RDT operate as distinct constituent parts of aerospace clusters in neighbouring regions of England and beyond. The results, however, highlight links between the location of AM, MRO and RDT in Wales, emphasizing their (partially) geographically symbiotic relationships. Moreover, there are key inter-linkages that need consideration if the long-term health of Welsh aerospace is to be secured. Simultaneously, all three sub-sectors in Wales exhibit weaknesses which could render them vulnerable to greater external competition, particularly from developing countries. This emphasizes a need to alter the current governance arrangements and utilize different clustering characteristics that currently exist, with government, as a major sponsor of the industry, having a strong (but changing) role to play in encouraging these more balanced industry structures and decision-making processes.

Does geographical proximity enhance knowledge exchange? The case of the aerospace industrial cluster of Centre Italy

According to the dominant literature, spatial proximity matters for successful inter-firm collaboration for innovation and more generally for knowledge transfer. This assumption is based on the argument that the tacit character of complex knowledge makes repetitive face-to-face interactions and shared cognition necessary to capture new ideas and to exchange knowledge. In contrast with this assumption, another stream of literature supports the idea that innovating requires integrating 'global best' scientific discoveries and knowledge, despite the geographical position of potential partners. Based on field research in the aerospace cluster of Rome, this study offers empirical evidence for the assumption that geographical proximity matters for inter-firm innovation-related knowledge exchange. Although external innovation collaborations are more diffused than local ones, we found that local relationships are more effective as knowledge vehicles, because more knowledge is exchanged through local relationships than through external ties. Moreover, it is showed that the propensity to transfer more knowledge with co-located partners is accentuated for the most critical type of knowledge. Finally, it is demonstrated that the propensity to access external knowledge is unevenly distributed among cluster firms.

A VBE MODEL IMPLEMENTATION: AN AEROSPACE CASE STUDY

AbstractSome manufacturing enterprises are typically organized in clusters; a Virtual Breeding Environment (VBE) is aimed to group diverse institutions and their support organizations sharing a business interest, so they could later operate as a Virtual Organization (VO). A VBE is proposed as a strategy to integrate manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). This paper gives an overview of VOs and international aerospace clusters. The proposed VBE model is explained through a case study done in the Mexican Aerospace Industry which provides a high level VBE model for the Aerospace Sector to capture the roles of the stake holders and to create VOs for integrated aircraft assembly process.

Clusters, Supply Chains and Local Embeddedness in Fyrstad

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of regional development policies designed to promote and develop regional clusters. Regional policymakers in Europe strive to develop local clusters to promote regional economic growth mainly through supply chain development initiatives, particularly in regions dominated by branch plants of large multinational enterprises. This article explores the role played by two large firms in developing linkages with local suppliers in the small regional economy of Fyrstad, west Sweden. Using a case-study approach, the investigation examines the main methods through which Saab Automobile and Volvo Aero Corporation develop suppliers within the local automotive and aerospace clusters. Overall, the research discovers that local sourcing is low and local supply chains are dominated by small, low value-added suppliers providing basic parts and repair services. The region lacks high-technology, fast-growing first and second-tier suppliers. The research also shows that the problems facing the supply chain in the automotive cluster are different from the aerospace cluster and that supplier linkages within the aerospace cluster appear to be more beneficial for long-term regional development. Finally, policy recommendations to aid each cluster are highlighted.